Bradley Stoke Journal, April 2019

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

April 2019 • Issue 70

SCHOOLS P12-13, P16 | WHAT’S ON P23, P36 | DIRECTORY P38 Find us on Facebook: BradleyStokeJournal Follow us on Twitter: @TheBSJournal

PLUS , IN YOUR 40-PAGE BRADLEY STOKE MAGAZINE

HAS THE METROBUS ‘NO LAY-BYS’ POLICY BACKFIRED?… Page 24 Willow Brook drive-throughs

Permission refused for 2nd time

Brook Way road safety

P6-7

Zebra crossing petition launched

P28

l Cameras used to aid bridge diversion planning l Full approval granted for first 278 airfield homes l Replacement Sort It centre will be in Filton l Vast £56m retirement complex officially opened l Trust CEO’s gibe triggers schools minister visit l Mixed reaction to new speed bumps at centre l School kicks off 20th anniversary celebrations l £600k scheme to get MetroBus into Parkway l Library exhibition will show local impact of WW2 l All change for local elections on 2nd May l New play equipment coming to Jubilee park l Trench Lane Boot Sale set to restart on 7th April

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April 2019

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News

Cameras used to aid bridge diversion planning

S

outh Gloucestershire Council (SGC) says it received an “excellent” response rate to a recently conducted online travel survey aimed at users of Gipsy Patch Lane. The results of the survey will be used to help plan the traffic management needed during a series of full closures of the road, the first of which is due to start on Monday 3rd June and last for one month.

The road closures, over a period of nearly two years, are needed to allow the existing narrow arch railway bridge to Left: Gipsy Patch Lane railway bridge. Right: Traffic survey cameras have been used extensively around the Stokes be replaced by a much wider concrete structure. cameras mounted at various the cameras are located. This highway closure as soon as it The work is being carried out points around the Stokes during will help us to plan diversion is confirmed – we currently as part of the Cribbs Patchway March. SGC has confirmed that routes and traffic management expect this to be in early May. MetroBus Extension (CPME) these cameras are connected to in the area during the CPME Following that, there will be scheme, which also involves the the CPME works. A spokesperson construction work. We may use further information published on creation of new bus lanes along said: “We will use recorded data cameras for this purpose at other an ongoing basis associated with parts of Gipsy Patch Lane. to determine journey times and times during the project too.” phases of construction and traffic Local residents may have the number of vehicles travelling “We will publicise further management.”

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April 2019

News Full approval granted for first batch of 278 airfield homes 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 magazine is published by North Bristol Press, a trading name of Snowberry Media Ltd; company number 8451178 (registered in England and Wales); registered office: Equinox South, Great Park Road, Bradley Stoke, Bristol BS32 4QL. Our other publications include the Stoke Gifford Journal magazine and website, the Patchway 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 2019. 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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Advertising boards already on display at the site, near the Trust Ford dealership

W

ork on building the first batch of new homes on the former Filton Airfield is set to begin before the end of the year after South Gloucestershire Council approved the first ‘reserved matters’ planning application to come forward for the massive 143ha (354 acre) site.

Outline permission for development of the site as a whole was granted in 2015, with the permission including 2,675 homes, 24ha (62 acres) of employment land, three new schools, recreational areas and community facilities, a doctors’ surgery, a new railway station and a dedicated MetroBus route.

The dedicated MetroBus lanes within the development will form part of the Cribbs Patchway MetroBus Extension linking The Mall with Bristol Parkway Station via Gipsy Patch Lane.

YTL Developments, which acquired the Filton Airfield site from BAE Systems in 2015, is now marketing the development under the ‘Brabazon’ brand name, after an aircraft designed by the Bristol Aeroplane Company.

The recently approved reserved matters application, for 278 homes, relates to a parcel of land on the northern boundary of the outline site, close to Hayes Way and just west of the new Aerospace Bristol museum.

Access will be from Blenheim Roundabout (near the Trust Ford dealership), and later also from Brabazon Roundabout (near the Wessex Garages dealership)

with a U-shaped road eventually being formed between the two roundabouts.

The 278 properties which have received approval consist of two six-storey apartment blocks and one 7-storey apartment block, together providing 151 dwellings, along with 127 two- to fourbedroom homes of either two or three storeys.

Forty-four (15 percent) of the homes in this first phase will be provided as affordable housing.

Across the site as a whole, the developer is required to provide 17 percent affordable housing.

Sebastian Loyn, director of planning and development at YTL Developments said: “Filton Airfield is a historic local landmark. We are working with world-renowned architects to ensure its future lives up to the legacy of its pioneering past.

The first phase of new homes is designed to form the heart of a thriving new neighbourhood for north Bristol.”

Andy Theobald, partner at architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios said: “We are very much looking forward to delivering the approved housing designs at Brabazon, which will become a highly sustainable new residential quarter. The family of house types we have created, set within public and private spaces, will deliver contemporary homes in a vibrant new neighbourhood which will not only set the bar for the future development but also for the wider region.” ● www.brabazon.co.uk

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April 2019

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Trust Ford

Facing page: Advertising boards already in place near Brabazon Roundabout.

Above: Illustrative block plan for the first phase of 278 homes on the former Filton Airfield site. Brabazon Roundabout, on Hayes Way, can be seen in the top right of the image. The Trust Ford dealership lies west of the roundabout.

Left: Visualisations of the proposed architecture in the first phase. Some of the rooflines are designed to echo the profile of an aeroplane’s tail-fin.

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April 2019

News

McDonald’s and Starbucks drive-through plans

P

roposals for two new 24-hour drive-through food units and new retail space at Bradley Stoke’s Willow Brook Centre have been refused permission by councillors for a second time.

South Glos Council’s (SGC’s) Spatial Planning Committee, meeting at Brook Way Activity Centre on 19th March, had been tasked with “re-evaluating” the application after councillors on a lower-level committee had ignored the case officer’s recommendation and refused permission by five votes to two.

The proposals have proved controversial because of the proximity of the drive-through units to residential properties in Wheatfield Drive, with the single-storey Starbucks being just 22m away from the nearest dwelling. The adjacent two-storey McDonald’s building would be 50m distant.

Further concerns had been expressed over the plans to realign the main access road into the Willow Brook Centre, which would bring it much closer to the rear of residential properties in Dewfalls Drive.

In a re-run of the previous meeting, a packed hall first heard from the applicant’s agent who said the proposals represented a “significant investment” that would “enhance the vitality and viability of the centre” and create 85 full- and part-time jobs.

Although an earlier ‘acoustic report’ submitted by the applicant indicated that there would be no significant increase in nighttime noise associated with the food units, the agent indicated that they would be prepared to accept a condition restricting the opening hours of the food units to 6am-11pm for Starbucks and 6am-midnight (Sun-Thu) / 6am1am (Fri & Sat) for McDonald’s.

Members of the public hold up enlarged visualisations of the proposed McDonald’s and Starbuck’s units as councillors consider the application

Opponents of the scheme were then given a chance to speak, including Steve Moir (headteacher at Bradley Stoke Community School) who said the proximity of the fast food units would add to the “challenges and temptations” faced by students and undermine teaching on healthy lifestyles.

Also speaking against were John Rendell (deputy town clerk), Karen Pullen (Dewfalls and Wheatfield Drive Residents’ Association) and local ward councillors Sarah Pomfret, Brian Hopkinson, Roger Avenin, Keith Cranney and John Ashe.

Amongst the points raised were concerns over increased

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April 2019

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News

Timeline of planning application PT18/1491/O

refused for second time NO MEANS NO!

L-r: Alan Foote, Karen Pullen and Jayne Coppola, all members of the Dewfalls and Wheatfield Drive Residents Association, show their relief after the meeting

traffic, noise and light pollution, anti-social behaviour, litter, the loss of car parking spaces and an over concentration of food outlets (which it was claimed might impact the viability of existing food outlets at the centre).

Once the committee debate got underway, Cllr Pat Hockey said the development would be “really out of place” and affect nearby residents trying to enjoy their homes and gardens.

Referring to national planning policy guidelines on sustainable development and noting the loss of car parking spaces, Cllr Hockey added: “It’s not going to help the economy much if people come to a shopping centre and can’t find anywhere to park.”

When it eventually came to a vote, eight members supported a motion to refuse permission, with one abstaining.

The applicant, Brookmaker Partnership Limited, has the right to appeal the decision within six months. A spokesperson said: “We worked closely with officers at SGC to deliver a policycompliant application that sought to improve the Willow Brook Centre with additional food and drink and retail units.”

“We are disappointed that councillors have not accepted their officer’s recommendation and refused the application at a time when investment into town centres is both rare and muchneeded.”

13th February 2018

Applicant notifies neighbours of a preapplication consultation

26th February 2018

Planning application received by SGC

25th March 2018

BSTC’s Planning Committee unanimously votes to object to the application

3rd January 2019

SGC case officer recommends approval

8th January 2019

Application is successfully ‘called in’ by councillors for determination at committee

24th January 2019

SGC’s Development Management Committee defers a decision and requests a site inspection visit

8th February 2019

Members of the Development Management Committee inspect the site

21st February 2019

Development Management Committee votes 5:2:1 to refuse permission

21st February 2019

Case automatically referred to SGC’s Spatial Planning Committee

8th March 2019

Members of the Spatial Planning Committee inspect the site

19th March 2019

Spatial Planning Committee votes 8:0:1 to refuse permission

Read all related articles on the Journal website: http://www.bradleystokejournal.co.uk/tag/pt18-1491-o/

Decision Notice (formal statement of grounds for refusal) The proposed development, if permitted, would result in a harmful concentration of food and drink uses resulting in a prejudicial impact on residential amenity due to noise, general disturbance, fumes, smells, and late night activity. The proposed development is therefore contrary to policy PSP8 and PSP35 of the South Gloucestershire Local Plan: Policies, Sites and Places Plan (Adopted) November 2017.

Furthermore, the application is contrary to the three objectives in paragraph 8 of the National Planning Policy Framework (February 2019) in that the development fails to promote the economic, social and environmental character of the area.

Development Masterplan

Wheatfield Drive Closest residential property

Dewfalls Drive Access road brought closer to residential properties

Orange outline: Phase one

Bradley Stoke Way

Starbucks McDonald’s Willow Brook Centre car park

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Blue outline: Phase two This plan shows the proposed layout of the car park and access road at the end of phase 2.

For phase 1, the access road will remain as it is at present, except for the first right-hand turn being widened to allow easy access for delivery vehicles serving the two new food and drink units.

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April 2019

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9

News

Replacement Sort It centre will be at Filton Viridor site New facility will also be a depot and transfer station for the council’s fleet of waste collection trucks

S

outh Gloucestershire Council has announced that it is to build a new £6.5 million Sort It centre and waste management complex at a site off North Way in Filton.

The new facility, which should be operational from 2023, will improve recycling services for residents and increase capacity to manage household waste from the growing communities in the Cribbs Patchway New Neighbourhood, which includes Charlton Hayes and planned new developments on the former Filton Airfield.

Back in 2016, the council disclosed that it was in talks to acquire land on the former Rolls-Royce East Works site (now known as Horizon 38) to use as the site of a new waste facility for the North Fringe.

However, a recent report to Cabinet revealed that this plan had now been dropped and permission was sought, and duly granted, to instead purchase the Viridor waste processing plant on the nearby North Bristol Park industrial estate, which is also home to the NHS Blood and Transplant facility and a Safestore self-storage warehouse.

Initially, Viridor will continue to operate from the site, but after they vacate in 2021, the council will demolish the existing

facilities and deliver: • A new transfer station – where collection vehicles can drop off waste collected from households • A new Sort It centre – to serve residents who currently use the Little Stoke site; providing an improved facility as well as meeting the needs of expanding local communities • A depot for waste vehicles – allowing collection trucks to be based closer to the areas they serve, reducing traffic movements and their impact on local roads and the environment The council says it will also explore the option of a ‘reuse shop’, whereby certain unwanted but serviceable items can be safety tested by its staff and made available for sale second-hand.

Once the new facility is complete, to modern standards similar to the recently redeveloped and improved Sort It centres at Mangotsfield and Yate, the existing Little Stoke Sort It centre will be closed.

Cabinet member for tourism and communities, Cllr Paul Hughes, said: “We are a growing community and we are committed to growing sustainably and it is important that we invest now for the future infrastructure to support new communities as well as existing residents.”

“By redeveloping this site, we

Clean

Viridor waste processing plant at North Bristol Park, Filton

will be able to manage waste and recycling services closer to the growth areas around Filton. It will help us further improve residents’ experience of the recycling service because the new Sort It centre will be larger than at Little Stoke. We are already recycling more than 51 percent of our household waste and we’re well on the way to reaching our 60 percent target.”

“The new facility will have the capacity to manage the extra waste that comes from

new homes and its location will reduce the number and length of journeys taken by the trucks across the district to collect waste and recyclable materials.”

Since the implementation of the council’s Waste Strategy 2015-2019, which saw the change to weekly recycling and smaller black bins, South Gloucestershire now recycles 51.6 percent of all household waste, with an extra 4,495 tonnes of recycling being collected since January 2018.

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April 2019

News

Vast £56m retirement complex officially opened

A

vast, multi-million pound retirement complex has officially opened in Stoke Gifford. Located off Coldharbour Lane, opposite the University of the West of England (UWE), the Stoke Gifford Retirement Village offers those over the age of 55 a new approach to retirement living. Made up of 92 onebedroom and 169 two-bedroom fully accessible, self-contained flats, The Village is set across 5.5 acres of land and includes a host of on-site facilities.

The Stoke Gifford Retirement Village, which has been under construction for the last 2.5 years, opens as part of a £56m development programme between retirement charity The ExtraCare Charitable Trust, South Gloucestershire Council, who provided £1.9m, and Bristol City Council, who provided £2.8m. This was alongside a contribution of £2.4m from

Homes England through the Department of Health and Social Care’s ‘Care and Support Specialised Housing Fund’.

The ExtraCare Charitable Trust, established in 1988, operates a number of retirement villages and smaller housing developments around the Midlands and further south.

Their mission is to “create sustainable communities that provide homes older people want, lifestyles they can enjoy and care if it’s needed”.

Retirement villages have been designed as an alternative to the traditional care home. The idea is to enable older people to enjoy healthy, active, and independent lifestyles in their later years.

However, should care and/or dementia support be needed, it can be assessed and provided in the comfort and privacy of a resident’s own village home. This means that couples can remain

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External view from one end of the complex, which houses 261 apartments

together even when one partner becomes frail.

The villages aim to foster an environment of supported independence where residents can take advantage of the social and leisure opportunities provided by the wide range of facilities available. These include a bar & bistro, a village hall, a library & IT suite, a hair & beauty salon, a gym and a shop; all of which are also open to the wider public.

There are also numerous activities that take place within the Stoke Gifford village, many of which are for the wider community as well as the village residents. For example, several inter-generational groups are organised throughout the week, such as the Acorn & Oaks Playgroup which takes place on a Wednesday morning between 10.00am and 12.00pm and the Wise Owls after school club who

come from a local primary school to visit the library and read with some of the residents. If you would like to find out more about the different activities taking place at the village, please phone 0117 332 5440.

The official opening of the Stoke Gifford Retirement Village took place on Thursday 14th March 2019 with the ribbon being cut by residents Brian and Sheila Lomas, Cllr Ben Stokes (South Gloucestershire Council, Cabinet member for adult care), Cllr Helen Holland (Bristol City Council, Cabinet member for adult social care), Andrew Strong (village manager) and Mick Laverty, chief executive of the ExtraCare Charitable Trust.

During the official opening, Cllr Stokes said: “It’s fantastic to see this new ExtraCare village officially open. We want to make sure that our growing number of older residents continue to

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The light and spacious reception and communal area within the complex

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April 2019

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News

in Stoke Gifford

info@bradleystokejournal.co.uk

PUT ALL

YOUR EGGS

IN ONE Ribbon cutting (l-r): Cllr Ben Stokes, Cllr Helen Holland, Andrew Strong, Sheila Lomas (seated), Mick Laverty and Brian Lomas

live well and carry on leading fulfilling lives well into their later years. This village, as well as others like it, are preventing isolation within elderly communities.”

To access the retirement village, take the eastern exit off the UWE Roundabout on Coldharbour Lane and then take the next right. If you proceed past the building, you can turn right into the car park. You can also walk from the MetroBus stop ‘UWE Gardens’.

As you enter the main building, you are struck with how open and bright it is. The skylights allow so much light into the building that even on a dark and rainy day, it feels well-lit. The modern décor creates a spacious environment for the residents and the facilities provide a whole variety of activities for everyone to enjoy.

The apartments themselves are spacious and cater for a variety of needs, such as wider doors for wheelchairs and nonslip showers. The ExtraCare Charitable Trust has also gone into partnership with UWE to pioneer the integration of technologies into residents’ homes to empower individuals whilst reducing care needs. The UWE team that are working on this project are looking at how smart devices, intelligent sensing systems, smart assistants and assistive robots may be able to

provide autonomy and support independent living for longer.

The first residents started to move in last November, with 80 homes now being filled. The flats are available to purchase as 50 percent ownership, 75 percent ownership or outright ownership with prices varying from £140,000 through to £450,000.

There are also a number of homes available to rent for people on a minimum income receiving maximum benefits.

Brian and Sheila Lomas were amongst some of the first residents to move into The Village in November 2018.

As part of the ribbon cutting ceremony, Sheila gave a speech about her first few months of living in the new development.

She said: “It felt like home straight away. I go to the gym every day and I have not used my wheelchair since moving in.

Moving into The Village has given me so many opportunities to take part in activities and meet new people. We are both so happy!”

● www.stokegiffordvillage.co.uk P.S. Look out for a follow-up article in our next issue about volunteering opportunities at Stoke Gifford Retirement Village

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April 2019

Schools

Trust CEO’s “lack of representation” gibe triggers

S

chools minister Nick Gibb MP has paid a flying visit to several South Gloucestershire schools, including Patchway Community School, following criticism from a local academy trust leader that the district’s MPs aren’t doing enough to push for an increase in the level of school funding.

The visit came just three weeks after Dave Baker, CEO of the Olympus Academy Trust (OAT), appeared to be critical of Filton and Bradley Stoke MP Jack Lopresti for not attending a debate held in parliament to discuss a public petition titled ‘Increase funding for schools’, which had attracted over 100,000 signatures.

Mr Baker tweeted “We are in the lowest-funded local authority area in the country and our MP was apparently not present for the debate about school funding.

Looking forward to meeting with Jack Lopresti on Friday to talk this through.”

Following his subsequent meeting with Mr Lopresti, Mr Baker wrote in an article published on the OAT website that he had shared his “concerns about our lack of representation in regard to inadequate school funding in our area”.

Mr Baker went on to report that Mr Lopresti had “committed to requesting a meeting with Nick Gibb (minister of state for schools) in the coming weeks to share the serious concerns of school and trust leaders in South Gloucestershire.”

He also reported that Mr Lopresti had pledged to liaise with other local MPs, including Luke Hall and Chris Skidmore, “so that they can show a united front in highlighting concerns from across the education sector in South Gloucestershire”.

Noting that the Castle School Education Trust had recently been awarded £14 million in additional capital funding, Mr Baker added that he was looking forward to “an update in regard to the financial support also urgently required for schools

L-r: Cllr Toby Savage (leader, South Gloucestershire Council), Jack Lopresti MP, Nick Gibb MP (schools minister), Dave Baker (CEO, Olympus Academy Trust) and Karen Cornick (headteacher, Patchway Community School).

within the Olympus Academy Trust, and specifically at Patchway Community School”.

Mr Lopresti later put out a statement that he had been unable to attend the debate on school funding because he was “in a meeting as part of my

government role assisting the Brexit Secretary”.

He added: “I welcome the Government’s commitment to spend an additional £1.3bn on education above and beyond previous spending plans. In fact, figures from the independent

Institute for Fiscal Studies show that real terms per-pupil funding in 2020 will be more than 50 percent higher than it was in 2000. I welcome that the Autumn Budget reiterates the commitment to improving every child’s education, with

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April 2019

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Schools

schools minister visit

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Jack Lopresti MP (right) meets schools minister Nick Gibb MP

an additional £400 million for schools to spend on improving their facilities.”

A week later, Mr Lopresti, reported that he had delivered on his pledge to meet the schools minister, writing: “On Monday [18th March] I met with Nick Gibb MP to discuss with him the school funding situation in South Gloucestershire in general and with specific issues on school buildings, some of which are now outdated and in need of maintenance, repair, and, in some cases, replacement. This was a successful meeting where the minister informed us that school funding per pupil will be 6 percent higher next year than it was in the 2017/18 academic year.”

“I was able to raise my concerns again about the condition of Patchway Community School, having visited it myself last week and met with headteacher Karen Cornick and trust CEO Dave Baker. I strongly felt that the minister should come and see the school for himself and he has accepted my invitation, giving a commitment that he will come and visit Patchway in the near future.”

“I look forward to welcoming the minister to South Gloucestershire and to continuing our ongoing conversation about the best way to secure fairer school funding for our area.”

Just days later, a spokesperson for the Conservative group on South Gloucestershire Council revealed that Mr Gibb had duly visited three South

Gloucestershire schools, including Patchway Community School, on 21st March, “to discuss the challenges of funding, see the improving standards first-hand and hear about the experiences of staff and pupils”.

Toby Savage, leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said: “We are delighted that the minister accepted the invitation from our MPs to visit South Gloucestershire and hear about the progress we are making despite the challenges facing our area. This year we have already shown our commitment to our schools through our record £78 million capital investment in the budget, but we have no intention of stopping now and will continue our lobbying for further improvements.”

Cllr Savage also tweeted: “Thanks to Nick Gibb for accepting [local MPs’] invite to spend day visiting #SouthGlos schools to meet pupils & see our improving standards, funding challenges & need for #fairerfunding. Loads better than brief mention in a Westminster backbench debate!”

In reply, Dave Baker tweeted drily: “We were pleased to welcome Nick Gibb, Toby Savage and Jack Lopresti to Patchway Community School yesterday morning for a tour and discussion about the realities of providing education in the lowest-funded local authority area in England. We await next steps with interest.” ● www.olympustrust.co.uk

We can help with a wide range of conditions, for the whole family, including: * Headaches/Migraines * Asthma/Hay Fever * Back pain * IBS/Crohns * Infertility & Pregnancy *Stress / Anxiety * Sports injuries & Pain

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April 2019

News

In Brief

Bowlers to support air ambulance

We hand-deliver 9,200 copies of this magazine

t the spring meeting of Bradley Stoke Bowls Club, a large crowd of members was treated to a brief account of the excellent work of the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC).

The charity’s new air base is in Almondsbury, from which they provide pre-hospital critical care services within the community.

It was unanimously agreed to adopt this charity for the 2019 season. Joe Hughes (GWAAC community fundraising coordinator, seen in the photo) explained aspects of the work, the high level of skills of all concerned, and the need to raise £3 million each year.

The major fundraising effort by the club will be at the Charities Day in August and through ongoing collections taken at every home game during the season.

Robert Bertram, club chairman, conducting the meeting in his

As well as being delivered to ALL of the 8,700 homes in Bradley Stoke, a further 500 copies of this magazine are left at public locations in Almondsbury, Bradley Stoke, Little Stoke, Patchway, Stoke Lodge, Stoke Gifford and Winterbourne.

These include community centres, shops, medical centres, takeaways and pubs.

Larger quantities are left at Bradley Stoke Library and on the customer service desk at the Bradley Stoke Tesco Extra store.

Residents of Stoke Lodge may pick up copies from the newsagents in Chelford Grove.

The Journal is proud to be Bradley Stoke’s ONLY locally edited newspaper!

A

A representative of GWAAC addresses the spring meeting of Bradley Stoke Bowls Club

usual affable style, took the business of the club through all the usual housekeeping matters with admirable speed, including welcoming new members, and thanking office bearers and sponsors.

A highlight of the summer programme is to be a visit to the

Isle of Bohemia Club, situated on an island in the River Thames at Reading.

The home season is planned to begin on Monday 15th April.

● For more information about

the club and the charity, visit bsbc.webs.com and gwaac.com

Send us your news!

May magazine Deadline for contributions: Monday 22nd April

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

April 2019

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15

News

Mixed reaction to Willow Brook Centre’s new speed bumps New obstacles criticised by some for being “too harsh”

T

he replacement of a number of cushion-type speed bumps on the access road of the Willow Brook shopping centre with new, more severe, full-width bumps sparked extensive debate on the Journal’s Facebook page during March.

The reader who started the discussion remarked on the “large traffic queue” that had formed because of drivers slowing to a crawl as they passed over the “overly harsh” speed bumps, noting that this had resulted in the roundabout near the Three Brooks pub becoming blocked.

Scores of other readers added comments complaining about the

severity of the bumps, expressing fears that their vehicles’ suspension and/or wheel alignment might be damaged as a result of passing over them.

Others complained about the discomfort experienced by vehicle occupants, particularly the elderly or disabled and those with sensitive medical conditions such a back pain.

On the other hand, the new bumps were strongly supported by readers who are concerned about the safety of pedestrians using the zebra crossing or have experienced issues with vehicles swerving into the centre of the road to avoid the previous cushion-type bumps.

One of the new full-width speed bumps installed during March

Speed bumps were first installed at the centre in September 2011 following a series of accidents that had been attributed to speeding.

The centre management later claimed that the number of reported incidents had reduced from 58 in the 35 months prior to installation of the bumps to zero in the subsequent 12 months.

Responding to a statement request from the Journal, Andy Wynn, manager of the Willow

Brook Centre, said: “The new speed bumps have been installed following a review of safety in the area, in light of a number of near misses for both pedestrians and vehicles. The speed bumps are designed to be driven over between 5 miles per hour and the speed limit of the car park, which has always been 10 miles per hour. The same make and model of speed bump is in place in several car parks around Bristol and has been for some years.”

Reader comments on our Facebook page JF: They are too harsh! I have problems with my spine and going over these was agony. Think the centre will be seeing legal action. These things also play havoc with the suspension on cars.

AC: The traffic was backed up this weekend as far as Bradley Stoke Way and Brook Way. One more reason to avoid our ‘town centre’.

DH: I’m not sure why they haven’t just put in full width-speed cushions which are not so vicious and don’t slow the traffic to a standstill – there has to be some middle ground!

CH: They are doing exactly what they are supposed to do which is slow the traffic down approaching the zebra crossing. A lot of children use the crossing going to and from school. I think they are a good thing.

CC: Perfectly acceptable! If people didn’t avoid the smaller ones by driving down the centre of the road then it wouldn’t have happened. Had so many near misses because of the old ones.

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April 2019

Schools

School kicks off 20th anniversary celebrations

O

Left: Present headteacher Phil Winterburn joins former heads Lois Haydon & Chris Dursley in cutting an anniversary cake.

Below: Guests mingle in the hall, where photos from the school’s history were displayed.

n Saturday 16th March, Bradley Stoke’s Wheatfield Primary School opened its doors to ex-pupils, families and members of staff for an open day to celebrate the school’s 20th anniversary.

Over 200 people attended the event and took the opportunity to explore the school and catch up with old friends and colleagues.

The hall was decorated with pictures from throughout the school’s history and videos of key events were played in classrooms.

The day was organized by Hazel Boyes, a teaching assistant who has been in post for 19 years It forms part of a series of events throughout the school year to mark the 20th anniversary.

The culmination of these events will be ‘Wheatfest’ on Saturday 13th July, which will be a day of activities, rides and performances to celebrate this important time for the school.

The Journal: Serving the community 24/7 since 2008

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Family Easter Fun Day at Stoke Gifford Retirement Village

We look forward t seeing yo o u there!

Thursday 18 April 11.00am – 3.00pm Everyone’s welcome to join our FREE event and enjoy a whole host of family fun this Easter holiday!

Entertainment

Easter Bonnet Parade

Easter Egg Hunt

Market Stalls

Easter Crafts

Face Painter

Stoke Gifford Retirement Village Off Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1EJ Call 0117 321 6632 for more information The ExtraCare Charitable Trust, Registered Office: 7 Harry Weston Road, Binley Business Park, Binley, Coventry, CV3 2SN. Registered Charity No. 327816. Registered in England and Wales No. 2205136. Copyright © 2019 The ExtraCare Charitable Trust.

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April 2019

News

£600k scheme to get MetroBus into Parkway

S

outh Gloucestershire Council’s Cabinet has given approval for officers to enter into an agreement with Great Western Railway (GWR) for the implementation of a scheme of improvements at Bristol Parkway that could make it easier for MetroBus services to access the station from early 2020.

The original MetroBus network, as described in the planning application for the North Fringe to Hengrove Package bus rapid transit scheme, included a route between Emersons Green and Bristol Parkway via UWE, but this was silently dropped during the construction phase. It later emerged that this was because MetroBus vehicles could not currently enter and leave the station via the rear (Hunts Ground Road) entrance due to the constrained nature of the site. This was originally thought

to be due to the tight turns that the access road makes around the station’s multi-storey car park. However, First Bus boss James Freeman later revealed that the issue is actually one of buses coming in via the rear access not being able to execute a turnaround manoeuvre so that they can go out the same way.

There was never any plan for buses on the Hengrove Park to Cribbs Causeway route (now

known as the M1) to make a diversion into and back out of the station. Whether this might change in the future is open to speculation, but to do so would significantly add to M1 journey times which are already bettered by the less frequent T1 service.

A council spokesperson said: “Bristol Parkway is identified as a key bus/rail interchange for the MetroBus network and local bus services. Officers have been

working with GWR to develop a scheme to facilitate enhanced interchange at the station.”

The Journal has learned that a £650k scheme has been designed, which the council will part-fund, with GWR, to the tune of £300k. As well as facilitating in-out bus movements via the Hunts Ground Road entrance, the scheme will provide additional bus stops in the station forecourt and see the renewal of the existing bus shelters.

GWR has advised the council that if a funding package is confirmed by the end of May 2019, then the project could be completed within the 2019/20 financial year, prior to the end of the its current franchise period.

Whether a commercial operator can be found to operate a MetroBus service to the station and when such a service might start remain open questions.

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April 2019

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News

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Terry James RIP, joint host of the Watch Elm Close charity Christmas lights

Community in shock as organiser of charity Christmas lights passes away HUNDREDS of people from across the Stokes and further afield have expressed shock and sadness at the news that Terry James, joint host of the famous Watch Elm Close charity Christmas lights, has died.

Together with partner Mike Checkley, Terry had helped raise thousands of pounds for charities, most recently St Peter’s Hospice, through collections made at their extravagant Christmas lights displays.

Announcing Terry’s passing on the Watch Elm Close Christmas Lights page on Facebook, Mike wrote: “It is with sadness and joy that I share with you that my loving partner of 42 years died at 7pm on Tuesday 12th March

2019 very peacefully at home in his own bed where he wanted to be. He is now at peace. We will no longer be doing the Christmas lights but there is a new shining star in the sky. Thank you for your support for last year – we still can’t believe we raised £11,200. God bless you all.”

Well-wishers have left hundreds of comments of sympathy and support on the post, many of which mention the warm welcome they received when visiting the lights last year.

An online charity donation page has been set up in memory of Terry, collecting once again for St Peter’s Hospice. The address is uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ TerryJames

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Terry with partner Mike Checkley at the launch event in December 2018

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April 2019

STARS OF THE STOKES Brought to you by

WillowBrookCentre This month, Willow Brook Centre has once again launched its popular annual community awards programme, Stars of the Stokes.

2019 is the fourth year of the awards, which cover Bradley Stoke, Stoke Gifford, Winterbourne, Patchway, Almondsbury and Frampton Cotterell and comes on the back of increased nominations each year.

Willow Brook Centre works with a variety of local businesses to sponsor and promote the awards, led locally by the Bradley Stoke Journal and the Stoke Gifford Journal, and the awards night itself is broadcast live on Bradley Stoke Radio.

HOW TO NOMINATE Members of the public are invited to nominate anyone from the local area who they feel deserves recognition for outstanding community engagement and/or achievement of personal goals. Nominations can be made on starsofthestokes.co.uk. The glittering awards night will be hosted by Paul Sinha at Aztec Hotel & Spa on Friday 21st June. Paul is best known for his role as the 4th chaser, referred to as ‘The smiling assasin’, on the popular quiz show ‘The Chase’

Andy Wynn, manager of Willow Brook Centre said: “Willow Brook is at the heart of the community and Stars of the Stokes has become an important part of our annual calendar.

It has been four years since we first launched the awards, and we have been delighted to see the number of nominations grow as each year passes. We are forever grateful to the many local people who have gone out of their way to help us recognise local heroes”.

“We are delighted to work with our sponsors on this year’s awards, and are looking forward to seeing the nominations start to come in and to meeting some more of the leading lights in our community on 21st June.”

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

SUPPORTED BY

To advertise in this magazine or on our websites, p

info@bradleystokejournal.co.uk

AWARD CATEGORIES STAR TEACHER Do you know a teacher who works in the area and goes above and beyond what you would expect? Has a teacher you know made a huge difference to your life?

Maybe you know a teacher who has motivated and inspired students to achieve their best and who is always willing to give that extra time and effort.

CHAMPION CARER Carers, be they family, friends or professionals, are crucial to many families. Does someone you know provide care that is ‘beyond the norm’? Have they changed lives or put their lives on hold to help and care for you?

PARENT / GUARDIAN IN A MILLION PRE-SCHOOL CARER OF THE YEAR Can you see the difference your child minder or nanny makes to your child’s development? Does your child have a favourite member of staff at their nursery or pre-school who brightens their day? Maybe your child carer ends up caring for the whole family, or has helped you with short notice cover during family emergencies over the last year.

What do parents you know do to make them a parent/guardian in a million? Do they collect your children from school every day so that you can work?

Do they fight to make sure you have everything you need and deserve? Perhaps something has happened in the last year that you couldn’t have got through without their support.

COACH OF THE YEAR ACHIEVEMENT AGAINST THE ODDS Do you know someone who achieves great things against the odds? Has someone you know overcome illness or disability to return to work, faced a battle to achieve something important to them, or achieved sporting prowess when told that they wouldn’t be able to?

BAILEY COOPER YOUNG HERO AWARD Do you know someone aged 18 or under who is a hero?

Have they spent a lot of free time volunteering?

Perhaps someone you know has achieved great things in sport or started a new hobby and become renowned for it.

Maybe they care for their parents, mow the lawn for a neighbour, or have raised money for a cause that is close to them.

Do you know someone who gives up their free time to coach others? Perhaps a youth football coach or a cycling coach. Maybe you know someone who works in sport but goes above and beyond what would be expected. Perhaps a teacher who runs an out of school exercise club, or a personal trainer who has helped you achieve your goals in the last year.

UNSUNG HERO Do you know someone who is a hero to you but doesn’t see it themselves? Maybe they give their life to volunteering or have done the same job for many years. Perhaps they run a local sports team, raise money for charity. It may be that they are simply a hero to you and you’d love them to receive some recognition.

Enter your nomination on starsofthestokes.co.uk before May 10th

phone The Journal’s sales team on 01454 300 400

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t: 01454 300 400 Gareth Owen, equity release specialist at Aspirations Independent Financial Advice, who are based in the first floor East Offices at Bradley Stoke’s Willow Brook shopping centre

Look out for Gareth and his colleagues from Aspirations hosting ‘meet and greet’ sessions in the Willow Brook Centre mall on weekends during April

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April 2019

Advertising

Unlock tax-free cash from your home

W

ith life expectancy having increased significantly in recent decades, most people will be looking forward to enjoying a long retirement. However, experts warn that many of us may not have the funds required to enjoy the lifestyle we would like.

More people than ever are now considering equity release to provide tax-free cash from their homes to fund the retirement lifestyle they desire.

The Journal spoke to Gareth Owen, equity release specialist at Bradley Stoke based Aspirations IFA, to find out more about the options available.

What is equity release?

‘Equity’ simply refers to the difference between the value of your property and any outstanding loans secured on it, such as a mortgage.

If you are a homeowner aged over 55, you can ‘release’ some of the equity from your home to provide extra cash to spend on the things you want or need.

How does it work?

It is generally known as a lifetime mortgage and you borrow money secured against the equity in your home.

However, unlike a traditional mortgage, there are no monthly repayments required and the interest can be added to the loan amount.

The loan is repaid from the sale of your home when you die or move, often into residential care.

How much can I release?

The amounts available to borrow are age related, the older you are the more you can borrow.

This ensures that you do not borrow more than is affordable to your estate. For example, the maximum loan available is around 50% of your property’s equity (for an 85-year-old).

This calculation is based on the youngest client’s age (if a couple).

What is the interest rate?

The interest rate is fixed for the duration of the loan and will depend on the amount of equity you wish to release. A key point is that, the interest applied is usually compounded each year.

As you will continue to own your home in its entirety, any potential increases in your home’s value can offset the impact of the interest.

Lump sum or drawdown?

The loan amount can be taken as a tax-free lump sum or as and when needed via a drawdown facility. The drawdown facility can be a cost-effective way of ensuring you have access to monies throughout your retirement. You only get charged interest on the money you spend. The interest rate on your drawdown will remain fixed for life, but this may be at a different interest rate to that of your initial loan.

What security do I have?

• No negative equity guarantee: A debt can never be left for your beneficiaries as the guarantee ensures that if property values fall drastically, the lender will meet any excess cost.

• Portable: All lifetime mortgages are portable and can be moved to another property.

This property would need to meet the lender’s criteria but it does mean that you can move home if you wish.

• Right to reside: You can never be asked to repay the loan or move home within your lifetime.

By choosing a product from a company that is a member of the Equity Release Council, these guarantees are standard, and Aspirations only advise on regulated products.

● To find out more, contact

Gareth Owen on 01454 501959.

Download a free guide to equity release from www.aspirationsifa.com (accessible to all without entering any personal details!)

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

April 2019

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23

What’s On

Library exhibition to show local impact of WW2

T

he impact of the Second World War on South Gloucestershire is the focus of a touring exhibition which will be hosted by Bradley Stoke Library from Monday 1st April to Saturday 13th April.

Stories of residents who lived in the region during or in the aftermath of the conflict will be told in the National Lottery funded project.

The project team carried out research with community museums and through reminiscence sessions in care homes to gather quotes and images for the exhibition, in order to bring to life the experiences of those living and working in the area during the war.

From sweet rations to shelters, air-raids to evacuees, the exhibition provides a great opportunity to learn more about how local people lived during this critical time in our history.

Cllr Brian Allinson with local residents who contributed towards the exhibition

Speaking at the launch of the touring exhibition in January, Cllr Brian Allinson, vice-chair of South Gloucestershire Council, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded funding by the National Lottery for our Second

World War Stories project. This exhibition captures what life was really like during the war and we are pleased to be able to share these important and powerful stories before they are lost to living memory.”

In attendance at the exhibition launch was Irene from Downend, who remembers the day that Filton was bombed: “My husband was a fire watch volunteer at Bristol Aeroplane Company. The night Filton got bombed I paced up and down with baby Peter in my arms, praying that my husband was alive. There was no way of knowing until he walked through the door.”

Maureen, also from Downend, remembers: “Uncle Ernest had been a prisoner of war. When he came home we were all there to greet him and had hung up a welcome home sign. I can still remember him clearly, he was a shadow of his former self.”

If you lived through the war yourself and have memorabilia or photographs, the project researchers would be keen to hear from you. ● For more information visit http://bit.ly/sglos-ww2

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April 2019

News

MetroBus: Has the ‘no lay-bys’ policy backfired?

Chaotic scene on Bradley Stoke Way as a southbound M1 MetroBus attempts to pass a T1 bus that is halted at the Webbs Wood stop while a northbound 73 bus is also halted at the northbound stop.

T

he introduction of new bus routes (T1 and M1 MetroBus) through Bradley Stoke has actually worsened traffic congestion rather than relieved it, claim a number of readers commenting on the Journal’s Facebook page.

Responding to a reader who reported being held up by a convoy of three buses “halting at every stop” along Bradley Stoke Way to pick up or set down passengers, many people have blamed the lack of lay-bys at the newly created MetroBus stops for the problems.

An overall increase in traffic flow resulting from the opening of the Stoke Gifford By-Pass (created as part of the MetroBus project) seems to have exacerbated the problem by limiting opportunities for overtaking buses halted at stops, due to a lack of gaps in oncoming traffic.

Council planners say they are against having lay-bys at stops because buses find it difficult to re-enter the traffic flow when moving off. However, the policy seems to be backfiring as ‘rapid service’ MetroBuses, which only halt at selected stops, are

themselves being held up by being unable to pass regular buses (73 and T1) halted at any stop along their route, including the non-MetroBus ones.

Responding to an enquiry from Bradley Stoke Town Council after the issue of tailbacks forming at the Savages Wood Roundabout stop had been raised by a town councillor, South Gloucestershire Council replied: “The new bus stops that have been provided on Bradley Stoke Way for the MetroBus services have not been built with lay-bys. The reason for this is that when buses pull out

BRADLEY STOKE TOWN COUNCIL Hereby gives notice that the Annual Town Meeting will be held at: The Oak Hall The Jubilee Centre Savages Wood Road Bradley Stoke, BS32 8HL 7.00pm Wednesday 8 May 2019 Sharon Petela, Town Clerk Council Office, The Jubilee Centre, Savages Wood Road, Bradley Stoke, South Glos BS32 8HL (01454) 205020 www.bradleystoke.gov.uk

of the traffic flow into bus lay-bys at bus stops, they often find it very difficult to pull back out onto the road as they have to wait for a gap in the traffic to do so.

This can result in delays to bus services and unreliability.”

“Therefore, as MetroBus is designed to be a faster, more reliable public transport service, most new MetroBus stops have been built without lay-bys. It should be noted however, as MetroBus services require passengers to buy tickets before they board the bus, in order to reduce the time that the buses need to wait at the bus stops.”

“Providing high quality public transport services such as MetroBus should help to reduce future increases in traffic associated with the expected growth in housing and jobs, especially single occupancy car use.”

Reader comments on our Facebook page JH: I agree. Had to wait at every stop down Bradley Stoke Way. What infuriates me even more is the buses not even using the bus lane!

SE: Totally agree. Long tail backs caused by poor forward thinking. They had long enough to create bus pull-ins!

VN: The room was/is there for bus lay-bys. Instead they created bus lanes that are used once every 15 mins or so. I now have to leave an extra 15 mins earlier each day just to arrive at work on time.

BS: The only way it would work as intended is to fully segregate the route. But of course that was too costly! Saving a minute between pinch points was never going to bring that big an improvement.

LM: People are always in such a rush these days, no patience.

MetroBus is a good thing.

Driving in cars is not!

Stop moaning!

EB: Solution – leave the car at home and catch the bus.

Read more comments via http://bit.ly/bsj-mag-links

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

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April 2019

In Brief Talk and meal will appeal to boating enthusiasts Tom Cunliffe is one of the most popular speakers on boating topics and an authority on Bristol Channel pilot cutters. His blend of authority, humour, experience and humility make compulsive listening.

His talk at Hall & Woodhouse in Portishead Marina (BS20 7FP) on Saturday 13th April, titled ‘What boat? Where bound?, follows the hair-raising tales of pilots in Northern Europe interwoven with Tom’s own adventures in Brazil, Greenland and Soviet Russia. Part autobiographical, part historical, totally Cunliffe. The evening includes a three-course meal.

Tom’s talks are always hugely popular and frequently sell-out.

If you would like to attend, then you are recommended to book early to avoid disappointment. A wait-list will be introduced once the capacity has been reached.

The talk begins at 7.30pm with

registration from 7pm. Tickets cost £35 for Cruising Association members, £40 for non-members (prices include three-course meal). Book online via www. theca.org.uk

BS Lions club announces passing of past president Bradley Stoke Lions announce with great sadness, the death of one of our longest serving members, past president Robin Young. He passed to “higher service” as we say in the Lions, on Saturday morning 16th March in Southmead Hospital. He will be remembered as a kind, generous man who always thought of others before himself.

Lions past president Robin Young RIP

Upcoming events at Winterbourne Barn A scheme of major conservation and redevelopment work has recently begun at Winterbourne Medieval Barn (located in Church lane, just the other side of the motorway from Bradley Stoke).

The barn itself might be hibernating, but the recentlyrenovated Cartshed will nevertheless host a programme of community activities during 2019, for which online booking is now available on www. ticketsource.co.uk The Good Friday family crafts and egg hunt is aimed at children aged 7 -11. It is FREE but prebooking is essential. The session will be preceded at 10.30am with a short family service in St Michaels Church followed by hot cross buns to mark Good Friday together as a community.

The Nature Challenge on 27th April is run by Avon Wildlife Trust as part of the global ‘City Nature Challenge’. With sweep nets, bug pots, and smartphones, the whole family can hunt for as much wildlife as possible in the nature reserve. The cost is £2.50 per participant. Under 5s go free but there is a warning that pushing buggies around the nature reserve can be difficult! ● winterbournebarn.org.uk

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April 2019

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News

All change for local elections on 2nd May

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esidents across the Stokes will be called on to elect representatives to both South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) and their respective parish council in local elections which take place on Thursday 2nd May. A decision to reduce the number of seats on SGC from 70 to 61 means that there have been significant changes to ward boundaries across the district, so some voters may find themselves in a different ward or being asked to elect a different number of representatives compared to the last across-the-board local elections held in 2015.

Bradley Stoke

Bradley Stoke parish (town) previously elected five SGC members, two each for the wards of Bradley Stoke South and Bradley Stoke Central & Stoke Lodge and one for the Bradley Stoke North ward. For 2019,

there are just two wards, Bradley Stoke South and Bradley Stoke North (the latter incorporating Stoke Lodge), each represented by two members.

In order to balance the numbers of electors in the district wards, some properties in the extreme south of Bradley Stoke parish have historically been allocated to the Stoke Gifford district ward and the boundary changes for 2019 have seen more properties fall into this area of overlap.

No changes have been made to the Bradley Stoke (or any other) parish/town boundary, but the number of parish wards in Bradley Stoke has been reduced from the present seven to just three, named North, South and Stoke Brook, electing six, seven and two members respectively to the town council.

The Stoke Brook parish ward of Bradley Stoke corresponds to

the part of the town which falls within the Stoke Gifford district ward.

Stoke Gifford and Little Stoke

For 2019, Stoke Gifford parish (which includes Little Stoke) will elect four SGC members, three for a reshaped Stoke Gifford ward north of the A4174 and a fourth

for a new ward named Stoke Park and Cheswick.

The three previous Stoke Gifford parish wards north of the A4174 have been combined into a single Central parish ward electing nine members, while the existing University ward (corresponding to the Stoke Park and Cheswick district ward) elects three members.

Timetable of Proceedings for May 2019 Local Elections

Publication of Notice of Election Receipt of Nominations Publication of Statement of Persons Nominated Last Date for Registration Receipt of Postal Vote Applications Publication of Notice of Poll Day of Poll

Tuesday 26th March Wednesday 3rd April Thursday 4th April Friday 12th April Monday 15th April Wednesday 24th April Thursday 2nd May

Standing for election: Nomination packs are available from the South Gloucestershire Council elections team on 01454 863030 or by email at electoral.services@southglos.gov.uk Registering to vote: Register online at www.southglos.gov.uk You can call 01454 863030 or email electoral.services@southglos.gov.uk to check whether you are on the register.

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April 2019

News

Mum launches petition for safer road crossing

Bradley Stoke mum Esther Huke (right), dressed as a unofficial lollipop lady, stops traffic on Brook Way to help a group of schoolchildren across the road

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local mum has launched an online petition calling on South Gloucestershire Council to install a zebra crossing on Brook Way, between its junctions with Merryweather Close and Dewfalls Drive.

Esther Huke says the current uncontrolled crossing point at this location is dangerous to use because the road is very busy, particularly during the times of the ‘school run’, and vehicles do not stop to allow people to cross.

More generally, this section of Brook Way has a high accident rate, with two traffic island bollards and a road sign having being knocked over by vehicles within the last month.

The crossing point is well used by children walking to the nearby Wheatfield Primary School, but also by members the general public heading to and from the Willow Brook shopping centre.

Esther says she would like to allow her 11-year-old daughter

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the independence to walk to school on her own but doesn’t feel she can due to the risks posed by the current crossing.

In addition to launching the petition, which has attracted over 200 signatures, Esther has been raising awareness of the issue by dressing as a lollipop lady, complete with a homemade stop/go board. Although she says she has found drivers “more respectful” when she is there is help people cross, there was

one occasion when a car was approaching a speed and she wasn’t sure it was going to stop.

She also points out that it is not just schoolchildren and their parents who are at risk as the crossing is used by many elderly and disabled people throughout the day.

Although her petition calls for a zebra crossing to be installed, she says that a light-controlled crossing would be preferable.

A raised table crossing, like the one further up Brook Way near the Wheatfield Drive junction “wouldn’t really help as you still need to wait for cars to stop”.

The petition has been advertised in the Wheatfield Primary School newsletter and on the ‘friends’ Facebook page.

It was also scheduled to be discussed at a meeting of Bradley Stoke Town Council’s planning committee on 27th March after a councillor became aware of it via a Facebook post.

The online petition can be found by searching for ‘Brook Way zebra crossing’ on the change.org website.

Send us your news!

May magazine Deadline for contributions: Monday 22nd April

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April 2019

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29

News

New play equipment coming to Jubilee park

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new suite of wooden play equipment costing £16,000 is soon to be installed at the Beacon Play Area on Bradley Stoke’s Jubilee Green.

The new ‘play challenge’ is being brought in to replace items of equipment that were removed earlier this year after being condemned as unsafe during an annual inspection carried out by a specialist company. As reported in our February magazine, timber beams within the original equipment had rotted away over a period of ten years, making it structurally unsafe.

Work already completed at the site since January includes the installation of a new safety surface and the replacement of the large wooden bridge.

Speaking at the meeting of Full Council held on 13th March,

premises manager John Rendell informed councillors that the proposed new play equipment comes with a 15-year warranty and is “designed to offer physical challenges to young people from the ages of 3 up to teen ages”.

Mr Rendell added that he had spoken to park users and the management of the pre-school resident at the Jubilee Centre to gauge their opinions of the proposals and had received very positive feedback.

Options for replacing the previous wood and cob ‘youth structure’ (a.k.a. teen shelter) were also discussed by councillors, with three options presented by officers: a bespoke wooden design, a traditional wooden design and a standard metal design. Whilst a wooden structure would have been more in keeping with the

original Beacon Play area ethos, councillors opted to go for a basic metal structure with a concrete base. The estimated cost, including installation, was put at around £8,000. A contribution of £1,500 is expected to come from the Friends of Jubilee Green charity, which is understood to be in the process of being wound up.

Officers referred to the proposed new structure as a ‘community shelter’ and pointed

out that it was also for use by parents supervising children playing at the park and hence would have all-round views.

Mr Rendell told the Journal that he hopes to have the new play equipment installed at the park “by early May at the latest”.

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April 2019

Ask the Doctor with Dr Sian Langdon of Bradley Stoke Surgery “Prevention is better than cure” (Desiderius Erasmus)

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ast year, the NHS celebrated its 70th year.

One of its great successes has been the use of preventative medicine to reduce the disease burden for whole populations.

Nowhere is this more apparent than with the cervical screening programme and the HPV vaccination programme.

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer affecting women under the age of 35 years. Each year 850 women die from it (Public Health England). The national screening programme prevents at least 2,000 deaths a year, but this could be better.

The aim of the test is to detect abnormal cells early and stop them turning into cancer. The most common cause for these changes is exposure to HPV, a common virus transmitted by skin to skin contact. 99.7 percent of all cervical cancers are linked to HPV. The vast majority of

us (four in five) will get HPV at some point in our lives but most of us won’t know about it.

In the current programme, women aged 25 to 49 year are routinely offered a smear test every three years. Between the ages of 50 and 64 this reduces to every five years and the risk of cancer reduces.

However the vaccine is only effective against four strains of HPV, so women are not completely protected. It is important that all women eligible for cervical screening attend for their smear test.

Currently, only 72 percent of us do. The most common reason given for non-attendance

“ Currently, only 72 percent of women eligible for cervical screening attend for their smear test” The HPV vaccination programme started ten years ago with the vaccination of adolescent girls in schools.

80% of women aged 15-24 year have had the vaccination. The vaccination programme has reduced HPV rates in England in those aged 16-21 years by 86%.

The number of abnormal smears results has reduced by 71% in this group too. A real success story for preventing disease.

is lack of time followed by embarrassment. It is important we all make the time to look after our own health, and it is important that we support each other to enable this to happen.

All practitioners who perform the test are aware that it is not a “nice test” and will endeavour to make it the least traumatic it can be for you. If you are unsure what to expect, the Jo’s Trust and NHS websites have

short videos explaining the procedure.

Many surgeries, including my own, offer evening and Saturday morning appointments with nurses to encourage access to such tests.

We all need to make the most of the preventative medicine offered by the NHS to help reduce the disease burden on us as individuals, our loved ones, wider society and also on the NHS as a whole. We should encourage our sisters, mothers, friends, loved ones to get their cervical screening test done. It really could save your life.

Dr Sian Langdon Bradley Stoke Surgery t: 01454 616262 www.bradleystokesurgery.nhs.uk

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April 2019

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News

Spring singing with Stokes Singers

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fter a good start to 2019 with more new members joining us and some new songs learnt, Stokes Singers are looking forward to the spring season, writes Sue Callow.

Currently we’re putting the finishing touches to plans for a singing workshop on Saturday 27th April at St Michael’s Primary School, Stoke Gifford.

Our joint musical directors (MDs), Philip Lawrence and Sian Walters, will be joined by Nick Breeze who was Stokes Singers’ first MD when the choir started in June 1993. Starting at 1.30pm, we’ll aim to learn three songs in three hours with our three MDs – quite a feat as there will be some

harmonies to work on, as well as a break for tea and biscuits.

The afternoon will end around 4.30pm with a final performance of the songs learnt.

The workshop is open to anyone over 18 who would like to try singing in three-part harmony and we’re looking forward to seeing some new faces, as well as welcoming singers from other local choirs, past members of Stokes Singers and our families and friends.

If you’d like to come along there are more details on the Stokes Singers website www. stokessingers.org.uk along with information about how to obtain tickets at £5 per person.

Lopresti re-selected for Bradley Stoke JACK LOPRESTI MP has been re-selected as the prospective Conservative candidate for Filton and Bradley Stoke (FaBS).

On his website, the MP released a statement saying: “It is an honour to have been re-adopted as the Conservatives’ parliamentary candidate for Filton and Bradley Stoke, which I have had the privilege of representing since it was first created as a parliamentary constituency in 2010.”

“I plan to repay the faith that has been placed in me by continuing to campaign tirelessly on the issues I think are

31

important to our local area and for the policies I believe will serve us best as a nation.”

“Thank you to every local party member and activist for their own dedication and passion to our work and I look forward to leading our excellent team into the next general election.”

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April 2019

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News

Lots happening at 1st Bradley Stoke Scouts

By Nick Nelson, group chair ver the winter, we spend more time inside ‘the hut’ working with our young people on a variety of activities including badge work, cooking (always popular) and developing skills in knots and map reading (not so much!). That said, we do get our young people out for hikes as the dark makes everything feel that little bit more adventurous.

The Cubs have also been busy holding litter picks throughout the town over the last couple of weeks and our thanks to the Three Brooks Nature Conservation Group for the loan of their tools. We also recently held two fundraisers, a swimathon and a bingo evening, to raise funds for the Beavers’ visit to Legoland later this year. Thank you to everyone who supported us!

Moving now into spring, we begin to spend more time out and about, hopefully getting little – and not so little – legs tired.

We have a fantastic programme, but we do need to attract more adult volunteers to maintain it. We especially need support urgently for: • Beavers 6-8yrs (Fridays) • Cubs 8-10.5yrs (Mondays & Fridays) • Scouts 10.5-14yrs (Fridays) • Band instructors (Mondays; particularly trumpet/drum) • A quartermaster, to keep an eye on all our equipment Discover how being part of the Scouting family can be as

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rewarding for you as it is for young people. Please email our Group Scout leader for an informal chat about how you can join the team: clive. mason@1stbss.org.uk Lastly, we are very keen to attract even more girls to the Group. Amy, one of our Beaver leaders and a parent, explains more below.

Beavers, Cubs and Scouts: Girls – YOU can do it too!

A few week ago, I was walking home with my children after International Founders’ Day was celebrated at their school.

Those in Scouting groups were allowed to wear their uniforms from Beavers or Cubs to school that day.

“I want to be a Beaver Scout, Mum” I heard one little girl say as we walked behind. “Chloe’s brother is, and he said I can join too if I want to.”

“But that’s a group for boys, not girls, Darling”.

Beaver groups are for boys and girls aged 6 to 8 years old and are the first group you will encounter in Scouting.

Each week they make, create, experiment, play games, explore and learn lots of new things along the way! It is a great chance for your children to gain some exciting new experiences.

Around the time of their 8th birthday, Beavers ‘swim up’ to Cubs, to continue on their path through Scouting, eventually moving on to Scouts.

“But I want to go! He said girls can go too and they all cook donuts on the fire and go paddling in kayaks, visit the pet shop and loads of other stuff”!

Girls want the same opportunities as boys – to have fun, develop skills and face challenges. Free from those irrational beliefs about what girls “should” or “shouldn’t”do.

And Scouting provides a safe, positive and motivating place to do exactly that.

“Oh, OK”, I heard her mum say. “I’ll try to find out.”

If you want to find out more about Scouting, or if you have a girl (or even boy) who might like to join, please visit www. bradley-stoke-scouts.org.uk

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Get well · Stay well

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April 2019

by Craig de Groot, chiropractor at Willow Brook Clinic

Tried and failed?

ave you ever started a new year filled with determination and a desire to exercise? You did well, you got to the gym, pool or out on the road and you tried really hard. It went well for the first few weeks, but it didn’t last long and you soon gave up. Ever wonder why?

It may have been because of one of the more common reasons: lack of time; fatigue; low self-esteem; unrealistic goals; no support? Or was it something to do with your body and how it works?

Remember that it is impossible to become fit overnight. Too many people burn out too soon when starting exercise regimes.

Whatever exercise you aim to do, follow the simple principles below and you have a chance of achieving your targets.

1. Build slowly, be realistic and set attainable goals each week.

2. Vary the exercise you do.

Change between weight training, cardio and core exercise.

3. Rest and recuperate. Your body needs time to recover and prepare for your next session.

Make sure you get enough sleep.

4. Look after your feet – wear good fitting, sensible footwear.

If you have any concerns about your feet, consult a foot health practitioner.

5. Remember to stretch after exercise as this will allow your muscles to recover more quickly.

6. Enhance your core/postural muscles – this takes the strain off the ‘big’ muscles and can prevent back pain, tight hamstrings and the like.

7. Keep well fed and hydrated.

The body requires fuel to exercise. Proteins enhance muscle recovery, carbohydrates provide energy and fluids keep the body hydrated. A balanced diet is essential for exercising.

8. Manage your musculoskeletal aches and pains, get them treated before they get worse by consulting a chiropractor or physiotherapist.

Most importantly, listen to your body.

We are very fortunate in this area to have a great swimming pool, a selection of gyms, safe roads and footpaths. There are football clubs, running groups, netball clubs, tennis courts, ramblers and cyclists. Don’t give up, keep trying. Good luck.

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April 2019

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News

News

Council noticeboard is ten years late

Trench Lane Boot Sale starts 7th April

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town council noticeboard has finally been installed in Bradley Stoke’s ‘new town centre’, more than ten years after the facility first opened its doors to the public in October 2008.

The hub of the town, and the location with by far the highest footfall, would seem the obvious place to display public notices and other communications, but for some reason the council

35

and the centre management could never come to a suitable arrangement – until now.

With the town’s previous five public noticeboards nearing the end of their life, council members agreed to follow a recommendation of their annual strategic planning meeting and purchase five replacement noticeboards plus additional ones for new sites at the skate park and the Willow Brook Centre.

A POPULAR car boot sale that takes place near Bradley Stoke is due to re-open for the 2019 season later this month.

The weekly Trench Lane Boot Sale, held on Sundays on a farmland site opposite the entrance to Woodlands Golf Club (BS32 4JZ), will open for the first time this year on 7th April, subject to ground conditions.

As in previous years, the sale will open to buyers at 7am.

Trading goes on until around

3pm, although the number of buyers usually drops off after midday. Sellers are charged £7 for a car or £10 for a van.

For buyers, there is an entrance charge of £1 for a car or 50p for a pedestrian. Free parking is provided in adjacent fields.

The organisers ask sellers to arrive no earlier than 6am (when the site opens), to avoid traffic queues forming on Trench Lane.

The final sale in 2019 will take place on Sunday 27th October.

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

36

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Useful contacts ● How to report issues Local council services in Bradley Stoke are provided by both the unitary authority, South Gloucestershire Council (SGC), and the town council, Bradley Stoke Town Council (BSTC).

The town council has responsibility for the following sites: • Baileys Court Activity Centre

• Baileys Court Play Area

• Beacon Play Park

• Brook Way Activity Centre

• Brook Way Play Area

• Foxborough Gardens Play Area

• The Jubilee Centre

• The Jubilee Green

• Paddock Close Play area

• Rosemary Close Play Area

t: 01454 300 400

April 2019

What’s On Two Stoke Gifford artists to exhibit on popular arts trail

• Skate park The town council also maintains the highway verges in the town, on behalf of South Gloucestershire Council.

Benches, bus shelters, dog waste bins and litter bins may be managed

by SGC or BSTC, depending on the location. In the first instance, please contact the town council (or visit www.bradleystoke.gov.uk/ town-council/street-furniture.php) to ascertain responsibility.

To report litter, graffiti or fly tipping, please contact the town council office or phone Jason Holcombe, the BSTC Mobile Cleansing Operative, on 07870 879212.

Bradley Stoke Town Council Council Office The Jubilee Centre Savages Wood Road Bradley Stoke BS32 8HL

t: 01454 205020 w: www.bradleystoke.gov.uk e: town.clerk@bradleystoke.gov.uk

All other local council services are provided by South Gloucestershire Council, who can be contacted on the following numbers: t: 01454 868000 t: 01454 868001 t: 01454 868002 t: 01454 868003 t: 01454 868004 t: 01454 868005 t: 01454 868006 t: 01454 868007 t: 01454 868008 t: 01454 868009

Street Care Environmental health and trading standards Benefits Council tax Planning and transportation Housing Leisure and libraries Adult care Children and young people General enquiries*

Local artists Sara Smith (left) and Lorraine Durant on location in Forty Acres

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ou may have seen artists Lorraine Durant and Sara Smith out with sketchbooks and paints in the local area. Now these two Stoke Gifford artists are taking part in the Severn Vale Art Trail.

You can see their artworks on the trail from Friday 3rd May to Sunday 12th May, Lorraine is exhibiting at St Mary’s Church,

Thornbury, and Sara at The Whitsun Hall, Thornbury.

Pick up a free hardcopy of the Art Trail brochure from Bradley Stoke Library or other venues across the Stokes, or visit www. thornburyartsfestival.org.uk/ severn-vale-arts-trail ● See more of the artists’ work at www.lorrainedurant.co.uk and www.folksy.com/shops/inkybird

*For all other enquiries. Call this number for services not listed above or to be put through to a specific person.

South Gloucestershire Council website: www.southglos.gov.uk Many issues, ranging from abandoned vehicles to street lighting can be reported by starting at this index page on the SGC website: www.southglos.gov.uk/report If you have a smartphone, it is also possible to report issues via the FixMyStreet app (also available at www.fixmystreet.co.uk) Your local councillors

Examples of work by Sara Smith (left) and Lorraine Durant

To contact the town councillor(s) for your ward, visit www.bradleystoke.gov.uk/town-council/council-members.php … or phone the town council office.

To contact the South Gloucestershire councillor(s) for your ward, visit: council.southglos.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx …or phone the SGC General Enquiries number.

Your member of parliament (MP) Jack Lopresti is the MP for Bradley Stoke. He can be contacted at: 29 The Courtyard Woodlands Bradley Stoke BS32 4NQ

t: 01454 617783 w: www.jacklopresti.com e: jack.lopresti.mp@parliament.uk

Appointments to meet Mr Lopresti at one of his regular constituency surgeries may be made through his office.

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April 2019

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Directory of Advertisers Accountants & Bookkeepers C & M Accountants, Page 19 Dunkley’s Chartered Accountants, Page 32 Alternative Therapies College of Naturopathic Medicine, Page 13 Bathrooms Concept Property Maintenance, Page 34 JJ Plumbing & Building, Page 16 Builders Criterion Construction, Page 27 JJ Plumbing & Building, Page 16 Car Dealerships Motorline Toyota Bristol North, Page 2 Carpentry & Joinery J. Earle Carpentry & Joinery, Page 37 Northavon Carpentry, Page 31 Carpet Cleaners B Clean, Page 31 Bonne Fresh Clean, Page 9 Child Care See directory on BSJ website Children’s Activities Bristol Riding School, Page 15 Stoke Gifford Retirement Village, Page 17 Willow Brook Centre, Page 3 Chiropractic Willow Brook Clinic, Page 13 Cleaning & Domestic Services Mariola’s Angels, Page 34 Cycle Repairs Ride On Cycles, Page 33 Domestic Appliance Repairs Kitchen & Laundry Appliance Care, Page 34 Double Glazing A Plus Windows, Page 1 Driving Schools See directory on BSJ website Education & Learning SGS College, Page 40 Electricians Ernest Till, Page 19 Estate Agents Ocean Estate Agents, Page 29 Taylors Estate Agents, Page 26 Events Stoke Gifford Retirement Village, Page 17 Willow Brook Centre, Page 3 Financial Services Aspirations Financial Advice, Page 22 Crystal Clear Financial Planning, Page 28 Foot Care Willow Brook Clinic, Page 13 Funeral Services F. Woodruff Funeral Directors, Page 13 MW Funeral Directors, Page 23 Garage Services Bristol Caravans, Page 18 Filton Central Garage, Page 37 LCM Automotive, Pages 1 & 33 Gardening Services Garretts Landscapes, Page 12 Painting Petals, Page 37 Plan-It Garden Design, Page 34 Professional Gardening Services, Page 38 Smart Patios, Page 15 Gyms & Health Clubs Riverside Leisure Club, Page 11 More in directory on BSJ website

Hairdressers

April 2019

t: 01454 300 400 PLANT HIRE

Reflections, Page 6

Healthcare Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Page 10 Home Improvements & Furnishings Door Express, Page 27 Launderettes See directory on BSJ website Mortgages & Financial Advice Aspirations Financial Advice, Page 22 Crystal Clear Financial Planning, Page 28 Opticians Specsavers, Page 14 Painting & Decorating A. Worsfold, Page 37 Digby Decor, Page 37 Painting Petals, Page 37 Rick Murphy, Page 37 Pet Services & Supplies Four Paws Pet Care, Page 39 Rosie Posie Pet Services, Page 39 Physiotherapy Willow Brook Clinic, Page 13 Plant Hire T. Edwards Plant, Page 38 Plumbing & Heating Bristol Plumbing & Heating, Page 35 Concept Property Maintenance, Page 34 JJ Plumbing & Building, Page 16 Low Cost Plumbing, Page 39 M.S.M Plumbing & Heating, Page 39 Panache Plumbing, Page 39 Proudfoot Plumbing, Page 39 S. Berryman Plumbing & Heating, Page 39 Property Crest Nicholson, Page 25 Property Maintenance Concept Property Maintenance, Page 34 David Coombs Services, Page 37 JJ Plumbing & Building, Page 16 M & D Property Maintenance, Page 37 Mark’s Gutter Cleaning, Page 39 P.J.R Plastics, Page 39 Public Notices Bradley Stoke Town Council, Page 24 Recruitment G4S Cash Solutions, Page 4 South West Ambulance Service, Page 8 Restaurants Mercure Bristol North The Grange, Page 9 Rubbish Clearance Bradley Stoke Rubbish Clearance, Page 38 Self Storage Admiral’s Yard Self Storage, Page 16 Solicitors Bevan Evemy Solicitors, Page 31 Star Legal, Page 30 Slimming Clubs & Consultants Slimming World, Page 5 Sport & Leisure Bristol Riding School, Page 15 Taxis & Private Hire Bradley Stoke Cabs Ltd, Page 39 Z Cars, Page 19 Tiling Services Tileworx Tiling Services, Page 37 Window Cleaning Ultra Clear, Page 39

Visit our online directory: www.bradleystokejournal.co.uk/directory

T. EDWARDS PLANT Digger and Driver Hire • • • • • • •

Site/garden clearance Footings Drainage/soakaways Driveway preparation Stump removal Fencing & turfing Narrow access equipment

Price or day work

t: 07900 372349

t.edwardsplant@gmail.com CPCS/CITB qualified & insured

GARDENING SERVICES

Professional Gardening Services • Fencing, Decking, Sheds, Greenhouses (supplied & erected) • Driveways, Patios, Pathways, Turfing • Garden Maintenance, Tree Lopping Free quotes & friendly, trustworthy service (work references supplied) Please call: 07804 608053 Email: profgarden60@yahoo.co.uk Website: profgarden.vpweb.co.uk

RUBBISH CLEARANCE

Bradley Stoke Rubbish Clearance Licensed waste carrier We load and clear Same day service Household, garden, garage & sheds cleared Single item jobs Cheaper than a skip No VAT

Contact Stuart or Sue on 0800 0234 995 (Freephone) or 07770 944727 stuart.thistlewood@yahoo.co.uk

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

April 2019

t: 01454 300 400

PLUMBING & HEATING

info@bradleystokejournal.co.uk PLUMBING & HEATING

39

WINDOW CLEANING

PANACHE

BATHROOM, SHOWER & PLUMBING SPECIALIST

• Complete bathroom refurbishment • Ceramic tiling • Heating & general plumbing services • Clean & tidy workmanship • Competitive rates

“Always on tap”

Call Darren on 07901 910361

Find Panache Plumbing on Facebook & FreeIndex

www.panacheplumbing.co.uk

Tell advertisers you found them in the Bradley Stoke Journal!

Advertise in this section for just £20 per month

TAXIS & PRIVATE HIRE

Bradley Stoke Cabs Ltd • • • • All types of repair and replacement work Evening and weekend appointments available Fixed rates - no job too small

07967 567 394 Advertise in this section for just £20 per month

Taps, Washers Toilets, Cisterns Leaks, Blockages Tanks, Overflows Lead Pipes, Stopcocks….etc….

OAP DISCOUNTS and NO VAT

0117

957 5092

LEAFLET DELIVERY

Leaflet Delivery in Bradley Stoke

We are open 24 hours & 7 days a week

Tel: 0117 901 2565 Bradley Stoke Cabs Ltd

Covering north Bristol and South Glos

www.bradleystokecabs.co.uk

GUTTERING, DOWNPIPES & FASCIA

PET SERVICES

P.J.R. Plastics

Replacement and Maintenance: ● Guttering, Downpipes ● UPVC Fascia Boards ● Soffits and Cladding ● Unblock & Gutter Cleaning All work guaranteed

Call Paul for free quote 01454 850201 or 07980 001109 Tell advertisers you found them in the Bradley Stoke Journal!

Advertise in this section for just £20 per month

Mark’s Gutter Cleaning • Gutter clearing • Gutter cleaning • Fascia cleaning

Gutter Clearing Gutter Cleaning Fascia Cleaning

Call or book online

Call or Book online

www.marksguttercleaning.co.uk www.marksguttercleaning.co.uk We deliver 8,700 leaflets for £220 Contact the Journal on 01454 300 400

Airport transfers Private trips Parcel deliveries Accounts welcome

Tel: 8528 Mob: 056558 Tel:0117 0117 370 3708528 Mob: 07543 07543056558 Serving North Bristol &Bristol South Glos Based in Downend,

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

FREE day trips for the over fifties If you are over fifty and want to discover exciting new attractions as well as meet new people, then SGS College has the course for you.

Held over a weekend, the Discover course will allow you to explore different locations and gain a qualification in English or maths at the same time.

The real fun begins on a Sunday, when you and your peers will be driven by coach to one of the exciting venues around the region. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a culinary connoisseur or a green-fingered gardener, you will find an experience that is right for you.

Booking is essential, as there are a limited number of places.

50+ W OF L EEKEN D EAR DISC NING, OVE AND R TRA Y VEL

Locations and dates available: • Exeter Food and Drink Festival – 4th/5th May – Maths course • Malvern Spring Festival – 11th/12th May – Maths course • Roman Baths/American History Museum – 8th/9th June - English course • Blenheim Palace – 29th/30th June - English • All Aboard, Watersports Centre, Bristol – 13th/14th July - Maths • Stratford-upon-Avon – 20th/21st July - English For further information and to book your place please visit www.sgscol.ac.uk/discover or contact Sarah Kopera on 0117 909 2327

FREE COURSE AND DAY TRIP