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January 2019 • Issue 4
BUSINESS P16, P24, P25 | SCHOOLS P17, P19, P23 | DIRECTORY P30
REPLACEMENT BRIDGE COSTS ROCKET BY £20 MILLION
Plans to replace the existing railway bridge on Gipsy Patch Lane with a much wider concrete structure have been thrown into turmoil after Network Rail upped its estimate for the work by tens of millions of pounds Pages 12 & 13
Horizon 38 / East Works
GKN Aerospace moving in
Christmas productions
P4-5
Photos from the local schools
P17 & P19
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PLUS , IN YOUR 32-PAGE STOKE GIFFORD MAGAZINE l South Glos Council seeks new powers to combat dog waste littering l Watch Elm Close lights ranked 2nd best in the UK l Stoke Gifford wreath making event brings in £464 for Marie Curie l Pub regular’s fundraising goes Above & Beyond l Local resident offers online support to parents with disabilities l Green light for 327 new homes and primary school near Stoke Gifford l Khushi’s dream visit to the UN through karate l New hotel on A38 aims to offer something for all l Stoke Gifford dancer earns place on London academy programme l Plans for new Lidl store in Patchway delayed
Stoke Gifford Retirement Village An ExtraCare Charitable Trust Village
COME TO OUR OPEN DAY Tuesday 22nd January, 11am-4pm
JOIN US FOR A DAY IN THE LIFE OF OUR INSPIRATIONAL NEW VILLAGE. Enjoy some of our exciting village opportunities - short mat bowls, snooker, table tennis, a craft or a gentle exercise class. Then relax with a FREE coffee in our Bistro. You can chat with our residents living here and learn about Village life. Take a village tour, and view the spacious apartments. Sales information will also be available on the day. So come and join us - make a day of it!
Please call
0117 321 7058 Stoke Gifford Retirement Village, Off Coldharbour Lane, Stoke Gifford, Bristol BS16 1EJ stokegifford@extracare.org.uk www.stokegiffordvillage.co.uk
The ExtraCare Charitable Trust, registered charity number 327816, is a company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales as company number 2205136. Its registered office is at 7 Harry Weston Road, Binley Business Park, Binley, Coventry, CV3 2SN. Copyright © 2018 – The ExtraCare Charitable Trust.
January 2019
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3
News
Council seeks new powers to combat dog waste littering
S
outh Gloucestershire Council is consulting on proposals that would give authorised persons the power to challenge anyone in control of a dog to demonstrate that they have the means to clear up after the animal, even if it hasn’t defecated at that time. It is also proposed to extend the land types on which people have to clear up after their dogs so that it applies to all land ‘open to the air’ to which the public have access to. Currently, the council lacks the power to enforce against dog fouling on commons, woodland, farmland or heathland. The proposals would be implemented using powers under Section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 to make a Public Spaces
Protection Order (PSPO) in relation to dog fouling. Breach of a PSPO is an offence, which can result in fine of up to £1,000 if convicted, however the council’s proposals recommend issuing a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100 (reduced to £75 for prompt payment) instead of prosecution. In a further effort to reduce the amount of dog waste littering in South Gloucestershire and ensure that dog owners meet their responsibilities, the council is taking part in a national poster campaign. A council spokesperson explained: “Incidents of dog fouling usually increase as the darker nights draw in, and studies show that people are less likely to pick up after their dogs when they feel they aren’t being watched.”
“That’s why we are taking part in Keep Britain Tidy’s ‘We’re Watching You’ campaign, which features innovative, eye-catching, glow-in-the-dark posters to help to remind thoughtless dog owners that ‘we’re watching you’. The posters will be placed in known problem areas across South Gloucestershire.” Cllr Paul Hughes, Cabinet member for communities and tourism, said: “We have some beautiful parks and walking routes in South Gloucestershire and we want to make sure that these can continue to be enjoyed by everyone.” “Dog owners have a responsibility to clean up after their pets, but unfortunately a small number of people do sometimes act irresponsibly. We hope that taking part in
Glow-in-the-dark posters are being displayed in known problem areas
Keep Britain Tidy’s campaign and updating our enforcement powers will give us more tools to help combat this issue.” To find out more and have your say on these proposals, visit consultations.southglos.gov.uk Alternatively, phone the council on 01454 868154 or visit a library or One Stop Shop. The consultation ends on Friday 11th January 2019.
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January 2019
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News
National TV poll ranks Watch Elm Close lights 2nd best in the UK
Contact Us Editor: Stephen Horton info@stokegiffordjournal.co.uk 01454 300 400 83 Snowberry Close Bradley Stoke Bristol BS32 8GB
Local reporter: Laura Mortimore (Covering Stoke Gifford Parish) Find us on Facebook: StokeGiffordJournal Follow us on Twitter: @TheSGJournal
About the Stoke Gifford Journal The Stoke Gifford 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 Bradley Stoke Journal magazine & website, the Patchway Journal website and the Filton Journal website. North Bristol Press is independent of any other media company or network operating in the Bristol area. We accept no responsibility for anything stated by advertisers, who are themselves responsible for complying with all relevant legislation. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the editor or article author. © North Bristol Press 2019. Content published in our magazines or on our websites may not be reproduced in any form without our express written permission.
A
charity Christmas lights display in Watch Elm Close, Bradley Stoke has been voted the second best in the UK in a national poll conducted by ITV This Morning. The extravagant display, put up by house owners Terry James and Mike Checkley, has been on since 1st December. Since then, it has attracted huge interest, initially through social media and the local print media, but latterly also through live broadcasts on local radio and television. The attention led to Terry and Mike’s display being nominated for the Best Christmas Lights in the UK poll organised by breakfast television show ITV This Morning, in which they finished as runners-up.
Terry said: “The media interest has been phenomenal, with live broadcasts on BBC Points West, ITV West Country News and BBC Radio Bristol.” The couple set themselves a target of raising £4,000 for St Peter’s Hospice but this was passed on 10th December, so it has now been raised to £6,000! Mike said; “We have been overwhelmed by the fantastic support from everyone so far and we continue to be amazed each evening when we count the money. St Peter’s Hospice is such a great charity and it is fabulous that the local and wider community have been so generous with their donations. We would like to thank everyone who has so kindly made a
What’s in a name? … ‘Watch Elm Close’ The east view of the stump of the Watch Elm at Stoke Gifford in the county of Gloucester, recorded in the summer of 1765 by John Player.
THE WATCH ELM, which stood on the boundary of the parishes of Stoke Gifford and Almondsbury, was a tree famous for its girth. In its prime, it was probably one of the largest trees in the county of Gloucestershire. The first edition one-inch Ordinance Survey map of 1840 shows that it stood near the home field entrance to Baileys Court Farm and that it gave its name to an adjoining farmstead immediately on the west side of Mead Road. This account is from the Gentleman’s Magazine of November 1766: “This tree she was called the Watch Elm, from it being the place, where in of former times, those met who were
appointed to do watch and ward, and at from it being the standard of from whence they went to make their respective rounds.” “It is so very ancient that no man living can remember it in a sound state, though some of it can recollect it four score years ago by the name of the Hollow Tree; and so long ago it was the sheltering place of hogs, sheep etc. The circumference of and the trunk at the height of two feet above the ground is forty one feet. Its height at the lowest part where it seems to have broken down, is eight feet. It was blown down by the wind in 1760.” ● Read more on Adrian Kerton’s local history website stokegiffordhistory.wordpress.com
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January 2019
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5
Christmas lights in Watch Elm Close
Live broadcast on ITV
Terry (on right) and Mike with the ITV crew
donation, either online or in the buckets on the gates.� You might still just be able to catch the lights, as they will be
on every night from 5pm to 9pm until 1st January 2019. Donations can be made in the collecting buckets put out
every night for the use of visitors who come to see the lights. They can also be made online via a My Donate page: https://
mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/ watchelmchristmaslights Watch Elm Close is off Baileys Court Road. Postcode: BS32 8AN
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January 2019
News
W
ednesday 5th December saw a group of women come together at Stoke Gifford Baptist Church to enjoy an evening of mulled wine, mince pies and wreath making in order to raise money for Marie Curie. The evening proved to be very popular as all 20 tickets were sold within a week. It was very well organised by Jane Marshall, Pippa Rolfe, Jackie Scott, Bernie Bertagne, Angie Robins and Shiela White. Most of the greenery for the wreaths was foraged and many of the decorative items were donated. Local shops, Co-op and Lidl also provided the snacks and drinks for the evening. Helen Isbell, a community fundraiser for Marie Curie, attended the event and she said: “This was a great evening. I would like to thank the group for what they do locally in the community. Events like this help raise vital funds towards nursing care and the charity itself. It also helps to spread awareness of what the charity does, especially at this time of year when many of our nurses will be working over Christmas. This event has helped to raise funds for people who might be spending their last Christmas with their families.”
Wreath making event brings in £464 for Marie Curie
Marie Curie is a charity that provides care and support for people living with a terminal illness, as well as their families. The Marie Curie Five Stokes Fundraising Group work incredibly hard throughout the year to raise vital funds for this charity that is important to each and every one of them. The wreath making was a fun and sociable event to end their year
of fundraising. Jane Marshall, Chair of the group, said: “We were overwhelmed with the support for our first Christmas Wreath Making Workshop in aid of Marie Curie; the evening was full of craft, chatter and Christmas cheer. We were so pleased to raise £464 on the night, which will help fund vital nursing care & support for people with a terminal illness. Requests
for the same again next year have already come in!” The next big fundraising event for Marie Curie is the Daffodil Appeal which will take place in February/March 2019; so look out for the volunteers dressed in bright yellow with their collection buckets! ● For further information, search Facebook for ‘Marie Curie Five Stokes Fundraising Group’.
technology needed for the next generation of fuel-efficient aircraft. It will ensure our region remains at the forefront of the aerospace industry and will provide a further 300 highly skilled aerospace engineering jobs. I wish everyone a wonderful 2019 and I look forward to working hard for everyone in the area in the new year.
● If you would like to discuss
December update from Jack Lopresti MP IT HAS been an incredibly busy time here in Filton and Bradley Stoke, as well as in parliament. The last month has seen various Christmas markets take place right across the constituency. It was a pleasure to attend fantastic Christmas events at The Edge Church, Aztec West, as well as the ‘Christmas on the Hill’ event in Staple Hill. I was particularly pleased to see such a vibrant and busy event, particularly as it fell on Small Business Saturday. It was also great to visit St Chad’s Primary School again to meet with staff and pupils, just a few days after a group of students visited parliament. It was excellent to see the positive energy and enthusiasm that is clearly
delivering results at a fantastic school. I would like to thank the pupils and staff for hosting me and showing me around. I attended the South Gloucestershire Education Awards at Aerospace Bristol to celebrate the hard work and impressive achievements from our local pupils and schools. Congratulations to all the students and teachers from across the whole area who were recognised at the event. I welcome the recently announced plans from GKN Aerospace for a new £32m Global Technology Centre (see page 24). Jointly funded by GKN Aerospace and the UK government, the site will be a world-class hub for the development of the innovative
anything with me, be it as a resident, organisation or business, please contact my constituency office in Bradley Stoke on 01454 617783 or email me on jack.lopresti. mp@parliament.uk to arrange a suitable surgery time, or to arrange a visit to your premises. For further details, visit www. jacklopresti.com
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January 2019
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7
News
Pub regular’s fundraising goes Above & Beyond
L
ocal resident Tony Giles spends his Sunday afternoons at the Beaufort Arms, located on North Road, Stoke Gifford, raising money for local charities. Since January 2018 he has raised an impressive £2,000, which he has chosen to donate to the Above & Beyond charity which raises funds for hospitals in Bristol. Tony has been raising money at the Beaufort Arms for nearly 30 years with his weekly meat raffle and games of ‘higher or lower’. He estimates that over the years he has probably raised about £50,000, which has all gone to local charities. Above & Beyond is a Bristolbased charity which aims to raise funds to ensure patient care is the very best it can be in Bristol city centre hospitals. With the money that they receive from donors and supporters they fundraise to: • Create welcoming environments. • Provide world class facilities and the latest technology. • Fund innovative research. • Support staff training and development. As the charity supports a wide variety of departments across the Bristol hospitals, Tony usually specifies which area he would like to donate the money raised to. This time, he wanted the £2,000 raised to go to the Children’s Hospital; more specifically, the cancer and cardiac wards. Having a heart condition
himself; Tony has spent a lot of time in hospital and knows what a scary place it can be, especially for children. This is one of the reasons why he chose Above & Beyond to donate the money to. He says:: “I really enjoy raising the money. As my heart function is so low, I don’t get about so much, so this gives me something to do. I want to give something back so I make sure that I always choose local charities and departments that don’t get much financial support.” The presentation of the cheque was made on Sunday 25th November at the Beaufort Arms. Lydia McGivern, who works for Above & Beyond, received the cheque from Tony and general manager Jim Carey. Lydia said: “We are so grateful for what Tony has done and for everyone’s support at the Beaufort Arms. Their incredible donation will make a real difference to our young cardiac and cancer patients at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.” Tony has already started raising money for his latest project. Again, the money will be going to the Above & Beyond charity, but this time it will be for the Meadow ward at the Children’s Hospital. This is a surgical ward where children stay before and after their surgeries, usually only staying for one day. Even though the children are only there for a short time, having surgery can be very scary and Tony wants to raise money
L-r: Glyn Lloyd (with his Jack Russel Fidget), general manager Jim Carey, Tony Giles, Lorna and Above & Beyond representative Lydia McGivern
which can be used to purchase new play equipment for the children to enjoy while they wait to go into theatre. To help raise the money for the Meadow ward, Tony held a Christmas raffle at the Beaufort Arms. The draw took place on Sunday 23rd December and has gone a long way towards his £1,000 target.
Describing Tony and the work that he has been doing, Jim Carey, general manager of the Beaufort said: “Tony is an amazing guy with a massive heart of gold and he will do anything for anyone, it’s been a privilege to meet him and help with all the work that he does for the charities.”
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January 2019
News
Local resident offers support to parents with disabilities
S
toke Gifford resident Mitch Coles has been living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) since he was two years old. At the age of 18, he was told that he would not live past the age of 21. Now 26, Mitch has a partner and two children and is living his life to the fullest. He wants to show others that it is possible to parent with a disability and he provides support to those doing this through his blog ‘Two Doughnuts’. DMD is a genetic disorder characterised by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. It is caused by an absence of dystrophin, a protein that helps keep muscle cells intact. Muscle weakness can begin at an early age, first affecting the muscles of the hips, pelvic area, thighs and shoulders, and later the skeletal (voluntary) muscles in the arms, legs and trunk. By the early teens, the heart and respiratory muscles
also are affected. Mitch now uses a wheelchair to get around and is looked after daily by a carer as he is unable to move any of his limbs. Even with these difficulties, Mitch is still able to parent his two children, Aubrey and Ethan. He said: “I have always wanted to have children. I knew it would be difficult and before we started our family I was worried about what I wouldn’t be able to do. Some people told us that it wasn’t a good idea, but that just made me more determined! A lot does come down to my partner, Alice, but she still gets some time to herself while I look after the kids with the help of my carer.” “The hardest thing about parenting with DMD is not being able to do some things, such as picking my children up, taking them swimming or for bike rides. However, I can’t imagine my life without them. I haven’t let my disability stop me from having
Mitch Coles with his partner, Alice, and their two children, Aubrey and Ethan
a normal life and I certainly haven’t let what that doctor told me at 18 hold me back.” Mitch started writing his blog about two-and-a-half years ago, not long after his daughter was born. He had previously written articles for charities and received positive feedback, so decided to reach out to others with stories of his DMD. At first, he didn’t know what to write about, so just started with whatever popped into his head, but he soon started to write about things that might help others or just make them feel better by putting a smile on their faces. He has written a range of posts, varying from travelling to other countries with a wheelchair to how to keep warm during the winter. Mitch says: “I don’t really know what I wanted to achieve from my blog – from a purely selfish point of view, I really enjoy it; it is a way for me to air my frustrations! I want to raise awareness that there are different types of families and different dynamics. I hope other people enjoy reading it and if it helps just one person, then I’ll be happy.”
Mitch recently attended the Action Duchenne International Conference 2018 in Birmingham, where he was invited to speak about life as a disabled parent. His speech involved talking about his relationship with Alice and how they work together to parent their children. At the time, Mitch did not realise that the conference was being filmed but after receiving good feedback about his speech, he hopes that others will watch it and feel confident that they too can have a family of their own. If you would like to watch Mitch’s speech, you can do so on his Facebook page: facebook.com/twodoughnuts. Having faced both the joys and difficulties of parenting with a disability, Mitch’s advice to anyone considering starting a family is: “Be prepared and know what you’re letting yourself in for. Don’t listen to anyone who has nothing positive to say; just make the decision that is right for you and your family.” If you would like to learn more about DMD, visit www.mda.org Mitch’s blog visit may be found at twodoughnuts.wordpress.com
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East of Harry Stoke New Neighbourhood Crest Nicholson land north of the railway
Winterbourne Road Great Stoke (Rabbit) Roundabout
G lo
Blue Bridge
d oa
R ter es uc
Parkway North Roundabout
Vehicular access to the site will be from a new arm off Parkway North Roundabout in the west, and via a new junction on Old Gloucester Road, 90m south of its junction with Winterbourne Road in the east. The proposed new primary school and associated playing fields lie in the centre of the site, due east of Parkway North Roundabout.
North
O ld
Approved planning application PT16/4928/O Hybrid planning application for the demolition of farmhouse and agricultural buildings and erection of 327 dwellings with a primary school and nursery; along with site access/spine road, car parking, public open space, landscaping, drainage infrastructure and associated infrastructure; of which full permission is sought (with no matters reserved) for a site wide earthworks strategy and drainage infrastructure together with 150 no. dwellings (of the 327 total) and associated landscaping, layout, infrastructure and access; and outline permission is sought for the erection of 177 dwellings, primary school and nursery (Use Class D1) with access to be determined and all other matters reserved.
January 2019
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SGTL
Railway Line
Railway Line
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News Green light for 327 new homes and primary school on land to the east of Stoke Gifford
H
ouse builder Crest Nicholson has been granted planning permission to build a total of 327 new homes, along with a primary school and a nursery, on steeply sloping agricultural land immediately east of Great Stoke Way and the new Stoke Gifford Transport Link (SGTL). The 22-hectare development, which lies north of the main railway line that runs through Bristol Parkway, will form part of the East of Harry Stoke New Neighbourhood, an area earmarked for 2,000 new homes in South Gloucestershire Council’s Core Strategy. Full permission was granted for 150 of the homes and a site-wide earthworks strategy, with outline permission for the remaining 177 homes, the primary school and the nursery. The approval comes follows the granting of outline planning permission, in November 2018, for 1,290 new homes on Crest’s related site to the south of the railway. A number of smaller sites in other ownerships are expected to contribute the remainder of the new neighbourhood’s overall housing quota. Access to the ‘Crest north’ site will be from a new arm off Parkway North Roundabout in the west, and via a new junction on Old Gloucester Road, 90m
south of its junction with Winterbourne Road in the east. A pinch point will be introduced on the main spine road through the development to discourage through traffic. Extensive earthworks are required to create a level plateaux to enable development. These earthworks comprise levelling the site at its highest point and infilling areas on the lower slopes, with no intention to take material off site. This will involve the excavation and relocation of 250,000sqm of material, resulting in embankments with gradients as steep as 1:2 around the perimeter of the site. The council has accepted Crest’s position that the earthworks required to deliver the required dwelling numbers and provide a site for the school represent a “significant abnormal cost” which partly justifies reducing the proportion of affordable homes within the development to 22.6 percent. The loss of 1,400m of hedgerows, including one of medieval origin marking a historic parish boundary, was deemed “regrettable” but accepted as being necessary to provide a site for the school. Work on the site could commence as early as April 2019, according to a statement made by Crest’s agent at the planning committee meeting.
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January 2019
News
P
lans to replace the narrowarched railway bridge on Gipsy Patch Lane with a much wider concrete structure have been thrown into turmoil following the revelation that the work could cost tens of millions of pounds more than was originally estimated. The bridge replacement forms a major element of the Cribbs Patchway MetroBus Extension (CPME) scheme, which will provide a direct express bus link between Bristol Parkway railway station and The Mall bus station via the forthcoming new developments on the Filton Airfield site. The cost of the CPME scheme, which includes highway works to create new bus lanes on some sections of the route, was originally estimated at £35m, to be funded through an allocation from the West of England’s Economic Development Fund (EDF), subject to approval of a full business case submission. In 2015, South Gloucestershire Council chose to proceed with a wider design for the Gipsy Patch Lane railway bridge than had originally been envisaged, adding £5m to the overall CPME scheme cost, subject to an additional funding source being identified. But with the council now ploughing ahead with its plan to implement the Gipsy Patch Lane bridge replacement during a 12-day closure of the railway over Easter 2020, it has been told by Network Rail that the costs for the work are likely to be “significantly higher” than originally estimated, bringing the
overall CPME scheme price tag to between £60m and £75m (an increase of at least £20m). With the Network Rail tendering process still under way, the reasons for the cost increase have been deemed commercially sensitive, so they have not been revealed to the public. The council says it is working with Network Rail to lower the cost estimate, possibly by using a different bridge design and/or construction methodology. However, time is running out for the council, as railway closures have long lead-in times and it needs to enter into an implementation agreement with Network Rail by February 2019 if the Easter 2020 installation date is to be achieved. This, in term, puts pressure on gaining full approval for the £35m of funding earmarked from the EDF (now administered by the West of England Combined Authority). The implementation agreement with Network Rail will contain a provision which would permit the council to withdraw from the agreement (known as a ‘break clause’) should its bid for £35m of EDF funding (full approval) be unsuccessful. The potential financial consequences of terminating the agreement were not detailed in the report published by the council and presented to a meeting of its Cabinet on Monday 3rd December 2018. The council’s officers are currently exploring additional funding sources in order to be able to deliver the CPME scheme at the revised estimated cost.
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January 2019
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13
News Cost of replacement railway bridge rockets by at least ÂŁ20m Council in race against time to secure extra funding in order to achieve planned 2020 implementation date
Above: The existing railway bridge on Gipsy Patch Lane which forms a pinch point on the local road network. Top right: Visualisation of the proposed replacement bridge, which will accommodate one general traffic lane, a bus lane and a shared cycle/pedestrian path in each direction. Right: Key milestone dates for the Cribbs Patchway MetroBus Extension (CPME) project. * Weca: West of England Combined Authority
CPME: Key milestone dates to achieve bridge replacement over Easter 2020 Announcement of tender outcome by Network Rail
Early 2019
Entering into an implementation agreement with Network Rail
Early 2019
Submitting a full business case to Weca*
Spring 2019
Decision on funding application by Weca*
Summer 2019
Latest date for activating the Network Rail break clause
Late 2019
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January 2019
News
Khushi’s dream visit to the UN through karate Far left: Khushi teaching selfdefence karate to a group of young girls at a shelter home in India. Left: Khushi at her Bradley Stoke home, holding a poster showing the 17 UN sustainable development goals on which the 1M1B programme is based.
F
ourteen-year-old Khushi Ashwin, who lives in Bradley Stoke, is one of 25 young adults from around the world who have been selected to speak at a special conference on global sustainable development being held at the United Nations in New York in February 2019. Khushi, who attends Abbeywood Community School in Stoke Gifford, has been working towards her dream for many months now and through her hard work and
determination, that dream is finally becoming a reality. Khushi is a black belt 2nd dan in shotokan karate and she is campaigning for gender equality. At fourteen, she already has a mission to reduce violence against women. She says: “I dream of a world where there is no discrimination based on what gender you are. I want equal rights to be given to all girls and boys.” She has chosen karate as a means to help her get closer to achieving her dream of women’s
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empowerment. Describing what karate means to her, she says: “I personally have had many benefits from learning the martial art form of karate. It is an amazing sport which is not only fun to do, but also trains our physical bodies to be flexible, keeps us mentally fit and teaches us self-discipline and endurance, and above all it teaches us selfdefence techniques.” Khushi has attended a Future Leaders’ course organised by 1 Million for 1 Billion (1M1B),
a skills development and entrepreneurship programme based on the 17 UN sustainable development goals. The programme aims to train one million young people to create jobs for one billion people. Khushi started the course in June 2018 while she was living in India. Whilst there, she taught basic self-defence karate techniques to thirteen young girls who lived in a shelter home. She feels that it gave her a sense of satisfaction for having touched the lives of those thirteen girls in a positive way. Now that Khushi is back living in Bristol, she has finished all seven stages of the course and is ready for its culmination in February 2019 when she travels to New York to attend the 1M1B conference at the United Nations (UN). Whilst at the conference she will make a presentation in the Halls of the UN about her goal to empower women to defend themselves, realise their potential and change their lives, and create a better tomorrow – thereby aiming to acquire worldwide support for this noble cause. Khushi is hoping that attending the UN will be the first step towards her ambition of reducing violence against women. She said: “Like Abraham Lincoln once said, the best way to predict the future is to create it. I feel this trip is going to bring me closer to creating mine.” ● Visit the 1M1B website at onemoneb.com
February magazine Deadline for contributions: Monday 21st January
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Parish Council Updates The Parish Council is pleased to have agreed a regular page in the Stoke Gifford Journal and welcome the opportunity to publicise the work of the Council and update the local community on current or future matters relating to the Parish of Stoke Gifford. Little Stoke Community Hall It is hoped that the Little Stoke Community Hall enhancement works will be up and running by the Spring 2019. The Parish Council are seeking to outsource the management of the Café and all interested parties should make contact with the Parish Office. Four new changing rooms have been created and sporting teams will be able to make use of this provision during the current football season. Gipsy Patch Lane Works The Parish Council recently hosted a Public Meeting to raise awareness of the forthcoming construction works on Gipsy Patch Lane (CPME: Cribbs Patchway MetroBus Extension ) to create a new Railway Bridge and modifications to the existing road. Works are anticipated to last for several months and the site will be established from June 2019, with major works taking place during 2010/21. A Liaison Group will soon be established with its inaugural meeting towards the end of January 2019. This
HALL FOR HIRE RATE FOR 3-HOUR CHILDREN’S PARTIES IS £64.00
group will consist of representation from the Parish Council, residents, businesses, along with members from neighbouring Town and Parish Councils. Community Improvements The Parish Council continue to make improvements in the local community. Recent Community Infrastructure Levy funding (CIL) has been invested to improve paths in both Little Stoke Park and Meade Park, new street furniture including installation of bins and benches along with improving children’s play area flooring in Little Stoke Park. The Parish Council will be looking to put new play equipment into Meade Park over the coming months to replace the sky surf which is no longer in service. The Council will soon be investing in new park information signage across the Parks and Open spaces and will include Little Stoke Park, Mike Gallivan Memorial Field, Meade Park, Forty Acres, Royal Park and the Trust Ground. Six new pieces of outdoor fitness equipment will also be installed into Little Stoke Park in close proximity of the rear of the Community Hall ready for the New Year. All Parish Council Meetings and Committees are open to the public and Council welcomes participation at these meetings from residents. Any ideas or suggestions for our
STOKE GIFFORD PARISH COUNCIL OFFICE Little Stoke Community Hall PUBLIC ACCESS TIMES MONDAY 9am – 12 noon & 2pm - 4pm
FACILITIES AVAILABLE: LARGE SPORTS HALL, KITCHEN, ENTRANCE FOYER WITH POOL AND FOOTBALL TABLES (FREE OF CHARGE) BOUNCY CASTLE (SMALL ADDITIONAL CHARGE REQUIRED)
TUESDAY 9am – 12 noon WEDNESDAY 9am – 12 noon THURSDAY 9am – 12 noon FRIDAY 9am – 12 noon
VENUE: THE STOKES YOUTH AND COMMUNITY CENTRE, LITTLE STOKE LANE, LITTLE STOKE, BS34 6HY. PLEASE CONTACT THE PARISH COUNCIL FOR MORE DETAILS
Please contact the office if you wish to arrange an appointment outside of the public access times. See below for contact details.
parks and open spaces are always welcome via the Parish Office for consideration by the Council. Meeting dates are published on the Parish Council Website and displayed on Noticeboards throughout the Parish. May I take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy New Year from Councillors and Staff of Stoke Gifford Parish Council. Steve Shield Parish Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer
JANUARY 2019 COUNCIL MEETINGS All meetings to take place at 7pm unless stated but may be subject to change. Please refer to noticeboards and Parish Council Website. Venue: Little Stoke Community Hall FULL COUNCIL (2nd Tuesday of Month) Tuesday, 8th January 2019 PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE (4th Tuesday of Month) Tuesday, 22nd January 2019
Tennis Courts Now available for hire at Stoke Gifford Trust Ground North Rd, BS34 8PE
Cost: £5 per hr Booking Contact Stoke Gifford Parish Council Tel 01454 865202 Email clerk@stokegifford.org.uk
Stoke Gifford Parish Council, Little Stoke Community Hall Little Stoke Lane, Little Stoke BS34 6HR t: 01454 865202 e: clerk@stokegifford.org.uk w: www.stokegifford.org.uk
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January 2019
Business
New hotel on A38 aims to offer something for all
A
Top: View of hotel looking east down Gipsy Patch Lane. Above: Hotel carvery.
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new 153-room ‘concept’ hotel has opened at Horizon 38, the new business park that is rapidly taking shape on the former Rolls-Royce East Works site in the Bristol North Fringe. Village Hotel Club Bristol, located on the corner of the A38 and Gipsy Patch Lane, also houses a state-of-the-art gym, a pub/restaurant (known as the Village Pub and Grill) and a Starbucks coffee shop. Tailored to the needs of modern workers and travellers, the new development also offers a unique hot desking Business Club, VWorks, creating flexible and convenient co-working spaces for both small and medium-sized businesses. Smaller meeting pods are also available to accommodate private meetings for just two to six people. The hotel’s large state-ofthe-art gym features ‘The Trip’, a spin studio which creates digital worlds to cycle through using a cinema-scale screen and sound system for a completely immersive experience. The Village Gym is also home to a 20-metre indoor swimming pool and whirlpool with a range of relaxation facilities, including a luxury steam room and sauna. The gym also offers a timetable of over 100 fitness classes a week. Guests staying at the hotel can choose a high-spec standard room, or opt to upgrade to a Club
room, which includes access to the Village Gym, classes, swimming pool and exclusive Village Business Club. Designed to enhance every aspect of the guest experience, the hotel is equipped with smart technology throughout. Huge TVs, high power showers and big comfy beds are a standard at Village, while each Club bedroom is fitted with a virtual concierge, the Amazon Alexa, and includes free access to the Village Gym and the VWorks facilities. Jennie Steward, general manager of Village Hotel Club Bristol, said: “Our technology solutions, the most advanced for any new hotel in the South West, are about enhancing the customer experience. From ‘The Trip’ through to our in-room experience and self-check-in screens in the reception area, we are focussed on maximising the time that guests have for leisure, while also making their business time more efficient in our work spaces.” “We aim to create a place where people want to come and spend the day, whether it’s to dine out, stay, work out or play. The hotel will be a thriving hub, every day of the week, for local residents, gym-goers, the business community and guests for weddings, events and our popular live tribute acts.” ● Hotel website: www.villagehotels.co.uk/hotels/bristol
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January 2019
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School Christmas Productions
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St Michael’s Primary School
Reception (Photo 1 of 2)
School Christmas Productions
‘A Wriggly Nativity’
St Michael’s Primary School
Reception (Photo 2 of 2)
To advertise in this magazine or on our websites, phone The Journal’s sales team on 01454 300 400
‘A Wriggly Nativity’
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January 2019
News
In Brief
Stoke Gifford dancer earns place on London academy programme
Stoke Gifford WI December meeting
T
hirteen-year-old Grace Cousins, who is a member of the Stoke Gifford School of Dance, has successfully auditioned for a place on an associate programme at the prestigious Urdang performing arts academy in London. Grace has been dancing since she was three years old and over the years has developed a love and passion for dancing, having performed in numerous shows and entered a variety of competitions. The Urdang Academy, based in Islington, offers training in dance and musical theatre for students aged 16 and above, but starting in January 2019, it is offering places on an associate programme for students aged 10 and above. The course will have a strong focus on the core technical subjects and aims to produce strong, wellrounded dancers. It will cover the three basic dance styles of ballet, tap and jazz as well as offering acrobatic and technique classes. Grace is most looking forward to developing her ballet skills as this is her favourite style of dance. She said: “I enjoy all styles of dance but my favourite is ballet because I’ve been growing up doing it and I enjoy dancing it. I’m also someone who likes having a good technique and being precise and neat, which is the main focus of ballet.”
Audition
Grace found out about the course from her dance teacher Miss Eve, who encouraged her to go and audition as it would be a good way to push her to becoming a better dancer. The audition took place on Sunday 2nd December 2018. Grace said: “I felt quite confident about the audition so I didn’t need to prepare much. I just needed to show them some impressive moves and tricks in order to display my ability and to wow them. I felt like the audition went well; I showed my personality through my dancing
President Sue Grimsted welcomed members and guest Mary Cole to our December Christmas party meeting. Sue was using the new microphone that has been purchased using money that was bequested to Stoke Gifford WI from one of our past members Lilian Rennison, writes Carolyn Snell. Our recent Christmas wreath making day was a great success, and everyone produced beautiful creations.
Grace Cousins, a student at Stoke Gifford School of Dance
and executed the steps well.” Tuesday 4th December was the day Grace found out she had a place on the programme and she was, of course, delighted: “I feel over the moon about getting a place. I’m so happy! I really think this will increase my dancing skill and will prepare me for the future. I do hope to have a career in dance. I would love to go to a dance college once I finish school and then go to a university that offers studies in dance. I hope to perform in shows, maybe perform with music artists and I even hope to tour the world someday, if I really work hard. All I’ve wanted to do since I was younger was have a career in dance. This course is the first step towards that future.” Grace will start the course in January by attending the Urdang Academy every other Sunday for a full day of intense dance lessons. After a term, she will find out if she can continue on the course. The experience Grace will gain from the programme will be invaluable as she furthers her career in dance. Miss Eve, principal of Stoke Gifford School of Dance, is very pleased with Grace’s achievement, saying:
“The school and I are really proud of Grace for this amazing achievement. She is such a hard worker and this is a fantastic opportunity for her.”
Commitment
Miss Eve is not the only person who has shown their delight towards Grace’s success as her Mum, Liz Cousins says: “I am thrilled Grace is getting this opportunity to enhance her dance talents. She has loved dancing since she first started with Miss Eve and has been really nurtured at Stoke Gifford School of Dance. Any apprehension I had about the additional commitment in time, travel and costs pretty much evaporated when I saw how excited she was to have a place on this programme at such an amazing college. She was bursting with happiness. It means so much to her and I’m glad she is doing something that she is passionate about.” If your child is interested in starting dance lessons, visit the Stoke Gifford School of Dance website at www. stokegifforddance.co.uk or visit their Facebook page to find out more about the classes available.
Sue asked for suggestions from members for our 2019 group outing, and also for a nominated charity that we can support during 2019. This year’s overall winner of the monthly flower competition was Sue Grimsted, and she was awarded a prize. Our speaker for the evening was Sarah Harris. She gave an extremely entertaining talk on her experiences of becoming a farmer and the trials and tribulations involved in tending a flock of sheep, several bantams and an amorous cockerel. It was hilarious. Sarah has since given up farming and owns a knitting shop in Clevedon. Much easier and less stressful! We finished the evening with an American supper and mulled wine. Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 6th February. Our speaker will be Fiona Warin and the subject will be ‘Digging for Britain’. You will always find a warm welcome, so please come along and join us. Meetings take place at the Trust Hall, North Road, Stoke Gifford, starting at 7.30pm.
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January 2019
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School Christmas Productions
Little Stoke Primary School
Reception, Year 1 and Year 2
‘Christmas with the Aliens’
m ve Get things moving with Ocean Bradley Stoke Book a free valuation today… Call: 01454 205 070 Mail: bradleystokesales@oceanhome.co.uk
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January 2019
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Advertising
All aboard the ‘wellness train’ at Willow Brook! Business collaboration brings FREE gym pass offer
D
uring the month of January, Willow Brook Clinic and Anytime Fitness are collaborating to make your 2019 health and wellbeing goals a reality. With both businesses being conveniently located at the Willow Brook Centre in Bradley Stoke, they are dedicated to helping members of the surrounding communities climb aboard the ‘wellness train’ and giving them the tools they need to stay on board. Every patient attending an appointment at Willow Brook Clinic during the month of January will receive a one-day free trial pass for Anytime Fitness. That means that whatever your
reason for visiting Willow Brook Clinic – a painful shoulder, a sore back, a problem with your feet or a relaxing massage – you will have a chance to attend Anytime Fitness for a day and see how much the gym can offer you. Lewis Erskine, manager at Anytime Fitness says: “This is a great opportunity to start January in a positive way. Make sure you are physically well by seeing a healthcare practitioner at the Willow Brook Clinic and then come into Anytime Fitness to improve your fitness. Our friendly, professional staff are trained to help you along your fitness journey, no matter how much support you need.” “We offer a welcoming club and have a supportive member community. No matter what your
Lewis Erskine, manager of Anytime Fitness Bradley Stoke with Karen Ferguson, practice manager at Willow Brook Clinic
level of fitness is, we can help you to improve.” Karen Ferguson, practice manager at Willow Brook Clinic echoes that this is a great opportunity for the community to dust off the December cobwebs and get January off to a great start. Karen says: “At Willow Brook Clinic we strive to help our patients get well and stay well. This collaborative opportunity with Anytime Fitness means that every patient we see in January will have a chance to do just that. At Willow Brook Clinic we offer a wide range of services from chiropractic to foot health, physiotherapy to massage.”
“We have recently introduced pelvic and women’s health physiotherapy to our clinic. We have a clinical hypnotherapist and a clinical psychologist working at the clinic. Together we can help you get well and stay well.” If you are thinking about making 2019 your year to be a healthier better you, make any appointment at Willow Brook Clinic during January to sort out your aches and pains and take advantage of this fantastic opportunity at Anytime Fitness. ● See the Willow Brook Clinic advert on page 11 and visit the AF website at anytimefitness.co.uk/ bradley-stoke
Banana Moon Day Nursery Bristol Providing a safe, caring environment for children from three months to five years of age. • Open 7.30am - 6.30pm, 51 weeks of the year • Home-cooked food • Secure environment with extensive CCTV and biometric fingerprint entry system • Friendly and highly experienced staff. Banana Moon Day Nursery Bristol Pinnacle House, 166a Gloucester Road North, Patchway, Bristol BS34 5BG Call us on 0117 969 1662 or visit bananamoon-bristol.co.uk
Limited places available
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TOYOTA C-HR DESIGN AT MOTORLINE TOYOTA BRISTOL NORTH
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C-HR Design 5 door Coupe FWD Hybrid 1.8 VVT-i Auto. Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km): Urban 83.1 (3.4), Extra Urban 70.6 (4.0), Combined 74.3 (3.8). CO2 emissions 86g/km. All mpg and CO2 emission figures quoted are sourced from official EU regulated tests. These are provided for comparability purposes and may not reflect your actual driving experience. Fuel consumption varies significantly depending on a number of factors, including driving style, conditions, speed and vehicle load. All models and grades are now certified according to the World Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). From 1st September 2018, WLTP fully replaces the New European Driving Cycle test procedure (NEDC), which is the previous test procedure. Due to more realistic test conditions, the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions measured under WLTP are in many cases higher than those measured under NEDC. All mpg and CO2 figures quoted are NEDC equivalent. This means the mpg and CO2 figures are based on the new WLTP test procedure but calculated (using a standard European calculation method) to allow comparison with the current NEDC test procedure. More information can be found by visiting: www.WLTPfacts.eu. For cars certified under WLTP, revised CO2 and mpg figures are available from your local Toyota Centre on request. Model shown is C-HR Design 5 door Coupe FWD Hybrid 1.8 VVT-i Auto at ÂŁ27,460. Offer includes Pearl Bi-tone paint at ÂŁ795. Additional charges may apply on selected paint colours and finishes. Prices correct at time of going to print. 5 year/100,000 mile manufacturer warranty. Terms and conditions apply.
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January 2019
Councillor Column Parking blight and Gipsy Patch Lane works
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have lived in this area for over 40 years and have been elected to represent local residents in Stoke Gifford / Little Stoke ward since 2003. It is an area that we all enjoy living in and I personally enjoy representing you as one of your local councillors. Our area continues to be a successful, vibrant and enjoyable area to live and work, which is greatly helped by the fantastic support offered by local residents, parish council and the many local community groups that flourish here. As Stoke Gifford councillors, we have some challenging issues to deal with in 2019, such as the problems being encountered across the ward by what is being described as ‘parking blight’. This has become a daily nuisance and great annoyance to many local residents across the Stoke Gifford area. I can update you further regarding this particular issue after receiving numerous requests at Community Engagement Forums and having been contacted by many local residents seeking assistance from the police and councillors to deal with the various types of nuisance and obstructive parking issues, much of it caused by commuters who park their vehicles, some badly on or near junctions, on a daily basis near residents’ homes in the area. Some of this type of parking then causes additional problems to many of our residents, such as interruptions being caused to weekly waste collections etc. I, along with my fellow ward councillors Brian Allinson and Ernie Brown, have been liaising with our newly appointed South Gloucestershire highway engineer, Kelly Huggins, who is currently preparing an areawide parking review across the Stoke Gifford / Little Stoke area. She will consult with local residents living in the areas
affected when future proposals and areas of priority have been established. I would like to thank the many local residents, businesses and neighbours who attended the recent public meeting that we arranged to discuss the pending issues and possible impacts caused by the proposed temporary closure of Gipsy Patch Lane to facilitate the removal and replacement of the existing arched brick railway bridge and associated roadworks. We have insisted that a liaison group be formed in early January 2019 to enable us, as your ward councillors, to discuss with the project contractor, highway officers and railway officers, the various concerns which have been raised by Stoke Gifford councillors and our local residents and businesses regarding issues such as proposed traffic diversions, parking proposals, loss of trees and shrubbery, the possible impact on local businesses and environmental issues. We intend to keep pressure on all the officers involved in this programme of work, keep the project under constant review and seek measures to avoid and mitigate any problems that are identified. Cllr Keith Cranney Stoke Gifford parish councillor and South Gloucestershire councillor for Stoke Gifford ward
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January 2019
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23
Schools
Post-16 at Abbeywood: “It’s more than just about getting grades” Guest article by Stoke Gifford resident Lauren Brenton, a 17-year-old student at Abbeywood Community School who aspires to one day becoming a journalist, following in the footsteps of her grandfather. She is hoping to study media, journalism and culture at Cardiff University from September.
F
or most young people, ‘Post-16’ or ‘sixth form’ conjures up ideas of meticulous essay writing and constant revision. It would be silly to say they were wrong, especially as the dread of exam season is nearing, but for us at Abbeywood Post-16 it isn’t all work and no play. With the amazing support from our heads of Post-16 and our tutors, we’ve been pushed to try new things we can have fun at, to make it two years we’ll never forget. From sausage making to treasure hunts spanning the whole school to coffee mornings to relaxing yoga, the list goes on. If you had a chance to attend
our open evening on the 8th November, you would’ve been able to speak to our students and staff about Post-16 and the opportunities that studying at Abbeywood Post-16 can give you. The abundance of extracurricular activities we are offered here is plentiful, with opportunities to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award and Access to Bristol being some of our most appealing options. If hiking up a mountain and camping isn’t your thing, there will definitely be something that will inspire you, whether that be our mentoring programme ran by Ella, a member of our student leadership team, or maybe the Envision
programme that we’re lucky enough to have at our Post-16. Whether you want to go to university, get a higher apprenticeship, take a gap year or simply get straight into the world of work, the whole of Post-16 and its team will be behind you. We like to compare ourselves to being like a second family for you to come and lean on for support. It really isn’t just about getting grades, it’s about shaping you into an individual who is able to be sent out into the scary ‘real world’ and be able to succeed and be happy with whatever career you pursue. Obviously grades are important to us and we wouldn’t
Lauren Brenton, Abbeywood student
be at Abbeywood Post-16 if we didn’t think it was the best place for us to achieve the grades we all desperately want, but I can speak for all of us at Post-16 when I say it’s the experience of being an Abbeywood Post-16 student that drives us to succeed, and it’s one we can confidently say you won’t get at other Post-16 centres.
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January 2019
Business
Aerospace firm to build multi-million pound technology centre on former East Works site
E
ngineering giant GKN Aerospace has announced plans to build a £32 million research and development facility on the former Rolls-Royce East Works site south of Gipsy Patch Lane. The Global Technology Centre (GTC) will be built on a plot fronting onto the A38, immediately south of the new Village Hotel which opened it doors in December (see page 16). A planning application for the new centre was submitted in November by Horizon 38 developer MSF Filton Ltd, who will lease the building to GKN Aerospace on completion. Expected to open in 2020, the new centre is funded by a £17m commitment from GKN Aerospace and a £15m commitment from the UK government, through the Aerospace Technology Institute. Once open, the 10,000sqm facility will host 300 highly skilled engineers, and will include space for collaborative research and development with universities, the UK’s Catapult innovation network and GKN Aerospace’s UK supply chain. The centre will focus on additive manufacturing (AM), advanced composites, assembly and industry 4.0 processes to enable the high rate production of aircraft structures. The GTC is intended to help maintain
Visualisation of GKN Aerospace’s global technology centre, to be built on the former Rolls-Royce East Works site
GKN Aerospace’s position at the forefront of technology development for the next generation of energy efficient aircraft. The facility will serve as a base for GKN Aerospace’s technology partnership in the Airbus ‘Wing of Tomorrow’ technology programme as well as new additive manufacturing programmes. GKN Aerospace’s chief executive Hans Büthker said: “GKN can trace its engineering heritage back to the 18th century and we are proud of our role as a leading player in the UK’s world leading aerospace sector.” “The GTC will ensure we continue to develop new
technologies that deliver for our customers, making aircraft more sustainable and economical. It will also support our 4,000 strong workforce in the UK, ensuring they remain at the cutting edge of the global aerospace industry.” Secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy Greg Clark said: “GKN Aerospace’s new Global Technology Centre further strengthens our aerospace heritage and engineering expertise, and will keep the UK at the forefront of the latest technologies and manufacturing processes for the next-generation of aircraft.”
“As the sector moves towards a cleaner, greener and more efficient future, we are partnering with industry through our modern Industrial Strategy and new Aerospace Sector Deal to ensure we have the skills, innovation and supply-chain to continue our world leadership in aviation.” The announcement from GKN Aerospace follows news that Sytner Group is to build a £15 million sales and service operation for its CarShop ‘used car supermarket’ brand on another plot within the Horizon 38 development. This will also front onto the A38 and will lie immediately south of the GKN facility.
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January 2019
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25
Business
Kumon Bradley Stoke marks 20th anniversary
O
n Saturday 2nd December, the Kumon Bradley Stoke Centre held a very special end-of-year ceremony to celebrate the achievement of current students and alumni from the last 20 years. Around 150 students, parents and supporters came to the Olympus Theatre at the WISE Campus in Stoke Gifford to be part of the celebrations. Students received awards for reaching an advanced level of study in maths and English relative to their age. The roll-call for the awards totalled more than 100 names; one parent said: “It was really quite spectacular to see so many children achieve awards. My son was over the moon to receive an award and we as parents are incredibly proud. I loved how it felt so grand and I could see a lot of preparation had gone into making it a success.” Sarah Nutchey, the Instructor at the Kumon Bradley Stoke Centre, began her Kumon career in 1998 with around 12 students, and over the last 20 years has nurtured more than 1,400 students through the maths and English programmes. Some of the original students from the centre sent messages to share how Kumon has helped them with their ongoing study and Sam Head, now 22, said: “I joined the maths Kumon programme while I was in Year 5 as although I was good at understanding maths at school, my arithmetic and times tables were slowing me down. Through the regular daily practice and encouragement, I soon began to enjoy being able to calculate quickly and stayed at Kumon to level I. When I started my AS-level maths at college, I completed our one-hour assessment test in 15 minutes, which is definitely down to Kumon for working quickly and accurately. In due course, I achieved A*BB at A-levels and went on to gain a 2:1 in computer games programming at Staffordshire University. I now work in my chosen field of computer games programming,
Kumon 20th anniversary celebration event at WISE Campus, Stoke Gifford Inset: Birthday cake
which involves the use of 3D maths and physics.” Rachel Knowles, now 27, said: “I started Kumon in Year 7 and continued through secondary school. It improved my maths skills greatly as I went from bottom set to one of the top sets for GCSE. As well as helping me achieve my school grades, it has helped me during my career. I am now a sales manager and still using the techniques I learnt from Kumon. I highly
recommend it to anyone who wants to improve their skills.” James Smith, who completed the Kumon English programme when he was in Year 7 at school, said his favourite parts of the English programme were the later sections, which involved word derivatives and gave him exposure to a wide variety of books which he might otherwise not have read. He added: “The Kumon English programme improved my reading
comprehension considerably.” At the end of the ceremony, everyone enjoyed a piece of cake and students proudly took their certificates and medals home. If you would like further information about the Kumon programmes, please visit www. kumon.co.uk or contact Sarah Nutchey, the Instructor at the Kumon Bradley Stoke Centre on 01454 610389 or email bradleystoke@kumoncentre. co.uk
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TWO
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Get well · Stay well
January 2019
by Fiona Morgan, physiotherapist at Willow Brook Clinic
Let’s talk about pelvic health physiotherapy
P
rostate issues, T-scores, leaking bladder, running for the loo, pain down below … you don’t need to suffer when there is help available. Pelvic health physiotherapy is not a well-known area of physiotherapy as some of the subjects are taboo, but these subjects and issues don’t need to be swept under the carpet. Pelvic health physiotherapy is aimed at people who have pain and problems in their lower abdominal region, lower back, hips, pelvic floor area and/ or bladder and bowel issues. Physiotherapy uses conservative methods to treat these issues, thereby lessening the need for surgeries and promoting wellbeing after surgery. Pelvic health issues can occur at any age. Common conditions include chronic pelvic pain, urinary or faecal incontinence, irritable bowel syndrome and prostate issues. Osteoporosis, menopause and ante- and post- natal health are key areas in which pelvic health physiotherapists work. Having ‘problems down below’ or ‘issues with your waterworks’ are not a symptom of getting old and often issues can be resolved with the right assessment and treatment. Equally, despite being given the all clear after prostate surgery, residual or
new issues may occur. With some further investigation and intervention we should get you back to being yourself. The same applies with menopause, where some women sail through with minimal issues, others struggle more with these changes. With education, guidance and tailor-made treatment this transition can be made easier. Another subject is ante- and post-natal health and wellbeing – from PGP, VBAC/C-section, pelvic floor rehabilitation, breastfeeding to scar management. Thank goodness there are trained pelvic health physiotherapists available to help! Anyone can see a physiotherapist for treatment and a referral is not needed. Your initial session will include an in-depth history of your problems and concerns and then an assessment of your condition. There will be time to discuss your assessment in detail with your physiotherapist. An individual treatment plan and rehabilitation programme is then discussed and put into action. If you have any concerns about your pelvic health, don’t shy away from getting help. Make an appointment to see a pelvic health physiotherapist.
● See our advert on page 11.
more than just a gym
JOIN ONLINE TODAY www.riversidebristol.co.uk STATION ROAD, LITTLE STOKE, BRISTOL BS34 6HW To advertise in this magazine or on our websites, phone The Journal’s sales team on 01454 300 400
January 2019
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27
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News
Access concerns delay planning application for Patchway Lidl store
P
lans for a new Lidl supermarket at a site off Hayes Way, Patchway (close to the Travelodge hotel on the A38), which was originally projected to open in “early 2019” have suffered a “slight delay”, the company has announced. A mailshot announcing the proposals for a new store was made to thousands of homes across north Bristol in October 2017, ahead of a community consultation event held at Patchway Community Centre later the same month. A planning application for the store was duly made to South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) in November 2017. More than a year later, the application is still to be determined by SGC, due in part to an objection from YTL Developments, owners of the neighbouring Filton Airfield site, and concerns over pedestrian access from the nearby Charlton Hayes housing development. YTL has sought assurances that the required access road off Concorde Roundabout will be constructed all the way through to the boundary of its site (and that of the Bristol Mail Centre), while Lidl has insisted that provision of a new pedestrian crossing on Hayes Way, west of the
roundabout, is the responsibility of SGC and Charlton Hayes developer Bovis Homes. A brief announcement placed on Lidl’s Patchway community engagement site on 5th December stated: “There’s been a short delay whilst we tweak some final details, but we hope to bring Lidl to Charlton Hayes and Patchway shortly.” An SGC spokesperson said: “We are not yet able to make a recommendation as we are still looking at ways of ensuring that safe pedestrian access to the store is in place. This is taking some time to resolve.” “Having received additional information, there is currently additional public consultation being carried out on that material. However, progress is being made on this and we will be taking the application to committee for a decision as soon as we possibly can.” A spokesperson for Lidl said: “We’ve been working closely with the council to submit revised plans which include an improved pedestrian access, an enhanced store design, and land designated for additional employment use. We look forward to receiving a decision in the new year.” ● Planning application reference: PT17/5387/F
Charlton Hayes Travelodge
Aerospace Bristol
Bristol Mail Centre
Top: Artist’s impression of the proposed Lidl store on Hayes Way, Patchway Above: Indicative plan showing the location of the store site on previously undeveloped land south of the roundabout that connects to Charlton Boulevard
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January 2019
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Could a volunteering opportunity in Guiding be your New Year’s resolution? By Alix Evans, Frome Valley Division Commissioner and leader at 2nd Stoke Gifford Rainbows
B
y the time you’re reading this you’ve probably eaten all the turkey and mince pies you can stomach, and you may be thinking of some changes you can make for the New Year. One of the best decisions I ever made was to return to Guiding as a volunteer leader – and I’d like you to consider doing similar. Volunteering is scientifically proven to improve health and wellbeing – and although I’m biased, I’d say Guiding is one of the best ways to improve your skills and experiences whilst having lots of fun. Having been a Brownie when I was little, I knew the sorts of things that girls in Guiding get up to – having fun, building life skills and creating friendships that last long after their time in a unit. So when my daughter’s Rainbow unit was in danger of closing due to lack of volunteers, I stepped up and took on the mantel of Lavender. Since then, I’ve also become assistant leader at Brownies (as Hedgehog) and recently became Division Commissioner (DC), which means I support all the Guiding units in the local area. Being the DC has made me all the more aware of how hard it is for lone leaders – those who run a unit single-handedly – and this is why I’m concentrating on that in this issue of the Journal.
Like many things, being a leader on your own is hard there’s no one to bounce ideas off, no one to cover if you’re ill or away with work, and no one to give you that little boost if an activity goes a bit awry. There are 26 units in Frome Valley Division, which covers the local area, and there are at least five with a lone leader. The ways you can get involved are many and varied, and are on a sliding scale of commitment and involvement. I’d love to recruit people who are able to give hours and hours of their time face-to-face with the girls, however I know that we all lead very busy lives and for some of us that’s just not possible. And it’s not true that only women can volunteer – leaders are women only, but unit helpers and other support roles are open to men and women, subject to successful DBS clearance. For those who want to help but can’t commit to weekly meetings,
you could volunteer with a unit in a support role, such as being their treasurer – you don’t have to attend meetings with the girls, you just manage the accounts on behalf of the leader and keep them up to date for annual checks. Or, if you can do one week a month perhaps, you could be a unit helper – and either turn up on the night as a spare pair of hands, or get involved in planning trips and activities under the leader’s supervision. This is how I would recommend anyone unfamiliar with Guiding gets started – really test it out before you commit! For those who get the Guiding bug, you can become a regular (weekly) unit helper, or even a leader – for this there is an NVQ-style qualification which takes you through all the skills you’ll need to manage a unit and make sure you’re offering good Guiding. There are training workshops and support from Brownies taking part in the nature orienteering trail at the Three Brooks Local Nature Reserve, Bradley Stoke
Alix Evans, District Commissioner
mentors, so you’re never on your own, and once you’re qualified you can do all sorts of exciting things like attending international camps with Guides, or sleep overs at ‘We the Curious’ with the Brownies, or visiting Santa with the Rainbows. Those who lead in Guiding are part of a huge family of women (and some men!) who get so much out of providing amazing opportunities for the girls in their units. You can’t put a price on the warm glow you get when a girl says: “I love Brownies cos you make it fun!” or you see a nervous Rainbow finally gain the confidence to join in at Circle Time. So, to sum up, if you’re thinking that you’d like to do something to get your happiness points up, you could do worse than to follow the link below and apply to be a Girlguiding volunteer – to quote Dr Pepper, what’s the worst that could happen? ● https://go.girlguiding.org.uk/ join-us/join-as-volunteer/
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FREE day trips for the over fifties If you are over fifty and want to discover exciting new attractions as well as meet new people, then SGS College has the course for you.
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