A young City side secured a place in the Gloucestershire FA Senior Challenge Cup semi-finals
with a convincing 7-1 win over Mangotsfield United
A Kai Churchley hat-trick and four other different goal scorers saw the Robins come from behind to win in comfortable fashion
City will take on either Bishops Cleeve or Gloucester City in the final four of the competition
The match started with Mangotsfield on the front foot and on seven minutes
Kyrese Morrison’s pass across goal found Joe Cattermole who slid the ball under Jack Witchard
just before the half hour mark and City were back level
with Churchley getting his first of the night as he latched onto a diagonal ball and cut inside
with his deflected effort finding the back of the net
It took just 10 minutes for City – and Churchley – to get their second of the evening and it was 2-1 at the break
just two minutes into the second half Archie Taylor added a third
before Zack Ali put the result beyond doubt
It was just before the hour mark that Churchley secured his hat-trick
Tom Chaplin’s free kick and Trayvion Jackson’s late finish made the scoreline even more convincing
City will know their opponents following the match between Bishops Cleeve and Gloucester City on Tuesday
City Academy next travel to Colchester United in Professional Development League Two on Monday
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South Gloucestershire Council is introducing a booking system at its four Sort It recycling centres at Little Stoke
all visits to the area’s Sort It recycling centres must be booked in advance
The new system is being introduced due to recent government legislation which now requires all local authorities to regulate the disposal of household DIY waste
and the easiest and most cost-effective way to do this is by introducing a booking system
Many local authorities already have a booking system in place
People in those areas have experienced reduced queuing and congestion
The measures also prevent misuse by non-residents and commercial traders
provide better access to support for residents who may require assistance and improve operational efficiency onsite
Booking opens on 24 February 2025 for visits from 3 March 2025 onwards. You will be able to book a timeslot online at www.southglos.gov.uk/recyclingcentrebooking
You will need to provide your vehicle details
contact information and the type of waste you intend to bring
Residents who have accessibility needs will be able to indicate this when booking a timeslot
You can book a slot anytime up to two weeks in advance of your visit
you must bring your booking number and proof of address
Additional requirements apply for using hired vehicles and commercial vehicles which will be detailed in the booking requirements
For more information about recycling in South Gloucestershire visit www.southglos.gov.uk/waste
Play Brightcove videoRoss Arnott reports on the "whirlwind" year for Jack Nunn
who is living his football dream after moving from the ninth tier in England to Italy's top flight
Last season Jack Nunn was plying his trade for Mangotsfield United FC now he is training with some of the best players on the continent
After being overlooked for a number of academies here in the West Country
Jack went to study a BTEC in Business at SGS College in Filton
The Winterbourne-bred footballer continued playing and earned himself the opportunity to represent the England College team at a tournament in Italy in the summer
It was there that he caught the attention of Italian scouts
who were originally watching their own compatriots
and was signed by the side based on the island of Sardinia
Speaking to ITV News Jack explained how the move has changed his life
"It is crazy it has just been so different to what I have done before but I am still so excited about it," he said
"I have had a lot of people on the phone saying congratulations and asking me how it happened
"The whole thing has just been a bit mad
Mates keep saying they want to come out and see me so that will be good but it has just been amazing so far."
It is a move that simply doesn't happen in football and for those who've been watching him play football for years it is a proud moment
I can't think of someone who deserves a move like this more"
"He had a great season with us last year and whilst we are sad to see him go we are so pleased for him
"I just think people are surprised because it is not often that something like this happens
particularly from Mangotsfield but the way it came about and how he handled himself was amazing."
The club are currently redeveloping their site on Cossham Street and whilst they will be sad Jack won't be gracing the pitch there they do hope they will see him return one day
"It would be great if near the end of his career we see him in a Mangotsfield shirt again."
Signing for the Italian giants has though seen him leave the sanctity of his life with his family in Winterbourne
but for his loved ones it was an offer he couldn't turn down
I am sitting here in the seats I used to watch him play and now he is playing abroad," Dave
he has come all the way up through the ranks as a 7-year-old and now he is just living his dream
"As a kid he always said he wanted to be a professional footballer and now he is actually doing it and I am so proud to call him my son
"I have always just said to him enjoy football
"It will be weird because I have been at almost ever game he has ever played but I am looking forward to getting out there whenever I can and watching it
Jack has worked so hard and now it has paid off and I am so delighted for him."
Jack has joined Cagliari's academy but the Serie A side believe he has the potential to make it all the way through to the first team
DOWNEND Boxing Club held a second successful tournament in two months at Mangotsfield School in April
First up at the event was 15-year-old Patrick Connors
who took part in a great non-decision skills bout with Crewkerne’s Norman Nation
who faced the strong Lucien Johnson of Apollo Llanedeyrn boxing club
Miley boxed at long range against the shorter opponent
Fast combination punches and movement prompted the referee to stop the contest in the final round in favour of the Downend boxer
The Bodmin club also provided the opponent for Downend’s Ronnie Mills
A good technical start from Cornish boxer Kai Carhart saw a close first round
before some changes in strategy saw the next two rounds go to Ronnie
18-year-old McKenzie Lawrence faced Chard’s Charlie Bevan
A great clash of styles saw aggressive come-forward boxing by Charlie
and fast footwork and variety of punches from McKenzie
The tournament followed the club hosting the initial rounds of England Boxing’s National Junior Championships at the school in February
Downend’s Finlay Haskins lost to Ethan Walcott of King Alfred when the referee stopped the contest
Vinnie Ellis of Downend lost on points to Euan Houghton-Maher of Empire
Downend’s Caleb Rees retired against Alfie Wilkins of Roman
while Downend’s Freddie Mogg beat Jacob Brown of Gloucester on points
Downend’s Kai Adami lost on points to Lewis Green of Worcester
while Ben Carpenter of Downend beat Jed Chambers of Minehead after the referee stopped the contest
14-year-old Rocco Parker faced Ignas Mockus of Blake boxing club
A nervous start saw the Downend boxer take some time to get his range but
Rocco settled into his rhythm to take a unanimous points decision.
Through to the quarter finals of the national schools championships
Special mention must go to one of Downend’s junior members
who has been collecting with her brother Miley and other volunteers to support the Bristol Box Cup
An online fundraising page for the event has been set up at tinyurl.com/bdx3nhzs.
The club is also looking for sponsors for the international school age tournament
taking place on June 21-22 at Thornbury Leisure Centre
Anyone interested should email downendboxing@gmail.com
MANGOTSFIELD School leaders said they were “celebrating another set of strong results” with departing students this year
The school said there had been a “significant increase” in the number of pupils achieving a grade 4 and 5 in both English and Maths for the second year running.
Head teacher Hetty Blackmore said: “There are so many individual successes to be proud of
and the school is delighted by the personal achievements of the entire cohort.
“Whilst it is hard to select students to praise individually
several have exceeded expectations at a national level.”
Students whose achievements were highlighted by the school include:
Mrs Blackmore said: “We are delighted for the students
“The effort and dedication shown during their final year has been inspiring
and I am so pleased with the progress and results of so many.
“We wish them all the best for their bright and brilliant futures
“This is a testament to the hard work of the students and the dedication of our staff at the school.”
with some going on to the Downend Sixth Form Centre which serves both Downend School and Mangotsfield School
while others will go to colleges including St Brendan’s and SGS
Details of the places where new housing developments could be built across South Gloucestershire are set out in detail in the council’s Local Plan
The plan includes proposals to allow a major development on the former Shortwood Lodge Golf Club
2,000-plus homes next to the M4 north of Lyde Green,and 65 homes on part of the Hayfields base of Cleve RFC and 150 homes on land next door owned by Taylor Wimpey
The final draft of the plan has also seen some sites taken out
including the former Bristol Uniforms factory in Staple Hill
Frenchay Christmas Tree Farm and the Downend Clinic
THREE sites near Shortwood are proposed to form part of what has been named the Carsons Green and Rockhouse Farm New Neighbourhoods
East of the A4174 opposite Mangotsfield and Siston Hill
1,600 homes are proposed for land including the former Shortwood Lodge Golf Club
stretching to the southern edge of Shortwood
A further 330 homes would be built north of Shortwood
The council says 30% of homes would be classed as affordable
for social rent or non-market ownership schemes
Around 660 of the homes would be built after the end of the Local Plan period in 2041
DEVELOPER Taylor Wimpey submitted plans last year to build 150 new homes on a field it owns between Cossham Street and Rodway Hill Road
appears in the Local Plan as a potential site for 150 homes
Taylor Wimpey has asked for permission to develop it before the new plan is adopted
Part of Cleve Rugby Club’s Hayfields ground
which stands next to the Taylor Wimpey field
has now been put forward by the club as a potential site for 65 homes
Cleve RFC Chairman Simon Wilstead says that like many community-based sports clubs
Cleve faces “financial challenges” from reduced participation post-Covid and huge cost increases
He said: “We have submitted a proposal to the South Gloucestershire Council local plan as a first step in looking at how we can sustain the long-term future of the rugby club for generations to come.
“Our ambition is to stay at The Hayfields in the heart of the community
by looking to downsize non playing field areas of our existing footprint.
“In doing so we would be looking to redesign and build a new environmentally-friendly clubhouse and facilities
“We would also like to modernise sports playing facilities for the benefit of members and the wider community.
“I would emphasise this is a first step in the process to evaluate options
and we will be working closely with the RFU and Sport England on what options may be suitable in the future.”
A further 72 homes have been proposed on two other sites off Pomphrey Hill – seven on a small field between the rugby club and the pavilion car park
and a further 65 on a field next to the ring road
ABOUT 2,050 homes and 18 hectares of employment land
extending the Bristol & Bath Science Park
The area to be developed is bounded by the M4
Westerleigh Road and the railway line serving the Westerleigh fuel depot
Around 1,350 homes would be built before 2041 and 700 afterwards
The development would include shops and cafes
THE former Bristol Uniforms factory in Wathen Street
Staple Hill has been removed from the final draft of the Local Plan
Developer Woodstock Homes announced plans to build 66 one and two-bedroom flats in three and four-storey blocks on the site behind Fountain Square in 2023
a few months after the safety clothing company moved out after more than 120 years
The plans are still awaiting a decision by the council’s planning department
but the site has been removed from the plan
with the council saying it will “remain as safeguarded employment land”
Speaking on behalf of Staple Hill & Mangotsfield ward councillors
said the factory site was “employment land which provides essential jobs to support our local economy”
Woodstock Homes said: “We firmly believe that our plans to redevelop the site will deliver significant benefits for the local area
including the delivery of much-needed new homes on a brownfield site in a highly sustainable location
as well as representing a significant investment in this part of Staple Hill
We are keen to continue working positively with the council over the coming weeks as we move towards the determination of our application.”
the building occupied by Snap Fitness in Broad Street has been suggested as a site for 14 homes
EARLIER drafts of the Local Plan included proposals to build ten homes on the site of the Downend Clinic
opposite the library in Buckingham Gardens
with the council saying it no longer has an “active site promoter or willing landowner”
Another site removed from the new draft is Frenchay Christmas Tree Farm
The council cites “constraints including air quality and impacts on the local transport network” as the reason for removing the site
The final draft of the Local Plan is due to open for public comments on February 28
Full details will be found on the plan website
Anyone who is not online can call 01454 868009 for help
MANGOTSFIELD United’s new artificial pitch is on track to be ready for the club’s first home league fixture of the season in November
It is just over a year since the club announced plans to replace the sloping turf pitch with an all-weather 3G surface as part of a revamp costing around £1.2 million
The project has also included replacing the existing floodlights with more energy-efficient LED lighting
which will reduce light pollution in neighbouring areas
upgrading the clubhouse and building new covered standing areas on the terrace opposite the main Ralph Miller Stand at Cossham Street
and the Hellenic Football League allowed the club to play all of this season’s Premier Division fixtures away until contractors Tiger Turf and McCardle had the pitch ready to use
The surface is now in place and the club posted pictures online in October to show what it looks like
It means the club is due to play its first home league fixture of the season
By then the club will have played all their away fixtures
except possibly for a postponed match at Malmesbury Victoria which had still to be rearranged as the Voice went to print
Before the match takes place the club is set to open its doors to the community for an open event to show supporters and residents the changes and upgraded facilities
The open evening will take place on November 7 from 6.30-8.30pm
Club chairman Steve Brown said: “Everyone is welcome
“It will be a chance to talk to committee
see what will be available to hire for events like birthday parties
as well as finding about some of the opportunities that’ll be on offer
such as walking football and summer leagues.”
Perimeter works are underway on the side of the ground next to the neighbouring Hut Field
so that temporary fencing can be removed and the club’s junior pitch marked out
The work has been funded with help from a £775,499 joint grant from the Premier League
the FA and government’s Football Foundation
plus a further Premier League award of £150,000
It included levelling the 2.2m (7ft 2in) drop between the highest and lowest corners of the pitch
A HOUSEBUILDER has unveiled plans to build 150 new homes on a Green Belt site in Mangotsfield
Taylor Wimpey owns a field which lies between Cossham Street and Rodway Hill Road
bordering the grounds of Mangotsfield United Football Club
The company held a drop-in consultation event in October to show how it wants to redevelop the land with a mix of one
It is the company’s second attempt to build on the land: an application for 180 new homes made in 2009 was rejected by South Gloucestershire Council the following year
This time the application is timed to coincide with a potential change to the legal status of the land
which could lose its Green Belt label under the new South Gloucestershire Local Plan
Taylor Wimpey says 35% of the homes planned would be “affordable housing” – available for social rent or shared ownership schemes
It also says there will be an an “overall biodiversity net gain” with extra tree planting and work to enhance natural habitats
But residents attending the drop-in event at Pomphrey Hill pavilion in October raised concerns over road access to the site
along with parking and the effect on local infrastructure
The main concern was that access by road will be by a single junction on to Cossham Street
People who posted on the company’s comment boards said the road was too narrow for the extra traffic and was crossed by many school children
They called for a second access point on to Rodway Hill Road
Taylor Wimpey’s previous plans were opposed by a residents’ group called Save Mangotsfield Open Green Spaces Group (SMOG)
whose chair Mike Reeves said the “circumstances haven’t changed” since the last application 15 years ago
However the field has been proposed as a possible development side in the South Gloucestershire Local Plan
which is currently being prepared for a final public consultation next January before it is submitted in the summer for examination by a planning inspector
The examination is likely to be in October 2025
Taylor Wimpey has confirmed that it intends its formal outline planning application to be considered by the council once the Local Plan has either been adopted or passed the examination stage
Taylor Wimpey strategic projects director Chris Dolling said: “The strong turnout of 133 people at our consultation event highlights the importance of aligning our plans with Mangotsfield residents’ interests
“Attendees learned about our proposals and provided valuable feedback on issues like transport
We’ll refine our plans based on this input.”
Asked about the prospect of adding a second vehicle access
Mr Dolling said: “Taylor Wimpey is proposing one main vehicular access road on Cossham Street
rather than a second vehicle access point on Rodway Hill Road
as it is the most appropriate location to minimise trips going through the centre of Mangotsfield
There will be a secondary emergency access
and it will be incorporated at one of several walking and cycling access points to the site
“A single main vehicular access and emergency access is considered sufficient to serve a development of 150 dwellings and is standard practice.”
He said the proposed priority T-junction at the site is expected to be “appropriate to accommodate the anticipated level of trip generation”
adding that Taylor Wimpey would be required to pay towards projects to mitigate the impact of development on the area if the application is approved
and this could include improvement to roads and transport services
The company’s consultation website remains open at tinyurl.com/bdcs2mrm
MANGOTSFIELD United will host a second charity match in memory of former player Scott Hendy in May
a central defender who made almost 400 appearances for the club between 1997 and 2011
His killer admitted a manslaughter charge and was later jailed
The father-of-three died two weeks before a charity match at Mangotsfield’s ground
It became a tribute and fundraising event in his memory
with a trophy donated by Bristol Showmen’s Guild
This year the club has announced that the Scott Hendy Memorial Cup match will be held at Cossham Street on May 18
to raise money for Children’s Hospice South West
A Mangotsfield United Legends team will take on a legends side from Yate Town
Kick-off is at 12.30pm and admission is just £3
A club spokesperson said: “Please come and support the players and this wonderful charity.” Sport: Page 47
MANGOTSFIELD School was the venue for the initial rounds of England Boxing’s National Junior Championships
the regional tournament in late February saw 18 quality contests
enjoyed by an audience of approximately 200 supporters
Downend first-timers included John-Jack Connors
who took part in no-decision skills contests
while Ben Carpenter (22) and UWE student Jack Coyle (20) made their debuts
with Jack winning a tough and very good bout
Miley Conors (12) opened the competitive bouts for Downend in a 30-kilo contest against Denis Hricko of Grange club in Cardiff
with both boxers throwing fast combinations
The furious action continued for three rounds
with a close points decision going to the Welsh boxer
Fresh from his National junior semi-final appearance
Ronnie Mills (16) took on the older Jayden Bannister of Paignton
Ronnie used his trademark aggressive body punching to good effect
changing angles to take away Jayden’s reach advantage
A great contest across three rounds saw the Downend Boxer take a unanimous decision
Carmen O’Brian (16) took part in her second contest against the tough Laila O’Donoghue
of Synwell boxing club in Wotton-under-Edge
and was met with equal resistance in what was a superb all action contest
who faced the tough Laneon Balesco of St Ives
Both boxers used their 75 kilos weight to deliver effective punching
exciting contest that had the audience on their feet at the end
Other results: Frank Gibbons beat Jason Wolf (Cullompton) on points; Rupert Gibbons lost on points to Marley Dunn (Newquay); Rocco Parker beat Hussan Miah (Grange) on points; Egli Metaj lost on points to Ollie Cooper (St Pirans); Vinnie Ellis lost on points to James Smith (Pyramid)
Coach Claire Holloway said: “We are so pleased with the event
which had so many people attend to watch great boxing
and can take a lot from their performances.”
Downend Boxing Club returns to Mangotsfield School on Sunday April 6 for an amateur boxing showcase
Doors open at noon and boxing starts at 1pm
with entry for adults £15 and under-16s £5
The club is also looking for sponsors when it hosts the Bristol Box Cup in June
A bin lorry at South Gloucestershire Council's Sort It recycling centre in Mangotsfield(Image: Google Maps)A tip on the edge of Bristol is set to be closed for five weeks from next week
The Mangotsfield Sort It Centre will be closed for up to five weeks from Monday (October 21) for essential repairs and maintenance work
The site in Carsons Road is expected to reopen to the public by Monday, November 25. South Gloucestershire Council has said that residents with registered vehicles can use any of the other three Sort It centres across the South Gloucestershire area during this time
The council has apologised for any inconvenience caused. For more details on recycling options across South Gloucestershire visit the council’s website here.
MANGOTSFIELD United’s brand new all-weather pitch is ready to use after a £1.2 million revamp of the club’s Cossham Street ground was completed on schedule
The first team was due to play its first home fixture of the season on November 23 at 3pm
Before that the club held an open evening on November 7
supporters and people interested in hiring the pitch and other facilities were invited to have a look around
The club and Mangotsfield & Blackhorse Sports and Community Association first announced plans to replace the sloping turf pitch with an all-weather 3G surface in September last year
The project has involved levelling the 2.2m (7ft 2in) drop between the highest and lowest corners of the pitch
That means the corner by the changing rooms is now accessed by a short flight of steps and the terraces nearby stand above pitch level
New covered standing areas have been created on the terrace opposite the main Ralph Miller Stand
alongside new dugouts for home and away managers
It means all of the outstanding league fixtures are at home
except for a postponed match at Malmesbury Victoria
which had still to be rearranged as the Voice went to print
Club chairman Steve Brown said the project had been “a challenge”
It has been funded with help from a £775,499 joint grant from the Premier League
Plans for up to 150 new homes have been proposed on a large open space in Mangotsfield
The site lies to the east of Rodway Hill Road
and Mangotsfield United FC to the north.(Image: Google Earth)A developer has returned to unveil fresh plans to build new homes on a large open space in the heart of a Bristol suburb
15 years after they were turned down the first time
Taylor Wimpey are inviting local residents in Mangotsfield to come to a drop-in session next week
where they will present plans for around 150 new homes on the big field between Mangotsfield School and Mangotsfield United football ground
on the east side of Rodway Hill Road is close to the centre of Mangotsfield but effectively right on the edge of the built-up urban area of Bristol
with the local rugby and cricket clubs between it and the ring road
and this is the first major application to come forward - even before that new strategy is confirmed
and outside the Local Plan designation for a housing site
Taylor Wimpey initially appealed to the Government’s planning inspectors but later in 2010
with a new proposal for up to 150 new homes
with road access to the proposed housing estate down the side of Mangotsfield United FC’s ground on Cossham Street
Taylor Wimpey said it wants to build a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroomed homes. The developers said 35 per cent of the 150 - just over 50 - would be classed as ‘affordable’ in planning terms.
Plans for up to 150 new homes have been proposed on a large open space in Mangotsfield. The site lies to the east of Rodway Hill Road, between Mangotsfield School to the south, and Mangotsfield United FC to the north.(Image: Taylor Wimpey)They are holding a community drop-in event at the Pomphrey Hill Pavilion on Wednesday, October 2, from 2pm to 7pm to give local residents the chance to see the plans.
The man presenting the plans said they want to build their new homes ‘in a way that respects Mangotsfield’s character’.
“Through our proposals, we want to deliver much needed new homes in the area,” said Chris Dolling, Taylor Wimpey’s strategic projects director. “We want to do so in a way that respects Mangotsfield’s character. Our proposals are guided by the site's natural features, such as its existing trees, hedgerows, footpaths and topography.
Plans for up to 150 new homes have been proposed on a large open space in Mangotsfield. The site lies to the east of Rodway Hill Road, between Mangotsfield School to the south, and Mangotsfield United FC to the north.(Image: Taylor Wimpey)“These are the foundations into our proposed layout for the development. We will work closely with the Mangotsfield community to ensure our proposed development supports the area’s needs and reflects the village’s character.
“We encourage everyone to come along to our community drop-in event so they can learn more, review our proposals, and share their feedback,” he added.
MANGOTSFIELD’S Sort It recycling centre has closed for five weeks for “essential repairs and maintenance”
The centre in Carsons Road shut on October 21 and will not reopen until November 25
Damage to part of the building was visible to visitors dropping off waste before the closure
South Gloucestershire Council is advising residents to “delay unnecessary trips” to recycling centres during the closure
Its three other recycling centres at Little Stoke
Yate and Thornbury will be open from 8.30am to 4.30pm daily as usual
But the council said in a statement: “They will be much busier
“If you need to use a recycling centre
remove any recycling from bags of mixed waste and make sure your vehicle is registered before you visit.”
Residents are being advised that the Little Stoke has a 1.8m height barrier and trailers are not allowed on the site
It also cannot take some materials which can be brought to other centres
None of the Sort It recycling centres can accept business waste
The closure is the longest since the authority shut all of its recycling centres for seven weeks during the first covid lockdown in 2020
They reopened with restrictions which then lasted for several months
A fire which damaged the Mangotsfield centre in May 2022
and is believed to have been caused by a lithium ion battery thrown away with household waste
only resulted in it being closed for two and a half days afterwards
For more details on Sort It centres visit tinyurl.com/vx8yajf7
MANGOTSFIELD United’s new pitch is on track to be ready for use in November
Contractors Tiger Turf and McCardle sent bulldozers in to the Cossham Street ground at the end of June to clear the turf pitch
so a new 3G all-weather surface can be installed
The £1.2 million project by the club and Mangotsfield & Blackhorse Sports and Community Association has received funding from the Premier League
Football Association and the government’s Football Foundation
It also includes installing new LED floodlights and upgrading the clubhouse
removing the previous 2.2m (7ft 2in) drop between its highest and lowest corners
New fencing is going up and two new covered stands have been built opposite the main Ralph Miller stand
The club said the work was “on course” to be finished in time for the first home league game
which is due to be on November 23 against Slimbridge
STAPLE Hill and Mangotsfield Parish Council is inviting all residents
and community groups to two key events that celebrate and strengthen our local community
The Parish Assembly on Thursday April 10 at 7pm is a fantastic opportunity for residents to hear directly from the parish council about key developments and future plans
and contribute ideas on issues that matter most to you
The Parish Council Expo on Saturday April 12 from 11am is a community open day
or simply want to know more about what’s happening in Staple Hill and Mangotsfield
Both events take place at the Salvation Army in Broad Street
The Parish Assembly and Expo are not meetings – they are platforms for dialogue
Whether you’ve lived here for years or have just moved in
these events are a great way to get involved
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of something special in Staple Hill and Mangotsfield
please visit www.StapleHillandMangotsfield-PC.gov.uk
I WOULD like to say a huge ‘Thank you’ to our council for planting so many trees in our Valley Gardens/Blackhorse area
I shall look forward to seeing them flourish
ARE dog owners unable to stop their dogs barking
At night there is a dog in Mangotsfield which sometimes starts barking around two o’clock in the morning
and continues barking on and off for an hour or so on some nights
There are also other dogs in the area which are left outside during the day
Do the owners not think that other residents do not want to hear their dogs
but some people do not seem to be bothered
DOWNEND Health Group’s Patient Participation Group aims to be a bridge between patients and the surgery and help with communication.
An understanding of the problems faced by both the professionals and patients can only help to improve the situation
We have been made aware of and discussed a number of issues around the new booking eConsult system
laptops are available for use in the practice reception
The practice recognises that some patients will require assistance in submitting their requests
There will be a meeting of the PPG at the Christchurch surgery on May 15 at 6.30pm.
Any patients of the practice are welcome – the more people who attend
Some of the committee will also be available at Staple Hill Library on May 6
Please come along and find out a little more about what we hope to achieve and tell us your opinions
MORE than 60 people took part in a protest march against South Gloucestershire Council’s plans to make Green Belt land available for housing
organised by pressure group South Our Green Spaces South Gloucestershire (SOGS-SG)
was held between Warmley and Bridgeyate on September 7
It came ahead of the closure of the latest stage of a consultation on the council’s Local Plan
a 15-year blueprint for future development
including potential sites for more than 22,000 new homes
A group of about 60 people took part in the march
which was held as a new petition against the proposals was launched on the change.org website
who said: “There was a great spirit and camaraderie on the march
“We had lots of beeps from passing motorists
The group’s petition can be found online at tinyurl.com/6we5xsf9 and volunteers will also be out collecting signatures around the area in the coming weeks
An update to the Local Plan unveiled in the summer added 17 new sites
to the previous draft published last November.
These include 140 homes in the Green Belt at Frenchay Christmas tree farm between the M32 and Old Gloucester Road
35 at Frenchay Forestry in Common Mead Lane
They have been added to proposals announced last year to allocate land near Shortwood for 1,430 new homes
with another 800 north of Lyde Green and 195 at Cossham Street in Mangotsfield
on a field owned by developer Taylor Wimpey
The latest public consultation ended on September 13
a final version of the Local Plan will be prepared and consulted on again next January
It is expected to be submitted next June for examination by a planning inspector
which is likely to take place in October of that year
However the council may have to go back and find sites for more new homes in the light of changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
announced by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner
The changes could see another 6,000 homes added to the target for South Glos
BRISTOL & West Hockey Club members are looking forward to playing on a new pitch thanks to a refurbishment project carried out at Mangotsfield School
The club has been based at the school on Rodway Hill for the last two years
after its previous pitch at Winterbourne Academy was switched to a 3G artificial surface
This summer the pitch at Mangotsfield School was relaid with a new 2G surface
with new LED floodlights and safety barriers for spectators.
Club chairman Andy Bryce said: “The pitch refurbishment project was funded by Castle School Education Trust
B&WHC also contributed some money to the project for the provision of the spectator barriers
“The school considered the option of conversion to a 3G pitch
which is a type of surface that is primarily suitable for football
after consultation with B&WHC and recognition of its heavy use for youth and adult hockey by the local community
the school opted for replacing the existing 2G surface
“We are extremely grateful that Mangotsfield School and CSET took the view to safeguard the provision of Hockey in the area
“The new surface and new energy efficient flood lighting now provide a high quality facility and will mean that B&WHC can continue to grow and offer more ways for the school and local community to get involved in this exciting and engaging sport.”
Bristol & West have also unveiled a rebrand for the club ahead of the new season
combining elements of Bristol & West and Jaspers Ladies
will go on a new kit made out of 100% recyclable shirt fabrics
manufactured from recycling waste fibres and plastic bottles
The current club kit has been in use for over 10 years and has served us very well
Bryant Associates Wealth Management and TA Baylis Electrical Services
have helped massively in subsidising the new playing kit.
B&WHC men came second overall in the Southport Se7ens hockey festival
with the women coming third and a mixed team second against clubs from across the country
The club also entered teams in the Keynsham Hockey Club Annual Memorial Tournament in support of Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation
winning the tournament for a second year running and helping raise £1,434.37 was raised over a fun day of social hockey
For more information about Bristol & West HC
MANGOTSFIELD United Football Club can press ahead with work to replace the pitch at its Cossham Street ground after winning more than £900,000 funding
The club and Mangotsfield & Blackhorse Sports and Community Association announced plans to replace the current uneven grass pitch with a new 3G all-weather surface
with new LED floodlighting and widening of the ground
The £1.2 million project already has planning permission but depended on outside funding to go ahead
Club chairman Steve Brown said he was “thrilled” at the news that the scheme had been awarded £775,499 from the Premier League
with a further £150,000 joint award from the Premier League
Mr Brown said: “Huge thanks go to everyone at the Football Foundation and the GFA who have worked with us through this process
We’d also like to thank the Premier League
families and volunteers of all our partner clubs
Juniors as well as our local and parish councils over the last few years
who have given their time and have helped to raise the money that funds the balance.
“This is a huge investment into Mangotsfield and Emersons Green
modern arena for local non-league football in the area and secure the future of Mangotsfield United
but will also open up the facility to everyone in the local community
Contractors Tiger Turf and McCardle are expected to start work on the project towards the end of June
and the club hopes the new pitch will be installed and ready for use by the end of November
By that time the football season will be underway
and the club is asking to play its early-season fixtures away from home
A fundraising page for public donations towards the project is online at justgiving.com/campaign/project24
SOUTH Gloucestershire Council says its new system of booking to visit Sort It recycling centres has cut queues and spread visits more evenly
The council introduced the online advance booking system in March at all of its tips
to meet a law introduced last year requiring councils to regulate the disposal of household DIY waste
A spokesperson said council is “actively monitoring” the system and feedback from residents
although it was not possible to compare it with the old system because this did not accurately record visits
During the opening “transition period” extra council staff and a security guard helped staff check drivers had bookings and helped people book them
but there has been no overall permanent increase in staffing levels to support the system
The spokesperson said: “Our review shows that most residents are able to book their preferred time on the same day
feedback from staff and residents suggests that the system has helped to reduce queuing and spread visits more evenly across the week
“Most site users have adapted well to the new system
While there have been some incidents involving aggressive behaviour
there have been no serious threats or acts of violence reported
Verbal and physical abuse of our staff and other site users is not tolerated.”
The council says there has been “no overall increase in fly-tipping since the booking system was introduced”
AN avenue of lime trees planted in memory of Queen Elizabeth II on Rodway Common in Mangotsfield has been officially dedicated
The trees have been planted at the northern corner of the common opposite Mangotsfield School by Emersons Green Town Council
which is in charge of maintaining the open space
A ceremony was held in March to officially dedicate the avenue to the late Queen’s memory
naming it Jubilee Way after the council received royal approval for the gesture
The ceremony included a moment of reflection by Rev James Cannan
the poem written by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage to mark the Queen’s death in 2022
Emersons Green musician Emily Correa played two flute solos
Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending and I Vow to Thee My Country
The ceremony ended with the unveiling of a plaque by Emersons Green town mayor James Hunt
near the junction of Manor Road and Rodway Hill
bears the Jubilee Way name and dedicates the trees to the late Queen and her 70-year reign
Cllr Hunt said: “I don’t think we need a plaque to remember her
This is just a small thing that we can do to pay respects to her for everything she did for us and getting the country to where it is today.”
MANGOTSFIELD School students played a central role in organising a festival celebrating diversity and cultural differences
The school’s Culture Week was held at the end of March and included a range of activities and competitions planned by pupils
from music quizzes and painting competitions to dance displays
A “cultural dress/ wear the colour of your flag day” was held for staff and pupils
and included face painting and a DJ set in the school canteen from a Year 11 student playing music from across the world
A school spokesperson said: “With a school community from all over the world
there are lots of differences to celebrate
and this is one of the many reasons school leaders are so proud of their community
“One of the highlights of the week was students performing dances on the main stage one lunchtime
with a packed main hall giving them a standing ovation when their performances had finished
“Staff and students alike commented on what a wonderful celebration of the school’s diversity it has become.”
The school also recently held a careers week
where volunteers from a variety of industries gave presentations to Year 7 and 8 students about their companies and jobs
The guests came from a variety of sectors including engineering
Also taking place before the Easter holidays was the school’s Science Week
where 40 pupils from Year 7 to Year 9 took part in a contest to research and design solutions to challenges humanity may face in the future in the home
They then had to write about their research in a report suitable to be sent to the government
The school spokesperson said: “Students demonstrated great ingenuity and out-of-the-box thinking
to see if any of our teams have won a national prize.”
the school’s science technicians made ice cream using dry ice
serving up more than 250 portions of vanilla
The school also held a ‘challenge day’
where pupils had the chance to go off-site and/or off-timetable to go on subject-related trips or try new activities
HOUSEBUILDER Taylor Wimpey has applied for permission to build 150 new homes on a Green Belt site in Mangotsfield
The developer has formally submitted plans to South Gloucestershire Council
which published them on its website in December
Taylor Wimpey owns the field where it wants to build the homes
between Cossham Street and Rodway Hill Road
It is currently designated as Green Belt land – but the housebuilder’s agent claims “very special circumstances” exist which justify developing it
The current application is for permission in principle to develop the site
But it also includes detailed plans for road access to the site from a single entrance in Cossham Street
which has already brought objections from residents
In a planning statement supporting the plans
agents Turley say they will “make efficient use of a currently underutilised site to provide a high-quality and landscape-led residential scheme
delivering a mix of sizes and tenures (including affordable homes) in a sustainable location”
A previous bid by Taylor Wimpey to build 180 homes on the site was refused by South Gloucestershire Council in 2010 because of its Green Belt status
Since then the council has earmarked the site for potential development as part of its new Local Plan
which is expected to be examined by a planning inspector in late 2025
with a view to adoption the following spring
Taylor Wimpey held a drop-in consultation event in October to show how it intends to redevelop the land with a mix of one
At the time the company said it intended the outline planning application to be considered by the council once the Local Plan had either been adopted or passed the examination stage
But its new planning statement says: “Very special circumstances exist which justify the proposed development in this Green Belt location
resulting from the significant public benefits of the scheme and the limited harm to the Green Belt and other respects.”
The agents said the site is “suitable for residential development”
is a “sustainable location” and is “likely to meet the emerging ‘grey belt’ definition”
which the government has proposed for Green Belt sites that could be developed
we consider that outline planning permission should be granted without delay.”
Taylor Wimpey has submitted design details of the proposed road access to the site
The firm says the access road will include traffic calming and an existing 4m-wide path will be retained as a shared foot and cycle path
But the reliance on a single road in and out was the main source of comments at the company’s consultation event in October and has been cited by people registering objections on the council’s website
One resident said: “Traffic on Cossham Street is already regularly at unsafe levels
with lots of speeding and road rage happening on a daily basis
“The road isn’t fit for current volumes of traffic
let alone the addition of another 150 houses
which would most likely mean another 300 cars minimum.”
Another said: “I would prefer an access on Rodway Hill Road instead but
then a traffic light-controlled junction where Cossham Street meets St James Street should be included in the plans.”
Concerns have also been raised over the number of homes proposed
and “ridiculous” assumptions over how easily new residents will be able to walk
cycle or use local bus services for day to day travel
One objector said: “Schools are already at breaking point
The plans can be viewed by searching for application P24/02685/O on the council’s planning website
Friends of Leap Valley volunteers clearing weed from a pond
MANY of you will know that the Friends of Leap Valley
help to look after and maintain the Leap Valley Open Space situated between Fouracre Crescent in Bromley Heath
Aintree Drive (off Badminton Road) and Bury Hill View
Check out the website friendsofleapvalley.uk for much more information about the area and about what the Friends do.
That means some of the volunteers are getting a bit old for working in the valley
They currently meet on a Monday morning but this may change to another weekday or to occasional weekend days if it encourages more help
Please contact the Friends via the website or email friendsofleapvalleysecretary@gmail.com if you are interested in helping for a few hours at a workday
which is a designated Site of Conservation Interest
looking good for the benefit of local residents
walkers and for all the wildlife that call it home
Downend Cricket Club president Miles Davis captured this image of the Northern Lights over Downend on the night of October 10
STAPLE Hill and Mangotsfield Parish Council is pleased to announce the awarding of its first ever community grants to five deserving local organisations dedicated to enhancing our community.
The initial recipients include Ignite Life
which will receive £500 to create a community garden at the back of Page Community Association
Ignite works with young people who struggle to access education
South Gloucestershire Armed Forces Day will £1,000 towards the cost of setting up and running the annual event
which is being held in Staple Hill in 2025
Mangotsfield Residents Association will receive £350 to purchase swift boxes to put on Mangotsfield Scout HQ
Staple Hill District Women’s Section is awarded £500 to fund room rental to ensure this organisation can continue to meet
Staple Hill Hub will receive £500 to support with running costs so the current groups and activities currently provided can continue
The council recognises the vital role these organisations play in fostering a vibrant community spirit and is proud to assist them in their endeavours
There are still funds available for additional projects
For more information on how to apply for a community grant or to learn more about the awarded projects
please visit our website at tinyurl.com/3vkuv7s3
IS there anyone willing to take up the position of musical director for the Cleeve Singers of Downend?
Our present conductor is stepping down at the end of December.
who sincerely wish to continue entertaining and supporting charities
Anyone willing to help the choir can contact the secretary by emailing cleevesingers@gmail.com or leave a message by phone at 0117 956 1881.
If there is something I see that I think that may be of interest
In this respect I recently saw a statuette of a closed fist
in the grounds of the former Mangotsfield railway station
FOLLOWING the success of last year’s inaugural Cold Water Dip
St Peter’s Hospice is inviting brave fundraisers to take the plunge again
Taking place at Portishead Open Air Pool on December 1
the event will see participants brave icy waters to raise much-needed funds for Bristol’s only adult hospice
and spectators are also welcome to watch and cheer on the dippers
Taking the plunge with cold water swimming means you could experience amazing health benefits including boosting mood and immune system and improving fitness and circulation
Every splash will make a difference in supporting patients and their families facing life-limiting illnesses
Many participants will choose to take part in memory of a loved one
We’ll have our memory tree by the side of the pool and participants are invited to write and hang a message to commemorate loved ones
The event will take place from 2.30pm-5.30pm
Entry costs £20 per person and is open to over-16s
St Peter’s Hospice cares for adults with incurable illnesses in Bristol
North Somerset and South Gloucestershire as well as providing support for their families
Find out more at www.stpetershospice.org/coldwaterdip
Kids Planet Day Nurseries has acquired Butterflies Day Nursery in Mangotsfield(Image: Kids Planet Day Nurseries)A popular nursery in South Gloucestershire has been taken over by a new firm after its founder wanted to spend more time with family
Kids Planet Day Nurseries has acquired Butterflies Day Nursery
which is based within the green grounds of the former Shortwood Lodge golf club in Mangotsfield
which looks after children aged up until four years old
was put up for sale by Viv Osbourne so she can “step back
relax and enjoy my ever-extending family.” Butterflies will be the Kids Planet Day Nurseries 192nd site after the firm grew following a combination of acquisition and greenfield developments
A spokesman said they are “providing the highest standard” of early years education and care across the UK for over 29,000 children
Its focus continues to acquire existing nursery settings that fit with its values and provide development opportunities to build out its geographical presence
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Clare Roberts, CEO at Kids Planet, said: “I am delighted to welcome Butterflies into the Kids Planet family, expanding our presence and offering in the Southwest of England. The nursery comes with a wonderful team who act as role models to the children and create inspiring environments both indoors and outdoors for the children to explore. We are excited to support the whole team and families moving forward.”
A spokesman added: “Kids Planet have a unique childcare approach in a safe and secure environment where children are actively encouraged to explore, learn and interact with others, including nutritious chef-approved home-cooked meals, SEND support and Forest School to name a few. Kids Planet are so committed to this that they have a happiness guarantee.”
Viv Osbourne, previous owner of Butterflies Day Nursery, said: “Butterflies Nursery was brought to life during Covid. I worked with my family to transform the old golf clubhouse into a large, bright, and safe environment for children to learn and play. Trying to find the right company to take it to the next stage of its life was proving difficult, until I was introduced to Kids Planet.
“After our first meeting, I felt confident that Kids Planet would continue the successful development of the nursery and leave me feeling that Butterflies is in safe hands. They are professional and compassionate, and I know they will continue to progress and improve both the nursery and staff team.
“I wish Kids Planet the absolute best in their future growth and will watch on with pride as my grandchildren grow under their care.”
SUPPORTERS of Mangotsfield Community Association warmed to the Spanish theme of this year’s spin bike challenge at the Red Lion pub
Fundraisers took turns to pedal the static bikes to clock up a combined total of 1,340 virtual miles in order to raise money for the MCA’s two chosen charities
St Peter’s Hospice and the Motor Neurone Disease Association
Organisers were aiming to beat last year’s total of more than £4,000 at the event
which included a ‘donation barbecue’
entertainment from local DJ’s Chris & Nick from Souled Out and Gone Funky and a raffle
STAPLE Hill and Mangotsfield residents will be able to access free legal and financial advice again with the return of Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire to the area
The charity closed its office in Staple Hill High Street in 2022 after a cut in its funding from South Gloucestershire Council
But it is returning from July thanks to a £20,000 grant from Staple Hill & Mangotsfield Parish Council
which will enable it to hold weekly advice sessions at Page Community Association in Page Road
The sessions will begin on July 5 and will be held every Friday from 10am to noon
Until now the nearest face-to-face advice sessions were held at Emersons Green Village Hall on Thursdays from 10am to noon
where they are held at the same time on Mondays
and at the charity’s Yate headquarters
hosted by a trained adviser and can cover anything from benefits
debt and housing to cost-of-living support
Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire chief executive Chantal Watts said: “Closing our office in Staple Hill due to funding constraints was a crushing blow to us as a charity and we’ve been keen to return to the area ever since
“Even though Staple Hill and Mangotsfield residents have still been served by us from Yate
it’s invaluable to have a session in your local neighbourhood.”
Parish council chair Ian Campbell said: “Ensuring we had a local touchpoint for the community was a top priority in our decision
and we hope the service proves to be successful and beneficial for residents in need of advice.”
The charity is reliant on grants and donations to fund the majority of its work
which also includes a free phone advice line on 0808 278 7947
For more details visit www.southgloscab.org.uk
Funding for the service was announced at the first annual parish meeting for Staple Hill & Mangotsfield
held at the Salvation Army centre in Broad Street on May 30
Finance committee chair Irene Draper also confirmed that the parish council was providing £20,000 to pay for the area’s Christmas lights
which South Gloucestershire Council is no longer funding
£1,500 towards the area’s Local Nature Plan
£5,000 in grants for community organisations and £2,000 to support the annual Remembrance parade and service in Page Park in November
The council will also launch a community engagement plan
The annual meeting also heard about the Greening the High Street project
which has seen five community gardening sessions hosted between April and June
A FRIEND of a Mangotsfield teenager who died in a plane crash has made a film to honour his memory
My Friend Who Died tells the story of Jamie Clapp and the effect of his death
who got to know Mangotsfield School pupil Jamie through their shared love of skateboarding
has made the 25-minute film using footage he filmed over a number of years growing up
He has tried three times to make the film over the 17 years since Jamie’s death
It will have a premiere at the Curzon Cinema in Clevedon
Jamie died in 2007 when a light aircraft piloted by a family friend
He was being taken up in the two-seater Cessna 150 from an airfield at Clutton
Only later was it discovered that 33-year-old Mr Gunter had taken ecstasy before the flight and this
was found to have contributed to the accident
Rather than investigate the circumstances of the crash
James wanted the film to focus on Jamie and the voices of the people who knew and loved him
James said: “I wanted to tell the story of our friendship
everything that we had within our community
“When you’re a child you don’t know how to deal with grief – you don’t expect your friend to die.”
Former Sir Bernard Lovell School pupil James grew up in Warmley
and met Jamie through a friend after he started skateboarding aged 11
James started making hour-long films for the group after he broke his arm
He said: “I wanted to keep up with the group – the only way to keep in was to film the skateboarding.”
After Jamie died his friends worked with Jamie’s dad Gordon to raise £100,000 to create a memorial skate park in Emersons Green
Gordon continued to fundraise for improvements at the park
until his death last April at the age of 81
He also met up with Jamie’s friends to remember him at the park every year around July 3
By the time the memorial park opened James was at university and said he “couldn’t face up” to his memories of Jamie
Many of the friends drifted away over the years
James tried to make the film twice before but said he wasn’t “mature enough” and lacked the skills he now has
as the head of the film department at a creative agency in Clevedon
A reunion with some of his old friends last year brought him back to the idea of making the film
and he spoke to Jamie’s step-brother
James said: “He said ‘you have to make it
because Gordon would have loved you to make it and it’s the story people need to hear’.”
took about six months in his spare time to edit some of his original footage along with newly-filmed location shots
archive BBC reports of Jamie’s funeral and memorial
The final piece of the jigsaw was a recording of Jamie singing a cover of Will Young’s song Evergreen
which James had recorded while they were out skating
until his wife reminded him it was on a CD he kept in a rack at home
James plans to release the film on YouTube
He is in talks with Emersons Green Town Council with a view to screening the film there and would also like to show it at Mangotsfield School
He said: “Our skateboard community at Emersons Green is quite big
“A lot of people are engaged with the story – they know it or know someone who knows it
“Some people know the story from news clippings but they don’t have the inside perspective – critically
the impact of his death on a friendship group
“It’s the right time to tell the story.”
My Friend Who Died will premiere at the Curzon Cinema in Clevedon on March 22
For more details and tickets check www.curzon.org.uk for details of the Homegrown Shorts 2025 festival
THE family of former Mangotsfield United footballer Scott Hendy have told a court how their lives have been “torn apart” by his death
Statements from Scott’s mother and one of his children were read to Bristol Crown Court before his killer
was sentenced to four and a half years in prison on May 29
threw a single punch that knocked Scott to the ground during an altercation in a pub car park in the early hours of March 2
Father-of-three Scott suffered a head injury and died the following day in Southmead Hospital
Baylis admitted a manslaughter charge in April
Scott’s mother Jennifer Hendy described the impact his death has had on the family
She said: “Not a day that goes by where we don’t think about Scott
loveliest character and all-round amazing son
His personality was infectious and was always one for being the joker
and his loss will be felt from all over Bristol
such was the reach of his infectious personality
“This is a horrendous situation we find ourselves in
“We know this would never have happened if Scott wasn’t punched
we understand this has probably ruined the offender’s life as well – if anything we feel sorry for him and his family
We don’t have any hatred towards him; we accept he probably didn’t mean to kill our son
we are now left feeling our entire life has been torn apart
and don’t think we will ever come to terms with living our lives without him.”
Scott’s eldest son Lewis said his dad was the “heart and soul of the family” and was “idolised” by his children
He said: “One of the hardest things to accept is that I can no longer reach out to Dad
“There will be no more phone calls to ask for his advice
“I still pick up the phone to call or message him
eager to share something funny that’s just happened
Then reality kicks in and I get that sinking feeling again
and the person I could always turn to when I needed help
“There are events that have not yet happened that I know will be incredibly bittersweet
such as the birth of my first child and my wedding: this also applies to Harvey and Holly
“Dad will never get the opportunity to become a grandparent
to walk Holly down the aisle and to show us all up with his dance moves at our weddings.”
The court heard Baylis punched Scott once in the car park of the Kings Arms pub
A police spokesperson said: “He broke down in front of officers and apologised for what happened
“During police interview he admitted to punching Mr Hendy.”
The court heard Baylis would serve at least half of the sentence
tributes were paid by former teammates and the clubs he played for
said: “More than just a great player
he was a great person and was well thought of by fans
managers and teammates alike.”
who played alongside him at both Mangotsfield and Clevedon Town
said: “Scott was loved by everyone who met him; he was funny
genuine and the life and soul of any party.”
and a charity match he was due to play in at Mangotsfield United’s ground in March became a memorial event
attended by around 900 people and raising more than £5,000 to support his family
of the police major crime investigation team
said: “Scott Hendy was clearly a very popular man and our sympathies are with his loved ones at the conclusion of these legal proceedings
“George Baylis has shown remorse for what occurred throughout the course of enquiries
and also pleaded guilty early on to manslaughter
“While there is no evidence of any intent on his part to cause the fatal injuries he did
this case highlights the tragic reality that one punch can kill
he unintentionally took Scott’s life and now has received a prison sentence.”
TEACHERS from Mangotsfield School are climbing three mountains in a day to help a charity that has supported a Downend teenager with cancer
and is halfway through two years of intensive treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
During his treatment the Downend School pupil had to spend time in isolation
To help him stay in contact with his friends
charity Molly Ollys gave him a PlayStation 5
new handsets and FIFA game so he could play online with them
His mum Shelley said: “Thomas is a crazy football fan and loves physically playing but his illness has meant that he is not able to do this
“This has been so important in allowing him to reconnect with his friends and also gives him something to focus on when he is at home on his own
“It has improved his mental health and allows him to feel that he is still part of his friends’ lives
Shelley is head of geography at Mangotsfield School and to say thank you to the charity
16 members of staff are scaling the Welsh peaks of Snowdon
The mountains are between 880m (2,887ft) and 1,080m (3,543ft) tall and 115 miles apart
The challenge has been organised by Mangotsfield’s assistant head and PE teacher Gareth John
Shelley’s colleague of 14 years.
He said the team was aiming to complete the challenge within 12 to 18 hours
with the weather and different fitness levels the main concerns
But he said: “It will never be far from our minds why we are doing this
We are very aware of the challenging times that Shelley and the family have gone through.”
Shelley said Thomas’s diagnosis was “devastating” for her and husband Ben
but his cancer is the most treatable and he has been given a “99% chance of survival”
She said: “For the school to do something like this is incredible
I think Molly Ollys is an amazing charity and we’ve already done loads of fundraising for it as a family.”
Warwickshire-based Molly Ollys was set up in 2011 by Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw after their eight-year-old daughter Molly died from a rare kidney cancer
and funds hospital consultants: it has so far raised more than £4 million and supported more than 16,000 children
The Mangotsfield School team had raised more than £3,000 as the Voice went to print
People can donate via the Justgiving page at tinyurl.com/bdh53v9n
A FIELD that was the subject of a major planning battle is included as a potential development site in the new South Gloucestershire Local Plan
The field between Cossham Street and Rodway Hill Road is known locally as the Taylor Wimpey field
It is one of several sites that could be earmarked for development
including one off Pomphrey Hill for 65 homes and two on the other side of the Avon Ring Road at Shortwood
which the council says could accommodate 1,430 homes
A public consultation is now under way and the authority is encouraging people to have their say
The council says it has to find new sites for 9,260 new homes to help meet a target of 20,490 homes in the district between 2025 and 2040
council leaders believe at least 7,813 will need to be built on greenfield land outside the existing urban area and towns
“some of which is currently designated Green Belt”
The council says: “We know this will be very challenging for those communities affected by this.”
A further 8,080 homes already have planning permission and 3,150 will be built on small sites not included in the plan
The council has posted a series of maps and web pages explaining the thinking behind its ’emerging preferred strategy’
which includes allowing housing on the designated Green Belt sites at Mangotsfield and Shortwood
as well as a huge area of land between the M4 and Westerleigh Road
which the council thinks could accommodate 800 homes by 2040 and 1,200 after that
The council cabinet member with responsibility for the new Local Plan
said it has to “tackle several challenges”
including where and how the next generations live while preserving the area’s “wonderful environment”
She said: “The ideas we are putting forward in this consultation are our emerging preferred strategy
That means the council hasn’t made any decisions yet
but we want to talk with our communities about these ideas and to hear theirs
that simply means that we think the approach we’re presenting is a positive way of meeting our collective needs in response to the challenges we are all facing together
“Those include the cost of living crisis
the risk of dramatic changes to our climate and environment
and the need for more homes that people can afford to live in
“But we are still open to hearing more ideas
We want to know where people think this draft plan is right and where it can be improved.”
The online consultation includes three alternative views
which show other ways the housing could be planned
One is called ‘No Green Belt Loss’
and would involve building thousands of homes in the north of the district near Thornbury and Yate
Another is called ‘Urban Edge’ and would concentrate new development in Green Belt land next to existing built-up areas: it would involve building around 5,500 homes on a swathe of land from Pucklechurch through Shortwood and Siston to Warmley
would involve building homes on greenfield sites near main roads
including 3,500 near Winterbourne and Frampton Cotterell and around 3,000 between Almondsbury and Thornbury
THE Taylor Wimpey field between Mangotsfield United’s Cossham Street ground
Cleve Rugby Club and Mangotsfield School was the subject of an application for 180 new homes in 2009
which was rejected by South Gloucestershire Council the following year
the field is currently designated as Green Belt land and is part of Mangotsfield but within the boundaries of Emersons Green Town Council
Taylor Wimpey owns the field as part of its ‘land bank’ of potential housing sites
In 2022 residents’ groups and councillors called on Taylor Wimpey to take urgent action to maintain the land and fix collapsing fencing which was creating a hazard for people walking past and allowing unauthorised access to the field
Mangotsfield Residents Association and Mike Reeves
who chaired the Save Mangotsfield Open Green Spaces Group (SMOG) that successfully fought the previous housing plans
called on the company to make the site a nature reserve
However at the time Taylor Wimpey said it was “working closely with South Gloucestershire Council to promote the Mangotsfield site for development
as part of the wider South Gloucestershire Local Plan”
THE council is inviting comments on the Local Plan until February 7
Full details have been published online at www.southglos.gov.uk/newlocalplan
People who are not online can call the council on 01454 868009
including one at Mangotsfield Football Club on January 17
one at Emersons Green Village Hall on January 19 from noon until 3pm and one at Shortwood Methodist Church on January 25
from noon to 2pm and 6.30-8.30pm can be accessed via the plan’s web page
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13 SEP 2024BookmarkMissing James was last seen on September 10 (Image: Avon and Somerset Police)A Bristol man has been missing from his home for the last three days - and police are concerned for his welfare
was last seen at around 10pm on Tuesday (September 10)
He left his home in Downend without his phone or other belongings
and has not been in touch with family since
James is described as being around 5ft 5ins (165cm) tall
is urged to call 999 quoting reference 5224240429
Have you seen missing 38-year-old James?He was last see in the Downend area at around 10pm on Tuesday 10 September.If you see him, please call us immediately quoting reference 5224240429. pic.twitter.com/0yuGheSCbE
MANGOTSFIELD United FC has paid tribute to former player Scott Hendy
The club will hold a minute’s applause before tomorrow’s home game with Wantage Town
A charity match next weekend – which the 46-year-old former central defender had been due to play – will now be a memorial game and fundraiser to support his family
The club’s board and committee issued a statement
which said: “All associated with Mangotsfield United are devastated to learn of the passing of former player Scott Hendy over the last weekend
“Scott was someone who was held very high regard within the club and his loss is felt by all who knew him and enjoyed watching him play
“Scott was well known in the local football community and was a very gifted non-league player
“During his career he would have three spells at Cossham Street and it was in his second spell that he would be part of the Southern League Division 1 title winning team
“His career also seen him secure the same title at Clevedon Town
Yate Town and Backwell United to name a few
thoughts and prayers are all with Scott’s family at this difficult time.”
The club is encouraging fans to join them in paying their respects with a minute’s applause in remembrance and celebration of Scott before tomorrow’s (Saturday March 9) game at Cossham Street
The charity match at Cossham Street on Sunday March 17
which will now take place in memory of Scott and raise money for his family
The club is also planning a more permanent memorial to Scott at Cossham Street
Scott played seven games for Yate Town during the 1996-97 season
Yate Town issued a statement which said: “As a club
Yate Town are deeply saddened about the death of Scott and we will be helping with a donation to pass onto to his family.”
An online fundraiser set up by a former teammate
has raised more than £13,000 to support Scott’s family
He wrote: “Scott was loved by everyone who met him
genuine and the life and soul of any party
His sense of humour was legendary and his loss will be felt from all over Bristol
such was the reach of his infectious personality.”
*Avon & Somerset police said a 29-year-old man from Pilning
has been charged with manslaughter after the incident in which Scott was fatally injured
Our plans to improve Mangotsfield Sort It centre have made a key step forward as we have purchased the land needed to create a new slip road to help relieve queues of vehicles waiting to enter the site
The 2.33 acres of land acquired is situated west of Carsons Road in Mangotsfield
This purchase will help us to progress plans set out in the ‘Resource and Waste Strategy: 2020 and Beyond’ to create a dedicated slip road into the Mangotsfield waste facility to relieve traffic congestion
as well as relocate the waste collection vehicle depot from Cowhorn Hill in Warmley to Mangotsfield
These improvements will help us create efficiencies in the service
save money and reduce carbon emissions through less vehicle movements
thereby contributing towards our climate emergency declaration ambitions
Various measures have been put into place over recent years to improve traffic management at the Mangotsfield Sort It centre and whilst these measures have been successful in improving the flow of traffic at the site
this additional slip road is required to improve the traffic flow and prevent queues of traffic backing up on to Carsons Road
We aim to submit a planning application for the slip road towards the end of 2020 with a view to starting construction during autumn 2021
Relocation of the waste collection vehicles from Cowhorn Hill to Mangotsfield is planned for 2022/2023 and will be subject to a separate planning approval
with the money received helping to fund the waste infrastructure project
For more information about the Sort It recycling centres in South Gloucestershire visit www.southglos.gov.uk/sortit