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. 12
Summer 2003

Contents

Next issue of Community Voice - Autumn 2003.   Contributions by mid-October 2003 via Sea Mills Library or via website or email to communityvoice1@hotmail.com.   Thanks.

AWAITING THE LAST POST?

Popping up to the Post Office has been second nature in Sea Mills since the estate was first built. For all those years it has been the natural centre of neighbourly comings and goings. We've grown up with it. By the time we've put away childish things and transferred our more adult allegiances to Page 3 and a book of stamps, we are permanently embedded in a social framework - the Post Office and its news-stand is part of our way of life.

Which is why we're hopping mad we might lose our post office. It's a simple case of Use It or Lose It. If we elect to have our pension/benefit paid into our account directly, instead of taking a regular healthy walk while popping up to the Post Office, there soon won't be a post office to pop up to.

There are two interconnected strands to the argument - economic and social. The economic one is straightforward - processing benefits is a large part of a Subpostmaster's income; without it there is little incentive to continue; if a post office closes, people will begin to shop elsewhere and soon the whole precinct will lose viability; the house that's now sold 'with benefit of level access to shops' will become a drag on the market. We've already lost our bank; we nearly lost our chemists recently; a telecoms giant wants to ruin the Square; local shops have had to 'rationalise' to stay in business. As soon as the current hike in property values crashes these effects will become only too clear.

Another problem is that the Post Office as an institution changes very slowly, eg it was only this May that debit cards were at last accepted. And when change is introduced (eg pin keypads) it takes time to bed down. A recent move to bring in card accounts is being smothered by Whitehall obsession with on-line banking despite what consumers might actually prefer.

The economic case leads to the social one. Without facilities youngsters are bored, working people's free time keeps on shrinking, and old folk are trapped in memories of a once kinder and friendlier life. Places like Sea Mills need what's call 'added value' to encourage people to live here. A post office still stands for that kindness and friendliness that is an ingredient of added value; it's a great leveller - we all queue alike, we enjoy complaining together about the newspaper headlines, and we send identical parcels to grandchildren in Milton Keynes or Melbourne.

The Post Office is part of our social glue. If we lose it we'll struggle to adjust. Sea Mills, and our lives here, will become unrecognizable.

(TW)

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SCHOOL REUNION

(Picture)

Over 100 former pupils attended the second Sea Mills Junior School reunion on 10th May, including the above mafiosi look-alikes - Derek Robinson (left) and Quentin Williams.

There were many new people attending this reunion for those born 1925-35, plus a few younger ones who turned up by accident, such is the reunion's popularity.

However, organising it is a long job and Quentin went round taking everyone's details. Hopefully there'll be more reunions, but we need younger ones to organise later years. If you're interested please ring 9685778 so we can coordinate efforts.

(Photo Mia Hale)

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WILLING WALKERS WANTED

Our SOS Playworkers urgently need help to walk children from the Infant and Junior school to the SOS Club's base at the Community Centre.

You don't have to have children to help us! We can either pay you £2.50 a day or give you free sessions at the Club if you have children. Tel 07813761577 (24hr answerphone).

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DIPPING-IN DAY DAWNS

Dipping-In Day for Sea Mills is an afternoon for all ages to try new fun activities. It starts 1pm, Sat 19 July at the Community Centre and Library. You can 'dip into' existing learning courses, or if there's something else you've always wanted to learn, tell us about it! Such days are being organised elsewhere in Bristol, normally called Taster Days but Sea Mills just has to be different!

Some activities to whet your appetite:- junk modelling; miniature gardens; T-shirt printing; cake decorating; story writing; glass painting; local history; Youth Bus; photography; face painting; making fruit and veg animals; music; writing stories and poems; + displays including farm animals, stalls and refreshments.

Some of these might help you enter classes in the Flower Show (see p 4)! So if any of these appeal to you, or if you have an idea we haven't thought of, come along on 19 July and tell us about it. For more information please ring Sarah on 9030090.

(GS)

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DOG DIGS DOCU-DIRT

My name's Monki and I'm a 5 yr old terrier dog living with my Dad, Shaun, in a house near Dingle Bridge. I had a fantastic time recently when the BBC Natural History Unit visited Coombe Dingle for a week's live broadcast of the wildlife in my garden.

Our house backs onto woodland so I run around the garden chasing squirrels (although I've never caught one yet!) - they feed on the nuts Dad puts out every day. We also see wonderful birds and other creatures in our garden. When we first moved in I was chased by an angry badger so now I keep well away from the set entrance.

Anyway, the BBC got to hear about the badgers and asked if our house could be used for their latest wildlife project and the rest is history, or should I say 'natural history'...

The programme was called Wild In Your Garden, presented by 3 famous BBC wildlife experts, Bill Oddie, Kate Humble and Seamills' very own TV presenter, Simon King. Bill, Kate and Simon spent hours searching the local area for all kinds of wildlife so that over 2m viewers could watch some of the interesting animals that live in the Community Voice area.

I met all the presenters and especially liked Simon because he made a fuss of me. He said how much he enjoyed returning to the area he grew up in. Dad said that with the variety of animals in the woodland it's not surprising he went on to become a leading wildlife expert.

Each evening viewers saw the secret world of animals including blue tits and robins raising their young, or learn about badgers and foxes as they go about their nightly business when I'm fast asleep. The BBC also have a website which featured 24hr live camera feeds to wildlife hot-spots. You can still visit this today on www.BBC.co.uk/nature/programmes/tv/wildinyourgarden.

There were nearly 100 people involved in the production, which Bill Oddie said was the biggest 24 hr live broadcast of its kind by the BBC. He also said that they think the Coombe Dingle area is one of the UK's top ten urban wildlife sites.

I made good friends with the crew who all spoiled me with bits of their packed lunches. Monki the dog

(SJ)

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THE MORNING AFTER

At the Project's Open Meeting on May 21 the wine chilled beautifully and the burgers were delicious.

We also heard about exciting things happening in Sea Mills... The SOS (after-school club) is up and running at the Community Centre; Sure Start is gaining recognition in the area and will soon open its first office; Liz Wagstaff talked about the 'Community Day' on Sept 20 (see p 4); Gordon Macfarlane reminded us of the Flower Show (Sept 13); the 'Bizz' comes round again on Oct 18 (see p 2) and the Millennium Marker is due to be placed on the Square in the autumn.

Encouraging times ahead!

(GS)

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MAST APPEAL DEFEATED

We can all breathe again! The Planning Inspectorate has dismissed Hutchison 3G Uk Ltd's appeal against Bristol's refusal of planning permission for a telecoms base station (the Mast) in Sea Mills Square outside the Chemist's shop. Dismissal was on environmental grounds - it was considered to be harmful to the character and appearance of the Conservation Area. Thanks are due to all those who wrote letters of protest to the first and second applications and to the nearly 800 residents who signed the petition, which covered an impressive 46 forms

(TW)

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RETURN OF THE BIZZ

As we announced in our last issue Sea Mills and Coombe Dingle's 'Bizz' clean-up and recycling day will happen again this autumn - Sat October 18. More details will be available in September.

If you know of an area in Sea Mills or Coombe Dingle needing a good clear up contact the Bizz team on 9686696. We'll also collect plastic bottles for recycling at the Junior School.

o Don't forget you can also arrange a special tidy up of any 'grot spot' you know of through Alan Cox at Bristol City Council via the Evening Post - as we confirmed in our last issue following a reader's letter.

(AB)

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THE PLANE'S SAFE; ARE YOU?

In general those with stable heart or lung conditions who can climb 12 stairs and walk 50 metres on the level without severe breathlessness or developing angina are fit to fly on commercial aeroplanes.

Those usually considered unsuitable for flying include those:

• markedly short of breath at rest;
• with poorly controlled heart failure;
• with uncontrolled heart rhythms;
• with unstable angina;
• with a blood count below 7.5 g/dl;
• with an infectious disease transmissible to other passengers;
• patients with a psychotic illness, unless stable and escorted.

Poorly controlled epileptics may need an increase in medication.

Pregnant women shouldn't travel after 36 weeks, and a letter stating their expected date of delivery and that they are fit to fly is desirable from 28 weeks.

Flying will usually need to be delayed at least ten days after chest or abdominal surgery (even keyhole), and after a bleed from your bowel, an uncomplicated heart attack or a stroke with a good recovery.

It is advisable to wait 24 hours after a plaster cast is applied before a flight of under 2 hours, and 48 hours if the flight is longer (or bivalve the plaster).

Newly born babies should be at least 48 hours old, and preferably at least two weeks old before flying.

Travel involving prolonged immobilisation can result in a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with risk of a clot on the lung (pulmonary embolus or PE).

Those at more risk include people with a history of blood clots; women on oral contraceptives or pregnant; those recently hospitalised, especially after major surgery; the obese; some people with heart failure; paralysis of the lower limbs; some cancers. Dehydration may increase the risk.

Periodic flexion and extension of lower limbs, deep breathing exercises and walking around are advised to help reduce risk.

Drink plenty of water and avoid excess coffee or alcohol on long haul flights.

Support stockings and low dose aspirin (provided you're not allergic to aspirin or have a stomach ulcer) are a good idea on long haul flights.

(MMcG)

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LIBRARY JOTTINGS

Can I start by officially welcoming Sandra Sheppard and Maxine Kyprianou to the Sea Mills Library team. Sandra joins us from Shirehampton Library and Maxine from a hotel management career in Cyprus. Both bring a variety of knowledge and expertise, which will directly benefit our whole community.

We're pleased to be involved in the Dipping-In Day on Sat 19 July [see p 1]. The library will hold I.T. taster sessions that day for those wanting to learn to research topics of interest on the net, e.g. gardening, family history, local groups etc. We'll also hold an I.T. interactive story time for 7s and under in the afternoon.

I must mention our summer holidays reading scheme - "the reading maze". The scheme's designed for children from 6 - 14, who'll receive a reading pack on joining, and a sticker pack every time they return a book they've read. After 6 books a medal is awarded and names go forward to a prize draw at the end of the holidays. Great prizes are on offer including tickets to football matches and some really great days out.

As well as the reading scheme we have events and activities through the holidays. The dates to remember are Fri 25 Jul, Mon 4 Aug, Mon 11 Aug, Thu 14 Aug, Mon 18 Aug, and Tues 26 Aug. Please book early as tickets go quickly and we can't guarantee availability if you turn up without tickets on the day.

Under-5s story time will not take place through the holidays, as many activities we're holding are suitable for this age group. But it will return in September with a new look and date. We'll be introducing 'story sacks' for the first time and a 12 week programme will be available to carers with forthcoming topics and themes. The new day is a Thursday and the time is 11.45 - 12.15, giving those at Highgrove Toddlers time to pop in and enjoy a story before lunch.

The sign outside the library is still a problem as it shows the old times. We'll sort this soon but in the meantime a sign inside the railings gives the new times, ie Mon 9-1 and 2-5, Tue 9-1, Wed 9-1, Thu 9-1 and 2-5, Fri 9-1, Sat 9-1 and 2-5.

For info on Dipping-In Day, reading scheme, summer events or story times please don't hesitate to phone on 9038555 or pop in. SJ o See also Reading Group p 4.

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MEMORIES

Harold was born in 1902 - the youngest of five children. He remembers nothing of his father who died when Harold was very young. His earliest memory is of sleeping five in a bed - three at the top and two at the bottom.

Mother did cleaning and washing but at times they had to rely on charity and use the soup kitchens. She eventually remarried and this provided security in the family.

He lost his 'job' pumping the church organ bellows because he was easily distracted and the organ would stop. He left the choir when he was caught playing five stones during a service.

Once when he was 12 he was sent to a dentist at Ha'penny Bridge who did free extractions before 8am. On the way he heard the Titanic had sunk - he forgot the dentist and ran all the way home to Eastville.

The house they lived in was let at a lower rent because the previous occupier had committed suicide in the bedroom, the evidence showing as a red patch on the parlour ceiling.

He bought a pigeon with the idea of keeping it as a pet but what he didn't realise was it was a homing pigeon and it flew back to its loft.

His mother died and his stepfather remarried. Stepmother told Harold she had something belonging to him and he could have it for 5/-. He paid up and found she was holding his own Savings Book - it had a balance of 5/-. Then she packed his belongings in a tin trunk and put it on the doorstep.

Harold started work at Maggs making cabinets but then found a job as printer's assistant. When he was thrown out of home he found lodgings at Bedminster where he stayed until he married in 1929.

He loved animals and spent holidays at camp with the Royal Artillery looking after the gun carriage horses. In later life he would take his daughter's chow to the pub but could only have one pint because as soon as he put his glass back on the bar the dog would head for the door. MV

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COMMUNITY CENTRE

(Picture)

Early days during the building of the Community Centre. Built 1958-9 by volunteers for £5000+ (valued at £15000) it had 'the biggest amateur stage in the West of England'. Are these members of the Housing Committee come to inspect progress? One of a group of photos discovered during a recent clear-up to create more usable space and bring in more rent (see p 4) for the Community Assoc. Such finds are bound to be of interest to the Local History Group and older residents may be able to identify people featured in the originals.

(TW)

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LETTERS

I am amazed that you suggest I might like to support objections to a proposed phone mast in the Square. Since, largely due to your whingeing, they have now totally fouled up the main road I don't give a stuff if they build masts over every square inch of it.

We had a road running through the Square which, given the capabilities of a modern car, should have been rated at 40mph from Park Hill through to the start of Stoke Lodge. Now everything come to a grinding halt every time a couple of buses happen to stop at the same bus stop. You will also find that the local speed clowns will use it as a chicane, and I have already discovered that it can be an exhilarating experience to be taken through it at 60mph. It is a fact that there were very few personal injury accidents in the Square. Some accidents are inevitable and should be accepted as a fact of life. It is the motorist who pays for the roads and should therefore have unfettered priority over road use (excepting equestrian and agricultural use). Might I also point out that your idiocy in getting the Square messed up is making it a lot more difficult for passing trade to stop so the shops will lose out.

What I find particularly galling is that you are blind to the areas of real danger. The Square never was a problem to anyone apart from undisciplined kids and a few decrepit wrinklies. On the other hand the side roads around the estate are a death trap where a 20mph speed limit would be excessive. They are littered with untaxed and unroadworthy cars which block pavements forcing people out into the roadway to be met by idiots who treat these roads as race tracks. I have not noticed you making a case to do something about this… or maybe you own the cars that are blocking the pavement and are too idle to dig yourselves a runway to get your car off the pavement!

As to the proposed phone mast, well you have already added a load of extra street furniture, lumps in the carriageway, probably more yellow paint and certainly more pollution due to holdups. Why not stick a mast in each corner to even up the view?

(A J Moore)

This letter has been edited for brevity (amongst other things). The traffic calming isn't actually our scheme (we wanted to do a lot more); however, we agree about slowing streets below 20mph - perhaps readers with similarly strong feelings will join Mr Moore and start campaigning? Ed.

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FORTHCOMING EVENTS IN SEA MILLS

Cubs 16-22 Aug, Summer Camp, Huish Woods, Taunton 20 Sept, Jumble Sale; 17-19 Oct, Halloween Camp,

Huish Woods, Taunton; 8 Nov, Jumble Sale

Project Open Meeting 7.30pm, 24 October, St Edyths Church Hall, NB Guest speaker Valerie Davey MP

To advertise your event free in this feature leave copy in our 'postbox' at the Library, or tel 9686696, or email communityvoice1@hotmail.com. Contact us by mid-October for the next issue. If you want people to know you, we reach every family in the area!

(GS)

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SEA MILLS COMMUNITY CENTRE NEWS

We are looking forward to a bright and useful future for the Community Centre. With changes on the committee and some new members we hope this will be the start of a great community spirit.

We need to get the centre cleared out and cleaned up in areas, and would like to invite you all to help - on 28th June and 12th July, 10am onwards. Please come along, and be part of the centre's future, and bring a sense of fun.

Other dates for your diary - 19 July, pm - Dipping In Day, come and try your hand at many new ex-periences [see p. 1]; 13 Sept - Flower Show [see below]; 20 Sept - Community celebration day [see p 2].

And don't forget regular activities such as SOS club, Art Group, Photo group, Garden club, Yoga, Judo and we hope a lot more soon...

(LW)

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10th ANNIVERSARY FLOWER SHOW

Brochures are now out (see cover on right) and are available from Library, Post Office and local outlets.

Get your free copy as soon as you can. There's something for every skill - art, crafts, cookery, wine, jam, photography, etc, etc (not just gardening) - so read the schedule, fill in the entry form and be prepared early! The show will be opened by Derek Robinson (see photo p. 1).

Junior competitors can enter free and there are entry forms for junior classes at school. Come and have a grand time on the day, 13 Sept., at the Community Centre.

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CREDIT UNION

SEVERN FOUR CREDIT UNION has now relocated to 115 High St, Shirehampton and looks forward to welcoming people who live or work in the Sea Mills, Shirehampton, Avonmouth or Lawrence Weston areas of the city who want to become members [see article in issue #11].

To know more about how to save with your local credit union and learn how members can apply for low-cost loans by saving regularly please call our office, open Monday to Friday, on 9381439 or you can email sfcu@btconnect.com for details.

Join the fastest-growing financial movement in the world and find out what 100 million credit union members in 84 countries already know!

(LW)

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SURE START ON THE MOVE

After a few delays the new Sea Mills Sure Start office building will be up and running by the end of July in the grounds of the Infant School in Hallen Drive.

A new Project Manager is to be appointed, but three Project Workers, a Finance/Information Officer and a Management Secretary are already working behind the scenes getting to know the area and making contacts with people in the community.

Sure Start is also hoping to establish creche work training. Does this interest you? If so please ring Sure Start on 9824578.

(EN)

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BOOKWORMS BORROW TO BURROW

Regular readers will have noticed a happy group disturbing the peace of the Library on occasional Mondays.

This is the Sea Mills Reading Group who've been meeting since January. Up to eight readers have formed the group to read and then discuss (loudly) books of their choice. It's a way of developing one's reading (down with pulp!) and a 'facilitator' has been funded by Community Education.

Although we've carried on meeting since the money ran out we hope to get more funding from September.

There's room for one or two more, so if you're interested, contact Sea Mills Library and see if you can stand the racket!

(TW)

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