|
The final public meeting of the Sea Mills & Coombe Dingle Community Project will be on Tuesday 4 November at St Edyths, starting at 7:30 pm. |
Community Voice
|
| (TW) |
Do tell your family you want to start school as soon as possible!
Yes, you can join the Nursery Class at Sea Mills lnfant School in September if you are three now or will be three by August 31 this year
You can come to the morning sessions, 9-11.30, or you can come to the afternoon ones, 12.45-3.15. Ask your folk to ring headteacher Linda Waldren, on 9030088. And don't forget to tell them it's free!
| (VB) |
We need your help, was the main message at the meeting on 7th March at the Community Centre. Avonmouth Police Station has a new crew and they were here to listen to our con- cerns about vandalism, but also to tell us what they could achieve and what they couldn't. They aim to:-
If you have suggestions on how the police can tackle issues please phone PC Tripp on 9454380, leave a voicemail message if necessary. Avonmouth Station no. is 9454369 and the new sector sergeant is Steve Blackburn, under a new inspector, Iwan Jones.
| (TW) |
Sea Mills & Coombe Dingle Community Project has finally agreed with the City Council allocation of its grant. Unfortunately we could spend our funds many times over, especially as our activities touch on every age-group.
But we have to start with young people. Not enough exists for them in Sea Mills at present. The new Community Centre management are getting involved with the problem, including supporting our current youth project.
But money's wasted if it isn't backed by action and commitment, and that takes more than the effort of a few (all too few) willing volunteers. All agencies, but particularly the local authority, have to work in concert (partnership is the word bandied about) but its hard making it happen, and joined-up action and services are what we need.
It's become normal, if not inevitable, to blame bad social behaviour on poor parenting. And at the recent meeting at the Community Centre, called by the police in answer to complaints of life-threatening vandalism in that area, there were very noisy indications from the floor that current approaches to the problem - by the police and Bristol in particular - cut no ice whatsoever!
Although our local councillor and representatives of the Youth Service, our Community Centre, and Greenway Community Development Unit were there as well, the meeting had had to be called at too short a notice to get Education Welfare, Housing, Social Services and other parental support agencies on board.
And where were the policy makers who tie our public servants' hands? - for it was also clear at the meeting that our police need more resources, clearer laws, and freedom from the legal blackmail that threatens any use of Ëreasonable force' in trying to deal with children who are out of control.
The Community Project wants to do its bit towards making life better in Sea Mills. It has a bit of money to spend. Some will go on young people (and we mustn't forget other age-groups) some ought to go to help the Community Association (subject to agreement).
Environmental projects will also help improve the area. Perhaps we should also find out how much support and goodwill (and offers of help!) there is in this area for a vibrant and successful community centre?
We'll keep our readers informed but progress will be difficult as everything has to be coordinated, publicised and consulted upon these days.
| (TW) |
The Voice has learned that Sea Mills Library will soon have a new teenage area with new fiction and non-fiction, and with a range of GCSE and NVQ study guides. The area's all-new seating gives youngsters a chance to read in a more relaxed environment.
Recent visitors will have discovered that the internal doors now have electronic locks for greater safety. Also, CCTV has been installed as staff have recently been subjected to attacks by young gangs. Staff wish to let it be known they are sorry for any inconvenience especially when forced to close at short notice. Thanks to councillors John Bees and John Waines who talked over the problem with staff, and to all who lobbied for action on the staff's behalf. Staff hope to open fully after Easter.
The children's area will soon be carpeted, together with a proposed new computer area. If you haven't visited the library for some time you are assured of a warm welcome (and their heating works well, too!).
For enquiries, tel: 9681532.
| (VB) |
This July sees Portway's 25th Music Summer School, in Bideford, Devon. 130 Portway musicians & ex-musicians will work for a week on new repertoire.
The Symphonic Band is well known for its many performances in the local community, giving Christmas concerts in Sea Mills to both Infant and Junior Schools. Sustaining community music-making for 25 years is definitely an achievement!
The 25th Summer Concert is on Thursday 19 July in Clifton Cathedral at 7pm. Tickets will be available from the school in June. NB
Many congratulations to everyone involved in the Variety Night at Sea Mills Community Centre on Saturday March 3rd.
It was good to see the stage used again as the young performers sang and danced their way through numbers from films such as Grease and Titanic.
In the second half Maria Florey was in fine voice to sing a selection of classical and light opera songs.
And although it was bitterly cold outside there was much cheer inside and £143 was raised for the Community Centre's Roof Appeal.
| (GS) |
I wonder what are your views ? I know that some people feel that Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is no more than a coverup for bad behaviour and poor parenting.
But it's a diagnosis that's made more often nowadays, and some parents are glad that a once-hidden problem is now out in the open.
Others feel it's a symptom of our modern society, where breakdowns in normal family relationships lead to a worsening of behaviour in some children.
If you don't know about AD/HD, can I suggest as a starting point the Milton Keynes Family Support Group, which has a website at www.mk-adhd.org.uk?
Maybe you have had experience of neighbours or young children with this condition? Maybe you know children who have been totally misunderstood and have suffered from not being diagnosed early enough ?
It would be good to get feedback, and have an informed debate on this topic. If you so wish, we would not publish your name. We'd be glad to hear from you at Sea Mills Surgery, tel 9681182.
| (MMcG) |
As you might have noticed, after years of neglect, Kings Weston House is being restored to its original splendour.
Built in the 1700s by Sir John Vanbrugh for Sir Edward Southwell, Secretary of State for Ireland, it's also been a school, a hospital and a Police HQ. Now it is being restored by Bristol interior designer John Hardy who spent years negotiating a lease with the City Council. He is restoring the house to its original use as a centre for business and entertainmentÙwhich is what great houses of the past often were !
The Southwell portraits have returned, cleaned and restored, to the gallery where the £1200 chandelier has been replaced. Upper floors will become offices and the ground floor is available for conferences, exhibitions, weddings and parties. Themed nights also feature murder mysteries, Valentine balls and Georgian banquets to name but a few.
The restaurant does Sunday lunches (reservations only) where you can enjoy a traditional meal looking onto beautiful woodland. The tea room opens daily for hot drinks and light lunches.
For information or bookings, telephone Iris Hooper on 9382299.
I will always think of Sea Mills as a delightful place as it's been my home since the late 1920s. Our house overlooked the Portway and the river, and many a happy time was spent on the river bank as in those days the Avon was a busy place. Campbell's steamers were always up and down and we had lots of picnics from the Brownie and Guide groups.
One winter after a 'pea souper' we woke up to see Horse Shoe Bend littered with ships of many sizes stuck at all angles in the mud. My very early memories are of Miss Hockey's class, when the Infants were in Riverleaze. Each day after dinner we had little beds to go to for an after dinner sleep. I think on Saturdays most people in Sea Mills had fish for dinner as Mr Churchill, the fish man, came round in his van calling out 'fresh haddock' and he had many customers. A fruit and vegetable man, Mr Pointing, was a familiar face a couple of times a week, and of course, as mentioned before in your columns, Mr Harper's horse and cart for our ice cream. We would interrupt our game of hopscotch to rush in to mother for a penny for a cornet and, if lucky, a bag of broken wafer biscuits.
Sea Mills was an exciting place in the 1940s when American soldiers were billeted here. Us young girls were told to be careful with the soldiers, but no reason was given! They were very kind as they gave us lots of chocolate, and every child at Sunday School had a US Army New Testament (my sister still has hers). Also we'd often wake up to see tanks and army lorries nose to tail down on the Portway waiting to get into Avonmouth Docks to be shipped abroad.
One difficult point for our grandchildren to understand is that in the war we were all quite safe going about our normal activities with blackout curtains up and no street lights - we just carried on and didn't think twice about it.
| Name and address supplied. |
I live in Westbury Lane (Shire end), and during December 2000 got a letter from the District Commander at Southmead Police Station asking if I would support the Sneyd Park Residents' Association's police-operated warden scheme at an approx. cost of £1.50/wk.
I said the scheme had some merit and that Sneyd Park had a bargain. But I pointed out my property's value was well below Sneyd Park's so I shouldn't have to pay the same, and suggested 50p.
I also posed the question as to how the scheme would operate if less than 100% residents joined.
| BS9 2PX |
On Thursday 9 Feb I returned my books to Sea Mills Library around 4.30. Both doors were locked, and I waited with others to be let in. We were told that the Library has to be locked from 3.30 as a group of children are very disruptive.
I was shocked. The Library is for all to use, so why are a few restricting its use? Why are a group of children terrorising the staff and public? Do the parents know what they are doing? Do they care?
Southmead had similar problems but residents fought to get the perpetrators out. Why are dysfunctional families being moved into Sea Mills/Coombe Dingle?
Bristol is bidding to become Culture City for Europe in 2008. We have difficulties using our library. Have we got to wait until 2008 for something to be done?
I would like to know the opinion of local residents.
| A Coombe Dingle Resident. |
Our area has produced some well-known personalities - Robin Cousins, Keith Floyd, Simon King, Derek Robinson, to name but a few. Recently old newspaper cuttings turned up with the story of one Edward Luff who retired to Sea Mills. In the 1900s the then Lord Mayor's brother spotted Luff working in Bath and said, 'That's the man we want as coachman to the Lord Mayor of Bristol!'
Luff took up his duties in 1904 and for the next twenty-six years was a familiar figure on the streets of Bristol. Distinguished passengers included Prince (later King) George, Princess Christian, Princess Ena (later Queen of Spain) and many other nationalities.
He wore a resplendent livery with wig and top hat and had to bear the best and worst of weathers. Many times when snow lay on the ground he sat perspiring with the strain of driving through the frosted streets with two prancing horses.
The hours were long and it was not unusual, when the Lord Mayor had been to a ball, to drive the coach across The Downs in the first hours of daylight!
With the coming of the motor-car Mr Luff's working hours shortened, and in 1930 he retired to Sea Mills. He was one of the most picturesque participants in Bristol's byegone pageantry.
Does anyone else have memories of Sea Mills and its characters? If so, please write to us c/o the Library.
| (MV) |
25 April Open Garden (Nat Gardens Scheme) & Plant Sale 4 Haytor Pk
10 May Bring & Buy 35 Southwood Drive, 11am-4pm
19 May May Fair Sea Mills Junior Sch (NB parent volunteers wanted!)
6 June Open Garden & Plant Sale (by Garden Club) 4 Haytor Park
23 June Summer Fair Sea Mills Infant School
8 September Flower Show Community Centre: Bigger-than-ever marquee!
Wingfield School of Dance: Classes every Sat am; tel 9503916
Ladies Only Night: Sat 28 April, in aid of Community Centre Roof Fund, Mrs England, 109 Trymside, tel 0797 9935797
Photographic Club: Monday nights, 6.30; new members welcome
Art Club: Fridays at 10am. Can't draw? - won't draw? Free advice/tuition
North Bristol Community Arts Group: Wednesdays nights, 5.30; All welcome - 10yrs to 90yrs!
SEA MILLS JUDO CLUB At Sea Mills Community Centre Junior Section; 6.15pm, Senior section; 8pm-9.30
N. BRISTOL COMMUNITY ARTS GROUP Indoor/Outdoor TABLE-TOP AND CAR BOOT SALE Sea Mills Community Centre, Sunny Hill (behind Library on Sylvan Way) Every Sat 9am-1pm (sellers from 8am) £4 per stall (Vans £5). Limited no. of tables available at £1 ea. Enquiries & booking 0117 9078592 or 01275 374758
The Community Centre is available for hire for any occasion; stage productions, parties, wedding receptions, children's parties, discos, table tennis, badminton, 5-a-side football...
For details please contact Bookings, 37 Highgrove, Sea Mills
NB: Next meeting - 7.30pm, Tues May 15, at the Methodist Hall. Special agenda will be announced. All welcome.
1 June 1921 - 8 March 2001
Hilda was a particularly signiFIcant member of this community both in her work and in retirement, having lived in Sea Mills for more than sixty years.
She worked for the Fire Service in the war and is thought to have been the first lady motorbike dispatch rider in Bristol.
She joined the Community Association in 1975, becoming its Secretary in 1978 and Chair in 1993.
She was a newsagent in our area for 40 years and enjoyed whist, bingo, catering for pensioners' lunches, and running stalls at Christmas Fayres. She acted as assistant treasurer for two years at Shirehampton's Tythe Barn. She is a great loss indeed to her family, friends and the community.
On 17 January Miss Willows' year 5/6 class at Sea Mills Junior School made a link over the Internet with a little village in France called Lauris.
The village is in the Provence region, and was holding a festival that day - culminating in their children going to the 'chateau' where computers were set up ready to link with Sea Mills.
The link ran for an hour - our pupils had a chance to chat with French colleagues in a private cybercaf‚ set up specially for the event. The pupils asked all sorts of questions about the area, eg hobbies and music, and enjoyed the experience.
The Lauris website is still available at www.lauris.com - if you want to look.
| (VB) |
Cubs/Scouts/Beavers Groups had a fun 'Race Nite' on 17 Feb, not only to raise funds for the group but also to continue on from last year's fun evening.
Again fun was had by all, from the Apprentice Race to the Ladies Race - jockies jostling for a winning position - and all having fun!
Scouts had an overnight camping weekend in January. Thermals were definitely needed as waterbottles in the tents were frozen overnight!
All enquiries for these groups to :- Ian Churchill, tel: 9683447
| (VB) |
Some people wonder what to have in their medicine chest. Here are some ideas:
| (MMcG) |
Some advance information: Bristol Playbus will be coming to our area again this summer for two sessions (they came once last year). It offers supervised play for children 0-12yrs; under 8s please bring a parent/carer. Confirmed dates will be in next issue of Community Voice.
| (VB) |
It's all hands on deck when Chirp 'n' Chomp comes round at St Edyth's Church. Once a month 7s and under, with their parents, fill the church to chirp through a popular child friendly service. The songs, Bible story, prayers and craft activities are led by mums from the church who themselves have young children. It's fast, informal and fun, and something draws them back for more - perhaps it's the chomping which goes on in the hall afterwards. Cooked tea for 50p is enough to tempt any busy mum! Definitely worth a visit - bring a child and come and see.
Chirp 'n' Chomp is at 4.30pm on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Just turn up.
| (AM) |
Readers will be aware of the event last September. All bills have been paid & there's a surplus of £1400. We want to mark the millennium in some way, and as all households receive this newsletter we ask you to give us your ideas by completing this slip and returning it to the library.
My idea to mark the millennium................
Sea Mills Square is to get new traffic-calming measures. A £50,000 scheme will soon be ready for public consultation. Be prepared to have your say!
The scheme suggests three more crossing points on Shirehampton Road with refuges and dropped kerbs, and cycle lanes in both directions.
Whatever is finally decided, we hope this could be the first part of a longer term proposal to revitalise the Square and reshape it for better public use.
| (TW) |
|
Comments? Feedback? Let me know what you think. This page last updated: 6 February 2006 Copyright © 2006 Sea Mills & Coombe Dingle Community Project. You are welcome to create a link to this page or to print it for your personal use, but if you would like to use some or all of the content in any other way, please contact me first. |