Methodist Church News
Stories for half-term
Garage break-in
A garage has been broken into around 3:30am on the 26th in Furnace Way, Congresbury. A local resident called police when they observed four males, three in black the other in white, gaining entry. The suspects had been through the garage and stolen electrical tools before making off. |
YACWAG – Window Wanderland 3rd-5th February – Congresbury and Yatton
One more week until the Brilliant British Birds Window Wanderland begins! If you’re looking for ideas to make a display, head to https://lucyreeveskhan.wordpress.com/2018/02/07/what-do-i-know-about-making-window-displays/
Signing up your window to the map will help more people to come and enjoy your handiwork https://www.windowwanderland.com/event/yatton-and-congresbury-2023/

Talk on geology of the Mendips
Developers M7 lodge new plan
There’s been little to report on CRAG (Congresbury Residents’ Action Group) v developers in recent weeks. But now M7, the company seeking to build 90 houses on land behind Park Road, has placed ten new documents on North Somerset council’s planning website.
One of those documents is a revised plan that somehow ignores the fact that in recent weeks much of the land resembled a lake rather than a field. More on this when the documents have been examined.
At the other end of the village, developer Vistry has agreed to halt putting in foundations to the 50 new houses off Wrington Lane after CRAG pointed out that no such work could start until the continuous footway had been constructed.
Although the objections to the creation of a footway down part of Wrington Lane had to be abandoned because of the potentially enormous costs involved CRAG is still keen to ensure that Vistry keeps to the conditions of the application, by not starting work until the pavement is installed all the way along the lane. The company has also agreed to stop making early morning working which was causing annoyance to local residents.
John Mills
Methodist Church News
A370 closures next week
The A370 is being closed to traffic near Brockley Stores from 9.30am to mid afternoon from 23rd to 25thJanuary to allow felling of diseased ash trees.
The diversion goes up the Brockley Coombe road, onto the A38 to Langford/Churchill then on the B3133 to Congresbury Cross junction. This is expected to add 25 minutes to journeys.
The X1 is due to take the same diversion route, with all bus stops on the A370 out of use between Congresbury Bridge and Winterstoke Road in Bristol. People in Backwell have the option of the X7.
More detailed information on the Firstbus website and on OneNetwork for a map of the diversion.
Illustrated talk this Thursday
Planning Application 29 Wrington Lane Congresbury BS49 5BQ
Date | Tue 10 Jan 2023 |
Application Type | Full Planning Permission |
Development | Proposed erection of a two storey side extension, single storey front extension, rear porch and internal alterations. |
Planning Application 2 Nomis Park Congresbury BS49 5HB
Date | Mon 09 Jan 2023 |
Application Type | Full Planning Permission |
Development | Proposed demolition of existing garage extension and erection of a single storey replacement extension to the North-East elevation |
Planning Application 18 Mulberry Road Congresbury BS49 5HD
Date | Fri 30 Dec 2022 |
Application Type | Certificate of lawful development |
Development | Certificate of lawful development for the installation of an above ground Jacuzzi spa in the rear garden. |
Planning Application Hill Cottage Rhodyate Hill Bristol BS49 5AQ
Date | Mon 19 Dec 2022 |
Application Type | Full Planning Permission |
Development | Demolition of existing house and erection of replacement dwelling |
Rec Club opens as warm space

YACWAG – Window Wanderland 3rd-5th February – Congresbury and Yatton
Window Wanderland is a way to explore your neighbourhood and meet your neighbours. Everyone can take part and we will support you with free materials, inspiration and a chance to meet others, either beforehand or on the magical illuminated Brilliant British Birds walking trail.
Drop in to Congar’s Cafe, Broad Street, Congresbury 3-5pm on Saturday 14th January to pick up free materials and ideas
or to Yatton Youth Club, Rock Road, Yatton from 10-12 on Saturday 21st January to pick up free materials and ideas
You can watch a movie of last year’s windows to get you in the mood :
www.yacwag.org.uk/library
https://www.windowwanderland.com/event/yatton-and-congresbury-2023/
Facebook: @yattoncongresburyww
Email: yacwag2@gmail.com

The Strawberry Line in winter
Soups & Puds
The next Soups & Puds lunch is on Thursday 26th January at the Methodist Hall, 2 High St, Congresbury. The £5 lunch is in aid of Children’s Hospice South West. Homemade soup, bread roll, homemade pudding and tea or coffee. Raffle, cakes and preserves for sale.
Planning Application 48 Venus Street Congresbury BS49 5EZ
Date | Fri 23 Dec 2022 |
Application Type | Discharge of Condition |
Development | Discharge of Condition No.8 (Written Scheme of Investigation) and No.14 (Construction Method Statement) on application 22/P/1173/FUL. |
Planning Application Land East Of 48 Venus Street Congresbury BS49 5EZ
Date | Fri 16 Dec 2022 |
Application Type | Full Planning Permission |
Development | Proposed Erection of 1 No. New dwelling. |
Learn dressmaking
Rich history of Congresbury railway station
YACWAG’s call for volunteers to help start work to reveal the platforms at Congresbury’s long disused railway station (see details here) prompted Michael Greaves to contact us with this sketch and a note on the station.
“It was always my hope that when the platforms are restored the original Waiting Room could be rebuilt,” he writes. “I am attaching a copy of my thumbnail sketch of the original waiting room that was sadly demolished when the line was closed.
“The platforms are unique as the up line platform was built with carboniferous limestone from Henley Quarry on Cadbury Hill, but the down platform is the lovely stone quarried at Draycott in Somerset. It’s a Dolomitic Conglomerate stone which when polished is known as Draycott Marble. Perhaps the most famous use is the table top in the entrance of Longleat House in Wiltshire. Both platforms are excellent examples of Victorian engineering and form an important part of Congresbury’s history.

MERRY CHRISTMAS
The Editors wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
We look forward to receiving your news and articles in 2023.
Planning Application 23 Southside Congresbury BS49 5BS
Date | Wed 14 Dec 2022 |
Application Type | Prior Approval Request |
Development | Prior approval request for the erection of a single storey rear extension with a pitched roof that would 1) extend beyond the rear wall of the original house by 6.0 metres; 2) have a maximum height of 3.60 metres and 3) have eaves that are 3.20 metres high |
Planning Application Riverside Cottage Mill Leg Congresbury BS49 5JE
Date | Wed 14 Dec 2022 |
Application Type | Full Planning Permission |
Development | Proposed Garage extension at the South-East elevation and structural alterations to the proposed garage. |
Singing workshop
Congresbury Singers- Come & Sing Workshop, Choruses from Handel’s Messiah for Community Choirs on Sat Jan 14th 2023, Memorial Hall, Congresbury from 10.30 – 4.30 – £20 inc music & refreshments.
Entry / info 07729159139 or congresburysingers@gmail.com
Methodist Church News
Broad Street festivities
Re:Store Congresbury, Congar’s Cafe, Ziggy’s Deli & Weston Hospicecare Charity Shop present … LATE NIGHT SHOPPING!!!
On Thursday 15th December until 7pm we’ll all be opening late so you can shop gifts, treat yourself and join in singing a few carols with the incredible Congresbury Singers
From hamper making and mulled wine with Ziggy’s Deli, to scrummy special edition hot chocolates and yummy sausage rolls from Congars Cafe and finding the perfect stocking fillers with pop-up shops. Plus… Fill your resuable crackers with our mini-gift station and bring the kids along for free children’s crafts 🎄
Wow there’s a lot going on but it should be a lovely festive evening for eating, drinking, gifting and more 🌟

Planning Application Star Inn Rhodyate Hill Bristol BS49 5AJ
Date | Thu 01 Dec 2022 |
Application Type | Advertisement consent |
Development | Advertisement consent for the installation of 2no. double sided externally illuminated post signs. |