Bradley Stoke Journal, October 2018 by Bradley Stoke Journal

Delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH, to all homes in Bradley Stoke

October 2018 • Issue 64

POLICE P15 | SPORT P20 & P35 | WHAT’S ON P43 | DIRECTORY P46 Find us on Facebook: BradleyStokeJournal

BRADLEY STOKE’S ‘NEW TOWN CENTRE’ REACHES TEN YEAR MILESTONE

PLUS , IN YOUR 48-PAGE BRADLEY STOKE MAGAZINE

Manager Andy Wynn reflects on the Willow Brook Centre’s first decade P6 & 7 Decision on McDonald’s & Starbucks could come soon P4

From the Journal archives: Town mayor Robert Jones opens the centre on Monday 13th October 2008

T1 bus service complaints

Aztec West traffic congestion

Driver shortages blamed

Council explains latest changes Page 37

Pages 2 & 3

l Delay may benefit golf course homes scheme l Partnership working brings wildlife garden to MS Therapy Centre l Decision expected soon on plans for 1,600 homes alongside new by-pass l Railway electrification work continues apace l Beach set to return to Willow Brook Centre l Is 30mph speed limit right for new by-pass? l Local RBL members on historic pilgrimage l Grand opening of Stoke Gifford Toy Library l Massive 4-storey shipping container block proposed near Patchway Station l Local historian remembered through naming of new street

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October 2018

News

Driver shortages blamed for T1 bus cancellations

Contact Us Editor: Stephen Horton info@bradleystokejournal.co.uk 01454 300 400 83 Snowberry Close Bradley Stoke Bristol BS32 8GB

Find us on Facebook: BradleyStokeJournal Follow us on Twitter: @TheBSJournal

About the Bradley Stoke Journal The Bradley Stoke Journal website and magazine are published by North Bristol Press, a trading name of Snowberry Media Ltd; company number 8451178 (registered in England and Wales); registered office: 7 Chelford Grove, Stoke Lodge, Bristol BS34 6DD. Our other publications include the Patchway Journal website, the Stoke Gifford Journal website and the Filton Journal website. North Bristol Press is independent of any other media company or network operating in the Bristol area. We accept no responsibility for anything stated by advertisers, who are themselves responsible for complying with all relevant legislation. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the editor or article author. © North Bristol Press 2018. Content published in our magazines or on our websites may not be reproduced in any form without our express written permission.

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n express bus service linking Bradley Stoke with Bristol city centre that was introduced in May and offers journey times as quick as 22mins has been suffering reliability issues during peak hours in recent months, which the operator is blaming on high levels of customer demand and a shortage of drivers. First’s new Thornbury to Bristol T1 service travels straight down Bradley Stoke Way, stopping at all regular bus stops, as well as the new MetroBus stops. It then uses the new Stoke Gifford Transport Link (a.k.a. Stoke Gifford By-Pass) to reach the A4174 Ring Road where it turns left to access the M32 at J1. Timetabled journey times in the morning peak are around 26mins, comparing very favourably to the 45mins on the X73 and 61mins on the 73. The off-peak journey time is 22mins, compared to 51mins on the 73. Passenger comments on the new T1 service were initially very favourable, but it seems that it has since become a victim of its own success, with many readers reporting journeys being cancelled or buses being full by the time they reach Bradley Stoke during the morning peak. First responded by “doubling up” the buses on two morning (inward) and two afternoon (outward) peak journeys from 2nd September on the stretch between Aztec West and Bristol. This arrangement sees two buses running on schedules separated by just two minutes, but comments on Twitter show that this has only been partly successful because some journeys are continuing to be cancelled. Responding to a statement request from the Journal, a First West of England spokesperson said: “Following the introduction of the T1, we have seen a big increase in the number of customers using this new service. We are addressing this by adding in extra resource where possible,

sourced both internally and by subcontracting some T1 journeys to Bristol Community Transport, who also currently operate the U3 service and will, from January 2019, operate the MetroBus M1 service.” “Due to the continuous expansion that we have seen in our operations, especially in the last six months, we are experiencing a driver shortage in the West of England. We are working hard to recruit new drivers into our business, where we offer a very competitive salary, benefits, including free bus travel for drivers and their families, discounted rail tickets on GWR, as well as in-house training, job stability and career progression. We are also borrowing First bus drivers from other parts of the UK, but on rare occasions some journeys have had to be cancelled due to lastminute driver sickness.” “We understand that any cancellation causes significant inconvenience to our customers and we offer our sincerest apologies to any customers affected.” Off-peak services on the T1 service appear to be largely unaffected by the issues, with comments on the Journal’s Facebook page confirming that buses are achieving the advertised journey times outside the morning and afternoon commuter peaks. The T1 operates half-hourly but there are no late evening journeys, with the last trips in each direction leaving around 7.30pm. For most passengers travelling between Bradley Stoke and the city centre, the T1 will become of only minor interest once the M1 MetroBus service starts next year. According to the MetroBus Quality Partnership Scheme, which all operators must sign up to, the M1 will run every 10mins between 6am and midnight Monday to Saturday and every 20mins on Sunday. ● www.firstgroup.com

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News

News MetroBus iPoints now due in November

A T1 bus waiting at the Savages Wood Roundabout stop on Bradley Stoke Way

Complaints about the T1 service on social media Hayley B: Waited 20 mins for a late bus, for that to then stop and let some people on but then dismiss others as it was apparently ‘full’... then waited another 20 mins for the next bus, for that one to not even bother stopping even though loads of people were flagging it down and it was pretty much empty! Karen C: Went to get the [doubled-up] 7.30 buses on Monday. One drove past...didn’t look full and the next never turned up. Gave up at 8.15 when the two [doubled-up] 8.00 buses hadn’t turned up either! BSJ switch on ad.qxp_Layout 1 12/09/2018 10:09 Page 1

THE M1 METROBUS service through Bradley Stoke is due to begin operating in January 2019, but there seems to be little urgency in completing the remaining preparations, which include the installation of 38 iPoints (information and ticket machines) and a missing shelter at the Great Meadow Roundabout northbound stop. Many of the new MetroBus stops have barriered-off excavations, believed to be for the iPoint bases, with no activity having been seen at the sites for over three months. Back in June, we were told that the iPoint installation teams had been reassigned to complete work on the M3 and M2 routes. With these two routes now operational, we asked for a further update. A spokesperson told us: “Installation of the remaining 38 iPoints for the M1 route will be taking place in the lead up to the start of service in

January, with the iPoints in the North Fringe due between 19th and 27th November. These dates may vary according to traffic management requirements.” The spokesperson added: “Remember, MetroBus is a buy before you board service for faster journeys. Full details of how to buy tickets, the M1 timetable and routes will be widely available in the lead up to the start of the M1 service – keep an eye on www.metrobusbristol. co.uk for details. The M1 route will be operated by Bristol Community Transport, under contract to First Bus.

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October 2018

News

Decision day edging closer for McDonald’s and Starbucks plans

planning application for proposed development at Bradley Stoke’s Willow Brook shopping centre that could see McDonald’s and Starbucks outlets opening at the site is approaching the point at which a decision could soon be made, the Journal can reveal. The proposed scheme includes two drive-through food and drink units and two additional (non-food) retail units within the existing boundaries of the site. The two drive-throughs (which will also include dine-in facilities) would be erected to the northeast of the site, on land which currently comprises car parking – part of which is currently occupied by the Waves hand car wash facility.

The two (non-food) retail units would be added to the end of the existing retail terrace, beyond the Poundstretcher store, also on land that is currently used for car parking. Originally submitted in March, the planning application attracted a large number of public comments in relation to the food and drink units. Bradley Stoke Town Council (one of many statutory consultees) voted unanimously to object to the application and SGC’s environmental protection team also raised “serious concerns” over the potential impact on nearby housing. A statement provided by South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) in May noted the high level of

comments received and said that this was likely to require “ongoing discussions with the applicant”. Noting that the proposed development would reduce the number of car parking spaces at the centre, an SGC transportation officer later raised concerns over the submitted travel plan, saying it did little to discourage employees at the centre from driving to work, given that they are exempt from the four-hour parking limit. New documents submitted by the applicant over the summer have included a revised soft landscaping plan and a revised framework travel plan. Asked for an update on the status of the application, an SGC spokesperson said: “We have received an objection from one of our tree officers regarding impact on a tree that has a tree

protection order in place, along with further concerns about noise from our environmental health officer (EHO). The applicant’s acoustic consultant is preparing further information from a comparable site, the results of which are yet to be submitted for assessment by the EHO.” “When these matters have been fully addressed officers will prepare a report for the Circulated Schedule. We anticipate that officers will be in a position to do this in the next couple of weeks.” The Circulated Schedule process allows council members to consider the decision recommended by officers and gives them the opportunity to “call in” the application for consideration at committee.

● Planning application

reference: PT18/1491/O

Bradley Stoke Journal

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News

Delay may benefit golf course homes scheme

he ‘examination in public’ of a crucial strategic planning document which designates acceptable sites for major housing developments in the West of England over the next 18 years has been delayed by several months after independent inspectors appointed by the government requested additional information from the area’s four councils. The delay could give the promoter of a scheme to build 2,000 homes at Woodlands Golf Course, near Bradley Stoke, a second chance to get the site included in the Joint Spatial Plan (JSP) as a so-called strategic development location (SDL), having failed to convince the local councils to designate it as such in the initial version of the document. The JSP was submitted to government in April this year for an examination process to

Woodlands Golf Course on Trench Lane, just over the M4 motorway from Bradley Stoke

confirm that the policies and plans drawn up over the past three years meet statutory requirements. On behalf of the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, two independent planning inspectors are following a process to test the work done by the local authorities to ensure that the JSP is fit for purpose and fulfils their legal obligation to produce a ‘sound’ plan. The inspectors have requested

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additional information from the councils in relation to the Sustainability Appraisal (SA) and the Habitat Regulation Assessment (HRA), as well as requesting clarification and further evidence within other technical work areas, including transport. The councils will therefore run a six-week consultation process in November and December this year to give people the opportunity to see the

information that will be provided and to make comments on it. That feedback will be passed to the inspectors to consider as they prepare for the next phase of their assessment of the JSP. This will mean that the public hearings part of the examination process which had been anticipated to take place this autumn is now expected to take place around mid-May 2019. A briefing note sent to local councillors in November 2017 by the promoter of the Woodlands site, South West Strategic Developments Ltd (SWSD), describes it as being “in an extremely sustainable location adjacent to key infrastructure and, crucially, within walking and cycling distance of thousands of jobs.” ● For more information, visit www.jointplanningwofe.org.uk or search for ‘Woodlands Garden Village’ on the BSJ website.

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October 2018

News As our ‘new town centre’ approaches the tenth anniversary of its opening (on 13th October), centre manager Andy Wynn reflects on its first decade…

think that, on the whole, the local community can be proud of the effect Willow Brook has driven over the last ten years. Whether it is the thousands of people who have, at some point, worked on site, or the awards and accreditations that the team have worked so hard to achieve; or the close working relationship we have developed with local organisations ranging from the local police beat team to Olympus Academy Trust; or from Bradley Stoke Journal to the local hotels that benefit the wider community beyond each of our businesses. The team here, led by myself Awards Purple Apple Awards Shopping centre industry marketing • 2015 shortlisted ‘Marketing Team of the Year’ • 2018 shortlisted ‘Marketing Strategy’ • 2018 shortlisted ‘Digital Strategy’ Sceptre Awards Shopping centre industry awards • 2013 Waste Management of the Year, Winner • 2014 Energy Management of the Year, Winner • 2018 shortlisted Operations Manager of the Year (Peter Moonan) Zero Waste Awards • 2013 Silver Award Green Apple Awards Environmental management awards • 2013 ISO14001 Internationally recognised environmental accreditation • 2015, 2016 and 2017 ParkMark Secure parking • All years 2010 to 2018 Disabled Parking Award Disabled friendly parking • 2018 CycleScore Internationally recognised cycling friendly business/ building accreditation • 2018 Gold Award

Andy Wynn, centre manager

for the last four years and Scott Lahive before me, have really placed Willow Brook at the heart of the community, and we are really proud be there. As the centre has matured, we have been able to use our position to promote wider benefits to the community. The jewel in the crown of our community work is the Stars of the Stokes Awards, which have been more successful than we could have imagined when I first began making calls to try and secure sponsorship for our idea three years ago. Ultimately, and particularly in times of pressure for retail across the UK, I believe that community shopping centres like Willow Brook should operate as more Achievements In ten years we have: • Had 45 million customers • Had 19.5 million cars park in the car park • Had 2 centre managers • Had 3 operations managers • Invested more than £35k in local sponsorship (sports teams, community projects, school programmes etc.) • Had 500k website visits • Spent more than £2.5m with companies based within 10 miles of Bradley Stoke • Seen c700k buses pass through the bus lane • Hosted charities which have raised c£500k Last but not least: • There are currently more than 750 people employed on site

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News

Milestone reached as Willow Brook turns ten! than just somewhere to grab a pint of milk and a coffee. Our kind of centre does not have the budgets of large town or regional centres to blow customers out of the water with money thrown at every aspect of their experience. Centres like Willow Brook exist at the focal point of the community and, in my view, have a duty to act in the interests of the community, both inside and outside their walls, wherever possible. I think that we do this well at Willow Brook, and have settled into this role well, particularly in recent years. In this time we launched the Stars of the Stokes community awards and TheInterchange.blog. We have hosted a general election debate, coffee mornings for two charities and annual church carol services. We have created a fresh series of events, beginning with the beach and feature umbrellas this summer. We have visited more than ten schools to work with them on projects. Financially, we part funded and supported the war memorial in the town square, at which we now work with the Scouts to facilitate the annual Remembrance Day parade which is attended by hundreds of people. We have sponsored projects at four schools, two sports clubs, Bradley Stoke Radio, Proms in the Park, Bradley Stoke Community Festival and Cotswold Edge Literary Festival. This culture of community follows through to how I run the business – whenever we contract out works or services we aim to work with a local or regional business, more than 75 percent of our team live close enough to walk to work and local charities are given use of our meeting room and promotional space free of charge. Our approach to business works well for us and, I hope, will continue to do so. I recently did some statistical reviews of our lettings performance. I appreciate that our customers are disappointed when stores close down, but looking back. I

find it amazing that there have been only five tenants at Willow Brook who have decided to ‘move out’. Over ten years this is an amazing figure, particularly in the tough times that the industry has seen in the last decade, and will continue to see. The majority of shopping centres across the UK would be delighted to see only 13 percent of tenants not renew their leases over a ten-year period; there are a good number that can expect to see that number in a bad year. There have been another seven who have closed due to circumstances beyond our control, where a chain has gone out of business or been forced to close a number of stores. This is always disappointing, although we are lucky not to have been affected in as bad a way as many similar centres. Looking forward, we are due the decision on our development planning application before Christmas (see page 4). I am confident that we have provided sufficient information and hope that the application is granted. If so, I believe that the development will prove hugely popular with our community once it is completed.

Above: The official opening ceremony on 13th October 2008, performed by Bradley Stoke mayor Robert Jones, assisted by Tesco Extra store manager Oliver Hill. Right: Centre manager Andy Wynn and some of his team welcome the arrival a Gromit art trail sculpture as part of the 2018 ‘Summer at Willow Brook’ promotion.

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October 2018

News

Partnership working brings wildlife garden to MS Therapy Centre

wildlife therapy garden overflowing with wildflowers and buzzing with bees and butterflies has been officially opened at the West of England MS Therapy Centre in Bradley Stoke following a sixmonth partnership between the Centre and Avon Wildlife Trust (AWT), with support and funding from Rolls-Royce, Tesco Bags of Help, Daikin Air Conditioning UK, The Mall Fountain Fund, The Douglas Arter Foundation and Wessex Watermark. AWT worked with a team of Rolls-Royce employees, service users and staff from the MS Therapy Centre, Wessex Water and other corporate groups, local school children and members

of the community, to transform neglected, bare ground next to the therapy centre’s car park. After many months of work, the site is now a flourishing urban wildlife and therapy garden set to bring enjoyment, improve wellbeing and provide a place for wildlife.

Meadow areas

The garden features wildflower meadow areas with wildflowers like betony and ox-eye daisy, grown by Avon Wildlife Trust’s wildflower nursery at Feed Bristol. It also incorporates gently curving paths, a lawn and tranquil seating areas and a beautiful wooden archway for climbing plants, built from larch timber

Jack Lopresti MP cuts a plant-based ‘ribbon’ to officially open the garden

from AWT’s Folly Farm nature reserve. MS Therapy Centre members and staff worked with AWT and the Rolls-Royce team to design the wildlife therapy garden, focusing on creating the right habitat for wildlife like pollinating insects, bats and birds, as well as an inspiring natural space for members, their carers and staff to spend time.

Members have already enjoyed using the space to take part in therapeutic activities, including exercise classes and relaxation and insects, birds and other wildlife are finding food and shelter. Doro Pasantes, West of England MS Therapy Centre manager, said: “Many of our Centre members have limited

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News

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Guests at the official opening explore the features of the new therapy garden

access to outside green space or gardens – they are restricted due to issues of mobility and accessibility, or simply due to the fear of falling or becoming fatigued and being unable to get assistance. This amazing therapy wildlife garden has provided the opportunity to leave the busy humdrum of the Centre’s indoor social area, to sit and reflect in peaceful surroundings, take in the sunshine – natural vitamin D which is so important, have a treatment or therapy surrounded by the smell of wildflowers and the sounds of nature.”

Respite for carers

“Carers who want to take half-anhour to relax whilst their loved ones are having oxygen treatment or physiotherapy at the Centre can also have complementary treatments in the garden. We are so proud of what has been achieved and we would not have been able to do it alone.”

Julie Doherty, Avon Wildlife Trust ‘People and Wildlife’ programme manager, said: “This beautiful garden demonstrates how wildlife-rich spaces can be created in the midst of an urban setting like this – bringing huge benefits to people’s wellbeing as well as to local wildlife. So much evidence clearly shows that spending time outside in nature helps all of us feel better. Now patients, staff, families and local people can notice and enjoy wildlife on their doorstep and make it part of their daily lives. Transforming this space has been a wonderful experience and a fantastic partnership effort.” The wildlife garden is part of Avon Wildlife Trust’s work inspiring people and communities across the West of England to notice and value nature – and part of ongoing work to create nature-rich towns, cities and neighbourhoods under their My Wild City vision.

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October 2018

News

Decisions expected soon on plans to build 1,600 new homes between Stoke Gifford & Hambrook

fter more than two years of deliberations, two planning applications for a total of more than 1,600 new homes on former green belt land between Stoke Gifford and Hambrook look set to be brought to the decision table within the next few weeks. The East of Harry Stoke New Neighbourhood site was allocated for development when South Gloucestershire Council’s Core Strategy was adopted in December 2013 and housebuilder Crest Nicholson submitted the two planning applications in August 2016. One application is for land south of the Great Western mainline railway and the other for land north of it. The application on land south of the railway, PT16/4782/O, seeks outline permission for a

mixed use development including 1,290 new homes, a local centre, community facilities, landscaping and open space and detailed access junctions. The application on land north of the railway, PT16/4928/O, is for 327 new homes and associated infrastructure and landscaping. This is a hybrid application, with full permission being sought for some elements and outline permission for others. The full application is for 150 homes, an earthworks strategy, access and public open space. Outline permission is being sought for 177 new homes, as well as a new primary school and nursery. Since the applications were first submitted, Crest Nicholson says it has engaged in comprehensive and ongoing

discussions with planning officers at the council. These discussions are understood to have focused primarily on matters relating to landscape, arboriculture, provision of sports pitches and the viability of the site with respect to the provision of affordable housing. A major factor affecting viability is understood to be the need to divert two high voltage electricity lines which cross the area. It is proposed that these will be ‘under-grounded’ around the perimeter of the site. A ‘site inspection meeting’ for the Crest ‘south’ application, attended by some of the councillors who sit on the committee which will determine the application, was held on Friday 21st September. The application subsequently appeared on the agenda for a full planning committee scheduled to take place on Thursday 4th October, with officers recommending that it be approved, subject to a number of conditions. The development south of the railway will be accessed from two new junctions on the recently opened Stoke Gifford Transport Link (a.k.a. Stoke Gifford ByPass) which provides a link

between Parkway North and the A4174 Ring Road. There will also be access from Old Gloucester Road, at a point 80m north of the bridge over the M32. Should planning permission be granted, Crest Nicholson will be required to submit ‘reserved matters’ applications for the detailed planning consent on the southern site. These are likely to go to the council in early 2019. The Journal understands that the first phase of development on the southern site will be the parcel of land north of the Stoke Gifford Transport Link, behind existing properties on Hambrook Lane. Subject to planning permission being granted, Crest Nicholson says it hopes to be ‘on site’ by April 2019, with the first homes being sold by the end of 2019. With regard to the land north of the railway, an SGC spokesperson told the Journal: “The Crest ‘north’ application is currently at a less advanced stage. Amended plans were received, have been advertised and can be found on our website. At present, it is anticipated that the application will be forwarded to the Sites Inspection SubCommittee at the end of October or early November, and then the DC (West) Committee in November or December.”

Councillors are talked through plans at the recent site inspection meeting

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October 2018

t: 01454 300 400

info@bradleystokejournal.co.uk Winterbourne Road

East of Harry Stoke New Neighbourhood: Crest Nicholson Masterplan

Stoke Gifford

Red boundaries indicate areas for which planning permission is sought

Area north of the railway line Hybrid planning application • Full permission sought for 150 new homes • Outline permission sought for 177 new homes, primary school and nursery

Railway Line Parkway Station

The recently opened Stoke Gifford Transport Link (SGTL) provides a route between Parkway North Roundabout on Great Stoke Way (A) and the A4174 Ring Road (B), close to the Holiday Inn.

Hambrook Lane

SGTL

M32

Area south of the railway line Outline permission sought for a mixed use development including 1,290 new homes, a local centre, community facilities, landscaping and open space, and detailed access junctions

B Ring Road Holiday Inn

Annotations have been added by the Journal. Refer to the planning applications for definitive documents.

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October 2018

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News Electrification work continues apace during three-week closure of Parkway NETWORK RAIL’S ‘orange army’ has been busy installing electrification equipment during a three-week closure of the Western mainline through Bristol Parkway Station, which is due to end on Sunday 7th October. The work carried out during this period has involved piling the remaining foundations and installing masts, gantries and overhead cables. Two giant 40m gantries, amongst the largest anywhere on the Western mainline, have been installed just west of Parkway Station, where the lines to Bristol and Wales diverge. A further closure of the line through Parkway is planned for the weekend of 13th/14th October. Rail services in the area will also be affected by a three-week closure of the line at Filton Bank from Saturday 27th October to Sunday 18th November, when buses will replace trains between Temple Meads and Parkway.

Clockwise from top left: Work on signalling equipment associated with new track layout at Parkway. Work on overhead cables through Parkway. Fitting the overhead cable. Work on the route just east of the Stoke Gifford By-Pass.

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October 2018

This will be my eighth year raising money for the Movember charity, writes Mario Parrinello of The Filton Barbers. It all started after a few members for my family and friends went through different forms of cancer and I felt that, as barbers, we were in a great position to help with men’s cancer and mental health, as this is the main focus for Movember I also like growing crazy moustaches and seeing what I can come up with. Last year was a quiet one for me as I felt I needed a break from it, but still managed to raise a few hundred pounds. However, this year, I’m back to it and want to beat the total in 2016 which was just short of £4,500. I’ve started up the Filton Barber team again on the Movember website and hope to get a team of at least 20 joining in with the moustache growing event, and as an incentive there is a prize for the best team moustache as well as a free haircut for any team member who can raise £150 or more. In November, I’m also donating all income from hot towel shaves to the charity, so it’s a great opportunity to experience one! Raffle tickets are available from the shop at £5 each, with all proceeds going to the charity; a list of all prizes is also available in the shop.

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October 2018

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Police

Major police operation sees Eastville serious assault suspect arrested in Bradley Stoke

wanted man arrested during a major police operation in Bradley Stoke on Friday 7th September has appeared in court charged with a number of offences relating to a serious assault that took place at the Tesco Extra store in Eastville a week earlier. The 34-year-old, from Easton, appeared at Bristol Magistrates Court on Saturday 8th September where he was charged with two counts of wounding with intent, one count of affray, one count of possession of an offensive weapon and one count of dangerous driving. One eye witness account of the police raid on a residential property in Manor Farm Crescent (off Brook Way) described a “huge police presence [with] undercover and armed police and loads of cars”. Other witnesses reported seeing “loads of armed police” and one said the operation looked like “an antiterror raid [with] full tac gear”.

The man arrested in Bradley Stoke had been named as a suspect by police earlier in the week of the raid. Members of the public were advised not to approach him but to call 999 if they saw him. The suspect was remanded in custody to appear at Bristol Crown Court at a later date. It was revealed a day after the police raid that two other people had been arrested for “assisting an offender”, but they have since been released “under investigation”. A Bristol Post report on the Eastville incident described how horrified shoppers were forced to flee the shop via the emergency exit after what police later described as a “disorder” started inside the store and spilled out into the car park. A 43-year-old man suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries in the incident. A bladed weapon used during the assault was later recovered by officers.

Have your say: Reader letters Do you have strong views about something that’s happening in or around Bradley Stoke? Want to pass comment on something you’ve read in the Journal or another local publication? Send your letter to letters@bradleystokejournal.co.uk or post it to: Reader Letters, Bradley Stoke Journal, 83 Snowberry Close, Bradley Stoke, Bristol BS32 8GB Please include a phone number, in case we need to contact you.

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October 2018

News

Busy times in the Three Brooks nature reserve By Sara Messenger of the Three Brooks Nature Conservation Group

he weather has recently seemed determined to push our group’s rather limited resources to their limits – we’re either been rescuing creatures from dried out ponds in the heatwave, wading through deep water caused by blockages and heavy rain or dealing with fallen trees caused by high winds!

Three Brooks lake

We’ve had some help with SGC’s Robocut being back on site – you may have seen it clearing the area they call ‘the bun’. This is where the silt was left when our lake was last de-silted, which we think was in 2002, but no one seems sure. The plan is to see how much space there is in the hope that when the lake is again de-silted, the silt can be left here

instead of being taken off site. The first step to clearing the lake is testing for contamination and hydrocarbons. This has been done and has come back negative, now all SGC need to do is finish their ‘method statement’ and find a large pot of money! One of the fishermen told me of a lake that was effectively cleared for free as the cost was offset by the silt being sold to a fertilizer company, an idea I think should be looked into. We’ve also discovered our silt traps aren’t silt traps at all, just bends in the brook, which could go some way to explain the state of our lake. Thank you to everyone who has been petitioning SGC to get our once lovely lake restored to its former glory. Whatever you’ve been doing, it has worked. Several of you have spotted the egret at the lake and some think they may have seen a pair; please keep the reports and photos

coming in (sightings@threebrooks.info) and we’ll keep our fingers crossed that our newest visitors stay. On the 29th August we received reports from dog walker Andrea of contamination in the brook at Sherbourne’s Brake. We reported it to the Environment Agency and we’re hoping no lasting damage was done. It’s not the first time we’ve had this problem in our brooks, caused by what appears to be someone pouring paint or cleaning fluid down one of the road drains, although I’m sure if they were aware that these drains feed into the brooks, they wouldn’t have done it. If you should spot a problem, the Environmental Agency incident hotline number is 0800 807060. Further sad news is that we received the post-mortem report on our cygnet Angelo from Slimbridge vet Dan Calvo-

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Carrasco. Readers will recall that Angelo was found dead at Forty Acres in Stoke Gifford. His death was, as we feared, caused by: “A heavy impact, a force applied vertically to the back of the animal. He also had a rib fracture (likely caused by trauma as well)”. The police have been informed and the report added to the file. Our other three cygnets haven’t been seen since the day of Angelo’s death, although our exhausted cob Bradley was picked up the following day by the RSPCA who, without consulting us, put him down. Our thanks then and now go to PC Jamie Shiels for his investigations into what was an abhorrent and heartless crime.

The Tump & moth trapping Our September workday saw us begin the ‘battle of the bramble’ on the Tump. As the bramble has encroached on the edge of

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News

L-r: Flags mark the location of rowan saplings. Installing marker posts around the perimeter of the Tump. Moth expert Peter Cranswick with one of his traps.

the meadow, the perimeter paths have moved inwards and many new paths across the middle have also appeared. On a summer’s evening, you used to be able to see and hear our skylarks as they soared above the grassland, but due to habitat loss and disturbance by people and dogs, that is a dim and distant memory. We are doing our bit with the habitat, but please would you do your bit and keep to the edge path which we are marking out with posts. Should you see what look like 20 white sails in the long grass, it’s not some kind of strange grass regatta, it’s just our way of marking the rowans we planted last year so that the Robocut driver sees them and hopefully goes around them. They have grown well and although they won’t feed many waxwings this year, it’s a step in the right

direction. On our August workday we had an impromptu moth survey with expert Peter Cranswick, who put out the trap the night before and talked us though his vast cache of lepidoptera in the morning. I was

this area, like the jersey tiger (photo), which has, in the last decade been spreading up from the south of the country. Our finding was only the third record of them in South Gloucestershire. My favourite was the rather bold poplar hawk-moth which climbed onto my hand and sat contently warming itself. In our 2014 ‘bio blitz’ in the same area, we found 126 species, but surprisingly, only 38 species were present in both years, so we’ve just added another 82 species to our moth records!

Harvesting unaware until then of how many moth varieties we had (120), how many fly during the day (lots) and, up-close, how stunning many of them are. Although there were several new ones for

Despite the drought, most of our fruit trees have survived, although we lost the grape vine and two of the fruit bushes planted in memory of our own Colin Davies, though all will be replaced when we can. We have for the past few years been

disheartened by the same family who choose to not understand the meaning of ‘community’ and who descend on our small orchard (behind BSCS) armed with rods, tarpaulins and a trolley and who bash the trees until every piece of fruit, ripe and unripe falls, leaving the rest of us with nothing but bare and damaged trees. However, this year they were seen and photographed by a member of the public when causing the damage to the orchard. They asked them not to strip the whole orchard and although they didn’t at the time seem very responsive to this request, they have not yet been back to take the remainder of our harvest, so we are hopeful that the message has got across that the orchard is not for the few to take many apples but for the many to take a few apples. ● www.three-brooks.info

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October 2018

Advertising Feature Shine ensure children are active at Holiday Club in Bradley Stoke this October

hine, the largest independent provider of sports coaching and wraparound care to primary schools in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, are delighted to be continuing our successful

Holiday Club held at Bradley Stoke’s Wheatfield Primary School this October half-term. Government guidelines recommend children should take part in moderate to vigorous physical activity for at least 60

minutes and up to several hours per day. Shine will be offering children from age 5 to 11 plenty of different choices to reduce the time spent watching TV, using the computer or playing video games during this half-term holiday.

They can choose from: • Forest Adventure with Archery – get outdoors in the Wild Wood, follow the forest treasure trail, go bug hunting, light a fire and toast marshmallows with a mug of hot chocolate. • Autumn Creative Workshops – where every day brings the creation of loads of different autumnal themes. We will be doing some pottery, decorating biscuits and creating masterpieces to take home! • Multi-Sports – with a range of sports suitable for the children booked on the day. • Shine Minis – our new day for children in Reception to Year 2, where we will have loads of age appropriate games and ending the day with a disco. Running from 10am to 4pm with extended hours from 8am to 6pm for working parents and based on site at Wheatfield Primary School in Bradley Stoke, we are open to all children of any ability from any school. Shine are OFSTED registered and therefore accept childcare vouchers. All Shine staff are fully DBS checked and first aid qualified. All activities are bookable online at MyShine.co.uk or by telephone on 01174 033 033.

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November magazine Deadline for contributions: Monday 22nd October

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News

Summer set to return to Willow Brook Centre

each lovers will be delighted with the news that Bradley Stoke will welcome back sand, smiles and deckchairs next summer. Whilst the Willow Brook Centre can’t promise the return of the ‘summer of sunshine’, it will be reinstating its very own beach in the summer of 2019. Thousands of visitors to the shopping centre relaxed, played and enjoyed the artificial beach that took pride of place in the town square. Centre manager Andy Wynn said: “We shipped in around 38 tonnes of sand, as well as dozens of deckchairs and a giant parasol to keep the little ones cool in the scorching weather.” “It was a huge success and a real focal point for visitors who would stop and spend time in the town square. It was so popular that we knew we’d have to bring it back next summer.” Hundreds of photos of the beach, and the dozens of suspended umbrellas that hung overhead, were posted online. More than 1,000 people entered various competitions to win prizes at the Willow Brook Centre, by including the popular hashtag #summeratwillowbrook on social media posts.

Andy added: “We wanted to encourage people to share their summer of fun with us and a photo competition was a great way to get everyone doing that.” During the nine weeks of its summer promotion, the Willow Brook Centre saw visitors increase by seven percent, which is impressive as the number of people paying a visit rarely fluctuates to that extent. Of course, the star of the summer was the Willow Brook Centre’s very own Swallows and Amazons themed Gromit sculpture, which took pride of place helping to raise money for charity. It was the first time the centre had been involved in the award-winning arts trails from Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children’s Hospital charity which supports sick children, babies and their families. More than £1,000 was raised in donations and sales for the appeal during Gromit’s stay at Willow Brook. Andy also worked with schools in the local area to create other fundraising opportunities. He said: “It’s really important to me and to the centre that, whenever possible, we act as

The beach, deckchairs and flying umbrellas were a big hit in the town square

advocates for the community. As such, I worked on a project with St Michael’s CofE School, in Winterbourne, and Wheatfield Primary School, in Bradley Stoke. “We sponsored a Feathers McGraw sculpture, from the Wallace and Gromit adventures, and I spent a day in each school with students painting the

sculptures for the display at the Cribbs Causeway Grand Appeal shop.” You can follow the Willow Brook Centre on social media to find out what else they’ve got in store this autumn – Facebook @WillowBrookCentre, Twitter @WillowBrookCtr, Instagram @willowbrookcentre

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October 2018

Sport

BS Ladies FC off to a flying start in new season By Martin Lee, manager, Bradley Stoke Ladies FC hen the Bradley Stoke Ladies team formed in May 2015, no one could have imagined the growth the club would go on to make over such a short period of time. Going into the new 20182019 season playing in the Gloucestershire County Women’s Football League Division 2, the club will now have representation from two teams. We are seeing an everexpanding interest from female players wanting to join a club whose principles are allowing opportunities to any female of 16 years old and above to come and try football in a safe, funbased environment, allowing each player to develop at their own pace. The management committee is full of experience, encouragement, youth and passion to drive the club to the next level. The club strategy is to bring more females into playing football (currently 39 players registered), to have more female coaches at the club (currently we have one), to have more female managers at the club (currently we have one) and to have a

Bradley Stoke Ladies FC First Team with manager Martin Lee (left) and Ross Lee (right)

management committee that has strong female representation (currently we are at 83%). The club is looking for new players for both the First Team and the Development Team to further our growth plans. Even though we are two separate teams in the league, we are one club and train together every Tuesday evening at Bradley Stoke Community School between 7pm and 8pm on the AstroTurf, under floodlights. The coaching staff are all FA Level 2 qualified and provide varying session plans for the

squad to follow. The club runs a female progression pathway where we offer support via a mentoring program and provide assistance to the player to obtain a coaching qualification badge. Bradley Stoke Ladies First Team and Bradley Stoke Ladies Development Team have made a great start to the season with the First Team achieving two wins from their first two matches and the Development Team recording one win and a defeat. We are an FA Charter Standard Community Club with our primary focus being that

everybody enjoys themselves both at training and during matches. On match days after our league games we all go down to the Baileys Court Inn, who kindly provide food for us (they also did this last season, so big thanks to them for their support each year). If anyone is interested in joining or wants more information, then please contact Martin Lee on 07785 384618, Charlotte Hand on 07912 569670, visit the club’s website at bradleystokeladies.wixsite. com/bslfc or email mlee1@ btopenworld.com Axis 4-5 Woodlands Business Park Woodlands, Off Woodlands Lane Bradley Stoke BS32 4JT

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News

Trench of Somme shrouds installation at Aerospace Bristol

n evocative part of the Shrouds of the Somme art exhibition is on show at the Aerospace Bristol museum on the former Filton Airfield until Sunday 14th October. ‘The Trench’ is part of the Shrouds of the Somme artwork exhibition commemorating 100 years since the end of World War 1. The exhibition has been touring the UK and has been brought to Aerospace Bristol by South Gloucestershire Council for two weeks before the Shrouds of the Somme travel to London to be laid out at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in November for the Armistice Centenary. Shrouds artist Rob Heard has built a 2m high freestanding wooden trench in which the tens of thousands of Shrouds are stacked. Visitors walking through, experience the immersive nature of this installation; it generates incredibly powerful emotions, giving a graphic sense of both being in a trench and what the large numbers of those killed really mean. Names and details of all 72,396 Commonwealth servicemen killed at the Somme who have no known grave are displayed on the outer walls of The Trench in alphabetical order, sourced from Commonwealth

War Graves records. Cllr Rachael Hunt, chair of South Gloucestershire Council said: “We are proud to welcome this exhibition to South Gloucestershire which gives local people a most moving and powerful experience and a chance to remember all those who have given their lives in the name of their country.” “Many local people will have seen the Shrouds laid out on College Green in Bristol but seeing them like this, thousands upon thousands stacked on top of each other in The Trench, really brings home the scale of the devastation experienced during the Battle of the Somme.” Entry to view The Trench exhibition is free, however should you wish to also visit Aerospace Bristol, standard ticket prices will apply. For more information, visit www.aerospacebristol.org More information about the Shrouds of the Somme art exhibition can be found at shroudsofthesomme.com

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October 2018

News

Is a 30mph limit right for the new by-pass?

he 30mph speed limit along much of the new Stoke Gifford Transport Link (SGTL) between Parkway North and the A4174 Ring Road has been called into question by a number of residents who have contacted the Journal. Between Parkway North Roundabout and a point just north of the Hambrook Lane crossing, the speed limit is 40mph, but the remainder of the road up to its junction with the A4174 has a limit of just 30mph. Between Hambrook Lane and Oxleigh Way (the entrance into the Highbrook Park housing development) the road runs through open countryside and there are no junctions. When opinions on the matter were sought on the Bradley Stoke Journal’s Facebook page, an

overwhelming majority of more than 70 respondents said the speed limit should be 40mph or even 50mph throughout. Several readers who said they try to comply with the 30mph limit said they had been subjected to tailgating or dangerous undertaking manoeuvres. The 30mph limit has recently been enforced by the police mobile speed camera unit. A South Gloucestershire Council spokesperson said: “The speed limits for the SGTL were set out at the design stage. Road safety professionals were involved at the design stage and continue to monitor road use. The East of Harry Stoke development will be built adjacent to the SGTL and there are no proposals to change the current speed limits at present.”

Start of the 30mph limit, just before the Hambrook Lane crossing (going south)

Comments on the Bradley Stoke Journal Facebook page Nicola: I think it should be 40, at least until the housing development is complete and road usage is known. Matt: Didn’t actually realise it’s a 30; it’s certainly not what’s observed! Shirley: Nobody seems to do 30. I end up getting tailgated when I do. It doesn’t seem the right limit for that road at this moment in time. Sam: 40 seems sensible considering you have 40 through the middle in places through Bradley Stoke! David: 30 is fine for me, I drive at 30 and don’t feel intimidated by a pratt trying to tailgate me Read more comments and add your own at http://bit.ly/bsj-181001

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News

Local RBL members make historic pilgrimage

n 8th August 2018, five members of the Stoke Gifford branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL), alongside thousands of other Legion members, recreated the march to the Menin Gate in Ypres that took place 90 years ago. The original pilgrimage was organised to commemorate 10 years since the end of WW1 and gave veterans and war widows the opportunity to visit the battlefields of the Somme and Ypres before marching to the Menin Gate on 8th August 1928. Exactly 90 years later, the Great Pilgrimage 90 took place. Karen Falconer (standard bearer), Antony Peters (wreath layer), John Moloney (branch chairman), Brian Hewitt MBE and Veronica Caradine attended the event as representatives of the Stoke Gifford branch of the Royal British Legion. Karen and Antony were part of the

one thousand plus members who led the spectacular twomile march through Ypres to the Commonwealth War Grave Commission’s Menin Gate memorial. When describing the event, John Moloney said: “Being part of such an historic event, representing Stoke Gifford branch in commemorating those that lost their lives in the First World War, was an honour and something I will never forget.” The march past was observed by invited diplomatic, civic and military guests. As part of this ceremony, each of the 1,152 Royal British Legion branches attending from the UK and overseas (as far away as Thailand, Hong Kong and the Falkland Islands) brought a wreath with them containing a Remembrance message from their communities. The wreaths were subsequently arranged into

A group of standard bearers at the GP90 event, including Stoke Gifford representatives Karen Falconer (on right) and Antony Peters (5th from right)

a display on the ramparts of the Ypres town walls and will remain in place for public viewing for at least two months. Brian Hewitt MBE, who stood with the crowds to watch the march, said: “It was a fabulous occasion, the atmosphere was incredible and the crowds were

very supportive. 2,300 wreaths were laid at the Menin Gate – what a sight to see! Although it was very emotional and there were a lot of tears, it was well worth the trip and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” ● Contact the Stoke Gifford RBL branch at SGRBL@gmail.com

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October 2018

News

Grand opening of Stoke Gifford Toy Library

he grand opening of the new Stoke Gifford Toy Library, housed in a traditional red ‘heritage’ phone box in the centre of the ‘village’, took place on Saturday 8th September. The idea for a toy library came about six months ago after the 2nd Stoke Gifford Rainbows visited the North Bristol Foodbank. The girls decided that they wanted to do something for children in the community who may not be as fortunate as themselves. During a Rainbows meeting, they decided to collect toys and books and then it was just a case of finding somewhere to store them. The phone box, located at The Green, North Road (near the Beaufort Arms), had been out of use for a number of months and was therefore bought by the parish council for £1 as they didn’t want to see it torn down. After approaching the council, the Rainbows were eventually given permission to turn it into a community toy library.

Airbus Community Award Funding for the project was secured after a massive effort by volunteers, girls and supporters saw them collect over 96,000 Bristol Post tokens and win the second-place prize of £2,000 in the 2018 Airbus Community Awards. This money was put towards refurbishment and

painting of the telephone box, professional stickers for the windows and the all-important shelves for toys to be stored. The money that is left over will be used to maintain the facility in the coming years. The grand opening was attended by children from both Rainbows and Brownies, as well as two local councillors and guests of honour Richard Bagenda and Bryan Curry, who gave up a lot of their time to help transform the phone box. There was also a cake sale held on The Green, with all proceeds going to the Gromit Unleashed 2 Appeal. Alix, one of the Rainbows’ leaders, said: “I am really pleased with the result. It has been a lot of hard work but it’s all been worth it. I’m really proud of the girls – all of the ideas came from them, they have done all of the decorations for the toy library and coordinated the cake sale as well.” The toy library was opened at 11.30am after a speech from Alix thanking everyone who had helped with the project. It will now be open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm and Saturday, 10am to 4pm. However, the library is run by volunteers so these times may vary. The principle of operation is that children can either borrow an item and return it at a later date, or they may swap an item with something of their own. South Glos & parish councillor

Brian Allinson, who attended the opening ceremony, said: “We’re all really pleased with how the toy library has turned out. I think it is going to be an important part of the community and we have been happy to encourage it.” Ruth, who was one of the Rainbows to come up with the idea and is now a Brownie said: “We went to the foodbank and saw people less fortunate than ourselves. We wanted to do something for the community and thought that all children deserve to have toys to play with. I’m really happy now that it is done.”

Behind the scenes

Richard Bagenda and Bryan Curry both played vital roles in renovating the phone box, making it safe and water tight. Richard, who works as a structural engineer at the MoD, was asked to assess the phone box and write a report on what work needed to be done and how it should be done. This report was then presented to the council when the Rainbows were asking for funding. Bryan, a local resident, offered to help with the renovations and spent many hours working on parts of the phone box in his garage with Richard. Bryan, who has lived in Stoke Gifford for many years, said: “This was a really interesting project. I enjoyed doing it and I enjoyed hearing people

commenting on it – saying that they were pleased it was being renovated as it makes up part of the history of Stoke Gifford.” Richard added: “There were many challenges whilst we worked on the phone box from it being too hot to there being too much rain! However, after ripping it all out and removing the glass panels, we eventually finished and I’m really happy with how it looks.” Although the library is now up and running, the Rainbows are still looking for donations of good quality toys and books. If you have anything that you would like to donate please email 2ndstokegiffordrainbows@ gmail.com and someone will be in touch to arrange collection. The hope is that, as well as being enjoyed by the community, this project will also raise awareness of what the Rainbows and Brownies do and this will then encourage more people to get involved with Girlguiding. There is currently a waiting list of girls wanting to start Rainbows, but there are not enough people wanting to be leaders. At the moment, the division has vacancies for unit helpers and assistant leaders. If this is something you think you may be interested in, find out more by searching online for ‘Girlguiding, register your interest’ or email fromevalleydivision@ girlguidingbsg.org.uk

PHOTOS: 1 Rainbows at the start of the project. 2 Anticipation before the grand opening. 3 Cake sale on The Green. 4 Rainbows’ leader Alix gives her speech. 5 Some of the Rainbows cut the ribbon around the telephone box. 6 The first visitors choose toys to lend. 7 Presentation to Bryan Curry and Richard Bagenda.

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October 2018

News

Massive 4-storey shipping container block proposed near Patchway Station

lans have been submitted to create a massive small business centre formed from 178 converted shipping containers on a site in Station Road, Little Stoke, just north of Patchway Station. The latest application for the site, which is currently occupied by a builders’ merchants and a taxi firm, comes after a previous bid to redevelop the plot with 24 houses and flats was rejected by South Gloucestershire Council on the grounds that residents would have suffered unacceptable living conditions due to the proximity of the nearby railway line and Rolls-Royce complex. A report submitted with the latest plans claim the facility, which will be marketed under the brand name ‘Mainline’,

would meet a demand for space from “creative businesses that are attracted to the area to be co-located near the world class companies such as Rolls Royce, Toshiba and Airbus”. “Successful examples of such models are already in place within Bristol, such as the Boxworks development and Engine Shed.” “This project will provide people living outside of the centre of Bristol with business space and supporting facilities for small start-up businesses and entrepreneurs, mainly in the creative, digital and tech businesses.” The planning application says the shipping containers will deliver space more quickly than a permanent building and they can

Visualisation of the proposed business centre, looking north up Station Road

be relocated if needed. “The space created is fully serviced and flexible, perfect for small start-up business in the tech, media and creative sectors.” If approved by SGC, the development would stand up to four storeys high and be delivered in three phases, to ensure supply meets demand. Once fully completed, the facility would accommodate 160 small business units, with a further 18 shipping containers being used for communal

facilities, including a cafe operated by Friska, a co-working space and a cycle hub. The application states that 178 full-time jobs would be created by the development. There would be parking for 58 cars within the site. Existing businesses at the site are continuing to operate as normal. Approval of plans by a local authority does not necessarily mean that a proposed development will take place. ● Planning application reference: PT18/3922/O

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News

Scouts brave the rain on September camp

n September, over thirty Scouts from 1st Bradley Stoke Scouts and their leaders held a camp at Biblins campsite in Ross-on-Wye. Despite the very poor weather, they managed to complete a challenging programme with some new joiners camping for the very first time. As our oldest section in the Group, this was a simple camp to demonstrate the skills they had developed over their time with us. So when they arrived they raised their own tents and ensured that all of their kit was safely stored inside with regular inspections to ensure it stayed that way. After an introduction from our camp leader Darrell and hot drinks, they spent the evening inside their tents as the rain started to fall. On Saturday the scouts cooked every meal and washed up afterwards (if you don’t cook, you wash. Very quickly, cooking

volunteers appear!). The activities began with traditional saw and knife whittling skills taught alongside a session making paracord bracelets. And later – despite being very cold, wet and tired – they completed a hike to Symonds Yat in very heavy rain (photo above). For a few this was a journey of the next 100 metres or the next corner, but they all made it up to the top and back to camp. We finished the day with a campfire, s’mores and roasted

chocolate bananas. And then to bed. In the rain. Again. Sunday morning saw the camp rise a little more slowly but after another breakfast cooked by the Scouts, we had forest games including the always popular manhunt. A break in the rain alongside some fierce wind dried the tents enough for them to be quickly dropped and preparations made for home. After a final check of the field to ensure that we left nothing but

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footprints, we went home in the SUNSHINE! Inspired? The Group is always looking for more leaders to prepare our young people as they develop skills for life. For more information, have a look at the Group’s website: http://bradleystoke-scouts.org.uk/join/

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October 2018

News

Community radio station celebrates five years of broadcasting on FM Ofcom renews licence for another five years to 2023 By Andy Ward, chair of board of directors, BSR

radley Stoke Radio has been operating in one form or another since 2011 and broadcasting as a full-time FM station since September 2013 when we were awarded a five-year licence on 103.4FM. The station is a not for profit community group which operates on an entirely voluntary basis and is open to anyone who would like to get involved with community broadcasting. From the initial concept that was discussed back in 2010, it was always important that the station was something for the community and not just for those people involved in the day-to-day operations. Our ethos has always been, and always will be, to provide a service to community groups, charities, local organisations and residents, bringing a sense of belonging and pride to our community, known for its diverse population and cultures. The radio station is run by around sixty volunteers who give freely of their time in order to keep what is a very complex operation running 24/7. Some of our volunteers work behind the scenes and some you may well have heard on air or seen at one

of the many community events we attend throughout the year. On 13th September 2018, our original FM licence came to an end and that means that we’ve now been on air as a full-time FM station for the last five years, something that we all considered to be a very daunting task to complete when were first awarded our licence. It’s been an amazing five years; we have worked with and helped out some wonderful people, community groups and organisations and, hopefully, long will we continue to do so. It’s been a real privilege to be part of our community on a regular basis. The good news is that the broadcast regulator Ofcom has seen fit to award Bradley Stoke Radio another five-year license, so I guess they were happy with the way things turned out! We’re now licensed to continue bringing community radio to the town and surrounding areas until 2023!

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News Left: Launch Day for the first twoweek-long FM transmission period of Bradley Stoke Radio in June 2011. Presenters Stephen Poole and Lucy Smith get things under way from the studio at the Willow Brook Centre. Right: Becky Ward presents the first official programme on the new FM frequency of 103.4 MHz, which went out on Friday 13th September 2013 from the station’s studios at Brook Way Activity Centre.

I’d like to say a massive ‘thank you’ to all our members, both past and present, because quite frankly it would never have happened without all their hard work, their determination and, without doubt, more than their fair share of blood, sweat and tears over the years! The station has been incredibly fortunate to have been supported by many external funding organisations who have contributed to the our not inconsiderable operating costs. Without their faith in us, and

their kind support, we would not have managed to achieve all that we have. I think it’s amazing just how far we have come since our early days at the Willow Brook Centre where we were based in a small room with a couple of PCs, one pair of headphones and a bit of audio kit, and just a few committed members who somehow managed to create a community radio station for Bradley Stoke. We have, over the last few months, managed to create new studio spaces

using mostly recycled material, including a dedicated training area that is fully accessible to volunteers who have special needs as well as a recording area allowing the station to bring in musicians and bands to appear live on air as well as making live studio recordings. Volunteers have come and gone but our ethos has always remained the same, our drive and determination to put the heart in to our town and to bring a sense of community where none existed before.

Thank you so much to all of you from the radio station, the community, the town’s people and some great friends we have made along the way who have helped make this dream come true! If you’re interested in volunteering for the radio station please get in touch via admin@ bsrfm.com We offer a full training and induction program and there are many areas that you can be involved in not just broadcasting! ● www.bradleystokeradio.com

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October 2018

News

Specsavers fun day marks state-of-the-art store refit

ollowing a state-of-theart refit to a Bradley Stoke opticians, the team celebrated by hosting a fun day, raising funds for CLIC Sargent. Customers visiting Specsavers in Bradley Stoke on Saturday 15th September were greeted by special guests, Princess Belle and Spider-Man, as they marked the launch of their new and innovative store refit. People also had the opportunity to get their faces painted and then pose for a picture with the childhood favourite characters during the ‘meet and greet’. The event offered an opportunity for locals to see the new store layout which provides a more efficient customer experience. The developments have also created more space and the result is a welcoming and modern store which includes the

very latest testing equipment. There was a Specsavers cake for customers to sample, while the official ribbon cutting took place under a balloon arch to mark the launch. “We’re thrilled with the refurbishments here at Specsavers in Bradley Stoke,” said store director, Ed Stanleigh. “The customer experience has been revolutionised and that gave us a great reason to celebrate and raise even more funds for our charity partner.” Specsavers in Cribbs Causeway, Bradley Stoke and Filton have come together and nominated CLIC Sargent as their charity of the year for 2018. In a bid to raise as much money as possible for the children’s cancer charity, staff are taking part in several fundraising challenges and hosting events throughout the year.

“CLIC Sargent works tirelessly to support children and young people diagnosed with cancer,’ continued Ed. “Having two young children myself, I cannot imagine the devastation a cancer diagnosis would bring or how people cope as a family, so it’s great to know CLIC Sargent exists to support those going through this.” The funds raised will help

to improve the quality of life of families and patients right from the point of diagnosis all the way through to recovery or bereavement. To make a donation or visit the refurbished store, visit Specsavers in Mall Unit 4 at the Willow Brook Centre, call 01454 275020 or www.specsavers. co.uk/stores/bradleystoke

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News Brook Way wildflower beds extended

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FOLLOWING the success of this year’s colourful display near Bradley Stoke Surgery, South Gloucestershire Council has begun work to create more wildflower beds within the grass verges along Brook Way. A recent post on the StreetCare Facebook page said: “Following the success of a colourful wildflower strip along Brook Way, we’ve

started to remove the turf from adjacent verges.” “We’ll then be sowing wildflower seed, a rich mix of annual and perennial native flowers including cornflowers and poppies. By next summer we hope to have another colourful display of wildflowers that will benefit pollinating insects like bumble bees, which are declining in number.”

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The Stokes Phoenix Club needs YOU! New members welcome We are a small group of ladies who meet on the first Tuesday of each month for talks and events, with time for coffee/tea and biscuits, sometimes cakes. There is also a Craft Group meeting on the third Tuesday of each month. We meet in the Community Hall in Little Stoke Park, off Little Stoke Lane. Future programme 6th November: Communicating Christmas, with John Perry 4th December: Mummers of Winterbourne Down, followed by a Christmas buffet 8th January: Making marzipan fruits For more information, please contact Rosemary Davis on 01454 614474.

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October 2018

Ask the Doctor with Dr Sophie Kilmartin of Bradley Stoke Surgery World Mental Health Day: 10th October

ollowing on from mental health awareness week in May, we have World Mental Health Day on the 10th October. This is a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. It was first celebrated in 1992 and continues to be relevant as, every year, one in four adults and one in ten children will have a mental health issue. These conditions can profoundly affect literally millions of lives, affecting the capability of these individuals to make it through the day, to sustain relationships, and to maintain work. This year the theme is ‘Young People and Mental Health in a Changing World’. Half of all mental illness begins by the age of 14 so it is vital that we help our young people build mental resilience in order to cope with the challenges of today’s

world. Evidence is growing that promoting and protecting adolescent mental health brings benefits not just to adolescents’ health, but also to economies and society with healthy young adults able to make greater contributions to the workforce, their families and communities and society as a whole.

mental health and to help peers, parents and teachers know how to support their friends, children and students. This is the focus for this year’s World Mental Health Day. In our community we have access to the Wellbeing College (sgwellbeingcollege.org) which runs a range of courses, drop in

“Every year, one in four adults and one in ten children will have a mental health issue” The World Health Organisation says that investment by governments and the involvement of the social, health and education sectors in comprehensive, integrated, evidence-based programmes for the mental health of young people is essential. This investment should be linked to programmes to raise awareness among adolescents and young adults of ways to look after their

sessions, activities and holistic therapy sessions – completely free of charge with the aim to look after our wellbeing. Examples of courses are holistic massage, yoga, football and friendship groups. For young people we have the Mind You website (southglos.gov.uk/ mind-you) with important information about how to look after yourself such as the 5 ways to wellbeing: being active, being

connected to our community, keep learning, giving and helping others and taking notice (mindfulness). If mental health problems do occur then please speak to your GP surgery. At Bradley Stoke Surgery, in addition to usual GP consultations, we have a Mental Health Practitioner who can make an assessment of your mental health and arrange any necessary treatment. It is simple to book an appointment with her by calling the main surgery number. To raise awareness and show support for World Mental Health Day, you can wear a green ribbon – some will be available at the surgery. Dr Sophie Kilmartin Bradley Stoke Surgery www.bradleystokesurgery.nhs.uk

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October 2018

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Advertising Feature

New Filton delicatessen offers treats for all The ‘Rozmaryn’ store has opened near Home Bargains

resh ham, bacon and sausages from eastern Europe are proving some of the most popular lines at a new delicatessen that has recently opened near the Home Bargains store in Filton. ‘Rozmaryn’ Polish Delicatessen, at the Shield Retail Park near Filton Roundabout, is the third Bristol store to be opened by local couple Sebastian Skurzynski and Edyta Borowiec, following the success of ‘Lubczyk’ in Southmead and ‘Bazylia’ in Henbury, with all three outlets being named after garden herbs (rosemary, lovage and basil). Sebastian and Edyta came to the UK many years ago but were frustrated at not being able to find all the food products they were used to eating in Poland. This led to them deciding to set up their own shop, stocked with popular products imported from their homeland. The expanded business now sees hundreds of people coming into its stores every day, not only from Polish families but from the wider community too. Rozmaryn store supervisor Sara Kunicka said: “It’s a Polish shop with Polish products, but our audience focus is everybody in Bristol and around, not just foreign people. Our staff make everyone welcome and go out of their way to help people of any

nationality find what they need or might like to try.” The store stocks a wide range of traditional hams (including some that are gluten free), bacon, sausages (some gluten free) and cheeses (some lactose free). All the products sold are fully labelled, with product names and ingredients written in English, allowing everyone to browse and find what they like. Knowledgeable staff are always on hand to help and advise. Staff pay particular attention to fresh products, ensuring that ‘best before’ dates are respected in the interests of food safety. The current top-seller amongst the store’s growing British clientele is reported to be the extensive range of tasty and fresh sausages and hams. There is a small café inside the shop which serves hot chocolate, teas and coffees, with a choice of milk that includes coconut, lactose free, almond, soya and semi-skimmed milk. Traditional sweet sauces are available as an accompaniment to the coffees (sugar free versions available). The store also stocks a tempting range of cakes, sold by the kilo. Opening hours are 9am to 8pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sunday. ● For more information visit ‘Rozmaryn Polish Delicatessen’ on Facebook.

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October 2018

News

Local historian remembered through naming of new street

local resident who passed away earlier this year is to be remembered by having a new street named after her. Sharon Ubank Close will be a new road in Little Stoke and will serve as a reminder of the work that Sharon did for the local community. Many residents of Stoke Gifford will remember the Stokes Standard, a series of booklets about the local history, in and around the area, produced by local historian Sharon Ubank in the early 1990s, capturing the oral history of the area from older residents. The Standard not only covered historical matters, but articles about the local flora and fauna, helping residents to understand more about the local trees, plants and insects, and of course the obligatory

ghost, Hugo who, in the 1920s rode his phantom horse along Worral’s lane.

description and enthusiasm were all that was required.”

Books published

Sharon is sadly no longer with us, having passed away at the age of 57 in July, but her memory will be retained as South Gloucestershire Council, with the agreement of her family, will be naming a new road in Little Stoke, off Collins Avenue, as Sharon Ubank Close. The idea originated from Adrian, who has been consulted on suitable new street names in the past. Sharon’s brother, Andy Stafford said: “2018 has been a dreadful year for our family. On 8th July we lost Sharon to cancer. Losing my sister at such a young age has left a massive void in our lives. Her children Dave and Elliott, her husband Phil, her step children Caroline, Jenny and Chris, myself and my mum cannot believe she’s no longer with us. But, on the day of Sharon’s funeral, Dave received a text asking whether the family would be happy if South Gloucestershire Council was to name a new street after her in Little Stoke.” “Naming a road after Sharon is amazing. Her work in the community, including saving a Saxon-aged gulley from developers some twenty years ago is just one of many things she has achieved. She has written books about the area and she had planned to publish a book she had written about a Saxon Path used by pilgrims which runs through Little Stoke. We will

Sharon also celebrated the area’s history in her books ‘A Ring of Rooks, stories from Little Stoke Farm’ and ‘Landscapes of the Past’. She arrived in Stoke Gifford in 1983 from Fishponds and was an enthusiastic conservationist. Local resident and fellow historian, Adrian Kerton, spoke of her ability to discuss local history with a passion and fervour rarely seen: “Sharon once delivered a fascinating talk on the Saxon Path running from Bradley Stoke into Stoke Gifford. What was amazing was how Sharon was able to captivate her audience without any slides or illustrations, her power of

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Sharon Ubank Close

posthumously publish the book, called Saxonpath, soon.” “We are so proud of what Sharon had achieved and cannot believe that a cul-de-sac will be named after her, allowing her name to live on in the place where she loved to live.” More information about the Stokes Standard and the Saxon Path can be found on Adrian Kerton’s local history website www.stokegiffordhistory. wordpress.com If you would like a street named after someone, please contact your local parish council.

EV Charging Top: Sharon Ubank Above: The Stokes Standard, March 1994

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Left: Living landmark plaque at The Common East, Bradley Stoke

October 2018

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Sport

In Brief

Beginners’ running course starting soon

Grants awarded

any members of our community have taken up running over the past few years and enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits that often come with increasing your fitness and spending time in the great outdoors. North Bristol Running Group (NBRG) is once again offering its popular ‘Couch to 5k’ course from October, and over a period of eight weeks will support you to reach the goal of completing a 5km (3.1 mile) run/jog by the time you graduate (even if you have never run before!). The course will be held on Friday evenings at Bradley Stoke Community School from 19th October until 14th December (at 6.30pm) and the cost of the course is £10 in total. Over the eight weeks, the Run Leaders and Helpers will help you to gradually increase the distance that you run whilst following a structured

Participants on a previous NBRG beginners’ course in 2015

training programme. Sheila Wilcox, one the course leaders, said: “It’s always inspiring to see how our beginners start by jogging just one minute at a time, yet by the end of the course can complete

a full 5km. We love to introduce people to running and to welcome them to our running group.” If you are interested in joining the next ‘Couch to 5k’, email sheilawilcox1@outlook.com for full details.

Bradley Stoke Town Council’s Leisure, Youth & Amenities Committee approved the following grants at its meeting in August: • Youth Grant Aid of £500 to 1st Bradley Stoke Guides towards the new badge scheme and purchase of a unit flag • Youth Grant Aid of £185 to 1st Bradley Stoke Rainbows towards cost of the new badge scheme • Youth Grant Aid of £500 to 1st Bradley Stoke Brownies towards cost of the new badge scheme and hall rental Bradley Stoke Town Council has a range of grant funding streams which eligible groups and organisations can apply for. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/bstc-grants or phone the town council office on 01454 205020. Groups can also apply to South Gloucestershire ward councillors for funding. For details, visit www.southglos.gov.uk/MAF

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October 2018

News

In Brief

Nursery supports local foodbank

Flowerbeds for Bradley Stoke roundabouts

his year, Ambourne House Day Nursery has chosen to focus its fundraising efforts on a local charity, North Bristol Foodbank, writes deputy manager Jenni Greenow. Over the summer, we held a family fun day where we raffled off prizes donated by companies within the local community. We have also held non-uniform days where staff have donated food items or money towards our charity. Between the staff and families, we raised an incredible £180, which we used to donate over three trolleys of food items. North Bristol Foodbank were overwhelmed with the donation and, along with us, would like to thank not only all of the companies who donated raffle prizes, but also all of the children, parents, families and staff who helped us raise such a fantastic amount for this cause.

The town council looks set to approve and fund the creation of flowerbeds on two of the town’s most-viewed roundabouts. The idea has evolved through a strategic planning topic named ‘Beautification of Bradley Stoke’. Subject to final approval once further quotes for the work have been obtained, two beds will be created on each of the Patchway Brook (Aldi) and Savages Wood (Tesco) roundabouts. An initial quote from Ambience Landscapes, the council’s current grounds contractor, has come in at £1,240 to create the beds, with an ongoing maintenance charge of £2,500 per annum. The programme would consist of “summer and winter bedding and the associated works, ensuring they are cut to a good level and not overgrown, encroaching on drivers’ vision”. Planting licences will need to be obtained from SGC.

L-r: Jenni from Ambourne House and Matt from North Bristol Foodbank with food and toiletry items donated by the nursery; Tracey with more donations.

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October 2018

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News

Council gives reasons for lane changes on A38

otorists using the A38 northbound between the Aztec West Roundabout and M5 J16 will have noted further changes to the road layout in recent months. The latest alterations were implemented in June 2018, eight months after a £4.2m scheme of “improvements” on the southbound side of the A38 and on the arms of the Aztec West Roundabout itself were deemed “substantially completed” in October 2017. South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) has refused to accept a widely held view that the original multi-million pound scheme actually worsened peak time traffic delays for the majority of road users in the area, claiming that the latest work constituted “mitigation measures” needed to alleviate issues that were outside the scope of the original work.

Additional issues

When pressed to explain what these additional issues were, SGC officers listed them as: • Inefficiency of the operation of M5 16, leading to exit blocking, the subsequent knock-on effect causing queuing back to and beyond Aztec West Roundabout. • The completion of Pinchpoint schemes at M5 J16 in 2015 by both SGC and Highways England failed to maximise potential for improvements to the local network. • Motorists exiting the Aztec West Business Park in the lane meant for Bradley Stoke Way and turning left rather than using the left filter lane. This resulted in these motorists blocking vehicles travelling from Bradley Stoke Way and the A38 south of the roundabout. • Traffic turning right from Bradley Stoke Way heading for M5 J16 was frequently observed queueing over the boxed junction on the circulatory. This uses up the capacity for A38 northbound, when A38 northbound is on green only a few vehicles make it through the cycle after all the box queueing traffic has cleared.

business park, which show red even when no pedestrians are crossing, are responsible for delaying traffic exiting the park.

Unanticipated factors

Lane 1 on the A38 northbound towards M5 J16 is now ‘left only’

• Surveys undertaken in November 2017 and February 2018 showed that the average length of time taken to exit the business park was 21 minutes. A range of potential mitigation options was revealed at the Bradley Stoke Community Engagement Forum in February 2018 (as reported in our April magazine), and from these, ‘Option 2’ was selected, namely to “convert lane 1 northbound between Aztec West Roundabout and M5 J16 to ‘left only’”. The A38 lane reconfiguration

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was implemented in June 2018, with the council saying that there was no time for further public consultation “due to funding deadlines and imminent work by Highways England to install a new slip road crossing at J16”. Monitoring of the impact of the lane reconfiguration is ongoing, says SGC, as is monitoring of the traffic signals at the J16 roundabout, which are under the control of Highways England. SGC has refused to accept the view that new traffic signals on the left filter lane out of the

Asked whether SGC has assessed potential additional stresses on the Aztec West traffic flow resulting from unanticipated factors such as the removal of tolls on the Severn bridges and the possible building of an arena at Filton Airfield, a spokesperson said: “The Aztec West scheme was designed based on predicted future traffic flows taking account for future planned growth in housing and employment. The impact of any traffic generated by an arena at Filton on the Aztec West Roundabout will be assessed if and when detailed proposals for an arena and its proposed operation come forward. The actual impact of the removal of the Severn bridge tolls, when they cease at the end of the year, will be monitored as part of the council’s traffic monitoring programme.” ● Funding for the original £4.2m scheme was provided by the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership.

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Get well · Stay well by Laura Jane, Solution Focused Clinical Hypnotherapist at Willow Brook Clinic

Positive thinking

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No matter how hard we try and how accomplished we become, life is just hard work at times. Daily stresses can build up into feelings of being unable to cope.

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October 2018

Let’s take a moment to think about positive thinking. Positive thinking is solution focused thinking. In Solution Focused Hypnotherapy, one of our key messages for promoting good mental health is positive thought. We work on developing our ability to think positively about events in order to build up our ability to cope better with the stresses and strains of everyday life. We know that positive thinking encourages the release of serotonin, our feel-good

chemical, and we know that when we are in a state of positivity our immune system works better. It’s no surprise that the things we tell ourselves in our daily internal dialogue guides our reality and ultimately shapes our future. Every thought we have releases chemicals in our brain. Focusing on the negative effectively saps the brain of its positive forcefulness, slows it down and dims our brain’s ability to function. To help us feel positive, we need to create a flow of serotonin. Serotonin is known as the neurotransmitter chemical that produces the catalyst for positive mental health. When we have lots of serotonin flowing we feel good about ourselves. It’s where the phrase ‘you are what you think you are’ comes from - all our actions proceed from our thoughts. Try solution focused thinking start to feel the difference. The Willow Brook Clinic East Offices The Willow Brook Centre www.willowbrookclinic.co.uk

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October 2018

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News Seeking alumni for Kumon’s 20th anniversary celebrations! Calling all former students of the Kumon Bradley Stoke Study Centre!

he Kumon study centre in Bradley Stoke has been helping children develop independent study skills and achieve their potential in maths and English for 20 years. Sarah Nutchey, a former maths teacher, became a Kumon Instructor in 1998 and started her Kumon class with around 12 students, originally in the Almondsbury Sports and Social Centre. The number of students steadily grew and the class moved to the Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre until July 2013 when the class relocated to permanent premises at the Willow Brook Centre. Sarah received her award for 20 years as an Instructor from the President of Kumon Europe and Africa at the Kumon UK Annual Conference earlier in the year. Kumon’s mission statement is: “By discovering the potential of each individual and developing

Sarah Nutchey receives her long service award at a recent Kumon conference

his or her ability to the maximum, we aim to foster sound, capable people and thus contribute to the global community.”

Over the course of the last 20 years, Sarah has nurtured hundreds of children through the Kumon maths and English

programmes, and we are seeking stories from those past students. We would love to hear from you if you studied Kumon in Bradley Stoke and find out how it has benefited you with your schoolwork, university studies or career. The Kumon Bradley Stoke Centre is planning a very special end of year ceremony to celebrate the achievement of current students and also to celebrate past successes from the last 20 years. If you are one of our alumni and would be willing to share your story, please contact Kate Sheldon at bradleystoke@ kumoncentre.co.uk by the end of October so that we can invite you to be part of our celebrations.

b u l C y a id l o H g in inn w d Awar es for children 7 years+ Amazing outdoor experienc

Zorb football archery climbing wall archery tag assault course low ropes high ropes AWAY DAYS GO-KARTS nerf battles & lots more! Childcare vouchers accepted, standard & extended days, Minibus service For more info: www.mojoactive.co.uk/kids/holiday-club or call 01454 660 075 Chosen Mojo Active New Half Page Advert PT 180mm W x 116mm H 09.2018.indd 1

“My kids love Mojo & wish they could come ever yday!”

E Brown

To advertise in this magazine or on our websites, phone The Journal’s sales team on 01454 300 400

25/09/2018 19:26

www.bradleystokejournal.co.uk

t: 01454 300 400

October 2018

News

September update from Jack Lopresti MP

he last month has been a busy period in the constituency, as the parliamentary recess came to an end. I visited a brilliant local attraction, Aerospace Bristol, to see the great work they are doing to preserve the region’s fantastic aviation heritage and inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists. I also visited the Compass Project in Staple Hill, which provides a community for people in recovery from substance abuse. It was great to hear about many success stories where people have turned their lives around. I also met with Kevin Hamblin, the executive principal at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, to discuss their future plans. I was very impressed and fully support their

plans to bring addition skills to students in our area. It was a pleasure to join the new defence minister for procurement, Stuart Andrew MP, for the opening of the LiftWorks facility at Rolls-Royce in Patchway. The facility will manufacture part of the new F35 Lightning Vertical LiftSystem, securing jobs for years to come.

Prime minister invited

In parliament, I took the opportunity to ask a question of the prime minister at PMQs. I invited her to the opening of Airbus’s new Wing Integration Centre in Filton and asked if she would join me in thanking and paying tribute to Airbus for its strong and enduring commitment to the UK. Mrs May congratulated Airbus on

the commitment it has made to the UK and the high quality of jobs it provides here. She also said that she would consider the invitation.

Senior Citizens’ Fair

My first Senior Citizens’ Advice and Information Fair will be taking place on the 1st November 2018. It will be full of information from a mixture of organisations to showcase what they can offer older people. This will include charities and providers of health and social care needs that unfortunately affect many constituents, as well as groups that provide new opportunities to for people to try something new in later life. I also welcome the families of older

constituents to come along on their behalf, and hope that having many different groups together all in one place will be useful. There is a page on my website that will be regularly updated with all the latest information on the event. Alternatively, please do not hesitate to get in touch with my office for further information. If you would like to discuss anything with me, be it as a resident, organisation or business, please contact my constituency office in Bradley Stoke on 01454 617783 or email me on jack.lopresti. mp@parliament.uk to arrange a suitable surgery time, or to arrange a visit to your premises. For further details, visit www. jacklopresti.com

We’re Bradley Stoke’s