Have you seen the enormous mural at Coniston Community Centre?

You will be amazed as you walk into our Coniston Café, to see a unique and gigantic mural that tells your story.

We warmly welcomed the mayor, who cut the ribbon on Monday 29th April, with members from the Residence Association of Charlton Hayes (REACH). The association’s chairman, Allan Watson, explained the images that runs across the mural, which is fixed on the wall in our café.

While ordering food and drink at Coniston Café, you’ll learn all about your Patchway and Charlton Hayes past, present and future at Coniston Community Centre. It celebrates our aviation pass and our future in transforming the historic Filton Airfield into a lively neighbourhood of green spaces and community facilities. 

Coniston Community Centre will host the mural before it moves onto other community venues in Patchway and Charlton Hayes in the future.

A massive ‘thank you’ to Dennis Richardson for mounting the mural in our café at Coniston Community Centre. And a gigantic ‘Thank you’ to the Resident Association Charlton Hayes REACH for creating this incredible project.

The Mayor cutting the ribbon to unveil the Patchway mural at Coniston Cafe with REACH Association Chairman, Allan Watson.
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Lew Gray

Our long-standing chair, and since February 2023, deputy chair at Coniston Community Centre, passed away on Tuesday 28 November 2023 at Southmead Hospital. Lew’s funeral took place at St Chads Church. The same church where Lew married his wife of 70 years. Aged 96, Lew fell asleep with all his family around him.  As you may know, Lew was an amazing man. Chairman of Patchway Parish and then Town Council for almost thirty years. A Councillor since the swinging 60s.  Lew was enthusiastic about Patchway’s twinning links with France and Germany, where he referred to himself as “the Old Grey Mare”. 

Lew was having lunch at Coniston Community Centre a week before his hospital admission, laughing and chatting as always. Lew was accompanied by his “girlfriends” who always joined him for a meal every other week, while listening to the sixties band on Music Monday.

Only a few hours before Lew passed away, Lew asked his daughter in law to send his apologies for our next Trustees meeting at Coniston Community Centre. Still thinking of others and honouring his commitments and duties until his last moments. 

Trustee, David Sully, said, “I can’t remember Lew missing a meeting, which happened rarely. I admired Lew’s dedication, knowledge, experience and professionalism, but always with a twinkle in his eye. Lew never hesitated in giving away presents dressed as Father Christmas. Our community was always in Lew’s heart and mind.”

Trustee, Win Willams said, “Lew really was an asset to Patchway and not afraid to fight many good causes.  He will be a sad loss.”

Trustee, Eve Orpen, first met Lew during the mid-eighties at a Regional Trade Union Council meeting in Bridgewater. After introducing himself, Lew learnt that Eve also lived in Patchway. She never caught public transport again. And they travelled together as far as Penzance. Eve mentioned how Lew saw the funnier side of things, with his cheeky wink.

We will miss you forever, your legacy will live on and rest in peace.

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Raffle Prize Drawn and Won

Congratulations to Phil, a local Patchway resident, who won our Coronation Hamper. The winning number was 170 on the blue ticket. The Trustees would wish to thank Laura, Morrisons Community Champion, for donating the hamper, which raised a fantastic £180.

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Join our coronation activities

Please join our Coronation of King Charles activities at Coniston Community Centre,

in partnership with @Morrisons @southernbrooks and South Gloucestershire Playscheme.

You’ll find our exciting programme of coronation events in our Community Cafe on the ground floor.

You’ll also have an opportunity to meet and have a photograph with the Mayor, as a memory and to share on social media.

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Win a Coronation Hamper

A big thank you to Laura Jones, Morrisons Community Champion, (2nd from left) for donating a hamper for the King’s coronation.

The picture shows some of our Trustees at Coniston Community Centre during a busy lunch time in our cafe with live music.

We will raffle this hamper.

To win, buy tickets at Coniston Community Centre. Good luck…..

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Annette Morgan

Dear Patchway Community.

Our shining light, Annette Morgan, fell asleep and was laid to rest on Monday 3rd April 2023.

Annette’s energy and legacy will live on, as Annette was a Trustee at Coniston Community Centre for many years and supported activities across Patchway.

Annette loved Tai Chi, dancing, cycling and making our community centre festive every Christmas.

We’ll miss Annette’s wicked sense of humour and positive, can-do attitude.

Annette had an infectious smile, which made everything feel OK.

You will be missed and not forgotten. 

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Cooking on a budget

This course will help you explore how to prepare budget-friendly meals that require no or very little cooking skills
yet are delicious and nutritious.

Starting in January 2023, this FREE course will help you to prepare nutritious meals that won’t break the bank.

Every Wednesday from 4th January in the cafe from 11:30-13:30.

Come along and learn to enjoy cooking (and eating) great food!

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Christmas Lunch 2022

Christmas Menu 2022

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Are you, or someone you know, going to be alone on Christmas Day?

Christmas time usually conjures up joyful images of family and friends celebrating, exchanging gifts, excited chatter and delicious food. For some people, however, it can be a dreaded, sad and lonely time. Local charity, the Marmalade Trust, understands how difficult Christmas can be for someone who is struggling with loneliness.  We don’t want anyone to spend Christmas Day alone if they don’t want to, so we invite them to join us for a free festive lunch on the big day. 

Members are those who feel particularly lonely and isolated this year, for example, a person of an older age who may have no family or friends around.  To self-refer, or make a referral for someone else (with their consent), please go to  www.marmaladetrust.org/referrals or call  07566 244788

Everyone who joins us is made to feel part of our Marmalade family and is supported by our network of friendly volunteers. We currently hold our lunches in pubs/restaurants throughout Bristol, South Glos and the N. Somerset. Each member also receives a connection doorstep visit in November and a Christmas gift.

“It means everything to know someone cares. Without Marmalade Trust, I wouldn’t have spoken to or seen anyone over Christmas. I’m so grateful.”

We’re still looking for more volunteers too!  If can spare a few hours around lunchtime on Christmas day please get in touch.  For all details head to our website or email christmas@marmaladetrust.org  / call 07566 244788

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Patchway and Charlton Hayes Community Pop-Up Event

community pop-up event

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