Stoke Gifford Journal, November/December 2020

Delivered FREE to 5,000 homes in Stoke Gifford & Little Stoke

Nov/Dec 2020 • Issue 20

SCHOOLS P8-9 | WHAT’S ON P10-11, P29 | SPORT P24-25 | DIRECTORY P30

GIPSY PATCH SHAME: New bridge “stuck”

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Proudly trailed as the “heaviest bridge move of its kind ever undertaken in the UK”, the operation to install the replacement railway bridge at Gipsy Patch Lane saw it left stranded tens of metres short of its intended position.

The closure of the mainline railway has been extended, at a likely cost of millions of pounds. Full story: Pages 4 & 5

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Saturday 31st October

Autumn in the Stokes

Stoke Gifford By-Pass

Photo competition results P12-13

Details of first 144 new homes

P6-7

PLUS , IN YOUR 32-PAGE STOKE GIFFORD MAGAZINE l First homes at Filton Airfield go on sale l Options revealed for increasing number of secondary school places l Santas on the Run goes freestyle! l Christmas events you can still enjoy this year l Latest news from Stoke Gifford Parish Council l Updates from South Gloucestershire Council l ‘Can’t stop me zooming’ at 1st Little Stoke Scouts l Travelodge & Greggs scheme set for approval l The virtual road to the London Marathon 2020 l 1st Stoke Gifford Scouts back meeting face to face l St Michael’s Church shares proposals for building alterations

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Nov/Dec 2020

News First homes on former Filton Airfield go on sale, priced from £436,250 for 3-bed Contact Us Editor: Stephen Horton info@stokegiffordjournal.co.uk 01454 300 400 83 Snowberry Close Bradley Stoke Bristol BS32 8GB

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About the Stoke Gifford Journal The Stoke Gifford Journal magazine is published by North Bristol Press, a trading name of Snowberry Media Ltd; company number 8451178 (registered in England and Wales); registered office: 33 The Courtyard, Woodlands, Bradley Stoke, Bristol, BS32 4NQ. Our other publications include the Bradley Stoke Journal magazine and website, the Patchway Journal website and the Filton Journal website.

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

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

Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the editor or article author. © North Bristol Press 2020. Content published in our magazines or on our websites may not be reproduced in any form without our express written permission.

Have your say: Reader letters Do you have strong views about something that’s happening in or around Stoke Gifford?

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

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

Our next issue: January 2021

• Advertising copy deadline: Friday 18th December • Article copy deadline: Monday 21st December • The magazine will be distributed from Saturday 2nd January Subject to change due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Please check www.stokegiffordjournal.co.uk/magazine for latest information.

T

he developer behind the huge new mixed-use Brabazon development on the former Filton Airfield is now inviting sales enquiries for the first new homes on the site, which are expected to become available in early 2021.

Once complete, Brabazon will incorporate more than 2,600 homes, 62 acres of employment space, three new schools, a public park, health centre and retail and leisure facilities, including the recently approved YTL Arena.

Construction of the first phase of the development, consisting of 302 homes, began early this year and the first properties were ‘topped out’ in September.

This first phase has been named the Hangar District, after three historic aircraft hangars on the airfield site which are all being transformed for new uses.

It features a range of one and twobedroom apartments and two, three and four-bedroom homes.

A sales brochure recently

emailed to prospective purchasers describes the properties on offer as being “built of solid red brick and designed by award-winning architects” adding that they will be “spacious, warm and welcoming”.

A key marketing point claimed for homes in the Hangar District is that they are “25 percent larger than others would build, compared against the national minimum space standards”.

Three-bedroom homes in the Hangar District will start from £436,250, with Help to Buy available on selected homes reserved before 15th December.

Sales of apartments and twobedroom homes will begin in 2021.

Planned new transport links include a new railway station, adjacent to the forthcoming YTL Arena complex, and the Cribbs Patchway MetroBus Extension, a fast bus service between The Mall at Cribbs Causeway and Bristol Parkway Station.

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News

FINAL MOMENTS

WB Essentials AW.qxp_Layout 1 17/09/2020 23:04 Page 1

The old railway bridge on Gipsy Patch Lane, Little Stoke, pictured minutes before its arch was collapsed. More on pages 4 & 5.

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Nov/Dec 2020

News

Gipsy Patch Lane megabridge move runs into trouble on soft ground

T

he installation of a £26m replacement railway bridge on Gipsy Patch Lane, Little Stoke didn’t quite go to plan over the final week in October, when the 4,260-tonne mega-structure became stuck in soft ground as it was being wheeled into position.

The setback happened midway through a 13-day closure of the main London to South Wales railway during which the existing narrow-arch bridge was to be demolished and replaced with a much wider precast concrete structure which had been built in an adjacent compound, around 150m away.

Getting under way in the early hours of Sunday 25th October, the project got off to a good start with overhead line equipment and track first being removed from above the existing bridge.

Excavators then worked away at demolishing the old bridge, with its distinctive arch finally collapsing in the early hours of Tuesday 27th October.

Once the debris had been cleared away, pile rigs were brought in to install sheet piles between the pile caps (these are the four corner foundation points for the replacement bridge which, over many months, had already been piled to a depth of 24m).

Not wishing to encourage crowds of spectators (in view of the current pandemic), South Gloucestershire Council had chosen not to release the planned time for the new bridge to be slowly wheeled into place, but the word on the street was that it was set for 7pm on Thursday 28th October. The operation, which was expected to last between three and five hours, was billed as the heaviest bridge move of its kind ever carried out in the UK. In the event, the piling works overran, and a small group of VIPs were called in to witness the start of the bridge move in the

early hours of Friday. By 8.30am, the monster new bridge had almost made it to the gap in the railway embankment, perhaps 20-30m from its final resting place. But there it stayed … and stayed.

South Gloucestershire Council’s PR machine, which had previously been posting regular photo and video updates on Facebook, fell silent. Later on Friday, eye witnesses report seeing workers packing wooden sheets under the wheels of the modular transporters on which the bridge was being carried.

The word was that some of the transporters’ wheels had sunk into the ground, impeding further progress and allowing the base of the bridge to drop such that it was in danger of fouling.

Saturday morning saw piles of thick wooden sleepers being delivered to the site and in the afternoon an effort was made to push the bridge back using two excavators, but without success.

As we went to press on Sunday, we heard that a further attempt to free the stuck bridge was going to be carried out using heavy dumper trucks pulling on cables attached to the transporter units, supplemented by other vehicles pushing from the other end.

Whatever the outcome, the delay of three days in “landing” the new bridge was thought to have massively increased the risk that the project cannot be completed in time for the railway to be reopened early on Saturday 7th November as planned, bringing with it penalties of millions of pounds a day.

Once the bridge has been successfully lowered into position and secured, the further work that needs to be carried out includes infilling the embankment, relaying the track and reinstating the overhead line equipment.

By the time you read this, you should know if they made it!

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1

2

3

4

5 6

1 Removing overhead line equipment. 2 Clearing the gap after old bridge demolished. 3 Sheet piling along the sides of the gap. 4 The new bridge about to start its journey. 5 The new bridge stuck in soft ground, sitting skew to the road and around 30m short of its intended destination. 6 Two excavators attempt to push the new bridge back.

Photos 1 & 5 taken from west side; 3, 4 & 6 taken from east side.

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Nov/Dec 2020

News

Detailed plans go in for first 144 homes along by-pass

H

ousebuilder Crest Nicholson has submitted its first ‘reserved matters’ (detailed) planning application for the East of Harry Stoke (EoHS) New Neighbourhood, where 2,000 homes are expected to be built over the next six years.

The application, for phase 1 of Crest’s land south of the railway line, relates to a parcel of land lying to the west of the Stoke Gifford By-Pass, immediately south of Hambrook Lane. When travelling south along the by-pass from Bradley Stoke, it is the area on the right just after the traffic lights at the Hambrook Lane crossroads.

Designated ‘Lower Hambrook’, the development will incorporate 144 homes, of which 111 will be ‘open market’ houses ranging in size from two to five bedrooms.

A further 26 properties, comprising apartments and two to four-bedroom houses will be

available for ‘affordable rent’. The remaining seven two to threebedroom houses/maisonettes will be offered with shared ownership.

Existing hedgerows and mature trees on the site will be retained and the ‘spine road’ through the development will be tree lined.

Building heights will generally be two storeys, stepping up to two-and-a-half and three-story gable-fronted dwellings along the by-pass frontage (see image).

Dwellings with garages or on-plot parking to the side will be provided with an electric vehicle charging point.

Outline approval for the Crest

land was granted in principle in October 2018, when the housebuilder said it hoped to be ‘on site’ by spring 2019, but delays in signing the associated S106 infrastructure agreement, finally achieved in March 2020, have put back the schedule.

The Journal understands that this parcel of land is being developed first as it is not crossed by either of the two high voltage overhead power lines which traverse the EoHS New Neighbourhood. These are currently in the process of being ‘undergrounded’ around the perimeter of the wider site.

Access will be from a new signalised junction on the bypass, a short distance south of the Hambrook Lane crossroads.

Once development of the area east of the by-pass comes forward this junction will become a crossroads, allowing east-west and west-east movement of traffic through this part of the EoHS New Neighbourhood The Hambrook Lane junction with the by-pass will be modified to be ‘left-in and left-out only’ on the west side. There will be no access for motor vehicles to or from the east side.

Within the wider EoHS New Neighbourhood, a local centre will be built close to the junction of the by-pass with the A4174 and a community building and sports facilities will be provided on land east of the by-pass, close to the M32 motorway. ● Planning ref: P20/17975/RM

By-pass looking south. Development site is on opposite side from viewpoint.

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Lower Hambrook: Planning layout

North

Existing housing

Ha m

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La

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Existing traffic lights

Planned new crossroads

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Future housing development area

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Schools

Options revealed for increasing secondary school Rebuild of Patchway Community School and increased places at Abbeywood Community School on the cards

T

he need to cater for a East of Harry Stoke and the massive increase in continuing development of expected demand for Charlton Hayes. secondary school places in the South Gloucestershire Bristol North Fringe over the Council secured land and £21 coming years looks set to see the million from developer YTL building of a brand new school, under planning conditions the extensive redevelopment for a school at Brabazon, the of an existing school and an new neighbourhood on Filton increase in the intake of a third.

Airfield, with the original aim to A report tabled at a meeting of have 1,050 secondary students South Gloucestershire Council’s (seven-form entry) from 2027.

Cabinet on 5th October estimates However, newly identified site that 2,476 additional places reconfiguration opportunities (15.6 forms of entry) will be could allow the secondary needed in the area, principally school’s capacity to be increased to accommodate demand from to 10-form entry with a 300-place new neighbourhoods that sixth form. are included in the council’s The report says the new approved strategic plans. These options would cost between £71.1 include developments of 5,400 million for an all-through school homes at Cribbs Patchway, with a two-form entry primary 2,675 at Filton Airfield, as well and eight-form secondary with Winter BSJ ad.qxp_Layout 1 26/10/2020 16:24 1 million as Wallscourt Farm, Frenchay, no sixth formPage to £90.9

Patchway Community School, which looks set to be redeveloped

for a two-form entry primary, 10form entry secondary school and a 300-place sixth form.

In addition to the new school at Brabazon, the report also outlines the potential for “redeveloping” Patchway Community School, which currently provides 900

A HAPPY RETIREMENT IS JUST ROUND THE CORNER

places for 11-18 year olds.

A redevelopment of the school would provide a new building on the existing site, with the existing school remaining operational while construction takes place.

The cost of replacing the Patchway school ranges from

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places in North Fringe

The former Filton Airfield site, where a new school is to be built

£50.6 million for an eight-form entry school with no sixth form to £71.7 million for an allthrough school with a 60-place nursery, 420-pupil primary and 1,200-student secondary.

According to the report, “the strategic need for places” indicates that both site options (Brabazon and Patchway) would need to be delivered in order to secure sufficient secondary school provision across the North Fringe.

The report notes that a third site, Abbeywood Community School in Stoke Gifford, has already been earmarked for future expansion to accommodate some of the 360 secondary-age children expected to be yielded from the 2,000 home development at East of Harry Stoke. Total developer contributions from this site are estimated at £5.1 million and the Olympus Academy Trust (OAT) has agreed “in principle”

to increase Abbeywood‘s capacity by two forms of entry. A separate scoping exercise to expand the existing accommodation at Abbeywood has been completed by the council and is currently with OAT for comment.

Following a decision to further progress the studies and “develop the detail of potential schemes and options”, Olympus CEO Dave Baker said: “We are delighted that Cabinet members approved moving forward with the proposals. We look forward to working with South Gloucestershire Council and YTL, developers of the Brabazon site, on these projects.”

The next steps will include engagement with local partners, including council members and parents/carers, and assessing funding opportunities.

Discussions will be held with the planning department on the planning context, constraints and process moving forward.

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What’s On

Santas on the Run goes freestyle!

Virtual event will support local children’s hospices

B

ristol’s annual Santas on the Run event is back but not as you know it!

Taking place over the weekend of 11th-13th December, supporters will be able to choose their own distance, route and festive dress.

The annual festive fundraiser usually takes place on Bristol Harbourside, but Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW), the charity which hosts the event, has taken the decision to hold it virtually this Christmas due to the pandemic.

Kiley Pearce, CHSW events fundraiser, said: “This year, Santas on the Run is going freestyle! Although we can’t all come together in the usual way, together we can still spread some joy and laughter and we’d encourage everyone to

go crackers with their festive fundraising!”

Whether you twinkle in tinsel or rock it like Rudolph, you can get creative with your costume and complete a distance of your choice, your way.

Over the years, the Santas on the Run events have seen thousands of people join together raising vital funds for CHSW and its three hospices – Charlton Farm in Bristol, Little Bridge House in North Devon and Little Harbour in Cornwall.

Together with community partner Whirlwind Sports, CHSW is asking this year’s participants to raise sponsorship or make a donation to enable the charity to continue to provide care for children and families when they need it most, whether that be in

the hospice, at home, or virtually.

Kiley continued: “Over the weekend of 11th-13th December we will have a warm-up for people to join online each day as well as lots of prizes including for the best-dressed family, child and dog! Individuals who raise £15 or more will also receive a medal.”

“It’s undoubtedly been a

challenging year and we would encourage people to get involved however they like this Christmas, but most importantly help us raise money to continue supporting local children living with life-limiting conditions and their families.”

To register for the event, visit www.chsw.org.uk/santas

Throwback to a previous year’s Santas on the Run on Bristol Harbourside

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What’s On

Christmas events you can still enjoy this year Bradley Stoke Lions Club

The Float Group / Southmead Hospital Charity

Bradley Stoke Lions look forward to bringing their Santa Claus sleigh round the streets of Bradley Stoke and Stoke Gifford this December.

Check out their Facebook page for dates and times. N.B. All collections are subject to weather conditions. If raining or inclement weather, they may be cancelled.

Almondsbury Christmas lights display Graham and Sue at 42 Cope Park have announced that, after careful consideration, they will be going ahead with their charity Christmas lights display this year, albeit in a modified format. The traditional ‘switch on’ event will not take place; instead the lights will just come on at the end November / early December. Visitors will need to maintain social distancing when visiting the lights and they are asked to wear face masks. A one-way system will be in operation and viewing times may be limited at busy times. A collection is made for St Peter’s Hospice and Pauls Place.

This enormous Christmas carnival float, towed by a tractor, will be visiting the Stokes on the following dates. Raising funds for the Emergency Department at Southmead Hospital. Volunteers will be wearing PPE and collections will be made at a safe distance.

Date Friday 11th December Saturday 12th December

Route Ratcliffe Drive area Webbs Wood Road area

Starting from Tesco Express Tesco Express

N.B. Routes are indicative only, based on those used in previous years. For updates, search for ‘The Float Group’ on Facebook, where a link to a live online tracker is usually provided on the night.

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Photo competition: Autumn in the Stokes The Journal would like to thank everyone who entered this year’s ‘Autumn in the Stokes’ photo competition in which we asked readers to record the beauty of the season in the Five Stokes area (Bradley Stoke, Little Stoke, Stoke Gifford, Stoke Lodge or Harry Stoke. We received a fantastic response, with more than 100 photos being submitted over the four-week period for which the competition was open (17th October to 1st November).

The full set of entries may be viewed on the Bradley Stoke Journal Facebook page in the album ‘Autumn 2020 in the Stokes’ or on Google Photos: bit.ly/stokes-photos-2020 Choosing the prize-winners from so many fantastic entries has been a difficult task, but the editor’s decision is to award first prize (£30) to Louisa Alford for photo #1 taken on the path behind BSCS in the Three Brooks Local Nature Reserve, Bradley Stoke. The three runnersup prizes of £10 each go to Caroline Murray (#2, taken in Meade Park, Stoke Gifford), Amber Turner (#3, taken at Little Stoke playing fields) and Karolina Kończak-Golis (#4, taken on one of the recently upgraded footpaths in Savages Wood, Bradley Stoke).

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Little Stoke Community Hall facility is open for business We can offer a competitive modern room for £90 for a daily rate (8 hours) Or £15 per hour We are excited to offer you this fantastic facility which can cater for an assortment of events: • A modern meeting room which can accommodate 18 people (seated at a desk space) or 35 theatre-style • Fixed overhead projector • Free guest wi-fi • Free car parking for over 70 cars • Excellent motorway links to M5 and M4 • Free use of community kitchen for providing refreshments • An on-site catering service to manage your catering / buffet needs if required This facility is suitable for corporate business meetings, conferences, family celebrations, birthday parties, craft groups, choirs, fitness classes, private schooling / tuition etc.

Meeting room

Community kitchen

Here at Little Stoke Community Hall we have a room / facility which can cater for all your requirements. Please feel free to contact the office (see details below) and we will be happy to show you around.

Little Stoke Park: BMX track improvements are currently going well and very much on schedule to open up throughout November 2020. Meade Park (inset photo): Following on from the vandalism during the summer months we have now replaced the table tennis table.

FORTHCOMING 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.

FULL COUNCIL: Tuesday 10th November RECREATION & LEISURE COMMITTEE: Tuesday 17th November PLANNING & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: Tuesday 24th November FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSE COMMITTEE: Tuesday 8th December

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

advertising feature

www.southglos.gov.uk

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Have your say South Gloucestershire Council Budget 2021/22

S

outh Gloucestershire Council is inviting residents, council tax and business rate payers to have their say on its budget and council tax for 2021/22.This is your opportunity to comment on the council’s priorities, council tax and its proposals to improve services and increase efficiency.

Changes To ensure sustainable services that continue to provide value for money, the council is proposing to repeat last year’s council tax increase of 1.99 per cent. This will help cover increased costs in providing services, coupled with an expected adult social care precept of two per cent. This will help meet the continued growth in demand for services, particularly those that support the most vulnerable. These changes will mean an increase of approximately £61.58 per year in overall council tax bills (equivalent to £5.13 per month) for a Band D household.

Better value for money By the end of 2021/22, the council will have made cumulative savings of over £100m in annual spending through efficiency measures. Wherever possible, this work has prioritised protecting frontline services from spending reductions, while delivering better value for money to residents. The council is continuing to implement a Transformation and Savings Programme to help meet the budget challenges ahead but even assuming the full savings plan is achieved, there is still a predicted budget gap of £22.5m by

2022/23. The council is identifying further potential savings to balance the books. It continues to make the case to Government for additional funding for areas of work where demand and costs of delivering those services are rising significantly.

Balancing the books South Gloucestershire Council Cabinet Member for Resources, Councillor Ben Burton, said: “Our top priorities are to deliver the best possible educational outcomes for all of our young people; to maintain and improve the places where we live; and to achieve the very best value for money. “We have been delivering millions in support to residents and to businesses who are impacted by Covid-19 and it will have an ongoing effect on our budget. This draft budget sets out how we would like South Gloucestershire to recover from Covid-19 and to continue to be such a wonderful place to live, work and visit. As demand for services needed by the most vulnerable, the young and the old increases, we need to deliver those services and ensure we get value for every pound we spend and balance the books. This why each year we ask residents to have their say as we plan for the future.”

View from the Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, Cllr Toby Savage WELCOME - We’re very proud to partner with The Bradley Stoke and Stoke Gifford Journals, a great local business, for this special supplement. We bring you news on our budget and council tax and invite you to have your say.

We have also included our new Council Plan and update you on support for those struggling with Covid-19. Unfortunately, coronavirus cases are rising here and if we are to avoid stricter measures, protect ourselves and our loved ones and keep South Gloucestershire safe, we must follow Government guidance.

Remember: Hands, Face, Space.

Thank you all for your hard work so far and continuing support.

A full council meeting on 10 February 2021 will consider the consulta 16

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Ambitious new Counc advertising feature

How to have your say on the budget SOUTH Gloucestershire Council



• Promoting sustainable inclusive

now has and a new Plan for by 3 January communities, View the budget at www.southglos.gov.uk/budget thenCouncil send your comments 2021: infrastructure and

the next four years. growth  Writing to The priorities and • Realising the full potential of Freepost RTXL-YJXJ-BXEX,  Completing a survey, available online or download from commitments the council people and delivering value for SouthisGloucestershire Council, the council website www.southglos.gov.uk/budget outlining in this plan will help money.

Corporate Research & Consultation Team, Council  Telephoning 01454 868154 to ensure our district remains a Offices, Badminton Road, Yate, Bristol, BS37 5AF Delivering value for money, great place to live, work and visit.

A full council meeting on 10 February 2021 will consider the consultation responses and decide the council’s budget. addressing the climate The plan offers a new means of emergency and promoting demonstrating how the council equality of opportunity are is making a difference for you, ‘threads’ that run through the delivering ‘real value for money’ plan. services.  Email consultation@southglos.gov.uk

Ambitious new Council Plan in place Action Plans

South Gloucestershire Council now has a new Council Plan for the next four years. The priorities and commitments the council is outlining in this plan will help to ensure our district remains a great place to live, work and visit. The plan offers a new means November, of demonstrating how the council is making a difference for you, delivering ‘real value forIn money’ services.the council will

Your feedback

Your feedback ● The council ran a public consultation on the draft plan earlier this year.

The feedback from this consultation has shaped a really exciting and ambitious new plan.

Key priorities Building on your responses, the plan sets out four key priorities: ● Creating the best start in life for children and young people ● Identifying and supporting those most in need and helping people to help themselves ● Promoting sustainable inclusive communities, infrastructure and growth ● Realising the full potential of people and delivering value for money.

Delivering value for money, addressing the climate emergency and promoting equality of opportunity are ‘threads’ that run through the plan.

Action Plans

The council ran a public consultation on the draft plan as raising educational attainment, the earlier this year.

The feedback council can make the biggest long-term from this consultation cross generational impact. has shaped a really exciting and ambitious The second priority is to identify and new plan. support those most in need, with a focus on helping people to help themselves.

Key priorities

Thirdly, the council wants to promote

Building oninclusive your responses, the sustainable, communities, plan sets outand four key priorities: infrastructure growth.

It has a play start in shaping •significant Creatingrole thetobest in life for future places.

It’syoung making people real progress children and a Climate Emergency Action Plan •onIdentifying and supporting to ensure that growth ambitions those most in need and helping are delivered whilst maintaining a people to help themselves strong commitment to protecting the environment.

Wash your hands regularly.

approve 20 commitments Fourthly, it has setAction a priority to realise and associated Plans the full potential of its staff and setting out how it acts on these services, to keep value for money front challenges and how progress is of mind. measured.

TheFirstly, timing of this Council Planits is it will work with important. It takes into consideration partners and communities to the significant challenges that were create possible start evident the longbest before Covid-19.

The in life for children and young council has also drawn on lessons people.

Bythe focusing ontooutcomes learnt from response the pandemic such aseducational keeping residents such as raising better informed, working with attainment, theand council can make those who have stepped up to the biggest long-term crosshelp communities play an active role in generational impact. finding answers to local issues.

The second priority is to Find out more the those plan at most identify and about support www.southglos.gov.uk/councilplan

*Wear a face covering in all shops, indoor and hospitality venues, on public transport & taxis.

Keep your distance from others.

*Exemptions include: ● children under the age of 11 ● people with breathing difficulties ● people living with a disability

In November, the council will approve 20 commitments and associated Action Plans setting out how it acts on these challenges and how progress is measured.

Firstly, it will work with its partners and communities to create the best possible start in life for children and young people. By focusing on outcomes such

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ation responses and decide the council’s budget.

cil Plan in place Responding to the Climate Emergency advertising feature

www.southglos.gov.uk

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eed, with a focus on helping money front of mind. ple to help themselves.

Working with residents, businessesThe andtiming of this Council Thirdly, the council wants Plan is important. It takes into organisations acrossto the district, South mote sustainable, inclusive consideration the significant Gloucestershire Council is continuing mmunities, and challenges challenges that were evident long to infrastructure tackle the increasing of wth. It has a significant before Covid-19. The council has climate change. role play in shaping future places. also drawn on lessons learnt from As an area we are: making real progress on a the response to the pandemic ● Reducing our carbon toas keeping residents better mate Emergency Action Plan emissions such become carbon neutral by 2030 nsure that growth ambitions informed, and working with those Restoring nature delivered● whilst maintaining a who have stepped up to help ● Adapting to the local impacts of a ng commitment to protecting communities play an active role in changing climate. environment. finding answers to local issues.

Fourthly,What it hasisset a priority to the council doing? Find out more about the ise the full potential itsanstaff plan at www.southglos.gov.uk/ The council setofout action plan and services,isto keep value for councilplan delivering this work in partnership

with others. You can read details of this plan on the council website. Current projects include an area-wide study of renewable energy opportunities, upgrading the energy efficiency of new Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Rachael Hunt, next to one of the new solar school buildings, a study looking at rural powered bins on Kingswood high street needs for electric vehicle infrastructure, Support nature: Autumn and winter be considerably wetter and summers trials of managing highway verges to are a great time for planting trees, hotter. Check out the Met Office’s increase biodiversity, and flood water putting out bird food, and building insect Weather Ready website for advice on risk mapping. Each December, the and hedgehog homes. Your local Wildlife preparing for and coping with severe council will review progress and set Trust has lots of useful tips and guidance. weather here www.metoffice.gov.uk/ out a plan for the next year. To deliver Visit www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk or weatherready THE Government’s new national Testwith and Trace Support scheme the 2030 goal, it needs to work call 0117 9177270. everyone in the area. makes payments of £500 to those who are struggling to self-isolate Join a climate emergency group: because of financial constraints. To be eligible, you will need to have Climate emergency volunteering: Join What can you do now?

Our area-wide Climate Emergency received notification from NHS Test and Trace to the self-isolate, started Conservation Volunteers who do Community Engagement group Sign the Gloucestershire self-isolation on South or after 28 September 2020, andamazing meet certain other work in our area. Visit meets every three months. www.tcv.org.uk or call 01302 388 883. criteria. Climate Emergency Pledge here: To sign up to this group email: www.southglos.gov.uk/climatepledge The scheme is here to ensure that people on Be lowprepared incomes selffor severe weather: In climate.emergency@southglos.gov.uk Retrofit your home to save energy: The isolate when they test positive or are identified as contact, and thea South West, winters are likely to or call 01454 868004. following schemes can support you:

Test and Trace Support Payment

to encourage more people to get tested. This will help reduce the ● Green Homes Grant - Vouchers transmission of Covid-19 and avoid further social and economic for energy efficiency improvements restrictions, including local lockdowns. or low carbon heating up to £10,000 To be eligible for the Test and Trace Support Payment, you must ● ECO Funding - Grants for insulation have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace either because Making better choices today can for those on low incomes you’ve tested positive for Covid-19 or have recently been closeon your physical have a biginimpact ● Warm Homes Fund - Grant funded contact withscheme someone who has tested positive, and be employed or You South and mental health. One to install first time central self-employed and unable to work from home and will lose income Gloucestershire is here to help you heating as a result. get healthier and feel better with free ● Renewable Heat Incentive - Payments tips, tools and support.

Whether it's You will for alsolow need to be currently receiving one or more of carbon heating systems moving more, eating more healthily or the following: Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, income based ● Lendology - Low-cost council checking yourself, the One You team Employment and Support Allowance, income based Jobseeker’s funded loans for energy efficiency can help you make small, practical Allowance, Income Support, Housing benefit, or Pension Credit. and renewables. changes that in with your life. It’s To find out more, including whether you are eligible, and fit how To find the right scheme for you, offering services such as courses to apply, call visitSevern www.southglos.gov.uk/apply-test-and-trace-supportWye who run our councilonline and advice on the telephone. paymentfunded or callservice the South Glos500 team on 01454 434087. on 0800 3076 The team is here and ready to help

Looking after your wellbeing

or visit www.warmandwell.co.uk

you take the next step in improving your health. To find out more visit www.oneyou.southglos.gov.uk or call us on 01454 865337. For anyone who is choosing to shield at this time because you are clinically vulnerable to the effects of Covid-19, you can still contact us for support on 0800 953 7778.

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advertising feature

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Redundancy support

The Covid-19 pandemic has created a lot of uncertainty for people and for many they are now facing the challenge of redundancy from their jobs. If this applies to you, there is support and information available to help you find a new job, look at training options available to you, understand what benefits you can claim and provide you with useful sources of information.

Visit www.southglos.gov.uk/ redundancysupport or call: 01454 868009.

Can you help?

Residents, you can help stop the spread of Covid-19 by sharing South Gloucestershire Council’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram messages on your own social media channels.

If you are on the Nextdoor app, be sure to recommend it to your neighbours so the council can continue to grow its South Gloucestershire online community and share messages of specific importance to your area.

Businesses and community groups will find images, posters and flyers to share online or download and print. Visit www.southglos. gov.uk/covid19resources

Test and Trace Support Payment The Government’s new national Test and Trace Support scheme makes payments of £500 to those who are struggling to self-isolate because of financial constraints. To be eligible, you will need to have received notification from NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate, started self-isolation on or after 28 September 2020, and meet certain other criteria.

The scheme is here to ensure that people on low incomes self-isolate when they test positive or are identified as a contact, and to encourage more people to get tested. This will help reduce the transmission of Covid-19 and avoid further social and economic restrictions, including local lockdowns.

To be eligible for the Test and Trace Support Payment, you must have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace either because you’ve tested positive for Covid-19 or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, and be employed or self-employed and unable to work from home and will lose income as a result. You will also need to be currently receiving one or more of the following: Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, income-based Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Housing benefit, or Pension Credit.

To find out more, including whether you are eligible, and how to apply, visit www.southglos.gov.uk/apply-test-and-trace-support-payment or call the South Glos team on 01454 434087.

www.southglos.gov.uk/coronavirus

Subscribe for the latest news Sign up to receive a weekly update on South Gloucestershire Covid-19 cases and advice, and council service updates including waste and recycling news.

Register for our enewsletter at:  www.southglos.gov.uk/covid19newsletter or if you would like a printed copy please let us know on  01454 868009.

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Jan and the team at Bride at Home in Downend are doing everything they can to keep themselves and their customers safe. They only do booked appointments, use hand sanitizer and face coverings. Please be like Jan and her team and do everything you can to Keep South Gloucestershire Safe.

Nov/Dec 2020

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News Councillor Column Parks, the Stokes Youth Centre & Parkway Bridge

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he onset of winter with its darker nights and colder weather, is never the best of times, but this year we have the additional threat of a resurgence of Covid-19.

We simply cannot take any risks with this disease, and must take all possible steps to reduce and if possible eliminate its transmission. Remember to maintain social distancing at all times and keep yourself familiar and updated with changing rules as the pandemic develops.

The past six months have proved to be very challenging to both the district and parish councils, who have struggled to maintain the services that we have all grown used to.

The parish council in particular has done well to maintain our parks and open spaces and I do ask you all to help them by reducing the amount of litter and debris which often appears to be abandoned in our parks.

The parish team work very hard to maintain a high standard in our parks, but are frustrated by the amount of carelessly abandoned food containers and bottles left after picnics etc.

Sadly, the initial Covid-19 lockdown and its aftermath, has markedly reduced the income to the parish council from hirings and lettings in our halls and other facilities. And because of this we have had to take a very close look at where our major expenditure lies, and where we can reduce our spending in order to prevent a large increase in our local rates precept.

One facility that is proving to be very costly today is the Stokes Youth Club building on Little Stoke Lane. The fabric of the building has deteriorated due to its age, and it would require major expenditure in the near future if we were to retain

it. The building is now largely unused, and the youth club itself can be accommodated elsewhere. So in order to avoid a huge outlay which the parish council cannot afford, we have informed the owners of the building, South Gloucestershire Council, that we no longer wish to be responsible for the building in the new year.

Whilst the temporary oneway system operating under Parkway Railway Bridge because of the perceived need to allow social distancing, did not initially cause the traffic build up that we were expecting, there are now signs that the colder weather has caused an increase in traffic and the queues are now increasing. The effect on social distancing is not marked, however I am aware that the safety to pedestrians and cyclists is improved.

The provision of a separate and dedicated pedestrian and cycle tunnel through the embankment parallel to the existing road tunnel is the only sensible option and I am pursuing every avenue to achieve that end.

Cllr Brian Allinson Stoke Gifford parish councillor and South Gloucestershire councillor for Stoke Gifford ward

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Nov/Dec 2020

News

‘Can’t stop me zooming’ at 1st Little Stoke Scouts

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he start of a new term at 1st Little Stoke Scout Group saw all the sections continuing with an online program. These sessions have been a brilliant way for all the members involved in Scouting to get together, share their experiences and love of Scouting.

Members of the Beaver section have continued to work hard on achieving a wide variety of badges and thoroughly enjoyed their online Zoom session with a local astronomer. The 45-minute session whizzed by and after an hour the Beavers were still really enjoying themselves and learning all about the world around them.

As we move towards Christmas, they are looking forward to an online bingo session and a Zoom Christmas party.

Local and International

The Cub section has been extremely busy this term. New leaders Elaine and Aimee have planned a busy program, aiming to award over ten different badges. The Cubs started the term working towards the Local Knowledge badge and the International badge. They really enjoyed making their own compasses, learning to map read and learning about different countries around the world.

Each Cub then selected their own country and found out a

few facts about it before giving a presentation to the section.

The Cubs then each painted a rock with a country’s flag on.

These rocks will be displayed in the Little Stoke Scout Hut for everyone to enjoy.

The Cubs have also been focusing on different celebrations. They learnt all about Harvest and made scarecrows. They recently learnt about Halloween and the Day of the Dead and during the session they made paper skulls and milk carton ghosts.

Who Dares Wins

The Scout section launched this term with the extremely exciting and popular ‘Escape Room’. The Scouts demonstrated their skills of collaboration and problem solving to escape from the Scout hut as quickly as possible. Both teams made it out successfully, with one team escaping with seconds to spare. Leader Simon then organised a nail-biting ‘Who Dares Wins’ style quiz, during which each Scout was challenged to write down as many items matching the question as possible in 60 seconds. This session was extremely high paced and exciting with the Scouts fighting it out to list more things then each other. The Scouts demonstrated a wide range of knowledge, with one Scout able to name eight local train stations

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News Continued from facing page

in Bristol and another recalling ten rivers of the world.

As we look towards Christmas, all the sections are trying to organise the best way to celebrate as a group, while being apart.

The group has an exciting website, recently updated

by Beaver leader Gemma: 1stlittlestokescouts.org.uk If you would like any more information on getting involved with the 1st Little Stoke Scout Group, please fill in the forms on the website, alternatively contact Group Scout Leader Tony Edmonds by email at tonyedmonds108@yahoo.com

Members of the Cub section show off their paper skulls and milk carton ghosts during a Zoom videoconference

Will your Fence weather the next storm?

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Get well · Stay well

Nov/Dec 2020

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

Looking after your feet is a two-way street

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s I write this article, a fairly certain fact is that it is highly unlikely we will be throwing shapes on the dance floor at our 2020 office parties or embarrassing our children with serious parent moves this festive season. But, every cloud has a silver lining… at least we won’t be wearing inappropriate shoes!

If shoes make your feet hurt, you will know exactly I mean.

If your feet hurt, even without fancy shoes, you will know exactly what I mean. If your feet do hurt, for whatever reason, it is time to seek out a qualified and regulated foot health practitioner to help you look after your feet.

There is so much that a practitioner can do to help you with your foot health. We can manage nails and calloused skin, we can treat corns and pressure points. We can give you advice on infection – fungal, viral or bacterial. We can deal with ingrowing toe nails and talk to you about your footwear.

Don’t be self-conscious or embarrassed to visit us, we are trained to manage your foot health concerns and, over time, your practitioner will become your partner in your foot health.

However, it is important to note that part of the responsibility is yours – there is only so much a practitioner can do to help. The daily routine of looking after your feet is up to you. The basic advice is to:

• Wash your feet every day • Dry careful and gently, especially between your toes.

• Use a good quality foot care cream to moisturise your feet and to help manage dry skin • Wear comfortable shoes that support your feet properly • Change your socks every day • Inspect your feet regularly and note any changes • Don’t ignore foot pain, it probably won’t just go away • Go for a walk every day We hope that you have a special festive season, however and whatever that means to you.

But more than anything, we hope that your feet don’t hurt!

The Willow Brook Clinic First Floor, East Offices The Willow Brook Centre www.willowbrookclinic.co.uk

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News Council officers recommend Abbey Wood Travelodge and Greggs scheme for approval Late objection from parish council still to overcome

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planning application for the construction of a Travelodge hotel and a Greggs drive-through near the entrance to the Abbey Wood Retail Park in Filton was recommended for approval by officers at South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) in mid-October.

However, the case is now having to be reconsidered by the planning department after it was pointed out that although most of the development site lies within the Filton town boundary, a small part sits within Stoke Gifford and the parish council there had not been formally consulted.

The proposed development site is a 0.4ha area of grassland located between the access road into the retail park and the A4174, just to the east of the existing McDonald’s restaurant.

The four-storey, 85-bed Travelodge and single-storey Greggs outlet would share a new 49-space car park, accessed from the existing road which leads into McDonald’s.

The development would create 25 full-time-equivalent jobs.

The applicant envisages that customers of the Greggs outlet will predominantly use the parking spaces in the day with the guests of the hotel using these during the evening and morning hours. Registered hotel guests will

be also be allowed to use the main parking area at the shopping park as an overspill. In their report, council officers accepted the applicant’s analysis, saying they “do not consider [car parking provision] to be a problem”.

Referring to SGC’s local plan, which calls for more ‘comparison’ retail space to be provided within the Stoke Gifford District Centre, the applicant had claimed this requirement is out of step with market demand, and says this has been “exacerbated by Covid-19”. In their report, officers acknowledged that the evidence underpinning this policy is now “very dated”, conceding that it is “unlikely to be an accurate reflection of today’s retail need”.

Justifying the need for another hotel in the area, the applicant had claimed the forthcoming YTL Arena in Filton could be expected create a “significant level of demand”. Officers agreed, saying the hotel would play a part in fulfilling the economic demands created by the arena.

Concerns raised by the council’s landscape and urban design specialists have resulted in the applicant revising some aspects of the scheme, to the satisfaction of officers. The revisions include additional tree, hedge and shrub planting, the introduction of feature paving and a change to

Top: Visualisation of Travelodge & Greggs. Above: Aerial view showing site.

lighter-coloured metal cladding panels on the hotel.

As we went to press, we learned that Stoke Gifford Parish Council, after considering the application at its planning committee meeting on 27th October, had lodged an objection.

The grounds for objection are given as lack of parking bays, the area already having sufficient hotels, the site not being designated for C1 hotel use,

loss of trees, traffic congestion and pollution.

SGC officers say they will now reconsider the case and determine it according to the council’s constitution. Should the officer recommendation remain one of approval, local ward members could, in sufficient numbers, ‘call in’ the application for determination by an SGC planning committee. ● Planning ref: P20/08495/F

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Nov/Dec 2020

Sport

The virtual road to the London Marathon 2020 Nicola Phillips describes how members of local ladies-only running group Sole Sisters supported one of their fold to prepare for and complete in this year’s virtual race.

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ast October Claire Stone was lucky enough to be selected to run her first marathon, the London Marathon on 26th April 2020 with one of the Sole Sisters’ ‘affiliated running club’ places.

Training started in earnest in January and was progressing well with several long runs under her belt … but then lockdown happened! This resulted in the 40th edition of the London Marathon being postponed (eventually to October) and Sisters running solo throughout March, April and May as we were

not permitted under England Athletic rules to meet as a group.

In April, Claire ran a mile every day with her daughter Ella (aged seven), finishing on the original date of the London Marathon with the 2.62 Challenge running around Cheswick Village in her wedding dress, in the process raising funds for the Wallace & Gromit Grand Appeal.

Claire raises funds for the Grand Appeal following her friend’s 3-year-old daughter Phoebe Waite from Patchway being diagnosed with a Wilms’ kidney tumour. The good news is that Phoebe was able to ‘ring the bell’ to signify the end of her treatment in early October.

At the start of June, as lockdown restrictions were eased, we were able to start running in groups of up to six, Claire was

Left: Claire running up Alveston Hill during her virtual race.

Facing page (l-r): Claire in her wedding dress completing the 2.62 Challenge with Ella; Phoebe & Claire; Nicola, Mary & Claire at the finish of the virtual race

looking for running buddies to complete longer runs with her as part of her training for the rescheduled London Marathon date in October. At this point Mary Mainwaring and I joined Claire and on a Monday night instead of doing our usual sixmile route, we started to up the mileage towards the marathon goal. We didn’t do our usual long Saturday runs as we were aiming to complete the Rapha 100K ladies cycling sportive. Both myself and Mary are fortunate enough to have previously had Sole Sisters marathon places, so thought we could run up to 16 miles with Claire.

Lockdown restrictions had not really changed that much by August – we were still not able to meet as a running club and were restricted to groups of six. The chances of the London Marathon taking place seemed slim with 40,000 runners meeting on the start at Blackheath Common.

More and more running events such as the Great North Run were cancelled. Then it was announced that the marathon in London would just be for a few elite runners and the mass event would be held “virtually”, meaning that each participant would complete the 26.2 miles “their own way”.

Claire entered the virtual event, and after a few days and maybe a glass of wine Mary and I decided to join her. At this point we were still doing lots of miles on the bike and running was a

bit disjointed. The plan was to run the first half of the marathon distance, stop for coffee and cake, then walk the remaining miles.

The Rapha 100Km was completed with our Spinning Sisters on 6th September. Cycling was then put on pause to focus on the marathon.

As part of our training, we decided we would do the Virtual Great North Run on 13th September with thousands of other runners across the UK. We met at Warmley Waiting Rooms and ran 13.1 miles along the Bristol to Bath Cycle Path, on a beautiful early autumn day.

There were no Red Arrows or Tyne Bridge, but we had our local sights!

When the day of the virtual London Marathon (4th October) arrived, the weather, as predicted, was monsoon wet. We set off from the Jubilee Centre in Bradley Stoke cheered by fellow hardy Sole Sisters who had braved the weather and our relatively early start. We then proceed to run through Little Stoke Park to Patchway before joining the A38 to Thornbury.

In Thornbury, the plan changed and we decided we would try to run as much of the distance as possible. The weather was truly wet, but we were cheered on by motorists, friends and family members meeting us at various points along the route. On the return leg, we were joined by Penny, our club chair, to run the last six miles, which lifted our

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Sport

Continued from facing page

spirits. At the finish it was great to be greeted by a cheering party.

What next? Claire has had her place in the October 2021 London Marathon confirmed,

while Mary and I have entered the ballot for London. We have also decided 2021 will be the year we attempt our first Ultra Marathon ‘Race to the Stones’ – 100km over two days in July.

We will be running this for charity, Mary for Prostate Cancer UK and myself for Alzheimer’s Research UK. If you could spare a few pennies we would be very grateful.

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Nov/Dec 2020

News

Investiture

By Andrew Phelps, 1st Stoke Gifford Scouts s of early October, the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts of 1st Stoke Gifford Scout Group have finally been able to meet up face to face again. Since lockdown, many of the sections have been working hard to keep the young members involved in Scouting, but there’s nothing like meeting up in person.

The Old School Rooms (OSR) Scouts, having completed 30+ Zoom sessions, weekly challenges and ‘camping at home’ had their risk assessments signed off to meet up and took the opportunity to hike across to Wales and

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back across the Severn Bridge.

This exercise took place in three groups of no more than 15 Scouts, with up to three leaders per group. Having 41 Scouts in the troop has made logistics difficult, but ‘socially distanced’ outside and with masks worn inside, they’ve prepared a programme to cover sections of the Scouts’ Gold Challenge Award.

The Old School Rooms have helped facilitate the three groups meeting back up in the building and supplied anti-bacterial and alcohol-based materials and a clean space to set up in. A great big ‘thank you’ for all their help and support.

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News

Stoke Gifford Scouts back meeting face to face Continued from facing page

This has been a difficult time over lockdown but all the hard work behind the scenes has got us all back together. The OSR Scouts have planned all the way up to Christmas, learning all about how good it is to have a healthy diet, get lots of sleep and keep fit, plus, on the flip side, how bad it is for our young bodies to get involved in alcohol, drugs and tobacco.

The programme will also include Scouting skills and Christmas crafts.

The best bit is just being all back together and seeing that all the Scouts have grown so much.

Their smiles and excitement at being back is contagious. The hike across into Wales and back to Aust Services was a great icebreaker and a chance to for them to get used to their new groups.

Being back inside the hall meant face masks, hand gels and social distancing, but we managed, and the Scouts’ parents will be overjoyed at all the badges they have to sew on after all the things we did on Zoom from April to October.

Chief Scout’s Awards

Chief Scout’s Awards

It’s tricky finding games that involve no contact, especially when that’s the bit the Scouts enjoy the most, but some of the games they used to play in

Beavers and Cubs are a great alternative. Week 1: Splat!

Our emergency personal protective equipment (PPE) was kindly donated by Kathryn from

lashsparkleshine.com in Stoke Gifford. Thank you, Kathryn!

Let’s hope another lockdown doesn’t come too soon and spoil all our fun.

During the first session back we presented Ollie, Oliver and Emily with their Gold Chief Scout’s Awards and marked the occasion with a socially distanced cake cutting. The rest of the troop loved the cake! We also invested three new Scouts into the troop: Riley, Amy and Aniela.

We hand-deliver 5,000 copies of this magazine As well as being delivered to 5,000 homes in Stoke Gifford parish (north of the A4174), we leave a further 200 copies of this magazine at public locations in Stoke Gifford and Little Stoke.

These include shops, doctors’ surgeries, takeaways and pubs.

Larger quantities are left at St Michael’s Coffee Shop, Ratcliffe Drive post office and the Co-op store in Cheswick Village.

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Nov/Dec 2020

News

Stokes councillor becomes first black Cabinet member

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Bradley Stoke councillor and former soldier has been appointed South Gloucestershire Council’s first black Cabinet member.

Cllr Franklin Owusu-Antwi will be a ‘champion for equality of opportunity’ in a newly created portfolio position which also includes public health. Prior to this, Cllr Owusu-Antwi had served as the Cabinet assistant for community safety.

He has pledged to encourage and celebrate diversity and will work closely with the voluntary community sector, as well as taking responsibility for the local authority’s Armed Forces Covenant.

As a former soldier in the British Army, serving in Afghanistan before being redeployed to the MoD at Abbey Wood, Cllr OwusuAntwi has worked as a logistics consultant since returning to

civilian life, advising the MoD, NATO, the United Nations and other organisations on a range of international projects in aid of developing and newly independent nations.

Outside of this, he founded the charity Assistplus, which supports veterans in the community, and he is also an active member of the Stoke Gifford branch of the Royal British Legion.

Commenting on his Cabinet appointment, Cllr Owusu-Antwi said: “Being given the chance to serve on this administration is nothing short of a privilege and I am delighted to begin work on this portfolio. Since the outbreak of Covid-19, South Gloucestershire Council has had to adapt with pace to ensure we are best placed to protect our residents, our communities and our local way of life, and I am pleased that the emphasised role

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Cllr Franklin Owusu-Antwi, newly appointed Cabinet member at SGC

of public health is enshrined within the new cabinet position.”

“Locally, we have been affected to a lesser extent by Covid-19 than some other parts of the country, but there is no room for complacency as every infection poses a risk and every death is a tragedy. It impacts both physical and mental health, personal relationships, jobs and our environment and, nationally, has had a disproportionate effect on people from the BAME community and has the potential to widen the existing gap of inequalities. Something that needs to be addressed with a focused yet holistic approach.

“As a Conservative, I am proud to be part of the most diverse group in the council’s history and as its first black cabinet member, I am keen to further that work to support, encourage and

celebrate diversity across South Gloucestershire. This applies not just to race, but to gender, sexuality and every other feature that makes each of us unique. I also want to ensure we promote diversity of thought, and the sentiment that everyone doesn’t have to think the same for us to be a welcoming and respectful society.”

Cllr Toby Savage, leader of South Gloucestershire Council, commented: “Franklin will be an asset within the Cabinet and a benefit to the people of South Gloucestershire. I know that with his wealth of experience and positive attitude, this new role will give the administration a fantastic opportunity to tackle some of the biggest and most delicate challenges we face in our communities.” ● www.southglos.gov.uk

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‘Church for changing times’: Community event to share proposals for building alterations

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lans to revamp Stoke Gifford’s medieval church to make it ‘fit for the future’ are being shared with villagers.

The changes to the interior of the church at The Green, Stoke Gifford have been designed to increase visibility and accessibility, improve safety and add extra seating.

The proposals, which will need to be approved by the Diocese of Bristol, will: • Replace the worn and uneven flooring and level the floor • Remove the raised platform at the altar which was added in the 1970s • Take out the large stone pillars between the north aisle and the nave and reduce the size of the remaining roof support at the east end of the chancel (in front of the organ) • Provide two toilets in the vestry, one to be accessed from inside the church and the other from the outside • Replace the external vestry door with an approved fire escape door • Replace the Victorian pews with comfortable and flexible seating which will enable a wider range of activities to take place within the building There has been a church in Stoke Gifford since Saxon times and the present building, which is thought to date from the 14th century, is in the top eight percent of listed buildings in

England and Wales.

The Rev. Canon Simon Jones, rector of St Michael’s said: “We are committed to protecting, preserving and enhancing the building and increasing its use as our legacy for generations to come, whilst honouring its history. We are a church for changing times.”

The refurbishment will be funded through the St Michael’s Heart of the Community project, which was launched in 2012 with the aims of: • Creating a spacious, modern church and community centre • Repairing and upgrading the Old School Rooms

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• Funding outreach and anti-poverty projects locally, nationally and internationally • Restoring and enhancing the church building for future generations The Rev. Canon Jones added: “We saw the first of these ambitions realised with the opening of St Michael’s Centre on North Road, which boasts a 550-seater auditorium and hosts the two larger Sunday gatherings at St Michael’s as well as conferences and events throughout the week.”

“In the last two years we have also invested more than £220,000 on repairs to the

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church tower, stonework, boundary wall and new roofs.”

“The church building is still very much in use on Sundays and during the week (present lockdown excluded!) and is always packed at Christmas, Easter and other popular services. Last Christmas we were in the unfortunate position of having to turn people away from our afternoon carol service as we ran out of room. These plans will not only give us extra space and more seating, but also greater flexibility on how we use that seating.”

Anyone who is interested in finding out more, or would like to comment on the plans, is invited to an information morning in the church on Saturday 28th November. To book a place, head to the website at www. stmichaelsbristol.org

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