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
No. 10
Autumn 2002
Contents
Next issue of Community Voice - Spring 2003. Contributions by end February 2003 via Sea Mills Library or via website or email to communityvoice1@hotmail.com. Thanks.
BIZZ Brightens Us Up
The Chipper Chaps from BTCV pose for an elegant interlude during Bizz’s clear up day GS
 |
As Oct 19 dawned bright and clear, around 70 people assembled at the Community Centre in Sea Mills for 'The Bizz' - the Sea Mills clean-up and recycling day. We had representatives from High Grove Church, Woodlands Church and Woodstock (the Bristol University Social Action group). Others came from St Edyths and the Boys Brigade, plus our two local councillors, John Bees and Judith Price, and a St Johns Ambulance volunteer (who only had one minor injury to deal with, thankfully!). Also a painter arrived to give the Library doors a new lease of life.
The event was organised by Pam Scott-Cook (High Grove Church) with Gill Slee and Fay Wilkinson (Sea Mills & Coombe Dingle Community Project) and managed by Hazel Wilmott (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) and Peter Hall (Recycling Consortium). Sea Mills Junior School became our depot, where a frightening chipper machine reduced garden waste to mulch and volunteers sorted plastic waste with amazing dexterity.
We tackled overgrown allotments in Sunny Hill; Coombe Dale down to the Trym - with a major river clean up; Woodleaze, Riverleaze and the Rec.; Bluebell Close and Three Acre Covert; and cleaning and repainting the Library doors and gates. Bristol provided a lorry to remove rubbish, including a car chassis, doors and engines, bikes, lawn mowers, sheds, fences, corrugated sheets, mattresses and bags and bags of litter. Another lorry picked up green waste from householders and clean-up areas to feed the chipper at the school.
'The Bizz' had a big impact on the community. So many have said how much they appreciated it. One couple remarked how they'd been trying for years to get the allotment area cleared. Others were glad of the opportunity to recycle their plastic containers. The whole event made a statement that Sea Mills was valued. Another result is that a group will help paint the Community Centre's hall in November.
We would like to convey our thanks to the Sea Mills & Coombe Dingle Community Project for their generous funding of this event.
| (Pam Scott-Cook) |
Partnership Progress
- Until now Sea Mills hasn't qualified for Neighbourhood Renewal funding. But recently a report proposing 'pockets' of the area be included was deferred. This could still be Ok'd in a few weeks. So watch this space!
At their 6th Nov meeting the Sea Mills Community Action forum, a partnership of Council and other agencies, plus our own Project, agreed an action plan to help make Sea Mills a better place for young people. The meeting included Cllr Judith Price, Police, Social & Youth services, Sure Start, Health, Neighbourhood Watch, Residents' Assoc, Libraries, etc. It hopes to finish its research by March and propose how each participating body can best direct its efforts. This builds on the work of SM&CD Project, so it won't be a case of reinventing the wheel. Our area's new youth officer, Sally Carter, will chair a youth subcommittee to work with 4-16 age-group.
The Forum needs broader representation, particularly from local folk - including traders and those involved in community activities. So if you want to see youngsters encouraged towards better things the next meeting is 2pm 7th Jan at Sea Mills Library.
| (TW) |
New Library Projects
Changes at the Library are detailed in 'Library Jottings' on page 4 - in-cluding our new opening hours - but an example of the Library's fresh initiatives is the start of a new Reading Group to be held at the Library in conjunction with Community Education. It will be run by the community for the community with start-up support until it can fund itself, and with the Library continuing as the host venue. Interested in a reading group? then visit us, or phone us on 903 8555, and leave your details.
Another project that's already up and running is 'Stepping into Learning'. If you're one of the many who think they're confused around computers then we've got just the thing. Three FREE half-hour one-to-one sessions are on offer, with a qualified tutor in a friendly and encouraging atmosphere. Sessions are Tuesdays am and Thursdays pm.
Come along, don't be shy,
Give computers and email a try!
We also want to recruit Library User Group members. We meet bi-monthly and our aim is to enhance provision for all library users. We need input from all walks of life in Sea Mills - we only ask that you're 16 or over. For further details please don't hesitate to contact me.
| (Shulah Jones) |
Sure Start Sorting Out Snags
Sure Start is being hit by a recruitment crisis due to a shortage of qualified workers. So we are re-advertising our Community Worker post (helping with the inclusion and participation of parents within the programme) as well as advertising for a Finance & Information Officer (setting up and managing systems for recording the programme's financial progress, and helping with reports) and a Secretarial and Admin support post. So look out for the ads.
We got Government approval on 1st July for the delivery Plan and grant confirmation - just three months after it was submitted. Other current Sure Start programmes take 12 - 18 months to get up and running, so we're ahead of them in some areas.
These programmes don't happen overnight and it's better to devote time early on to local consultation and planning to build a sound base for a successful long term project.
So, what's been going on? Well, after the hugely successful children's party in June, parents ran a stall at the Lawrence Weston Carnival. Then we are working with Freshways to run Monday morning play sessions at Sea Mills Methodist Church, and providing a creche at St Edyth's six-week Positive Parenting course starting 8 Nov.
A Sure Start counselling service for parents with young children has started - contact Maureen Marsh at the Family Centre or ask your health visitor or GP if you're interested - and Claire Milne, Speech & Language Therapist, is working for us one day a week and will start helping parents with children's speech development.
Other improvements as a result of Sure Start funding are an extra midwife, more health visitors and new drugs & alcohol support for Sea Mills.
A major challenge facing us is finding a site for the main Sure Start centre in Sea Mills. We want to develop a new building but this will take some time so we're looking at a temporary building for now which could be reused elsewhere in the Sure Start area later on.
We have several parents on our Steering Group; this will become the Management Board responsible for managing the programme. If you're interested you'll get training - contact us on 982 4578.
| (Christian Blake, Programme Manager) |
Silver Surfers' Skills
I have always wanted to be able to keep in touch with my sons and daughters who live around the world - without phone bills or writing letters. Then I saw the Library were offering free lessons on their computers. It was too good an opportunity. After all, if it seemed too hard one didn't have to carry on - children work them so easily!
After one lesson, when I couldn't type or make the mouse go where it should, I thought it must only be practice, so started going to the Library most days. The hardest thing was remembering what the different keys did, pressing the mouse at the right times and reading the screen.
As I persisted it got easier, with the help of the Librarians (lovely girls) and now have an email address, can type (rather slowly) with two hands and get in touch with the family. This means the grandchildren as well, even the youngest who is only six.
Now I can have lessons and not feel such an idiot - be more adventurous, do a project perhaps! Having got over my first fright, discovering there were other people like me, it's been great, most enjoyable. Have a go!
| (Granfran, 84) |
Annual General Meeting
The Community Project held its AGM on Oct 15. There were changes to the composition of the Board of Directors, including the retirement of the existing Chair (see separate story p 3).
In his report the Chair thanked Esmé Nourse who was retiring from the Board and welcomed Abby Frary and Graham Quinn onto it. He reminded the meeting of all the new initiatives that had begun in the past year, including Sure Start, SOS Club, Shire Colts and the Rec, Portway Rugby Centre proposal, Neighbourhood Watch & Resident Association initiatives, and internet/email facilities at the library.
Some current activities still needed more local support, such as the Community Partnership and the Boys & Girls Club. Mike Vincent had produced a community noticeboard which Graham Quinn has kindly hosted on the wall of his hardware shop, and Paul Hazelden continues to run the Project's website.
David Roberts, Treasurer, reported main fund assets of approx £3000 after all anticipated commitments had been met, and £1420 in the millennium marker fund. Community Voice earnings will be separated from this; Val Bradbeer stressed the need for prudence as advert revenue is hard to attract at the moment. Paul Hazelden proposed breaking costs down further which the meeting agreed.
| (GS) |
Community Centre
My name's Jacky Trivitt and I'm Vice-chair of Sea Mills Community Association. Our regular activities include: Yoga, Mondays 1.30-3pm;
Camera Club, Mondays 7.30-9pm; Judo, Tuesdays and Fridays 6-8pm;
Art Club, Thursdays 10-12noon; Garden Club, 3rd Thursday of month.
The SOS out-of-school club is held Monday-Friday, 3-6pm during term and 8am-6pm in the holidays.
In the last few weeks we had a team based at the centre while they cleared lots of eyesores in the area, and what a really good job they've done, all possible due to local volunteers. As you can see, there's still room for other activities, so if you and friends have an idea contact me on 9877963. If you are a little concerned how to organise yourselves I am sure we can find you some help to get you going.
Active With Asthma
Rather than being excluded from exercise and normal everyday activities, most of the 5.1 million people in the UK with asthma are now encouraged to get active. So why should they do so if it might trigger their asthma symptoms - coughing, wheezing, chest tightness? Exercise is good for asthma. It improves aerobic fitness so that the body needs to do less work to achieve the same goal. As fitness improves, asthma symptoms during exercise are less likely. Exercise also helps to keep heart, bones and digestion healthy and helps to keep off unwanted weight. It makes us feel good too, and more able to cope with everyday stresses.
The more exposed you are to cold dry air while exercising the more likely you are to develop exercise-induced asthma symptoms. If you go running on a winter's morning you're more likely to experience symptoms than if you swim - where the air is more humid. So if you're not fussy about what exercise you do then go swimming. It's often recommended that certain asthma medications are used before exercise. If you're troubled with symptoms while exercising or any other time, your doctor or hospital specialist, the National Asthma Campaign's www.asthma.org.uk & the BBC's www.bbc.co.uk/health/asthma sites will help.
In 1984 11% of the US Olympic team had asthma - but went on to win a bucketful of medals!
| (MMcG) |
Problem Neighbours
- Problems with crime in your area? Some Sea Mills residents have had enough of sitting back and complaining and there are now three new Neighbourhood Watch schemes starting up. N W is also a brilliant reason to get to know your neighbours better. It's come a long way since the curtain-twitching days of nosy neighbours. You'll get free security advice, not forgetting cheaper home insurance! So if you're ready to take action ring Wendy Hull our local neighbourhood Watch Administrator on 9454545. As one of the new co-ordinators I'm happy to talk to anyone interested in starting up a new scheme. Please contact me via The Community Voice, or on my email abby@abbyandleb.myhome.org.uk
Recent years have seen problems arising from the Council moving antisocial families into the area. We became aware of this when we moved into Sea Mills and started to make enquiries about tackling the problem. But we found it very hard to get advice and many council departments we spoke to (including Housing) were slow to offer a course of action. So I'd like to share our findings with you.
Some of you will have attended the 4th September Residents' meeting where the Housing Department and Police were quizzed by over 100 residents about their responsibilities. Housing's main requirement, before they do anything, is a written statement accompanied by any relevant 'Diary Sheets'. These can be obtained from Alison Scott on 9039671 and she can also provide an example statement.
Following the 4th Sept meeting we also set up a Residents' Association, which acts as a voice for local people, amassing incident reports and keeping all the relevant authorities aware of the ongoing problems.
| (AF) |
AGM Presentation
Before the start of AGM business proper (see report p 2) Fay Wilkinson acknowledged the retirement of Tim Wallis from the Chair. He was presented with a fine aerial photograph of Sea Mills as a memento to which his fellow Directors had contributed. In reply to this and to Gill Slee who referred to his role in producing The Community Voice he thanked all who had worked with him and contributed to the success of the Project. His daughter Lucy received a bouquet of flowers on behalf of Mrs Wallis. It was agreed the Directors will appoint new officers at their November committee meeting.
| (GS) |
Local History Video On Sale
Stoke Bishop & Sneyd Park Local History Group present a one-hour video, Country Air, Channel Breezes. Using a mixture of archive photos, contemporary interviews, and reconstructions it traces the history of Stoke Bishop from prehistoric times to the present day. Price, £15; contact Mrs E Floyd, 23 Church Rd, Stoke Bishop BS9 1QP for details.
'Memories'
- We very much need more items for the 'Memories' column. Stories can be local or of specific interest (like the above). We can provide help with writing if required. Drop a line c/o the Library, or email us at communityvoice1@hotmail.com
On holiday we met a German lady who spoke of wartime experiences. She let us share part of her story and though she experienced far worse than is told here she is not bitter.
Hildegard lived in north-east Germany with her parents and brothers. German people were made to work - in her case in a munitions factory. If they didn't turn up they were sent to a concentration camp, or if they spoke out against the regime they 'disappeared'. They were bombed out of home three times.
The Russians invaded and took all family papers, so they couldn't prove their identity. Next came the Polish who stripped everything from people's houses - including beds. Her grandmother had a picture over the bed (a common practice in Germany) and when the Poles tried to take it her nephew became so angry he put his foot through the picture. Her mother had made a dress from a tablecloth and lace curtain which also went.
Everyone had to work - in her case unloading and cleaning coal wagons. They weren't paid, so scavenged from waste bins, and were so weak that old people just died. Medical attention was non-existent.
She and her mother became refugees in a school in West Germany. Local farmers came to the school looking for help with milking. Although she had never done this before she lied to ensure they had a place to sleep. The toilet was in the cow barn so she would put a coat over her nightdress and stand on the toilet to look over the wall where the boys were milking. The boys told the farmer she was too weak to milk so she was sent to work in the fields.
She eventually got a passport and came to England in 1949 as a children's nurse and married an Englishman.
| (MV) |
Letters
- Thanks for this suggestion. You need to write to Traffic Management, Brunel Ho., St George's Rd, BS1 5UY. Or try Mark Godwin, the officer dealing with the Sea Mills Square calming, on 9036448.
- Thanks for alerting us to this problem. We had to search hard to find Dial-a Ride's new number but they assure us they're still operating in our area. Ring 9395525 for latest information as our article in #2 may be out of date. Membership is free & the service operates Mon-Thurs 9-5 & Fri 9-4.30.
I have just received your latest newsletter - they are always a good read. I have not yet had time to read this issue [#9] but it prompted me to email you.
I live next door to the library on Sylvan Way and in the last month there have been two major accidents at this location. These occur when cars are exiting Sunny Hill or West Parade to join or cross Sylvan Way. A large factor in the severity of the accidents is the speed cars travel along Sylvan Way. I have two small children and worry about their safety even when playing in the garden. It is only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt or even killed.
Please could you let me know who to contact to forward the idea of a traffic calming scheme for Sylvan Way.
| (James Mumford) |
In some parts of Bristol the disabled and elderly enjoy the benefit of a subsidised transport service called Dial-a-Ride. At present it is not available in our area. Sea Mills, Coombe Dingle and Bristol 9 cover a large area, the bus service is useless. A Dial-a-Ride service would be very useful as many of us are unable to walk to doctor's surgery, dentist, clinics, etc.
Might I suggest that Community Voice publicises this need. Money I know is the problem but those with income above the basic would, I know, be prepared to pay higher fares.
| (W. Graham Fowler (aged 94)) |
I would like to congratulate 'The Bizz' team for the efficient way they cleared the enormous amount of shrub & tree cuttings and plastic bottles from my driveway. They worked really hard and left only a few leaves for me to clear. I understand the whole operation was a huge success and it is great to think that Sea Mills is clear of rubbish if only for a short time. I wish this would encourage people to take their rubbish to allocated tips instead of dumping it in our beauty spots.
This has always been a beautiful area and we are lucky to live here as I have, on and off, for over 70 years. It would be nice to keep it that way.
Many congratulations to the team of workers and organisers.
| (Mia Hale) |
Hi, Just wanted to say how much I enjoy going to the Library to use their computers. I have a family in Canada and it's wonderful to receive emails and photos; it makes me feel so close to them all. I can also send them emails on all the family gossip; they get longer as I find my way around the keyboard! I never thought at my age I'd master the computer, but I thoroughly enjoy the internet. The Library staff have been great and I want to thank them all for the help they have given me.
| (Silver Surfer) |
Forthcoming Events in Sea Mills
Sea Mills Infant School, Hallen Drive
30 Nov Xmas Fair 11.30-2pm
Beavers/Cubs/Scouts, Woodleaze
30 Nov Xmas Fair 2pm onwards
RSVP Tea Dances
12 Dec Special Xmas 180th Tea Dance at Shirehampton Cricket Club 7.30-11pm
High Grove Church
22 Dec Xmas Family Service (High Grove) 10.30am. Carols by Candlelight (Woodlands Ch) 7pm; 25 Dec Family Xmas Celebration (Woodlands) 10.30am.
Garden Club talks, Community Centre
16 Jan Yvonne Sharp Foliage in the Winter Garden; 20 Feb Mary Payne Effective Use of Colour in the Garden
Boys' & Girls' Club, Woodleaze
Tues-Fridays, 6.30-9pm, boys & girls from 9+ welcome to see what goes on here!
Urgent Plea
More distributors are needed for The Community Voice to replace those who may have moved away. If you know anyone who wants a bit of exercise three times a year please leave information c/o Sea Mills Library or email us at communityvoice1@hotmail.com or phone us on 9681559.
September's Flower Show
This year's Show was a great success, helped by a fine day and lots of entries. Junior entries more than doubled, giving the judge a problem deciding the winners; she was most complimentary about the standard of youngsters' entries - let's hope we can keep the same standard for our 10th Show next year.
The most popular Junior class offered the chance to design a flag for the 10th Show in 2003. It had over 50 entries and was won by Georgina Hills. We plan to commission a flag based on her design to be used at next year's Show.
There was a bit of a 'puzzle' in the photography section - only one entry in the Jubilee class. It seems no-one snapped their street party or any other Jubilee event!
To give everyone lots of time to prepare for next year's Photography, classes will include 'A flower show', 'Garden seating', and a 'Before and after' computer enhancement.
Perhaps the biggest achievement at this year's Show was raising £400 for the charity CLIC.
We hope everyone enjoyed the entertainment and the wonderful exhibits - do book next year's date Saturday 13 Sept, 1-5pm at Sea Mills Community Centre.
| (GM) |
Bye-Bye Burger Bar
There will be those who mourn the fleeting existence of the burger bar on the Square. And those who won't.
It had a short but controversial life. Many local residents enquired about the legalities of such a 'cuckoo in the nest'. It turns out you don't need any say-so to set one of these up outside the city centre, but Bristol says it is looking to do something about that.
Is there anyone who doesn't want to see the Square carry on as a valuable and sustainable centre for local trade? We won't keep our existing traders if the rules aren't fair. Let's all keep an eye on this one so that if it happens again we will be prepared for a more concerted response.
| (TW) |
Library Jottings
As we step into autumn the Library has left behind a summer packed with success stories - both this years' summer reading scheme and the events that were held around the summer holidays. These events received the best attendance figures yet and we'd like to thank everyone for their continued support.
Thanks must also go to Sea Mills & Coombe Dingle Community Project for donating £200 - some of this was used at half term when we enjoyed a magic show and Halloween extravaganza. The rest of the money will be spent on a children's event at Christmas, tickets for which are available at the Library.
Success also extends to staff this issue as we congratulate Mary on passing her New Opportunities Computing Certificate - well done.
As many will know our opening hours have changed to Mon, Thur, Sat 9-1 and 2-5, and Tues, Wed, Fri 9-1.
After reviewing trends these were our busiest times so we've tailored them to meet local need, with the benefit of now opening 6 mornings a week!
| (SJ) |
SOS Say Ta For £sd
The SOS Out-of-school Club's Management Committee are most grateful to SM&CD Project for their generous grant which helped to keep fees low during the summer holidays.
| (EN) |
!!!Scoop-A-Poop!!!
Sea Mills Recreation Ground is at last being used for football once again. Great news!!
What's not so wonderful are the dog owners who don't clear up the little gifts left by their loved ones. Teams are using more of the field now, so there's less margin round the edge. As a parent I know how annoying it is to clear such disgusting deposits from kit and shoes. Do please make sure to scoop up any mess & use the doggy bins provided. VB
Contributions Received
The Directors of the Sea Mills and Coombe Dingle Community Project wish to express their appreciation to Dr Stuart Silvey for his generous contribution to the Project's funds.
This is the first ever unsolicited gift we have received and we intend always to acknowledge such welcome contributions on behalf of the local community. TW
This Issue
Readers should have with this issue an insert which explains the final traffic scheme for Sea Mills square. The work should start in January.