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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
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| (GS/TW) |
Three short years ago the playground in the rec. was revamped to the tune of £20,000. It seems unbelievable to look at it now. Our picture shows trashed seats, missing equipment, remains of a severe fire, graffiti everywhere, dog-proof gate yawning open, ruined soft tarmac specially installed for the protection of youngsters. We hear that many parents won't allow their children to play there, either because of its condition and isolation, or because it's regularly taken over by young adults whose boredom leads them to vandalise everything around them.
What can we do about it? Ideas, please, to our box at the library or via the e-addresses above.
Kevin Thatcher, our local PC, tells us he intends to continue the monthly surgeries at Sea Mills Library, despite poor attendance at his first one.
They're held on the 1st Thursday of the month, 5.0-7.0pm. A private room is available for those who wish to speak in confidence.
He can also arrange larger meetings if we want problems dealt with in a concerted manner.
Drop us a line at the Library, or e-mail us (see our address at top of page), or ring Kevin on 9454369 if you have any concerns and/or ideas.
This is a chance to get involved with improving your area.
| (TW) |
Sea Mills Infant School has recently had a spruce up of its grounds thanks to a sponsorship deal with Barclays Bank who donated £1,000 towards materials, and the time of some of their employees.
Bank employees came along and joined volunteer parents to carry out environmental work at the school. Painting the outside of the building, building a space for bin storage, gardening, and repainting of playground floor games were all on the agenda.
Luckily the rain stayed at bay for most of the time.
| (VB) |
The Sea Mills & Coombe Dingle Community Project is still looking for a new Treasurer.
The job is really a doddle. Just keep our financial noses clean and you'll be rewarded with custody of a wad of cheque-books, an everlasting ball-point pen, and an adding machine.
Can't resist it? Want to save the world? Phone 9681559 for more details.
Our beat manager, Pc Kevin Thatcher has given us the following guidelines about many of the matters that most concern us:
There are a number of ways to remove abandoned/untaxed vehicles. If they are abandoned and in a dangerous condition then police can remove them fairly quickly. If the vehicle is untaxed and has not got a registered keeper then the council may remove them. This can take a few weeks. If the vehicle's untaxed and has a registered keeper, it's more difficult - we can still deal with the vehicle but we need the help of Sureway (DVLA). Vehicles parked on pavements, across drives and in dangerous positions may be issued with a ticket and towed away.
Nuisance youths: As you know, some of the problems in the area relate to nuisance youths and I have been in contact with residents in two of the affected streets. I have discussed with the Housing Deptartment using 'Acceptable Behaviour Contracts' (ABCs) in relation to a number of local families. We will serve these during November. These are important if any future action is to be taken. In the case of ABCs there's no need for witness statements, but incidents do need to be reported.
In relation to other offences and Anti-Social Behaviour Orders, we do need residents to come forward and make statements if we are to progress them.
The Community Project are hoping to meet all agencies involved in proceeding against offenders, including magistrates etc., to try and come up with more effective ways of dealing with this difficult issue.
We wish! But perhaps the rec's clubhouse has at last served its purpose. It's seen better days certainly, and unless it can be restored and kept secure perhaps we'd be better off without it?
Sea Mills Library is undergoing some changes. We would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused by workmen but know our readers will understand the reasons - a new perimeter fence around the library and community centre. Inside the library we have a new teenage area, with leisure reading as well as information of interest to young people. The children's area is to have a storytelling carpet, which we hope will be well used by our younger members.
This summer we have enjoyed five extremely well attended children's events and the library is now hosting Children's Story Time and activities every Tuesday from 3.30 to 4.30pm. There are Coffee Mornings every Friday from 9.30am, giving readers the chance to enjoy the full range of facilities we provide, including free Internet and e-mail access. You can also book a slot to do the BBC Web-wise session on the computer.
Other events planned include half term activities for all ages, events for Diwali and at least three activities to be held at Christmas, including tracking Santa on the Internet.
Please pick up a flyer about events at the library. Sea Mills Library is now a happy and enjoyable place to visit and we'd like to take this opportunity to welcome back old and new customers alike.
If you have any ideas about events you'd like to see at the library please let the staff know.
| (All of the staff) |
It is teatime, you're just about to have your dinner, ring ring goes the phone, another double glazing salesman!!
Is this you? Did you know you could register with the Telephone Preference Service and by doing so stop a lot of those calls?
Your registration will need about 28 days to take effect but then companies registered with the service will not ring you. Peace!!
If you're interested in registering, then ring the T.P.S. on 0845 070 0707. It is free!
| (VB) |
| (TW) |
Common warts are small rough lumps on the skin due to a virus (papilloma virus) that causes a reaction in the skin. Warts can occur anywhere on the body but hands and feet are most commonly affected.
Warts on the feet are called verrucas. Verrucas may look flatter and broader than warts on other parts of the body as they tend to get 'trodden in'.
Most warts will go without treatment and leave no scar. About 3 in 10 warts will go within six months. About half go within a year. For the rest, it may take up to two years or more, but most do eventually disappear.
Warts aren't usually harmful. Treatments are time-consuming and may be painful. Simply waiting for them to go is often the best thing to do. Children with verrucas should go swimming as normal.
What are the treatment options?
Gradually the wart is 'burnt off' and 'rubbed away'.
People with diabetes or poor circulation should not use acid
treatment.
The chance of clearing a wart with freezing treatment is high (about the same as acid treatment). However, it is quicker and often more convenient. Treatment may be painful and so isn't suitable for younger children under the age of 8.
| (MMcG) |
The Kingsweston ward (Sea Mills and Lawrence Weston) has recently been named as the latest of four Bristol 'Sure Start' areas. Sure Start is a government initiative aimed at improving the health and well-being of 0-4 year-olds and their families by enhancing existing services and setting up new ones.
Barnardos has agreed to be the accountable body (dealing with finance, personnel issues etc) but governance of the programme is to be by a partnership of parents, community groups, voluntary organisations and local service providers (eg health, education, social services).
This is an opportunity for local people to share in the planning of projects and services which will really make a difference to young families. The government has set four objectives, with specific targets for each, but every Sure Start area can set further objectives based on local needs.
The government's objectives are:
What would you like to see as added objectives and targets for Kingsweston Sure Start to give young children a good start in life?
Over the next few months we have to prepare a development plan to present to the central government Sure Start Unit by March 6th.
A working group based at Barnardos Family Centre will be collecting information for the report, holding meetings to obtain parents' views and helping to form a partnership to be responsible for future planning.
We want to hear from anyone interested in services for young children and their families, who would like to become involved in the programme, and we would welcome your ideas, comments and opinions.
Please contact:- Helen Carlton or Jennifer Hill, Kingsweston SureStart, Barnardos Family Centre, Home Farm, Kingsweston Lane, Bristol bs11 0je, telephone 9824578
In the last issue of The Voice I outlined events leading up to my evacuation during the war.
The people we stayed with I knew as Auntie Ethel and Uncle Bert. He was a miner and had an accent so broad it was often difficult to understand him. Like the time he told me we were having turnip greens for lunch; I told my sister and she refused to eat them as she thought he had said 'turn-up greens'.
Needless to say they were pretty self-sufficient - the garden had plenty of vegetables and the chickens always seemed to produce. It was my job to collect the eggs. The house was a miner's cottage. Downstairs had two rooms. The back room was never used, in fact I can only remember going into it once, and that was when I visited with my wife and daughter twenty years after the end of the war.
The front room was a dining room, with a range for cooking. One Christmas I was given an aeroplane. Silver, with four red propellors, it hung from the ceiling in the dining room. And in fact was never returned to me. I was later told that they looked on me as the grandchild they never had, and the aeroplane provided a constant reminder of our time there.
When we had a bath this was in front of the fire in a galvanised tub. The water was used afterwards to wash the cobbles in the back yard. After dinner each day we had one sweet - this was our ration.
There was always something to do, play at the old mill or the woods, and help at the farm opposite. In those days it was safe for us to be out on our own.
| (MV) |
I am a resident of Sea Mills Square. I am deeply concerned about the derelict state of the 'White House' in the recreation field close to my property. This community building has been vandalized over the months and is now unsafe to use.
Are there any plans to demolish it in the near future?
| Concerned resident, CFR |
I read with interest the article in the last issue, and in particular the reproduction of the photograph of Winston Churchill's visit to Bristol on the morning following the Good Friday Blitz 1941. The location is Raleigh Road, Southville, the section between Beauley Rd and Leighton Rd.
Some friends of mine saw him, but unfortunately I did not as I was asleep at the time of his visit, about 8.0 am or so.
After the air raid finished in the early hours of the morning, my father (who ran a grocer's shop further along Raleigh Rd on the corner of Birch Road) asked me to sit in the shop to guard the groceries from possible looters, as the windows had been blown in. This was because he volunteer-ed to help dig out some neighbours who were buried under debris in Birch Road.
Their bodies were found during the early hours - people who we knew well.
On return, my father asked me to go to bed to get some sleep, hence that was how I missed seeing the great leader.
I hope this may be of some interest.
| Yours sincerely, Ronald Sims |
PS, I'm sorry I can only remember the Progress in Sea Mills, as a friend of mine lived in Westbury Lane at that time. The gardens were beautiful - now it's nearly all car park. RS
Do you know where your children are at the moment? Are they safe at home with you - or are they on top of the bus shelter on the Square, waiting to fall or be pushed off?
Are they kicking the windows of the telephone box out once again? There are only three panes left following repair. Or are they waiting at the bus stop for their school bus and throwing empty crisp packets or chocolate wrappers down to form a crisp carpet?
We all want to live in an area in which we have some pride, free from vandalism, litter and graffiti.
Let's all make Sea Mills a great place to live. Is there anything we can do?
Yes - why not pick up litter outside your homes.
Yes - talk to children and emphasise that inconsiderate behaviour upsets others.
Yes - explain to children that vandalism costs money.
| B Davies |
| Sea Mills Infant School | Christmas Fayre | Dec 1, 11.30-2pm |
| Methodist Hall | RSVP Tea Dances | Nov 22 & Dec 6, 2.30-4.30 |
| special Christmas Dance | Dec 20 | |
| Shirehampton Cricket Club | Dance - tickets £2 | Dec 6, 8pm |
| Next year's dates | Jan 10, 24, Feb 14, 28. | |
| Sea Mills Scouts | Christmas Fair | Dec 15, start 2pm |
| Methodists | Carols by Candlelight | Dec 16, 6.30pm |
| United Xmas Communion | Dec 24, 11.30pm | |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25, 10.30 | |
| St Edyths | Carols by Candlelight | Dec 16, 6.30pm |
| Christingle | Dec 24, 4pm | |
| United Xmas Communion at Methodist Church | Dec 24, 11.30pm | |
| Family Communion | Dec 25, 10.30am | |
| Highgrove Church | Xmas Family Service | Dec 23, 10.30pm |
| Christingle (at Woodlands) | Dec 23, 6.30pm | |
| United Xmas Communion at Methodist Church | Dec 24, 11.30pm |
Child Tax Credit could be worth up to £520 a year. If you are employed, and have children then it may be worth ringing for details.
Ring the Children's Tax Credit line on 0845 300 1036.
| (VB) |
The 8th Sea Mills Flower Show was held on 8 Sept. Visitors were met by a new tableau of Bill & Ben the Flowerpot Men, with a large Weed in attendance. There were 605 entries, and 270 visitors out of a total 500 voted for their favourite flower display won by Rosemary Havens. The raffle this year raised £313, which was donated to St Peter's Hospice.
The Flower Show committee now needs replenishment. We are looking for three new members to help run this very successful community event. In particular we're looking for someone to help organise the prize cards and results on Show day.
Next year's Show is Saturday 14 Sept. We look forward to even more support and, of course, lots of entries.
If you can help, please contact Jane or Gordon Macfarlane - 9684105.
The club hopes to mount a display on local history in the Sea Mills/Coombe Dingle area. We're looking for any information or memories of life in the area over the last 50 to 70 years, to help us create our own history story.
If you can help, please contact J Macfarlane on 9684105, or better still, come and join us.
We meet Wednesdays 2.0-4.0pm at Sea Mills Community Centre.
Meetings open to all will be held on Tues Feb 19 and Tues May 21.
Venues to be announced; watch out for posters nearer the time.
As reported in our last issue, Portway Sports College has prepared plans for a new Rugby Development Centre, complete with function room & bar, down on the Portway playing fields.
Planning approval* was given end of October after long consultation during which concerns were expressed about its effect on the area.
The Community Project wrote to Planning welcoming the scheme (it would help put Sea Mills 'on the map') but asking for three questions to be looked at again:- need for a pedestrian crossing on the Portway; better access for local people using the function room & bar; and rethinking the roof height. Apart from the roof, these points will be reconsidered.
* The form of the road crossing, plus other transport-related matters, will be part of a legal agreement to be signed before work can go ahead.
Portway SC recognise the sheme needs public consultation during the detailed planning stage. As Sea Mills is the most nearby community this will be a chance for you to help the college and its partners create a truly worthwhile community facility.
| (TW) |
Have you applied? Mrs Bryant, Acting Head at Sea Mills Infants reminds us that application forms for Reception year 2002/03 were due in October but it's not too late to apply!
If you haven't got a form contact the Infant School for one on 9030088, and speak to Mrs Boulton.
| (VB) |
Every month we produce Avon Talking Magazine on audio tape for anyone with failing sight. Sadly there are many who could benefit from our completely FREE service who have never heard of us!
At Avon Talking Magazine a volunteer team collects items of interest, such as might appear in any magazine. Then a variety of voices get together to record material including travel, gardening, stories, history, cookery & unusual incidents. These are timed to fit onto a master tape from which high speed copiers record a complete magazine, ie three hours of listening, in just 7 minutes. It's still a considerable job as we issue nearly 600 copies each month.
The next stage involves library skills, when plastic wallets are packed with two tapes and issued to those listeners who returned their previous issue. The Post Office offers free postage to those registered blind (which includes many with limited vision) and twice a week about 100 magazines are issued. We check returned tapes then rewind and clean. Total time involved in production is lengthy, but by sharing the load each volunteer's time is manageable.
At present we are making an effort to 'spread the word' and make sure anyone who can benefit from the service gets to hear about us. Please think about those in your area who might be eligible and let us know on answerphone 9525121.
The Sea Mills Out of School Club (SOS) has just received confirmation of our start-up grant from the New Opportunities Fund.
We will provide quality out-of-school childcare for children of primary school age. In term time we will be open until 6pm and we will collect children from both Sea Mills schools.
During school holidays we will be open from 8.30am to 6pm.
Interested? For more details phone Louise Baker on 9094298.
| (GS) |
Are you asking? Then I'm dancing! Retired persons, all abilities, can come along for a dance or just sit & listen to the music and have a chat.
Dances are held the 2nd and 4th Thursday in the month at Sea Mills Methodist Hall 2.30-4.30. Entrance is £1.00 including tea and biscuit. Come along & join the fun! See Forthcoming Events for dates of next events.
| (VB) |
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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. |