May 2014

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

May 2014 • Issue 13

LETTERS P8 | SCHOOLS P18 | QUIZ P23 | POLICE P24 | WHAT’S ON P27 | DIRECTORY P28-29 Find us on Facebook: BradleyStokeJournal Follow us on Twitter: @TheBSJournal

PLUS , IN YOUR 32-PAGE BRADLEY STOKE MAGAZINE

COMMUNITY SPEED WATCH VOLUNTEERS AT THE READY

Pages 16 & 17 Food traders on council sites

Double setback for Mayor

Page 7

l Anger as dog waste collections missed and 24 bins removed l Chloe wins John Lewis prom dress competition l Superfast broadband goes live (for some)

Bradley Stoke Carnival

Date set for 23rd August

Page 3

l Young people create dream garden for the Willow Brook Centre l WIN a year’s free gym membership at Anytime Fitness in Bradley Stoke

2

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t: 01454 300 400

May 2014

Faster broadband arrives – but for how many?

Contact Us Find us on Facebook: BradleyStokeJournal

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

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 19 The Park, Bristol.

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 2014. Content published in our magazines or on our websites may not be reproduced in any form without our express written permission.

It’s great to be able to report that the first Bradley Stoke homes connected to the Almondsbury telephone exchange (i.e. on 01454 numbers) had their new superfast broadband service activated in early April.

The Journal’s website has been awash with comments from readers eager to access the new service, with over two hundred messages recorded on our latest broadband story.

The upgrade process hasn’t been without its problems though, with the first customers having to endure cancelled appointments and being left without internet access for short periods, but it looks like things are running smoothly now,

with a steady stream of readers reporting successful installations.

Unfortunately, not everyone who would like to subscribe to the service can currently do so, in particular those in central Bradley Stoke and anyone served by an ‘exchange only’ (EO) line.

Those in the latter category could have cause for concern because, in its latest statement, South Gloucestershire Council seems to suggest that not everyone on an EO line will be able to benefit from the stateaided upgrade project by the time it is completed in March 2015.

That possibility should set alarm bells ringing with our local councillors.

Stephen Horton

We deliver 9,450 copies of this magazine As well as being delivered to ALL of the 8,650 homes in Bradley Stoke, a further 800 copies of this magazine are delivered in the neighbouring areas of Little Stoke and Stoke Lodge. We also leave around 500 copies at public locations in Bradley Stoke, Patchway and Stoke Gifford.

Find out more and get interactive!

So that you can find out more about the topics included in this issue of the magazine and/or take part in online discussions about them on our website or Facebook page, we have set up an online reference page listing all the related links. Visit: http://bit.ly/bsj-mag-links or scan the QR code.

Get involved with your local newspaper!

If you have news that you would like to see featured in the magazine and/or on our website, please get in touch by email, phone or post (see contact details on the top left of this page).

We are also looking for people to get involved in the production of the town’s new local newspaper, so please contact us if you are interested in writing articles or taking photographs for us.

It’s so close,you can almost taste it.

Bradley Stoke - located at Willowbrook Shopping Centre, NEXT TO TESCO 10 Piece Bargain Bucket only

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Please present this coupon before you place your order. Offer available on next purchase only. Only one coupon per person per visit.

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13/03/2014 21:03

May 2014

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News

Bradley Stoke Carnival date set for 23rd August

By Sara Messenger he date for this year’s carnival has now been set as Saturday 23rd August, which is the bank holiday weekend. The procession has an ‘international’ theme to reflect the multicultural nature of Bradley Stoke residents and which we hope will encourage groups with their own costumes or uniforms to join the parade. The parade will start at 1pm at the Brook Way Activity Centre, travel along Brook Way turning into Savages Wood Road to arrive at the Jubilee Centre carnival field.

As well as the parade, other attractions on the day will include a fun fair, stalls, live music on stage, Bradley Stoke in Bloom ‘Best Pot’ competition, classic cars and hot air balloons with an evening launch (weather permitting). Some live music has already been booked including The Twerzels, a Wurzels tribute band,

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Left: Booked for 2014 – The Twerzels; Right: Dancers and funfair on Jubilee Green at the 2013 Carnival

Mia and Tuesday Eagle (recently heard on Bradley Stoke Radio) and Dave Harris, who has an awesome range of 60s & 70s covers.

On the carnival field, free pitches are available to all community groups for fundraising or just displays and limited (non-catering) commercial pitches are also

available at a very reasonable cost, although all groups will need to supply their own table and gazebo!

Bradley Stoke’s schools are being offered workshops in carnival and circus skills and, in the weeks preceding the carnival, there will also be community workshops in carnival skills and

costume making. Our thanks go to Bradley Stoke Town Council, whose generosity is allowing us to offer these free of charge.

If you or your group would like to be involved in any way, we would love to hear from you; please contact us on: bradleystokecarnival@gmail.com

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May 2014

News

Chloe wins John Lewis prom dress competition

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student from Bradley Stoke Community School has been crowned the winner of a prom dress design competition organised by the John Lewis store at Cribbs Causeway.

Chloe Marsh was one of ten students, selected from a total of 40 entrants, who were invited to make up their designs in the John Lewis store over the February half-term.

The finalists then modelled their dresses down the catwalk at The Mall’s recent Bristol Fashion Show, where celebrity stylist Mark Heyes and John Lewis’s Operations Manager Hannah Grey revealed Chloe (pictured left) as the ultimate winner.

Chloe said she was thrilled to have won and will be wearing the dress to her prom next year.

Two other Bradley Stoke students, Alice Higginson (below, left) and Amelia Franklin (right) also made it through to the final.

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

May 2014

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5

News

Anger as dog waste collections missed and 24 bins removed

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radley Stoke residents who recently complained about a spate of overflowing dog waste bins around the town have reacted angrily to the sight of council workers removing a large number of the receptacles.

Several emails about overflowing bins were received by The Journal over the Christmas holidays and there was another surge in activity during March, with several readers providing photos (see examples, right).

Speaking at April’s Finance Committee meeting, Bradley Stoke Town Council’s Premises Manager John Rendell confirmed to The Journal’s editor that the council had also received scores of complaints, and he laid the

blame on South Gloucestershire Council’s (SGC’s) Streetcare team, which is contracted by the town council to empty the bins.

According to Mr Rendell, the SGC operative who normally empties the bins had been on holiday and nobody was tasked to substitute for him. He added that he had accompanied the operative on a recent round to make sure that all the bins are being visited.

Explaining why a number of dog waste bins have been removed since 1st April, Mr Rendell said that the town council had agreed in September 2013 to reduce the number of dog waste bins in the town from 57 to 33.

As reported in The Journal at the time, the decision was made

bristol – patchway

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For a Lifetime of Health

Photos of overflowing dog waste bins sent in by Journal readers during March

to avoid additional emptying costs being incurred by the town council after SGC said it would no longer empty 21 of the bins freeof-charge, and was justified by the fact that dog waste may now be placed in general litter bins.

Mayor Brian Hopkinson said

he had been astonished to hear of some people depositing large bags of waste in the council’s bins and noted that dog waste may now be placed in householders’ own black bins. ● Bradley Stoke Town Council can be contacted on 01454 205020.

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Same familiar faces.

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May 2014

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7

News

Setback for Mayor’s food court plan

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radley Stoke Mayor Brian Hopkinson’s plan to see multiple food traders in the car parks of the town council’s three community centres suffered a serious setback during April after two key votes went against him.

Cllr Hopkinson has been strongly promoting the idea since it was first raised at the council’s Strategic Planning Meeting last September and it was unanimously supported by the Finance Committee in October 2013, where it was noted that having multiple operators would be “beneficial for the area, offering residents a wider choice of multi-cultural takeaway food facilities within the town, at the same time as offering an extra income stream for the council”.

As reported in the April edition of the Journal magazine, Santiago Pablo, owner of Papas Pizzas, was recently granted a permit by the town council to trade on four evenings a week in the car park of the Brook Way Activity Centre, potentially making him the second operator to trade at that site. However, Mr Pablo subsequently withdrew his application for the necessary street trading licence after learning that he would also have to foot the £385 bill for a “change of use” planning application, arguing that he believed the town council should pay the fee.

When the question of “change of use” planning application charges came before the town

council’s Finance Committee last month, Cllr Hopkinson argued that, as it was the council’s agreed policy to allow two traders at each site, it was “hardly fair” to expect new traders to be responsible for acquiring planning permission. “If this goes ahead, we will be getting some good income that will very quickly cover the cost of the planning applications”, he added.

Noting that town councils receive a 50 per cent discount on planning application fees, he urged councillors to underwrite the cost of “change of use” planning applications for all three of the sites, “for less than £600 in total”.

Arguing against the Mayor’s suggestion, Cllr Ben Walker pointed out that food traders on non-council sites in the town, such as Muzzy’s Kebabs and Snack in the Mouth, hadn’t had their planning application fees paid by the council and questioned why the council was “advertising itself as a mobile [food trader] carnival”.

Cllr Andy Ward pointed out that Bradley Stoke is unusual in that it doesn’t have a traditional high street and, as a consequence, has only “expensive” retail units available to food traders. However, he saw the planning application fee as a “normal business start-up expense” that potential traders should expect to pay.

When it came to a decision, Cllr Hopkinson’s proposal that

the council should pay the planning application fee for all three sites was lost by two votes to four.

Describing the decision as “crazy”, Cllr Hopkinson reacted angrily, saying: “If this goes on for more than another couple of months, I’ll come back to council with a proposal to get rid of the traders all together.”

A further setback came later in April when the town council’s Planning Committee was asked to consider its response to a street trading licence application from Erkan Cil of Marmaris Kebabs to trade as a second operator in the car park of the Baileys Court Activity Centre, until 11pm on seven nights a week.

Three residents of nearby properties (in Pursey Drive ) attended the meeting and spoke against the application on the grounds that a second trader would result in increased levels of

anti-social behaviour. They were supported by Cllr Keith Cranney, who said he was aware of “a lot of discontent” from residents in the surrounding area.

During discussion of the item, councillors raised their own concerns about the application, including the capacity of the car park at Baileys Court (especially during the cricket season), nuisance to neighbours through increased levels of lighting and noise and the applicant’s failure to specify how toilet facilities would be provided for persons working on the unit.

The committee voted to object to the licence application, with four councillors supporting an objection and four abstaining.

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May 2014

Letters and Opinions MetroBus will fail unless fares are cheap Yet more news about the MetroBus service that will be introduced in the area. However, there is one important question that I do not recall them having answered: How much will the fare for a Bradley Stoke resident be?

They will have a good idea what they intend to charge as no business/council would spend the money they are without including this in the calculations.

Unfortunately, I think it will not be ‘cheap’ and therefore will not be used by the general residents to get in to the centre on a day to day basis.

If it truly is for the benefit of the area to allow access to jobs etc. in the local area, and be a better option than driving, the cost will need to be low, such as a £1 ticket. At that price the buses would likely be packed and the service a success. But I think we

all know it will most likely be £3+ each way and we will all drive.

Maybe they will say otherwise at the planning committee meeting. As if!

Simon Thomas Bradley Stoke

What will be the next council tax scam?

Once again, I ask what do we get in return for our council tax?

The council claims the green bin was free, but in fact it was provided in lieu of the black bin every other week. Another rip-off!

The green bin charge of £36 is equivalent to 3p in the pound, i.e. a 3% council tax increase for the owner of a Band D property.

What will they ask us to pay extra for next year? Recycling?

Street lights? The black bin? And still claim there is no council tax increase!

P J Cook Bradley Stoke

Cricket club welcomes help with new screen I thought your readers might be interested to hear about a major project that has happened at the town’s cricket club during the winter. The club’s sightscreens were in need of replacement so it was decided to save money and build one ourselves. We were encouraged to do this because we had some money in an account with building firm Jewson. This was boosted with £100 from the club’s coffers and also £400 from the England & Wales Cricket Board through the NatWest Cricket Force scheme. This is a scheme to encourage cricket clubs to invest in their facilities.

Work started in early January and every weekend a little bit more was done. With the weather so poor, the construction could not take place outside, so, with the help and co-operation of Bill Walton, the Senior Leisure

Assistant at Baileys Court Activity Centre (where BSCC is based), the project was allowed to take shape inside the centre.

Many hours were spent on constructing and painting 50 different pieces of wood with two undercoats and two top coats of gloss. The club was helped very much again by Bill who allowed us to have the help and input from three or four members of the Community Payback scheme.

Their enthusiasm and expertise was invaluable and without them the project would not have been finished in time for the new season, and the construction would not have been as robust and professional as it is. Our gratitude goes to all concerned in helping us with this ambitious but rewarding project.

It was really good to see the team from the Community Payback scheme work so hard and with such enthusiasm and dedication.

Mike Mundy, President Bradley Stoke CC

Bradley Stoke Cricket Club president Mike Mundy (left) thanks Bill Walton, Senior Leisure Assistant at the Baileys Court Activity Centre, for his help with the club’s sightscreen project.

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May 2014

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9

News

Superfast broadband goes live (for some)

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uperfast broadband provided through a statesubsidised infrastructure investment programme is now operational in scores of Bradley Stoke homes after the first fibreenabled cabinets “went live” during April.

The upgrade is benefiting homes connected to the Almondsbury telephone exchange (01454 numbers) that lie outside the coverage area of the Virgin Media cable network.

The first subscribers connected to cabinets 32 (serving Brackendene, Cornfield Close, Ferndene, Orchard Gate and Saxon Way) and 35 (serving Juniper Way and Marjoram Place) saw their newly-ordered service go live on 11th April, just over a week after South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) had declared the cabinets “live and ready for service”.

The switch-on didn’t go

without a hitch though, with several Journal readers reporting installation appointments being cancelled or missed by BT or their sub-contractors.

A third cabinet, number 22 (serving Dewfalls Drive, Harvest Close, Stoke Meadows, Wheatfield Drive and Winsbury Way), was also declared “live” by SGC on 1st April, but “remedial work” was found to be necessary, meaning that the first subscribers didn’t get a working service until 25th April.

Customers connected to a fourth major cabinet, number 34 (serving central areas of Bradley Stoke), have expressed disappointment that no work has yet been carried out at that site, but SGC has confirmed to The Journal that this cabinet “is in the plan to be upgraded”.

A spokesperson said: “Cabinet 34 will be surveyed in the next couple of months and should be ready for orders this Autumn.

flattened

The rollout of fibre broadband is an ongoing process and not all cabinets can be upgraded at the same time.”

Subscribers on so-called ‘exchange only’ (EO) lines, whose wires are connected directly to the telephone exchange rather than via a street cabinet, may have to wait considerably longer.

An SGC spokesperson told The Journal: “[BT] Openreach are continuing work to plan and design the more complex solution for residents in Bradley Stoke who are connected directly to the telephone exchange via ‘exchange only’ (EO) lines.”

“For those EO lines that will be upgraded as part of the council’s project, in order to install the new fibre in the most cost-effective way, we need to completely

re-arrange the existing copper network in those EO line areas, to make it possible to install new fibre-enabled cabinets. The EO lines will then be connected to the exchange via a new fibre-enabled cabinet, which will hugely improve speeds.”

“All cabinets installed as part of the Superfast Broadband Project will be live and ready for service by March 2015.”

Is fibre broadband available to you? Are you on an EO line?

Which ISPs are offering the best deals for fibre broadband?

To find out, visit: www.bradleystokejournal.co.uk/superfast

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May 2014

News

Make a difference this Summer!

30,000 sign up for SGC’s new green bin service

Could you help children with the 2014 Reading Challenge?

The number of households signing up for South Gloucestershire Council’s new £36 p.a. garden waste collection service has risen from 22,000 at the beginning of April to 30,000, a take up rate of 27 per cent.

Estimates presented to councillors when they approved the scheme last year suggested that the one-off costs of introducing the service would be between £0.56m and £0.62m, depending on service take-up. However, Conservative councillors, who voted against the proposals, are now claiming that these costs have “rocketed” to almost £0.65m.

A council spokesperson said: “With the service now operational, we are confident that the actual costs will be consistent with our original estimates and may in fact prove to be lower once we begin the process of collecting unwanted green bins from this October.”

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outh Gloucestershire’s Library Service is looking for volunteers to help children do the Summer Reading Challenge 2014. The theme this year is Mythical Maze and children are challenged to read six books to collect their very own medal and certificate.

Over 7,000 children in South Gloucestershire took part in Creepy House, the 2013 Summer Reading Challenge, and volunteers supported the children taking part by listening to them talk about their books and helping at the activities in the library.

Tim, aged 18, from Filton explained why he got involved: “Volunteering for the summer reading challenge was a fantastic way to give something back to a community I have benefited so much from. It was the summer

reading challenge that got me and my family ten years ago to regularly use the library, and its resources have since become an intrinsic part of my life. It was so nice being a part of the beginning of similar journeys for other young people and really engaging with them about what they have read. In volunteering for the summer reading challenge you see the passion for reading born. You gain valuable skills in communication through interacting with young people and their parents and I really felt my confidence grew as a result.”

Being a Summer Reading Challenge volunteer is also a great opportunity for young people to get new skills and experience for their CVs, as Tim describes: “As well as the enjoyment you get out of engaging with young readers, the

summer reading challenge acted as a springboard for many other things. I found that it’s perfect volunteering material for the Duke of Edinburgh award and in my case was also a stepping stone into being included in the library ‘pool’ of staff drafted in to cover absences. This, for a student, is the perfect part-time job as it allows me to work when I am able to.”

For more information on how to get involved ask a member of library staff, contact emma. fisher@southglos.gov.uk or phone 01454 868451.

The role is suitable for those aged 14+. Closing date for applications is 16th June 2014.

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May 2014

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11

News

BS in Bloom summer competitions revealed

By Sara Messenger of Bradley Stoke in Bloom radley Stoke in Bloom (BSiB) had a change of plan for April’s workday and joined in the Grow Wild Weekend by preparing the groundwork for two wildflower meadows, which are to be planted outside Bradley Stoke Library. The day didn’t go without a hitch, giving rise to the comment, “How many engineers does it take to assemble a rotavator?” The answer is three!

But thanks to Andy, Ceri and Rob it was working in the end.

While waiting for the rotavator, the group kept busy planting several hundred bulbs, turfing some steps and decorating our Welcome Planters ready for Easter! We hope you enjoyed them. To celebrate the coming meadow, BSiB and the library are running a children’s colouring competition. There are three age groups: 4-6yrs, 7-9yrs & 10-11yrs and there are three prizes of a £5 book token to be won. Entry sheets are available from our Facebook page, our website and at the library and should be returned to the

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library by Thursday 8th May. Our thanks go to Gabrielle at the library, not only for donating one of the prizes and for hosting the competition, but for agreeing to look after the bird feeder that will be installed in the meadow.

Looking ahead, BSiB are working with the town council to obtain a grant for three new bus shelters with growing roofs, and we now have a logo, which was chosen by public vote at our last open meeting. The winning design was created by 15-year-old Freya Smith (below), who attends Patchway Community College.

As we know Easter is a very busy time for gardeners, we’d like to remind everyone that, for the second year, we are running our ‘Best Front Garden’ competition (to be judged at the end of July) and for the first time we are having a ‘Best Planted Pot’ competition, (to be judged at the Bradley Stoke Carnival on 23rd August) with two categories: Children’s pot – up to 13 years and Adults pot - 14 years and over.

The rules are that you must live in Bradley Stoke, not be connected with the BSiB Steering

Easter-themed decorations on an ‘in Bloom’ planter on Bradley Stoke Way

Committee and agree to publicity photos. The pot must be no more than 18” wide and you must be able to get it to Bradley Stoke Carnival. Entry forms will soon

be available.

Our contact details are: Email: bsib@hotmail.co.uk; Tel: 07582 634107, Facebook or website: bradleystokeinbloom.com

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May 2014

News in Brief Easter Bunny Ride a hit!

Jo Bray reports: The Stokes Cycling Club’s Easter Bunny Ride was a hit for the fourth year running. Despite the awful weather reports, over 100 people turned up to take part in the annual event, which is supported by Sustrans and The Better By Bike Team.

The Bike mechanics were kept busy tweaking brakes and pumping tyres before the families started out.

There were two routes to choose from; 3 or 4 miles and I think the children took charge from this point and decided how far they would like to try and ride! Everyone was given a route sheet with numerous questions to answer and off they went.

The families who arrived fairly early were lucky to escape the heavy rain, but unfortunately a few people got caught out. We had some very soggy entry forms return and some even had to be filled out again, but it didn’t seem to dampen anyone’s spirits.

The Stokes Cycling Club would like to thank Wards Solicitors who sponsored the event for the second year running. Their kind donation helped buy all the prizes and the little Easter Bunnies for all entrants when they returned.

The teams with the highest scores were Withers, Cookies, Wilson, M&M and The Egg Heads.

Congratulations to everyone who took part and the club hopes to see you next year!

Bring a copy of this advert when joining and receive One Month Free LivingWell Health Club Hilton Bristol Woodlands Lane Bradley Stoke BS32 4JF 01454 893420 / anca.leru@hilton.com

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Member No. 2037

Bradley Stoke town councillors have taken on board a suggestion that the Jubilee Green could be enhanced by the addition of a pétanque/boules pitch, costing in the region of £2,000 - £4,000.

They agreed to encourage the Bradley Stoke Twinning Association to apply to South Gloucestershire Council’s Southern Brooks Area Forum for a New Homes Bonus Grant to fund the cost of the project.

Cllr Andy Ward also offered to speak to local telecommunications company Orange, which employs a large number of Frenchspeaking people, regarding access to their community funding.

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May 2014

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13

News

Local MP drops in for coffee at Brook Court

By Grahame Holloway rook Court residents enjoyed the company of their local MP when Jack Lopresti joined them for coffee during one of their recent coffee mornings.

Introduced by Roger Grimshaw, Secretary of the Residents’ Association, Mr Lopresti said he was very much a local man, having been born in Southmead Hospital and later worked in the family business before embarking on a new career in financial services and the residential property sector in Bristol. He also served as a member of Bristol City Council for eight years between 1999 and 2007.

In 2010, he stood for the Conservatives in the Filton & Bradley Stoke constituency, which had been newly formed as a result of Boundary Commission changes, winning with a majority of over six thousand.

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Since entering Parliament his special interest has been defence matters, which could be explained by the vast aerospace industry employing over ten thousand workers within his constituency, and the fact he had

served for a number of years in the Territorial Army. During this period, as a member of the Royal Artillery, he served a twelve month tour with regular troops of 29 Commando RA, five months of which had been in the Helmand

Province of Afghanistan.

Taking numerous residents’ questions from the floor, ranging from lack of overnight public parking to the need for a post office in the Willow Brook Centre, he then circulated between them carefully listening to individual thoughts and problems. Sadly, the time eventually came for him to depart for a further appointment, but he did so with a promise to return, an occasion which the Brook Court residents very much look forward to.

As he was leaving he was asked for his impressions of meeting some of his more senior constituents to which he replied: “It has been a pleasure to visit Brook Court. I have really enjoyed meeting everyone and I have picked up on a number of issues and concerns which I will be taking up with Bradley Stoke Town Council and South Gloucestershire Council.”

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May 2014

News

New wildlife park seeks volunteers

This month’s update from Almondsbury Allotments

olunteers are being sought to help out at Bristol’s new visitor attraction – The Wild Place Project, near Cribbs Causeway.

The park opened six months ago and currently has around 30 part-time volunteers, who offer their time in a variety of ways: from manning the lemur walkthrough enclosure to talking to guests in the ‘woodman’s hut’ in the new Wolf Wood – home to five European grey wolves.

Now the new attraction is calling on people in the nearby town of Bradley Stoke to volunteer in the run up to the busy summer holiday period.

The Wild Place Project’s Volunteer Services Manager, Ann Lovell, said: “Volunteering at The Wild Place Project is a fantastic opportunity to get involved in an exciting new attraction, make new friends, be a part of a dynamic and evolving visitor

Spring has finally sprung and we’re off, equipped with last year’s learnings and a new plot plan. Bean canes are in before the ground gets too solid. The whole plot has been dug over using the old fashioned fork / back ache method [*note to self - get a rotavator next year].

This year’s planting plan is to get everything closer together as last year we had too much soil and not enough crop.

Our cat is very much looking forward to returning to her bedroom bay window sunbathing spot, as the seed trays gradually disappear.

I’m still working on my plan to develop electrically charged Broccoli plants, as I sense the Hortham Farm pigeons are preparing for battle.

We will be having an open day in June as part of Almondsbury’s Open Gardens weekend.

Andrew, Allotment 23

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attraction and play a part in the development of the park.”

She added: “We’re looking for confident people, who enjoy talking to our guests and are willing to learn lots about the animals at The Wild Place Project.”

Ann Pearson, a current volunteer at the Wild Place Project said: “I’ve always been interested in conservation and joining the first phase of the Wild Place Project was a very exciting opportunity.”

She continued: “It’s really a lovely place to be, in any weather.

You really feel you are out in the

countryside. The team of staff and volunteers all work well together to make it a special day for our guests.”

Visitors to The Wild Place Project can see animals from Madagascar, east Africa and the Congo, including zebra, eland, lemurs and red river hogs.

Guests can also take a stroll in the woods, relax in the Tower Meadow or have fun in the undercover Fun Fort.

Volunteers would be required to help at The Wild Place Project for a minimum of half a day per week. No experience is necessary as full training will be given.

Volunteers must be 18 years of age for most roles, but there is no upper age limit.

If you are interested in volunteering at The Wild Place Project, visit: www.wildplace. org.uk/volunteers. Alternatively, phone the volunteer services department on 0117 974 7363.

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May 2014

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Willow Brook Briefing from shopping centre manager Andy Wynn

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’ve been here at Willow Brook for three months now, it’s long enough that I don’t need to trouble the team with too many questions that start: “Who do use for…” or “What do we do when…”. It’s been an interesting period, as it always is when you take over the management of a shopping centre. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the team here and also building links outside of the centre.

One of my early projects has been to re-tender our Christmas decorations scheme; the old contract had expired and it was a really good project to get my teeth into and start to ‘make my mark’. We involved three companies in the process and set them a challenge of delivering more than a great set of Christmas decorations.

Traditionally, shopping centres focus their budget for seasonal decorations on Christmas alone, however some centres now look to other times of the year to decorate areas of the centre. For Willow Brook, I saw this project as an opportunity to use the budget slightly differently and decorate at other times of year as well.

We decided to get several members of the team here involved in the decision making and took the decision based on a vote. Hopefully, you will have

seen our first Spring / Easter display (photo, below) in the mall entrance from the town square. This will be followed be some Halloween decorations before Christmas and by a bit of a surprise during the Christmas period.

We were blessed with great weather for most of the Easter break, which no doubt helped towards the success of our Easter event, the visit of Tiny the Dinosaur. Being the first event I have seen here, I stood in the car park and looked across a sun-baked (well, sun-warmed!) town square, full of families enjoying themselves. Diners were sat outside Harvester and Subway. Surely, whoever designed the town square had just such a day in mind.

For the upcoming halfterm we are looking forward to hosting Titan the Robot (29th May). I’ve seen Titan before elsewhere and he’s very popular. Hopefully the weather will be kind to us once again.

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News Dinosaur visit thrills kids in town square

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undreds of children enjoyed a day of prehistoric fun when Tiny the stegosaurus came to visit the Willow Brook shopping centre on Wednesday 16th April.

Tiny, a rather playful 125-million-years-young dinosaur, performed three mesmerising natural history-style shows alongside her palaeontologist

friend Susannah Stone.

Children, parents and grandparents were encouraged to join in and share their knowledge of dinosaurs and the Jurassic era with the crowd. And the budding young palaeontologists were able to meet and feed Tiny up close.

Children were also able to take part in a dinosaur trail around the centre to win a chocolate treat.

Calling all dog lovers Due to demand for our services, we require dog lovers in the North Bristol area who can care for a dog on a part-time basis Full help and support given For more details, contact Julie on 07807 671267 or email julie.sampson@barkingmad.uk.com www.barkingmad.uk.com

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May 2014

News Feature

Bradley Stoke Community Speed Watch – Who a

By Derrick Powell, Bradley Stoke Community Speed Watch Coordinator e organise teams comprised of a minimum of three volunteers to conduct speed watches on the roads in and around Bradley Stoke.

We work in conjunction with the police and are funded by South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) who provide equipment i.e. speed guns, luminescent jackets, clipboards etc. Meetings are held every two months at the SGC offices in Yate, to discuss activity and future developments for the speed watch members.

We are currently adopting a computer system developed

by Devon and Cornwall Police called SWAN, where we can centralise all information gathered by Community Speed Watch (CSW) teams throughout South Gloucestershire. Avon and

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Somerset Police will hold all this information, and SGC will have access to all non-confidential information.

Our main aim is to record any speeding motorists and pass this information to Avon and Somerset Police. Whether it be 40, 30 or 20 miles per hour. This is carried out by means of a letter for the first offence, a follow up letter of a more serious nature and a visit from the police for a second offence. Should the offending motorist be caught speeding for the third time, they will be visited by the police and further action will be taken by means of a fixed penalty or court summons.

The vast majority of rural locations claiming to be affected do not fit the profile for regular robust police intervention or physical road calming measures from the Highways Agency or local authority. Regular

targeted intervention by the police at every perceived site in South Gloucestershire, is not a sustainable option … this is where Community Speed Watch comes into effect.

The decision as to where the speed watch will be conducted is left up to the CSW team. A map of the road or area, once selected, is then sent to the Police Motorway Unit at Almondsbury and they will conduct a site survey to see if it is suitable and safe to conduct the speed watch.

Only then are we allowed to conduct our own speed watch.

After the speed watch has been conducted, an analysis of the situation will be undertaken.

All the information is gathered together and examined to determine the characteristics and cause of the problem using the characteristics of the VICTIM, the LOCATION and the OFFENDER. We study the type of location where the offences are being committed and try to establish key factors: e.g. school route; used as a short cut; route used as a delivery run.

We study the physical environment and patterns of events (dates and times of offending): e.g. whether committed during daytime; whether there is good natural surveillance (view not blocked by trees or bushes).

Our remit is not restricted to just using the radar guns; we will endeavour to do a PR exercise

CSW Coordinator Derrick Powell (left) with vol

and visit concerned families with regard to speeding motorists in their area.

I personally was contacted from a concerned resident about speeding in their area. After listening to their concerns and looking at the area I suggested that 30 miles-per-hour ‘tri signs’ were erected on lampposts to highlight and remind motorists that this was a 30mph zone in anticipation that this would act as a reminder, and also supply ‘KILL YOUR SPEED’ bin stickers so that when the rubbish bins

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May 2014

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17

are we and what is our objective?

lunteers Fred Hillberg and Richard Cornelius

were put out it would also be a reminder to motorists. I await what effect this has had for future campaigns to stop motorists speeding in built up areas, especially where families with

young children are residing.

Our Bradley Stoke team was formed two years ago when we replied to an advertisement in the local papers; four of our local residents decided that we would do this on a voluntary basis. It has taken quite a while to get all of the equipment together and after attending several meetings we have finally managed to get fully equipped.

We have a budget to buy new equipment when needed and also maintain existing items. We have not been able to conduct any watches as yet due to lack of equipment and manpower, but that is about to change as two new residents have volunteered to join our team, so, after training, we will be able to conduct watches.

The duration of watches is usually two hours and conducted in the hours of daylight, am or pm, but can be both depending on traffic flow and urgency.

We can be contacted by phone on 07900 843268, so if any residents have concerns regarding speeding in their immediate area, please get in contact and we will do our utmost to accommodate

Community Speed Watch ‘tri sign’ on a lamp post in Ormonds Close

your request.

Please remember that this is a voluntary team and watches / personal visits have to be fitted in around working and social

hours. We also depend on the police to conduct Health & Safety checks (outside their normal duties) to check on the areas earmarked for speed watch.

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May 2014

News

Wheatfield pupils enjoy a “cracking” day Gromberry’s Day at Wheatfield

by Lynne Watkins

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Wheatfield Primary School pupils had a ‘cracking’ time on Friday 4th April when the much loved Gromberry spent the day at school, helping the children raise money for Wallace and Gromit’s Appeal, the Bristol Children’s

Hospital Charity.

In a recent survey, Gromberry was voted the most popular sculpture on last year’s Gromit Unleashed Trail in Bristol, which is estimated to have been visited by more than a million people.

e started the day with a Wallace and Gromit Big Breakfast for the children who attend Wheatfield Plus, the schools Breakfast and After School Club. It really was a BIG BREAKFAST! Bacon rolls, pancakes, cereals, toast, fruit juice - everyone started their school day with a full tummy and a happy face!

Next, at Assembly, there was a mysterious, covered guest at the front of the hall, who was unveiled eventually and found to be Gromberry! What a welcome he received from the delighted children and staff!

Then, at morning break time, there was a Toast Bar. Four hundred slices of thick, buttered toast served and consumed in approximately twenty minutes!

After lunch, we welcomed the children and staff from Little Acorns Pre-School, who came to visit Gromberry and had lots of photographs taken!

The Friends of Wheatfield School held an amazing Cake Sale later in the afternoon, with excited children having their photographs taken with Gromberry, who was impeccably behaved throughout!

Throughout the week, a Teapot Challenge took place, with every class having a teapot to put any loose change into. Certificates are due to be awarded in the very near future to the class who collected the most coins and the class who collected the most money, I wonder who they will be?!!

There was also a raffle, with the prize being, a much admired Gromberry statue.

Congratulations go to Oliver in Year 5, who won this amazing prize, arranged by The Friends of Wheatfield.

So, all in all, a fantastic, hectic day, and, with all the money from the various activities having been counted, I am delighted to say that Wheatfield Primary School will be presenting The Grand Appeal with a cheque for £443.39!

Thank you and well done to everyone who worked so hard, and supported the school to make the day such a “grand”success.

The Journal: Serving the community 24/7 since 2008

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May 2014

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Advertising Feature

Win a year’s free gym membership at Anytime Fitness in Bradley Stoke ... and worldwide!

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nytime Fitness is the world’s largest 24hr Gym chain with over 2,400 sites worldwide. There are currently four sites in Bristol, one of them located in the Willow Brook Centre at the heart of Bradley Stoke, on the first floor of the Town Square complex, above Costa Coffee, Greggs, Taylors Estate Agents and KFC. Founded in 2002 in the United States, Anytime Fitness quickly grew its global portfolio to take on Australia, New Zealand, Europe and in 2010 came to the United Kingdom. Anytime Fitness was built at the Willow Brook Centre in January 2012 and has been proudly serving the local community ever since.

Christine Hunt, Club Manager at Anytime Fitness Bradley Stoke

Featuring state of the art Precor gym equipment and open 24hrs a day, all year round, Anytime Fitness Bradley Stoke is the fitness club that fits into anyone’s lifestyle.

Christine Hunt, Club Manager at Anytime Fitness Bradley Stoke

says: “We all lead busy lives, and so often we never find the time for exercise, even though we know we should. At Anytime Fitness we do believe we have the best, most convenient facilities in the area. Our members can train when they want and because they’re not paying for additional extras their workout experience is much more effective. Talk about no more excuses!”

Enter our exclusive free prize draw before 31st May 2014 for a chance of winning a year’s free membership to Anytime Fitness gym at the Willow Brook Centre, Bradley Stoke.

Your membership allows you to use any of the 2,459 Anytime Fitness gyms around the world, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Other benefits of your Anytime Fitness membership include: • A Safe and Secure Environment: State-of-the-art security system • FREE fitness Orientation: Every new member is entitled to one!

• State-of-the-art Equipment with extensive free weights • A fun Workout: Personal viewing screens on cardio equipment • Personal Training at affordable rates • Club Culture: We know your name and have lots of FUN For more information, visit the Anytime Fitness Bradley Stoke website at www.anytimefitness. co.uk/gyms/UK-0009/bristolengland-bs32-8bs or phone us on 0845 519 6761.

Win a free year’s membership at Anytime Fitness Go online now to enter our free prize draw! www.bradleystokejournal.co.uk/anytime2 Closing date 31st May 2014. Terms and conditions apply (see website).

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May 2014

News

Local charity wins south west ‘impact’ award

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ocal charity Southern Brooks Community Partnership was announced as the winner of the ‘One to Watch’ Award at the inaugural South West Impact Awards on 14th April, sharing the prize with the SS Great Britain Trust.

The awards were organised by South West Forum to recognise the work of social purpose organisations in measuring and communicating the difference they make. They are the first awards of their kind in the UK and were presented by Dame Suzi Leather at a reception after the ‘In Pursuit of Happiness’ conference in Bristol.

Dame Suzi, Chair of the Lankelly Chase Foundation and a former Chair of the Charity Commission explained: “For a charity, measuring impact is the way to show you are delivering your charitable purpose and is also the way to

SBCP’s Andy Thomas and Julie Close (3rd & 4th from left) at the awards event

show commissioners, funders, beneficiaries, supporters, regulators and policy makers that you are making a difference to people’s lives. Evidencing impact not only helps organisations improve their services but is likely to make them more sustainable, efficient and

● Dog walking ● Cat sitting ● Small animal visits ● Home boarding Fully insured and licensed by South Glos Council For more details visit: www.happipetservices.com

Tel: 07787 429016 Family run pet services based in Winterbourne

effective. Showcasing how it can be done well, regardless of organisational size, is hugely helpful. Hats off to South West Forum for providing this learning and encouragement.”

Southern Brooks Community Partnership runs a range of projects to help children and young people through the transition into independence and adulthood; to make sure families get support that meets their individual needs; to reduce isolation, especially amongst older people; and to support the development of safe, strong and inclusive communities.

Judges recognised how Southern Brooks have recently reviewed their impact practice and have started an impact journey, going back to first principles with an organisational ‘Theory of Change’ and are looking forward to seeing how this develops into

a comprehensive evaluation framework.

“This has been an exciting and challenging process for our organisation, really helping us to clarify the changes we are working towards in our communities. Developing our Theory of Change has involved everyone in the organisation, trustees, staff and volunteers.

There are some areas of work that we have always measured the impact but we now have in place a framework across the organisation and we are looking forward to using this to really demonstrate our impact. A really big thank you to everyone involved” says Julie Close, Director of Southern Brooks Community Partnership.

The awards were sponsored

by Charity Bank. Commenting on their importance, Chapman Harrison, Charity Bank’s Regional Manager for the South West and a member of the judging panel said: “Every organisation which has received an award has been acknowledged as an early-adopter of business practices that place the emphasis on evidencing social impact. It is natural for Charity Bank to support the Forum awards initiative because they are exactly in line with our own approach. But measuring impact is not just for funders. We are pleased to see organisations, large and small, using impact measurement to help them understand, evaluate and increase their positive impact on society.”

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May 2014

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Advertising Feature

News

‘Listen to your body’ says running expert

Grants awarded

By Susannah Baker of Bradley Stoke Physiotherapy re you one of the more than five million people in the UK who run for fitness and enjoyment? Or maybe you are thinking it might be a good idea to take it up. Running promotes fitness, stamina, health and much more, so it is no surprise that it is one of the country’s fastest growing sports.

And Bradley Stoke is a great place to run. It has dedicated footpaths, a beautiful nature reserve, friendly running clubs and the annual 10k organised

by Sole Sisters as part of the Community Festival weekend.

The great advantage of running is its intensity – burning more calories than many other forms of exercise. So what’s the downside? It places more stress

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on the body, especially the joints in the legs and knees, and the chance of injury is higher than other forms of aerobic exercise such as walking. But you can minimise the risks. Listen to your body. If you develop pain in any joints, that’s a warning signal to stop. Seek professional advice even if you think you know what caused the problem because serious injury and months of misery can result from leaving it too late. Sports massage can help with recovery after training runs and physiotherapy can help rehabilitation of injuries and/or prevention of injuries.

If you are suffering from persistent or recurring pain, it may be that the way you are running is causing the problem.

In which case, a running technique specialist could assess

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Bradley Stoke Town Council’s Leisure, Youth & Amenities Committee agreed the following grants at its meeting in April:

● A Community Development

Grant Aid award of £4,000 to Bradley Stoke Carnival Committee towards the cost of staging the 2014 Bradley Stoke Carnival.

● A Grant Aid award of £500 your movement pattern and show you how to improve your running style to prevent injury. And if you’re running in the Bradley Stoke 10k be sure to visit us at the finish for a free post-race massage. There is nothing better to relieve muscle soreness and feel re-energised! Happy injuryfree running.

Susannah Baker MSTAT UK Athletics Leader in Running Fitness & Alexander Technique for Running Specialist

to Sole Sisters (North Bristol) towards the cost of staging the 2014 Bradley Stoke 10k Run.

● A Youth Grant Aid award of

£475 to Bradley Stoke Youth Football Club towards the cost of staging the schools’ football tournament at the 2014 Bradley Stoke Community Festival.

Interested in applying for a grant for your group or organisation?

For details visit: http://bit.ly/ bstc-grants or phone the town council office on 01454 205020.

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Filton Airfield – find out what has changed After getting lots of feedback from the local community on plans for redeveloping Filton Airfield, we are now coming back out to show how we have listened to your comments.

Please come and talk to members of the development team to tell us what you think.

The development could create around 9,000 jobs and would make significant contributions towards transport improvements in the area. We also want more thoughts on how to celebrate Filton’s heritage and what the new area should be called.

The drop-in consultation events will be held at: Willow Brook Centre, Bradley Stoke, South Gloucestershire, BS32 8BS Wednesday 14th May - 3pm-8pm Greenway Centre, Doncaster Road, Southmead, Bristol, BS10 5RY Thursday 15th May - 3pm-8pm BAWA, 589 Southmead Road, Filton, Bristol, BS34 7RG Friday 16th May - 3pm-8pm Details of these changes will shortly be available at www.filtonairfield.co.uk Get in touch with us on Facebook filtonairfielddevelopment or twitter @filtonairfield Contact us on 0800 130 3270 or mail@filtonairfield.co.uk

May 2014

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Ask the Practice Manager

with Karen Ferguson from the Willow Brook Clinic

What makes the services you offer at the clinic unique?

We have professional practitioners who are respected in their various fields and who are dedicated to patient care. Our friendly reception team are on duty from 9am until 7.30pm every weekday and from 8.30am until 1pm on Saturday. We are the only independent, purpose built, multi-disciplinary clinic in the area and we offer a substantial range of services – all-in-all a clinic and staff that will help you get well and stay well.

What has been the biggest achievement for the clinic so far?

We have been open for almost five years and we have become known as a community based

Quiz Quiz for all, No. 8 (easy/hard, old/new) Another ‘just for fun’ general knowledge quiz, compiled by local Mastermind contestant Paul Philpot. Answers on page 24.

Karen has been practice manager at Willow Brook Clinic since it opened in 2009. We asked her a few questions…

What does the clinic offer?

At Willow Brook Clinic we offer a range of services and treatments to help people with musculoskeletal pain. The main areas are Chiropractic and Physiotherapy; we also offer Neuro-Physiotherapy, Massage Therapy, Podiatry/Chiropody and Nutritional Therapy. We can help with headaches, knee pain, back ache, sore feet, sports injury, rehabilitation – and lots more.

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business that is creative and innovative. The majority of our patients are introduced through word of mouth which is testimony to the quality of service we deliver. We pride ourselves on our teamwork and most importantly on the superior customer service that we deliver.

Our biggest achievement is seen every day. It is plainly seeing our patients becoming well.

What do you enjoy about working at Willow Brook Clinic?

As a local resident, mother and active community member, it is so rewarding seeing people out and about that we have helped get well. It is great to see familiar faces in the area becoming regular faces at Willow Brook Clinic. I put myself in the shoes of our patients in everything I do and I know that every member of the team contributes to our unrivalled patient service.

1. Worth one or two points, which colour represents the outermost segment of a regulation archery target?

2. Performing under the guidance of Will I.Am, which London based singer won the 2014 edition of the TV series ‘The Voice’?

3. Born in January 2014, what Christian name was given to the Royal baby daughter of Zara and Mike Tindall?

4. Around 90% of which metal is needed to create the alloy Pewter?

5. In April 2011, who became the first Spanish actress to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

6. Which English city built on seven hills and near the confluence of five rivers is estimated to have over two million trees, more per person than any other city in Europe?

7. Which horse, ridden by Leighton Aspell, won the Grand National in April 2014?

8. Cymbidium, Vanda and Oncidium are all common varieties of which flower?

9. In the human body, what is the more common name for the calcaneus?

10. After Paris and Marseille, which is the third largest city in France, in terms of population?

11. Which of Charles Dickens’ novels is the only one to have a female narrator?

12. One of the richest people in the world, Stefan Persson has made his fortune as the owner of which multinational retail clothing company?

13. What is the name of the salesman in Arthur Miller’s 1949 play ‘Death of a Salesman’?

14. In greyhound racing, what colour stripes are worn by the dog running from trap number 6?

15. Famous for his work, ‘The Elephant Celebes’, which German surrealist painter was married to Peggy Guggenheim between 1942 and 1946?

16. Which Roman goddess, the wife of Jupiter, is the equivalent of the Greek goddess Hera?

17. Providence is the capital of which US State?

18. Which female singer appeared on two UK number one singles in 2014 -one with the group ‘Clean Bandit’, the other with the DJ ‘Route 94’?

19. The Nishan Sahib, is the official flag of which religion?

20. In January 2014, scientists from the European Space Agency and other institutions detected the presence of water vapour on which dwarf planet? ● Paul’s blog: www.justquiz.org

www.willowbrookclinic.co.uk ● See our advert on page 11.

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Bradley Stoke Beat Team PC Jamie Shiels reports

Community Festival The 2014 Bradley Stoke Community Festival takes place over the weekend of 6th-8th June. Full details of the festival programme will appear in our June issue, out 31st May.

Protect your shed, garages and outbuildings

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hen you head to the shed for your lawnmower, please take a moment to check your security.

We all keep lots of things in our sheds, garages and outbuildings – from gardening tools to bikes and golf clubs.

Add up the value of all those things and you might think twice about trusting a £5 padlock to keep them safe!

We have seen a steady reduction in the number of burglaries in Bradley Stoke, and we’re keen to see that continue.

There are quite a few ways of deterring would-be thieves from your property: • A sturdy fence, topped with

trellis and with prickly plants growing up it • Gates fitted with locks which have been tested by locksmiths to get ‘Sold Secure’ status • Low-energy motion-sensing security lighting • Coach bolts or tamper-proof screws on the hinges of your shed door • A low-cost alarm fitted to your shed or garage • Chaining valuable items to a ground anchor within your outbuilding • Marking your property with your postcode • Registering bikes and power tools for free at www. immobilise.com • Joining Neighbourhood Watch

May 2014

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Quiz answers (page 23) Bikes are particularly popular with thieves – let’s not give them an easy ride! Always lock your bike every time you leave it while you’re out and about. Make sure you have a decent lock – check out our YouTube video ‘Hal Grades Your Locks’ for some tips on what makes a secure bike lock.

There’s much more advice on our website: www. avonandsomerset.police.uk

Vehicles damaged in Juniper Way & Marjoram Place I’d also like to ask for help with our investigation into damage to cars in the Juniper Way / Marjoram Place area of Bradley Stoke. On 11th April, seven vehicles were damaged. If you have any information which could help, please call 101 or contact us online through the website. Alternatively call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They never ask your name or trace your call.

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May 2014

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News

Busy April for nature conservation group

By Sara Messenger of the Three Brooks Nature Conservation Group pril’s workday saw the group planting wildflower patches in Bowsland Meadow. Each year, scrub and small trees are removed to stop the woodland encroaching into the meadow and more wildflower squares are added. The cowslips that were planted last year have returned and add a welcome splash of spring colour to the meadow.

We were pleased to welcome the Barrance family who came all the way from Chippenham to join in the planting which was planned as part of the ‘Grow Wild’ campaign’ (www. growwilduk.com) which is aimed at bringing people together to sow native wild flowers. It is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and they have already donated over 230,000 free wild flower seed packs to individuals and groups to plant wild flower areas.

The Bowsland pond gate will remain locked for the moment to protect our newts as they enter their breeding season and we would be grateful to all dog owners if they could keep their dogs out of the ponds at this time of year.

April’s workday also doubled as our last Big Spring Clean, with local families and 1st Bradley Stoke Beavers coming out to help. Another 16 bags of rubbish were collected totalling over 43 bags of rubbish collected

Dates for your diary

A

Sunday 4th May Dawn Chorus – being led by our own ornithologist Rob Williams. Meet us at the Leisure Centre at 5.30am and bring binoculars if you have them.

A good turn out for the group’s Big Spring Clean on Saturday 5th April

from the reserve this month, which is a lot! This total doesn’t include the bags collected by the Dreamscheme children on Thursday 10th April when they had their Big Spring Clean. Litter doesn’t just look unsightly, it can be dangerous to everyone, broken glass has caused injuries to both dogs and children on the reserve, hedgehogs can get caught up in beer can plastic, newts get trapped in cans and we often find drowned mice in discarded bottles. There are bins and rubbish bags on the reserve and we would ask everyone to please use them.

The overflowing dog bins were reported to South Gloucestershire Council and have now been emptied and the tree that has fallen over the bridge close to the lake has also been reported and should be cleared soon.

For further information about the conservation group, visit our website, www.three-brooks.info, email info@three-brooks.info, call Hannah on 0797 142 6266 or visit our Facebook page.

Tuesday 10th June Summer Evening Bird Walk – being led by naturalist and broadcaster Ed Drewitt. Meet us at the Leisure Centre at 7pm and bring binoculars if you have them.

Sat/Sun 5th/6th July Bio Blitz – A variety of surveys, walks and talks for all ages. More information to follow.

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May 2014

Ask the Doctor with Dr Norman Douglas of Bradley Stoke Surgery Sex and Drugs: How our world has changed! Or has it really?

I

n our modern day society, these are the commodities that sell newspapers, that people will be interested in and that will generate polarised opinion in our society. They are also two commodities that have always been recognised as the causative agents in many physical, mental and social ailments.

The two most common drugs causing medical and social problems are tobacco and alcohol. These are both legal but the medical and social problems associated with them are extensive. They range from numerous cancers, respiratory and liver problems, pancreatic disease, gastric erosions, raised blood pressure, heart failure, mood disturbance, sleep issues, as well as falls, domestic violence, increased suicide risk and I could go on and on but I won’t. If you feel that you or a family member or friend may

The

have a problem with smoking or alcohol there are systems and help available to support you in trying to deal with the issues. The medical profession will not be judgemental and will always try to support you to help yourself. The same applies to illegal drugs such as Cocaine, Heroin, Amphetamines, Marijuana, etc. and also to prescribed addictive drugs such

sexually transmitted disease. It is the individual’s responsibility to decrease their own risk of contracting the disease or their risk of passing on these diseases to their partners. A sensible approach is to make sure you are disease free before entering a sexual relationship and to use barrier protection as well as making sure contraception is considered. Screening kits

The two most common drugs causing medical “ and social problems are tobacco and alcohol. ”

as Benzodiazepines. If you need help with dependence issues we are here to help.

Sexual activity is a necessity of life but now it has become more of a recreational pastime as well. The morality of our culture is much more accepting today of casual relations but with this acceptance has come a much greater incidence of

Olympus Academy Trust

are widely available and can be collected from your surgery and all testing is done anonymously.

Always remember sexual activity is a consensual activity which involves responsibility to not only yourself but to your partner.

Most of you reading this will feel it has little relevance to you but if it has, don’t be shy about talking it over with your GP.

If you are a parent don’t be shy about discussing it with your kids and if you are a younger reader talk it over with your parents, teachers or friends.

Sex and drugs have always been around – Christopher Columbus introduced Syphilis and Sherlock Holmes smoked opium to help him solve his mysteries. We shouldn’t ignore the risks they both involve, so the more we know about these things the more protected we are.

Dr Norman Douglas www.bradleystokesurgery.nhs.uk

State of the art facilities for hire in the Bradley Stoke area Available for hire all year round

• Conference facilities and classrooms

• Specialist ICT and catering facilities

• Dance and drama studios

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For further information please contact Karen Holt on 01454 868840 or email lettings@bradleystokecs.org.uk www.bradleystokecs.org.uk

Fiddlers Wood Lane, Bradley Stoke, South Gloucestershire, BS32 9BS 01454 868840 www.bradleystokecs.org.uk To advertise in this magazine or on our websites, phone The Journal’s sales team on 01454 300 400

May 2014

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What’s On (4th May – 1st June) Sunday 4th May 5.30am: Dawn Chorus Walk in the Three Brooks Local Nature Reserve. A walk of about 2.5 hours led by local ornithologist Rob Williams. More info: http://bit.ly/bsj-tbncg or call Hannah on 07971 426266 8.30am: Severnside Ramblers’ Walk: Much Marcle. Meet in the Aldi car park – a car-sharing scheme is operated. More info: http://bit. ly/ssramb [Further ramblers’ walks on 9th, 10th, 11th, 15th, 18th, 23rd & 25th May]

Wednesday 7th May 10am-12noon: Citizens Advice Bureau Outreach Session at the Jubilee Centre. More info: http://bit.ly/citadbu or phone 08444 111444 [Further sessions on 14th, 21st & 28th May] 7.30pm: Willow Brook Townswomen’s Guild meets at the Jubilee Centre. More info: Janine 01454 617645

Thursday 8th May 7pm: Safer and Stronger Community Group Meeting at the Jubilee Centre. An opportunity to discuss local community issues and hear presentations on topical matters.

More info: http://bit.ly/bs-sscg or call Brian on 01454 868760

Centre. More info: http://bit.ly/ bsj-scc or phone Bryan on 01454 617560 [Further rides on 11th, 18th, 24th & 25thMay and 1st Jun]

Friday 9th May 10.30am-12.30pm: NCT Bumps and Babies Group meets in the cafe at Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre. More info: http://bit.ly/ nctsglos [Further group meetings on 16th, 23rd & 30th May] 6pm-8pm: Police Beat ‘Drop In’ Surgery at Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre. No appointment necessary.

Saturday 10th May 9.30am-12.30pm: Slimming World Big Clothes Throw at Church of Christ the King. Drop off your unwanted clothes and grab a coffee. In aid of Cancer Research UK. More info: Kelly 07795 951137

Monday 12th May 6.30pm: Bradley Stoke Small Business Forum Meeting at the Aztec Hotel. More info: www.bssbf.co.uk

Tuesday 13th May 7.30pm: Willow Brook Townswomen’s Guild meets at the Jubilee Centre. More info: Janine 01454 617645

Wednesday 14th May

7.30pm: SCC Evening Bike Ride to Bishopston Meet outside Bradley Stoke Leisure

2pm: Bradley Stoke Women’s Institute (WI) meets at the Jubilee Centre. More info:

Accountants TJS Business Solutions, Page 25 Alternative Therapies Positive Light, Page 28 Cake Makers & Decorators Sweet Tracey Cakes, Page 29 More in directory on BSJ website Carpet Cleaners B Clean, Page 29 Clean Pros, Page 12 Carpets & Flooring Trade Floor, Page 30 Child Care Ambourne House Day Nursery, Page 24 Bradley Stoke Wise Owls Club, Page 2 Trinity Pre-School, Page 18 More in directory on BSJ website Chiropractic Cool Green Planet, Page 5 Willow Brook Clinic, Page 11 Cleaning & Domestic Services Broadcare, Page 19 Felina Contract Cleaning, Page 18 Computer Services JRT Computing, Page 24

Cycle Repairs

Maureen 0117 904 6099

Wednesday 21st May

3pm-8pm: Filton Airfield Redevelopment ‘Drop-In’ Consultation Event at the Willow Brook Centre. More info: http://bit.ly/bsj-far or phone 0800 130 3270

7pm BSTC Annual General Meeting at the Jubilee Centre.

Agenda: http://bit.ly/bstcagm

7.30pm BSTC Annual Town Assembly at the Jubilee Centre.

Agenda: http://bit.ly/bstcata

Friday 16th May 1.15pm-7.15pm: Blood Donation Sessions at the Jubilee Centre.

More info: www.blood.co.uk

Saturday 17th May 10am-4pm: Bradley Stoke in Bloom Workday. Meet on the grassed area outside the glass doors of Bradley Stoke Library.

More info: bsib@hotmail.co.uk or phone 07582 634107 2.30pm: Chatterbooks Reading Group at Bradley Stoke Library. For keen readers aged 9-11. More info: http://bit. ly/bs32lib

Monday 19th May 1.30pm-3.30pm: Sew and So’s patchwork and quilting group meets at the Jubilee Centre.

Tuesday 20th May 2pm-4pm: Volunteering Drop-in Session at Bradley Stoke Library. Pop in for a chat with a volunteer advisor. More info: http://bit.ly/vc-pfs or call 01454 868986

Friday 23rd May 9am-2pm: Bradley Stoke Farmers’ Market at the Willow Brook Centre.

Thursday 29th May 11am-3pm: Titan the Robot at the Willow Brook Centre. Halfterm holiday fun with free craft workshop. More info: http://bit. ly/bs32wbc or phone the centre management on 01454 205040

Friday 30th May 10.30am-11.30am: Sunny Pirate Crafts at Bradley Stoke Library. Half-term craft activity for primary school ages. More info: http://bit.ly/bs32lib

Find details of more Bradley Stoke events on the What’s On page of the BSJ website: http://bit.ly/bsj-whatson If you have an event you would like us to publicise, please email details (including start/ end time, location and contact for further info) to events@ bradleystokejournal.co.uk Follow @TheBSJournal on Twitter to receive daily reminders of events.

DIRECTORY OF ADVERTISERS Ride On Cycles, Page 15 Domestic Appliance Repairs Kitchen & Laundry Appliance Care, Page 8 Education & Learning Kumon Study Programme, Page 24 Electricians Visit directory on BSJ website Estate Agents Ocean, Page 1 Foot Care Georgina’s Foot Clinic, Page 7 Garage Services Filton Central Garage, Page 20 Westlec, Page 16 Gardening Services Plan-It Garden Design, Page 4 Professional Gardening Services, Page 29 Gyms & Health Clubs LivingWell Health Club, Page 12 More in directory on BSJ website Hair & Beauty Peachy Stylist, Page 29 Hotels, Pubs & Restaurants Eastwood Park, Page 9

Launderettes & Dry Cleaners Wash Shop Plus, Page 29 Legal Services Hutchinson Legal & Associates, Page 23 Mortgages & Financial Advice Aspirations Financial Advice, Page 7 Opticians Specsavers, Page 14 Pet Services & Supplies Barking Mad, Page 15 Friends for Pets, Page 11 Happipet Services, Page 20 MadDogz, Page 8 New Passage Cattery, Page 28 Physiotherapy Bradley Stoke Physio, Page 21 Willow Brook Clinic, Page 11 Picture Framers Royall Framing, Page 16 Plumbing & Heating C & S Plumbing, Page 15 Concept Property Maintenance, Page 8 Richard Joseph, Page 17 Restaurants & Takeaways KFC, Page 2

Room & Facilities Hire BSCS Lettings, Page 26 Rubbish Clearance Bradley Stoke Rubbish Clearance, Page 29 Self Storage Simply Self Store Ltd, Page 29 Shopping The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, Page 31 The Willow Brook Centre, Page 3 Slimming Clubs Cambridge Weight Plan, Page 25 Slimming World, Page 13 Soft Furnishings Janet Smith, Page 4 Sport and Leisure Carrie Vinson Equestrian, Page 4 Danceworks, Page 17 RhiActions Dance, Page 10 Takeaways & Food Delivery The Roaster, Page 17 Taxis Bristol Parkway Taxis, Page 29 South Glos Taxis Ltd, Page 29 TV and aerials Image Aerial Systems, Page 29

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May 2014

News

Young people create dream garden for Willow Brook Centre

T

he Willow Brook Centre has a new public garden thanks to a group of community spirited children from Bradley Stoke.

Twenty budding young gardeners planted more than 300 plants on the gardening day hosted by the Willow Brook Centre as part of its involvement in Dreamscheme, an initiative run by Southern Brooks Community Partnership.

Dreamscheme encourages local young people aged between 8 and 16 to do something positive for the community in turn for

rewards. The young volunteers involved in the Willow Brook garden will be rewarded for making their area a better place with tickets for an outing, donated by Willow Brook Shopping Centre.

The garden area, on the perimeter of the shopping centre, has been designed by Willow Brook’s landscaping contractor Urban Planters which gave its time for free. The youngsters got the chance to work alongside the professionals and learn about gardening when they helped out with the planting.

Front row (l-r): Ryna Barrett, Ethan Buckley, Jonathan Muir and Alicia Chan

Andy Wynn, manager of Willow Brook Centre, said: “The team of young volunteers has worked really hard to create a fantastic garden today which will be a great centrepiece for the town.”

“Dreamscheme is a great initiative that encourages young people to get involved in projects that really have a positive impact on the local area.” ● More info: 01454 858670

Winsome Barrett-Muir of Southern Brooks Community Partnership writes: Friday 11th April 2014 What a wonderful Dreamscheme week we have had in Bradley Stoke!

Yesterday, 17 young people varying in age from 8 to 13 years took part in the Dreamscheme project. They had chosen to do litter pick to improve their community and Martyn Hinam the manager was happy to allow us to carry out the work at the leisure centre. We collected over 4 large bags of litter including a pickaxe and a large mangled bicycle wheel. If you had passed by you would have seen us in our high visibility jackets – we have to thank Halfords for supporting us by providing these at a huge discount to our project.

Surprisingly, the young people enjoyed

the litter pick as much as they enjoyed the reward which was arranged by the leisure centre, they had an hour of basketball coaching and a free pass to try out any activity at the leisure centre.

Today was a lovely day again – the aim today was to finish the project that was started in January when the young people were asked to come up with designs for the planting area. Their ideas included an area where people could sit and watch the world go by (!) as well as a rainbow of plants!

Today they were able to see their design in the “flesh” and put in the plants to complete the project. Again, a brilliant work activity for 20 young people who spent 2hrs planting upwards of 500 plants at the Willow Brook

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Centre! We are very grateful to Andy Wynn, the new centre manager, and his team of staff as well as Les the landscape contractor who gave his time for free to work with us.

When next you go to the Willow Brook Centre do have a look at the lovely garden which has been designed for your enjoyment by the Dreamscheme team in Bradley Stoke.

Finally, we would like to thank Knightstone Housing Association, who fund the Dreamscheme project.

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Hedge Cutting/Grass Cutting Weeding/Garden Clearance Strimming/Small Trees Lopped Fencing/Fence Painting/Leaves Cleared Excellent rates and a free quote Friendly and trustworthy service (special rates for pensioners) Please call on me on 07768 241198 or e-mail at profgarden60@yahoo.co.uk

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Bradley Stoke through the camera lens by Becky Ward South Gloucestershire Community Showcase

O

n 5th April, I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to photograph at the South Gloucestershire Community Showcase. The Showcase, held at Thornbury Leisure Centre, is an annual event organised by the South West Winterguard Academy which features performances from groups across South Gloucestershire.

This year’s Showcase saw performances from Odyssey School of Dance and Stage Whisper Youth Theatre. Other performances came from PUMA Taekwondo, who hold classes in Bradley Stoke, Bradley Stoke based Infinity DC, and the South West Winterguard Academy, who are based at Meadowbrook Primary School.

The hosts of the event, the South West Winterguard Academy, showcased several performances from their awardwinning groups including their Juniors class, which took bronze at the UK championships for their performance explaining their group values.

Infinity DC performed several dances, as both a full group and as smaller groups. Patchway based Stage Whisper Youth Theatre also performed several times, featuring singers covering songs from Adele and Alicia Keys among others.

PUMA Taekwondo demonstrated a selection of patterns required to progress to

higher belts, as well as a warm up, and breaking wooden boards using techniques developed in the classes. The sessions are held on Wednesdays and Sundays at Bradley Stoke Community School.

Odyssey School of Dance also performed, with dancers ranging from a young age to those in their late teens.

The event concluded in a presentation of awards, given out by the Chair of South Gloucestershire Council (Cllr Ian Boulton), the Mayor of Thornbury (Cllr Pam Shipp) and Downend councillors Janet Biggin & Julia Wimbush.

More photos from the event can be seen on the ‘Becky Ward Photography’ Facebook Page.

May 2014

Stoke Lodge School seeks access from Winsbury Way Stoke Lodge Primary School, which has already announced plans to create a new pedestrian access route into its grounds from the Jubilee Centre, has said it would like to add a further gate, at the northern corner of its site, to link with a footpath from Winsbury Way in Bradley Stoke.

Details of the new route were revealed at the April meeting of Bradley Stoke Town Council’s Planning Committee, at which representatives of the school presented refinements to its expansion plans following “preplanning” consultation carried out with neighbours of the school during March.

The school currently has a two form entry, but this is planned to increase to three forms by September 2016, meaning the total number of children attending will increase from 420 to 630.

Currently, 42% of the school’s pupils live in Bradley Stoke, a proportion that is expected to increase as the school expands.

Councillors were told that a formal planning application had been lodged with South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) on 10th April and this is expected to be formally validated and made available on the SGC planning portal within the next few weeks.

The school has also updated it travel plan, which will be made publicly available as part of the planning application. ● For a link to the planning application, when it becomes available, visit the BSJ website: http://bit.ly/bsj-mag-links

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