NAILSEA
PEOPLE
Our town is a very nice town
THE online community newspaper for Nailsea people, their family and their friends
April 2022
PROPERTY PEEPS
Property Peeps
Our Property Peeps page sponsors HENSONS estate agents sold two featured homes within days of Nailsea People posting details online. It has more than 80 networked offices in the south west and London, the Nailsea office is at Ivy Court, 61 High Street. Read more HERE about planning applications approved and in the pipeline as Nailsea moves towards welcoming hundreds of new home owners at Engine Lane and The Uplands. Latest from our 'construction corner' this month as Taylor Wimpey and Barratts continue at Netherton Grange and Parish Brook
This is the page for the food markets, festivals, fairs, fetes and all the fun things in life. It includes a diary of events. To add your event send a message via Facebook/email nailseapeople@gmail.com
Sunday, May 8, 10am-5pm
Ring O’Bells and
Grove Sports Centre & Social Club
Sign-up for rainbow run HERE
What's On 2022
Gallery 2022
We have hundreds of images in our galleries and for 2022 we begin with the wassail, frosty mornings, sky at night and day, lots more wildlife plus famous footballers at Fryth Way. Email your images to nailseapeople@gmail.com. This image is by Nailsea People of the lion wood sculphure at Lions Green
THIS SPORTING LIFE: Fryth Way photos are HERE in Gallery 2022 and the rugby match against Weston is HERE on sports peep page
WINDFALL WILES: More than half voted for a swimming pool in the Nailsea Town Council consultation and the Nailsea People poll yet the chances of getting one is no nearer. Fears of maintenance costs seem to be the bugbear. On Tuesday evening, April 5, town councillors met at Tithe Barn to discuss the Ask Nailsea consultation about how to spend the multi-millions windfall from housing developers. They began reviewing part of the a 83-page document which had been condensed into 812 responses with 215 ideas. More than 80 were tackled on Tuesday under the heading outdoor, leisure and playground. Three people sat in the public gallery out of a town of 17,000+ but one person only stayed 10 minutes. Of the two left one was representing football and the other cycling. A council spokesman said: "The consultation showed a lot of interest in our open spaces and calls for the removing of the rewilding but that is only because it is done so very badly. So many of the suggestions were for things that are North Somerset Council remits so should our residents be paying for that? It is early days yet and we are still just over half way through. Some suggestions were for things we cannot fund such as education which we are not allowed to subsidise." Clerk Jo Duffy said the items raised not in the town council remit would be passed on to those responsible and hopefully these voices would be heard and included in the local plan now being prepared. There will be another meeting at a date as yet not fixed.
UPDATE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20
In a change to planned strike action, North Somerset residents are advised to continue to put out all waste containers (recycling, black bins and garden waste) as usual week commencing Monday, April 18.
In a ballot that took place by the GMB union last week, a jointly agreed revised and improved offer was rejected by members.
To move the situation forward, a meeting will take place on Monday, April 25. between North Somerset Environment Company (NSEC), North Somerset Council’s supplier of recycling and waste services, and the GMB union. ACAS, the UK's industrial mediation service, will also attend to support the negotiation process.
To allow these ongoing negotiations to take place, the GMB union has agreed to suspend planned strike action on the following two days this week:
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Thursday 21 April, and
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Friday 22 April.
Recycling services will therefore go ahead as usual. North Somerset’s three recycling centres (Backwell, Portishead and Weston-super-Mare) will also open as normal on these dates.
Residents can check their usual day for household (black bin) waste, recycling or garden waste collections on the council’s website (www.n-somerset.gov.uk/calendar).
The overtime ban imposed by the GMB remains in place for the period between Tuesday and Saturday, 12-30 April. This means that during those dates, GMB members are not able to work extra time to help NSEC catch-up with any backlog.
Changes to planned binmen strike action
North Somerset residents are advised to continue to put out all waste containers as usual next week (w/c Monday 11 April).
Recycling, household waste (black bin) and garden waste will be collected as normal on the following dates:
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Monday,April 11 ✓
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Tuesday, April 12 ✓
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Wednesday, April 13 ✓
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Thursday, April 14 ✓
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Friday, April 15 ✓
North Somerset’s three recycling centres at Backwell, Portishead and Weston-super-Mare will also open as normal over this period.
This follows a meeting that took place on Thursday, April 7, between North Somerset Environment Company (NSEC), North Somerset Council’s supplier of recycling and waste services, and the GMB union. ACAS, the UK's industrial mediation service, also attended to support the negotiation process.
A jointly agreed revised and improved offer has been determined. To allow a ballot to take place of GMB members, the GMB has agreed to suspend planned strike action on Tuesday 12, Wednesday 13, Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 of April.
However, recycling collections are still suspended on the following dates:
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Thursday, April 21 X
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Friday, April 22 X
Please don’t put out your recycling containers on those dates.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday recycling collections will continue as normal.
Councillor Mike Solomon said: “It’s disappointing that GMB members voted against the latest offer package but I’m really pleased strike action has been called off so residents will continue to receive collections and recycling centres will be open this week as usual.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our crews and those working in our recycling centres for their hard work over the busy Easter bank holiday weekend.
“The threat of industrial action isn’t over yet but we’re working really hard to limit the disruption. I’d like to repeat my thanks to residents for their patience, understanding and cooperation during this very challenging time. I encourage residents to check our website homepage and social media channels for the latest updates as the situation is evolving at pace.”
North Somerset Environment Company managing director Brian Veale said: “Although the outcome of the ballot is not what we would have wanted, I’m encouraged to learn that there wasn’t much of a margin between those in favour and those against accepting the latest package.
“We remain willing to engage with GMB and look forward to our next meeting where, with assistance from ACAS, we hope to draw a conclusion to these negotiations.”
The three recycling centres (Backwell, Portishead and Weston-super-Mare) will also be closed on these dates.
It is planned that black bin waste , garden waste and clinical waste collections will continue as normal.
North Somerset Council executive member for neighbourhoods and community services Mike Solomon is the Iindependent ward councillor for Hutton and Locking
He said: “It’s encouraging to hear that talks are progressing well using ACAS’ mediation service.
"It’s also a relief that next week’s strike action has been called off so residents will continue to receive collections and recycling centres will be open as usual.”
"While negotiations are going well, we must remember that residents who have recycling collected on a Thursday and Friday are still impacted the following week.
"The situation certainly isn’t over yet but we’re working really hard to limit the disruption.
“I’d like to thank residents for their patience, understanding and cooperation during this very challenging time.
"I also encourage them to check our website homepage and social media channels for the latest updates as the situation is evolving at pace.”
Bin workers strike action
North Somerset Council is working with North Somerset Environment Company (NSEC) to minimise disruption to residents in the event of industrial action due to start on Tuesday, April 12.
The GMB has announced that NSEC staff who are union members will take industrial action after not agreeing to the latest offer, which included an improved pay rise and package of other conditions. Strike action is planned on the following six days this month:
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Tuesday, April 12
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Wednesday, April 13
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Easter Saturday, April 16
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Easter Sunday, April 17
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Thursday, April 21
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Friday, April 22
Recycling services will be suspended on these days only and residents are therefore being asked not to present their recycling containers on these dates.
North Somerset’s three recycling centres at Backwell, Portishead and Weston-super-Mare will also close on these dates.
Residents who have their recycling collected on a Monday will not be impacted. It is planned that black bin waste, garden waste and clinical waste collections will continue as usual.
Residents can check their usual day for household (black bin) waste, recycling or garden waste collections on the council’s website (www.n-somerset.gov.uk/calendar).
In addition to the six days’ strike, the GMB has imposed a ban on overtime for the period between Tuesday 12 and Saturday 30 April. This means that during this period, GMB members will not be able to work extra time to help NSEC catch-up with any backlog caused by the strike action.
Residents affected are therefore being urged to help by:
Reducing the quantities of recycling when their collections return. Those with a large amount of recycling are being asked to store what they can and put a little out each week. This will help crews finish their rounds and reach every house.
Making sure their recycling is well-sorted, so crews don’t have to spend time sorting at the kerbside. It only takes only 20 seconds to collect a well sorted box but up to two minutes for a box that is mixed.
Parking vehicles courteously so crews can access all roads. This will help to make sure collections are completed – operating services with low staff numbers means that crews will not be able to return.
North Somerset Council executive member for neighbourhoods and community services Mike Solomon is the Independent ward councillor Hutton and Locking.
He said: “Despite GMB announcing industrial action, talks are still ongoing and we remain committed and open to achieving a resolution to avoid industrial action.
"I’m pleased that NSEC has instructed ACAS, the UK's industrial mediation service, to support this process.
“The pay being disputed is for the April 2021-22 financial year and our offers have been higher than inflation at that time.
"Our latest offer package includes a pay rise of 4.5 per cent over two years.
"We already provide a real living wage.
"We realise the impact that global events are having on cost of living but people need to understand that the council is also being hit by this and our budget is being put under increasing pressure.
"We strongly believe that North Somerset Environment Company is acting fairly.
"We’re working really hard to limit the inevitable disruption to residents.
"We’re today announcing our contingency plans so that residents know how this will impact them and what they need to do.
"I know that residents will share my bitter disappointment that we face a heightened risk of disruption to services due to the increased pay offer being rejected by the GMB.
"I’d like to thank residents for their patience, understanding and cooperation during this very challenging time."
North Somerset Environment Company managing director Brian Veale said: “Industrial action is extremely challenging to plan for as we simply don’t know how many employees will refuse to work until the start of each shift and this may change from day to day.
"It’s therefore a fluid situation but limiting disruption for North Somerset’s residents is our absolute priority.
"The GMB has put us in a terrible position.”
UPDATED
RECYCLING HUB
Nailsea Community Recycling Hub at 26 Somerset Square has broaden items it can take. Currently it has bins for:
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glasses (not cases)
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contact lenses and packaging
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pens
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felt tips
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highlighters
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correcting fluid
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BRITA water filters
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plastic toothbrushes
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toothpaste tubes
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empty medicine blister packs
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Pringle tubes
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British and foreign stamps
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foreign coins (and notes) including obsolete currency
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old and broken jewellery.
COMMUNITY LARDER
The opening times of the community larder at 26 Somerset Square is Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 1am-12.30pm and Tuesday and Thursday 3-5pm.
ACCESS FOR SOME
The Government has announced a £2.5 million package to support disabled people to travel more confidently on our transport network as it reopens after Covid. But for all this money there is nothing to improve the access at Nailsea & Backwell railway station. Campaigner Alison Morgan said: "I think the only thing in all this that applies to Nailsea will be the station audits which will cost a lot of money for a team of 'experts' to tell us what we've all known for years."
END OF OUTDOOR BAGGING AREA
Nailsea and Backwell Rotary held its last handbag stall outside Waitrose in March. This raised an amazing £435 in four hours of trading. A huge thanks go to Rotarian Roger Smith for having the vision, resolve and determination to see this unusual project through to such a satisfactory conclusion. Roger would like to thank all those who have helped him with the stall over the years; the people supplying him with thousands of bags and the ever-generous residents
PAINT AND PAPER EVERYWHERE
Just joking but Greenslade Pre-school needs helping hands at the weekend to paint the premises. A parent has donated the paint so either on Saturday or Sunday, April 9-10, if you can share a couple of hours call chairman Lee Welch on 0738 421 0847 and let him know. Greenslade is a community-run charity which caters for 30 small children and is one of the few Pre-Schools in England to have its own purpose-built building at Pound Lane
BARGAIN AT BARDOLINO
Cadbury House bistro at theclub has a special offer of 50 per cent off main meals between 10am-5pm Sunday-Thursday until end of April. This offer at Bardolino is open to members and non-members. Book https://www.mpwrestaurants.co.uk/. T&Cs apply.
DOWN THE DRAIN
Thieves have stolen dozens of drain covers from streets across North Somerset in just three days. A total of 38 drain and gully covers have been stolen from roads in Nailsea, Wraxall and Wrington. In Nailsea it was all along Trendlewood Way and they took metal covers in Nailsea Park and Spindleberry Grove. It is thought the covers are being stolen for their scrap metal value.”
Police armed with blanks in Backwell
Armed police are set to swoop on an residential road in Backwell this summer - but fear not because it is a training exercise and the guns will only fire blanks.
Black Rock Specialist Training Centre has sent letters to Rodney Road residents and businesses alerting them that police firearms officers could be in their street every Friday from April 8-June 10.
In a role play exercise police training signs will be displayed and the officers will be wearing high visibility tabards.
National firearms instructor Colin Warren said: “There will be no live ammunition during the scenario but quiet blank ammunition may be used which only makes a small cracking sound.”
The new specialist police training centre in Portishead was officially opened by Theresa May in 2016.
Black Rock provides firearms and specialist public order training for more than 300 firearms officers from Avon and Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire police forces each year.
The centre is part of the Tri Force collaboration to improve teamwork and resilience across force boundaries.
The then Home Secretary Theresa May said at the time: “There is a proud tradition in the United Kingdom that police officers do not generally carry firearms as they go about their very important work.
“However, as events in recent weeks have shown, when an operational need arises, specialist armed officers must be available for deployment.
“I want to pay tribute to these highly trained, brave men and women who frequently put themselves in dangerous situations to keep the public safe.
“I am delighted to open this training facility. It will help maintain the very high standards that we expect of our firearms officers and equip them with the skills they need to protect the communities they serve.
“This is another example of how good police forces are collaborating with one another to make savings, pool resources and deliver more efficient local policing.”
Black Rock includes a tactics enclosure, abseiling training area, firing ranges and interactive target systems.
It was due to open in 2014 but an arson attack in August 2013 caused extensive damage and building work had to be restarted.
Police who wish to become firearms officers undergo a rigorous selection procedure including tests for fitness and temperament.
BLANKETY BLANK: The letter sent to residents and businesses in Rodney Road, Backwell, from Black Rock Specialist Training Centre, at Portishead
Let the children play
North Somerset Council is inviting town and parish councils to apply for matched funding to invest in play areas.
Nailsea People suggest the play area at the top of The Perrings is reinstated.
Nailsea town councillor Jan Barber said "The areas at Millennium Park and behind St Francis RC Primary School need some refurbishment so we are in need of this cash."
The £250,000 Improving Play Spaces Fund has been set-up to offer capital matched funding of up to 50 per cent following approval of the 2022-23 budget by councillors.
North Somerset Council executive member for corporate services Ash Cartman is the Lib Dem ward councillor for Long Ashton, Leigh Woods, Failand and Wraxall.
He said: “I’m proud of our budget promise to back children and young people.
"One of the ways we’re delivering this is by setting aside over £1m to invest over the next five years to create spaces for toddlers to teenagers to get outside and have a healthy upbringing.
“North Somerset is a great place to grow up but we want to make childhood fairer for everyone, especially those who are vulnerable, disadvantaged, or have special educational or additional needs.
"We’re keen to take particular care to develop play areas that are inclusive, so we’d encourage those submitting bids to consider this.
“We anticipate that this fund will be popular and as we’re keen to maximise the number of projects that we support across the area, the maximum award for each project will not exceed £20,000.
"I would like to encourage all town and parish councils and constituted organisations to apply to the fund, no matter how small the ask.
“This project is a great example of us working in partnership with local communities and sharing resources to improve facilities for our residents.”
Applications must be submitted through the council’s website HERE by 5pm on Thursday, June 30.
Applications will only be accepted by town and parish councils and constituted organisations.
While applications from residents and community groups are welcomed, North Somerset Council asks that these are directed through local town or parish councils so that applications can be coordinated.
All Improving Place Spaces Fund projects must be delivered by the end of March 2023.
PERISIMMON SAY NO IN 2022: Nailsea Town Council has received an email from housebuilders Persimmon objecting to plans to make this part of The Perrings a town green. The reasoning behind this decision is 'the land in question was always intended for public use' followed by legal jargon explaining how they reached this conclusion. You have read the response in full on the council website under minutes and agendas. We understand the town council is not accepting this reply....see previous article below...
On sale at Simply Green
www.thetekhut.uk
computer techies for the online community
The TEK Hut was started by Ben Parker in the summer of 2018.
For 12 years Ben had been one of the team at The ICT Workshop which provided a wide variety of computer services to Nailsea, Clevedon, Yatton, Backwell and even Weston-Super-Mare.
Ben felt it right to continue the same great service customers had previously experienced but under new branding for a new business and The Tek Hut was born.
Trading at the familiar location in Nailsea, The Tek Hut will continue to offer the same cost effective, new laptops and PCs, upgrades, onsite support for homes and businesses through to a wide range of workshop services and accessories.
FIVE STAR
Window Cleaning
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Get spruced up for 2021 with this Nailsea-based company boasting best prices
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Quotes for fascia, gutters and drainpipe cleaning no obligation
Call 0759 532 3274
Togs
school
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Starting School: Everything you need for that first special day
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Schoolwear: Uniforms, Accessories and Name Tapes
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Sportswear: PE Kits, Gumshields, Shin Pads and Velcro Daps
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Dancewear: RAD Approved for Ballet, Tap, Modern and Jazz
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Activitywear: Uniforms for Rainbows, Brownies and Guides
School Togs
Clevedon Walk, Nailsea, BS48 1RS
01275 857491
Nailsea bed and breakfast
A home from home at Highdale the family-owned bed and breakfast at Nailsea. The B&B at 82 Silver Street is run by Tony and Tina Davey. Call 01275 858004, email mail@highdalebb.co.uk, or go online by clicking HERE for more details
