About Us

Hi!

My name is Cliff Howell and my wife, Nuki, and I own Cliffs Florists on Greystoke Ave. Southmead. In 2003, I was in the shop one day talking about the old Carol Buss that went about Bristol that finished years ago, so I came up with the idea to get our own Southmead Christmas Carol Bus.

I made a few phone calls to people I thought would want to help:

and family friends. I went to the council for permission to put a 25 ft Christmas Tree on the Green outside the shops, insurance companies, fences, etc.

We did raffles and anything to raise money to start us off for lights and such for the bus. Since then we have come on leaps and bounds. After 4 years of collecting more and more lights for the bus, and our own Christmas lights for 8 lamp posts on the straight and frame work above all the shops in.

2007: Over the year £2050 was raised, which has helped lots of groups in the area. Sports for all ages (which you can see in the Clubs section of the website), all ages from the age of 4 and upwards.

We sent £500 to the NSPCC, which they sent us a certificate and lovely letter. £552 went to the putting up of the Christmas lights on the main road of Greystoke Ave.

There is not much money left for 2008 but we will be able to help in little ways with the sports, etc. We are hoping to have an Easter Party again this year and a Panto in December.

I would just like to say a big THANK YOU to Graham, Martin, David, Edgar, Dad, and a BIG THANK YOU to the Bristol Dragons in Southmead that come out collecting every night! Thanks again guys!

2007: This year we laid on an Easter Bonnet Parade in Southmead Community Centre and paid for the gravel for the Southmead Pride C.S.C. in Doncaster Park. Read more here. We are also pleased to sponsor our own radio station this year. Click here to listen and visit!

Webpye (www.webpye.com) became a sponsor of the Carol Bus Appeal and developed our new website.

Sept 2006: I got the 3 primary schools together to make a Christmas CD. A lot of work went in to this, coaches, studio, and more, but we done it. Fifty (50) children from Baddock School, Fonthill, and Littlemead.

Thanks to the teachers and all the children for a great memorable day!

CD STILL ON SALE! £3.99

Proceeds for 2006:

2005: This was the second year we put a stage in the car park so the crowds could have entertainment while they were waiting for the Southmead Carol Bus.

Cliff presenting a checque to Baddock Schools 2005.

Donations this year:

Kingwood Brass Band £55
Southmead Panto for the Kids £85
Schools Between them £500
Southmead Hospital £500
Doncaster Day Nursery £55
And 4 trees for the schools £80

Also we arranged a 5 a side football tournament and raised £800 for St. Peter's Hospice in Brentry.

The greens outside the shops were looking boring, so we had all the gardens turned over, 120 bags of compost put in and then we put tons of plants and shrubs into them.

2004: Proceeds for this after buying more & more equipment to the 4 schools £ 350 each.

2003: After everything was paid for that year we gave the 4 schools £ 250 each and £ 200 roll over for the next year.

I would just like to finish for now by saying a Big Thank You to Everyone who has helped in any way, especially my wife, Nuki, who has put up with me saying "I have this idea..."

And finally, my Mum & Dad, who help as much as they can at the Christmas time and come up from London.

-Cliff