NAILSEA
PEOPLE
Sports peeps
2025-26 season
A Day in the Life of a Professional Footballer
He was on loan from Bath City FC to his old club Maidstone United FC but has signed this season for Chippenham Town FC nicknamed The Bluebirds. Midfield striker Sol Wanjau-Smith started his career playing for Nailsea United and Nailsea School. Follow his Tik Tok story A Day in the Life of a Professional Footballer for humour, training, fashion and food tips on a page which currently has more than 100,000 followers. Go to https://www.tiktok.com/@solws9
Big changes at Nailsea and Clevedon FCs
CHAMPIONS CHAMPION: Nailsea United Juniors FC u12s team added the Woodspring KO cup title to go alongside the league title won earlier in the season in mid-May.. A fabulous match played in great spirit against great opponents in Sporting Weston saw Nailsea come out on top with a 3-1 win. Goals from Joshua Morgan (2) and Matthew Rutherford were the icing on the cake of a fantastic team achievement. Player of the Match William Shorney put in the performance of the season to guide the team home. A great performance in front of 200 people at the Rock Road venue in Yatton. Great memories for a great bunch of young people representing their club with such pride! Team - Freddie Watts, William Shorney, Harley Fudge, Barney Wyatt , Ellis Walsh, Joshua Watson, Joshua Morgan, Toby Ray Stevens, Toby Timmins Watson, Sam Clarke, Jimmy Owen, Tommie Ball, Nathan Onions, Jack Clayton, Matthew Rutherford and Alfie Gough.
PHOTO Ben Watts
PHOTOS:jlancs.photography
A 16-year-old mountain biker is getting ready to hit the world stage when he represents Great Britain at the World Cup's downhill race in Poland.
Max Lewis, from Long Ashton, who is a student at Nailsea School, is flying out to Bielsko-Biala in southern Poland in mid-May in preparation for the competition.
The teenager was just 12 years old when he tried mountain biking for the first time on the winding trails at Ashton Court.
Read more here https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c70nejrgy4go
Schoolboy biker champ
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Voluntary organisations, community groups and sports clubs across North Somerset can once again apply to the Physical Activity Fund for up to £2,000 to support projects that will increase activity levels for residents.
In the past Nailsea Cricket Club has benefited from this fund.
Applications for round three of the funding are open now until Friday, July 25.
The fund is available for community projects that can deliver the outcomes and actions of the physical activity strategy for North Somerset which can be found on the Better Health website here www.betterhealthns.co.uk/information/get-active-strategy
The aim is to see more residents and communities having the opportunity to be physically active, whether that’s through everyday activity or participating in sports, fitness groups or exercise classes.
The fund has a particular focus on supporting those who face the biggest barriers in becoming more active.
This includes those with a disability or living with a long-term health condition, those from ethnically diverse communities, specific socio-economic groups and women.
In the last round of funding recipients included Clevedon Pickle Ball Project, our cricket club and The British Bangladeshi Association.
North Somerset Council cabinet member for health Jenna Ho Marris is the Green Party ward councillor for Pill.
She said: “We’re a council which empowers and cares about people.
“We want to help people have more years enjoying good health and wellbeing through participation in physical activity. “If you’re part of a sports clubs, community or physical activity group, please look at our website and get in touch for more information.
Sport funding
“The grant money is there to support our local communities so please get your applications in!”
More information about the fund here www.betterhealthns.co.uk/support/pafund
📞 Call us on 01275 219948
📧 Email: info@nailseaphysio.com
💻 Or visit nailseaphysio.com
THE RAVENS: To support Nailsea & Backwell RFC download its full sponsorship details in pdf format click HERE
Golden Valley playing field
JUNIOR PARKRUN
Volunteer Appeal
Junior parkrun is a free, fun, and friendly weekly 2k event for juniors aged four to 14-year-olds.
It is held every Sunday at 9am at Golden Valley playing field, Nailsea, BS48 2LL.
We are usually wrapped up by 9.40am, volunteering only requires approximately an hour of your time.
You do not need to volunteer every week, just let us know when you are available.
You don’t need any experience of parkrun, junior parkrun or of volunteering.
There are a range of roles to choose from, you can volunteer alone or team up with someone else, and there are always people on hand if you have any questions.
Every time you volunteer gets you one step closer to an official parkrun milestone, which rewards those who have volunteered 10 (for those under 18), 25, 50, 100, 250 or 500 times.
If you would like to volunteer (either the next weekend or a future date) please email goldenvalleyplayingfieldjuniors@parkrun.com and we will be in touch – we’d love to hear from you!
Please include your full name and, for safeguarding reasons, please register your details with parkrun.com for free.
Bristol Airport charity golf day was a soaring success once again, raising more than £32,000 for its charity partner, the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) - its highest total to date.
Held at The Kendleshire Golf Club in South Gloucestershire, the event welcomed 96 players across 24 teams, including many of the airport’s contractors and business partners.
This year, golfers were treated to glorious weather, helping to make the day even more memorable and enjoyable.
Lancer Scott director Mike Holt and Bristol Airport infrastructure director Andrew Goodenough once again led the event’s organisation and the participating companies, many of whom are working on key projects at the airport, including the new multi-storey car park and Public Transport Interchange, kindly raised so much money for such an important cause.
The charity needs to raise over £4 million a year to remain operational yet receives no day-to-day funding from the Government or National Lottery.
2024 was its busiest year on record with 2,272 people in urgent need requiring immediate critical care.
Gloucestershire Brewery were on hand to keep the golfers refreshed, handing out drinks at the halfway house after the 9th hole.
GWAAC chief executive Anna Perry said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Bristol Airport and all the teams who came together for this fantastic golf day in support of their local air ambulance charity.
“Raising £32,000 is an incredible achievement — enough to fund 14 potentially lifesaving missions for GWAAC.
“On behalf of those 14 people who will now get the best chance on their worst day - thank you.”
Andrew said: “We were thrilled with this year’s turnout and generosity.
“The support from our contractors and business partners continues to be outstanding.
“To raise £32,000 is a testament to their commitment and the importance of GWAAC’s life-saving work in our region.
“The Bristol Airport teams have completed a variety of fundraising challenges so far this year including a Run the Runway event in February, and also a planned sponsored cycling event taking place this September to hopefully raise over £100,000 for GWAAC this year.”
Participating organisations included Lancer Scott, Another Level, Encon Civil Engineering. McCann & Partners, ATG Airports, ChandlerKBS, D5 Architects, Volker Fitzpatric, Enerveo, Southwest Tool Hire, Alun Griffiths Contractors LTD, Farrans Construction, Ryebridge, All Power, Burroughs, PLS, Hydrock, Massey Cladding, J&G Fencing, Perkins Construction, Whitehead Building Services and Barnwood Construction.
GWAAC charity golf day
Pure Gym is not coming to Nailsea soon.
The company has sought planning permission from North Somerset Council to convert the old bank in Somerset Square into a state-of-the-art gym.
Rumours on social media that this wasn’t going to happen blamed the introduction of car parking charges in Nailsea.
But a press office spokesperson said this wasn’t true.
A PureGym spokesperson said: “We are constantly on the look-out for potential new PureGym locations and had been exploring a site in at the Crown Glass Shopping Centre in Nailsea.
“We will no longer be progressing with this specific site but hope to bring our flexible and affordable fitness proposition to Nailsea in the future.”
Earlier In March this year we reported:
Well, well, the old Somerset Square bank isn't going to be a new McDonalds.
North Somerset Council has received an application to turn the vacant ground floor of the former NatWest and next door M&Co unit into a gym.Urban Agile has submitted a 'lawful development certificate' on behalf of Pure Gym, the UK’s largest health and fitness operator.
Not happening in Nailsea, yet
It wishes to combine the units and operate fitness equipment and classes, 24 hours a day and on a no-contract basis.
The nearest existing Pure Gym sites are in Portishead and Bristol city centre.
It appears the planning application has now been withdrawn.
Nailsea Pool Club, this year’s divisional cup winners and third place team, are looking for new players to add to their squad.
With this year successes they are splitting into two teams to keep growing pool playing in Nailsea.
Club captain is Gary ‘Gaz’ Phippen and the team is based at Mizzymead Recreation Centre which has lots of different top notch facilities for sporting people and a great social atmosphere.
Gaz said: “We are a great club, friendly and always competitive.
"We are unique to any other club or pub in North Somerset as we have the cheapest table and access to practice for up to 15 hours a day.
"The table is well maintained, we have ‘live’ streaming NPoolclubTV and TikTok as well as direct access to great coaching for those wanting to improve.”
The pool club is open to adults and teens with some experience.
Anyone interested in joining email Gary on gazphipp81@yahoo.com.
WANTED: Pool players
GAME ON: Sadly on Saturday, July 26, Swags lost its first away league game of new season against Shepton Mallet. It was a team under new management. Many of its former players and management are now with Clevedon Town who won their first game...
A local developer has given its backing to a North Somerset’s football club to expand its offering for girls.
Persimmon Homes Severn Valley donated £3,500 to Backwell Athletic Junior FC as part of its Community Champions scheme, funding the club’s access to more facilities to accommodate the growing interest in the sport from young women, which now make up six all-girls teams.
The club, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, is staffed by parent-coaches who manage nearly 400 players, aged between five and 18, across around 25 teams, who will be able to bring in professional coaches and buy more equipment to cater to its needs as it grows.
The accredited five-star housebuilder is currently bringing high-quality, new homes to Backwell at its Farleigh Fields development.
The showhome at the 82-home first phase launched earlier this month, and three and four-bed homes are currently available from £375,000.
Persimmon’s Community Champions programme sees £700,000 donated to good causes and much-valued organisations across Britain each year. Recent local recipients include Ashton & Backwell United FC, Backwell Playhouse, and Nailsea & Backwell RFC.
Persimmon Homes Severn Valley sales director Carly Spear said: "Persimmon’s Community Champions scheme is all about supporting great initiatives in the areas in which they build, not only for the good of existing residents but those who will be living on our developments.
“We have a proud record of backing local sports clubs, especially youth focussed ones, so we felt lending a helping hand to Backwell Juniors was
Boost for Backwell's fledgling footballers
an obvious choice, especially when trying to widen access to sport for young girls, even more so with the Euros driving interest right now.”
Backwell Athletic Junior FC chairman Andrew Hall said: "We are really excited that there is so much local interest among girls in Backwell to get involved with football, but expanding the club’s offering does necessitate added costs with equipment and facilities.
"Therefore, the club is delighted to be partnering with Persimmon who, as a local developer, are helping build a sustainable community through helping us fund that expansion of the club.
"This will give girls a chance to play a great sport, develop their skills, and keep fit and healthy at a time at the exact time women’s football is on the international stage, with the Euros inspiring a whole new generation of young women.”
from Tuesday to Saturday, August 5-9
Saturday, August 2 ko 3pm
NINE GOALS: Great start to season, goals from birthday boy Dylan, hat-trick from Mike and one each from Charlie, Ryan and Matt N for this home game at the Grove
Tuesday, August 5 ko 6.30pm
CLUB NEWS: Nailsea United is looking for a new club secretary for the upcoming season. The club based at the Grove run five men’s teams, two competing in the Somerset County League and three in the Weston & District Leagues. Please email nailseaunitedfc@gmail.com
CHARITY CUP: What a great result on Wednesday night, August 13, for Nailsea men, achieving second place in this years Clevedon & District Charity Cup. This end of season event at Mizzymead Recreation Centre and sponsored by Britannia Windows saw nearly 200 bowlers compete across five different club greens with Nailsea winning 3/5 and having the best shot difference to take second place. Congratulations to the eventual winner West Backwell who took the main prize and the charity funds raised for their local charity
HANDFUL OF GOALS: Goals from Ryan Ford, Jack Harper, Tom Kemble, Charlie Parsons and Mike Vaughan with MOM accolade going to Ryan in this away win against Worle
NEW DRAW; A few shots from the match against Wellington FC played at home at Fryth Way, Nailsea. New signings Alex Graham and Jack Weaver came straight into the squad and both made a great start with Alex receiving the MOM! A clean sheet and first point of the season with plenty of positives to go into our next game away at Calne Town on Saturday, August 23, in the FA Vase First Round! A big thank you to Swags photographer Dave Morgan
Tuesday, August 19 and Saturday, August 23
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PHOTOS: Lucas Spencer
Result 0-4 photos in slideshow in gallery HERE
Saturday, August 30
See slideshow in gallery HERE
INJURY TIME: Two local games had to be abandoned at the weekend due to players being injured. At AFC Nailsea & Backwell one of their young players received a foul which has resulted in them being admitted to hospital for an operation on a double leg break. And at the Grove the Nailsea United Women's game against Sporting Weston Vixen time was called after 75 minutes and the score at 8-1 for the home team when Pagan went down badly injured. An X-ray has determined a dislocation and two breaks in the ankle and lower leg. All the girls are wishing you a speedy recovery Pagan
Football fans are being given the opportunity to watch Bristol City’s game against Millwall for free – and collect money for charity at the same time
Charity Hft, which supports learning disabled adults, has been chosen by the Robins Foundation to be the bucket collection for the match.
The match will see Bristol City take on Millwall at its ground at Ashton Gate on Saturday, December 6
The charity is now looking for volunteer collectors to hold buckets at the ground, ahead of the match and at half time.
The match kicks off at 3pm, with volunteers needed on site from around noon.
Community fundraiser Hannah Vischer said: “Hft is delighted to have been invited by the Robins Foundation to hold a bucket collection at the Bristol City versus Millwall game.
“We are looking for volunteers to come and help on the day of the match.
“This is a great opportunity for footballer supporters to be able to watch the match for free and raise money for Hft in it work to support learning disabled adults.”
Volunteers will be provided with seats in the Lansdown Stand to watch the match.
Anyone wanting to sign up and volunteer can contact Community Fundraiser Hannah at hannah.vischer@hft.org.uk.
PHOTO:: Hft community fundraiser Hannah Vischer with buckets outside Ashton Gate
About Hft
Proudly established in 1962 by a group of visionary parents, Hft is a charity supporting more than 2,800 learning disabled adults in England and Wales. Together, we are creating a future where learning disabled people and their families can live the best life possible.
Providing personalised support. Creating solutions for living independently. Coming together to campaign for positive change. Fundraising for new opportunities and a bigger impact. A learning disability is different from a learning difficulty but the terms are often confused and used inter-changeably. A learning difficulty does not affect general intellect, whereas a learning disability is a life-long condition characterised by a reduced intellectual ability and struggle with everyday activities.