February 2017

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

February 2017 • Issue 46

POLICE P34 | WHAT’S ON P36 | DIRECTORY P38

BRADLEY STOKE BURGLARIES AT RECORD LEVELS Over 200 people attend public meeting with top detective

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PLUS , IN YOUR 40-PAGE BRADLEY STOKE MAGAZINE

Town revealed as hotspot of ‘high value gold’ burglaries, with 22 incidents recorded since June 2016 Pages 20 & 21 Ring Road viaduct closure

Traffic nightmare from June

Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre

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l Future of town centre plot remains uncertain l Council’s U-turn means street lights will stay on all night – but not until 2026 for Bradley Stoke! l Woodlands Lane junction set to be fully reopened by end of February l Plans go in for fourth platform at Parkway l Town council reveals plan for changes at Brook Way site l New opening hours at Bradley Stoke Library l Six months of tunnelling work to begin soon in nature reserve l Christmas tree becomes blankets for homeless l Quilts presented to hospital baby unit l Popular Little Stoke chippie shuts down

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3

News

Future of town centre plot remains uncertain

T

he future of a vacant plot of land bordering Bradley Stoke’s Willow Brook Centre remains uncertain, despite recent reports of clearance activities taking place at the site.

The 0.357 hectares (0.88 acres) plot, opposite the Tesco petrol filling station and bordering properties in Hornbeam Close, was previously allocated in South Gloucestershire Council’s (SGC’s) Local Plan for a health centre.

However, the council says that following expansion of existing doctors’ surgeries in the area and a marketing exercise (in 2012) to determine interest from other health providers, it has been decided that there is “no longer a requirement for this purpose”.

Consequently, the council made a decision to dispose of the site and the Journal understands that it is currently considering disposal for a self/custom build scheme.

Archive photo from 2012

The site was most recently in the news in May 2014, when Bradley Stoke Town Council asked SGC if it could be used to provide temporary car parking spaces for residents of the nearby Brook Court ‘later living’ complex, which suffers from an under-provision of spaces.

Town council minutes from June 2014 subsequently recorded that: “SGC have confirmed that

this piece of land is due to be advertised for development on the open market in the next couple of months. SGC anticipate that the piece of land will probably sell for about £600K. The removal of the allocation of the land for use as a health centre is confirmed in SGC’s emerging Plans Sites and Policies (PSP) Plan, which also shows the plot as being within the

formalised Bradley Stoke ’town centre’, an area which extends to include Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre as well as the Willow Brook Centre. The PSP Plan will be the subject of an ‘inspection in public’ during February, which is the final step before its formal adoption by the council.

Asked about possible future uses for the site, an SGC spokesperson said: “The location of the land within the defined town centre of Bradley Stoke and lack of a particular allocation would not in itself preclude, subject to other policy considerations (e.g. design, highways access) being met, development such as residential or self-build units. Any application would need to satisfy all relevant planning policies.”

The spokesperson confirmed that there are currently no live planning applications relating to the site.

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February 2017

News Bradley Stoke street lights were converted to LED technology in 2015/16 and currently switch off completely between 1am and 5am at all times of the year.

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 website and magazine are published by North Bristol Press, a trading name of Snowberry Media Ltd; company number 8451178 (registered in England and Wales); registered office: 7 Chelford Grove, Stoke Lodge, Bristol BS34 6DD. Our other publications include the Patchway Journal website, the Stoke Gifford Journal website and the Filton Journal website.

North Bristol Press is independent of any other media company or network operating in the Bristol area.

We accept no responsibility for anything stated by advertisers, who are themselves responsible for complying with all relevant legislation.

Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the editor or article author. © North Bristol Press 2017. Content published in our magazines or on our websites may not be reproduced in any form without our express written permission.

S

outh Gloucestershire Council (SGC) has decided to abandon its controversial policy of switching street lights off at night, but it is likely to be 2026 before the lights in Bradley Stoke are returned to all-night operation, the Journal can exclusively reveal.

The decision has been made in the light of the increasing cost of GPS-enabled ‘node’ controllers, which the council began fitting when lanterns were converted to LED technology from 2014. The nodes provide very accurate part-night

switching times and are GMT/ BST aware, meaning that lights switch off (and on) at exactly the same times throughout the year.

Traditional photocell controllers, in contrast, are not GMT/ BST aware and introduce an additional variation of +/- 30min on the nominal switching times.

With the council not yet three years into it’s ten-year programme of converting all of its 30,000 street lights to LED technology, node prices have risen from £50 to £85 per unit while photocell prices have remained static at £10 per unit.

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5

News

Council’s U-turn means street lights will stay on all night – but not until 2026 for Bradley Stoke!

Continued from facing page Although the price rise is more than cancelled out by a fall in the price of LED lanterns from £190 to £120, councillors have chosen to seize the opportunity to realise further savings by reverting to photocell control for all lamps converted during the remaining seven years of the LED replacement programme.

The previously experienced issues of inaccurate switching times associated with photocells will be mitigated by dimming the lights to 50 percent of full power overnight instead of turning them off completely.

By making the period over which the lights will operate at 50 percent output (i.e. 11pm to 6am) longer than the period over which they are currently switched off

completely (i.e. 1am to 5am), the increase in energy costs and CO2 emissions will be minimized.

The council says it plans to start installing photocells in place of nodes in all lights that are converted to LED technology after Easter 2017. The photocells in these conversions will be programmed to operate according to the new dimmed all-night policy. However, it says it does not plan to revisit lights that have already been converted to LED technology since 2014 (including all those in Bradley Stoke) until the tenyear programme is completed in 2024. The altering of these lights from part-night to dimmed all-night operation will then take a further three years. If areas are revisited in the same order used in the original schedule, this

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would mean that Bradley Stoke’s street lights will continue to turn off between 1am and 5am until 2026.

Bradley Stoke was one of the first urban areas in South Gloucestershire to be converted to part-night street lighting (in 2011). Its introduction was marred by malfunctioning photocells, 2,000 of which had to be replaced later in the year at the cost of the supplier.

Speaking of the policy change, Cllr Heather Goddard, chair of SGC’s Environment and Community Services Committee commented: “As part of an efficiency drive, the previous cross-party administration took the decision to switch off street lights for part of the night.”

“This was controversial in some areas, particularly where

there were concerns over road safety and crime, and I know most councillors have been contacted with concerns about street lighting.”

“As such, I am pleased to say that advancing technology allows us to reinstate whole-night lighting by dimming lights after a period of time, rather than switching them off. This will still save us money – it is a win-win that allows us to offer a better service at reduced cost.” ● In response to an enquiry from the Journal, SGC confirmed that a dimmed all-night policy using the cheaper photocells would have been technically feasible when the ten-year LED replacement programme was started in 2014, but “it was not considered financially or environmentally viable at the time”.

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February 2017

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News

Woodlands Lane junction set to be fully reopened by end of February

M

etroBus contractor Alun Griffiths and South Gloucestershire Council say they are on schedule to have the junction of Woodlands Lane with Bradley Stoke Way fully reopened by the end of February, subject to weather conditions allowing resurfacing operations to be completed as planned.

The Woodlands Lane junction was closed to all traffic on 2nd September 2015, for an estimated 18 weeks, but problems with uncharted and incorrectly charted gas and water mains have delayed work in the area.

The ‘left turn in’ reopened on 26th February 2016 and the ‘left turn out’ on 31st May 2016, but the critical ‘right turn in’ and ‘right turn out’ movements are

currently still unavailable 74 weeks after the original closure.

A series of overnight (8pm to 5am) closures of Bradley Stoke Way for resurfacing work, anticipated to span a period of three to four weeks, began on Wednesday 18th January.

Initially, the closures have been ‘westbound only’ between Patchway Brook Roundabout (near Aldi) and the Aztec West Roundabout, but as we went to print we were informed that they were expected to be changed to ‘eastbound only’ from the beginning of February.

Further overnight closures of the eastbound carriageway between the Woodlands Lane junction and Patchway Brook Roundabout are expected to

Woodlands Lane junction: Closure was originally supposed to last 18 weeks

be required during the week commencing Monday 6th February. Details of these will be announced on the Bradley Stoke Journal website and on the Alun Griffith’s community website.

A full weekend closure between the Woodlands Lane junction and Patchway Brook Roundabout had previously been on the cards, but this will now only be required

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if overnight work is disrupted by the weather.

Work on traffic signals at both the Woodland Lane and Orchard Gate junctions will take place over the same period as the resurfacing work.

Overnight works are being carried out between 8pm and 5am (approx.) with a target to complete the most noisy

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News Progress report on the Stoke Gifford Transport Link (a.k.a. Stoke Gifford By-Pass) Hambrook Lane will be closed initially for two weeks from Monday 6th February to allow the construction of access tracks and the widening of the lane itself. A final closure for one week will be advertised in due course once surfacing dates have been agreed.

The section from Parkway North Roundabout to the Network Rail bridge is now fully under way. We are taking advantage of the dry weather to press on with the drainage operations. Earthworks will recommence in February.

The carriageway from the Network Rail bridge to the A4174 is now largely complete with landscaping and planting works well advanced.

Resurfacing work during an overnight closure of Bradley Stoke Way

operations by 11pm. However, Griffiths warn that noise levels will still be noticeable throughout the night due to “vibration, warning beepers and moving plant”.

Despite Griffiths restricting much of their current work to off-peak and overnight times, several Journal readers reported increased peak-time congestion from Tuesday 24th January.

This appeared to result from changes in the sequencing of the traffic lights at the Bradley Stoke Way entry onto the Aztec West Roundabout. In response to an enquiry from the Journal, a MetroBus spokesperson explained (on 26th January): “We removed the loops that control the traffic lights on the approach to Aztec West in order for us to surface the westbound carriageway on Bradley Stoke Way. Therefore, the traffic signals are working on 14-dayold data rather than real time.

The loops will be fully replaced by next week to enable South Gloucestershire Council’s signals department to connect them back onto the system and get real time data for the traffic flows. At that point everything should be back to normal.”

Work to complete the bus lane and MetroBus stop on the A38 south of the Aztec West Roundabout is due to recommence once the resurfacing of Bradley Stoke Way has been completed This is expected to take around eight weeks to complete, followed by surfacing, signalisation and bus shelter installation/connection.

Work to build a new southbound bus lane at the southern end of Bradley Stoke Way, on the approach to Great Stoke (Rabbit) Roundabout, has been brought forward two weeks and will now start mid/end February and take three months to complete. Here, Griffiths say

The Ham Brook Bridge section, being constructed by a separate contractor, has not yet been handed over to Griffiths, which has prevented us from making progress with the road at this point.

At the A4174 junction, second phase works (including kerbing, traffic signal works and surfacing) will continue throughout February.

Community website: http://bit.ly/alun-griffiths-nfhp they will need to implement traffic light control (off-peak-only) for a period of two to three weeks whilst digging works are carried out to create space for the new lane. Thereafter, two-way traffic

will be maintained at all times through the use of narrow lanes.

● Contact the Griffiths MetroBus team on 08458 622327 or email metrobus@alungriffiths.co.uk

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News

Plans go in for fourth platform at Parkway

N

etwork Rail has submitted a planning application for proposed works at Bristol Parkway Station that include adding a fourth platform (to be designated ‘platform 1’) and extending the length of the three existing platforms (nos. 2, 3 and 4).

The aim of the project is to enable two new London to Bristol services to operate each hour, in each direction, from December 2018 and improve the overall passenger capacity at the station.

The work is part of the Great Western Capacity Enhancement Programme which aims to provide significant passenger capacity enhancement through the operation of longer trains and additional services, as well as reduced journey times, particularly between Bristol and

London Paddington.

Network Rail is obliged to deliver infrastructure to enable: • Two new London to Bristol Temple Meads via Parkway services each hour, in each direction, from December 2018 • Improved operational flexibility, over the base May 2016 layout, sufficient to allow empty coaching stock moves to and from the new Hitachi train depot at the Filton Triangle (Stoke Gifford) • Parallel moves from Bristol Parkway towards Filton (from the new platform 1) and South Wales (from the existing platform 2) The new platform will be 300m in length, while the extended lengths of platform 2 to 4 will range from 299m to 333m, allowing them to accommodate the new fleet of Hitachi trains.

The Bristol Parkway platform work is one of a number of major railway projects being implemented in the Bristol area including the electrification of the Great Western Mainline and the renewal of signalling across the Bristol area.

Network Rail held a drop-in session in Stoke Gifford on 29th November to give an overview of all the work it plans to carry out at and around Bristol Parkway.

The ‘South Gloucestershire’ page on the Network Rail website will provide updates throughout the works. This can be found at: http://bit.ly/nrsouthglos Anyone with questions or concerns about the work taking place at Bristol Parkway Station can also call Network Rail’s dedicated 24-hour national helpline on 03457 114141, quoting reference ‘Great Western Route Modernisation’.

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One of the new Hitachi trains at Bristol Parkway on a test run in July 2016.

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9

News

In Brief

Scout group membership grows

Railway upgrade work in South Gloucestershire

O

The following updates on railway upgrade work were reported to South Gloucestershire Council’s Public Transport Forum on 30th January: • The deferral of electrification to Bath, Bristol Temple Meads and Filton Bank was announced in November. The electrification to Parkway station and onwards to South Wales is continuing, with the current timetable of completion at the end of 2018.

• The additional platforms for Bristol Parkway (see page 8) and Filton Abbey Wood stations are proceeding as planned and work continues in South Gloucestershire to prepare for the overhead line equipment.

• Network Rail has developed a design for Patchway Station which would replace the current footbridge with a ramp and separate steps.

• The four-tracking of Filton Bank will continue.

… but more volunteers, both in uniform and behind the scenes, are needed

ver the last few years, the 1st Bradley Stoke Scouts have grown to be one of the largest groups in the county.

There are now 250 young people aged between six and fourteen in eleven sections (four Beaver colonies, four Cub packs and three Scout troops) alongside a marching band and a water activity unit, not to mention an enduring partnership with the Trident Explorer Scout Unit who take young people from fourteen to eighteen.

To make all of this happen, some one hundred volunteers – both those in uniform and those operating behind the scenes – ensure that they keep running an enjoyable and wide ranging programme. Everything from growing plants from seeds to stream walks, learning what to do in an emergency to climbing, though to sending Morse code

messages and camping with friends in their sections.

There is always a ‘but’… As successful as they have been, and as exciting as the programme has been, they do need more volunteers to support and challenge their young people.

They are particularly in need of Scout leaders (where young

people are aged between 10½ and 14) and more leaders for their water activity unit. Full training will be given and there is a team network at Bradley Stoke to help you. The first step starts here!

For more information, take a look at the group’s website at bradley-stoke-scouts.org.uk/join/

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News Curtain raised on multi-million pound leisure centre redevelopment

C

ustomers can now enjoy a range of new facilities at Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre following a major £3.6million redevelopment funded by South Gloucestershire Council (SGC).

An official launch by triathlete and 2016 Paralympic gold medallist Andy Lewis, who used the centre for his pre-Olympics training, took place on 5th January with partners and staff involved in the project. Bradley Stoke was the nearest centre that could offer him proper training facilities and so was critical to his pre-Games training.

Pupils from Bradley Stoke Community School (BSCS) were amongst those lucky enough to have a preview of the new-look lifestyle centre and to meet Andy, who brought along his gold medal and spent time chatting to leisure centre staff and guests.

New facilities include an extensive soft play zone and an all adventure climbing experience. There has also been significant investment made into the gym, café, and studios, making the centre a real destination venue for the local community and wider area.

Alongside the leisure centre facilities, which were redeveloped by leisure design and build specialist Createability, improved library accessibility and extended opening hours through a swipe card access system is due to begin in February (see page 15) and

both services will benefit from an additional 130 parking spaces.

Andy said: “This is a fantastic centre. I wish I had such great facilities on my doorstep. The support from the leisure centre has been awesome from start to finish and I couldn’t have achieved the Gold without them.

The new facilities look amazing.”

Mark Crutchley, chief executive of Circadian Trust, which manages and operates the centre on behalf of South Gloucestershire Council said: “This has been a major project that has taken us almost a year to complete. We have kept to our original schedules and so I would like to thank our customers who have been patient throughout the process. I think everyone will agree that the results have been worth it and demonstrates our commitment to investing in our centres for the community and the future.”

“As a not-for-profit organisation, we can continue to reinvest money back into Active Centres across South Gloucestershire, which means responding to demand and offering our customers a topclass leisure experience.”

“The adventure climbing wall has been a big hit with over 4,000 visits since it was open a couple of months ago.”

Councillor Heather Goddard, Chair of SGC’s Environment and Community Services Committee, said: “This is an exciting

Top: Paralympian Andy Lewis (left) cuts a ribbon to mark the official launch of the new facilities at Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre. Alongside him are (l-r) Cllr Erica Williams (chair of SGC) and Cllr Heather Goddard (chair of SGC’s Environment and Community Services Committee).

Above: Students from BSCS get to try out the new facilities with Andy Lewis.

and ambitious partnership development that has really secured Bradley Stoke Lifestyle Centre’s position as somewhere for the whole family to use.”

“We are delighted to have invested in these new facilities, which will make exercise fun

and enjoyable in a friendly and modern environment and we are looking forward to seeing more people through the doors in 2017.”

To book your place at Active Adventure or find out more, visit: adventure.activecentres.org

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February 2017

Brook Way Activity Centre: Proposed changes Indicative only. Refer to the town council’s January 2017 newsletter for a definitive plan.

Activity Centre

Doctors’ Surgery

Building housing the council’s Brook Way Activity Centre and Bradley Stoke Surgery

Existing car park

Twelve additional car parking spaces to be created Hard court area to be removed and grassed over Option for eight additional car parking spaces on surgery side of car park

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News

Town council reveals plan for changes at Brook Way site

F

ollowing a decision reached at Full Council in July, Bradley Stoke Town Council (BSTC) has revealed a work specification and draft plan for the removal of the dilapidated hard court area at its Brook Way Activity Centre site, allowing the creation of a new grassed “village green” area and twelve additional car parking spaces.

The plan includes an option for a further eight additional car parking spaces to be created on the doctors’ surgery side of the site, subject to the surgery partners agreeing to make an acceptable financial contribution towards the extra costs that this would involve.

The work specification was drawn up by BSTC premises manager John Rendell and Cllr Andy Ward, who say their aim has been to ensure the project is “cost effective/affordable, beneficial to the community, the activity centre, Bradley Stoke Surgery and the grounds”.

The council has allocated a budget of £50,000 for the project. Formal quotes from contractors have yet to be obtained. Creating the optional eight additional car parking spaces on the doctors’ surgery side of the site would add around £10,000 (given as a “ball park” figure) to the overall cost.

Up to ten trees will need to be “relocated” as part of the project.

Publication of the plan comes almost three years after the council conducted a public consultation on the future of the site. A working group set up to consider the results of the consultation failed to produce any formal reports and, having held no meetings for almost two years, was condemned as having “died a death” by current mayor Elaine Hardwick when she brought the matter back to council last July.

At that meeting, councillors

unanimously agreed to “extend the current car park towards the existing grass area, use the hard courts as open green space and ask the GP surgery if they are willing to contribute financially towards an increase in the GP surgery car park”.

When a draft work specification was presented to councillors last November, they were told: “The outcome of the residents’ survey that took place previously favoured additional parking on site. Anyone operating on site or who has a need to visit the grounds will see that adding additional car parking bays will very much enhance the site as a whole. Adding the car parking bays on the activity centre side alone should diminish [the number of] the cars that currently park all along the entrance driveway during busy periods.”

“The creation of a small ‘village green or community space’ will give the north end of the town something that it doesn’t currently have, which could be a space where local families/ residents could play safely, enjoy some green space or picnic.”

An update given at the Youth Committee meeting in December records that the partners at the doctors’ surgery were “keen to see approximately nine additional car parking bays created [on their side of the site] and that they were “very much on board with us at the present time”. However, when it was reported at January’s Full Council that the surgery partners had offered just £3,000 towards the “ball park” estimated cost of £10,000 for creating an extra eight spaces, it was agreed they should be asked if they are willing to increase their contribution.

Once the plans and financing have been agreed by the town council, it will be necessary to apply to South Gloucestershire Council for planning permission.

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February 2017

Advertising Feature In Brief hand-deliver 9,500 Can I only use childcare vouchers to pay for childcare? We copies of this magazine

By Sarah Nutchey, Kumon Bradley Stoke Study Centre

M

any employers offer childcare voucher schemes as part of their benefits package. When children are of nursery age, this is clearly a good way to reduce childcare costs for working parents. When children start school, parents will probably reduce or cancel their contributions to such a scheme as their childcare requirements reduce.

Spending your childcare vouchers

Well, families can continue to benefit from the tax advantages of childcare vouchers until children reach the age of fifteen.

It is less obvious how to spend this fund of money, as children

get older. You can use childcare vouchers to pay for the following; • After school clubs • Tuition (Ofsted registered only) • Activity holidays, such as PGL (unaccompanied children only) • Any organisation that is registered with Ofsted as a childcare provider.

Kumon Bradley Stoke successfully registered with Ofsted in Autumn 2016 and many families are experiencing the real savings that can be made.

Our monthly fee is currently £70 per subject per student. Parents paying by childcare vouchers save £21 on this amount each month, a total of £252 per year (source: moneysavingexpert.com). If you have two children, the savings

As well as being delivered to ALL of the 8,700 homes in Bradley Stoke, a further 800 copies of this magazine are delivered in the neighbouring areas of Little Stoke and Stoke Lodge. We leave a further 700 copies at public locations in Almondsbury, Bradley Stoke, Little Stoke, Patchway, Stoke Lodge, Stoke Gifford and Winterbourne.

The Journal is proud to be Bradley Stoke’s ONLY locally edited newspaper! are doubled to more than £500 per year!

To find out more about how our tuition can help your child fulfil their potential, call Sarah Nutchey on 01454 610389.

Send us your news!

March magazine Deadline for contributions: Monday 20th February

Children’s Parties at Brook Way Activity Centre

The ideal location for the birthday party of the year!

With prices from only £39.40 for 2 hours with a garden area and an additional £5.10 to include the kitchen area for 2 hours Prices correct as of 16th January 2017

For more information please contact Bradley Stoke Town Council on 01454 205021 or visit our website www.bradleystoke.gov.uk To advertise in this magazine or on our websites, phone The Journal’s sales team on 01454 300 400

February 2017

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15

News

New opening hours at Bradley Stoke Library Starting 6th February, a new swipe card system will offer access to library facilities during unstaffed hours

B

radley Stoke Library will have new opening hours from Monday 6th February and provide an extra 42 hours of opening through a swipe card Open Access system, which will allow people to use services when staff are not present. During the unstaffed times library users will be able to browse, borrow and return books and use the IT facilities, from early in the morning to later in the evening.

This new self-service facility allows existing users to visit the library outside of staffed hours using their library card and a PIN they will be issued with when they upgrade their membership and are given an induction to show them how the Open Access system works.

Open Access users can enter the library from 8am - 9.30pm Monday to Friday, with staff on site 9.30am to 6pm on every weekday, apart from Wednesday.

On weekends, Open Access is between 8am and 6pm, with staffing available 9.30am - 5pm on Saturdays and 11am - 3pm on Sundays. The changes mean that staff will be available earlier in the day, when the library is busier, rather than in the evenings.

This changes are part of a major refurbishment of Bradley Stoke Library, which includes the creation of a Quiet Zone to allow people to study and use the computers in an area without disturbance, a new more visible entrance and a casual seating area. The work was funded by Section 106 funding from local housing developments, which funds core Council infrastructure projects and was carried out at the same time as the £3.6 million redevelopment.

This Open Access technology is relatively new to the UK, although it is used extensively in Scandinavia. To use the system, all users are given an induction, explaining terms and conditions of use, entry outside of staffed hours, along with the usual selfservice facilities for borrowing,

Enquiry responses from South Gloucestershire Council Will any library services NOT be available to customers during unstaffed hours at Bradley Stoke Library?

“Initially we will have only part of the library open whilst we see how the system goes. Later, we will open the whole library to users. The only service not available during unstaffed hours will be the fax machine.”

Might staffed hours be reduced as a result of the Library Services Review that is currently being undertaken?

“No final decision has been taken on the opening hours; this is due at the end of February, but the preferred option from the ECS Committee meeting in September 2016 was to reduce the staffed opening hours at Bradley Stoke Library from 45.5 to 35 hours per week from 1st October 2017.”

When can we expect the results of the ‘Changes to Library Services Phase 2’ public consultation to be published?

renewing and returning of books and other items. The PCs and wi-fi are also available, along with printing and photocopying facilities and a selection of quickpick book titles, DVDs and CDs. To sign up for this new service please call in to the library, phone 01454 868006 or send an email to bradleystoke.library@ southglos.gov.uk Cllr Heather Goddard, chair of the council’s Environment and Community Services (ECS) Committee, said: “We are very pleased to be able to invest this money in Bradley Stoke library.

“The consultation closed on 2nd January and the feedback is being assessed. That feedback will form part of the decision paper that will be considered by the Director of ECS when they make their decision, as delegated by the ECS Committee, in September. The decision paper will be published before that decision is taken at the end of February.”

It will benefit many of those who already use the library, but we also help that others will take advantage of the opportunity to use the building, maybe on the way to or from work, or before or after visiting the gym or new climbing wall and the leisure centre.”

“The library users who have already tried it out have been

pleased so far. Although this is new technology for the library, the concepts of self-service checkouts and swipe-card access to a building are not new.”

“I hope that more people will now feel able to use the library at a time that suits them. Access to the expertise of our library staff will remain available during the busier times.”

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February 2017

News

Ring Road viaduct closure set to cause “significant delays” for a year

J

ust when it looked like there was light at the end of the tunnel, with the end of the MetroBus roadworks finally in sight, commuters in north Bristol have been dealt a crushing blow with the news that a section of the A4174 Ring Road near Hambrook is to be reduced to 50 percent capacity (one lane each way instead of two) for up to 12 months starting in June or July.

South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) says the work is required in order to undertake essential maintenance on one of two parallel viaducts that carry the road over the River Frome between the Hambrook lights and Bromley Heath Roundabout.

The southern viaduct, which carries the westbound carriageway, requires work on: pier (support) strengthening, bearing and hinge replacement, drainage improvements, water proofing, parapet replacement, and concrete repairs.

A separate major project to provide improvements for cyclists and pedestrians using the bridge would also require closure of the southern viaduct for a year, if done independently of the structural work.

Money for the work will come from two grants already allocated to SGC by the Department for Transport; these originate from the Challenge Fund and the Cycle Ambition Fund.

After considering a range of options, councillors have decided that the work will begin in June/ July this year for a maximum duration of one year, but with an aim to try to secure additional funding to accelerate the work programme and reduce the timescale. Both the essential maintenance of the viaduct structure and the improvements to widen the shared footpath for cyclists and pedestrians will be combined, which means that the total maximum time required on site would be one year rather than two.

The total cost of the work, when carried out over 12 months, is estimated at £5.9 million.

Accelerating the programme, should additional funds be secured, would add between £0.8 and £3.7 million, depending on the timescale reduction required (ranging from 37 to 22 weeks).

SGC’s head of street care and transport Mark King added: “The extent of the work requires the southern viaduct to be completely closed to all traffic for the duration of the project. This is because the removal of the worn out parts of the structure will mean it is too weak to safely carry any traffic until the maintenance is complete. During the closure, all traffic will be diverted on to the northern viaduct as other options would require a significant one to two mile

The two Bromley Heath Viaducts which carry the Ring Road over the River Frome. The southern viaduct (closest to camera) is in urgent need of repair.

diversion on to narrow roads.

“We appreciate that this is one of the busiest sections of the A4174 and understand that this will cause significant delays and inconvenience and we apologise in advance. We will be doing everything we can to keep the public regularly informed about the viaduct work and how to plan their journeys accordingly. We are also looking at the scheduling of current and future transport schemes, utility work and other roadworks to ensure disruption to road users and communities is kept to a minimum, wherever possible.”

Asked about the possible effects west of the Hambrook junction on

the M32, an SGC spokesperson said: “We expect that the work at Bromley Heath Viaduct will see A4174 eastbound traffic queuing back to the Coldharbour Lane junction at peak times, and on occasions we anticipate that these queues will stretch even further across key routes.”

“It is expected that queues will exist around the immediate area during most of the day and these could, if people do not consider their travel options or use alternative routes, easily stretch as far as Coldharbour Lane.”

The spokesperson added: “We are working closely with local businesses, health care providers, schools and community

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17

News M4 J19

Stoke Gifford Transport Link (opens September 2017)

M32 J1

Bromley Heath Viaduct lane closure starting June/July 2017

Bromley Heath Roundabout SGC says previous lane closures on this stretch of the Ring Road have resulted in “tailbacks of up to 8km and delays of up to two hours at peak times, choking the adjacent road network and putting stress on the M4 and M32”.

A traffic modelling exercise has predicted the following effects of the viaduct closure: A4174 westbound traffic queuing back to the Dramway roundabout at Emersons Green • A4174 eastbound traffic queuing back to the Coldharbour Lane junction • Significant effects on the National Strategic Road Network with queuing back on to the M32 and possibly M4.

organisations so that the traffic management for this scheme provides the best solution we can achieve for all needs and methods of transport.”

“Ahead of the work starting, we will be engaging with local residents to get their suggestions and feedback and will be publicising details of these engagement events soon.”

The impact of the viaduct work on the Stoke Gifford Transport Link, due to open in September, is unclear, but local councillors have previously expressed the concern that it will open up the opportunity for traffic to use Bradley Stoke Way to avoid congestion on the M4 and M32.

More information about the project is available at www. southglos.gov.uk/bhviaduct ● The Journal has learned that MetroBus has made the decision to not run services along the affected section of the Ring Road until the work at the Bromley Heath Viaduct has been completed.

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19

News Six months of tunnelling work to begin soon in the Three Brooks nature reserve

W

ork to construct part of a major new sewer link is expected to get under way in Bradley Stoke’s Three Brooks Local Nature Reserve in April, Wessex Water has announced.

The new 5km-long link will run from Frampton Cotterell to Bradley Stoke, where it will join up with an existing section of the Frome Valley Relief Sewer (FVRS) that was constructed in the early 1990s.

Once the “missing link” is completed, the FVRS will divert waste water flows from Yate to the Bristol sewage treatment works in Avonmouth via a route around the north of Bristol, rather than alongside the Frome Valley and through the centre of Bristol.

The work within the nature reserve, which is expected to last for approximately six months, will involve setting up a work compound centred on the triangular area of grass near the ‘duck pond’, where two picnic tables were recently installed

by Bradley Stoke Town Council (BSTC). Here, a six-metre deep underground chamber will be constructed from where a tunnel will be bored to accommodate the new 1.8m-diameter sewer pipe. The tunnel will run from the chamber near the ‘duck pond’ to a point on the other side of the M4 motorway.

Wessex Water’s project manager Mike Bryant informed the January meeting of BSTC’s Planning Committee that the

Picnic area by the ‘duck pond’ will become a construction site for six months

work at the nature reserve site will be carried out using 12-hour daytime shifts for five days per week. The first five to six weeks of work are expected to create the most noise, while the tunnelling shaft is constructed. Thereafter, there will be much less noise as the work will be going on underground and equipment on the surface (such as generators) will be “almost silent”.

the next few weeks.

Cllr Keith Cranney requested that wheel washing facilities be installed, to avoid mud being transferred from vehicles onto the public roads, but Mr Bryant assured him that all the paths used by the construction vehicles will be surfaced with stone, so

“there should be no mud”.

Responding to reports that construction vehicles have already been seen in the nature reserve, a Wessex Water spokesperson said: “We have undertaken some ground investigation works at the nature reserve in preparation for the scheme, which is due to start on 24th April. This was carried out in full consultation with the local councils.”

“These investigations are now complete and work on the scheme will start as planned in April. We will be meeting members of the Three Brooks Nature Conservation Group and other community groups to keep them informed.”

“Over the next few weeks we will be contacting local residents to inform them of our planned works.” ● For more information on the Frome Valley Relief Sewer project, visit www.wessexwater. co.uk/frome-valley-relief-sewer/

New vehicle access point

A new vehicle access point into the nature reserve will be built off Bradley Stoke Way, close to the bridge over Stoke Brook, allowing construction vehicles to enter and leave the reserve along the short section of Concorde Way which leads down to the brook.

The Journal understands that a planning application for this new access point will be submitted to South Gloucestershire Council in

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February 2017

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How are Avon and Somerset Police responding?

Burglaries in Bradley Stoke

• We have promoted crime prevention messages at beat surgeries at the Willow Brook Centre, through the Bradley Stoke Journal and Bradley Stoke Radio, in the wider media and on social media

December 2015 to November 2016 “Spate” in April 2016

Average in previous 12 months

• Neighbourhood officers have taken crime prevention messages into companies with large numbers of employees to reach as many people as they can • We support victims of high value gold burglary with a personal visit from our Bobby van giving tailored crime prevention advice • We carry out extended house-to-house enquiries following every incident, giving neighbours crime prevention information and raising awareness as well as seeking witnesses and information • We’re encouraging people to set up Neighbourhood Watch schemes

W

ell over 200 people attended a public meeting at Holy Trinity Church, Bradley Stoke on Tuesday 24th January to share their concerns over a surge in burglaries in the area, and in particular the proportion of these incidents in which so-called ‘high value gold’ was stolen.

The meeting took place just days after properties in Savages Wood Road, Bradley Stoke; Bourton Close, Stoke Lodge; and Clyde Grove, Filton were targeted by ‘high value gold’ burglars within the space of just 30 minutes, in what police believe were linked incidents.

Statistics released by the Home Office show that there were 16 burglaries recorded in Bradley Stoke during November 2016 (the latest month for which data is available online). This is the highest in any month over the last six years (which is as far back as online data goes). In the 12-month period ending one year previously (December 2014 to November 2015), there was

an average of 3.0 burglaries per month, a figure which has risen to 4.8 in the year to November 2016.

The latest surge easily exceeds the most recent peak of nine burglaries recorded in April 2016, which local police described at the time as a “spate”.

Latest figures disclosed

In response to enquiries from the Journal, Avon & Somerset Police have disclosed more up-to-date figures which show that there were 38 domestic burglaries in Bradley Stoke between the last week in June 2016 and 17th January (a period of around sixand-a-half months) and of these, 22 have involved thefts of ‘high value gold’.

The public meeting was organised by Bradley Stoke town councillor Tom Aditya who has close connections with many Asian families in the area, a section of the community which has been disproportionately affected by this type of crime.

In calling the meeting,

• We’ve got crime prevention advice available in five languages • We carry out targeted patrols both in uniform and plain clothes • We’re working closely with other police forces

Cllr Aditya said that local neighbourhoods have been severely affected by burglaries, “which are increasing day by day”, and expressed regret that the police have not been not able to “fully restrain the menace or to bring all culprits under the law”.

The meeting was attended

by Temporary Detective Chief Inspector (T/DCI) Dom Graham, who is leading Avon & Somerset Police’s response to the issue of ‘high value gold’ burglary, incidents, which have been gradually increasing since 2013.

Forcewide, there have been 148 ‘high value gold’ burglaries since the end of June 2016, predominantly in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. A dedicated team of ten specialist detectives and patrol officers was set up in October 2016 to investigate this particular type of offence and since then there

have been 38 arrests, with ten suspects charged (some with multiple offences).

T/DCI Graham’s advice, broadcast on BBC TV’s Point West programme some days earlier, that Asian families should “avoid turning their homes into a goldmine” was criticised by some members of the audience for giving the impression that all Asians keep gold. In reality, many Asian household have no gold, but still fear being targeted by burglars, having their homes ransacked and possibly even threatened with violence, simply because of their ethnicity.

A number of victims shared their experiences, including one whose family members were threatened with violence during a recent burglary in Filton.

Several spoke of the effect the burglaries have had on their

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Over 200 attend public meeting with police after surge in burglaries in Bradley Stoke Number of burglaries hit a six-year high in November; Twenty-two ‘high-value gold’ burglaries since last June

From left: Cllr Tom Aditya (organiser of the meeting); the packed hall at Holy Trinity Church, Bradley Stoke; Temporary Detective Chief Inspector Dom Graham

Continued from facing page children, who are now too afraid to be left on their own.

One resident of Bradley Stoke said he was burgled when he was out of his home for just half-anhour, which he believed showed that criminals are monitoring homes and waiting for the right moment to strike.

In response to accusations that the police aren’t doing enough to catch offenders, T/DCI Graham described the typical gold burglar as “quite sophisticated” and “clearly forensically aware”, given that they very often leave no fingerprints or footprints and no DNA traces.

One of the difficulties they have is that the burglars are

travelling to Bristol from other force areas as far away as West Yorkshire, and so are not known local offenders. Furthermore, the criminals are thought to regularly change the registration plates on their vehicles, in order to fox police attempts to track them using ANPR systems.

With four recent incidents in the force area netting gold to a value in excess of £100k, criminals are finding they can make more from this type of burglary than robbing a bank or blowing up an ATM. The police have previously advised householders to install a home safe in which to keep gold and jewellery, however, following cases in which homes have been ransacked and safes

phone The Journal’s sales team on 01454 300 400

ripped out, they are now very clearly saying “don’t keep gold in your home”. The difficulty here is that the alternative of using a commercial safety deposit box facility is not available locally and families have to travel to Cardiff or Birmingham to find them.

Beware of cold callers

From speaking to victims, police say they believe criminals are observing potential targets in the weeks leading up to a burglary, for example by cold calling and pretending to offer services. Anyone with suspicions about a cold caller is therefore encouraged to report this by phoning 101. This information can then be used to help proactive officers target their patrols.

It was noted that following the recent suspected linked incidents in Bradley Stoke, Stoke Lodge and Filton, follow-up interviews revealed that neighbours had seen a suspicious vehicle, but not thought it worthwhile reporting.

T/DCI Graham noted that the majority of offences occur in the daytime or evening. The best advice is to fit a burglar alarm, which acts as a deterrent, and not to leave curtains drawn in the daytime. If possible, get a friend or neighbour to come in and draw/open curtains.

During the winter months, the period between 4pm and 7pm is a prime time for burglaries because criminals can see no one is at home, but use the shroud of darkness to cover their offences.

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February 2017

Ask the Doctor with Dr Siân Langdon of Bradley Stoke Surgery St Valentine’s Day

O

n the 14th February many of you will celebrate or mark St Valentine’s Day, or try to avoid it at all costs! St. Valentine is a little known saint who was martyred in the 3rd century. In the 14th century, Geoffrey Chaucer associated the saint with romantic love, and in the 18th century the day started to be marked by the giving of romantic gestures.

Most successful relationships are built on the art of good communication and mutual respect. This is the same when accessing the NHS. It is just as important that the NHS explains what it can do for you as well as you understanding what is required of you. Many local GP practices have evolved the way they communicate with their patients. Many use text reminders (please make sure they have your up-to-date mobile number) and other

text-based systems to allow patient to make, cancel and give feedback on the service they received. The majority of surgeries have websites that are updated regularly and as a result often highlight what services are available or have changed.

The hours GP surgeries are open and the access patients have to their surgery has been highlighted in the media and by politicians due to recent increases in demand for NHS services. The majority of local practices offer appointments for their patients outside of their contracted hours of 8am to 6.30pm. These are increasingly being offered on Saturday mornings for routine issues. At my surgery in Bradley Stoke, we will be starting to offer this from the beginning of February (see page 32). This has been in response to feedback from our patients.

Many of us will have struggled to get through to our surgeries during the morning rush for urgent appointments. This can cause frustration, but as in any relationship, remember your words said in anger can be very hurtful. The receptionists manning the phones are there to help you, their questions are to help guide you to the right person for your issue and ultimately they are human too.

Local practices working together in a “cluster” have recognised this issue and are working towards a new telephone system to ease this pressure. We all hope it will be in place soon!

Despite the financial squeeze, GP practices are continuing to invest in services and infrastructure for the good of their patients.

The NHS is built on the fundamental principle of clinical need. This may not give you an appointment when you want

it, but it will be there if you need it. As with any relationship communication and respect are fundamental to its success. So this month I would hope that you will stop to think about your relationships with each other but also with the NHS. We need to work together to ensure that, despite the finite resources, everyone gets the healthcare they need.

For that to happen we need to communicate successfully, respect the service and understand that caring is a two way process.

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February 2017

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23

News

Interactive library exhibition helps you ‘Know Your Place’

A

n innovative digital exhibition of historic maps and archive material is being staged at Bradley Stoke Library until the end of February.

The interactive KYPexplore exhibition features extraordinary images from archives, museums and heritage collections across South Gloucestershire and the West of England, giving visitors a unique insight in to the history of the places where we live, work and visit every day.

For the first time in one place, the stories of the people who lived and worked in the varied landscapes of the West of England will be told together – from basket fishermen in Oldbury to WWII evacuees in Thornbury, plus there are photographs and recollections of local memories such as tankers colliding on the Severn and a whale stranded in Littletonupon-Severn.

The exhibition innovatively combines graphic panels, touchscreens and an online web app to present the archive material in an easy to navigate format. Visitors can take a closer look at familiar places to find their hidden histories and follow in the footsteps of the past, comparing historic and modern photos of familiar landscapes

which illustrate how places have transformed over time.

The exhibition is also available online at www.KYPexplore.com Cllr Heather Goddard, chair of South Gloucestershire Council’s Environment and Community Services Committee, said: “This exhibition is unique in its ambition and interactive use of digital technology, and is the result of a fantastic partnership with many museums, libraries and archives across the area. It pulls together a variety of historic material from across the region, documenting places, buildings, people and industries – some familiar, others more unique.

“We hope the rich and varied stories in the exhibition will help visitors make the connection with their own local heritage and inspire them to explore this further on the Know Your Place digital mapping website.”

The exhibition is now open at Bradley Stoke Library and over the coming months, it will visit a range of museums, libraries and community spaces across the West of England. The full list of venues can be found on the project website www.kypwest. org.uk/exhibition The exhibition is accompanied by a free public event at Bradley Stoke Library on Saturday 25th

Exploring the interactive exhibition currently installed at Bradley Stoke Library

February, where from 10am to 1pm we invite visitors to help put Bradley Stoke on the map by bringing memories and photos of Bradley Stoke along to the library share on Know Your Place. There will also be chance to find out more about this free online research tool and how it can help you explore your neighbourhood’s heritage, as well as an opportunity to visit the

exhibition and talk to members of the team behind the project.

This exhibition is part of Know Your Place – West of England, the digital mapping project to share your neighbourhood’s heritage online through old maps, historic images and heritage data. To start exploring the Know Your Place maps, visit the project’s website www. kypwest.org.uk/explore-the-map

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February 2017

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Official fuel consumption for the Volvo V40 T2 R-Design (manual) in MPG (l/100km): Urban 38.7 (7.3), Extra Urban 61.4 (4.6), Combined 50.4 (5.6). CO2 emissions 127g/km.

MPG figures are obtained from laboratory testing intended for comparisons between vehicles and may not reflect real driving results. *Important information: Carco Ltd trading as City Motors is acting as introducer. Contract hire provided by Lex Autolease Limited trading as Volvo Car Leasing, SK3 0RB. 18s & over, subject to status. You will not own the vehicle and it must be returned in good condition to avoid further charges. Excess mileage charges 17.28p per mile. Subject to availability at participating dealers. Offer ends 31/03/17. Maintenance includes routine servicing, tyres, replacement parts and repairs due to fair wear and tear. Repairs or replacements from accidental/malicious damage and damage caused by driver misuse/abuse are excluded. The vehicle must be serviced in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines and by an approved service dealer. Not available with other promotions.

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16.01.2017 12:34:45

NEW CITROËN C3 IS HERE AT CITY MOTORS

Official Government fuel consumption figures (Range): Urban cycle, Extra urban, Combined (litres per 100km/mpg) & CO2 emissions (g/km); Highest: New Citroën C3 PureTech 68 manual Feel 5.7/49.6, 4.1/68.9, 4.7/60.1, 109. Lowest: New Citroën C3 BlueHDi 75 S&S manual Touch 4.2/67.3, 3.1/91.1, 3.5/80.7, 92. MPG figures are achieved under official EU test conditions, intended as a guide for comparative purposes only, and may not reflect actual on-the-road driving conditions.

CITY MOTORS 0117 977 8881

CASTLE COURT, ST PHILIPS CAUSEWAY, BRISTOL, BS4 3AX www.citymotorsbristol.citroen.co.uk

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

February 2017

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All-New

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The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the All-New Renault Scénic range are: urban 37.7 (7.5)–67.39 (4.2); extra-urban 53.3 (5.3)–76.3 (3.7); combined 46.3 (6.1)–72.4 (3.9).

The official CO2 emissions are 129–100g/km. Figures are obtained for comparative purposes in accordance with EU Legislation and may not reflect real life driving results. *All-New Scénic payment based on £7,606 deposit, 24 monthly payments of £249, optional final payment £8,963. Finance provided by Renault Finance, PO Box 149, Watford WD17 1FJ. Subject to status. Indemnities may be required. UK residents only (excluding the Channel Islands). Over 18s. Terms and conditions apply. Offers based on 6,000 miles per annum, excess mileage 8p per mile inc VAT. Finance available on selected new vehicles when ordered and registered by 31 March 2017. Car shown with optional metallic paint an extra £545.

CITY MOTORS Castle Court, St Philips Causeway Bristol BS4 3AX Tel 0117 3322566

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Book a test drive S J COOK & SONS Station Road, Kingswood BS15 4XX Tel 0117 3322567 www.carcogroup.co.uk/renault

Jump in the New Dacia Duster

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CITY MOTORS ST PHILIPS CAUSEWAY, BRISTOL BS4 3AX TEL 0117 3322566

S J COOK & SONS STATION ROAD, KINGSWOOD BS15 4XX TEL 0117 3322567 WWW.CARCOGROUP.CO.UK/DACIA

The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Dacia Duster range is: urban 27.2 (10.4)- 47.9 (5.9); extra-urban 40.3(7.0)- 56.5 (5.0); combined 35.3 (8.0)-53.3 (5.3). The official CO2 emissions for the range is 185-135g/km. EU Directive and Regulation 692/2008 test environment figures. Fuel consumption and CO2 may vary according to driving styles, road conditions and other factors. *Price shown for Dacia Duster Access SCe 115 4x2 and includes delivery to dealer, number plates, 20% VAT, 12-month Government road fund licence and £55 first registration fee. Price shown is manufacturer’s recommended retail price. Offers are valid on eligible vehicles when ordered and registered by 31 March 2017.

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February 2017

News

Christmas tree becomes blankets for homeless

Above: Christmas tree created from squares of material. Left: One of the blankets crated by the group.

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group of knitters in Stoke Gifford has been busy recycling the woolly Christmas tree they created as a community decoration for the festive season into blankets for the homeless.

The St Mike’s Yarn Bombers (SMYB) began the project last October when they appealed for local groups and individuals to knit or crochet six-inch squares that could be formed into a

‘community Christmas tree’ for Stoke Gifford.

Over a period of seven weeks, over 800 squares were produced, with around 100 people making contributions, and the Christmas tree was duly constructed and displayed at the St Michael’s Community Centre (photo).

Of the 848 squares that made up the tree, 816 had been knitted or crocheted and 32 were made of felt and had been decorated

by children at the Messy Church which meets once a month at St Michael’s.

With the festive season now over, members of the group have come together to complete the second part of their project, which is to use the squares from the Christmas tree, plus a further 50 that were received after the tree went up, to create a number of blankets which will be donated to two local charities for

the homeless (Julian Trust and Emmaus Bristol).

Over 30 people have been involved in creating the blankets and their efforts have attracted the attention of the regional media, with one of their sessions recently featuring on the BBC Points West news programme.

It is anticipated that a total of eleven blankets will eventually be donated to the two charities.

One of the group’s members, Debbie Bambridge told the Journal: “The response to our appeal was phenomenal. So many people in St Michael’s Church and local craft groups, as well as individuals in the community have contributed. It really shows how we can use our skills to make a difference to people in need in our city.”

Debbie added that the group has more plans for decorative ‘yarn bombs’ this year. “People will have to keep a look out around the Coffee Shop and St Michael’s Centre and surrounding area to see what we’re up to …” ● To find out more, visit the SMYB page on Facebook or email S.M.Y.B@outlook.com

March magazine Deadline for contributions: Monday 20th February To advertise in this magazine or on our websites, phone The Journal’s sales team on 01454 300 400

February 2017

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Advertising Feature Bradley Stoke firm sponsors cheetah enclosure at Bristol’s Wild Place Project

Staff from Aspirations visit the cheetah enclosure to launch their sponsorship

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radley Stoke independent financial advice firm Aspirations have become the 2017 sponsor of the Wild Place Project’s cheetah enclosure - home to their three males Tukio, Zuri and Duma.

Wild Place Project was opened

by Bristol Zoological Society with an emphasis on protecting threatened habitats on our doorsteps and around the globe.

The north Bristol attraction is one of only four collections in the UK to keep the central African cheetah (scientific name: acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii).

Cheetah are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources). There are around 10,000 cheetah in the wild, with fewer than 2,000 central African cheetah amongst them. They are facing various threats including loss of habitat and prey, conflict with humans,

the illegal pet trade and a gene pool with very low variability.

Aspirations hope that their sponsorship of this worthy cause will help make a difference to these beautiful animals and raise awareness of their vulnerable status.

Whilst supporting Wild Place Project, the team at Aspirations will be running several events and competitions in 2017 to help raise awareness of the plight of cheetah. You and your family could be the lucky winners of a trip to Wild Place Project and the chance to see their three cheetah!

Check the Aspirations website (www.aspirations-ifa.com) and Facebook page for all the latest news and events, as well as updates linked to the cheetah at Wild Place Project.

To find out more about Aspirations, please call in to our office at the Willow Brook Centre or give us a ring on 01454 501959.

Do you have strong views about something that’s happening in or around Bradley Stoke?

Want to pass comment on something you’ve read in the Journal or another local publication?

Send your letter to letters@ bradleystokejournal.co.uk or post it to: Reader Letters, Bradley Stoke Journal, 83 Snowberry Close, Bradley Stoke, Bristol BS32 8GB Please include a telephone number with your letter, in case we need to contact you.

FREE Pre-school uniform

FREE Grant Funding for 2 , 3 & 4 year olds *

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subject to eligibility criteria

Book your place now at Bradley Stoke Happy Days Nursery & Pre-school For more information please call:

01454 614 411

or email bradleystoke@happydaysnurseries.com

Bradley Stoke Happy Days, Almondsbury Business Centre, Woodlands, Bristol BS32 4QH

facebook.com/HappyDaysNursery

twitter.com/HappyDaysChild

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News Get well · Stay well

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Our backup options can keep your files and photos safe in

by Aaron Plant, Chiropractor at Willow Brook Clinic

A new you

he days are getting longer and brighter and the hope of spring is here. The chaos of Christmas and New Year is firmly behind us. However, many us of will be feeling that getting back into the swing of things is not easy.

The January blues ARE a real thing. There’s a mountain of work to catch up on as well as the social and personal pressure of wanting to be a newer and better version of yourself.

Weeks of carb free fasting and liquid diets have been underway, gym subscriptions have been renewed, the dry Januaries have been completed and now February’s door has been opened. Have you achieved what you set out to do in January?

Some things to consider during these dark months, is to breathe easy, be thankful for experiences shared, try not to be hard on yourself and set yourself some attainable goals to take you through 2017. Goals must be personal to you and not just the generic ‘get fit and thin’ mantra that many adopt.

Current thinking encourages small changes. These changes soon snowball and, before you know it, a big difference has been made. We have all heard them before – take the stairs, eat less sugar, go to bed a little earlier, walk more, smile, do a good deed, take time for yourself. What are you choosing to do?

Looking after your joints and muscles is just as important as your general wellbeing regime. If you have any aches or niggling pains, these may prevent you from achieving your other goals. Too many of us blame our mental state for lack of achievement, but sometimes it is actually our bodies that prevent us from achieving want we want. A chiropractor is trained to look at all aspects of health and a skilled chiropractor can help you to achieve your physical goals by getting your body ‘right’ before and while you are exercising, and while you are living your daily life.

Don’t let obstacles stand in your way. Take small steps to achieve results and visit your chiropractor to make sure your body is ready to support your goals.

Willow Brook Clinic The Willow Brook Centre www.willowbrookclinic.co.uk ● See our advert on page 19.

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February 2017

0117 969 8767

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February 2017

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News

BS Lions’ donations help three worthy causes

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radley Stoke Lions Club recently presented a cheque for £300 to the Bristol Interstitial Lung Support Group. In our October article, we mentioned a visit to our club from Heather Lamb who, with her colleagues from Southmead Hospital, hold a support group meeting every three months in a church hall in Southmead.

This support group is run on a voluntary basis as no funding is available from the NHS, so our cheque will help to fund the cost of hiring the hall for the next year.

Caring at Christmas, the organisation set up over the Christmas period in the Julian Trust’s premises in Little Bishop Street, St Pauls, also benefited from a cheque for £200 from BS Lions. This organisation provided 60 beds each night from Christmas Eve until New Years Day for the homeless of Bristol (and beyond). Breakfast,

BS Lions president Robin presents a £300 cheque to Noah’s mum Leanne

lunch and dinner were available each day as well as a neverending supply of sandwiches, cakes, crisps, fruit and sweets and hot and cold beverages of every description, for anyone who cared to drop in who needed company or just a meal. A hairdresser, masseuse,

chiropodist and arts and crafts specialists were also on hand with occasional live music, TV and various games available to keep the guests amused and occupied during their stay. Some of our Lions also gave of their time to work a few shifts at the shelter and found it a rewarding experience, well worth doing.

Noah, a young boy who was born with a bleed on the brain and consequently suffers from cerebral palsy and severe visual impairment amongst other problems, needs a machine called an Innovative Walker to help him walk and strengthen his muscles.

His family have been raising the £11,000 required for this walker for some time now and BS Lions have just gifted the last £300 to complete the purchase.

We have one of our social nights coming up on 8th March when we are combining a short meeting with a Pancake Night.

If you would like to know more about the Lions and what they do, perhaps you would like to come along to our social night, meet the members, learn a little more about us and enjoy some pancakes as well, please contact our president Robin Young on 07712 046644.

Alternatively, we meet at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel every second Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm. Anyone is welcome to come along to meet us with no commitment other than to see what we do.

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

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February 2017

News

Three Brooks nature group report for January

By Sara Messenger of the Three Brooks Nature Conservation Group

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lthough sometimes the weather has been cold, there is nothing quite so warming as a winter walk through the reserve, watching the birds squabble over the last few berries and seeing the mole hill tremble as he heads further down underground away from the frost.

Apart from one very unimpressed looking poodle, who did not want to get her feet muddy, the dogs seem to be enjoying themselves greatly and we’ve been sent some fabulous photographs.

Hedgelaying

The first weekend of the year is always put aside for us to continue our project to lay a stock/dog-proof fence along the length of Bradley Stoke Way. Although our workdays

are usually just the Saturday, hedgelaying is a long laborious task and requires two days. We were greatly aided this year for several reasons. The mild weather helped, some years it has been so cold the sap has frozen in the trees and the bill hooks just seemed to bounce off, or maybe it was just because our fingers were so cold that we couldn’t feel anything! The path here has at times resembled The Somme with the cold mud oozing over the top of our boots and, although it wasn’t totally dry, it was much more usable this year. But the main help this year was the preparation Green Gym had put into preparing the site. The length of tree line to be laid was covered in blackthorn 20ft deep in some places and although SGC had intended to clear the area and the meadow with machinery, this has yet to be done, so the Thursday group spent two days taking

down all the blackthorn trees, bramble and scrub, removing it and making a dead hedge with the fallen trees. Because of all their hard work (and I was amazed at just how much they managed to clear), we managed to lay 33 paces of hedgeline compared to last year’s 13. Rob Williams was our quartermaster for the day and kept us warm with hot food cooked on site and also supplied us with some homemade sloe gin to toast the new hedge with.

I hope newbies Ben, Becky, Ryan and Lucie don’t expect this every workday!

Reports from the public

We’d had several ‘dens’ reported to us, one in the pump track area and one behind the lake.

Although Gill and I were reluctant to walk over the icy weir, Andrew came to the rescue and stood in the water and helped us over, I’m not sure

Nature’s way: Last year’s cygnets will soon be “sent packing”

if he was braver for standing waist high in frozen water or not worrying that we may have landed on him if we went in! The camp was quite a good one with hand painted signage, shelves, seats, snacks, soft drinks and even an outside loo! Although we were impressed, the council decided it had to go and two of the town council’s staff cleared it away the following week.

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February 2017

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31

Sport Mojo ‘Muddy Madness’ for Comic Relief

T Photo: Sammi Dee

Quartermaster Rob Williams cooks hot food on site for the hedgelaying troops

We were told by a resident that he had reported to the council several times that a tree had fallen and was almost blocking the main path by Campion Drive. We went to take a look and soon cleared it away, along with several other trees that were dead and would come down in the next high wind. If you have any problems to report, we have our own dedicated email address reportit@three-brooks.info (We may not be able to resolve everything, but we’ll give it our best shot!)

The lake

We tried clearing the rubbish that had collected in the Stoke Brook, but found that it was so cold the rubbish was held firm by the inch thick ice that covered the stream and parts of the lake, so we had to come back later in the month when it had thawed.

We have some fat looking rats at the lake at the moment, and although it’s better that they live here than in your garden, please can we ask that you don’t leave

lots of bread on the ground after feeding the ducks. Porridge oats, peas and grain are much better for the birds, and can be fed to them in the water, which makes it harder for the rats to get to.

Our hopes of getting our cygnets ringed this year are not completely dashed, but it will need to be done in the next few weeks before Bradley and Brooke’s thoughts once again turn to romance, as they will then send their ‘teenage’ children packing to make their own way in the world. Much as I would like to see them stay, it’s nature’s way.

You may have seen some large machinery down by the lake, and although at times it has looked as though they are just making mud pies, I’m assured that they are doing much more than that. The committee has a meeting planned with a Wessex Water manager to discuss their project (see also page 19) and we look forward to sharing their plans when we have them. ● www.three-brooks.info

his year sees the return of the Mojo Muddy Madness race, held at Mojo Active in Almondsbury on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th March, in aid of Comic Relief. Participants can enjoy tackling a 5k or a 10k obstacle course featuring mud pits, tunnels, ditches mud slides, leopard crawls, water pits, tyre obstacles and straw bale climbs.

There will be a shorter Muddy Madness course available for local schools on Friday 24th March, and several schools have already signed up to use it as their fundraising activity for Red Nose Day. The course will be a shorter 1-mile race for primary and a 5k race for secondary.

Contact Mojo Active on 01454 660075 if you are interested in signing up your school.

The events on 25th March will be open to the public but places need to be booked in advance via www.mojoactive.co.uk/muddymadness

Mojo Active will be donating 20 percent of all race profits to Comic Relief and are encouraging participants to organise a “giving page” from the comic relief website www.rednoseday. com/order-a-fundraising-kit to maximise donations.

In addition to the 5k and 10k events, there will also be a free Fun Mile for children on Saturday 25th March.

With refreshments, bag drop, showers, toilets and plenty of parking on site, the Mojo Muddy Madness race should be a great fund raiser for Comic Relief and a brilliant day out for family and friends.

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February 2017

In Brief Who will operate the new MetroBus services?

Extracts from a report presented to the West of England Joint Transport Board on Friday 13th January 2017: “It is proposed that MetroBus services will be provided primarily on a commercial basis in line with current public transport legislation. Members endorsed the proposed MetroBus Quality Partnership Scheme (QPS) in March 2016, which sets the quality standards for the provision, operation and maintenance of commercial services and infrastructure.

Since then, discussions have been continuing with potential operators regarding the QPS and complementary Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs).”

“Two operators have provided proposals for MetroBus commercial operation, which together cover the clear majority

of forecast patronage on the network. Discussions are now close to conclusion with these operators, and further refinement of their proposals is expected shortly, prior to the making of the QPS and signing of the VPA(s). This will include final confirmation of the extent of commercial operations, which will confirm whether (and/or the extent to which) revenue support for some services may be needed, at least as an interim measure.”

Room for a few more at local choir Stokes Singers The year 2017 has got off to a good start for local choir Stokes Singers and we would love you to come and share the enjoyment!

At the end of January we were pleased to welcome past members, friends and some new faces to our workshop session led by guest musical director Wendy Sergeant. Singers were

able to brighten up a grey day when Wendy taught us to sing the Morecombe and Wise classic ‘Bring Me Sunshine’ in fourpart harmony! We are planning to include this song at future performances.

Our musical directors Philip Lawrence and Sian Walters have been delighted to welcome several new singers already this term, but we always have room for a few more at our weekly rehearsals. Basses and tenors – men or ladies – are particularly in demand currently to keep our sound in balance. We rehearse each Thursday during term time at Coniston Community Centre, Patchway from 7.30pm to 9.30pm and Liz (01454 614148), our membership secretary, would be pleased to give you further information. Your first two rehearsals are free of charge, to give you an opportunity to get to know us! We look forward to singing with you soon.

Local arts society lecture on Dumfries House

Looking for work?

Full time, part-time and weekend jobs available We are looking for: Kind, caring and honest individuals to make a difference to people’s lives Must have a driving licence and be flexible No experience necessary – full training given with opportunity to gain qualifications

To apply contact: recruitsouthglos@brunelcare.org.uk or 0117 947 9900 Standard network rate message applies. By texting us, you consent to receive a text message sent by an automatic response system.

We are obliged to ask all successful applicants to complete a DBS disclosure form for which we pay. Brunelcare is an equal opportunities employer Registered charity 201555

On Thursday 16th February, the South Gloucestershire Decorative & Fine Arts Society will welcome art and architectural historian Matthew Williams to give an illustrated lecture titled ‘A Royal Revenue – Dumfries House Saved and Revealed’.

Remaining lectures in the varied 2016-17 programme include ‘The Forbidden City’, ‘First World War Artists’ and ‘The Hands of Leonardo’. The speakers are all professionals in their respective fields and come from across Britain.

We meet at Bradley Stoke Community School BS32 7BS (near Bradley Stoke Library and Leisure Centre), where there is plenty of parking. Refreshments are available from 7pm and the illustrated lectures begin at 7.30pm. Guests are charged £7.

Membership for the year is £45 for nine lectures.

New members of all ages are welcome. For further details, please call the chairman, Sally Kitching, on 01454 774401, email sallykitching@googlemail.com or visit sgdfas.org.uk

Surgery now offering Saturday appointments From Saturday 4th February, Bradley Stoke Surgery will be taking part in an initiative in the South Gloucestershire, Bristol and North Somerset area to improve access for patients through the introduction of routine, pre-bookable appointments on Saturday mornings.

Other surgeries in the local area have been operating a similar service and their patients can also be seen at Bradley Stoke Surgery and our patients can be seen at other participating surgeries. The pilot is being run until September 2017 and patients will be asked for their feedback to evaluate the service.

The Surgery will open between 8.30 am and 11.30 am with a GP, nurse and healthcare assistant for pre-booked appointments only. Appointments can be made by calling reception on 01454 616262.

Urgent appointments at the weekends will continue to be provided via NHS 111, who then refer onwards to Brisdoc, the local out-of-hours service, which is manned by GPs.

Library volunteer offers help with IT enquiries Did you know that a volunteer attends Bradley Stoke Library every Tuesday and Friday morning to help with all IT enquiries, including getting online, setting up an email account, basic computing skills and Universal Jobmatch, as well as help to download free eBooks and eAudio titles from the LibrariesWest website?

Just speak to a member of staff who will be happy to book you a free one hour session.

The Journal Send us your news!

March magazine Deadline for contributions: Monday 20th February info@bradleystokejournal.co.uk

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February 2017

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33

News

Bradley Stoke Carnival set for August return

By Andy Ward, Bradley Stoke Carnival Committee he date has been set for the 2017 Bradley Stoke Carnival! After taking a year off last year, this year’s Carnival will take place on Saturday 26th August and, as the event takes place in the same year as Bradley Stoke Town Council’s 25th anniversary, we thought it would be a great idea to have a silver theme to celebrate this milestone. The event will take place on the Jubilee Field on Savages Wood Road and will play host to a live music stage, familyfriendly entertainment and much more.

It’s early days yet and the event is still being put together, but should you wish to have a stall on the field or take part in the silver-themed parade, please do get in touch via the carnival email address bradleystokecarnival@ gmail.com

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In response to comments received during the 2015 Carnival, we are looking to stage some more tribute-style acts this year, which seemed to go down very well with all age groups and already have a Neil Diamond act booked and others in the pipeline.

Please do get in touch if you would like to be part of the 2017 Carnival – it’s an event

put on “by the community for the community” and the more who get involved, the better. We had a wide range of commercial and community stalls last time, as well as some varied food offerings, and it would be great to build on this once again.

As the event evolves over the next few months, we will keep you updated via the Bradley Stoke Carnival page on Facebook,

so please do pop by and visit for regular updates.

● The Carnival is a separate

event from the annual Bradley Stoke Community Festival, which is held annually in June. This year’s Community Festival will take place between Friday 9th June and Sunday 11th June. For more details contact the town council on 01454 205020.

Advertisement

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It’s been a crazy few months for Cloudy2Clear Windows. The company which specialises in repairing windows which are steamed up, broken or damaged by replacing the panes – not the frames has grown rapidly as homeowners take advantage of their services.

Managing Director Graham Bayley feels that it’s all about service. ‘Our product is simple. If your double glazing

is misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 5 year guarantee. But it’s not just about saving people money, although that obviously helps. Many tradespeople have struggled since last year and I honestly feel that during the good times a minority perhaps didn’t focus on customer care as much as they should have done. We make sure we turn up when we say we will, do

the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle. I often get comments back from customers on how they really didn’t expect that sort of service which, in a way, is very sad for the service industry as a whole.’

Cloudy2Clear service the Bradley Stoke, Little Stoke, Stoke Lodge, Patchway and Stoke Gifford areas and Graham is finding that his approach is a major factor in his success. ‘The truth is

that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of business from friends and family of people I’ve done work for, which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated.’

So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Graham a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!

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

34

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Bradley Stoke Beat Team PCSO Alicia Harvey reports

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afer Internet Day, Tuesday 7th February, promotes the safe and positive use of digital technology for children and young people. The campaign sees hundreds of organisations unite to raise awareness of online safety issues.

We’re raising awareness of the issue of ‘sexting’ – urging young people not to ‘bare then share’, and making sure they understand how to stay safe in our digital world.

Sexting is the sharing of indecent images online and if done by someone under 18 years old is against the law. While many young people think it’s normal and a harmless bit of fun, it can lead to unintended consequences which could include blackmail, bullying, unwanted attention and emotional distress.

You can find our advice and information on the risks of life online on our Facebook page, on

Twitter and even on Snapchat, or through the NSPCC (http:// bit.ly/nspcc-kcs), so do please find out more and share our tips with your children.

In recent months, we’ve had more burglaries than usual in Bradley Stoke. It’s still a safe place to live, but it’s a good time to review your home security. If you hear an alarm sounding or other suspicious noises please look outside, safely, and call us straight away if you see someone acting suspiciously.

Did you know that it’s been shown that criminals are deterred from Neighbourhood Watch areas because they know that people are looking out for one another? The scheme is a partnership bringing people together to make our communities safer. We pass on crime prevention advice and appeals about local incidents through Neighbourhood Watch.

If you would like to join, you

can find out more on our website, www. avonandsomerset. police.uk or by calling us on 101.

Another way to help to keep your street safe is to sign up for a ‘No Cold Calling Zone’, which can help to tackle socalled ‘doorstep crime’. This includes distraction burglary, when criminals try to talk their way into your home in order to steal, and rogue trading, when unscrupulous tradespeople cold call and persuade people to carry out work which isn’t needed or is substandard and/ or who overcharge for work.

Find out more from South Gloucestershire Council’s website, http://bit.ly/sgcno-cold-calling or visit our website for more doorstep crime prevention advice http://bit.ly/ asc-doorstep-crime ● See page 36 for dates of our upcoming beat surgeries.

February 2017

In Brief Grants awarded Bradley Stoke Town Council’s Leisure, Youth & Amenities Committee approved the following grants and support agreements in December 2016: • Youth Service Level Agreement of £3,500 with Bradley Stoke Cricket Club (youth section) • Service Level Agreement of £2,404 with Four Towns & Vale Link Community Transport • Service Level Agreement of £1,764 with the South Gloucestershire Chinese Association • Service Level Agreement of £848 with Victim Support • Community Development Grant Aid of £4,000 to Bradley Stoke Radio (towards running costs) ● The 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 01454 205020.

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

February 2017

t: 01454 300 400

info@bradleystokejournal.co.uk

35

News

Business

Quilts presented to hospital baby unit

Popular Little Stoke chippie shuts down Bains Fryer, the popular fish & chip shop at Kingsway, Little Stoke, has ceased trading due to a downturn in business.

A message posted on the firm’s Facebook page by Samantha Hudd (believed to be one of the proprietors) stated: “Myself and Pat would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you. We have had an amazing time and loved every minute. Obviously there will be rumours, but the truth is that the business had been quiet for a very long time and we just couldn’t keep putting money into it. My family are very sad to have to walk away without letting you all know, but it was either jump or be pushed.

Thank you once again from the bottom of our hearts. We will miss each and everyone of you.”

In response to a question from a customer about the future of the shop, Samantha replied: “I don’t know what will happen with the shop now. It’s down to the landlord. We are genuinely sorry that it has come to this.”

Reaction to the news on social media Ann N: How sad! You will be missed. Lovely family!

Jackie P: Best fish ‘n’ chips around. So shocked when my daughter told me the news. We will miss you, but wish you well, wherever your path may lead you.

Paul T: That is sad. A great little business, hit by heavy competition.

LOCAL patchwork and quilting group Bradley Stoke Sew and So’s (BSSS) has donated 150 quilts to the premature baby unit at Southmead Hospital.

Members of the group welcomed Jeanne, a ward sister at the hospital’s neo-natal unit, to their December meeting, to receive the fruits of their ‘Christmas gift’ project.

The top photo shows (l-r) Sue Jones (chair of BSSS), Jeanne (Southmead Hospital) and Bernie Lynch (secretary BSSS), while the lower photo shows some of the varied and colourful quilts.

The Sew and So’s meet on the third Monday of each month at the Jubilee Centre, between 1.30pm and 3.30pm. ● http://bit.ly/sewandsos

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

36

www.bradleystokejournal.co.uk

What’s On (5th February – 5th March) Sunday 5th February 9am: Severnside Ramblers’ Walk: Woodchester Park.

Meet in the Blue Zone car park at Aztec West – a car-sharing scheme is operated. More info: http://bit.ly/ssramb [Further organised walks on 12th, 17th, 19th & 26th February and 3rd & 5th March] 10.30am: Stokes Cycling Club Novice and Long Distance Bike Rides. Meet outside Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre.

More info: http://bit.ly/stokescc or phone Bryan on 01454 617560.

[Further organised bike rides on 12th, 19th & 26th February and 5th March]

Monday 6th February 10.30am: Baby Rhymetime at Bradley Stoke Library. [Weekly on Mondays; term time only] 11am: Stepping Forward.

Organised walk (3.5 miles) starting from Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre. More info: http://bit.ly/sgcwalk or phone 01454 868006 [Further walks on 9th and 23rd February]

Tuesday 7th February 7pm: Girls and Young Women’s Night at the Jubilee Centre. Girls-only youth club night. [Weekly on Tuesdays]

Wednesday 8th February 10am-12noon: Citizens Advice Bureau Outreach Session at the Jubilee Centre. More info: http://bit.ly/citadbu or phone 08444 111444 [Weekly on Wednesdays]

2pm-3.30pm: Bradley Stoke Senior Friends meet at Baileys Court Activity Centre. Drop-in social club for the over-55s.

[Weekly on Wednesdays] 2pm: Bradley Stoke Women’s Institute (WI) meets at the Jubilee Centre. This month: Talk on Jessie May Nurses. More info: Beverley 01454 625855 7pm: BSTC Finance Committee Meeting at the Jubilee Centre. Agenda: http:// bit.ly/bstcfin

t: 01454 300 400

February 2017

For more details and further events, visit: www.bradleystokejournal.co.uk/whats-on/

in the Willow Brook Centre. No appointment necessary.

7.30pm: Willow Brook Townswomen’s Guild meets at the Jubilee Centre. This month: Valentine’s quiz. More info: Janine 01454 617645

Wednesday 22nd February 10am-12pm: Police Beat ‘Drop In’ Surgery at the beat post in the Willow Brook Centre. No appointment necessary.

Thursday 23rd February

10am-12pm: Grand Jigsaw Exhibition at Holy Trinity Church. Show and admire. More info: Arthur Allan 01454 201907

12pm-2pm: Volunteering Drop-in Session at Bradley Stoke Library. Pop in for a chat with a volunteer advisor. More info: http://bit.ly/vc-pfs or call 01454 868986

Wednesday 15th February

Thursday 16th February

Friday 24th February

7.30pm: Bradley Stoke Lions Club meets at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. More info: Robin Young on 07712 046644

10.30am-12pm: Animal Antics at Bradley Stoke Library. Dropin craft session for ages. Parental supervision required at all times.

1.40pm-8pm: Blood Donation Sessions at the Jubilee Centre.

More info: www.blood.co.uk

Thursday 9th February

11am-3pm: FREE Fairies and Pixies Magical Fun Day at the Willow Brook Centre. See advert on page 3. More info: http://bit. ly/bs32wbc

11am: Pre-School Storytime at Bradley Stoke Library. [Weekly on Thursdays; term time only] 8pm: The Stokes Crafters meet at the Poplar Rooms, North Road, Stoke Gifford. More info: The Stokes Crafters group on Facebook [Weekly on Thursdays]

Saturday 11th February 2.30pm: Chatterbooks Group meets at Bradley Stoke Library.

For keen readers aged 9-11. If you would like to join, please ask a member of staff for details.

Monday 13th February 7pm: BSTC Leisure, Youth & Amenities Committee Meeting at the Jubilee Centre.

Agenda: http://bit.ly/bstclya

Tuesday 14th February 10am-12pm: Police Beat ‘Drop In’ Surgery at the beat post

7pm: South Gloucestershire Decorative & Fine Arts Society Lecture at Bradley Stoke Community School. This month: ‘Dumfries House Saved and Revealed’ by M. Williams.

More info: www.sgdfas.org.uk

Saturday 18th February 10am-4pm: Bradley Stoke in Bloom Workday. More info: bsib@hotmail.co.uk or phone 07582 634107. Please get in touch to find out where we will be meeting and working.

Monday 20th February 1.30pm-3.30pm: Sew and So’s patchwork and quilting group meets at the Jubilee Centre. More info: http://bit.ly/sewandsos

4.30pm: BIGGERbooks Reading Group meets at Bradley Stoke Library. For young people in Years 7 to 9. Please ask a member of staff for details.

Saturday 25th February 10am-1pm: Help put Bradley Stoke on the Map! Special Know Your Place event at Bradley Stoke Library. See page 23.

Wednesday 1st March 8pm: BSTC Planning Committee Meeting at the Jubilee Centre. Agenda: http:// bit.ly/bstcpec

Saturday 4th March 10am-4pm: Three Brooks Nature Conservation Group Workday. Meet at the tool store, behind Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre. More info: http://bit.ly/ bsj-tbncg or call 07497 006676 Follow @TheBSJournal on Twitter to receive daily event reminders

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February 2017

t: 01454 300 400

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www.bradleystokejournal.co.uk DIRECTORY OF ADVERTISERS

Accountants & Bookkeepers C&M Services, Page 8 TJS Business Solutions, Page 23 Bathrooms Bradley Stoke Bathrooms, Page 4 JJ Plumbing, Page 36 Builders Criterion Construction, Page 31 Carpentry & Joinery J. Earle Carpentry & Joinery, Page 37 Car Dealerships Carco Group, Pages 24 & 25 Carpet Cleaners B Clean, Page 36 Bonne Fresh Clean Ltd, Page 4 Child Care Abacus Pre-School, Page 11 Banana Moon Day Nursery, Page 1 Happy Days Nursery, Page 27 Children’s Activities Active Bradley Stoke, Page 10 Carrie Vinson Equestrian, Page 28 Willow Brook Centre, Page 3 Chiropractic Cool Green Planet, Page 5 Willow Brook Clinic, Page 19 Churches Bridge Community Church, Page 26 Cleaning & Domestic Services Visit directory on BSJ website Computer Services goto iT, Page 28 Conservatories Leekes, Page 40 Curtains & Blinds Visit directory on BSJ website Cycle Repairs Ride On Cycles, Page 19 Domestic Appliance Repairs Kitchen & Laundry Appliance Care, Page 20 Double Glazing Cloudy2Clear Windows, Page 33 JDC Windows, Page 23 Leekes, Page 40 Education & Learning DCET Training, Page 31 Ecole Française de Bristol, Page 29 Kumon Study Programme, Page 8 Olympus Academy Trust, Page 34 Electricians NRB Electrical, Page 4 Estate Agents A38 Estates, Page 37 Ocean Estate Agents, Page 30 Woods Estate Agents, Page 18 Events Olympus Academy Trust, Page 34 Willow Brook Centre, Page 3 Foot Care Willow Brook Clinic, Page 19 Funeral Services F. Woodruff Funeral Directors, Page 28 Furniture Complete Furniture Services, Page 22 Garage Services Filton Central Garage, Page 16 So Smart Alloy Wheels, Page 20 Gardening Services Garretts Landscapes, Page 15 Painting Petals, Page 37

Plan-It Garden Design, Page 7 Professional Gardening Services, Page 38 Gyms & Health Clubs Active Bradley Stoke, Page 10 Riverside Leisure Club, Page 6 More in directory on BSJ website Hairdressers Reflections, Page 17 Home Improvements & Furnishings Door Express, Page 35 Launderettes Wash Shop Plus, Page 37 Mortgages & Financial Advice Aspirations Financial Advice, Page 27 Opticians Specsavers, Page 13 Painting & Decorating A. Worsfold, Page 37 Painting Petals, Page 37 Pet Services & Supplies Husse Bristol, Page 37 New Passage Cattery, Page 39 Rosie Posie Pet Services, Page 39 Physiotherapy Willow Brook Clinic, Page 19 Plant Hire T. Edwards Plant, Page 38 Plumbing & Heating Assist Plumbing and Heating, Page 39 Capricorn Plumbing Ltd, Page 12 Boiler Service and Repair, Page 39 Concept Property Maintenance, Page 28 Gregor Heating, Page 7 JJ Plumbing, Page 36 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 Stoke Gifford Retirement Village, Page 2 Property Maintenance Bradley Stoke Bathrooms, Page 4 Concept Property Maintenance, Page 28 JJ Plumbing, Page 36 P.J.R Plastics, Page 39 Recruitment Bristol Care Homes, Page 37 Brunelcare, Page 32 Carepride, Page 35 Room & Facilities Hire Bradley Stoke Town Council, Page 14 Rubbish Clearance Bradley Stoke Rubbish Clearance, Page 38 Solicitors Bevan Evemy Solicitors, Page 21 Slimming Clubs & Consultants Slimming World, Page 9 Sport & Leisure Active Bradley Stoke, Page 10 Carrie Vinson Equestrian, Page 28 Taxis South Glos Taxis Ltd, Page 39 Kinetic Cabs, Page 39 TV & Aerials Image Aerial Systems, Page 37 Veterinary Surgeons Visit directory on BSJ website Window Cleaning Ultra Clear, Page 37

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

February 2017

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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

February 2017

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PLUMBING & HEATING

info@bradleystokejournal.co.uk PLUMBING & HEATING

39

TAXIS

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Call Darren on 07901 910361

Find Panache Plumbing on Facebook & FreeIndex

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Your Local Gas, Boiler and Heating Engineers • Boiler Installation • Central Heating Installation • Gas Boiler Servicing

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PET SERVICES

New Passage Cattery

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