Bradley Stoke Journal, May 2019 by Bradley Stoke Journal

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

May 2019 • Issue 71

SCHOOLS P25 | SPORT P29 | WHAT’S ON P29, P31 | DIRECTORY P38

WHERE WILL THE TRAFFIC GO?

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PLUS , IN YOUR 40-PAGE BRADLEY STOKE MAGAZINE Gipsy Patch Lane to be fully closed at railway bridge for four weeks in June and then for another eight months in 2020 Diversion routes to be revealed at South Gloucestershire Council drop-in events during May… P4-5

Bradley Stoke in Bloom

‘Debbie’ arrives at Manor Farm

Concorde at 50

P22-23

Royal guest at gala dinner

P16-17

l Stoke Gifford girl, aged 9, praised for 999 call l By the left… Army Cadets’ hat-trick of successes l Nature conservation group report for April l Village Hotel donates 1,000 employee hours to youth work charity l Local hot air balloon team looking for crew l Local food bank use up 9% year-on-year l Life-saving equipment installed at local nursery l Bowsland Green reporters probe the plastic plague l WIN a year’s free gym membership at Anytime Fitness in Bradley Stoke l Final call for Stars of the Stokes nominations l First aid training for USA-bound Scouts

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May 2019

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News

Stoke Gifford girl, aged 9, praised for 999 call

nine-year-old girl from Stoke Gifford has been officially commended for her “brilliant” response when her mum became seriously ill. Catherine Camara, 30, was five months pregnant when she collapsed at home and was struggling to breathe. Massa Sow called 999 and told South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) emergency call handler Jonathan Leaton exactly what was wrong. Massa made a special visit with her mum to the SWASFT control centre in Bradley Stoke on 17th April to be formally acknowledged for her actions. She was presented with a certificate from SWASFT chief executive Ken Wenman. Massa, who learned at school how to call 999, said: “I felt scared, but I knew what I had to do. Now I am pleased mummy is better.”

Jonathan Leaton (999 call handler), Massa Sow and mum Catherine Camara

Catherine said: “I had tears in my eyes listening to the call. I am not surprised she managed to call 999, but I didn’t expect her to do so well. She was perfect.” Emergency medical dispatcher Jonathan also praised Massa, saying: “Massa was brilliant.

She provided clear and helpful information throughout the call. She did everything I asked perfectly. It must have been traumatic for her, but she remained calm throughout.” Catherine was 22-weeks months pregnant when the

incident happened on 25th March. She began to feel unwell, had severe pain, and was unable to breathe properly. Massa dialled 999 and was able to describe in detail what was wrong with her mum. She provided updates on her mum throughout the call. When Catherine appeared to stop breathing, Massa was told how to do chest compressions on her mum, which caused her to regain consciousness. Paramedics assessed Catherine and found her condition was not life-threatening. She was taken to hospital as a precaution, and then continued her recovery at home. SWASFT encourages parents to teach their children what to do in an emergency. That includes showing them how to call 999, making sure they know their address, and ensuring they are aware of any known health problems in the family.

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May 2019

News

Bridge closure diversion details to be revealed at public drop-in sessions

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

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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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“Major impact” on traffic across the Stokes expected during full closures of Gipsy Patch Lane for four weeks in June and then a further eight months during 2020

ith the planned four-week full closure of Gipsy Patch Lane during June now less than a month away, South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) says it will soon reveal details of the signed diversion routes that will be in operation during the upcoming work. Further full and partial closures of Gipsy Patch Lane are planned over the next two years, including a full closure lasting approximately eight months from “early 2020”. The road closures are needed to allow the existing narrow arch railway bridge to be replaced by a much wider concrete structure. The work is being carried out as part of the Cribbs Patchway MetroBus Extension (CPME) scheme, which also involves the creation of new bus lanes along parts of Gipsy Patch Lane. An SGC spokesperson said: “We understand that this work will have a major impact on traffic in the nearby and wider area. We apologise in advance for this inconvenience and would like to assure everyone that we

are doing everything we can to minimise disruption to residents, businesses and road users.” The council recently conducted an online travel survey aimed at users of Gipsy Patch Lane and it says that the results of this, along with data collected from traffic survey cameras that were temporarily installed at points on the local road network during March, are being used to inform its traffic management planning. Details of a series of public drop-in information sessions, at which further details of the CPME work and associated traffic diversion routes will be provided, are shown on the facing page. All information displayed at the drop-in events will also be made available on the SGC website at www.southglos.gov. uk/CPmetrobus

June 2019 full road closure at the railway bridge Roadworks are currently taking place on Gipsy Patch Lane in preparation for construction of the Cribbs Patchway MetroBus Extension, which is expected to start later this year. The current work is being undertaken by BT to divert underground utilities.

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The next phase of BT’s preparatory work will require Gipsy Patch Lane to be closed to all highway users, including pedestrians and cyclists, at the railway bridge for approximately four weeks during June. A signed diversion route will be in place during this time. Access to properties and side roads along Gipsy Patch Lane will be maintained and no disruption to the supply of utilities is expected. Businesses and shops along and near Gipsy Patch Lane will be open as normal. Dates of the full closure and diversion routes will be clearly signposted. In addition, ground investigations and surveys will be carried out near the bridge during May and June. This will include some de-vegetation on the railway embankments but will not require any further road closures. Source: South Gloucestershire Council, May 2019

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Railway bridge

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Little Stoke Lane

Gipsy Patch Lane

Site compound for precasting new bridge

Smithcourt Drive

Above: Proposed new bus lanes on Gipsy Patch Lane (indicative only; refer to planning application PT18/0987/R3F for definitive drawings).

According to documents submitted with the planning application for the railway bridge replacement scheme, full closures of Gipsy Patch Lane were not due to commence until December 2019 at the earliest. However, the council announced in February that an earlier four-week closure in June 2019 would be needed for BT to carry out preparatory work to divert underground utilities. The planning application intimated that a shuttle bus service will be provided to mitigate the impact on nonmotorised users, but it is not

clear at this stage whether this will be available during the June 2019 closure. The possibility of providing a fully surfaced pedestrian and cycle link between Little Stoke Park and the A38 in Patchway, via the existing Little Stoke Farm railway bridge, is currently being investigated, with the outcome of a public consultation due to be published on 10th May. ● The Stoke Gifford Journal maintains a webpage providing the latest information on the Gipsy Patch Lane roadworks at http://bit.ly/cpme-build

Drop-in information sessions during May 2019 Wednesday 8th May, 5pm-7pm Little Stoke Primary School, Little Stoke Lane, Little Stoke Monday 13th May, 3pm-6pm Patchway Community Centre, Rodway Road, Patchway Tuesday 14th May, 3pm-5pm Baileys Court Activity Centre, Baileys Court Road, Bradley Stoke Monday 20th May, 3.30pm-6.30pm Little Stoke Community Hall, Little Stoke Lane, Little Stoke Tuesday 21st May, 4pm-7pm The St Michael’s Centre, The Green, Stoke Gifford Wednesday 22nd May, 3pm-6pm BAWA Centre, Southmead Road, Filton Council officers will be available at each session to answer your questions. Everyone is welcome to attend, there is no need to book – these are drop-in sessions and you can attend at any time during the session.

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May 2019

News

By the left… Army Cadets’ hat-trick of successes

he Stoke Gifford Detachment of the Bristol Army Cadet Force (ACF) recently competed in the B Company Bristol ACF Annual Inter-Detachment Drill Competition. The competition, which was held during their Company Navigation Weekend Camp in March, took place at Knook Camp on Salisbury Plain Training Area. B Company Navigation weekend is traditionally the first of four weekend camps of the year, normally held in the spring. The weekend consists of various Training and Testing opportunities for the Cadets, in numerous subjects as part of their Army Proficiency Certificate Syllabus, including Military Knowledge, First Aid, Navigation, Drill and Turnout. All Cadets have to undergo these Training and Testing weekends to enable them to pass their Subject Tests

and achieve their Star Level. The Cadets arrived on Friday evening and the first job was to organise them into their relevant Star Levels, from Basic Cadets to Inexperienced Cadets, 1 Star, 2 Star, 3 Star and finally 4 Star who are the most senior and experienced Cadets. Allocation of accommodation and camp brief was shortly followed by bed as the Cadets were facing an early start the next day. Saturday was a busy day for everyone, with adults and Senior Cadets all ready to deliver their lessons on numerous subjects to the Cadets, with the main priority being Navigation, as later in the day all Cadets participated in a Navigation Exercise where they were assessed on their navigation skills relating to their Star level. Sunday arrived and the excitement for the Drill Competition was clear, with all Detachments going through

their final preparations. The Drill Competition consisted of a Turnout Inspection by the Company Sergeant Major (CSM) where the Cadets’ uniforms are inspected. This was followed by a pre-planned routine of various drill movements, including marching and turns, which each Detachment must complete, with the loss of ½ point for each error made. Drill requires the Cadets to be disciplined and to work as a team, which requires weeks, if not months, of training. Stoke Gifford Detachment had won the Drill Competition for the last two years, so were hoping to make it a hat-trick of wins. Stoke Gifford Detachment Commander, Staff Sergeant Clark (Stokie) said: “All the other Detachments are more determined than ever this year to beat us as we have won it for the last two years, but we’re not going to give up this trophy without a fight.”

As the inspections finished and each Detachment started their routine, you could see the determination on all the Cadets’ faces. The penultimate Detachment took to the drill square – it was our biggest and probably closest rivals Horfield Detachment, with the added rivalry of Staff Sergeant Clark’s son, Cadet CSM Clark and wife Sgt Clark being members of the Horfield Detachment. A good routine was performed by Horfield which meant Stokie needed to perform to the highest standard to bring the trophy home. Stokie took to the Drill Square and produced an almost faultless display of Drill dropping only 2½ pts overall. The final results spoke for themselves: Stoke Gifford Detachment 22½ pts from a maximum 25pts with Horfield in 2nd a further 6pts behind on 16½ pts. Stoke Gifford Detachment had won

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News the Drill Competition for an unprecedented third time in a row! SSI Clark said: “I am absolutely over the moon, the Cadets were brilliant out there today, they should be very proud of themselves. It was probably one of the best Drill routines I have ever seen, the Cadets deserve it, they worked so hard over the last couple of weeks.”

Cdt Shannon O’Callaghan collected the Winner’s Shield on behalf of the Detachment, as this was her last camp with the Detachment before she leaves for the sunnier climate of Cyprus with her family, where she will carry on in the Army Cadets, a very fitting way to end her Stoke Gifford Detachment Cadet career. “She will be sorely missed as she is an excellent Cadet,” added SSI Clark. “If you’re interested in joining Stoke Gifford Detachment ACF and are between the ages of 12

and 18yrs (and in at least Year 8 at school), come along and give it a try. We are actively recruiting all year round. Just come along to one of our Parade Nights.”

Tuesdays and Thursdays 19:00 – 21:30 hrs Address: Ratcliffe Drive, Stoke Gifford, Bristol BS34 8UE Tel: (HQ) 0117 986 3344 Tel: (Detachment Commander SSI Clark) 07825 326488

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May 2019

News

Nature conservation group report for April By Sara Messenger, Three Brooks Nature Conservation Group

Life at the lake

No one who has been down to the lake recently could have failed to see that the islands look just a little different; the main difference being that now you can actually see them! I know I’d forgotten how big they were. The project was arranged by the land owners (SGC) and the work was carried out by Lawrence Tree Services, who certainly had their work cut out as two of the islands have never, to my knowledge, had any work done on them. Adam told me that on ‘Island 2’ there was evidence of water voles and the beginnings of an otter holt, although if you look now you may be able to see that two new purpose built otter holts have been installed along with several habitat log piles. The plan had been to remove the wood for us to use, but the water level was so low the pontoon became grounded with just two logs in it, so they had to abandon that plan. I’m also told that the lads can add ‘dog rescue’ to their resume, as at one point they paddled over to rescue one that had jumped into the lake and was unable to work out how to get back out! The islands do look incredibly bare with many of the trees and the scrub gone, but we are hopeful that the long term gains will outweigh the short term

losses and that the works will have improved the habitat for all of our wildlife at the lake. To help the birds out this season, Green Gym did carry lots of reed over to the main island for nesting, being careful to not harvest it from areas where other birds might nest, and we have also installed a small duck house donated by our ‘Big Dave’. The floating platforms are not quite living up to their name at the moment, as once we had untangled their ropes from the debris we were unable to refloat them without getting into the water (something that we have recently been banned from doing). We have used the chippings from the island works to line the rather muddy lake path and, although we didn’t have enough to get all the way down, what we have done is a real improvement. Sadly, some have already sought to undo everyone’s hard work by pulling out the fence posts and throwing them in the weir, along with most of one of the habitat piles. Am I being negative in wondering how long our new lake notice board will last? Although our swan Brooke has cut a solitary figure since her son Nugget left to find his own mate, she seemed quite content, provided that she was given her favourite treat of garden peas,

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but I’m told that one weekend two Canada geese arrived at the lake and were giving her ‘a hard time’ and on the Monday morning she was gone. Although we found two long flight feathers, I’m sure there would have been more evidence if she had come to any harm, and we are hoping that she will soon return with a new mate. I have given the RSPCA her ring number and have asked if they have any news, but I have yet to have a reply.

The Tump

The Tump was the focus of our last workday, where we have put up ‘route markers’ and have reinstated the perimeter path. We are hoping to discourage walkers from cutting across the Tump on one of the many ‘new’ paths that now zigzag their way through the meadow, and to encourage them to go around the outside, as at one time we had skylarks nesting on the Tump and we are doing all we can to reinstate their habitat so they will return. We are trying to create a balance that works for the wildlife and for us humans and our four-legged friends. It isn’t just dogs that put the birds off; we have had several reports recently of ‘teenagers’ riding motorised bikes and scooters on the Tump. Please, if you see this, it would be very helpful if you could let us know the times and dates. If it is possible to safely get a photograph and to ring 101, that too would also help us enormously. Even if the police are not able to come out, at least the incidents get logged and we then know how big an issue this is.

Newting

At the other end of the reserve, several of our group hold newt licences and we have begun our annual newt surveys. Most surveys take place in early spring and are done by torchlight. It’s as simple as it sounds – you shine a torch on the water and count the number of boys showing off their tail-waggling routine to the girls hanging around the edge (think Saturday night disco and you get the picture). Although we thought it may have been too cold for romantic thoughts, the girls must have been impressed, as we have already found several great crested newt eggs laid on the pond vegetation, so what do we know! Both the upper and lower newt ponds were bottle-trapped by the group; this involves putting the traps out at dusk and collecting them back in at a very unsociable hour the next morning, but it is a more efficient way of estimating the number of newts in the pond. So if you see a dodgy looking group out one morning huddled round some brightly coloured flags that would be us! The flags were made by my Girl Guides and we have three numbered sets in different colours so that we don’t lose traps or cross contaminate equipment across the ponds. We have all three types of newt here on the reserve – palmate, smooth and great crested (which is larger), and they and their habitats are all protected by law. Off the reserve, we also manage several other ponds. The pond at Huckley Way has finally had its fence repaired and the Dewfalls Drive pond has again got some

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News Facing page: Log pile on the main island at the Three Brooks lake, looking towards the weir Left: A male great crested newt trapped at the upper newt pond on the reserve

water in it, although very little else. There was a time when this pond was teeming with newts and we’re hoping that with a little love and attention they will return.

Savages Wood

We have been greatly aided in our project to improve the paths in Savages Wood by the generous donation of £2,152 from Cllr Brian Hopkinson. The money, which was gratefully received, came from his annual SGC Member Awarded Funding budget and will enable us to enhance more of the paths. We hope to have more information about the paths project at our AGM (details below).

Orchards

The Community Orchard lost several trees over the winter and we are trying to replace them like for like, which is proving to be quite a task! Who knew how hard it was to find a Peddington Brandy? Until we can find one, we have put in a Beauty of Bath and two Mère de Ménage (literally ‘housekeeper’). The ‘new’ orchard was planted by girls to commemorate 100 years of Girl Guiding, although we did allow the Cub Scouts to add a tree. Last year the area was extended by Robocut and it is here that we planted 60 rowan trees donated by Bradley Stoke Town Council. Group members have also donated trees to fill the gaps and we have a medlar to celebrate the birth of Estelle Callow and a morello cooking cherry for Emily Matthews, both of which have grown faster than the girls! In memory of

Mrs Matthews we have another cherry, a Keswick apple for Terry Gill, a Golden Delicious apple for Fay Lofthouse and two Red Love apple trees for Mr & Mrs Wright. We also have two apple trees in memory of group member Charlotte Edwards and, for Colin Davies, ‘Colin’s Allotment’, which is filled with fruit bushes and strawberries.

Other news

Local artist Lorraine Durrant has generously given us a print of her painting of Savages Wood, which we hope to use to raise some money for the group. Possibly by raffling it with the draw being held at our AGM. So if you would like the chance to get your hands on a limited edition print, and help us at the same time, come and buy a ticket! The Three Brooks Nature Conservation Group’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) is on Wednesday 22nd May, 7.30pm to 9.30pm, at the Jubilee Centre, Savages Wood Road. The AGM is open to everyone; please come and join us if you would like to find out more about what we do and what our future plans are. We expect to also have a report on our paths project and the desilting of the lake.

● Contact the Three Brooks

Nature Conservation Group… t: 07497 006676 e: info@three-brooks.info w: www.three-brooks.info

June magazine Deadline for contributions: Monday 20th May

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May 2019

News

Village Hotel donates 1,000 employee hours to youth work charity

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he area’s newest hotel, Village Hotel Club Bristol, has appointed youth club charity Young Bristol as its official charity partner for 2019. The partnership will see the hotel donate 1,000 hours of employee time throughout the year to support the charity’s campaigns through fundraising and assisting with the charity’s numerous activities for young people in the city. The Young Bristol charity partnership is part of the hotel chain’s new volunteering initiative, Village Green. Launched in September 2018, the Village Green initiative is a national commitment being made by Village Hotel Clubs across the country to become a welcoming community hub, with the chain offering to donate 30,000 hours to local projects across their 30 hotel sites each year. The team at Village Hotel Club Bristol will assist with the charity’s youth clubs and help run activities including climbing, abseiling, archery, bushcraft, caving and orienteering, as well as running courses held at Young Bristol’s water-based activity centre at Pooles Wharf on Bristol’s harbourside. In addition to the volunteered time, the charity will be able

Village Hotel Club Bristol, off Gipsy Patch Lane (opposite Rolls-Royce)

to use the hotel’s high-tech facilities, including the stateof-the-art gym, swimming pool, event suite and business club, V Works. Using the hotel’s extensive meeting spaces, hotel staff will host talks and workshops regarding careers in the hospitality industry to inspire young people. Young Bristol’s youth clubs have been a prominent and often life-changing place for thousands of children in Bristol since 1928. Generations have been helped by the charity, which has 15 clubs around the city. The charity provides a city-wide programme of activities and training schemes, supporting over 7,000 young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. The charity offers a range of community youth services,

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News

Hotel staff canoeing near Pooles Wharf

outdoor activities, creative arts and informal education for children and young people aged 8-19 years old from some of Bristol’s most deprived areas. Young Bristol counts many famous Bristol names amongst its alumni; from current mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees, Banksy and former world champion boxer Glenn Catley, all of whom found

support and had their talents nurtured through Young Bristol’s schemes and support networks. Mark McMahon, general manager of Village Hotel Club Bristol, said: “We received many applications from a wide array of charitable organisations before deciding to partner with Young Bristol. We loved the fact we could get really stuck in as a team

and donate our time to help make the charity’s club and activities run smoothly.” “What struck us was the heritage of Young Bristol – its 90-year commitment to the betterment of Bristol’s young people is astounding and this is a partnership we’re incredibly excited and enthusiastic to be part of.”

Lucy Saunders, development and fundraising manager for Young Bristol, commented: “We are thrilled to have been chosen as the charity partner for Village Hotel Club Bristol. We are really excited to be working together and the support of the hotel team will help us to positively and sustainably impact the lives of local children and young people.”

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no O n- pe re n sid to en ts

Mondays 10:30–11:00 Balanceability (fall prevention) 11:45–13:00 Oil painting with Vince 13:30–15:00 Bowls/Chess/Pétanque 14:00–15:00 Reminiscence Aimee 15:30–16:30 Tai Chi 18:00–19:00 Circuit training Tuesdays 10:00–12:00 Arts and crafts 10:00–12:00 IT support with Brian 14:00–16:00 Afternoon social 14:00–15:00 SOSA (seated dance fitness) 18:30–19:30 Zumba Gold (all abilities) 19:00–21:00 Snooker Session Wednesdays 10:00–12:00 Acorn and Oaks playgroup 10:30–12:00 Reading aloud a short story and poetry 14:00–14:30 Balanceability (fall prevention) 16:30–17:00 Wise Owl after school club (5 June only)

Free activities for everyone! To celebrate the opening of our new village, we are offering free leisure and well-being activities for all throughout June. Come and join our residents in any of our listed activities. For more information please email stokegifford@extracare.org.uk or call 0117 440 3000

Thursdays 10:30–11:30 Circuit training 11:00–12:00 Knit and natter 13:30–15:00 GAME ON! Social afternoon with boards and puzzles 15:30–16:30 Bristol Bears multi sports Fridays 10:30–11:30 Coffee morning 14:00–15:00 Relaxation and mindfulness 15:30–17:00 Songs of praise with tea and biscuits (7 June only) Saturdays 10:00–12:00 Table tennis 18:30–20:30 Saturday night at the movies (1 and 29 June only) 19:00 Games night Sundays 10:00–12:00 Table tennis 19:00

Quiz night (23 June only)

Stoke Gifford Retirement Village Off Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1EJ Registered Charity No. 327816.

May 2019

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News

Why I volunteer #1: The Beaver Scout leader Put your skills to use, learn new ones and play an active role in your local community - with 1st Bradley Stoke Scouts! By Donna Carl, 1st Bradley Stoke Scouts Beaver leader give up two evenings a week, and the odd weekend to run a Beaver colony with lots of six to eight year olds, and two other leaders to keep me sane, as well as some fantastic young leaders, and it’s safe to say I love it! I’m now in my 4th year of being a Beaver Scout leader. I started by responding to an advert when my local group was expanding and were looking for leaders. I didn’t think they would be interested in me as I don’t have any of my own children, and I wasn’t part of Scouting growing up. Being of a certain age, and a girl, I wasn’t allowed to join my brother when he went to Cubs, even though I really wanted to. Fast forward some 40-ish years and thankfully Scouting is now available to both boys and girls, and the same for leaders. Despite my initial reluctance of thinking I might be judged or looked at oddly for wanting to join a youth organisation when I didn’t have any youth, I couldn’t have been more wrong. I applied, went through a relatively straightforward selection process and background checks, and was very soon welcomed into the Scouting family. Before I knew it, I had 18 very boisterous, very loud, very energetic six and seven year olds, whose parents had entrusted into my care for one hour a week. I had the help and support of a great team, who

were old hands, and who knew the ropes and could put together a varied programme. Despite my initial reluctance of wondering how I would cope, not only did I cope, but I loved it! The Beaver age is such a great age, they are still exploring the world and get joy from the simplest of things. That joy is infectious! It’s great to see the changes in them as they start their route through Scouts, and often they join as a shy, insecure child, who doesn’t want to leave their parents and they will leave us two years later as a confident eight-year-old that has learnt both practical and life skills and is rapidly gaining that independence and confidence to try new things, wanting to push themselves to achieve more and more. It really makes me feel proud to see just how far they come in such a relatively short time. If I’ve had a bad day at work, just being around my Beavers soon puts a smile on my face again. It’s impossible to be in a bad mood when you have all these eager, excited Beavers wanting to know what this week’s activity will be. We do everything with them, from teaching the basics of cooking to the lifesaving skills of first aid. During the summer months we like to go out and about as much as we can, even if it’s something as simple as making dens from sticks in the wood or going to the local park. In addition to that, we do lots of

Donna Carl, Beaver Scout leader at the 1st Bradley Stoke Scout Group, who are on the lookout for more adult volunteers. With full support and training, you can volunteer on a flexible basis.

adventurous activities; canoeing, climbing and days out to theme/ adventure parks. Being a Beaver leader definitely keeps me active! I’ve also gained some great friends through Scouting. My leadership team are fantastic, and we really do bond as one.

We often meet up socially outside of Scouting, so I’ve extended my friendship circle as well.

Inspired to volunteer?

If you want to find out more about scouting, please visit www.bradley-stoke-scouts.org.uk

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May 2019

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Local hot air balloon team looking for crew By local ballooning enthusiast Paul Mackley ith the warm weather we saw briefly over Easter hopefully set to return, it will soon be that time of year when the city of Bristol’s skies start to fill with hot air balloons. But did you know there are some balloons based a little closer to home? The Purple Rain Balloon Team is based in Bradley Stoke, and when the wind direction is right and the conditions are good, we have been known to fly from the Jubilee Centre playing fields. The balloon is flown by Paul and Carol and we fly purely for fun (we aren’t commercial and don’t do paid flights, I’m afraid). However, there is one way to come and fly with us and that is to join our ground crew. We are always looking for people to come along and join in the fun. We fly locally and also attend most

of the country’s biggest balloon festivals, including the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. So, if you are interested in hot air balloons and want to get more involved, don’t hesitate to get in touch or even come and say hello

if you see us around. We are particularly looking for someone who can drive a vehicle with a trailer, but anyone interested in balloons is welcome. We always look after our crew the best we can, with flights,

breakfast etc., as well as the opportunity to come along to events. Check out our Facebook page ‘Purple Rain Balloon Team’ or send me a email at PaulMackley13@btinternet.com

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Local food bank use up 9% year-on-year

orth Bristol Foodbank has reported another big increase in demand for its service, with 4,536 three-day emergency food parcels handed out to local people between April 2018 and March 2019. The local figures feed into a larger national picture, with a record increase in food bank use across the UK being reported by the Trussell Trust, a national charity which coordinates the UK’s only nationwide network of food banks. The figures from North Bristol Foodbank represent a 9 percent increase on the same period last year. The organisation has also highlighted a 30 percent increase in usage between January and April 2019 compared to the same period a year earlier. The charity believes the local increase is mainly due to people struggling with continued issues with Universal Credit, although it points out that it is not the only benefit payment people referred to the food bank have experienced problems with. The food bank has needed to give emergency food and support to people who are waiting at least five weeks for a first Universal Credit payment, people who are unable to access support and people who receive payments that don’t cover the cost of essentials. Matt Dobson, food bank manager of North Bristol Foodbank, said: “No one in North Bristol should need a food bank’s help and we want to see an end to local people needing emergency food at all. It doesn’t have to be this way - our benefits system is supposed to protect us all from being swept into poverty. Universal Credit should be part of the solution but currently the five-week wait is leaving many without enough money to cover the basics. This isn’t right.” “Until we reach a future where food banks are no longer needed, we’ll continue to provide vital support when it matters most.

We’re dedicated to ensuring that people in our community without enough money for food are able to access emergency support. Our vital work in the community has only been possible in the last year because of the incredible generosity shown by local people in donating food, time and funds. Thank you.” The running costs for the food bank are raised locally to enable them to continue their work. Costs include warehouse space, to sort and stock donated food, a van to pick up donated food and deliver to distribution centres, and other overheads like utilities and insurances. The food bank welcomes any new offers of help with funding – local businesses, organisations and individuals interested in supporting the food bank’s work can find out more at northbristol.foodbank.org.uk/ give-help For local residents wishing to donate items of food, there is a public collection point located alongside the customer service desk within the Sainsbury’s store in Stoke Gifford. Please consult the North Bristol Foodbank website to see a list of items that are urgently needed. The closest food bank outlet for those needing support is at St Chad’s Church, Rodway Road, Patchway (open 10am to 12pm each Thursday). North Bristol Foodbank works in cooperation with a number of local agencies using a voucher referral system. These include Citizens Advice, children’s centres and health visitors. To find out more about the agencies that hold vouchers and how you can get help, phone the food bank on 0117 979 1399.

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May 2019

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Royal guest at Concorde 50th anniversary event Princess witnesses dramatic moment as iconic plane’s ‘droop nose’ lowered for first time since November 2003

erospace Bristol, home to the last Concorde ever to fly, has celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of Concorde’s first British flight with a dinner attended by HRH The Princess Royal, patron of the museum. Delivered in partnership with Airbus, the Concorde50 gala dinner was held under the wings of the supersonic passenger jet in Aerospace Bristol’s Concorde Hangar, on the edge of the historic Filton Airfield. It was from there that Concorde first took to the skies from British soil on 9th April 1969, and landed for the final time on 26th November 2003. Fittingly, it was the pilot of that final flight, Captain Les Brodie, who returned to the flight deck and – as Her Royal Highness and

distinguished guests looked on – operated the controls to lower and raise Concorde’s droop nose and activate her landing lights. The manoeuvre was possible thanks to careful restoration work by Aerospace Bristol’s conservation team and volunteers, with Concorde smoothly returning to motion as if waking for the first Concorde’s droop nose is lowered

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time since touching down more than 15 years ago. Professor Iain Gray CBE, chair of Aerospace Bristol, said “I am most grateful to Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, patron of Aerospace Bristol, for so kindly accepting our invitation to join us in celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of Concorde. The iconic Concorde was an engineering marvel, developed

far ahead of its time by talented engineers working on the cutting-edge of 1960s technology. Through our exhibition, inspiring workshops for schools, and Concorde50 events, it is this spirit of innovation that Aerospace Bristol aims to ignite in the engineers of the next fifty years and beyond, encouraging the young people of today to develop the big ideas of tomorrow.”

Katherine Bennett, senior vice-president of Airbus, said: “Concorde has a special place in Airbus’ heart and history. Many of its innovations, from electronic flight controls to anti-skid braking systems, helped inform future aircraft designs. We also maintained the aircraft at Filton for more than ten years after its final flight.” “To see the aircraft once again

at the centre of celebration, helping inspire the next generation of engineers, is fantastic, particularly as we are fast approaching Airbus’ own 50 year milestone which is a celebration of everyone who has the courage to be bold and improve things, just as Concorde did.” ● Aerospace Bristol is located off Hayes Way, Patchway. Find out more at aerospacebristol.org

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May 2019

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Life-saving equipment installed at local nursery

Defibrillator at Busy Bees Nursery, Bradley Stoke

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popular nursery in Bradley Stoke has installed an automated external defibrillator (AED) as part of its commitment to safeguard children, staff, parents and visitors in the event of a cardiac arrest. During Family Safety Week (1st April to 5th April), Busy Bees in Ferndene (near Aldi) installed the AED as part of a nationwide campaign that has seen Busy Bees introduce more than 350 AEDs in its nurseries throughout the UK. The industry-leading scheme will help boost the survival chances of people who have an out-ofhospital cardiac arrest. To mark the installation of the AED, the nursery held various activities for the children to take part in, including ‘Road safety week’, ‘Safety in the home’ and ‘Keeping ourselves safe and healthy’. The AED, supplied by Cardiac Science, has both adult and paediatric pads. It was specially chosen as it provides both text and voice prompts to the rescuer to enable them to remain focused during the high-pressure situation.

Jayne Hannabuss, nursery manager at Busy Bees in Bradley Stoke, said: “Protecting and safeguarding the children in our care is our top priority and that’s why we’ve undertaken this potentially lifesaving initiative. We see it as part of our commitment to best practice and to deliver outstanding care to our children, as well as to protect staff, parents and visitors.” “Although we hope that our defibrillator never has to be used, it means that if the worst-case scenario happens, we are able to increase the survival chance of anyone who has a cardiac arrest inside or within minutes of our nursery.” For more information about Busy Bees in Bradley Stoke, visit www.busybeeschildcare. co.uk, email bristolbradleystoke. manager@busybees.com or call Jayne on 01454 202888.

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Advertising Lots going on at your local tennis club

Local resident lifetime achievement award Almondsbury and Bradley Stoke Tennis Club were thrilled when their long-standing member and local resident Lynda Riddle was recently awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Avon LTA. Lynda has not only worked as club secretary for many years, but is also a faithful volunteer at the much loved allability tennis group (see above), where lesser-abled tennis players and their carers can come for a weekly social game of tennis. A well-deserved award! New colours... There have been big changes at the Tennis Club lately; the courts have been given a fresh coat of paint (see below), in a completely different colour matching the club’s new logo. The rebrand reflects the fact that the tennis club is serving Bradley Stoke as well as Almondsbury, and will feature on the new blue club kit, which will be worn by the league teams. The club are always looking for players to join these teams, but there are lots of other opportunities for members to play. Try for yourself The club’s summer open day is Saturday 18th May. Free

Out with the old

tennis coaching in the morning, is followed by free play in the afternoon. There will be some special offers on the day. You can book by visiting www. almondsburytennis.org.uk and choosing your session. And there will also be the usual mid-Wimbledon Open Day on 7th July. It’s actually really easy to give tennis a go; every Saturday the club runs ‘Pay and Play’ sessions where you can turn up, with no pre-booking, and join a group lesson. All abilities welcome, and they run adult sessions too. In fact, many parents have their lesson while the children are having theirs - and tennis is a lovely sport to play together as a family. Find out more on the website. Jubilee kids’ sessions The main tennis courts are just the other side of the M4/M5 interchange, but if you have a child aged 4-11 you may be interested in the tennis lessons for kids at the Jubilee Centre on Saturdays from 9-10 am. There’s no need to book or be a member; just come along and give it a go. The club will be at the Bradley Stoke Community Festival as usual, so if you are interested in tennis, either learning or playing, come and chat, and have a go while you’re there.

In with the new

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May 2019

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Splatts Abbey Wood: A small pocket of nature

s the weather is starting to warm up and the summer months are approaching, Splatts Abbey Wood offers members of the community a local beauty spot that is right on the doorstep of Stoke Gifford. Located next to the Woodpecker’s Nursery at the MOD, it is easily accessible by car, bus or even following the cycle paths from Stoke Gifford. Although Splatts is only a small woodland area, it offers residents the chance to see local fauna and wildlife that is free and easy to access. It is split into three different sections; the original wood, the ride and the new plantation. In each of these areas, you will find different species of trees as well as a variety of different birds and other animals.

The original wood

This is the largest part of the wood and it is here that you will predominantly find hazel trees, along with hawthorn, elm, ash, oak, rose and holly. The trees in this area have been dated to be about 150 years old. As well as the variety of trees, there are also many plants that cover the ground, such as dog’s mercury and ivy. During the spring, before the canopy closes over, you can also find patches of bluebells, red campion, yellow archangel and wood anemone. Some of these woodland flowers take a long time to establish, meaning their presence indicates an ancient wood (i.e. over 400 years old).

The ride

Instead of trees, here you will find grasses, thistles, vetches, and willow herbs. Because the vegetation is not tall enough to hide the skies, sunlight can reach the ground here even during the summer meaning flowers can bloom freely. These provide nectar for butterflies and other insects, so this place can feel far more alive than the wood during the summer months. Look out for butterflies, such as speckled wood and gatekeeper, which inhabit woodland edges.

The new plantation

This area of the wood is home to species of trees that grow naturally in our woodlands and hedges and have done so for many millennia. In Splatts wood, these species include oak, ash, hazel, field maple, wild privet, hawthorn and guelder rose. These are the plants that our native animals are designed to eat and use, which makes this woodland valuable to wildlife as it supports a greater number of creatures.

Animals

If you are interested in wildlife then you may be lucky enough to spot a variety of animals in Splatts wood. Many small creatures, such as grey squirrels, voles and wood mice feast on the hazelnuts that can be found in the wood. Small birds such as finches, titmice, warblers, robins, wrens, blackbirds and dunnocks

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Left: Flora and fungi in the wood. Right: Exploring on a family walk.

dwell here as well as larger birds such as magpies, wood pigeons and green woodpeckers. Little owls and tawny owls have been reported and a pair of sparrowhawks also find the wood to their liking, taking their food from the flocks of smaller birds that inhabit the area. There have even been sightings of deer wandering through the woods on occasion.

Conservation group

Splatts Abbey Wood Conservation Group has a small committee made up of a number of local residents as well as representatives from the University of the West of England’s (UWE’s) student group Greenspace and the Students’ Union. Greenspace does most of the practical work at Splatts, such as clearing debris and picking up litter; they have also done work at other local woodlands. There are also a couple of members from local parish and town councils. The current committee members include David Bell, Fred Hillberg and Andy Ward, however, they are always looking for new volunteers to join the group. Becoming a member of the conservation group could take up as little (or as much!) time as you like, whether you would like to just attend committee meetings or get more involved with the practical side of caring for the wood.

The passion and commitment that the conservation group has for the wood is clearly shown by the amount of time that they spend ensuring the wood is preserved. Talking about Splatts Wood, Fred said: “Splatts is the last remaining part of what was once an ancient forest which would have connected to the Royal Forest of Kingswood and beyond. In modern times the wood would have been larger than we see it today and I think we have a duty to preserve this part of our heritage for today’s generation to enjoy. It’s a small oasis in a very built up area, let us try, with the help of volunteers, to keep it and maintain it.” If joining the conservation group is something you feel you might be interested in, you can contact David, Fred or Andy at splattsabw@gmail. com. They also have a website: splattsabbeywood.org.uk Visit the Splatts Abbey Wood website for more information, including the history of the area dating back to Anglo-Saxon times.

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right on the doorstep

Conservation group members Fred Hillberg (left) and David Bell

UWE Greenspace members with ecologist Rupert Higgins

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May 2019

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Bradley Stoke in Bloom update for April By Sara Messenger of Bradley Stoke in Bloom (BSiB)

sometimes feel that I haven’t done much – we seem to spend endless hours on paperwork and emails and then many more hours digging, seeding and planting with very little to show for it. But then spring arrives and a few flowers start to lift their heads above the cold and damp soil, and before you know it, it all comes together and everything is blooming! Well apart from our daffodils at the Aztec West bus stop, but you can’t have everything! After our spring clean, we asked John, the town council’s deputy clerk, why there were no longer any bins at this location, and to BSTC’s credit, within a matter of weeks two new bins had been installed (albeit one of them on our new daffs). But a bin’s a win, so we didn’t mind too much. You may have noticed that our ‘Welcome’ planters are sporting

a few cheery Easter decorations and that some rabbits are now ‘hopping’ around the Great Stoke Roundabout. This is what we all know as ‘Rabbit Roundabout’ and I’m told that at a recent meeting, one of the local councils has discussed changing the name to its more well known one (amazing what you can learn at the local post office!). As well as our giant carrots, we have always hoped to install some appropriately sized rabbits and we have again contacted wicker artist Tom Hare, whose beautiful sculptures regularly feature in the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, so we’re hopeful that plans are again progressing. It does seem to be the month for new things – we’ve had several new members, so welcome to Suzanne, Tom and Stevie; Friends of Jubilee Green have donated lots of shiny garden

Giant wicker rabbit earmarked for Great Stoke Roundabout

tools to us (sorry guys, I think we’ve already got them muddy); and we think the RHS have finally renewed our membership, which will mean that we can once again enter their ‘In your Neighbourhood’ competition. And, of course, we have a ‘new’ roundabout. The one at the junction of Brook Way and Savages Wood Road is called Manor Farm Roundabout, so when we found not one but two of the old farm gates hidden in the hedge behind Manor Farm pond, where else should we put them but on ‘their’ roundabout, along with two magnolia bushes, some low planting and Debbie the heifer. The latter was a gift from Debbie at the Sort It Centre. We promised to name it after her,

but we can’t call a cow Debbie; not only as it would just be rude, but because she does, as I recall, have a very good aim! Our flower bed near here has an abundance of spring flowers and, on the other corner, our day lilies and bamboo are doing well, and it would appear that the insect hotel has many new guests. And, of course, it wouldn’t be an ordinary workday if we didn’t spend at least some of it removing bramble. StreetCare have cut the bushes on one corner, but didn’t seem to notice the bramble hanging down and over the path, which is both unsightly and pretty lethal if you’re a small child on a bike, so we decided it had to go. Part of our agreed management plan for The Common East is to keep the bramble in check, so two of us, in between downpours, headed out on a Sunday afternoon and, armed with a heavy duty Stihl brushcutter, took down the bramble on the meadow. We’ve taken it back as far as the ditch, much to the delight of one pup who discovered he could now go paddling, although I am not so sure his owner was quite so pleased. Not on the schedule is the bramble around the back gate of Wheatfield Primary School, but as we had the equipment, it seemed to make sense to do it while we could. And as we are hoping that pupils from Wheatfield will name our two new decoy ducks on the pond, it seemed a nice gesture.

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News The island duck house was vandalised, although I’m hoping it will soon be repaired and back in time for the real ducks to nest here again. We have at times seen a female on her own and later three single males, so we’re keeping our fingers crossed their paths finally cross. The frogs had no such concerns as at one point there was so much frog spawn, the pond resembled an explosion in a tapioca factory. Sadly, we found a deceased black cat close to the pond, which was taken to Rowe Vets for a chip check. It didn’t have one, but hopefully its owner will soon come and claim it. On a happier note, when we had painted the ‘rainbow’ steps we also reported to Streetcare the huge cracks that we found in the cycle path (I knew we shouldn’t have swept it!) and although it has taken a while, we were pleased to see that the bridge has now been resurfaced. On the other side of Primrose Bridge, our path and primrose planting has lasted well and we

are starting another joint project with Green Gym. I’m sure it won’t be a surprise to you that the bramble is going. The plan for our May workday is to plant food plants not only for our

beleaguered pollinators, but also for the caterpillars and butterflies too. Having attended a butterfly management training course with Mike Slater from Butterfly Conservation, we’re very keen

to put into practice some of the lessons we learned. Above: Debbie the heifer on Manor Farm Roundabout; bramble clearing on the banks of Primrose Bridge; decorations on a ‘Welcome’ planter

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May 2019

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Ask the Doctor with Dr Tim Garrod of Bradley Stoke Surgery The certainty of uncertainty in an uncertain world

am sure like many of you, I watched with great sadness, the television coverage of the fire which tore through Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. I found it difficult to view, having visited the magnificent Gothic building as a student in the 1980s. Apart from the obvious material impact on centuries of timber, masonry, and artefacts, it was the threat to a symbol of constancy that the city has as part of its fabric, that was unnerving. Notre Dame has witnessed pilgrimage, coronations of English kings and French emperors, revolution, and wartime occupation in its eight hundred and fifty years, and yet it has been an immovable stalwart on the Parisian skyline. We all wish for certainty in our lives, freeing us to enjoy the pleasures of the human experience. Personal

relationships, raising a family, or challenging ourselves to reach new goals at work, are all more liberating and uplifting when not tainted with the anxiety and worry that uncertainty brings. But how realistic an expectation is this? Do we have the right to a stress-free, certain, and consistent path through life? Will we all get our three

General practice is often a reflection of this uncertainty in life, as we do not know what is going to come through the door next. Which patient with tummy pain has appendicitis? Which one with chest pain has a heart problem? Which one will require the blood test or scan, and who will require the urgent hospital assessment? It is a challenge

“

With the pace of modern life, insecurity in our personal and work lives is increasingly common

”

score years and ten without any challenges or hardship? It is inevitable that we will all have to deal with bereavement, and with the pace of modern life, insecurity in our personal and work lives is increasingly common. Sudden illness or an accident may strike, and all these events can impact on our emotional security, and sense of permanence.

and a source of uncertainty. We try to manage this by making informed decisions based on clinical assessment, investigations, and familiarity with the patient’s own unique circumstances. This may take time, often to the point where it seems frustrating and unsettling in the short term when a surgery is running late, or in the longer term waiting for results, or

a hospital appointment. Accepting uncertainty as certain, helps us all to approach managing the threat with a clearer sense of perspective. This gives greater confidence in decision making, and an understanding of how to move a situation forward. It makes us more resilient, and aware of our own limits, improving our sense of worth, and understanding the importance of reflection. Given a sensible and realistic approach, the impact of uncertainty can be reduced. Healthcare professionals across the community have to deal with uncertainty as part of their daily roles, so bear with us, and we will strive to manage the demands that can bring. That much is certain. www.bradleystokesurgery.nhs.uk

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Toyota Range Official Fuel Consumption Figures in mpg (l/100km): Urban 34 (8.3) - 97.4 (2.9), Extra Urban 44.1 (6.4) - 91.1 (3.1), Combined 39.8 (7.1) - 94.1 (3). CO2 Emissions 70-204g/km. The mpg & CO2 figures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated test results. These are provided for comparability purposes and may not reflect your actual driving experience. From 1 September 2017, certain new vehicles will be type-approved using the World Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP), which is a new, more realistic test procedure for measuring fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. From 1 September 2018 WLTP will fully replace the New European Drive Cycle (NEDC), which is the current test procedure. Due to more realistic test conditions, the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions measured under the WLTP are in many cases higher compared to those measured under the NEDC. More information can be found by visiting www.WLTPfacts.eu * £500 Finance Deposit Contribution only available on selected models between 1 April 2019 and 31 May 2019 and registered and financed through Toyota Financial Services by 31 May 2019. Financial Services (UK) PLC; registered office Great Burgh, Burgh Heath, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 5UZ. Motorline Toyota are Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Indemnities may be required. Finance subject to status to over 18s. Other finance offers are available but cannot be used in conjunction with this offer. Offer may be varied or withdrawn at any time. Toyota Centres are independent of Toyota Financial Services. Participating Toyota Centres only. Affordable finance through AccessToyota (PCP). Terms and conditions apply. Motorline Toyota are a credit broker not a lender and we may introduce you to a select panel of lenders for which we may receive a commission.**All prices correct at time of going to press. Savings based on MRRP. Please note models portrayed are for illustration purposes only. Offers can be withdrawn at any time without prior notice. Individual cars featured are subject to limited group availability. Vehicles subject to group stock availability and correct at time of going to print. Please call your local Motorline centre to arrange your appointment and check availability prior to travelling.

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May 2019

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Schools

Bowsland Green reporters probe the plastic plague

oung pupils at a Bradley Stoke primary school have been gathering opinions on the hot topic of plastic waste pollution after finding rubbish all over their playing field and watching films of animals trapped in plastic waste. The children, in the age range 5 to 7, conducted investigations and proudly presented their findings at a special event held on the last day of the spring term. The project, at Bowsland Green Primary School, formed part of an ‘imaginary inquiry’ approach to learning called ‘Mantle of the Expert’. Speaking to the Journal, Lottie Harris, Key Stage 1 teacher, outlined the work the pupils had undertaken in the build up to the presentation: “Each year group takes on the role of a responsible organisation or team, who need to carry out an imaginary commission for an imaginary client. This term, Key Stage 1 were news reporters. Searching for a local news story, they were horrified to find lots of rubbish on their school field. When they investigated further, they learnt about plastic in our oceans and the danger that our animals are in. This made these young news reporters feel frustrated and angry! They were determined to share this story across the world.” “After exploring the opinions of different people, including toy factory workers, families, the government and the environment agency, each class set about taking action and finding different ways of getting their story heard. We imagined working with clients such as BBC World and the environment department of different newspapers, creating news reports, new flashes and posters which we shared with the editor of the Bradley Stoke Journal during the concluding presentation.” Ms Harris added: “Working purposefully promotes such high engagement from our learners and they spoke passionately about their ideas about this environmental issue. This was a

great end to the spring term!” Stephen Horton, editor of the Journal, comments: “It was a pleasure to be invited to the school to hear the presentation, from which it was evident that the children had put in a tremendous amount of research on a topic which they clearly feel very strongly about.”

“The recognition that restricting the use of plastics might have some unintended negative consequences, such as toy factory workers losing their jobs, demonstrated remarkable empathy from such young children.” “And when challenged to explain what they were doing

to cut down their own use of plastics, particularly within the school environment, it was clear from the children’s answers that the work had made them better appreciate some of the sustainability initiatives already in place at Bowsland Green. Top marks to all involved!” ● www.bowsland.org.uk

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May 2019

News

TV’s Fred Dinenage opens new retirement complex in Charlton Hayes

elevision favourite Fred Dinenage MBE – whose career has spanned over five decades – delighted local retirees with tales from his time on screen when he attended the official opening of McCarthy & Stone’s Hamilton House Retirement Living development in Charlton Hayes on 10th April. The TV stalwart – whose varied career has seen him present shows including ‘How’, ‘How 2’ and ‘Pass The Buck’, as well as a long stint as news anchor on ITV Meridian – joined guests including homeowners, staff and members of the public to talk about his illustrious career. Attendees heard first-hand about some of the breaking news stories he has reported over the years, as well as the many

factual books he has written – and ghost written – including an autobiography on the infamous Kray Brothers. Fred commented: “It was a pleasure to visit the guests at Hamilton House and give a talk on my colourful television career. The development provides an excellent solution for those looking to enjoy an independent and active lifestyle in retirement, and I enjoyed meeting and chatting to homeowners. It’s clear everyone values the quality of life afforded by their surroundings and the freedom of having a range of services on their doorstep.” Nicki Beswarick, marketing manager for McCarthy & Stone Southern, commented: “We would like to thank Fred for taking the time to visit Hamilton

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Fred Dinenage (centre) cut a ceremonial ribbon to mark the official opening of Hamilton House, with house manager Angela Skose, homeowners and guests

House. Our guests thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to quiz one of Britain’s longest-serving broadcasters, and to meet a familiar face who has been gracing their television screens for so many years.” “This particular event is just one example of the many regular and varied social activities we organise for homeowners. Not only do these get-togethers provide an opportunity for companionship, they also help to showcase the fantastic closeknit community which has been created here.” Combining the best in modern living and low-maintenance design, the spacious one- and two-bedroom privately-owned apartments at Hamilton House offer the perfect solution for retirees who are looking to maintain their independence while enjoying the peace-of-mind provided by additional security

measures. Designed for the over-60s, Hamilton House features a homeowners’ lounge, which is ideal for socialising with friends, and a hotel-style guest suite for when friends or relatives wish to stay. The landscaped gardens, herb garden and boules court are maintained by a team of experts; while a house manager is on hand to take care of the smoothrunning of the development. A security entrance system and 24-hour emergency call points provide added reassurance for homeowners and their families. Prices at Hamilton House currently start from £175,000 for a one-bedroom apartment and £245,000 for a two-bedroom apartment. ● For more information on Hamilton House, call 0800 201 4742 or visit www. mccarthyandstone.co.uk/ hamiltonhouse

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May 2019

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Advertising

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

nytime Fitness is the world’s largest 24-hour gym network with over 4,500 sites worldwide and 160 currently open in the UK. There are four sites in Bristol, one of them located in the Willow Brook Centre at the heart of Bradley Stoke, with the others in Cribbs Causeway, Clifton and Yate.

Libby Bell, the new club manager at Anytime Fitness Bradley Stoke

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. The first Anytime Fitness to open on UK soil was Bristol Clifton on the famous Clifton Triangle and it is still there today. Due to its local popularity and success in the area, Anytime Fitness then

opened an additional club at the Willow Brook Centre in January 2012 and has been proudly serving the local community ever since. Featuring state-of-the-art equipment, the club boasts a large cardiovascular offering, dedicated free weights area, functional rig and more. Being open to its members 24 hours a day, all year round, Anytime Fitness Bradley Stoke is the fitness club that fits into anyone’s lifestyle. A range of membership types are available at the club, including discounted corporate rates for selected companies in the area, and the newly introduced ‘Anytime Prime’ membership, a discounted rate for 55-year-olds and above who want to be more active. Libby Bell, the new club manager, says: “Here at Anytime Fitness Bradley Stoke we pride ourselves on having a friendly club culture and are welcoming for all.” She adds: “Whatever your health and fitness goals are, we can help you achieve these with our up-to-date facilities and fantastic team. We love to see our members get the results they want and be part of their journey along the way.” If you’re interested in becoming a member, here’s your chance to win a year’s free membership at Anytime Fitness Bradley Stoke! Simply enter our exclusive, free prize draw below before 4th June 2019.

The potential membership will allow you to use any of the 4,500+ Anytime Fitness gyms around the world, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Other benefits of Anytime Fitness membership include: • FREE fitness orientation; every new member is entitled to one! • State-of-the-art equipment with extensive free weights • Vast cardiovascular range with personal viewing screens • Personal training services at affordable rates • A safe and secure environment: state-of-the-art security system • Free parking for up to 4 hours

• Exclusive members’ app, with access to over 1,100 workouts • Refer a friend discounts scheme For more information, pop into the club, visit www. anytimefitness.co.uk/bradleystoke or call on 0117 927 7225 (option 2). Libby and the team would love to hear from you!

Win a free year’s membership at Anytime Fitness Go online now to enter our free prize draw! www.bradleystokejournal.co.uk/anytime7 Closing date 4th June 2019. Terms and conditions apply (see website).

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SOTS BSJ spread.qxp_Layout 1 15/03/2019 14:48 Page 1

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May 2019

News

Final call for Stars of the Stokes nominations

ocal residents have just a few more days to make nominations for the 2019 Stars of the Stokes community awards, as the closing date of 10th May draws near. Shortlisted nominees will be honoured at a glittering black tie awards night to be held at the Aztec Hotel & Spa on 21st June. The event will be hosted by comedian and quiz player Paul Sinha, best known for his role as the fourth chaser in ITV’s popular quiz show ‘The Chase’. The awards, now in their fourth year, are promoted by the Willow Brook Centre and sponsored by local businesses, including the Bradley Journal and the Stoke Gifford Journal. For more information about the Stars of the Stokes Awards or to make a nomination, visit starsofthestokes.co.uk

STARS OF THE STOKES

Event host: Paul Sinha “The Sinnerman”

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.

The awards categories are: • Star Teacher • Champion Carer • Pre-School Carer of theHOW Year TO NOMINATE Members • Parent/Guardian in a Million of the public are invited to nominate anyone from the local area who they feel deserves recognition for • Achievement Against the Odds outstanding community engagement and/or achievement of • Coach of the Year personal goals. Nominations can be made on starsofthestokes.co.uk. The glittering awards night will be • Bailey Cooper Young Hero hosted by Paul Sinha at Aztec Hotel & Spa on Friday 21st • Unsung Hero June. Paul is best known for his role as the 4th chaser, Nominations close 10th May! 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.”

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May 2019

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Sport

What’s On

Marshals needed for Bradley Stoke 10k

Special invitation to meet local Rotary Club members

By Karen Gaman, Sole Sisters Running Club Volunteer marshals are required to help us deliver a memorable, enjoyable and safe running experience for the 650 runners taking part in our annual Bradley Stoke 10k Run on Sunday 9th June. You will be required to meet at the Jubilee Centre at 8am on race day. A Sole Sister will escort all marshals to their road crossings, where we need you to cheer, clap and encourage the runners, whilst ensuring a safe crossing over the roads. We anticipate marshals being able to stand down after the last runner, which is usually 90 minutes after the race starts. The race starts at 9.30am, but marshals need to be available from 8am in order for them to walk to their positions. Volunteers who can help are asked to contact us via our website solesistersrc.co.uk so that we can allocate you a position. We would like to give residents advance warning that traffic may be heavier than normal on local roads around Bradley Stoke whilst the 10k Run takes place. We ask for your patience and understanding to help us put on another successful and safe event. We are expecting a maximum of 650 runners and everything is in place to make this another great race. Thank you in advance for your co-operation and we hope to see you out on the course spectating and cheering on the runners.

ave you ever wondered what Rotary is all about? Would you like to meet new people for friendship and social engagements? Would you like to make a difference to your community and the wider world? asks Karen Holley. We would like to give you the opportunity to find out, and therefore we are sending out an open invitation for you to join us at Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre on Tuesday 21st May, between 6.30pm and 8.30pm.

Why not come along to meet our members and enjoy a glass of wine and some nibbles? We are very proud of what we achieve and who we support. Behind the scenes, a lot of local people have benefited from our efforts. All this happens through friendship and support, so please come and say ‘Hello’ – a warm friendly greeting awaits you. For more information, please contact Karen Holley by email on karenholley454@hotmail.com or phone 07540 458119.

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May 2019

by Moira de Groot, foot health practitioner at Willow Brook Clinic

Summer feet

t last a promise of sunshine! We can pack away our winter boots and thick warm socks! We can think about our summer holidays! Beach, sun and sandals! Or does the thought of summer sandals fill you with dread? They carry us more than 150,000 miles in a lifetime, but we rarely give our poor, hard-worn feet any thought. That’s until the sun starts shining - and we ditch our coats and dig out our summer footwear. So after six months of scrunching them into winter boots, sweating them out in trainers and squeezing them into high heels, it’s time to repay our feet with a little TLC. A seasonal makeover is an excellent way to introduce a more regular regime for looking after our feet. Think quarterly MOT for feet! From aches and pains to smells and fungal problems, corns, blisters and more serious infections – foot problems are no laughing matter. Sometimes, these foot conditions can also lead to further health difficulties, affecting the hips, knees and back. Foot problems can also lead to self-esteem issues and mobility can be affected.

As ever, prevention is key. Regular maintenance will help prevent problems and keep your feet healthy. It’s the simple things – like careful foot hygiene, exercise and the correct footwear that make a difference. Inspect your feet for cuts, discolouration and cracks - early discovery makes problems easier to treat. Just as winter threatens hazards such as sweaty feet and confinement, summer offers its own complications for our feet. In the warmer weather, our feet can swell, so make sure there is plenty of room and adjust your shoes if necessary. Wearing sandals or flip-flops can often create ridges of hard skin or callus’ around the heels. Flip-flops are not designed for prolonged use. They offer no support – ideal for around the pool or on the beach, but not great for a day out shopping. Use a good moisturiser to keep your feet soft and your skin supple. Always seek the help of a qualified foot health practitioner if you have any concerns about your feet. The Willow Brook Clinic East Offices The Willow Brook Centre www.willowbrookclinic.co.uk ● See our advert on page 9.

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May 2019

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What’s On

Bank holiday village fête set to draw the crowds

he annual Stoke Gifford Village Fête will be held at the Trust Grounds, North Road, from 2pm to 5pm on Bank Holiday Monday, 27th May, writes Tanya Booth of the Stoke Gifford Trust. This year there will be traditional rides, bouncy castles, donkey rides, entertainer Marky Jay, barbecue, tea and cake, side shows, craft stalls and much more. Paw Patrol, Paddington and Mr Incredible will be visiting too. Filton Concert Brass Band will be playing, Stokes Singers will be singing and Stoke Gifford Taekwondo will be staging a demonstration. The stalls will include the WI cake stall, Little Stoke Garden Society plants and crafts, cupcakes, sweets and cards. The Fun Dog Show is always popular at the top of the field, run by DAWG (a Bristol greyhound and lurcher rescue charity) and

volunteers. There is an entry fee of just £1 per dog and judging starts at 1pm. The aim of the fête is to provide a fun afternoon for the people of Stoke Gifford. The Trust Hall, Poplar Rooms and field are run by a registered charity after the land was left to the people of Stoke Gifford in the 1940s. This is a way of the trustees carrying out their charitable aims by providing a fun event for the village where local clubs and groups can take part too. The fête is financed by donations on the day and a grant of £1,000 towards this from Stoke Gifford Parish Council. We do not seek to make a profit but need to cover the cost of putting on the event. The 1st Stoke Gifford Scout Group helps by providing tents, a barbecue and volunteers and members of St Michael’s Church and local businesses are among the many

volunteers needed. Any surplus taken is used for future events. There isn’t a formal charge to enter, but we do ask for donations on entry and for the activities and refreshments. There is no parking on site (other than for Blue Badge holders) and local streets become full early, so we suggest you leave your cars at home if possible. If there is heavy rain, the event will not go ahead

for safety reasons – please check our website and Facebook page for updates on the day. Stalls are still available for local groups or craftsmen (£10 for non-charitable groups). If you would like to volunteer to help on the day, we would love to hear from you. Please email contact@stokegiffordtrust. org.uk or visit our website stokegiffordtrust.org.uk

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Fun Dog Show at a previous Stoke Gifford fête

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May 2019

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News

First aid training for USA-bound Scouts Young people from all over Avon benefit from the Aviva Community Fund and Tesco Bags of Help By Andrew Phelps, Avon Scouts AVONATION UNIT 70 was formed 18 months ago to prepare those who will be attending the 24th World Scout Jamboree in West Virginia, USA in July 2019. After all the administration tasks and branding, the next thing on the agenda was what training the 40 members (36 young people and four adult leaders) thought would be essential for while they were away. A ‘first response’ first aid course was top of the list and so the leaders made enquiries into venues, instructors and funding. The instructor was the easy bit, but it could only be held on Easter Sunday. The location was

very central in the county being at Little Stoke Scout HQ. Funding was a bit trickier, so the unit applied to the Aviva Community Fund and Tesco Bags of Help. Tesco replied to say that there were hundreds of applications and the unit probably wouldn’t get through by the time we went off to America, whereas the Aviva Community Fund was a ‘go’ from the start. Both applications went in and Avonation got through the people’s vote and the judges’ vote of the Aviva application and were given money towards their course. Then, a few days later out of the blue, Tesco sent an email to say the unit had been selected and were going to be in every store in the north of Bristol for

March and April. The blue token voting has been a close-cut thing for all three applicants and our first aid project will soon find out how much money it is going to receive. On Easter Sunday, the unit met up at Little Stoke Scout HQ and spent 8 hours learning all the skills they’d need for any first aid emergency on the Jamboree, including animal and snake bites. The whole day was fantastic with lovely sunny weather, but the most fun part had to be the ambulance racing which was an exercise into how effective the participants’ CPR techniques were (every time they pressed down on the dummy’s chest or breathed into its mouth correctly, the computer graphic

ambulances would advance down the course). All four patrols could compete together, and the winners were Lamas Patrol. I would like to say ‘thank you’ to all the residents who voted for the unit in both competitions and a big ‘thank you’ to Mark for giving up his Easter Sunday and day off to train the participants. Not only did the unit have a great day of first aid, but it was also yet another day to bond and get to know each another better for the three weeks they’ll be away. An added benefit is that the first aid certificate is a nationally recognised qualification which the young people can put down on their CVs. Finally, thanks to Aviva and Tesco for funding the course!

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News

Deck of new accessible footbridge installed

he deck of a new accessible footbridge at Patchway Station was hoisted into position by a giant crane over the Easter weekend, during a fourday closure of the railway. The previous footbridge needed to be replaced because it had insufficient clearance from the new overhead wires which are being installed as part of the multi-billion pound Great Western Mainline (GWML) electrification programme. The new footbridge will be fully accessible for wheelchair users as it will incorporate lifts at each end, the shafts for which can be seen in the photo. A temporary footbridge was installed at the station last year, allowing it to continue to function while the old bridge was being dismantled and the new one installed. The design of the new bridge has resulted in the loss of one of

Patchway Station

three existing disabled parking spaces at the station. Officers at South Glos Council deemed this to be acceptable as it is “more than offset by the improvements to overall accessibility through the provision of lifts”.

Network Rail has said the new footbridge will be open for passengers “by the summer”. Other work carried out during the Easter closure included the installation of more overhead wires between Patchway and

the Severn Tunnel, along with drainage and wiring work inside the two Patchway tunnels. Further weekend engineering works are planned on the line between June and October. ● More info: bit.ly/nr-south-glos

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May 2019

News In Brief Town council grants awarded in April

Bradley Stoke Community Festival 7, 8, 9 JUNE 2019

For further information, to book a stall or include your event contact Rob Goodwin 0117 910 9515 info@re-energize.co.uk or Bradley Stoke Town Council 01454 205020

Bradley Stoke Town Council’s Leisure, Youth & Amenities Committee approved the following grants and service level agreements at its April meeting: • Grant Aid of £500 to Bradley Stoke Community Singers towards running costs • Grant Aid of £500 to Sole Sisters Running Club towards the running costs of the 10k event at this year’s Community Festival • Youth Grant Aid of £500 to Bradley Stoke Youth FC towards running costs of the youth football tournament at this year’s Community Festival • Youth Grant Aid of £500 to Five Stokes & Patchway Assemblies Team towards running costs of a youth schools event this July • Larger Grant Aid of £5,000 to the Four Towns Playscheme for the summer 2019 playscheme. It was also agreed that the playscheme be allowed free hire of a room on one of the town council Activity Centre sites for the four weeks of the scheme (29th July to 23rd August). ● Bradley Stoke Town Council has a range of grant funding streams which eligible groups and organisations can apply for. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/bstc-grants or phone the town council office on 01454 205020.

Allotments Open Morning set for Sunday 2nd June Little Stoke Allotments and Garden Society is holding its annual Open Morning on Sunday 2nd June at the Bush Avenue allotments. Are you interested in having an allotment? Come and take a look for yourself or ask our gardeners for advice. All are welcome, join us from 10am to 12noon. We will have teas and coffees, cakes, tombola, cards, plant sales and craft stall. If you have any surplus seedlings or plants please drop them in, either to the allotment shop between 10am and 12noon any Sunday morning or at the Open Morning.

All money collected helps fund our purchases for the allotments, e.g. wheelbarrows, lawnmower and also goes towards our Annual Show. You will also be able to find out how to enter the show, which takes place this year on Saturday 31st August at Little Stoke Community Hall. You and your family will be able to have some fun (and friendly rivalry) by entering our local show, which includes lots of categories: children’s entries, flowers, fruit & veg, photography, baking and crafts. We look forward to seeing you! Find out more on our website at http://bit.ly/lsags2018

Grants available for community groups Community groups and social enterprises in South Gloucestershire are being invited to apply for council grants. Area Wide Grants are available for community projects, services, events and activities that benefit residents in at least six of South Gloucestershire Council’s 14 Community Engagement Forum (CEF) areas. More information about CEFs is available at www. southglos.gov.uk/cef The maximum grant amount is £3,000, although there is flexibility for higher awards for both exceptional circumstances and budget availability. The deadline for submitting applications is midnight on Wednesday 8th May. All organisations must complete registration details online and have these approved prior to application. More information for applicants is available at www. southglos.gov.uk/AWG To view all the types of grant currently available through South Gloucestershire Council, visit www.southglos.gov.uk/grants6

The Journal Send us your news! June magazine Deadline for contributions: Monday 20th May

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May 2019

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News

Volunteers needed to support summer reading challenge in local libraries

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South Gloucestershire Libraries are looking for friendly and enthusiastic volunteers to join the team Libraries areReading looking for 2019. joy to see, and I was glad to be a running Space Chase, Summer Challenge Volunteers will spend their timethe supporting Summer volunteers to join team children to do the More thanReading 5,000 Challenge, childrentalking with them about the books they’re readingSummer and helping at a range fun in activities in the library. This is a great running Space Chase, took of part last year’s Summer opportunity to develop skills in communication, team working and creative projects, whilst having fun and Reading Challenge 2019. Reading Challenge helped by 60 making new friends.

Volunteers will spend their volunteers. The theme of this time supporting children year’shelping challenge is Space Mason, who volunteered last summer said “I've really enjoyed out this summer.Chase It's been really good to develop my communication and problem-solving definitely to do the Summer Reading – skills our which superI know spacewill family, thebe invaluable for me inChallenge, the future. The excitement reading that children still have or had gained byhelp the end talking withofthem Rockets, need children’s to of the summer reading challenge was a joy to see, and I was glad to be a part of that”. about the books they’re reading track down books that have been and helping a range nabbed Aliens!helped As children More than 5,000 childrenattook part inof lastfun year’s Summer Readingby Challenge by 60 volunteers. The in the library. read library books over theme ofactivities this year’s challenge is Space This Chase is – our super spacesix family, the Rockets, need the children’s help to track down books opportunity that have been nabbed by Aliens! As summer children read 6 library books over the summer they a great to develop they collect special collect special to complete their mission. skillsstickers in communication, team stickers to complete their mission. working and creative projects, Volunteers must be aged 13 The closing date for applications is 30 June. Volunteers must be aged 13 or over. For more information ask whilst fun and making library, email or over. The closing date for or visit a member of staffhaving at any South Gloucestershire libraryvolunteers@southglos.gov.uk new friends. applications is 30th June. www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries. Mason, who volunteered last For more information ask a Like us onsummer, Facebook www.facebook.com/sgloslibraries and follow us Twitter @southgloslibs said “I’ve really enjoyed member ofon staff at any South for the latest Space Chase mission updates. helping out this summer. It’s Gloucestershire library, email been really good to develop my libraryvolunteers@southglos. communication and problemgov.uk or visit www.southglos. solving skills which I know will gov.uk/libraries definitely be invaluable for me Like ‘South Gloucestershire in the future. The excitement of Libraries’ on Facebook and follow reading that children still have @southgloslibs on Twitter for the or had gained by the end of the latest Space Chase updates.

We’re Bradley Stoke’s