THE online community newspaper for Nailsea people, their family and their friends

December 2024

Property people

North Somerset Council is being asked to approve a new camping site east of Nailsea Wall Farm. The proposal is for 21 camping pitches, toilet/shower block with parking, access tracks and landscaping.

And the public consultation on the submission (to the government) version of North Somerset Council’s Local Plan 2025-2040 is delayed, yet again.

Hopefully all will be revealed in 2025! Read more HERE

What's On 2024

This page is full of events for 2025 as we say goodbye to a year which saw the carnival and beer fest go ahead but not the bikers annual fundraiser. We have a special Christmas page which features parties, pantos, festive feasts and CHSW Santa Run are HERE while What's On page is HERE

CANCELLED DUE TO BAD WEATHER

Gallery 2024

Lots of slideshows in our galleries. Added to the October to December page are more autumnal images of markets, Backwell lake, country walks, drone photos from The Causeway and Land Yeo. Plus Christmas fairs and the fantastic light switch-on organised by Nailsea Town Council but not happy with BBC Bristol for naming and shaming our Somerset Square Rudolph more HERE

We have told you where to see Santa, to buy Colin the Christmas caterpillar cake and that Harrods Christmas shop is open but also among the sparkling gems are a foodbank advent calendar for giving, details of the ice rink at Weston and disco nights at Cadbury House.
We also have fab posters with festive events some of which must be pre-booked or are members only.
We have festive menus with some restaurants/pubs many already fully booked for Christmas day and a plea from beauty salons and hairdressers to hurry up and make appointments.

All this and dates of concerts, pantos and Christmas raffles, 18+ jingle bingo, beat box Boxing Day and Christmas Eve karaoke plus new year 2025 parties - what more could you ask for?

All this is on our December Christmas page in sections for easy reading.

Dates which aren't specifically for Christmas are on our What's On page.

Sunday to Tuesday, December 1-31

10.30am-4pm free admission for those aged 70+ at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

Sunday, December 1

6 for 7pm start 18+ jingle balls bingo at Nailsea Social Club with guest caller Miss Courtney Jackson

Wednesdays, December 4 and 12

10am-noon Nailsea Shedders is running a reindeer making workshop at 65 High Street

Wednesday, December 4

Christmas Dubs start touring Nailsea

Thursday, December 5

4-8pm Christmas market at The George, Backwell
7-10pm floral art class at Jacklands Lakes farm shop
7pm jazz night at Coates House with festive favourites
7.30pm Friends of Wraxall School Association Christmas wreath making

Fridays, December 6 and 13

3-4pm carol singing at Livro Lounge with Southfield Church

Friday, December 6

9.30am and 7.30pm Friends of Wraxall School Association Christmas wreath making
2pm Downing's bar opens in High Street
Nailsea Running Club Christmas party at the Grove
wear your worse Christmas jumper to the festive charity music quiz at Nailsea Social Club with prize for most awful knitwear

Saturday, December 7

7am-7pm Nailsea High Street closed for Eat:Festival with more than 100 stalls CANCELLED
9am-12.30pm 1st Backwell Scouts selling Christmas trees at The Rising Sun CANCELLED MOVE TO 8th
9.30am-noon Backwell Bowls Club host a Holly & Mistletoe event CANCELLED MOVE TO 8th
10am-1pm Ravenswood School, Pound Lane, Christmas fair CANCELLED
10am-4pm Eat:Nailsea food and drink festival in High Street and Crown Glass shopping centre CANCELLED
1-11pm Nailsea MicroPub serving mulled wine, mulled cider, mince pies and selling rare ale gift packs for Christmas - changed hours go to weather
setting off 10,30am arriving at 1pm hundreds of riders with be taking part in the annual Santas on a Bike from Bristol to the Children’s Hospice at Charlton Farm CANCELLED
2pm floral art class at Ring O'Bells
Bristol Hippodrome panto opens with Goldilocks & Three Bears and runs until Sunday, January 5
The Playhouse, Weston, panto opens with Beauty & the Beast and runs until Tuesday, December 31
7pm Nailsea Choral Society performance of Handel's Messiah at Nailsea Methodist church
Adele tribute night at Nailsea Social Club

Sunday, December 8

11am Santas on the Run at CHSW Charlton Farm, Wraxall

Wednesday, December 11

Bristol Airport Santa flight takes-offs thanks to Jet2.com to sprinkle some Christmas cheer for very deserving children and their families
6.30pm-1am not sure if it is murder on the dance floor but Cadbury House is entertaining with a murder mystery and disco night - there are other disco and live music nights on calendar up until New Year
Nailsea School PTA Christmas raffle draw

Thursday, December 12

1.45pm Backwell & Nailsea ladies choir in Christmas concert at Backwell WI hall
from 6pm carol service and toy appeal at The George, Backwell

Saturday, December 14

9.30am-noon Tickenham School Association Christmas fair with Santa at village hall
noon last Scout’s Christmas Post collection
from 3.30pm Christmas Cruz Vdubs is at Towerhouse car park heading out at 5pm sharp in the direction of Trendlewood before driving to Clevedon and Portishead
from 7pm 70s, 80s Christmas disco at Grove, free entry
7.30pm North Somerset Philharmonic play A Carol Symphony at Nailsea School

Sunday, December 15

9.30-10am Trendlewood bubble church at Golden Valley Primary School – see church peeps page for more details and QR code link
7.30pm Stepping Out Theatre presents Mother Christmas at Backwell Playhouse

Friday, December 20

from 4.30pm Mizzymead Recreation Club Christmas fair with Santa, games, stalls, music and hot food
7.30pm Nailsea Folk Club present contemporary folk artists Jackie Oates and John Spiers at the Tithe Barn
really big Christmas quiz and raffle at Nailsea Social Club

Saturday, December 21

9am-1pm Nailsea farmers' market
11.30am breakfast with Santa at Royal Oak Nailsea
X-Factor finalist singer Marisa Mortimore makes a very welcome return visit to Ring O'Bells

Sunday, December 22

2-4pm Grove Preschool Christmas party fundraisers at sports centre & social club

Monday, December 23

7pm carol singing at Coates House led by Nailsea Baptist church
8pm big quiz Christmas night at The Moorend Spout

Tuesday, December 24

7pm onwards Christmas party at Nailsea Social Club with karaoke

Friday, December 25

noon-2pm family and friends at Nailsea Social Club

Thursday, December 26

3-5pm children party games then after 8pm DJ Santa plays best jingle beats at Nailsea Social Club

Friday, December 27

2.30-4.30pm tea party at Holy Trinity for those who were home along at Christmas
New Year parties at Nailsea & Backwell Rugby FC. Nailsea Social Club and Cadbury House

Sunday, December 29

7-10pm Vinni's is hosting a Christmas Indian cuisine night at Backwell WI hall

Tuesday, December 31

NYE at Nailsea Social Club with The Stiff Upper Lips

Friday to Sunday, January 10-12

Start of tree collection service to help St Peters hospice

FOR SALE 1

Livro Lounge is part of a chain of hundreds of cafes and restaurants across the UK being sold to US investors for £338m, subject to the approval of shareholders.

Loungers which runs Lounge and Cosy Club cafes has agreed a deal with private equity firm Fortress Investment Group.

The brand was launched in 2002 by three Bristol friends chairman and co-founder Alex Reilley along with friends David Reid and Jake Bishop.

It now operates 280 sites in a multi-million pound operation.

FOR SALE 2

Bristol Airport is reportedly on the market, as its Canadian pension fund owner looks to sell.

The Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan is said to be considering offloading five airports, including Bristol, in a mega deal worth around £10bn, according to the Sunday Times.

It's understood that the OTPP is contemplating the sale of Bristol, Birmingham, London City, Copenhagen and Brussels airports, and has already begun discussions with minority shareholders.

The portfolio's estimated value is around £10bn, with the OTPP holding stakes ranging from 25 to 70 per cent in each airport.

Minority shareholders have first refusal rights for 30 days under a sale agreement, but they could opt to sell. Outside bidders are also believed to have been approached, with the Sunday Times reporting that Australian investor Macquarie is a potential buyer.

Read about Bristol Airport expansion plans HERE

December D-Day

The December countdown to the opening of Downing's has begun and Geoff and Julie can’t wait to welcome you to Nailsea’s newest High Street bar.

After months of work the renovations turning what was believed to be an old storeroom for the glassworks into a modern upmarket bar are finally coming to fruition.

Opening hours:

Tuesdays and Wednesdays 3-10pm
Thursdays 3-11pm
Fridays and Saturdays 2pm-midnight
Sundays and Mondays closed

Everything is timed to open to customers at 2pm on Friday, December 6.

Julie said: "Hopefully the weather will be fine, and we will have our lovely outside seating out."

To enable maximum outside space Geoff paid for the pavement lamppost to be removed and the flat roof plants came from Dave Price, of Oak Leaf Nurseries, which trades at the Tuesday and Friday market stall at Somerset Square.

Julie said: "It’s really elevated the look.

"We have already held two staff team meetings and found sitting on the new leather chairs really comfortable."

So, the flat roofed building which once was a double-glazing store, grocers, charity shop and everything in-between is transformed.

The new bar will offer 27 different wines including Champagne, a comprehensive selection of spirits, and some lovely craft beers, lagers and ciders. There will also be non-alcoholic options.

And throughout December it will be offering freshly made cocktails including a Dirty Downing signature drink.

For the nibbles there are bar snacks including olives, nuts, crisps and a tasting plate of charcuterie & cheese.

The byword at the bar is to buy locally if at all possible.

New recruits Alex, Blake, Claire, Sarah, and Lois will make everyone feel welcome, valued and special, said Julie.

She added: “We will be offering table service where you can relax on our luxurious leather chairs and allow us to look after you.

“I should mention that the bar will be for over 21s only and will not be accepting cash.- you can pay with debit or credit card or tap your phone.

“Dogs are very welcome on a lead.

“We are working on a doggie treat menu which will be available in the new year.

“Also, in the new year we will be launching our website and tasting room events.

“There are so many thank yous to everyone who has supported us in our venture.

“Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to stop and talk while passing the bar.

“Your encouragement has been so much appreciated.

“A long list will be on our Facebook page over the coming days of all the friends, trades, and suppliers who have helped us to get to this point.”

The slideshow top is a brief history of the bar with thanks to Nailsea History Group Facebook page for sharing its images.

A random selection of opening night customers is in a slideshow in our gallery HERE.

The brains and beauty behind Downing's bar are Nailsea couple Geoff and Julie.

Between them they have six children aged 15-29 and their ‘honeymoon’ pet, an 18-month-old Australian labradoodle called Mabel.

Julie said: “Geoff is the ‘theatre’ and going to be front of house, and I’m doing all the back-office admin and paperwork.

“He has been up and at work before 6am for weeks working long days to get the bar beautiful.

“Geoff moved to Nailsea to be with me in 2013 giving up his job in the city of London.

“He has previously renovated properties locally especially listed buildings but always wanted to run a bar.

“Geoff was born in Kingswood and worked in Racks at Clifton in the early 1990s.

Before moving to London for 15 years he spent a year travelling worldwide.

The couple met and married in 2023.
Julie was born and schooled in Nailsea.

Previously she worked in NHS and now for Oxford Brooke’s University – with much reduced hours of late to concentrate on the bar.

Earlier this year Julie had a kidney transplant.

This followed her contracting a rare auto immune disease in December 2021 which attacked and destroyed her kidneys.

Julie added: “Taking on the bar post op is certainly giving me my second lease of life.

“Geoff has been my rock for the past three years while I was on dialysis and I totally couldn’t have done it without him.

“The bar seems like a joyful gift and new start following very challenging times.”

Geoff and Julie the journey

Nailsea (and nearby) is on the sparkle route for Christmas for several charity collections from a flotilla of floats, tractors and decorated Vdubs with some having Santa onboard to wave to the children.

Nailsea Community Christmas Float will be collecting for various good causes BUT you can only put cash in their buckets while the Vdubs has a QR code for online donations. See more on their Christmas Dubs Facebook page.

Pam and Malcolm Hunt built the Nailsea Community Christmas Float more than 40 years ago which for many years toured with Nailsea Lions and raised thousands of pounds for charity.

For 2024 its collection is being organised by Lions Brass 4 Youth band and will be out on our streets from 6-8pm unless otherwise stated.

And on Friday, December 27, a charity tractor run is coming to Nailsea.

Here is the community float itinerary.

Thursday, December 6

Nailsea Community Christmas Float will tour the Ridgeway and Whitesfield Road with Santa's helpers from Nailsea Junior FC

Saturday, December 7

Nailsea Community Christmas Float will be parked outside Waitrose at Eat:Nailsea festival

Monday, December 9

Nailsea Community Christmas Float will tour the Engine Lane area with Santa's helpers from 2nd Nailsea Scouts

Tuesday, December 10

Nailsea Community Christmas Float will tour the Parish Brook area with Santa's helpers from Brass 4 Youth band

Wednesday, December 11

Nailsea Community Christmas Float will tour the Causeway View and Fryth Way area with Santa's helpers from Kingshill Church School

Thursday, December 12

Nailsea Community Christmas Float will tour Eastway and Westway with Santa's helpers from Greenslade Preschool

Friday, December 13

Nailsea Community Christmas Float will tour the Cherington Road area of Trendlewood with Santa's helpers from Golden Valley Primary School

Saturday, December 14

from 3.30pm Christmas Cruz Vdubs is at Towerhouse car park heading out at 5pm sharp in the direction of Trendlewood before driving to Clevedon and Portishead

Saturday and Sunday, December 14-15

Nailsea Community Christmas Float will be parked at Nailsea Tesco

Monday, December 16

Nailsea Community Christmas Float is Backwell in the Church Lane/ Farleigh Road area and collection is in aid of Mizzymead Toddler Group

Christmas on Nailsea streets

Tuesday, December 17

Nailsea Community Christmas Float will be touring Porlock Gardens with Santa's helpers from 1st Nailsea Scouts

Wednesday, December 18

Nailsea Community Christmas Float will be touring Station Road area of Backwell with Santa's helpers from Westleigh Infant School

Thursday, December 19

Nailsea Community Christmas Float will be touring The Elms with Santa's helpers from Wraxall Primary School

Friday, December 20

Nailsea Community Christmas Float touring the Queens Road end of Trendlewood with Nailsea & Backwell RFC raising money for the touch rugby team and other charities

Friday, December 27

4pm this is leaving Yatton and heading towards Nailsea via Claverham, Cleeve, Backwell before going along Station Road, Queens Road, St Mary's Grove and onto Netherton Wood Lane on route back to Clevedon Court Farm

PHOTOS: From Vdubs visit to Walnut Close taken by Phil Williams and the community float for 2024