Get set for Spring Fun for everyone - North Somerset Council
Get set for Spring Fun for everyone - North Somerset Council
Get set for Spring Fun for everyone - North Somerset Council
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The monthly magazine <strong>for</strong> the people of <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Read by 145,000 people every month ISSUE 90<br />
NORTH SOMERSET<br />
<strong>Get</strong> <strong>set</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Spring</strong><br />
<strong>Fun</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>everyone</strong><br />
www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk
Dear reader,<br />
It seems to be a good time <strong>for</strong> travel<br />
at the moment with two major<br />
schemes nearing completion and<br />
providing a much-needed boost <strong>for</strong><br />
travellers in the area.<br />
On 15 March the Greater Bristol<br />
Bus Network showcase route was<br />
launched, which runs between<br />
Weston-super-Mare and Bristol. £2m<br />
of improvements have been carried<br />
out along the route, which now<br />
provides a new key service <strong>for</strong><br />
commuters and other travellers. This<br />
is the first of a series of improvements<br />
to the bus network.<br />
The re-opening of Portishead rail line<br />
is a step closer as <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong><br />
<strong>Council</strong> has secured agreement of its<br />
rail priorities from colleagues in the<br />
West of England. The Joint Transport<br />
Executive Committee agreed <strong>for</strong><br />
the Portishead rail line to be taken<br />
<strong>for</strong>ward as part of the Greater Bristol<br />
Metro.<br />
Phase 1 will now include the reopening<br />
of Portishead Rail line<br />
operating half-hourly during peak<br />
times of the day, running between<br />
Severn Beach line and Temple<br />
Meads. Phase 1 also includes the<br />
new hourly train service from Bath to<br />
Temple Meads and extending<br />
through to the Severn Beach line.<br />
We are currently in discussions with<br />
the Department <strong>for</strong> Transport on the<br />
2 <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Life April 2012<br />
Welcome<br />
funding <strong>for</strong> the scheme but it is<br />
hoped that trains could be operating<br />
on the Portishead line as early as<br />
2017.<br />
<strong>Fun</strong>ding<br />
In other news, last month saw the<br />
fantastic award of £1m funding <strong>for</strong><br />
communities in the Worle area from<br />
the Big Local scheme by the Big<br />
Lottery <strong>Fun</strong>d.<br />
This funding will enable residents<br />
in the area to make a positive<br />
difference to their communities<br />
by identifying local needs and<br />
responding to them, making their<br />
area an even better place to live.<br />
We are one of only three areas<br />
in the South West to have been<br />
awarded this grant. This is great<br />
news <strong>for</strong> residents in Worle as this<br />
will make a significant difference<br />
to the area.<br />
I also want to thank residents <strong>for</strong> their<br />
continued support in making us one<br />
of the best unitary authorities in the<br />
country <strong>for</strong> recycling. Rates have<br />
soared since the new service started<br />
two years ago so thank you <strong>for</strong> all<br />
your ef<strong>for</strong>ts.<br />
Happy Easter.<br />
<strong>Council</strong>lor Nigel Ashton<br />
Leader of <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong><br />
<strong>Council</strong><br />
Coming in next<br />
month’s issue<br />
■ Flooding –<br />
How to be more resilient<br />
■ Area officers –<br />
Out and about<br />
■ Olympics 2012 –<br />
Countdown is on<br />
Your next issue of Life will be<br />
delivered from 30 April<br />
recycle me when<br />
you’ve read me<br />
This publication is<br />
available in large print,<br />
Braille or audio <strong>for</strong>mats<br />
on request. Help is also<br />
available <strong>for</strong> people who<br />
require council<br />
in<strong>for</strong>mation in languages<br />
other than English.<br />
Contact 01275 884 139
Contacts<br />
Life Editor<br />
Phone<br />
01275 884 139<br />
Post<br />
Life Editor, <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> <strong>Council</strong><br />
Room165, Town Hall<br />
Weston-super-Mare BS231UJ<br />
Email<br />
editor@n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> <strong>Council</strong><br />
Online<br />
www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk<br />
Phone<br />
Main switchboard:<br />
01934 888 888<br />
8am–6pm Mon–Fri<br />
<strong>Council</strong> Connect <strong>for</strong> all streets<br />
and open spaces enquiries:<br />
01934 888 802<br />
8am–6pm Mon–Fri<br />
Report it. Request it. Pay <strong>for</strong> it.<br />
www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk/connect<br />
carec nnect<br />
Care Connect <strong>for</strong> all<br />
adult social services enquiries:<br />
01275 888 801<br />
8am–6pm Mon–Fri<br />
care.connect@n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk<br />
Emergency (out of hours):<br />
01934 622 669<br />
Fax<br />
01934 418 194<br />
Post<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> <strong>Council</strong><br />
Town Hall<br />
Weston-super-Mare BS231UJ<br />
DX8411 Weston-super-Mare<br />
Tourist In<strong>for</strong>mation Centre<br />
Phone 01934 417 117<br />
Online www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk/tic<br />
www.visitsomer<strong>set</strong>.co.uk<br />
21512 0212<br />
Contents Creating youth<br />
8<br />
networks<br />
Regulars<br />
4 News update<br />
12 Walk – Hike around<br />
Burrington Ham<br />
15 What’s on –<br />
16 Local events<br />
17 Playhouse Theatre<br />
26<br />
Community<br />
wards care<br />
at home<br />
10<br />
Apprentices<br />
boost business<br />
22<br />
New Town<br />
Hall disabled<br />
facility<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Life www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk 3
News<br />
For latest updates on <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong>’s news visit: www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk/news<br />
Remember<br />
your recycling<br />
Residents are being reminded that<br />
recycling and waste containers<br />
need to be out by 7am on the day<br />
of collection to avoid them being<br />
missed.<br />
May Gurney, the council’s<br />
contractor, now sends collection<br />
crews and vehicles out earlier when<br />
the roads are quieter – which means<br />
the first bins and containers are<br />
picked up at 7am.<br />
The council has always asked<br />
people to put out their containers<br />
at this time but now the earlier<br />
start means some houses might<br />
be missed if they don’t follow the<br />
guidance.<br />
If you put containers out the night<br />
be<strong>for</strong>e, make sure materials are<br />
firmly in place to avoid spillages<br />
or being blown away.<br />
www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk/<br />
recycling<br />
4 <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Life April 2012<br />
i<br />
Send a jubilee<br />
message to The Queen<br />
Send The Queen a goodwill<br />
message <strong>for</strong> her Diamond Jubilee<br />
by popping into council offices and<br />
signing a book from the people of<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong>.<br />
During April, May and June local<br />
residents can write a message to Her<br />
Majesty in two books, which will be<br />
available to sign at Somer<strong>set</strong> House<br />
reception, in Ox<strong>for</strong>d Street,<br />
Weston-super-Mare, and Castlewood<br />
reception, in Clevedon.<br />
At the end of June the messages<br />
from both books will be collated<br />
into one edition which will be sent<br />
to the palace.<br />
Residents can also send messages<br />
direct to Her Majesty on the official<br />
Diamond Jubilee website, at<br />
www.thediamondjubilee.org<br />
Community minibuses<br />
Clapton-in-Gordano, Kingston<br />
Seymour and some rural villages<br />
around Weston-super-Mare are <strong>set</strong> to<br />
be the first in <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> to get<br />
their own community minibus services.<br />
Starting this month, community mini -<br />
buses will provide regular journeys to<br />
the nearest town centre.<br />
A flat fare of £2 per single journey<br />
means the services will be a valuable<br />
community resource, providing links<br />
<strong>for</strong> shopping, visiting friends and<br />
essential services.<br />
For more in<strong>for</strong>mation about community bus timetables visit:<br />
www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk/communitytransport or call 01934 426 711<br />
i
<strong>North</strong>Somer<strong>set</strong><strong>Council</strong> /<strong>North</strong>Somer<strong>set</strong>C Curzon’s<br />
centenary<br />
p19<br />
Women urged to join Race <strong>for</strong> Life<br />
Women in <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> are<br />
being urged to sign up to this<br />
year’s Race <strong>for</strong> Life and help raise<br />
funds <strong>for</strong> Cancer Research UK.<br />
Women and girls of all ages, shapes<br />
and sizes can join in the fun during the<br />
5km route along Weston’s beach on<br />
Sunday 13 May.<br />
Commuters are being urged to<br />
travel to work in a more<br />
sustainable way during a jam-busting<br />
challenge this month.<br />
Individuals and companies across the<br />
South West are taking part in the<br />
friendly competition to see who has<br />
the greenest credentials when it<br />
comes to getting to work.<br />
The jam busting web-based initiative<br />
is designed to reduce the number of<br />
cars on the road and promote car-<br />
Last year, 1,864 women took part in<br />
Race <strong>for</strong> Life in Weston and raised<br />
£96,477.<br />
This year organisers hope to see<br />
2,100 women and girls put their best<br />
foot <strong>for</strong>ward and help raise £108,000<br />
<strong>for</strong> vital research.<br />
To enter the event visit www.race<strong>for</strong>life.org or call 0871 641 1111 i<br />
Take the commuter challenge<br />
sharing, walking, cycling, taking<br />
public transport, or a combination of<br />
these.<br />
If motorists left their cars at home <strong>for</strong><br />
one day a week then congestion<br />
would be reduced by 20 per cent.<br />
The challenge started on 26 March<br />
but runs until Friday 27 April. Just<br />
keep a daily diary of your journey to<br />
work and register online to earn<br />
points. Prizes are on offer <strong>for</strong> those<br />
who make the switch.<br />
To join the challenge visit www.travelwest.info i<br />
Pick up a secondhand<br />
book at<br />
giant sale<br />
Book lovers are in <strong>for</strong> a treat<br />
when a giant second-hand book<br />
sale takes place at the Tyntesfield<br />
estate in Wraxall this month.<br />
Volunteers who run the secondhand<br />
book shop at the National<br />
Trust property are holding the sale<br />
on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15<br />
April, from 10am to 5pm.<br />
Thousands of books will be<br />
available and every one sold will<br />
help pay <strong>for</strong> the ongoing<br />
conservation work at Tyntesfield.<br />
Donations<br />
The sale takes place in the<br />
courtyard of the Home Farm Visitor<br />
Centre. Donations of books are<br />
also welcome so just drop them<br />
off at the shop on any day. A<br />
collection may be possible if<br />
you cannot get there in person.<br />
Call 01934 843 728 or 01275<br />
372 940.<br />
For more in<strong>for</strong>mation visit<br />
tyntesfield@nationaltrust.org.uk<br />
or call 01275 461 900<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Life www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk 5<br />
i
News<br />
For latest updates on <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong>’s news visit: www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk/news<br />
Search to identify Puxton war hero<br />
AFirst World War history-enthusiast<br />
is on a mission to identity the body<br />
of a young war hero from Puxton who<br />
was killed in action in France.<br />
Lance Corporal William Palmer grew<br />
up in the village but moved to Australia<br />
and was fighting <strong>for</strong> the Australian<br />
Army when he was killed at the age of<br />
22 on 19 July 1916.<br />
This attack near Fromelles saw more<br />
than 5,500 Australians losing their<br />
lives in 24 hours of fighting, and their<br />
bodies were put in mass graves by the<br />
Germans.<br />
Now, the remains of 250 British and<br />
Australian soliders have been<br />
Basic Computer/<br />
Internet Courses<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Training, a local not-<strong>for</strong>-profit organisation,<br />
is offering five-week courses at af<strong>for</strong>dable prices.<br />
● Venue: Campus Library<br />
starting Wed18 April<br />
from 9.30am to 11.30am<br />
● Venue: Campus Library<br />
starting Wed18 April<br />
from 11.30am to 1.30pm<br />
● Venue: Clevedon School<br />
starting Wed18 April<br />
from 7pm to 9pm<br />
● Venue: Weston Central<br />
starting Fri 5 May<br />
from noon to 2pm<br />
● Venue starting soon: Nailsea<br />
Numbers are limited,<br />
call early to reserve your place.<br />
For more in<strong>for</strong>mation call us on 01934 44 00 21<br />
or email info@northsomer<strong>set</strong>-training.org<br />
www.northsomer<strong>set</strong>-training.org<br />
6 <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Life April 2012<br />
A D V E R T I S E M E N T<br />
excavated and are currently being<br />
identified through DNA so they can<br />
have a full reburial with military<br />
honours at a new cemetery near<br />
Fromelles.<br />
Dundry resident John Battersby took up<br />
the challenge of trying to find any<br />
living relatives of William Palmer after<br />
spotting a plaque dedicated to him in<br />
Puxton church.<br />
John said: “William Palmer may not be<br />
one of these 250 bodies, but it would<br />
be wonderful if any relatives<br />
could be found. The DNA can<br />
only be identified through<br />
the female line, though.”<br />
Lane Corporal Palmer was the eldest<br />
son of Edward Colston and Mary<br />
Palmer. His sister, Effentine Kate,<br />
married a haulier of West Town,<br />
Backwell, in 1926.<br />
If anyone can help with the<br />
mystery, call John on<br />
0117 964 0951<br />
Check your blood pressure<br />
Shoppers in Nailsea can get their blood pressure<br />
checked during a testing session in the town this month.<br />
Nailsea and Backwell Rotary Club, working with the Stroke<br />
Association, is hosting a free blood pressure check at<br />
Tower House Medical Centre from 9am to 1pm on<br />
Saturday 14 April.<br />
Tests take a few minutes and are carried out by qualified<br />
health professionals.<br />
Every year some 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke<br />
and it is the third most common cause of death.<br />
i
<strong>North</strong>Somer<strong>set</strong><strong>Council</strong> /<strong>North</strong>Somer<strong>set</strong>C Recycling<br />
in schools<br />
p28<br />
Energy show in Portishead<br />
Energy-saving ideas <strong>for</strong> homeowners,<br />
tenants and businesses will be on<br />
offer at a special show in Portishead<br />
this month.<br />
Community co-operative Low Carbon<br />
Gordano is hosting the Gordano<br />
Community Energy Show, which runs<br />
Try croquet <strong>for</strong> free<br />
Try your hand with a mallet and<br />
have a go at croquet during a free<br />
day in Nailsea this month.<br />
Nailsea and District Croquet Club is<br />
holding its annual open day from<br />
10am to 5pm on Saturday 21 April.<br />
All ages are welcome and all<br />
equipment is provided, just wear flatsoled<br />
shoes. The club is behind<br />
Avening Close, off Trendlewood<br />
Way, in Nailsea.<br />
www.nailsea-croquet.org.uk<br />
from 10am to 1pm on Saturday 21<br />
April at Somer<strong>set</strong> Hall.<br />
Visit the stalls and trade stands to find<br />
out a host of in<strong>for</strong>mation about ways to<br />
save energy and money, such as solar<br />
power, wind energy and biomass.<br />
The Energy Advice Service <strong>for</strong> You will<br />
also be launched on the day, showing<br />
how a thermal imaging camera can<br />
detect heat loss from buildings.<br />
Jon <strong>Get</strong>hing, of Low Carbon Gordano,<br />
said: “The show will give <strong>everyone</strong> a<br />
chance to find out how we, as a<br />
community, can take control of our<br />
energy use and safeguard ourselves<br />
against future energy shocks.”<br />
For more in<strong>for</strong>mation call<br />
01275 848 025<br />
i<br />
Charity<br />
golf day<br />
Play a round of golf and raise<br />
funds <strong>for</strong> charity during a special<br />
event next month.<br />
The Royal British Legion is hosting a<br />
charity golf day at Worlebury Golf<br />
Club, in Weston-super-Mare, on<br />
Friday 4 May.<br />
Entry fee is £150 per team of four,<br />
including 18 holes and a two-course<br />
buffet.<br />
For an entry <strong>for</strong>m call Worlebury<br />
Golf Club on 01934 623 932 or<br />
Sue Potepa, from the Royal British<br />
Legion, on 01278 446 711<br />
Community<br />
bookshop extends<br />
opening hours<br />
C levedon’s<br />
new community<br />
bookshop is proving a huge<br />
success so opening hours will be<br />
extended during the spring and<br />
summer.<br />
The not-<strong>for</strong>-profit shop, in Copse<br />
Road, houses up to 11,000 books<br />
and it will be open from 10am to<br />
5pm from 6 April to give more<br />
people the chance to browse.<br />
The bookshop is registered as a<br />
community co-operative so it is<br />
owned and run by volunteers from<br />
the community.<br />
At the end of last year the shares<br />
scheme raised £20,000 to provide<br />
working capital <strong>for</strong> the first year of<br />
trading and beyond.<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Life www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk 7<br />
i
Young people have their say<br />
on positive activities<br />
Activities <strong>for</strong> young<br />
people in <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong><br />
are <strong>set</strong> to become more<br />
targeted thanks to a<br />
series of networks being<br />
established across the<br />
district.<br />
Meeting twice weekly in:<br />
● Clevedon<br />
● Nailsea<br />
● Portishead<br />
● Weston-super-Mare<br />
● Worle<br />
● Yatton<br />
Providing structured activities <strong>for</strong><br />
young people aged 12 to 18.<br />
8 <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Life April 2012<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> <strong>Council</strong> has <strong>set</strong><br />
aside £250,000 to fund 11<br />
commissioning networks in local<br />
communities which will deliver tailored<br />
activities <strong>for</strong> children and young<br />
people in their area – whether arts,<br />
sports, creativity, play, leisure or<br />
community-based projects.<br />
Town and parish councils, schools,<br />
children’s centres, the police, voluntary<br />
organisations and individuals are all<br />
being urged to get involved and join a<br />
network.<br />
By working together, the networks<br />
can identify what local children and<br />
young people need, develop a plan,<br />
and then commission activities.<br />
Young people themselves are also<br />
having their say on what they want<br />
and last month <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Youth<br />
Parliament ran an online survey.<br />
Youth Parliament deputy member<br />
Benedikta Fones, from Clevedon<br />
School, said: “We aim to provide the<br />
young people of <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> with<br />
We are looking <strong>for</strong> ADULT volunteers,<br />
minimum 20 years of age – training provided.<br />
Enhanced level CRB check will be carried out on all volunteers.
Benedikta Fones, deputy member of<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Youth Parliament<br />
a voice and enable them to have a say<br />
in the way their area is run.<br />
“We’ve been working with local young<br />
people in the hope that more will feel<br />
confident in putting <strong>for</strong>ward their views<br />
and take an interest in politics and<br />
current issues which affect them.<br />
“At the moment our focus is promoting<br />
positive activities <strong>for</strong> young people and<br />
the survey aimed to find out which<br />
facilities and activities they would like<br />
most and when, where and how they<br />
could be delivered.”<br />
The survey asked young people what<br />
they have done in their spare time<br />
during the last six months and what<br />
activities they’d be interested in doing<br />
in the future.<br />
The survey closed on 1 April but later<br />
this month a Question Time event will<br />
be held so young people can debate<br />
with decision-makers directly.<br />
At the time of Life going to press the<br />
panel was still being decided but it is<br />
hoped to include representatives from<br />
the police, council and a local MP.<br />
The event runs from 6 to 8pm on<br />
Monday 23 April, in the main hall at<br />
Gordano School, in Portishead.<br />
Youth Parliament member Peter Davies<br />
said: “The event is free, but people will<br />
need a ticket. We will be handing out<br />
tickets at local schools and <strong>everyone</strong> of<br />
all ages is welcome to come along.”<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Youth Parliament<br />
is also looking to recruit new<br />
members. Any young person aged<br />
11–18 at a secondary school or<br />
college in <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> can get<br />
involved.<br />
To have your say about positive<br />
activities <strong>for</strong> young people, to<br />
find out more about the Youth<br />
Parliament or if you’re interested<br />
in attending the Question Time<br />
event, email:<br />
positive.activities@n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Life www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk 9
Apprentices<br />
boost business<br />
Deciding which way to<br />
turn after school or<br />
college has never been<br />
easy but in this economic<br />
slowdown, the choices<br />
seem even harder.<br />
Unemployment in the UK is at the<br />
highest level <strong>for</strong> 16 years and,<br />
worryingly, the number of young<br />
people aged 16 to 24 without a job<br />
stands at more than a million.<br />
University tuition fees are also on the<br />
rise and from this September a new<br />
10 <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Life April 2012<br />
finance scheme comes into <strong>for</strong>ce which<br />
means students will be paying up to<br />
£9,000 a year.<br />
Apprenticeships could prove to be the<br />
perfect alternative though – giving<br />
young people on-the-job training as<br />
well as the opportunity to study <strong>for</strong><br />
nationally recognised qualifications.<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> <strong>Council</strong>, with its<br />
partners Agilisys, Liberata and Weston<br />
College, held an event earlier this year<br />
to show local businesses the benefits<br />
that apprentices could bring to their<br />
organisation.<br />
Skills<br />
Dr John Chudley, director of the<br />
National Apprenticeship Service in<br />
the south, said: “Our vision is that<br />
all employers will choose the<br />
apprenticeship programme as the way<br />
of getting the skills needed <strong>for</strong> their<br />
businesses.<br />
“They provide businesses with a<br />
significant return on investment<br />
by increasing productivity<br />
and introducing fresh new<br />
talent and innovation.<br />
“Apprenticeships are a<br />
gold standard route,<br />
alongside the more<br />
traditional academic<br />
route, and are a fantastic<br />
stepping stone <strong>for</strong><br />
individuals to build<br />
successful careers.”<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> <strong>Council</strong> now<br />
employs 20 apprentices a<br />
year.<br />
Employment isn’t guaranteed at the<br />
end but a sucession planning scheme<br />
<strong>for</strong> finding jobs has proved extremely<br />
successful in the last year.<br />
Opportunity<br />
Graham Turner, chief executive officer<br />
at the council, said: “We are proud<br />
to offer apprentices the opportunity<br />
to work in our organisation and<br />
appreciate the energy and profession -<br />
alism that they show – they are a credit<br />
to the council. The scheme is good <strong>for</strong><br />
young people, good <strong>for</strong> the council<br />
and good <strong>for</strong> the community.”<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> <strong>Council</strong>, Agilisys and<br />
Liberata work closely with Weston<br />
College’s Business Enterprise Centre.<br />
This centre offers free support and<br />
in<strong>for</strong>mation on training and funding<br />
<strong>for</strong> businesses who are thinking of<br />
recruiting apprentices.<br />
Apprenticeships are cost-effective <strong>for</strong><br />
businesses because most training takes<br />
place in the workplace. Flexible start<br />
dates also mean they can begin at<br />
any time.<br />
For more in<strong>for</strong>mation call<br />
Weston College Business<br />
Enterprise Centre: 01934 411 594<br />
Business.enterprise.centre<br />
@weston.ac.uk<br />
For more in<strong>for</strong>mation about the<br />
council’s apprenticeship scheme<br />
call: Jill Cowles: 01275 884 270<br />
jill.cowles@n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk<br />
To search the latest apprenticeship<br />
vacancies visit:<br />
www.apprenticeships.org.uk<br />
i
Jo Kidner<br />
Post-GCSE uncertainty is turning into an awardwinning<br />
career in finance <strong>for</strong> one <strong>for</strong>mer apprentice.<br />
Jo Kidner, now aged 20, wasn’t sure which way to turn when<br />
she left school at 16 but a two-year apprenticeship in business<br />
administration at Weston College <strong>set</strong> her on the right path.<br />
In 2009 she received Weston College’s Principal’s Award <strong>for</strong><br />
Outstanding Achievement While Training in Employment, and<br />
was also named Weston College Work-Based Apprentice of<br />
the Year 2008/09.<br />
She then joined <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> <strong>Council</strong> on an<br />
advanced apprenticeship in accountancy and<br />
when she finishes this year will be accredited<br />
with a level four Association of Accounting<br />
Technicians qualification.<br />
Jo, who is now a finance monitoring officer<br />
at the council, said: “The apprenticeship<br />
gave me fantastic opportunities to<br />
challenge myself and gain valuable<br />
experience which can be used across a<br />
range of jobs.”<br />
Bobby Turner<br />
Former Worle Community School pupil Bobby Turner is<br />
quickly climbing the career ladder – and it all started with<br />
an apprenticeship at <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> <strong>Council</strong>.<br />
The 21-year-old planned to study law at university but, despite<br />
receiving numerous unconditional offers, was put off by the high cost.<br />
Instead he joined the council as an apprentice in the audit, risk and<br />
in<strong>for</strong>mation team and was praised by managers <strong>for</strong> being<br />
extremely capable and enthusiastic.<br />
Bobby said: “Although my life is heading in a different<br />
direction from the one I always believed it would take,<br />
I have definitely made the right choice.”<br />
He is now working <strong>for</strong> the council’s partner Agilisys in their<br />
procurement team and has <strong>set</strong> his sights on a career in<br />
corporate law. He is in the second year of an Open<br />
University degree and is also studying <strong>for</strong> the Chartered<br />
Institute of Purchasing and Supply professional<br />
qualifications.<br />
He said: “I’m working towards a nationally recognised<br />
work-based qualification, gaining invaluable experience<br />
and at the same time studying <strong>for</strong> a degree while<br />
avoiding large debts. What could be better?”<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Life www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk 11
Hike around<br />
Burrington Ham<br />
Pack a picnic and enjoy wide-ranging views across the<br />
Mendips during this circular walk on Burrington Ham.<br />
The gravel car park is signposted<br />
Burrington Ham, which is part of<br />
the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding<br />
Beauty, a Site of Special Scientific<br />
Interest and open access <strong>for</strong> walkers.<br />
Take the rocky bridleway to the left of<br />
the car park and follow it up to the<br />
How to get there<br />
Start at map ref: ST 489582<br />
(OS 141)<br />
Car: Take the A368 from Churchill,<br />
heading towards Blagdon. Just after<br />
Lang<strong>for</strong>d Green, turn right onto the<br />
B3134. Go past the first car park<br />
(where there are public toilets),<br />
through the quarry, and follow the<br />
road up and round. The car park<br />
will be on your left-hand side.<br />
12 <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Life April 2012<br />
open area, veering<br />
left over the brow<br />
of the hill.<br />
At the top you<br />
will come to a<br />
crossroads in the<br />
grassy paths. Take<br />
the left-hand route,<br />
signposted as the<br />
footpath (the other<br />
routes are signposted as bridleways).<br />
Continue ahead on this wide grassy<br />
path, with views of the Mendips all<br />
around. It can get muddy, so wear<br />
suitable footwear.<br />
Continue on this main path and it will<br />
narrow and start veering downhill<br />
slightly, and winding towards a rocky<br />
outcrop.<br />
Climb up onto the rock <strong>for</strong> wonderful<br />
360º views, with Blagdon<br />
Lake in the distance.<br />
It’s the perfect spot<br />
<strong>for</strong> a picnic on a<br />
sunny day.<br />
From the rock,<br />
continue on the<br />
main path in the<br />
direction you were<br />
heading (veering<br />
right), but then take the first left-hand<br />
path – a narrow path through some<br />
trees.<br />
This leads to another open area, with<br />
another <strong>for</strong>k in the road. Take the righthand<br />
route, heading towards the silver<br />
birch trees.<br />
This path leads into<br />
another, so take the righthand<br />
route and follow this<br />
down through the avenue<br />
of trees.
At the bottom you will come to another<br />
t-junction. Take the left-hand route,<br />
which becomes a rocky track veering<br />
downhill.<br />
At the end of this path is a wooden<br />
gate. Go through here and turn right<br />
onto Ham Lane.<br />
At the end of the lane you’ll come to a<br />
t-junction with Rick<strong>for</strong>d<br />
Rise. Turn right, past<br />
the barn, and<br />
then follow the<br />
lane around to<br />
the left, past<br />
the farm shed<br />
and then<br />
veering uphill.<br />
Keep on this main track, following the<br />
yellow way-markers, heading uphill<br />
steeply. Beautiful views can be seen on<br />
your left after the cattle grid.<br />
The track leads to a house. Here, you<br />
can extend the walk and continue onto<br />
Blagdon but if you go straight ahead<br />
past the barn<br />
and farm<br />
buildings you<br />
will start to head<br />
back towards the<br />
car park.<br />
Go over the stile<br />
into the field and<br />
head towards<br />
the top-left hand<br />
corner, going<br />
through a row of trees. There will be a<br />
stile in the fence ahead of you. Go<br />
over this and keep going straight<br />
ahead, keeping to the left-hand edge<br />
of the field.<br />
At the top of this field, turn right and<br />
head to the next corner, towards<br />
a kissing gate.<br />
Turn left after the kissing<br />
gate, following the sign <strong>for</strong><br />
the Limestone<br />
Link, and follow<br />
this track back<br />
down through the trees to the car park.<br />
Walk in<strong>for</strong>mation<br />
Distance: approx 3 miles<br />
Difficulty: medium, depending on<br />
fitness levels. Two stiles. Some hilly<br />
paths. Wellies recommended<br />
Duration: approx 1hr<br />
Map: OS Explorer 141<br />
Start and<br />
finish<br />
© Crown copyright and database rights 2012 Ordnance Survey 100023397<br />
You are not permitted to copy, sub-license, distribute or sell this data to third parties in any <strong>for</strong>m.<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Life www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk 13
<strong>Get</strong> your free NHS health check<br />
Help prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes or kidney disease by taking<br />
advantage of a free NHS health check at your local GP surgery.<br />
People aged 40 to 74 can receive<br />
the free check to get a picture of<br />
their current state of health and any<br />
recommendations <strong>for</strong> the future.<br />
Detecting risk factors as early as<br />
possible could help save lives and<br />
by making small changes now,<br />
problems are less likely to develop<br />
later on.<br />
Results are available immediately<br />
and patients will have time to ask<br />
any related questions or raise<br />
concerns in a relaxed and friendly<br />
atmosphere.<br />
Health checks can give people<br />
reassurance and ensure they are<br />
as well as they can be – and how<br />
to keep it that way.<br />
Chris, from Worle, took advantage<br />
of the free NHS health check.<br />
He said: “I’m so glad I went. It was<br />
just a few days after my 50th<br />
birthday so I thought it was a good<br />
time – a bit like having an MOT.<br />
“It wasn’t embarrassing and the<br />
blood sample was taken using a tiny<br />
pinprick in my finger. The nurse was<br />
great and really put me at ease. I<br />
knew I was a bit overweight and my<br />
blood pressure and cholesterol were<br />
both slightly high, too.<br />
“Since then I’ve changed my eating<br />
habits and am a bit more active. It<br />
has made a huge difference –<br />
The Public<br />
Health Team<br />
For more in<strong>for</strong>mation visit: www.nhs.uk/nhshealthcheck<br />
14 <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Life April 2012<br />
my blood pressure has come down,<br />
cholesterol levels are lower and<br />
I’ve lost weight. It was just<br />
the wake up call<br />
I needed.”<br />
Am I eligible?<br />
Anyone aged 40 to 74<br />
who doesn’t already<br />
have heart disease,<br />
diabetes or<br />
advanced kidney<br />
disease is probably<br />
eligible.<br />
People will usually be<br />
invited <strong>for</strong> a health<br />
check every five<br />
years between<br />
those years.<br />
What happens at the<br />
NHS health check?<br />
The health check assesses your risk of developing heart<br />
disease, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and stroke.<br />
✔ it takes about 20 – 30 minutes<br />
✔ simple questions will be asked, such as family history<br />
and any medication you are currently taking<br />
✔ your height, weight, age, sex and ethnicity will be<br />
recorded<br />
✔ blood pressure will be tested and a simple blood test<br />
to check cholesterol levels
What’s on<br />
<strong>Get</strong>ting in gear <strong>for</strong> April<br />
Car fanatics are in <strong>for</strong> a treat this month with a host of motoring<br />
events taking place in Weston-super-Mare.<br />
Whether you have a need <strong>for</strong> speed or admire vintage vehicles,<br />
there is something to tantalise every tastebud…<br />
Weston Sandocross<br />
Motor racing enthusiasts can see<br />
Sandocross competitors racing across<br />
the un<strong>for</strong>giving wet sand of Weston’s<br />
beach.<br />
Competitors will be testing their skills<br />
during the first round of the Southern<br />
Counties Autocross Championships,<br />
which runs from 9am to 3pm on<br />
Sunday 15 April.<br />
Sandocross is a variation of standard<br />
autocross and the event, organised by<br />
Weston-super-Mare Motor Club, is the<br />
only race of its kind currently running<br />
in the UK.<br />
April –<br />
May 2012<br />
Four cars race at a time on the 1,200<br />
yard oval course at the southern end<br />
of the beach. Spectators can watch <strong>for</strong><br />
free, as long as they abide by safety<br />
instructions.<br />
For more in<strong>for</strong>mation call Tim Walton:<br />
07717 510 350<br />
Vintage vehicles<br />
Admire vintage vehicles while raising<br />
money <strong>for</strong> charity during a classic car<br />
run.<br />
More than 150 vehicles can be seen<br />
during the Brimar <strong>Fun</strong>draising Classic<br />
and Vintage Car Run and Display, in<br />
Inside<br />
Events across the area 16<br />
The Playhouse Theatre 17<br />
aid of Children’s Hospice South West,<br />
on Sunday 22 April.<br />
Classic cars, which date from the<br />
1920s, will assemble at Sanders<br />
Garden World on the A38 at 10am<br />
be<strong>for</strong>e <strong>set</strong>ting off on the scenic run at<br />
11.45am.<br />
The cars will then be displayed on<br />
Beach Lawns, in Weston-super-Mare,<br />
from12.30pm to 4pm.<br />
Entry is free but people are invited to<br />
make a donation to the charity.<br />
For more in<strong>for</strong>mation call Brian<br />
and Mary Curtis: 01458 443 855<br />
www.brimarfundraising.co.uk<br />
Rally <strong>for</strong><br />
Heroes<br />
Meet drivers who will be rallying<br />
across Europe this summer and hoping<br />
to raise £100,000 <strong>for</strong> the Royal British<br />
Legion and Help <strong>for</strong> Heroes charities.<br />
A classic car run will be held on<br />
Sunday 6 May to raise awareness of<br />
the Rally <strong>for</strong> Heroes event which takes<br />
place in August and covers five<br />
countries.<br />
Support the fundraiser, meet drivers<br />
who are taking part and see the cars<br />
during the promotional rally, which<br />
runs from the Royal British Legion in<br />
Bishops Lydeard, near Taunton, to the<br />
charity’s base in Weston-super-Mare.<br />
The cars can be seen on the Beach<br />
Lawns from10am on Sunday 6 May.<br />
For more in<strong>for</strong>mation call<br />
Sue Potepa: 01278 442 068<br />
www.rally<strong>for</strong>heroes.com<br />
For more in<strong>for</strong>mation call the events team: 01934 427 249 • EventsTeam@n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk i<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Life www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk 15
EVENTS<br />
APRIL<br />
Local events<br />
Saturday 14<br />
South West Ship Show 10am-4pm, Parish<br />
Wharf Leisure Centre, Portishead. £3 adults, £2<br />
concs, under-12s free. 01275 846 178<br />
Thursday 19<br />
Mendip Society – The Stories Behind Inn Signs<br />
7.30pm, St James Church Hall, Winscombe.<br />
01934 641 461<br />
Thursday 19 – Saturday 21<br />
Backwell Playhouse presents Pity about Kitty<br />
7.30pm, Mariners Drive, Backwell.<br />
Play and buffet £12. 01275 462 621<br />
Friday 20 – Sunday 22<br />
(Salthouse Fields, Clevedon)<br />
Monday 23 – Wednesday 25<br />
(Millenium Park, Nailsea)<br />
Jay Miller Circus – 25th anniversary show<br />
07976 655 180 www.jaymillerscircus.co.uk<br />
Wednesday 25 – Saturday 28<br />
Portishead Players present Dad’s Army<br />
Somer<strong>set</strong> Hall, Portishead. Favourite war-time<br />
songs will be sung at the end. £8 adults,<br />
£7 children. 01275 848 364<br />
Thursday 26 – Saturday 28<br />
Worle Operatic and Dramatics Society –<br />
Spend, Spend, Spend 7.30pm,<br />
Blakehay Theatre, Weston-super-Mare.<br />
£9.50 (£8.50 conc). 01934 645 493<br />
Saturday 28<br />
Trinity Singers per<strong>for</strong>m The Glories of Venice<br />
7.30pm, St Mary the Virgin Church, Yatton.<br />
Tickets £12 and under. 01934 844 106<br />
MUSIC<br />
Every Monday<br />
Clevedon Choral Society 7.30-9.30pm,<br />
Kenn Road Methodist Church, Kenn Road,<br />
Clevedon. 01275 341 235<br />
Mixed Company Community Choir<br />
7.30-9.30pm, Golden Valley Primary School,<br />
Nailsea. £6 per session with free taster.<br />
01275 888 357<br />
Every Tuesday<br />
Waves of Harmony 7.30pm,<br />
Victoria Methodist Church Hall, Station Road,<br />
Weston-super-Mare. Women’s 4-part acapella<br />
group. 07975 727 996<br />
Nailsea Choral Society 7.30-9.15pm,<br />
Christ Church, Nailsea. 01275 875 533<br />
Weston Choral Society 7.30-9.30pm,<br />
Milton Methodist Church Hall. 01934 813 255<br />
Congresbury Singers 7.50pm, Old School<br />
Rooms, Congresbury. 01934 876 104.<br />
Weston Brass Band 8pm, Church Road<br />
Methodist Church, Upper Church Road,<br />
Weston-super-Mare (also rehearse every<br />
Thursday). 01934 514 960<br />
16 <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Life April 2012<br />
Tuesdays (during term time)<br />
Cadbury Wind Band 7.15-9.15pm,<br />
Clevedon School. 01275 792 300<br />
Third Wednesday of month<br />
Jazz at the Orange Memphis Six (April) and<br />
Martin Bennett’s Old Green River (May)<br />
7-10pm, Prince of Orange Inn, Yatton.<br />
£9 advance, £10 on door. 01934 527 197<br />
First Thursday of month<br />
Weston organ and keyboard club 7.30pm,<br />
Somer<strong>set</strong> Suite, Weston Football Club. £5<br />
members, £6 non-members. 01934 812 759<br />
Muskrats Jazz Band 8.30pm, Clarence House,<br />
High Street, Portishead. £3. Bar and dancing,<br />
all welcome. 01275 814 434<br />
Every Thursday<br />
Portishead Choral Society 7.30-9.15pm,<br />
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, West Hill,<br />
Portishead. 01275 849 278<br />
Every Friday<br />
Singing <strong>for</strong> Pleasure 1.30-3pm, Tickenham<br />
Village Hall. £3 a session. 01934 512 669<br />
Lions Brass 4 Youth. County brass band<br />
6.15-7.45pm. 1st Clevedon Scout Hall.<br />
07815 733 886<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Community Brass Band<br />
7.30-9.30pm, Puxton and Hewish Village Hall.<br />
01275 397 582<br />
Congresbury Brass Band 7.30-9.30pm,<br />
Memorial Hall, Congresbury.<br />
01275 849 611 / 07986 007 829<br />
Nailsea Concert Orchestra 7.30-9.45pm<br />
(term time), Christ Church, Nailsea.<br />
www.nailseaconcertorchestra.org.uk<br />
Clevedon Gilbert and Sullivan Society<br />
7.30-10pm, Crypt Hall, under St Peter’s Church,<br />
Alexandra Road. 01934 516 502<br />
Nailsea Theatre Club 8pm, Nailsea Little<br />
Theatre, Union Street. 01275 852 275<br />
DANCE<br />
Every Sunday<br />
Social dancing 7.30-10.30pm,<br />
Hutton Moor Leisure Centre,<br />
Weston-super-Mare. £4.50. 01934 518 529<br />
Ballroom and Sequence Dance Club 7.30pm,<br />
Kewstoke Village Hall. 01934 644 691<br />
Every Monday<br />
DB’s Dance Club – line dancing 10-11am,<br />
Clevedon Community Centre. 01275 854 375<br />
Easy Strollers line dancing 7-9pm,<br />
Clevedon Triangle Club, Old Church Road.<br />
01275 875 235<br />
Every Tuesday<br />
Nailsea Sequence Dance Club 1.30-4pm,<br />
Scotch Horn Leisure Centre. 01275 873 033<br />
DB’s Dance Club social tea dance 2.30-5pm,<br />
Clevedon Community Centre. 01275 854 375<br />
Avon Dance Club (ballroom and Latin practise<br />
night) 7.30-10.30pm, Somer<strong>set</strong> Hall,<br />
Portishead. 01934 823 128<br />
Weston Folk Dance Club 8-10pm,<br />
Corpus Christi Church Hall, Weston-super-Mare.<br />
01934 514 226<br />
Backwell Sequence Dance Club 8-10.15pm,<br />
WI Hall, Station Road, Backwell.<br />
01275 462 366<br />
Portishead LeRoc (modern jive) 8-10.30pm,<br />
Portishead Primary School, Station Road.<br />
01275 846 247<br />
Ballroom and sequence 8-11pm,<br />
Town and Country Lodge, Bridgwater Road.<br />
0117 9778 200<br />
Ceroc 8-11pm, Winter Gardens,<br />
Weston-super-Mare. £7. 07821 071 251<br />
Second Tuesday of month<br />
Shake-a-leg Old Folks Social and Tea Dance<br />
2-4pm, Lady of Lourdes Church Hall, Milton,<br />
Weston-super-Mare. £1.50.<br />
01934 625 324 / 620 391<br />
Every Wednesday<br />
East Strollers line dancing 9.15-10.45am and<br />
7.30-9pm, 1st Clevedon Scout Hall, Great<br />
Western Road. 01275 875 235<br />
DB’s Dance Club line dancing 10.45-11.45am,<br />
Clevedon Community Centre. 01275 854 375<br />
Sequence Tea Dance 2-4pm, Somer<strong>set</strong> Hall,<br />
Portishead. 01275 848 059<br />
Latin and jive <strong>for</strong> absolute beginners<br />
7.45-9.30pm, St Peter’s Church Hall, Clevedon.<br />
£4. 01275 876 314<br />
Banwell Sequence Dance Club 8-10.30pm,<br />
Banwell Village Hall. 01275 873 033<br />
LeRoc Modern Jive <strong>for</strong> beginners/improvers<br />
7.45-10.30pm, Old School Rooms, Station<br />
Road, Congresbury. £5. 07971 966 982<br />
T&A Burlesque 7-8pm, Clevedon Community<br />
Centre, Princes Road, Clevedon.<br />
01934 627 122 or 07732 799 918<br />
50s and 60s rock ‘n’ roll 8pm-late,<br />
Now at the Tavern Inn the Town, Regent Street,<br />
Weston-super-Mare. £2.50 <strong>for</strong> lesson (8-9pm).<br />
01934 412 826<br />
Every Thursday<br />
East Strollers line dancing 9.15-11.20am,<br />
1st Clevedon Scout Hall. 01275 875 235<br />
DB’s Dance Club - line dancing 11am-1pm,<br />
Folk Hall, Portishead. 01275 854 375<br />
Yatton Sequence Dance Club 2-4.30pm,<br />
Claverham Village Hall 01934 832 002<br />
Long Ashton Sequence Dance Club<br />
7.45-10.15pm, Village Hall, Keedwell Hill,<br />
Long Ashton. 01179 851 500<br />
First Friday<br />
Social dance 8-11.30pm, Somer<strong>set</strong> Hall,<br />
Portishead. £4 inc refreshments.<br />
01275 847 547<br />
Second and fourth Fridays<br />
Streetdance 7-8.30pm, Claverham Village Hall.<br />
For 8-15-year-olds. 01934 838 017<br />
Every Friday<br />
T&A Burlesque, 6-7pm, Victory Hall, Uphill,<br />
Weston-super-Mare. 01934 627 122 or<br />
07732 799 918<br />
Nailsea InterCultural Dancing Association<br />
8-9.30pm, Nailsea United Re<strong>for</strong>med Church.<br />
Free admission. 01934 414 455<br />
Clevedon Sequence Dance Club 8-10.45pm,<br />
Walton St Mary’s Church Hall.<br />
01275 873 314<br />
Last Friday of month<br />
Social dance 8-10.30pm, St. James Hall,<br />
Winscombe. £4. Free raffle. 01934 516 852
The Playhouse, High Street<br />
Weston-super-Mare BS23 1HP<br />
April<br />
Fri 20 April 7.30pm<br />
SINATRA<br />
THROUGH<br />
THE YEARS<br />
Stephen Triffitt’s story reads like a<br />
Hollywood film script. It’s about a<br />
photocopier salesman from Westonsuper-Mare<br />
who became Sinatra. Having<br />
per<strong>for</strong>med in the Sands Casino, Atlantic City,<br />
sold out shows at London’s Palladium and<br />
toured the USA in the Broadway Across<br />
America show, Stephen Triffitt and his full<br />
size big band return to his hometown with<br />
the definitive tribute to Sinatra – his voice,<br />
his moves, his style, even his looks.<br />
Wed 18 April 7.30pm<br />
HAVE YOU HAD IT<br />
LONG MADAM?<br />
A hilarious, and at times irreverent,<br />
behind-the-scenes look at BBC TV’s<br />
top-rating Antiques Roadshow<br />
through the eyes of two of its longestserving<br />
presenters, internationally<br />
renowned antiques experts Paul<br />
Atterbury and Hilary Kay. Featuring<br />
film clips, outtakes, anecdotes and<br />
a selection of some of the more<br />
outrageous gaffs and<br />
bloopers drawn from a<br />
thirty year history of<br />
this hugely popular hit<br />
series, you can be sure of<br />
an entertaining evening.<br />
www.haveyouhaditlongmadam.com<br />
Box Office: 01934 64 55 44<br />
www.theplayhouse.co.uk<br />
Tue 3 April, 8pm<br />
PAUL MERTON’S<br />
OUT OF MY HEAD<br />
A night of hilarious stand-up<br />
comedy featuring Paul Merton,<br />
Lee Simpson, Richard Vranch<br />
and Suki Webster<br />
Fri 6 April, 11am and 1.30pm<br />
THE WHEELS ON THE BUS<br />
Climb aboard the big red bus<br />
and meet friends in the classic<br />
sing-a-long show <strong>for</strong> the whole<br />
family<br />
Sat 7 April, 8pm<br />
ALL THE SINGLE LADIES<br />
The course of true love never<br />
did run smooth. Three women,<br />
three stories, three lives and<br />
one problem<br />
Thur 12 – Sat 14 April, 7.30pm<br />
(Saturday matinee 2.30pm)<br />
RAGTIME<br />
Weston Operatic Society<br />
present the Weston premiere<br />
of the multi-award-winning<br />
musical which presents a<br />
powerful portrait of early 20th<br />
century American life<br />
Sat 21 April, 2pm<br />
CHRIS AND PUI<br />
ROADSHOW 2012<br />
The hottest duo from children’s<br />
TV are back on the road with<br />
their new stage show<br />
Sun 22 April, 3pm and 7.45pm<br />
SOLID SILVER<br />
60S SHOW<br />
The hugely popular 60s show<br />
is back with an all-star line-up,<br />
including Peter Noone, Chris<br />
Montez, Brian Hyland, Brian<br />
Poole and Vanity Fare<br />
Wed 25 – Sat 28 April, 7.30pm<br />
(Saturday matinee 2.30pm)<br />
MURDER MISTAKEN<br />
Bruce James Productions<br />
present the tense<br />
psychological thriller by Janet<br />
Green, <strong>set</strong> in 1950s England<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Life www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk 17
Historic cinema<br />
celebrates<br />
centenary<br />
Step back in time and enjoy some ‘reel’ history this<br />
month with a trip to Clevedon’s popular Curzon cinema.<br />
The building first opened in April<br />
1912 as the Picture House and this<br />
month, special events and screen ings<br />
will take place to mark the venue’s<br />
historic centenary.<br />
Visitors can go behind-the-scenes,<br />
watch a classic film, see per<strong>for</strong>mers<br />
in vintage costume and witness the<br />
unveiling of the new pipe organ during<br />
the open weekend on Saturday 21<br />
and Sunday 22 April.<br />
The Curzon, now a Grade II-listed<br />
building, became a registered charity<br />
in 1996 and cinema director Gareth<br />
Negus, said: “Although we are proud<br />
of our status as a heritage cinema, the<br />
Curzon has never rested on its laurels.<br />
It has always developed and moved<br />
on. The original Picture House was<br />
enlarged within a year of its<br />
construction.”<br />
The mini-cinema exhibition<br />
The Curzon has provided live music<br />
be<strong>for</strong>e some screenings <strong>for</strong> many years<br />
with its Compton electric organ but<br />
now a full theatre pipe organ is being<br />
installed.<br />
The four tonne Christie organ was<br />
originally installed in the Regent<br />
Cinema in Poole in 1931 and was<br />
donated to the Curzon on condition<br />
that it was restored and cared <strong>for</strong>.<br />
The keyboards will be placed at the<br />
front of the auditorium and the 723<br />
pipes will go behind the screen.<br />
It also has real percussion instruments<br />
operated by air pressure, including<br />
xylophone, glockenspiel, chimes,<br />
vibraphone, drums, cymbals,<br />
tambourine, and castanets.<br />
Special effects can also be made to<br />
accompany silent films, such as bird<br />
song, a train whistle,<br />
telephone ring, fire<br />
alarm, car horn and<br />
aeroplane.<br />
Organ concerts will<br />
now be added to the<br />
Curzon programme<br />
and these kick off<br />
with a concert by<br />
Byron Jones on<br />
Sunday 22 April.<br />
Tickets cost £10.<br />
The cinema’s very<br />
first screening was a<br />
Christie pipes<br />
The cinema in the 1920s<br />
benefit film to raise money <strong>for</strong> survivors<br />
and relatives of those killed on the<br />
Titantic, so the open weekend will<br />
finish with the digital re-release of the<br />
1959 drama about the disaster, A<br />
Night to Remember.<br />
For more in<strong>for</strong>mation call the<br />
box office: 01275 871 000<br />
(open from 6pm until the evening film<br />
starts, and noon-2pm on weekends<br />
and school holidays)<br />
www.curzon.org.uk<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Life www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk 19<br />
i
Homeless dogs need new lease of life<br />
Abandoned dogs which have been picked up from <strong>North</strong><br />
Somer<strong>set</strong>’s streets now need loving new homes.<br />
Every day a lost or abandoned dog<br />
is picked up by the council and<br />
taken to White House Kennels.<br />
An appeal has now been launched<br />
to help get these dogs rehomed –<br />
and the wide variety of breeds<br />
available could suit <strong>everyone</strong>.<br />
In recent years Staf<strong>for</strong>dshire Bull<br />
Terriers and Staffie-crosses have<br />
The popular pool opens on Saturday<br />
21 April with special attractions <strong>for</strong><br />
swimmers and spectators – and the<br />
celebrations will continue throughout<br />
2012.<br />
These include a mini-Olympics <strong>for</strong> local<br />
schools in July and a ‘60s-themed party<br />
later in the year.<br />
The pool is run by volunteers from<br />
Portishead Pool Community Trust and<br />
since taking charge three years ago<br />
they have repaired the toddlers’ pool<br />
and installed a biomass system to keep<br />
the water at a consistent 27°C.<br />
The 33m pool has a cheerful and<br />
cheap tuckshop, as well as a poolside<br />
café <strong>for</strong> an after-swim meal.<br />
20 <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Life April 2012<br />
become very fashionable pets but overbreeding<br />
has meant that many are<br />
abandoned.<br />
Staffies have gained a bad reputation<br />
and are seen as ‘status dogs’ but they<br />
can make loving and loyal family pets<br />
with the right care and handling.<br />
Environmental protection officer Dee<br />
Mawn said: “These power-house dogs<br />
Stepped terraces boast a fantastic view<br />
and are ideal <strong>for</strong> sunbathing and<br />
picnicking on sunny days.<br />
Opening times<br />
Normal weekday: 1–7pm<br />
Weekend: 8.30am–7pm<br />
School holidays: 8.30am–7pm daily.<br />
01275 843 454<br />
www.portisheadopenairpool.org.uk<br />
www.facebook.com/PortisheadOpen<br />
AirPool<br />
are intelligent, fun-loving and full of<br />
energy, so they are ideal to encourage<br />
exercise <strong>for</strong> any of you looking <strong>for</strong> a<br />
health boost!<br />
“But owners do need to be strong<br />
enough to control them on a lead, as<br />
some can become enthusiastic when in<br />
the company of other dogs.”<br />
For more in<strong>for</strong>mation about dogs<br />
currently available call White House<br />
Kennels: 01934 750 352<br />
www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk/<br />
giveadogahome<br />
Portishead Open Air Pool hits 50!<br />
Portishead open air pool will be celebrating its 50th birthday when<br />
it opens <strong>for</strong> the summer season this month.<br />
Swimming, sports, activities and clubs<br />
are available at leisure centres<br />
throughout <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong>.<br />
Visit<br />
● Backwell Leisure Centre<br />
● The Campus,Weston-super-Mare<br />
● Churchill Sports Centre<br />
● Clevedon School Sports Centre<br />
● Gordano School Community Sports<br />
Trust, Portishead<br />
● Hans Price Sports Centre<br />
● Hutton Moor Leisure Centre<br />
● Parish Wharf Leisure Centre,<br />
Portishead<br />
● Scotch Horn Leisure Centre, Nailsea<br />
● Strode Leisure Centre, Clevedon.<br />
www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk/leisure i<br />
i
Supporting service personnel<br />
A pledge to build stronger relationships<br />
between the military and civilian communities<br />
in <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> has been made.<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> <strong>Council</strong> is putting its<br />
weight behind a national £30m<br />
campaign to support armed <strong>for</strong>ces<br />
personnel, veterans and their families.<br />
In February councillors agreed to<br />
develop a local Community Covenant<br />
and invite support from <strong>North</strong><br />
Somer<strong>set</strong> Partnership, the voluntary<br />
sector, NHS, private organisations and<br />
others.<br />
The covenant will <strong>set</strong> out the local<br />
commitment to those who serve or<br />
have served in the armed <strong>for</strong>ces and<br />
their families.<br />
This includes a pledge to continually<br />
scrutinise all aspects of the council’s<br />
operations to ensure that members of<br />
the armed <strong>for</strong>ces, veterans and their<br />
families are treated correctly and do<br />
not suffer hardship as a consequence<br />
of having served.<br />
The Ministry of Defence has <strong>set</strong> up<br />
the £30m fund <strong>for</strong> projects which<br />
help members of the armed<br />
<strong>for</strong>ces and their families with<br />
issues such as housing and<br />
jobs.<br />
In 2010 Weston-super-Mare<br />
was the first town in the<br />
South West to adopt the<br />
Heroes Welcome scheme.<br />
This enables local businesses<br />
to display a logo and show<br />
their support <strong>for</strong> British armed<br />
<strong>for</strong>ces personnel by giving them<br />
an upgrade or discount.<br />
Businesses which have signed<br />
up so far include Papas fish<br />
restaurant, the Royal<br />
Hotel and Puxton<br />
Park.<br />
The scheme is now being extended<br />
across <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> and more<br />
businesses are being urged to sign up.<br />
A series of fun events is also being<br />
planned to mark Armed Forces Day<br />
in June.<br />
A weekend of activities takes place in<br />
Weston-super-Mare on Saturday 23<br />
and Sunday 24 June and will include<br />
military vehicles, bands, a flight<br />
simulator, traders, arena events, cadets<br />
and much more. A charity dinner will<br />
also be held on Wednesday 27 June<br />
at the Royal Hotel.<br />
Anyone who wants to take part or<br />
sponsor the event is invited to get in<br />
touch.<br />
“Those who serve in the armed<br />
<strong>for</strong>ces, whether regular or reserve,<br />
those who have served in the past,<br />
and their families, should face no<br />
disadvantage compared to other<br />
citizens.<br />
“Special consideration is appropriate<br />
in some cases, especially <strong>for</strong> those<br />
who have given most, such as the<br />
injured and bereaved.”<br />
Armed Forces Covenant<br />
Today and Tomorrow<br />
For more in<strong>for</strong>mation or to find<br />
out how to get involved, call<br />
Philip Judd on 01934 516 192 or<br />
07748118 131<br />
phil@armed<strong>for</strong>cesdayweston.org.uk<br />
www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk/armed<strong>for</strong>ces<br />
www.heroeswelcome.co.uk<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Life www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk 21<br />
i
New facility to help disabled visitors<br />
Improved facilities <strong>for</strong><br />
disabled people are being<br />
installed on the ground floor<br />
of Weston’s refurbished Town<br />
Hall ready <strong>for</strong> the building<br />
reopening this autumn.<br />
AChanging Places cubicle is being<br />
built to give disabled people a<br />
clean environment with enough space<br />
and the right equipment <strong>for</strong> their needs.<br />
Changing Places is a national<br />
campaign by the charity Mencap to<br />
improve public toilets <strong>for</strong> disabled<br />
people and the Town Hall facility will<br />
be the first of its kind in <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong>.<br />
It will be a large room with an<br />
overhead hoist, changing bed and<br />
22 <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Life April 2012<br />
shower facility to help disabled people<br />
enjoy day-to-day activities which ablebodied<br />
people take <strong>for</strong> granted.<br />
Without adequate facilities, carers of<br />
disabled people have to used cramped<br />
spaces, limit their outings to a few short<br />
hours, or not go out at all.<br />
Making the Town Hall more accessible<br />
has been key in the refurbishment<br />
design.<br />
New ramp<br />
In addition to the Changing Places<br />
room, a new ramp and entrance on<br />
Walliscote Grove Road will make it<br />
easy <strong>for</strong> disabled visitors to access<br />
council services on the ground floor.<br />
Once inside, all facilities, including the<br />
relocated Weston Library, will be on a<br />
single level with plenty of space <strong>for</strong><br />
mobility scooters and wheelchair users<br />
to move around.<br />
A Changing Places cubicle<br />
Mencap is campaigning <strong>for</strong> Changing<br />
Places toilets to be installed in all big<br />
public places, such as shopping<br />
centres, arts venues, train stations<br />
and airports, in addition to standard<br />
disabled toilets.<br />
It also wants planning guidance and<br />
regulations to be updated to ensure all<br />
new buildings include a Changing<br />
Places toilet.<br />
In <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong>, a second Changing<br />
Places facility is planned <strong>for</strong> the<br />
proposed Worle Community Centre<br />
and the aim is to eventually have a<br />
network of them across the district.<br />
For more in<strong>for</strong>mation about i<br />
disability access in <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong><br />
call Anthony Rylands, from the<br />
council’s equality and diversity team:<br />
01934 634 989<br />
www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk/equalities<br />
www.changing-places.org
Car-loving commuters take<br />
Park and Ride challenge<br />
Car-loving commuters are being urged to look at alternative ways they<br />
could make their journeys to help save money and the environment.<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> <strong>Council</strong> has received<br />
government funding to boost<br />
smarter travel options <strong>for</strong> commuters<br />
along the Portishead to Bristol and<br />
Weston-super-Mare to Bristol corridors.<br />
SUNDAY<br />
19:00<br />
I’ve got to work in central Bristol <strong>for</strong> two<br />
weeks but I don’t usually do that route from<br />
Nailsea so need to research where I can park.<br />
20:00<br />
The website says it will cost £11.50 to park<br />
all day in Bristol – if I get a space. I hate<br />
driving in rush hour.<br />
20:30<br />
The Park and Ride from Long Ashton might<br />
be a good alternative. I’ve never used it<br />
be<strong>for</strong>e but it’s only six miles from my house<br />
and costs £16 <strong>for</strong> a ten-journey ticket.<br />
This means reducing congestion and<br />
pollution while saving money and<br />
getting people healthier, whether<br />
it is cycling, taking the train or<br />
using the Park and Ride. And it<br />
all starts with just one journey…<br />
08:20<br />
A bus arrives just five minutes later – they go<br />
every 10 minutes during rush hour. I wasn’t sure<br />
where to get a ticket but you pay the driver.<br />
He said I need to get off at the @Bristol<br />
stop. It’s great whizzing past all the cars<br />
in the bus lane!<br />
08:40<br />
Print off a Park and Ride map at www.travelwest.info<br />
www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk/smartertravel • Sustainable travel team: 01934 426 962<br />
The bus stop in Bristol is just five minutes walk from<br />
where I need to be. It was a hassle-free journey and<br />
lovely to let someone else do the driving. The stop <strong>for</strong><br />
the return bus is on the other side of the road, and a<br />
real time in<strong>for</strong>mation display means I can’t go wrong.<br />
17:00<br />
MONDAY<br />
08:00<br />
<strong>Get</strong>ting to Long Ashton Park and Ride is very<br />
straight<strong>for</strong>ward and plenty of spaces mean<br />
I can park easily.<br />
The Park and Ride buses are easy to spot and<br />
the right one arrives almost immediately. I’ll<br />
definitely use Park and Ride every time I go<br />
into Bristol – it’s a stress-free, cheaper and<br />
easy option!<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Life www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk 23<br />
i
This is the second of a four-year costcutting<br />
phase which will see the<br />
council save more than it has ever had<br />
to in the past.<br />
During the last financial year –<br />
2011/12 – the council made savings<br />
of £17.5m and this year it will make<br />
an additional £14.4m, with more to<br />
come in following years.<br />
This budget is the result of significant<br />
reductions in funding from central<br />
government coupled with an increased<br />
demand on services, particularly those<br />
<strong>for</strong> vulnerable adults and children.<br />
The scale means that by 2015 the<br />
council will have £1 less <strong>for</strong> every £3<br />
it was spending in 2010/11.<br />
Delivering quality services at an<br />
af<strong>for</strong>dable cost is still a priority but it is<br />
inevitable there will be some impact on<br />
residents, communities, organisations<br />
and council staff.<br />
To help keep council tax at an<br />
af<strong>for</strong>dable level <strong>for</strong> residents the<br />
council has frozen its share of the<br />
charge <strong>for</strong> the second year running.<br />
This means that an average band D<br />
property will still pay £1,146.40 <strong>for</strong><br />
the council’s share.<br />
However, the final bill you see will<br />
have a slightly different total due to<br />
24 <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Life April 2012<br />
other precepts added on, including<br />
town and parish councils, Avon Fire<br />
and Rescue Service, and Avon and<br />
Somer<strong>set</strong> Police.<br />
In the same way that the coouncil has<br />
accepted central government’s grant<br />
freeze offer, Avon and Somer<strong>set</strong> Police<br />
has also accepted this one-year offer<br />
and frozen their bill. Avon Fire Service<br />
decided to decline the freeze grant<br />
and increase their council tax <strong>for</strong> the<br />
year ahead by 3.96 per cent.<br />
Value <strong>for</strong> money<br />
£14.4m funding gap<br />
met <strong>for</strong> year ahead<br />
Savings of £14.4m have been agreed <strong>for</strong> the year<br />
ahead by <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> <strong>Council</strong> members.<br />
How is council tax spent?<br />
An average Band D property in <strong>North</strong><br />
Somer<strong>set</strong> will pay about £22 per week<br />
in council tax (not including the police,<br />
fire service and parish council share).<br />
The chart on the next page shows<br />
what <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> <strong>Council</strong> spends<br />
on its services, and how much<br />
residents in an average Band D<br />
property pay <strong>for</strong> it, from their £1,146<br />
council tax charge.<br />
Finance team: 01934 634 619 • www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk/savings<br />
www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk/budget<br />
i
Value <strong>for</strong> money<br />
1. Housing and Adult<br />
Social Services –<br />
including residential care,<br />
community meals, services<br />
<strong>for</strong> people with learning<br />
difficulties, tackling<br />
homelessness and adult<br />
education.<br />
= £60.8m service spend<br />
= £465 of council tax bill<br />
2. Development and<br />
Environment –<br />
including maintaining 683<br />
miles of roads, collecting<br />
household waste,<br />
recycling, parks, libraries,<br />
economic development,<br />
public transport and<br />
environmental health.<br />
= £34.4m service spend<br />
= £264 of council tax bill<br />
3. Children and Young<br />
People –<br />
including educating<br />
28,000 pupils, 74 schools<br />
(including academies),<br />
pre-school provision,<br />
children at risk, adoption<br />
and fostering.<br />
= £24.8m service spend<br />
= £189 of council tax bill<br />
8. Non-service items –<br />
included in your council<br />
tax and provided by<br />
others, such as flood<br />
defence, magistrates<br />
7. Contribution to capital<br />
and reserves –<br />
6. Special Expenses, transition<br />
and contingency –<br />
courts and drainage = £2.9m service spend = £3.1m service spend<br />
boards.<br />
= £0.2m service spend<br />
= £22 of council tax bill = £24 of council tax bill<br />
= £1 of council tax bill Total net spend = £149.7m<br />
4. Capital financing –<br />
new buildings and<br />
refurbishment, such as<br />
schools and play areas.<br />
= £13.4m service spend<br />
= £103 of council tax bill<br />
5. Corporate services –<br />
including registration of<br />
births, deaths and<br />
marriages, legal,<br />
democratic and electoral<br />
services, council tax<br />
collection and benefits<br />
administration.<br />
= £10.1m service spend<br />
= £78 of council tax bill<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Life www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk 25
Seven community teams have been<br />
<strong>set</strong> up in locations across the district<br />
by <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Community Partner -<br />
ship working closely with social care<br />
colleagues to improve the quality of<br />
care <strong>for</strong> local residents.<br />
Each team is linked to a small number<br />
of GP practices and is staffed by<br />
community nurses, occupational<br />
therapists, physiotherapists and<br />
support workers, with the aim of<br />
avoiding unnecessary admissions<br />
to hospital.<br />
26 <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Life April 2012<br />
If patients become very unwell they<br />
may be able to receive specialist care<br />
by the community team at home and<br />
become part of a virtual ‘ward’.<br />
Thelma Howell, associate director<br />
of operations at <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong><br />
Community Partnership, said:<br />
“Evidence shows that most patients<br />
recover from a period of acute illness<br />
more quickly at home than in hospital<br />
and are at less risk of infection or falls.<br />
“It also reduces the pressure of<br />
travelling to hospital <strong>for</strong> carers, family<br />
and friends.<br />
Members of the Clevedon community team<br />
Virtual hospital wards<br />
provide careathome<br />
Virtual community ‘wards’ are being established across<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> to provide care <strong>for</strong> people at home rather than in a hospital bed.<br />
“The combination of skilled health care<br />
professionals in each team means that<br />
patients are visited by the most appro -<br />
priate health professional, ensuring the<br />
number of different people coming into<br />
the home is kept to a minimum.”<br />
Figures show that since the first three<br />
community teams and wards were <strong>set</strong><br />
up in Clevedon, Weston-super-Mare,<br />
and Backwell and Nailsea, there has<br />
been a 13 per cent drop in emergency<br />
admissions to hospital.<br />
Patients with a variety of long-term<br />
conditions such as respiratory
problems or heart disease, or patients<br />
who have infections which need<br />
intravenous antibiotics, can be cared<br />
<strong>for</strong> on a community ward.<br />
Care is available 24-hours-a-day, 365days-a-year,<br />
just like in a real hospital.<br />
Each patient has a care plan agreed<br />
between themselves and their carers<br />
and, while day-to-day care is managed<br />
by nurses and therapists from the<br />
community team, patients remain under<br />
their own GP.<br />
Close working relationships with social<br />
care colleagues are also important.<br />
Thelma added: “We recognised from<br />
the start that while we could visit<br />
patients several times a day, many<br />
frail or elderly patients would not be<br />
able to remain safely at home without<br />
additional services.<br />
“There<strong>for</strong>e, our staff can <strong>set</strong> up shortterm<br />
packages of home care <strong>for</strong><br />
people who are admitted to the<br />
community ‘ward’ and need an<br />
enhanced level of home support.”<br />
It is hoped that after two weeks on<br />
the virtual ward, patients will be well<br />
enough to return to their general care<br />
programme but they may still be<br />
monitored closely to prevent a relapse.<br />
Patients are also taught to recognise<br />
symptoms which may indicate their<br />
condition is worsening, so there should<br />
be no delays in getting treatment and<br />
the risk of becoming seriously unwell<br />
is reduced.<br />
Where are community<br />
teams based?<br />
Seven community teams<br />
are based across <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong>.<br />
To find out which GP practices are<br />
working with each team, and <strong>for</strong><br />
more in<strong>for</strong>mation, visit:<br />
www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk/<br />
communitywards<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Community<br />
Partnership: 01275 546 800<br />
www.nscp-communityhealth.co.uk<br />
i<br />
<strong>Get</strong>ting help at home<br />
Mr Jones, from Congresbury, was<br />
referred to the community team<br />
when he became extremely unwell,<br />
was breathless and showed signs of<br />
infection.<br />
He suffers from chronic obstructive<br />
pulmonary disease, a long-term<br />
condition which means he has periods<br />
of severe infection and frequent<br />
admissions to hospital.<br />
In January he was admitted to the<br />
community ‘ward’ instead of hospital<br />
and a thorough assessment was made<br />
to see what his medical and social<br />
needs were and how to treat them.<br />
During the acute phase of his illness he<br />
received daily visits from a member of<br />
the team and was also prescribed a<br />
new type of inhaler.<br />
For his personal care, an emergency<br />
home support package was arranged<br />
and then his long-term support was<br />
assessed by a social worker.<br />
Mr Jones said: “The support now in<br />
place is proving very helpful and I’m<br />
relieved to say that I feel less anxious<br />
about managing my condition knowing<br />
there is help available in my own<br />
home should I need it.”<br />
Once the period of severe illness was<br />
over, Mr Jones was discharged from<br />
the community ‘ward.’ It was agreed<br />
he could benefit from a specialist<br />
pulmonary rehabilitation programme<br />
so he was referred to start one a few<br />
weeks after his discharge.<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Life www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk 27
Pupils<br />
go green!<br />
Thousands of pupils across <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> are going green<br />
and learning how to protect the planet <strong>for</strong> future generations.<br />
Environmental organisation Waste<br />
Watch has worked in the<br />
district’s<br />
schools<br />
since 2009<br />
to deliver<br />
the ‘reduce,<br />
reuse,<br />
recycle’<br />
message on<br />
behalf of the<br />
council.<br />
Pupils at <strong>North</strong>leaze Primary School in Long Ashton<br />
meet recycling crews.<br />
28 <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Life April 2012<br />
More than 15,000 students have taken<br />
part in free and fun curriculum-linked<br />
workshops and assemblies during<br />
that time.<br />
Recycling education officer Sophie<br />
Clarke said: “I run projects such<br />
as themed Green Britain Days,<br />
Eco Schools events,<br />
competitions, recycled papermaking<br />
sessions, waste audits<br />
and recycled crafts.”<br />
More than 400 staff have also under -<br />
taken training workshops to learn how<br />
to continue the work in future.<br />
Sophie said: “The project is in its final<br />
year now so I’m supporting schools to<br />
independently run their own ecoeducation<br />
projects in future.”<br />
Ground-breaking evaluation<br />
Children and young people are<br />
proving to be the driving <strong>for</strong>ce <strong>for</strong><br />
recycling at school and in the home.
A monitoring and evaluation<br />
programme is running alongside the<br />
project to assess the impact of the<br />
schools’ recycling education project<br />
and the results so far show:<br />
✔ Significant increases in Key Stage 1<br />
and 2 pupils’ knowledge of the<br />
different recycling containers and<br />
services<br />
✔ Increased knowledge about local<br />
recycling systems in households<br />
where pupils had taken part in<br />
workshops<br />
✔ Pupils, teachers and staff are more<br />
aware of the benifits of recycling.<br />
Partnership work<br />
During the past two years Sophie has<br />
led a programme of outreach activities<br />
with young people, including a<br />
partnership with the council’s recycling<br />
and waste contractor, May Gurney.<br />
In August children visited the For All<br />
Healthy Living Centre, in Weston-super-<br />
Mare, to make their own recycled<br />
paper and reused origami.<br />
Andy Paterson and Gary Page, from<br />
May Gurney, met youngsters and<br />
showed them how the recycling<br />
vehicles work.<br />
The plastic bottle greenhouse at Sand<strong>for</strong>d Primary School<br />
Flagship school at Sand<strong>for</strong>d<br />
Pupils at a rural primary school in<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> are enjoying a range<br />
of hands-on activities as part of its<br />
flagship status in the recycling<br />
programme.<br />
Recycling education officer Sophie<br />
Clarke has worked closely with pupils<br />
and staff at Sand<strong>for</strong>d Primary School<br />
to identify eco topics <strong>for</strong> improvement<br />
in the school. This included an<br />
assembly about litter and a community<br />
litter pick of the school grounds.<br />
Sophie also helped create a<br />
greenhouse made from 1,200 reused<br />
plastic bottles, with George Aykroyd<br />
from Living from the Land and support<br />
from May Gurney and Thatchers Cider.<br />
Sophie said: “Parents and pupils from<br />
the school all got involved to put old<br />
plastic bottles to good use. The<br />
greenhouse will be used to grow<br />
lettuce and other food items as part of<br />
the Food <strong>for</strong> Life growing programme.”<br />
Schools now recycling more<br />
Schools across <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> have<br />
signed up to a new cost-effective<br />
service which enables them to recycle<br />
more than ever be<strong>for</strong>e.<br />
Sand<strong>for</strong>d Primary School pupils<br />
get involved in the Big Tidy Up<br />
litter campaign<br />
Since it launched in September, 44<br />
schools and children’s centres in the<br />
district have joined the scheme to<br />
receive collections of paper,<br />
cardboard, plastic bottles, food and<br />
drink cartons, glass bottles, jars, and<br />
drinks cans.<br />
Previously, schools had to arrange and<br />
pay <strong>for</strong> their recycling and waste<br />
collection directly with commercial<br />
businesses but now the council,<br />
through its contractors<br />
May Gurney, is providing<br />
this new recycling service<br />
to all schools.<br />
The service is now being<br />
extended to other council<br />
facilities, such as<br />
libraries and children’s<br />
centres, and town<br />
councils.<br />
Collections are<br />
flexible<br />
and tailored to each<br />
establishment. Prices<br />
start from £3.50 per collection.<br />
For more in<strong>for</strong>mation about<br />
recycling in schools call<br />
<strong>Council</strong> Connect: 01934 888 802<br />
streetsandopenspaces@<br />
n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk<br />
For more in<strong>for</strong>mation about the<br />
school education project, call<br />
Sophie Clarke: 07581 625 747<br />
sophie.clarke@n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Life www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk 29<br />
i
Name calling, bullying, harassment and physical abuse<br />
can have devastating consequences on the victim.<br />
If the harassment is because you are<br />
disabled, have a different colour skin<br />
or sexual orientation, then this is hate<br />
crime which must be stamped out.<br />
Hate crime is defined when someone<br />
feels picked on, harassed and intimi -<br />
dated by another person because of<br />
something which is different about them.<br />
It can take a variety of <strong>for</strong>ms – from<br />
physical or verbal abuse to vandalism<br />
or cyber-bullying – and it is motivated<br />
by prejudices against your race, dis -<br />
ability, sexual orientation or religion.<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong>’s dedicated hate crime<br />
officer, PC Marvin Medley said: “We<br />
work hard to prevent hate crime and<br />
bring offenders to justice.<br />
Abuse<br />
“For example, in January a member<br />
of staff at a take-away in Weston-super-<br />
Mare was the victim of racially<br />
motivated verbal abuse.<br />
“Police arrested the offender and took<br />
him through the courts. He received a<br />
community order, must attend regular<br />
appointments with the probation<br />
service, and pay £85 in court costs.<br />
“Many hate crimes go unreported but<br />
I would like to urge anyone who has<br />
been, or knows, a victim to come<br />
<strong>for</strong>ward.<br />
“Even if an incident occurs but no<br />
criminal offence was committed, we<br />
still want to know about it because<br />
these incidents can quickly escalate.<br />
30 <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Life April 2012<br />
“It is not something you have<br />
to put up with and we take<br />
these types of incidents<br />
very seriously.”<br />
Last year the Community<br />
Team <strong>for</strong> People with<br />
Learning Disabilities<br />
also led a joint venture<br />
with <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong><br />
<strong>Council</strong>, NHS <strong>North</strong><br />
Somer<strong>set</strong>, Avon and<br />
Somer<strong>set</strong> Police,<br />
and a variety of<br />
local organisations<br />
to help stamp<br />
out hate crime.<br />
Anyone with concerns about<br />
hate crime can call the police nonemergency<br />
telephone number: 101<br />
www.avonandsomer<strong>set</strong>.police.uk<br />
Hate incident reports can also be<br />
made by calling the equality and<br />
diversity team on 01275 888 561<br />
For a copy of the accessible report<br />
<strong>for</strong>m, contact the Community Team<br />
<strong>for</strong> People with Learning Disabilities:<br />
01934 427 600<br />
www.LD4U.org.uk<br />
www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk/equalities<br />
Putting a stop to hate crime<br />
i
Letters to<br />
the Editor<br />
Send your letters to<br />
Editor, <strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Life,<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> <strong>Council</strong>,<br />
Room 165, Town Hall,<br />
Weston-super-Mare, BS23 1UJ or<br />
email editor@n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk<br />
Letters submitted without a valid<br />
name and address will not be<br />
considered <strong>for</strong> publication. Please<br />
tell us if you do not want your<br />
details published. Due to space<br />
restrictions letters may be edited.<br />
Tide Facts<br />
Approximate high<br />
water times at:<br />
Clevedon: 10 min<br />
Portishead: 18 min<br />
later than<br />
Weston-super-Mare.<br />
Weather conditions<br />
which differ from the<br />
average will have an<br />
effect on the differences<br />
between predicted and<br />
actual tide times.<br />
Strong winds can hold<br />
the tide in or push the<br />
tide out. Air pressure<br />
can also cause<br />
fluctuations in predicted<br />
levels.<br />
Tidal predictions <strong>for</strong><br />
Weston-super-Mare<br />
have been computed<br />
by the Proudman<br />
Oceanographic<br />
Laboratory.<br />
Copyright reserved.<br />
Dear Editor,<br />
It was interesting to read about ways<br />
to keep warm [in Feb’s issue].<br />
However, I suggest some alternative<br />
ways of keeping warm and saving<br />
money:<br />
• Buy two pairs of warm socks and<br />
two warm vests – look <strong>for</strong> ‘wool’<br />
not cotton.<br />
• Never let body heat escape at your<br />
extremities – top of head, fingers,<br />
neck, feet, so consider wearing a<br />
scarf or woolly hat indoors.<br />
• Put an extra blanket on your bed.<br />
Hugh Gregor, Win<strong>for</strong>d<br />
Date High water Low water High water Low water<br />
Time Height (M) Time Height (M) Time Height (M) Time Height (M)<br />
am April 2012 pm<br />
1 Sun 01:20 8.61 07:23 3.09 14:22 8.41 20:21 3.19<br />
2 Mon 03:06 8.86 09:27 2.93 15:59 9.13 22:06 2.63<br />
3 Tue 04:28 9.80 10:38 2.19 17:06 10.22 23:05 1.89<br />
4 Wed 05:29 10.86 11:33 1.57 18:01 11.22 –<br />
5 Thur 06:21 11.72 00:01 1.32 18:49 11.98 12:29 1.09<br />
6 Fri 07:08 12.33 00:51 0.84 19:34 12.49 13:16 0.70<br />
7 Sat 07:52 12.72 01:36 0.48 20:16 12.80 13:59 0.43<br />
8 Sun 08:35 12.92 02:18 0.26 20:58 12.89 14:40 0.35<br />
9 Mon 09:17 12.83 02:58 0.25 21:40 12.66 15:19 0.49<br />
10 Tue 10:01 12.40 03:38 0.46 22:23 12.09 15:56 0.83<br />
11 Wed 10:46 11.64 04:17 0.87 23:09 11.26 16:32 1.30<br />
12 Thur 11:36 10.72 04:58 1.38 – 17:17 1.81<br />
13 Fri 00:01 10.38 05:51 1.93 12:31 9.85 18:14 2.34<br />
14 Sat 01:03 9.66 07:00 2.43 13:39 9.26 19:33 2.78<br />
15 Sun 02:20 9.36 08:36 2.63 15:00 9.18 21:14 2.76<br />
16 Mon 03:42 9.62 09:55 2.28 16:21 9.67 22:26 2.25<br />
17 Tue 04:55 10.28 10:55 1.78 17:25 10.39 23:22 1.72<br />
18 Wed 05:48 10.91 11:43 1.40 18:13 10.95 –<br />
19 Thur 06:34 11.29 00:06 1.37 18:53 11.27 12:23 1.20<br />
20 Fri 07:11 11.44 00:41 1.22 19:28 11.42 12:57 1.14<br />
21 Sat 07:45 11.50 01:14 1.18 19:59 11.52 13:29 1.11<br />
22 Sun 08:16 11.51 01:43 1.14 20:28 11.57 13:58 1.08<br />
23 Mon 08:46 11.45 02:10 1.11 20:56 11.52 14:25 1.07<br />
24 Tue 09:15 11.27 02:37 1.13 21:25 11.31 14:52 1.16<br />
25 Wed 09:45 10.92 03:05 1.26 21:54 10.93 15:19 1.36<br />
26 Thur 10:17 10.44 03:33 1.50 22:27 10.45 15:47 1.64<br />
27 Fri 10:51 9.92 04:05 1.79 23:04 9.95 16:21 1.95<br />
28 Sat 11:33 9.43 04:44 2.10 23:52 9.51 17:07 2.26<br />
29 Sun – 05:40 2.40 12:29 9.06 18:13 2.58<br />
30 Mon 00:58 9.23 07:00 2.65 13:46 8.96 19:44 2.77<br />
am May 2012 pm<br />
1 Tue 02:23 9.33 08:38 2.61 15:14 9.38 21:21 2.52<br />
2 Wed 03:45 9.95 09:57 2.17 16:27 10.21 22:28 1.98<br />
3 Thur 04:52 10.78 10:57 1.70 17:26 11.08 23:26 1.51<br />
Dear Editor,<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> <strong>Council</strong> is not publishing<br />
2012 tide time tables, so why are you<br />
still advertising they are <strong>for</strong> sale from the<br />
Tourist In<strong>for</strong>mation Centre?<br />
The one being sold is produced<br />
commercially, has very small print, and<br />
contains no safety advice.<br />
This is a great pity as they (the councilprinted<br />
ones) were popular with sailors<br />
and tourists alike.<br />
Don Sutherland, Worle<br />
Darren Fairchild, seafront and<br />
events co-ordinator:<br />
We do not produce the tide timetables<br />
anymore because they were no longer<br />
cost-effective. Instead they are available<br />
in this magazine and are free to down -<br />
load from the council’s website –<br />
www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk/<br />
tidetimes<br />
This page also links to the beach safety<br />
page on RNLI’s website, and we will add<br />
beach and water safety in<strong>for</strong>mation to<br />
the tide times PDF.<br />
Dear Editor,<br />
During the summertime there is no<br />
cinematic or theatrical entertainment in<br />
Portishead.<br />
Portishead Players and Portishead Film<br />
Society finish <strong>for</strong> the season and in the<br />
<strong>for</strong>thcoming months there is no<br />
alternative. I’m sure many people miss<br />
them and have to wait six months until<br />
the next season.<br />
Schoolchildren on holiday and visitors<br />
to Portishead would benefit from this<br />
kind of entertainment in the summer,<br />
plus the community.<br />
Winston Davies, Portishead<br />
Editor’s reply:<br />
Thank-you <strong>for</strong> your letter. If any events<br />
are happening in Portishead over the<br />
summer I will be happy to publicise the<br />
details, especially in the big ‘what’s on<br />
summer special’ in the July issue.<br />
So if any groups, organisations or<br />
societies have any events or shows they<br />
would like to be included, please let me<br />
know by calling 01275 884 139 or<br />
email editor@n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk<br />
<strong>North</strong> Somer<strong>set</strong> Life www.n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk 31
Keep us in<br />
the picture<br />
Patrick Norris<br />
Rob Thomson<br />
Send us your<br />
pictures and we’ll<br />
try to get them in<br />
an edition soon.<br />
Keep them coming to<br />
editor@n-somer<strong>set</strong>.gov.uk<br />
Andrea Coombes<br />
Mel Jeffery