A stables / store room has been subject of an attempted theft between 6pm on the 25th & 6:45am on the 26th in Langford Road, Langford. The offenders cut through the door lock but were prevented further progress because of the deadlocks and reinforcements on the other side. The offender even tried using a shovel which had been left in the yard space, again without success.
The culprits then gained access to the garage by removing tiles from the roof. At present it is unclear if any items have been stolen from within.
Any information please contact the Police on 101 quoting Ref number: 5221278142 stating NHW Release or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Thank you for your support.
A garden shed has been unlawfully entered sometime between the 27th & 29th in Wrington Mead, Congresbury. The owner had placed a bin and flower pot outside of the shed door as it had opened due to the bad weather. Upon checking on the morning of the 29th, the bin and flower pot had both been moved and a DeWalt drill had been stolen from within.
Any information please contact the Police on 101 quoting Ref number: 5221280630 stating NHW Release or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Police are appeal for information following damage to a motorcycle parked on Cobthorn Way, Congresbury at around 7:40am on Saturday. The motorcycle had been set alight causing around 20 per cent damage before the fire was extinguished. Any information please contact 101 quoting Ref number: 5221273403 stating NHW Release or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Police are seeking witnesses to a burglary in Congresbury at the end of October.
A safe was stolen from a residential address in the Station Road area between 6.30pm on Saturday 30 October and approximately 1.30am on Sunday 31 October.
Police are keen to hear from anyone who saw anybody acting suspiciously in the area, or noticed an unknown vehicle parked up in the vicinity, during those times.
If you can help, call 101 and give the call-handler reference number 5221255266. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Dangerous children’s play equipment on both the Millennium Green and King George V playing field has been removed by the parish council as part of plans to revamp the areas.
“We are very pleased with the removal work as the equipment was rotten and dangerous and we did not want it to deteriorate any further especially over the winter months,” said the council.
“We are gathering information on the costs of different equipment. Many of you asked for the zip wire to be replaced and climbing equipment to be included and therefore we are concentrating on looking at different options incorporating these ideas.
“There is currently a considerable lead time for the ordering and completion of any play equipment at the mpment. Hopefully we will be looking at a spring installation for new equipment.”
A home has been burgled in Station Road, Congresbury, between 6:30pm on October 30th and 1:30am on the 31st. The offender/s forced entry via the rear and once inside an untidy search was conducted with items being stolen from within.
Any information please contact the police on 101 quoting Ref number: 5221255266 stating NHW Release or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
There will be a meeting between the PCSOs and the community at Congresbury Youth Club building this Friday at 6pm. Short notice, because they are very keen to show that they are taking the recent spate of complaints about anti-social behaviour by young people seriously, and to work WITH us to address them.
The PCSOs are making the point that they can’t tackle this alone, and we as a community need to be part of the solution, so it would be great to see some people showing up with positive ideas. Please publicise this widely to anyone who is interested in a positive co-operative approach. We will ensure the meeting doesn’t move into the mood of blaming either the police or young people.
The volunteer led community café is open a couple of mornings a week and alternative Saturdays. It provides freshly brewed hot drinks and homemade cakes. The surplus profits go back into the community to support village groups and activities.
LOCATION: Station Rd, Congresbury, Bristol BS49 5DX
HOURS: 14:45-17:45, Monday to Friday
SALARY: £ (paid fortnightly) £8.91 per hour
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: cleaning experience would be desirable however full training will be provided. Previous Enhanced DBS certificate recommended however new certificate will be sought.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:
CleanerKey responsibilities:
The main areas of accountability and personal specification for the position are detailed below:
To undertake general cleaning duties to the prescribed standards as detailed in the site specification including:
· Cleaning interior surfaces, furnishings, fixtures and fittings
· Clean floors and floor coverings
· Maintain the internal environment
· Service toilet areas; clean all toilet appliances i.e., toilets, sinks etc. and replenish toilet rolls, soap and paper towels
· To clear and remove rubbish and other items from areas as detailed by the site specification and ensure completion of duties.
· To maintain stocks of cleaning materials, order from suppliers where required and to control the usage of materials ensuring the cleaning cupboard is always kept tidy.
· To report any problems on site to the supervisor / account manager so they may be rectified immediately.
· To undertake any other reasonable duties/request commensurate with this position as designated by the account manager / supervisor/client/company
Contact;
Mark Sansom Account Manager M 07874857698 E mark.sansom@churchillservices.com
A home has been burgled overnight on the 30th September in Wrington Mead, Congresbury. The offender gained access by climbing over a side gate by using a bin. Once inside the grounds they then forced entry via a downstairs window by snapping the hinge. Inside the property a messy search was conducted where it was clear the offender was looking for jewellery. Once the search was completed the offender then made off via the same method of entry.
Any information please contact the Police on 101 quoting Ref number: 5221228825 stating NHW Release or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Thank you for your support.
The Community café ran two café sessions in aid of Macmillan cancer support. The sessions raised £1106.
it was good to see so many people supporting this worthwhile cause and the café committee would to thank the café volunteers for their hard work and Debbie Fortune estate agents and local company Hearmore UK for their support.
Villagers who regularly exercise their dogs on the King George V playing fields are being asked to stick to the byelaws which require dogs to be kept on leads at all times on any part of the playing fields.
This applies to the cricket field, the children’s play area, and the grass area between the two.
Signs make it clear that dogs must be on a lead at all times
The KGV Trustees point out that there are several signs (pictured right) on the entrances to the grounds telling owners that dogs must be kept on leads and to clean up after their dogs.
“The problem of people walking dogs on the fields but off leads has been around for some time but has been getting worse, possibly exacerbated by the pandemic,” said a representative of the Trustees.
The Trustees point out that the KGV fields were left in trust for the playing of sport and recreation and the byelaws specifically prohibit the taking of any dog onto any part of the fields unless kept on a chain.
The cricket club, which maintains the cricket ground, has asked the Trustees to take further action if matters do not improve.
A property has been damaged in Park Road, Congresbury, on Thursday between 11am and 11:30am. A rock was thrown at a window of the property causing it to smash.
Any information please contact the police on 101 quoting Ref number: 5221221943 stating NHW Release or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
North Somerset council plans to restart garden waste collections from the end of September but only every four weeks instead of fortnightly.
“This is a pragmatic approach that enables us to offer a garden waste service to all our existing customers while still dealing with the driver shortages. We are amending the garden waste collection calendars and these will be available on our website before collections begin again,” the council said.
The council notes that driver shortages are still a very serious issue. “We remain in a precarious situation with our staff resources so the situation could change again.”
There will be a discount on next year’s collections to compensate residents for the disruption. “You don’t need to contact us to qualify for this offer – it will be automatically available at renewal,” the council said.
North Somerset is also setting up trial satellite sites across the area so existing customers have the option to take their garden waste to staffed drop-off points if they don’t live within easy reach of one of the three recycling centres. These will be announced to customers living in those areas as soon as they’re up and running.
North Somerset council is halting all garden waste collections between September 6th and 17th because of a national shortage of HGV drivers.
“Despite our best efforts to keep your garden waste collection service running as normally as possible over recent weeks, we have made the difficult decision today to suspend collections for at least the next two weeks,” said the council.
Recycling and black bin waste collections will continue as normal.
North Somerset notes that neighbouring councils suspended their services earlier in the summer, adding that it has been able to continue collections – with limited disruption – until now.
“We have now reached the point where the national shortage of HGV drivers means that we cannot continue to provide all services. We are working hard on doing what we can to fix the situation locally and will have a clearer picture on compensation for our customers and what we’ll do to mitigate further impacts within the next two weeks. We’re also lobbying government to resolve the national crisis.
“We are really sorry for the inconvenience this causes you and will be in touch again before your next garden waste collection is due with an update.
“Our recycling centres will be open as normal if you’re unable to store your garden waste at home. Home composting is also a good way to deal with any extra garden waste generated.”
Congresbury Community café Ltd is a charitable community benefit society which runs Congresbury Community café. The café has been open for two-and-a-half years and operates in rooms and a courtyard which are kindly donated free of charge by Debbie Fortune estate agents’ Congresbury office.
Run entirely by volunteers it was initially set up to raise funds for a new village hall. When that project closed down, the project team in liaison with Debbie Fortune Estate Agents agreed to retain the popular café. The surplus profits are now used to support the community, by helping fund village organisations and activities. Details are available on the café website www.congresburycoffee.org .
The café will also run sessions to support organisations such as Macmillan Cancer support, The Air Ambulance and local hospices. The café is open on Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9 till 1pm and alternate Saturdays from 10 till 3pm (next opening Saturday 11th). It also runs a Glut Market where donated surplus vegetables and plants are available for a donation to the café.
The St Andrew’s school PTA are the first group to receive funding from café sessions. Deputy Headteacher, Mrs Zoe Gartland, on behalf of the school and PTA said: “Thank you so much to Congresbury community café who have kindly donated £423 towards our new playground equipment.
“During lockdown, the children of St Andrew’s were tasked with a challenge to design a new Key Stage Two play area. The school council worked closely with Pentagon Play to ensure the children’s ideas were incorporated into the final build. In the last weeks of term, the children were able to see their designs become reality with our wonderful new equipment.
“The school were able to fund the vast majority of the scheme but needed to raise a final £1500. With the PTA’s help and generous donations from local businesses, we are almost there.”
Ian Sheppard for the café said: “It was disappointing when the village hall project closed down in October last year but the café allows us to fulfil our vision of putting money back into the community. But it is not all about the money, the café is a community facility where people can meet up in a safe environment as well as enjoying freshly brewed hot drinks and delicious homemade cakes.
“We would not able to do this without the generosity and continued support of Debbie Fortune Estate Agents in allowing us use of the rooms and courtyard. “
The team behind the redevelopment of Congresbury’s Rec Club has unveiled a new plan featuring an upper floor and viewing balconies.
This design – on the same footprint as the existing Rec Club – replaces the original two-building approach unveiled in the spring and follows consultation with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
“It is important to comply with the ECB requirements if we are to have a chance of a successful application for a grant from them towards the cost,” explained cricket club president Les Owen who is leading Project Construct, the name given to the team exploring the best way to develop a new cricket, tennis and social club building on the King George V Playing Field (KGV).
Since the original plans were unveiled in the spring the Project Construct team has held an online questionnaire which had some 115 responses with 87 per cent of respondents in favour of the redevelopment and further work has been done on the design.
Now the KGV Trustees have started a pre-planning application consultation with North Somerset District Council. This process involves submitting an overview and some detail to the planning department and getting their feedback before a formal application for planning permission is submitted.
How the rebuilt Rec Club could look
Mr Owen said that during consultation with the ECB it became clear that they would be unable to support the original ‘two building’ design with a new changing rooms’ building alongside the footprint of the existing Recreation Club.
This is because the new building would be behind the bowlers’ arms on the east side of the ground and that, and the need for sight screens directly in front of the changing rooms, would interfere with the normal playing of cricket and would adversely impact the look and feel of a traditional village cricket ground
Accordingly the Project Committee has now come up with a new design involving a building exactly on the footprint of the existing Rec Club but with an upper floor consisting of changing rooms/tennis viewing room/committee room, and a ground floor with the bar and social facilities as the existing building has. It is this design that is the subject of the pre-application consultation.
Some extracts of the pre-application supporting material are available to view by clicking here which show the proposed floor plans, elevations and materials to be used.
Any comments on this proposal can be made to the KGV Trustees and the Project Committee by emailing newrecclub@gmail.com
Action Fraud, the national fraud and cyber crime reporting centre, has received more than 700 reports from the public about fake emails pretending to be from the NHS. The emails claim to be able to provide people with a “digital passport” that “proves you have been vaccinated against COVID-19”.
These emails are fake, and the links within them lead to genuine-looking websites that steal your personal and financial information.
Congresbury Bowling Club’s annual Sportsman’s Day made a welcome return to the village calendar on Sunday after being cancelled in 2020 because of Covid restrictions.
Despite a damp start, competitors were in high spirits – many simply glad to be taking part. “It’s just great to be back,” was a typical reaction.
The tournament was reduced to 24 teams from its customary 28 to help manage numbers better. It was won by Congresbury Cricket Club’s Mike Fisher, Sam Evans, Joe Thompson and Jos Tomlinson.
They beat Hannah Vowles’s team 3 Gingers & It in an exciting and close 10-end final. Hannah, who is the cricket club’s welfare officer, led a team which included cricketers Mick Edmunds and Cam Harding with Amber Rizvi.
Club president Dave Byett presented the teams with their prize money.
Third place went to Danny Bullock’s football club team who beat Dave Towler’s Cofers team.
Cricketers’s success: Jos Tomlinson (left), Sam Evans, Joe Thompson and Mike Fisher who beat Hannah Vowles, Amber Rizvi, Mick Edmunds and Cam Harding in an exciting final pictured with bowling club president Dave Byett
Yatton and Congresbury Wildlife Action Group are creating a new reserve in Congresbury. ‘Cobthorn Reserve’ is at the end of Cobthorn Way, bordering the new Furnace Way housing development.
Planning permission for Furnace Way was granted by North Somerset Council (NSC) with a proviso that an area of the procured land was set aside for the benefit of Greater Horseshoe Bats – a protected species that use this land for foraging. The area is only small part of the original habitat available to the bats in this location – much has been lost to the housing and its associated amenity area.
The original developers, Sunley, did not want to undertake the maintenance of this mitigation area which would involve planned grazing and careful management. NSC suggested they contact YACWAG to see if they would be interested in taking over the land in perpetuity for the benefit of bats. Following discussions between Sunley, NSC and YACWAG an outline agreement was reached. Sunley subsequently passed the development over to Strongvox, who continued with the agreement and YACWAG are hoping that the legal transfer of the land will happen later this summer.
With the support and help of Strongvox, the reserve is being adapted ahead of the legal transfer. Separate sections have been fenced off to allow for flexible grazing by cattle and sheep and new hedgerows have been planted. Further hedgerow and larger tree planting is planned, which will help transform the reserve. Information lecterns will be installed within the next couple of weeks and it is hoped Dexter cows will soon be grazing there.
For more information about the bats, a plan of the site location and how to contact YACWAG if you would like to help with the project, clickhere.
In liaison with Debbie Fortune estate agents, who generously donate the use of their premises and facilities for Congresbury’s Community Café, surplus profits from the café, will go back into the community to be used to support village organisations and village activities. More details and how to apply can be found on the café website Supporting the community (congresburycoffee.org)
For the next two weeks the surplus profits from the café sessions will go to help the school PTA to fund new playground equipment at St. Andrews school.
The Green Party’s Phil Neve is the new North Somerset district councillor for Congresbury and Puxton. He polled more than 64 per cent of the vote at the by-election held on Thursday and continues a long tradition of Congresbury and Puxton having a Green councillor going back more than 30 years.
Samantha Pepperall of the Conservative Party received 270 votes, 29 per cent of votes cast, while the Labour Party’s Dawn Parry received six per cent of the votes.
The total number of votes cast was 922. Turnout was 29.5 per cent of voters, lower than normal, which was blamed on the heatwave.
The by-election followed the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Stuart Treadaway elected two years ago.
Message from Congresbury Rec Club about the relaxation of Covid guidelines.
“On Monday 19th we enter the latest phase of Corona with much longed for changes coming while infections rates are still high, and the need to self-isolate lasting for at least another month.
“We have decided as both a team and a committee we will do the following to protect the staff, our customers and our desire to stay open and enjoy the summer….
“We will:
*Continue with table service for the time being
*Continue with card payment when at all possible
*Keep tables spaced out inside but the rule of 6 is gone
*Ask that you consider wearing a mask when moving around inside – staff will continue to wear masks when out from behind the bar
*Leave up the NHS Covid check in posters should you want to continue to check-in.
The government messaging on this one remains confusing. We look forward to another tentative step forwards while doing what we can to prevent a step backwards and hope we can count on your ongoing support. “
Congresbury Recreation Club wants to strengthen its management committee and put in place a new code of conduct for all members.
The King George V Trustees, who have overall responsibility for the management of the fields and all activity on them and who delegate the day to day management to the Rec Club, have appointed cricket club president Les Owen as interim chairman. He will serve until the end of 2021.
Mr Owen paid tribute to his predecessor Andy Elvin for the work he has done over the last three years to improve the club and change its image.
“The Rec Club is for all members and sports participants and should present a welcoming, friendly and enjoyable atmosphere,” said Mr Owen.
Mr Owen, a lifelong Liverpool fan and Anfield season ticket holder who played local league football around Bristol for many years, said:
“My personal motivation in taking this on for six months is to help create an environment that is conducive to participation in sport and recreation by all in the village, and to try to ensure that the Rec is operating and managed in a way that maximises the chances of funding support for a new building.”
The Trustees have asked Mr Owen to strengthen the Rec Club committee and make it more representative of the village. The club rules and code of conduct for members will also be reviewed.
A key objective will be to produce a three-year plan for the club as part of the application process for grant funding for a new clubhouse.
“Once lockdown eases I would hope that all villagers will feel able to become members and help us secure the Rec Club’s future as a centre of sport and recreation in Congresbury,” said Mr Owen.
The Rec Club committee would welcome contact from anyone who would like to learn more about the plans for the future and who may be interested in helping. Please email newrecclub@gmail.com
The project to rebuild Congresbury’s Rec Club has received the backing of more than 87 per cent of those who took part in an online survey. Only eight per cent said they didn’t think the redevelopment would benefit the village. Others were unsure.
“This is extremely encouraging and just the sort of support we hoped to get,” said Les Owen who is leading Project Construct, the name given to the plans to redevelop the Rec Club with additional changing rooms for the cricket and tennis clubs.
Almost one-fifth of respondents indicated that they would be prepared to help or get involved as a trustee or join the Rec Club committee. A further 29 per cent said they would consider making a financial contribution.
“If anyone who wants to get more involved could contact us sooner rather than later we would really appreciate it,” said Mr Owen. You can get in touch by email at newrecclub@gmail.com or by speaking to any cricket, tennis, football or Rec Club committee member.
Another 74 per cent of those surveyed said they would be more likely to use the new facilities more often while 60 per cent said they would be interested in making use of hiring the club for private functions.
Almost half of those who took part in the survey said they would be interested in keep-fit activities such as aerobics, pilates or dancing being included in the redevelopment plans and almost 40 per cent said the availability of meeting rooms would be useful for organisations they belong to.
Meanwhile talks with various sporting organisations which could provide grants towards the cost of the project continue, explained Mr Owen.
“We should be able to provide further updates on the project including costs and more detailed architect’s plans in early summer,” he said.
Congresbury Parish Council was contacted today (April 30th) by a local landowner to draw attention to an incident over the past few days. The landowner sadly lost one lamb and three ewes when they were viciously attacked by a dog. This incident took place on the field next to the weir in Congresbury.
Dog owners must be aware that it is a criminal offence to allow their dog to worry sheep on agricultural land. Most criminal prosecutions are bought by the police but it is worth noting that farmers, landowners and owners may bring proceedings against the dog owner following an attack.
The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 (“1953 Act”) says that if a dog worries sheep on agricultural land, the owner and/or the person in charge of the dog is guilty of a criminal offence. Under the 1953 Act the term ‘worrying’ includes attacking livestock; chasing livestock in such a way as may reasonably be expected to cause injury or suffering to livestock – this can also include abortion or being at large in a field containing sheep.
Furthermore, the 1953 Act enables criminal proceedings to be bought by the police, farmers and owners where there is sufficient evidence to do so.
Please ensure that your dog is on a lead if you walk through a field with livestock and ensure that you keep to the footpath at all times. The Countryside Code available at; The Countryside Code: advice for countryside visitors – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) states that ‘It is good practice wherever you are to keep your dog on a lead around livestock and the fact that a farmer can shoot a dog that is attacking or chasing livestock. They may not be liable to compensate the dog’s owner’.
Police have issued advice to a number of shops selling alcohol in North Somerset following a test purchase operation carried out last week in Nailsea.
On Friday 23 April, neighbourhood officers assisted by cadet leaders visited 17 shops after residents expressed concerns about under 18s buying alcohol, and subsequent anti-social behaviour in the area.
In nine shops, alcohol was sold to young persons without checking identification.
A letter of warning has been issued to the store owners, who will also be given further education around challenging and asking for identification from young people buying alcohol.
Acting Police Sgt Ali Codd said “We are disappointed at the number of shops who sold alcohol without asking for identification and would like to remind retailers of their responsibility to challenge appropriately any person attempting to purchase alcohol who looks under the age of 25.
“Future similar operations will be taking place where any offences may be dealt with by a prosecution.
“We would also like to remind and encourage members of the community to contact the neighbourhood team if you have concerns about underage drinking and/or anti-social behaviour.”
Responses to the survey about redeveloping the Rec Club and building a separate cricket/tennis pavilion have been overwhelmingly positive. The survey will close at midnight on Friday April 30th so if you haven’t taken part, please do so now by clicking on this link
Results of the survey will be published in due course and as plans progress, the Project Construct team will keep villagers up-to-date.
Plans to redevelop the Rec Club and build a new cricket and tennis pavilion on the King George V Playing Field have been given a huge thumbs up with more than 95 per cent of those surveyed saying the development would benefit the village.
And more than 80 per cent of people said they would use the new facilities more with 57 per cent welcoming a wider choice of indoor recreational facilities. Full results of the survey will be revealed next month.
If you haven’t already taken part, it’s not too late. The Project Construct team has added a comment box to the survey to gather more feedback or you can email newrecclub@gmail.com if you want to get involved.
The survey takes less than two minutes to complete. Click on this link to take part.
