Litter picking on Manor Playing Field

Back in March, volunteers collected 12 bags of rubbish from the Manor School playing field. Now there's another chance to tidy up this well-used field. On Saturday 3rd July, people will be meeting up after the School Fair (which is due to end at 4pm but tidying up may start from as early as 3pm). If you would like to help, the Friends of Manor School will be down on the school field, so just ask a member for a bag.

Temporary traffic lights in Westerleigh

The will be temporary traffic lights on Westerleigh Road, at the twin railway-over-road bridges on Tuesday 29th June to enable a bridge inspection to take place.

Latteridge Road closure delayed

The bank was due to be repaired in July/August by installing a “PERMACRIB RETAINING WALL”, a wooden slatted wall built at an angle which was identified as the best solution by a geotechnical report. This would mean closing the road for about 4 weeks right in the middle of harvest when over 8000Tonnes of grain would be delivered in over 1000 tractor/lorry movements to Heal’s farm for storing and/or drying. It would be impossible to divert these via any other local roads.

Pat and Dave Hockey went along to a meeting of local farmers, representatives of Iron Acton Parish Council, South Gloucestershire Officers and the consultant. The work will now be delayed until after the harvest.

Chance to raise local issues

The latest Safer Stronger Community Group meeting for Frampton Cotterell, Westerleigh, Coalpit Heath, Iron Acton and the edge of Yate will take place at 7.30pm tomorrow, Wednesday 23rd June, in St Saviours Church Hall. This is your chance to have your say on how we can make our communities safer and stronger.

One issue may be the light switch-off trial in the lane between Wayleaze and Alexander Road in Coalpit Heath (left). This was started in response to vandalism and other anti-social behaviour carried out be people hanging around under the light in the lane. In the past when the light has been broken, the issues have stopped because people don't like hanging around in the dark. It appears it may indeed have reduced the problems for people whose properties back on to the middle of the lane, but unfortunately there has been an incident closer to the Wayleaze end, lit by a different street light. This has been a long-running issue and we would very much like your views on tackling it.

There will also be a chance to find out more about the Council's draft Core Strategy, the document setting out where thousands of new homes should go by 2026. There will be a display and officers will be on hand for the hour before the main meeting to help. Turn up at 6.30pm to find out more!

Yate Minor Injuries Unit opens on Tuesday 22 June 2010

The Yate Minor Injuries Unit opens at the Yate West Gate Centre tomorrow, Tuesday, 22 June 2010. It has lots of extra facilities for the town, including X-ray equipment. This could save you a VERY long wait at Accident and Emergency!

It will be open every day including bank holidays (Monday - Friday 2.30am - 7.30pm, Saturday & Sunday 10am - 2am).

The MIU treats:

sprains and strains
cuts and grazes
arm, lower leg and foot injuries
bites- human, animal or insect
minor burns and scalds
minor head injuries
broken noses and nosebleeds
eye problems such as scratches, foreign bodies in the eyes

They have a very helpful web page on the NHS South Glos website.

Windmill Green - detailed planning application

You can read and comment on the detailed planning application for "Windmill Green" on the South Glos website. The deadline is 23rd June.

Wapley Bushes Nature Reserve - evening walk, Tuesday 22 June, 7pm

Come and join an evening walk round Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve with Rupert Higgins of Wessex Ecological Consultants, the expert who has just revised the Reserve Management Plan. This will be an opportunity to find out about how the Reserve is looked after and the plans for the next five years. Everyone welcome - meeting at the Shire Way gate. Please wear suitable footwear.

Living (dlc) exhibition

Living (formerly the Disabled Living Centre) are holding an exhibition of new equipment from 10am-3pm on Thursday 1st July at The Vassall Centre, Gill Avenue, Fishponds, Bristol BS16 2QQ. Admission is free and all are welcome. You can find out more on their website.

Waiting restriction review - have your say!

Now that South Gloucestershire Council's Badminton Road offices are open, the new waiting restrictions that were introduced on the surrounding roads are being reviewed. If you have any comments to make, please email mouchel.highwayconsultation@southglos.gov.uk by
Wednesday 30th June 2010.

Walk the River Frome in a day - Sunday 4 July 2010

Take the Challenge!

Follow the River Frome for 20miles from its source at the edge of the Cotswolds to the River Avon in Bristol. A lovely walk along the river valley that winds its way through a variety of attractive landscapes, filled with wildlife and local heritage.

A coach to the start point leaves Bristol at 8am. Additional pick ups at Frenchay, Winterbourne, Frampton Cotterell, Yate and Chipping Sodbury. Finish at your coach pick up point for a shorter walk.

Walk starts at 9am. Approximate finish time (Bristol): 7pm

For more information and to book your place, contact:
Paula Spiers, Avon Frome Partnership Officer
Tel: 0117 922 4325
paula.spiers@bristol.gov.uk

Maximum 60 places
Cost £3 per person, payable on booking

You are welcome to join at the start point but parking is limited and you must make your own return transport arrangements.

BAC 100 Centenary Parade this Sunday

This Sunday a cavalcade of vehicles, old and new, will drive through Bristol as part of the BAC 100 centenary celebrations, marking 100 years of transport development in the Bristol area. Vehicles will set out from the Rolls Royce site on Gypsy Patch Lane between 1.30 and 2pm and return between 2.30pm and 3.30pm. The static display will be open from 10.30am-5pm.

Update: There will be AA signs to direct the public. They will go in via gate 1 and be directed into the main Rolls Royce car park, with the display placed around Whittle building.

Coalpit Heath welcomes mining conference

Friday evening saw the start of the National Association of Mining History Organisations' annual conference which this year is being hosted by Coalpit Heath. Local MP Steve Webb and Cllr Claire Young welcomed people to the conference before enjoying a fascinating talk by Mark Horton on the key part Bristol played in the Industrial Revolution.

Yate Minor Injury Service to open 7 days a week from 22 June

The Minor Injury Service at the new Yate West Gate Centre will now open on the 22nd June. NHS South Gloucestershire says that it will offer a seven-days-a week drop-in service, for children and adults, to treat a whole range of minor injuries from cuts to sprains, from bites to shoulder and leg injuries.

All patients will be seen by an Emergency Nurse Practitioner or an Emergency Care Practitioner who have a wide experience of dealing with minor injuries, and a digital X-ray facility is available on site.

Patients do not need to make an appointment, and the new Minor Injury Unit will be open seven days a week 8.30am – 7.30pm Monday to Friday and 10am – 2pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Roger Pedley, Director of Primary and Community Care, explained "NHS South Gloucestershire appointed the NHS provider of the Minor Injury Service in the autumn of 2009 and together we have explored ways of extending the service to cater for some patients who require more complex care and who therefore need a trolley. In order to achieve this expanded service for Yate and the surrounding areas we need to do some minor alterations to the MIU unit."