Editorial

 

I’d like to start this month’s edition by wishing everyone a Very Happy and Healthy 2011. 2010 was a very busy year for Inview and I am looking forward to receiving all your news throughout 2011.

 

This is the time of year where most of us think about making New Year’s Resolutions like ‘I am going to lose weight’, ‘I’m going to give up smoking’ or ‘I’m going to do more exercise and get fitter.’ The list is endless.

 

I thought about New Year’s Resolutions when I received a phone call from a local gentleman.  He rang me because he is very concerned about the speed that people drive through Easter Compton and Pilning.  My husband remarked ‘they drive too fast along Ableton Lane too.’  What I thought was that people could make a Resolution to stick to the speed limit in built up areas, far easier to stick to than dieting, exercising and giving up smoking I reckon.  There would be less chance of accidents and we would probably save some money by using less fuel too.

 

Something to think about?

The Luncheon Club Outing to the Brecon Mountain Railway on September 10^th which included lunch and a light tea. A DVD of the day is currently doing the round of our members.

We meet at the King William on the third Tuesday of each month, free transport available. We have a few vacancies, but our numbers are the most we have ever had.

     Our free Outings are for members only and paid for with the help of Allianz. Non WASP members may come on our outings if we have spare seats but must pay for their meals and the relevant rides.

Contact: Robert C. or Pamela A. Griffin Tel: 01454 632624 for more details.

Book Keeper

Assistant Grounds Person

Collection tin volunteers

Charity Speaker

Community Organiser

Fundraising Handbook Designer

Press Officer

Play Worker

Event Organiser/Publicist

 

Listed above is a small sample of the volunteering opportunities currently available at Thornbury Volunteer Centre.

The Volunteer Centre holds monthly drop-in sessions at Severn Beach Post Office on the second Wednesday of each month between 10am-12 noon.

 

This month: Wednesday 12^th January

 

We welcome visits from anyone with an interest in volunteering and particularly organisations or groups who are looking for volunteers.

 We look forward to seeing you there!

The Town Hall, 35, High Street, Thornbury,

 South Gloucestershire. BS35 2AR

Telephone: 01454 413392     email: tdvl@freenet.co.uk

www.volunteer-thornbury.co.uk

Registered Charity Number 1004285

News from Thornbury Library

User committee

The next meeting of the Library user committee is on Wednesday 12 January at 7.00pm. Members of the public who would like to comment on any matters relating to the library are warmly welcome to attend at the start of the meeting.

Computers

Did you know we offer free internet access and word processing in the library together with other software packages? You can also use our computers to access Ancestry free of charge to trace your family tree and access many other reference sources.

     Also our friendly Age Concern South Gloucestershire tutors are available to give you help on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. There is a small charge. Please ask for details.

Home Library Service

Winter and the bad weather is with us If you enjoy reading but are housebound and unable to get to the library (even if it’s a temporary incapacity due to an operation etc.) or you find your library books are too heavy to carry home, our friendly and helpful home library service volunteers can deliver library books to you in your own home.

     Just give the library a ring or ask a friend or relative to contact us on your behalf.

Did you know you can also ask ‘Four Towns & Vale Link Community Transport’ to bring you to the Library? Just ask us for details. Or why not try our Mobile Library?

The Village Players - Cinderella

 Well done to all for an excellent opening night on Wednesday 1st December.

I did enjoy myself and now I know the Christmas season has well and truly started. 

All played their parts very well, the prompt had next to nothing to do, and the

young players were delightful, especially during 'I'm so excited'. The Ugly sisters

were played with great gusto, the decorators really nearly bought the house

down and Cinderella, Prince Charming, Buttons and Dandini were excellent.

The singing was very good, altho' sometimes the backing track was over-

powering and everything flowed.

     Thank you to everyone concerned for a really enjoyable evening, and even

the Village Hall was warm!

 

 

Charities supported in 2011

by St Peter’s Church, Pilning

Every year, guided by the wishes of the congregation, we chose two charities to support.  One charity is local, the other international. We pledge a percentage of our income to these causes.

This year our chosen charities are:

Orbis UK – saving sight worldwide. A cure is often simple and inexpensive, but in poor countries help is often out of reach.

Bristol Children’s Help Society – helping the most disadvantaged children  Children are given a break at Barton Holiday Camp.

     If you would like to suggest a charity for us to support in future years, please tell me and I will make a list to chose from next year.

Heather Rickards 01454 632134

Severn Beach Neighbourhood Watch

Our web-master has been playing around and we

have a brand new website. Find us at severnbeach.com/sbnw.

Christmas has been and gone and 2011 is upon us, late last year the Scout Group celebrated its annual dinner in great style at St Peters School Pilning, many thanks to all those who supported.  Following its Remembrance     activities, the group also made a donation of £179 to the Poppy Appeal so thanks to all who supported us with this

     Scouting works hard at encouraging youngsters to play a constructive part in society and encouraging our members to think about others is an important part of this and demonstrated through service projects and supporting other charities.

     Recently two of our Explorer Scouts, Robbie Cecere and Harry Morgan have been presented their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards and Platinum Chief Scouts Awards. This has seen them working hard over the past 15 months completing all areas of physical, skills, volunteering and a expedition as part of a team completing a back packing trip in the Brecon Beacons back in July. In the other areas they have demonstrated an improvement in their physical fitness by following a training programme laid down by an instructor, working as Young Leaders at our Cub Scout Pack, and also Robbie displayed a selection of his art work and Harry spent several months learning to play the drums before performing graded pieces to his mates at the Explorer Scout Unit. This is a real achievement and the first in the unit for others to follow.

     The District Explorer Scout Commissioner came to make the presentations at Mafeking Hall and Explorer Scout Leader Martin Harrex was amongst the proud parents and other proud from the Scout Group.  He said that “the awards were well deserved following Robbie and Harry’s hard work.”

     The Explorer Scout Unit for youngsters aged 14-18 meets at Mafeking Hall from 7-9PM on Wednesdays and currently has 22 members, if you would like more information please telephone Martin on 01454 618380.

NEWS FROM SEVERN BEACH SCHOOL

The end of 2010 and Term 2 due rapidly to a close with the usual round of Christmas parties, Christmas lunch, the nativity play etc.  The pupils in Year 5/6 went to Clifton Cathedral for the annual South Gloucestershire Schools Carol Service, which also featured a visit from a live donkey!

The Friends of Severn Beach School held their Christmas Fayre the week before we broke up for the holidays.  Great fun was had by all and Father Christmas made an appearance too.  Some of our pupils have been busy singing carols for various groups – the Severn Beach Over-50s group, the Severnvale Area Forum and they performed at the United Churches Carol Service, which was held in our school. 

     The term ended with an assembly for parents and friends, a disco for the children, organised by the Friends, and a well-deserved staff night out!

     On behalf of all the staff and pupils, we wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

Severnside Safer Stronger Community Group

South Gloucestershire's 20 Safer Stronger Community Groups are all about working together to improve your local community. The groups also enable you to have your say about the services that your community needs and receives.

       These groups have been set up as part of the South Gloucestershire Council's Community Engagement initiative and the Neighbourhood Policing Model. Their members include people who live and work in the area and representatives from South Gloucestershire Council, the local Police, Avon Fire & Rescue, Health Authority, the Town & Parish Council and other local organisations. The aim is to:

• work together to ensure that local communities are safe and pleasant places to live, work and play
• give local people a greater voice and influence over local decisions and the priorities of the service providers
• support actions and initiatives that meet local needs

The next meeting for the Severnside Group:

Thursday 13^th January 2011, 7pm – 9pm
Almondsbury Old School Hall, Church Road, Lower Almondsbury

Want to find out more?  Visit http://groups.southglos.gov.uk to find out future meeting dates, view agendas and minutes and gain access to more information about the issues and projects in your area.  Alternatively, you can contact your Safer Stronger Communities Officer on 01454 868760.