NAILSEA
PEOPLE
Priority Football at Nailsea School with Puma camp day too
2023
When 10-year-old schoolgirl Enid Steel had the bright idea earlier this year of a Christmas bauble competition she took it to Nailsea Town Council.
Councillors thought it was a great idea and launched the competition this month.
The creative Golden Valley Primary School pupil wants people of all ages to make handmade baubles to decorate a community Christmas tree going up on the village green with a prize for the winner.
All the baubles will be displayed during the December festive period with the winner of the competition receiving a £10 voucher.
Enid produced a poster to accompany her brilliant idea.
To enter the competition just deliver your beautifully designed Christmas bauble to 65 High Street by Monday, November 20, for the attention of manager Trudy Hollow.
Please attach your name and contact details to your bauble.
And don' forget in case of rain or snow it should be weatherproof.
The competition will be judged and the winner announced at the end of the deadline week.
Trudy said: "We are really looking forward to receiving your Christmas baubles and displaying the creativity of Nailsea residents, young and old on the Christmas tree.
"This tree will showcase your creativity on the Village Green and will make a lovely festive Christmas addition to the town."
And last month Enid's dad James, of Quality Collectables, agreed to sponsor the community Christmas tree where the baubles will be hung.
Here's hoping one of the baubles becomes a quality collectable!
Artwork: Enid Steel
Christmas bauble competition for our village green community tree
TREE TRINKETS: Enid and brother Wilf pictured at 65 High Street making some baubles for the community Christmas tree
Nailsea Town Council community engagement committee welcomed six young people to its October meeting at the Tithe Barn.
Brad, Jasper, Josh, Ben, Anis and Archie also posed for a photo opportunity!
The keen skateboarders were there to ask questions about the skate park lights which weren't coming on in the evening.
The committee agreed to investigate what appears to be a fault with its timeswitch.
A request for the skatepark to be used to provide skateboarding lessons (at a charge) was declined on the grounds:
1. that the skatepark was intended for free use by all;
2. because of concerns as to public liability; and
3. that an objection had been made by a representative of Nailsea Skatepark Group.
Last summer four directional LED sports lights which were specifically designed for this type of project were installed at the skate park.
The lighting is on timers which should operate from dusk until 8pm to enable use of the park during the winter months, meaning there will still be access to the park after school as the early nights draw in.
This project was been supported by the local police, whose Avon and Somerset Police Community Trust gave £1,000 grant towards the costs.
Nailsea Community Skate Fest should be back to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2024 when skateboard, scooter and BMX competitions, stalls and activities, and lots to eat and drink will be happening on Millennium Park.
UPDATE: See our Breaking News page for more information and video
Youngsters ask council to switch-on skate park lights
ZOO TIME: Noah's Ark Zoo Farm Jungle Tots parent and toddler group has started up again for 2024. Join its Jungle Tots sessions and engage your little ones in craft-making, storytelling, soft play and animal encounters designed to spark their curiosity about the natural world. Entry is £18 per adult with one to two children, with additional children joining for £7 each. Additional adults can join for £15 per person. To find out more, follow the link HERE. Please not children must be aged five years or under to attend Jungle Tots sessions
There’s plenty of free or low-cost activities across North Somerset to keep the children entertained this half-term.
North Somerset Council has organised a free fun trail called The Big Recycling Hunt for people of all ages along the Strawberry Line from Yatton Railway Station towards Congresbury.
The treasure hunt style activity runs until Sunday, October 29.
Those who take part and successfully collect all letters to reveal a hidden phrase can choose to enter a free draw to win a prize including vouchers for Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, Court Farm Country Park and Simply Green the zero waste shop in Nailsea.
Lots of free activities and events regularly take place in libraries.
They are free to join and you can borrow a wide range of books, comics and e-books, as well as joining in the many activities on offer go to https://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/my-services/libraries-leisure-open-spaces/libraries/library-events.
Making tracks
LITTLE NESTS: Rebecca Saunders has launched a new stay and play for little ones called Little Nest Events. The sessions are filled with natural creative activities held in Tithe Barn, Nailsea. The run monthly on a Thursdays and the next sessions are March 10, April 5 and May 16. from 10.30am-noon. March is making homemade spring flower fairies, a morning of natural and creative play activities and crafts to keep little hands busy. Book www.bookwhen.com/littlenestevents. For walking toddlers to pre-school four years olds
Vandals tampering with the timing on the skate park floodlights has necessiatated turning off the lights for the time-being.
Nailsea replaced its original skate park build in 2001 with a more modern version in 2016 and floodlighting were added in 2022.
Nailsea Town Council planning permission for the floodlights requires them to be turned off at 8pm.
Following requests for skaters it agreed to apply to change this to 10pm.
A town council spokeman said: "Changing the time is not a decision we could make ourselves and obtaining planning permission is not a quick process.
"Sadly, the cabinet containing the timer control panel suffered vandalism in 2023 and throughout this year.
"This was not casual vandalism because the timing was always changed and no other damage done.
"Several times we have paid for new padlocks and for repairs to the cabinet.
"Recently, we moved the timer controls to the adjacent CCTV column, thinking it would be more secure.
"Sadly, the CCTV column has now been drilled into and the timing interfered with.
"This will also have to be repaired at public expense.
"As a result, we have instructed the skate park floodlighting to be switched off completely until we get planning permission for the lights to be on until 10pm.
"Our planning application is now in the hands of North Somerset Council.
"The town council – and local community taxpayers – cannot be expected
Lights out at skatepark
to continually bear the cost of repairing clearly targeted vandalism, which also puts us in breach of our planning permission.
"Those responsible should note that, if these selfish attacks should continue, the town council will be asking itself whether we should continue to provide these lights at all."
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Save the date - Nailsea Skatefest is back for 2024 and will run from midday on Saturday, July 13, more details to follow
My stay & play sessions are a place to nurture creativity, explore natural materials and promote the enchantment of crafting together with your little one/s.
Activities are inspired by the season and created by myself to keep little hands busy.
Materials are natural, homemade or recycled as much as possible.
Hosted monthly in the beautiful Tithe Barn, Nailsea along with other locations in North Somerset.
Session dates & details can be found on my website.
I look forward to meeting you & your little one on session soon to celebrate the season.
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Please follow my creative journey as a stay-at-home mum on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/littlenestevents/
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Please keep up to date with session details by following my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/LittleNestEvents/
Rebecca | Little Nest Events
Invite to stay and play
Children in North Somerset are invited to join in the 2024 Summer Reading Challenge, Marvellous Makers, which starts on Saturday, July 6.
The Summer Reading Challenge, developed by the Reading Agency, encourages children aged four to 11-years to read or listen to books over the summer holidays.
They can collect free rewards for reading from their local library. Marvellous Makers will finish on Saturday, September 14.
This year’s theme inspires those taking part to embrace their creativity – whether that’s writing songs, drawing or dancing.
Children can borrow a range of books connected to creative pursuits from North Somerset libraries.
They can also take part in free craft events at every library in North Somerset. Free theatre shows are not being performed in Nailsea.
North Somerset Council director of place Lucy Shomali said: “The Summer Reading Challenge is back for the summer holidays.
"It’s a wonderful way for our young people to find out what fantastic services our libraries offer – and spark a love of reading for fun.
“As we’re all continuing to feel the squeeze from the cost-of-living crisis, it’s great that this challenge offers free activities for our young people to enjoy during the summer holidays.”
North Somerset Council director of children’s services Claire Shiels said: “This national scheme is a fantastic way to encourage children to read for fun over the holidays and improve their reading skills, during a period when we know reading can dip.
“Last year’s challenge was a great success, with 90 per cent of children saying taking part made them feel happy, and 89 per cent of adults agreeing that their child’s reading skills improved during the challenge.
“I hope our young people enjoy this year’s theme of creativity. Whether you’re a dancer, a writer, or even a junk modeller, there’s something for everyone!
“Our schools have been asking young people to take part. If you haven’t yet signed your family up, there’s still time – just pop into your local library, or visit www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk.”
The Summer Reading Challenge is developed by The Reading Agency and delivered in partnership with public libraries.
This year’s theme has been developed in partnership with Create, a charity that brings the creative arts to children and adults who are facing challenges in their lives.
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North Somerset Council mobile library staff is offering Summer Reading Challenge sessions at Backwell Leisure Centre on Mondays throughout the summer holidays. These will be at the same time as the mobile library was due to visit. Children will be able to sign up for the challenge, collect their stickers, and access a limited range of books.
Inspired by Wimbledon? Or fancy giving tennis a try at Backwell?
Fun Tennis Camp for children aged five to 15 years old.
Developing coordination & ball skills as well as learning & developing the basic tennis shots with our excellent team of LTA accredited coaches.
The groups are split into appropriate ages.
We are hosting three weeks of camps from Wednesday to Friday, July 24-August 9.
Book using the link below:
Backwell Tennis Club Week 1: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/BackwellTennisClub/Coaching/Camp?courseID=091e6a62-2106-4c2e-8553-e2d5d22252cf
Backwell Tennis Club Week 2: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/BackwellTennisClub/Coaching/Camp?courseID=6492257e-ed67-4f97-bb83-2724d9784766
Backwell Tennis Club Week 3:
Junior tennis coaching
WALK IN WOODS: Ty Sculpture Trail click on map to go to website for more info. The main entrance to Towerhouse Wood is from the kissing gate (with a Woodland Trust sign) about 400 yards from the top of Towerhouse Lane. There is no easy parking at this access.
Biking lessons at Nailsea School more here https://foxcycling.co.uk/cycletots-balance-bike-classes/portishead-nailsea-and-clevedon/
JUNIOR DINING: From Wednesday, July 24, at the Ring O'Bells pub at St Marys Grove, Nailsea if parents/ caregiver buys a children's meal deal during the summer school holidays child gets a free juice drink and ice pole too
before the summer holidays
Crown Glass Shopping Centre
Dino Day on the first day of the school summer holidays was a great success. Still to come are:
PAW PATROL DAY
On Thursday, August 1, from 11am until 4pm it is Paw Patrol Day at Crown Glass Shopping Centre. Marshall is making a visit and will be appearing at intervals throughout the day ready to say hello to Nailsea's biggest Paw Patrol fans. There will also be a balloon artist and games with prizes to be won!
DRAGON AND UNICORN DAY
On Tuesday, August 13, from 11am until 4pm come down to the Crown Glass Shopping Centre where fairytales do come true! Meet a dragon and unicorn. There will be activities for the whole family to enjoy, including a talented balloon artist. Perfect activity to keep little ones (and their parents/caregivers entertained this summer.
results/slideshow in gallery
Nailsea Town Council is funding a number of FREE places for children’s activities over the summer holidays from the Wednesday to Friday, July 28-August 30.
But hurry the vouchers are limited!
First come first serve.
Collect vouchers from manager Trudy Hollow, at No 65 High Street Nailsea.
No 65 High Street is open Monday-Thursday 9.30am-4pm and Friday 9.30am -1pm.
Call Trudy on 07951 367703 or email enquiries@nailseatowncouncil.gov.uk to find out more or look on our website https://www.nailseatown.com/65-high-street/
With your voucher you can enjoy for free:
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Scotch Horn Leisure Centre – soft play
Age: up to 5 years
Soft play opening hours are Monday-Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday-Sunday 9am-3.30pm
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Backwell Leisure Centre – swimming sessions
Price: £3.95 per child (1 child per member is free)
Age: 4-15 years. 0-3-year olds are free
Swim session times: Times change on a weekly basis so residents would need to check Backwell Leisure Centre website here https://www.leisurecentre.com/backwell-leisure-centre
Conditions apply
Aquarun at Backwell pool
Little Nest is running a special stay and play school holiday session at the Tithe Barn, Nailsea.
Organiser Rebecca said: "This is on Thursday, August 15, 10.30am-noon for young children aged one to seven-years accompanied by their parent/caregiver.
"it will be summer inspired natural activities, play and crafts."
Little Nests is a place to nurture creativity, explore natural materials and promote the enchantment of crafting together with your little one/s.
Activities are inspired by the season and created by myself to keep little hands busy.
Materials are natural, homemade or recycled as much as possible.
Hosted monthly in the beautiful Tithe Barn, Nailsea along with other locations in North Somerset.
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Session dates & details can be found on Rebecca's website. Go to https://bookwhen.com/littlenestevents
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Please follow my creative journey as a stay-at-home mum on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/littlenestevents/
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Please keep up to date with session details by following my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/LittleNestEvents/
Summer holiday Little Nest
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FREE TREASURE HUNT: On Friday, August 16, there is another chance to get a prize for completing the second Treasure Hunt organised by community well-being officer Hayley Orchard. This fun activity is an ideal way to keep your children entertained in the summer holidays and is FREE to enter. Once you have found everything on the list a small prize can be collected from No 65 the same day. Copies of the hunt can be collected from Hayley at No 65 from Thursday, August 15, or online at https://tinyurl.com/34a7wnbk
With the school holidays underway parents looking to treat their children with a meal out during the summer can head to Marco Pierre White’s restaurant at Cadbury House in Congresbury, where they can feed the kids for free.
Available at the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill, anyone who fancies tucking into a delicious menu that’s been devised by arguably the country’s greatest ever chef, will be able to do so without worrying about the cost of their child’s meal.
With the school summer holidays being a time of year when household budgets get squeezed, having a free meal while going out helps parents keep their children fed and entertained.
Applying to under 12s, the offer runs from Monday to Saturday, July 22-August 31, and includes either a starter and main or main and dessert with every full paying adult main meal from the à la carte menu.
General manager Gareth Ireland said: “We’re conscientious that constantly finding things to do during the summer holidays can become quite costly.
"That’s why we’ve put this offer in place so that families can go out and enjoy a meal together while costing a lot less.
“With people still concerned by the current cost of living, this is a great way to enjoy a meal out without breaking the bank.
"It will also give parents a much-needed break from preparing and then clearing up the dirty dishes.
“Marco’s ethos is about simple, authentic food, served in a great environment with a relaxed atmosphere.
"We serve classic, recognisable dishes that sit perfectly with Marco’s ethos of casual, authentic and affordable dining.
“The arrival of the new children’s menu is also a great reason to plan a family meal out and we look forward to welcoming guests, young and old. The dishes are perfect for kids and they’ll certainly be well fed by the time they have finished.”
For starters, younger guests can choose from crispy calamari, classic prawn cocktail, a delicious roasted vine tomato soup or cheesy garlic bread.
For mains choice includes the chance to build their own burger and there’s also a butcher’s steak and chips, chargrilled chicken, battered fish goujons, linguine pomodoro and a creamy mac and cheese.
To finish, desserts include a dark chocolate brownie, baked vanilla cheesecake, a selection of ice creams and sorbets and fresh fruit skewers.
Terms and conditions apply. For further information, please visit https://www.mpwrestaurants.co.uk/our-brands/steakhouse-bar-and-grill/bristol
u12s eat free summer holiday treat
CURIOUSER AND CURIOUSER: After two long years and a disastrous fire We The Curious has reopened. Its hours are Tuesday-Sunday10am to 5pm during term time, and daily 10am – 5pm during school holidays, with timed entry slots. As it finds its feet with reopening, a few of its usual special events will be on hold just for now – but will be back in the autumn! This includes Toddler Takeovers, Planetarium Nights and Relaxed Morning events. A WAC spokesperson said: "We’ll let you know as soon as tickets are on sale for these events." So what’s there? Visitors can expect a day out this summer that’s full of play and surprises, flying through space in the Planetarium, getting inventive in a new programme of ‘impossible’ activities and rediscovering more than 200 eye-opening things to do across the centre’s two floors of interactive exhibits. All of your favourite exhibits will be here to welcome you back (some have been spruced up!), along with a whole host of new bits such as new Planetarium shows, new programme of activities and a refreshed foyer, café and shop. The X8 and X9 Nailsea buses stop right outside in Anchor Road, Bristol. Find our more by following this link and booking tickets https://www.wethecurious.org/category/whats-here
PHOTOS: Lisa Whiting
FREE TREASURE HUNT: On Friday, August 23, there is another chance to get a prize for completing the third Treasure Hunt organised by community well-being officer Hayley Orchard. This fun activity is an ideal way to keep your children entertained in the summer holidays and is FREE to enter. Once you have found everything on the list a small prize can be collected from No 65 the same day. Copies of the hunt can also be collected from Hayley at No 65 from Thursday or online at https://tinyurl.com/34a7wnbk
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GRUB UP: Don’t forget kids eat free this half term! Get one free kids meal with every full paying adult purchasing from the à la carte menu at the MPW restaurant at Cadbury House. Conditions apply. Book ahead at www.mpwrestaurants.com
Zumba is a workout dance popular worldwide.
And a family Latin dance fitness session is being held in Nailsea.
For an hour on Saturday morning, November 9, in the main hall at the Scotch Horn Leisure Centre a class for those aged seven and upwards is being held.
And apart from the sounds as a bonus the participants will dance in disco light!
Essentially, Zumba is a fun, high-energy workout experience that keeps you excited to exercise and return for more.
Zumba was officially founded in the United States in 2001 by Alberto 'Beto' Perez, a Colombian dancer who started the fitness class in the 90s in his home country.
Perez's 'rags to riches' story could be considered serendipity—he was teaching an aerobics class at his local gym when he realized he'd forgotten his usual music.
And as they say the rest is just history.
To book for this 11.15am-12.15pm class go to https://bookwhen.com/zumbawith danielle/e/ev-skqu-20241109111500
NB: All children must have a adult participant
Dance/keep fit family session
PLEASE NOTE: This is for aged group 10-16 years. Limited to four young people per session.To book call David Green on 0781 054 5014
BUBBLE CHURCH: The very first Bubble Church service was on Sunday, October 20, at Trendlewood church. And it was a great success. The next Bubble Church a puppet-packed, Jesus-centred, coffee-and-croissant-fueled, 30 minute kids and families adventure is on Sunday, November 17. Coffee and pastries at 9.15am and service at 9.30am. Trendlewood is a Church of England church set up by Christians from Holy Trinity, Nailsea. It usually meet on Sundays at 10.15am in Golden Valley School. Find out more about this exciting new church service for young families by scanning the QR code on the image. If you are wondering what Bubble Church looks like these photos give you a taste of how it looks at Ascension, Balham, who started Bubble Church
Festive Christmas tree bauble competition
Get crafty and design a dazzling Christmas bauble to
jazz up our Community Christmas Tree!
Nailsea Town Council launches a Christmas Bauble competition for the community Christmas tree.
All the baubles will be displayed on the Christmas tree on the village green during the festive period with the winners of the competition receiving vouchers for £20.
Competition categories:
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Tiny Tots: Up to 8 years
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Big Kids: 8 years and over
Drop off your weather-proof Christmas bauble masterpiece at No.65 High Street by new extended entry deadline of Monday, November 18, to 65 High Street Christmas for attention of bauble competition No 65 manager Trudy Hollow.
Don’t forget to tag your bauble with your name, age, and contact info.
Lucky winners will get the chance to switch on the Christmas tree lights at the official ceremony on Friday, November 22, on Nailsea Village Green.
Let the festive fun begin.
Trudy said: “We are really looking forward to receiving your Christmas baubles and displaying the creativity of Nailsea residents, young and old on the Christmas tree.
"This tree will showcase your creativity on the village green and will make a lovely Christmas addition to the town centre illuminations.“
Nailsea Town Council community wellbeing officer Hayley Orchard is based at 65 High Street where she works usually on Mondays and Tuesdays.
She said: "We had approximately 400 people attending the pumpkin hunt, so I have decided to run a reindeer hunt at the Christmas Light Switch on Friday, November 22.
"I will be placing reindeers around the high street for families to hunt and then come to No 65 for a prize and a mince pie."
In traditional festive legend and popular culture, Santa Claus's reindeer are said to pull a sleigh through the night sky to help Santa deliver gifts to children to open on Christmas morning.
The number of reindeer characters and names given to them differ but those frequently cited are the eight listed in Clement Clarke Moore's 1823 poem A Visit from St. Nicholas.
In the original poem, the names of the reindeer are given as Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Dunder and Blixem before Rudolph came along with a nose so bright it could guide Santa’s sleigh.
2024
NEW FOOTIE SESIONS: From reception to Year 7-8 go to Priority Junior Football Coaching website to learn more https://www.priorityfootball.co.uk/