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May 2022 • Issue 29
SCHOOLS P13, P23 | WHAT’S ON P9, P15, P16-17, P19 | SPORT P27 | DIRECTORY P30-31
Village Fête returns (Fri 3rd June) plus Bradley Stoke Festival (Sat 4th June)
Event programmes: Pages 15 & 16-17
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PLUS , IN YOUR 32-PAGE STOKE GIFFORD MAGAZINE
Multi-vehicle arson spree
26-year-old man due in court
Gipsy Patch Lane
P4-5
the place for you… oceanhome.co.uk
Reopened 2-way, but what next?
P6-7
l IKEA modular housing scheme turned down by South Glos planners l Ambitious new target of 6,500 homes for airfield l Popular headteacher says farewell to Trust l Charity open days at Harry Stoke garden l Dance school’s show rated a “huge success” l Consultation opens on North Fringe masterplan l Patchway secondary ‘requires improvement’, say Ofsted inspectors l WI branch contributes to ‘Queen’s Green Canopy’ l Stoke Gifford Scouts learn all about aviation l Open days at local bowls club on 28th & 29th May l Timetable clarified for Cheswick parish split
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May 2022
News
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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 2022. 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
planning application from a company partowned by IKEA to build 48 low-cost modular homes at a site just off the Stoke Gifford By-Pass has been refused permission by officials at South Gloucestershire Council. BoKlok, a partnership between IKEA and construction company Skanska, specialises in homes that are assembled from threedimensional timber-frame modules that are manufactured off-site. The modules are fully fitted out, internally and externally, before being transported to site for assembly. The modular production process results in a reduced number of site deliveries, by up to 80 percent, and a faster build programme, by as much as 50 percent compared to traditional methods. Overall, the carbon footprint of production using this method is said to be less than half that of comparable traditional build projects. The application site is a 1.81-hectare plot at Hoodlands
Farm, which lies about 100m east of the Stoke Gifford By-Pass, between the railway bridge and the Hambrook Lane junction (see map, below), within the emerging East of Harry Stoke (EoHS) New Neighbourhood. Thirty-one dwellings would be ‘open market’, 13 for social rent and 4 for shared ownership. The rectangular site is bordered on three sides (to the north, east and south) by land in the control of Crest Nicholson, who have planning consent for 1,290 new homes within the part of EoHS south of the railway. It was proposed that access would initially be via the existing Site location map
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?
Hoodlands Farm site
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.
FINAL ISSUE! BS & SG Journal magazines enter retirement: Page 29
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News
IKEA modular housing scheme turned down by South Glos planners Continued from facing page Council officers raised concerns farm drive off Hambrook Lane, over the necessary widening but it was planned to integrate and surfacing of the farm drive, with Crest Nicholson’s new road due to the high risk of damaging network once this has been hedgerows and the roots of trees, sufficiently built out. including a number of protected Although Crest Nicholson has oaks. The use of the drive to begun setting out infrastructure accommodate abnormally large on its land south of Hambrook deliveries of the modular housing Lane, work on its parcel of land was seen as a high risk in this bordering Hoodlands Farm to the regard. Furthermore, as the north of Hambrook Lane is not farm drive currently functions due to be completed for another as a ‘dark wildlife corridor’, three years, which conflicted the installation of lighting with BoKlok’s intention to start would have an adverse effect. building within 12-15 months. In Although officers acknowledged addition to access considerations, the benefit of the BoKlok housing this also caused complications coming forward in a relatively with the design of sewers and short timeframe, along with the surface drainage, requiring welcome provision of a quantity BoKlok to propose temporary of affordable homes, the impacts WB Generic AW.qxp_Layout 1 09/02/2021 12:38 Page solutions for the interim period. of this acceleration in 3terms
Visualisation of the 48-home development proposed at Hoodlands Farm
of harm to priority habitats, landscape character, trees and protected species were considered to outweigh the benefits of potential early delivery. Dylan May, land and planning director at BoKlok, commented: “It is extremely disappointing that our application at Hoodlands, on allocated land within the East of Harry Stoke New Neighbourhood has been refused. The proposals were underpinned by significant investment and
represented a sustainable development with support from local parish councils. It had been demonstrated that these much-needed new homes could come forward alongside the wider development and without disruption to its delivery.” “BoKlok will now explore all options to bring this scheme forward including continued liaison with South Gloucestershire Council as well as other parties.” ● Application ref: P21/05128/F
d g k L willowbrookshopping.co.uk
BRADLEY STOKE SHOPPING
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News Timeline of destruction
#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7
01:09 01:33 01:42 02:30 03:09 03:42 04:20
New Road, Stoke Gifford: One van set on fire Gatcombe Drive, Stoke Gifford: Two cars set on fire Sandringham Road: One car set on fire Jubilee Centre, Bradley Stoke: Two trucks set on fire Little Stoke Park, Little Stoke: Two trucks set on fire Rolls-Royce, Patchway: 15 minibuses set on fire Sherbourne Avenue, Bradley Stoke: One car set on fire
Note: Times shown are time of call to the emergency services
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26-year-old Filton man has been charged with 24 counts of arson after vehicles with a total estimated replacement value of £400,000 were destroyed at seven locations across the Stokes and Patchway in the early hours of Sunday 3rd April. The trail of destruction began at around 1am when a van was set alight in New Road, Stoke Gifford (close to the Travis Perkins depot). Half-an-hour later, the fire service responded to three cars ablaze in Gatcombe Drive and Sandringham Road (both Stoke Gifford), less than a mile from the location of the first incident. Around 45 minutes later, two council trucks were on fire in the car park at the Jubilee Centre, Bradley Stoke (about 1.5 miles from Stoke Gifford), followed around 40 minutes later by two more council trucks going up in flames in the car park at Little Stoke Park (less than a mile from the Jubilee Centre). Just over half-an-hour later,
May 2022
15 minibuses belonging to two local charities were ablaze in a car park at Rolls-Royce, Patchway, just over the railway footbridge from Little Stoke Park. The arson spree finally ended at 4.20am, over three hours after it had begun, when a car was torched in Sherbourne Avenue, Bradley Stoke. Following the shocking sequence of incidents, police put out an appeal for CCTV, door camera or dash cam footage which had captured “two suspicious people” between 1am and 4.40am on the day of the incidents. Two days later, on 6th April, police released two CCTV clips, each showing “two individuals believed to be teenage boys or young men” who they were looking to trace. This was followed on 9th April by the news that two teenage boys, aged 14 and 15, had been arrested on suspicion of arson. A further development in the case came on 27th April when it
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News
Man due in court over £400,000 arson spree
@AFRSTemple
L-r: A firefighter tackles blazing minibuses at Rolls-Royce; Burnt-out council truck at Little Stoke Park; Burnt-out cars in Gatcombe Drive, Stoke Gifford Continued from facing page
was announced that 26-year-old Daniel Cron had been charged with 24 counts of arson and had appeared at Bristol Magistrates Court that morning where he was released on conditional bail ahead of a hearing at Bristol Crown Court on Wednesday 25th May. The following day, police revealed that the two teenagers previously arrested in connection with the incidents had been “released with no further action being taken against them”.
Charities impacted
Local community transport operator Four Towns and Vale Link (FTVL) had 13 minibuses destroyed or damaged in the attack at the Rolls-Royce car park. All 13 have been written off by the charity’s insurers at an estimated loss valuation of almost £290,000. The other two minibuses attacked at the Rolls-Royce site belonged to the Methodist Church and were their Ark buses used to engage with youngsters through outreach sessions in and around Bristol. FTVL says most of its losses will be covered by insurance, but fuel in the vehicles (the majority of them had full tanks in readiness for the week ahead) and some other items, such as vehicle permits, were not covered. Describing the impact of the attack on the charity’s services, a spokesperson said: “The immediate impact of the arson attack was devastating, and we feared that the loss of so many
vehicles would mean the end of the charity. However, all the staff rallied round and although we had to cancel several journeys, including some school runs in the first few days, we have tried to provide a near normal service ever since.” “The shortage of vehicles is ongoing, and our transport manager believes this situation will continue for at least another three months. Our office staff are working hard to schedule passenger journeys to try to assist everyone who wishes to travel with us.” In a further blow for the charity, following the incident, Rolls-Royce decided that only vehicles owned or driven by Rolls-Royce employees, authorised contractors or visitors would be permitted to be parked at Rolls-Royce facilities. They had previously allowed the charity to park on their Filton site for free for many years. The charity says it was given just 7 days’ notice to remove its vehicles from their site. Richard Whittington, FTVL chair of trustees commented: “The arson attack was a devastating blow to the charity, not least because it seemed such a mindless crime which put a vital service for children and vulnerable adults at risk. But after the initial outrage, the team have rallied round with great spirit to minimise the impact on our service users. Many people have offered help or just expressed their sympathy, which has been so reassuring at such a difficult time.”
“Losing our parking space was a real blow, although we understand the reasons. With the help of South Gloucestershire Council (SGC), we now have temporary parking, but this is only available for a few more weeks. If any local businesses have secure parking available in the Patchway area we’d love to hear from them – we have a long-term solution on the horizon, but this could be several months away.”
Cost to councils
Stoke Gifford Parish Council says it received an insurance settlement of £29,010 for its two destroyed trucks. Brand new replacements have been ordered, with delivery expected
in mid-May and June, at a total cost of £46,750. The council is currently hiring one substitute vehicle, which will cost it an estimated £1,000 by the time it is returned. A further estimated cost of £4,500 to repair damaged tarmac is still being discussed with insurers. Bradley Stoke Town Council says it is yet to receive an insurance settlement in relation to its two destroyed trucks. It is currently hiring one substitute vehicle at a cost of £30 per day after benefiting from the free loan of a vehicle from SGC for ten days. SGC also assisted the town council helped by emptying some litter bins on main thoroughfares while the town council was without a vehicle.
Police statement on their response as events unfolded The first call from the fire service was at 1:32am, regarding the vehicle fire in New Road, Stoke Gifford. At that time, they had not determined whether the fire was deliberate and were not requesting police attendance. There was a further call from the fire service at 1:51am stating this fire was deliberate and that there were further vehicles on fire in Gatcombe Drive and Sandringham Road, Stoke Gifford. At 2.38am the fire service called requesting police attendance at the Jubilee Centre, Bradley Stoke, stating this was the fourth location with a vehicle fire. All available units were deployed on foot and mobile patrol, including an unmarked car, a dog unit and specialist tactical support units. The National Police Air Service helicopter was not available, but the fire service drone was deployed.
The incident was managed by a Critical Incident Manager (inspector) and the Force Incident Manager (inspector) and overseen by the Force Duty Officer (chief inspector). At 5am the duty superintendent ratified critical incident status. There were no reported injuries and no requirement to evacuate homes and this decision was made due to the impact on the community. Mutual aid was not requested from other forces, but officers were deployed from across several policing areas. While new fires were still being reported, officers were kept on beyond the end of their normal tour of duty, with all available units deployed to the area to search for possible suspects and make initial enquiries at the various locations. An internal debrief has been commissioned to inform our response to future critical incidents.
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May 2022
News
Gipsy Patch reopened both ways … What next?
T
he two-way reopening of Gipsy Patch Lane on the morning of Sunday 24th April has allowed traffic to pass under the railway line in an eastbound direction (towards Little Stoke) for the first time in more than two years. The road had been subject to full and partial closures since March 2020, to allow the replacement of a narrow Victorian-era railway bridge and road widening works to create space for new bus lanes. There had earlier been some partial relief for motorists when one-way (westbound only) passage under the new railway bridge was opened up in September 2021. Motor vehicles can now pass along the full length of Gipsy Patch Lane in both directions – westbound towards the A38 Gloucester Road, and eastbound towards Little Stoke, Stoke
L-r: Two-way under the bridge for the first time in over two years; New eastbound bus lane opposite Stokers public house
Gifford and Bradley Stoke. All side road junctions, including Titan Road (leading into the Horizon 38 business park), have also reopened to traffic. Ahead of the recent two-way reopening, motorists had to endure a two-week full closure of Gipsy Patch Lane so that road resurfacing could be carried out. South Gloucestershire Council says the recent resurfacing
work involved “reconstructing all the asphalt layers in the road, not simply the top layer, to make the road fit for purpose for years to come”. More than 1,900 tonnes of material were removed, and during the asphalting operation over 200 tonnes of material were laid each day. Road widening work continues to be carried out west of the railway bridge (Rolls-Royce side), and to enable this work narrow lanes will be in place along this stretch of the carriageway.
More road closures
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The latest version of the project construction programme (dated March 2022) shows ‘completion and resurfacing’ on the west side being carried out in August and September. This resurfacing will require a further closure of Gipsy Patch Lane, the dates for which will be announced in due course. It is also likely that Station Road will need to be fully or partially closed whilst remedial works are carried out on the railway embankment near the northeast corner of the bridge. This work is expected to take around six weeks; the start date is yet to be confirmed. The main construction work for the Cribbs Patchway MetroBus Extension (CPME) scheme is due to complete in September this year. Other work, such as the installation of bus shelters and iPoints, along with landscaping, will be completed in the autumn. ● southglos.gov.uk/CPmetrobus
Resurfacing other roads
The council has announced plans to resurface a number of other roads in the immediate area over the summer. These are: • Gipsy Patch Lane between the Little Stoke Lane junction and the Hatchet Road roundabout (both sides of the carriageway). Due to take place in May. • Gipsy Patch Lane service road (between Bush Avenue and the Stokers pub). Due to take place in June. • Smithcourt Drive (a section adjacent to Gipsy Patch Lane). Due to take place in July. • Stoke Lane (between Amberley Road and Braydon Avenue). Due to take place in September. Further details and precise dates will be announced in due course.
MetroBus services
Once complete, the £57 million Cribbs Patchway MetroBus Extension (CPME) will provide a route for fast and reliable bus services between Bristol Parkway and The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, via the Brabazon mixed-use development that is being built on the former Filton Airfield. Officers at the West of England Combined Authority (Weca) had previously expressed doubts about whether it would prove possible to find a bus company to operate a MetroBus service over the new route, due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on bus patronage. Operators were said to be “cautious about committing to a commercial offer” and it was
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Cribbs Patchway t: 01454 300 400metrobus extension works
STOKE LODGE
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Brook Way
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BRADLEY STOKE info@stokegiffordjournal.co.uk NORTH Bradley Stoke Way
Cribbs Patchway MetroBus Extension
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Braydon Ave Coniston Road CRIBBS CAUSEWAY
route through BrookIndicative Way
the Cribbs Patchway New Neighbourhood Bradley Stoke Way
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Bus station
Cribbs Patchway metrobus extension route
Station Road
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Gipsy Patch Lane railway bridge
Hayes Way
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Horizon 38 Site
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CRIBBS PATCHWAY NEW NEIGHBOURHOOD
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Bristol Parkway metrobus/rail interchange
New North Filton Station metrobus/rail interchange
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of England, with the m1 and m3 serving South Gloucestershire. Benefits of metrobus include:
• Buy tickets before you board at iPoints or on your smartphone for faster boarding. • Priority bus lanes and limited stopping at key destinations means shorter journey times. • Modern, environmentally friendly vehicles with free WiFi and USB charging points.
An overview
Combined Authority has received through the YTL site on the old FILTON a commercial offer from a bus airfield. As the development A4174 operator and therefore did not is progressed the route will HARRY STOKE The to Cribbs metrobuschange. extension need resort Patchway to a procurement No more detail is (CPME)Buses will extend the existingpublicly metrobus exercise. are expected available currently to follow a slightly as it isStation commercially network. It will amended link Bristol Parkway with sensitive route until the new road is built information.”
The Mall via Hatchet Road, Gipsy Patch Lane and through the new Horizon 38 site and Cribbs Patchway New Neighbourhood (CPNN) on the former Filton Airfield. The extension is part of a package of improvements to deal with the associated impact of the CPNN, where approximately 5,700 homes will be built alongside 50 hectares of employment and a range of other uses. It will also support communities in Stoke Gifford and Patchway. The £57 million scheme is being funded by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA).
www.southglos.gov.uk
2724 - CPME info boards July 2021.indd 1
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all, although details such as thought likely that the service the agreed minimum service would “require some funding in frequencies remain unknown. metrobus is part of the West of England’s the short term”. A spokesperson said: “Thevision for improved transport.service Three metrobus However, Weca has now public MetroBus will start revealed that services a commercial the new route in West spring are already along in operation in the offer has come forward after 2023. The West of England
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May 2022
Advertising Active Lifestyle Centres offer NHS pain management courses
C
ircadian Trust, who run and operate the five Active Lifestyle Centres across South Gloucestershire, have been commissioned by the local NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to deliver a series of ESCAPEpain courses. The courses will run up to March 2023. ESCAPE-pain stands for Enabling Self-management and Coping with Arthritic Pain using Exercise. It is an evidence-based, group rehabilitation course for people with chronic joint pain. Professor Mike Hurley developed the progressive exercise programme, which helps people learn how to cope with pain, exercise safely, and manage their symptoms. Over 8.75 million people in the UK suffer from chronic joint pain, which can prevent them from being active. However, activity helps improve physical and psychological wellbeing and ensure a healthy social life. The Escape-pain courses are available
in Active Lifestyle Centres across South Gloucestershire. These courses are aimed at people over 45 years, who have been suffering from chronic knee and hip arthritic pain for three months or more, and need a supervised
fitness programme so that they can work towards independent living and mobility. Each session will help participants understand their condition, and be more independent. Gloria Isaac took part in one of the Escape-pain courses. She said: “Attending the Escape-pain course has really benefited me. I was having cortisone injections in my right knee every 6 months. However, I do not feel the need for this. I have seen improvement in my wellbeing mentally, as well as physically. There has been improvement in my muscular strength around my knee and other muscles too. I am now continuing with a follow-up class for arthritis at the leisure centre, so I benefited from the course a lot.” If you live in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire and think you could benefit from taking part in any of the above sessions, please speak with your local GP practice or health care professional. Visit activecentres.org/escapepain for further details.
FROM JUST
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May 2022
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What’s On
Do you like singing? Why not come and join us!
STOKES SINGERS are a friendly group of people who like to sing for fun, writes Chris Tanner (music librarian). The choir is over 25 years old and many of us have been singing together for over 10 years. Proof enough that singing is good for you! We meet on a Thursday evening at Coniston Community Centre and our rehearsals are relaxed and fun. We sing a mixture of songs from pop, folk and shows. You don’t have to be able to read music and there is no ‘formal’ audition, although our
musical director will assess your range to place you in the correct section. We usually sing in three or four parts, sometimes in unison. The first two rehearsals are free, to give you an idea. You will love it! We are singing at the upcoming Stoke Gifford Fête for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, if you’d like to come along to support us and have a fun afternoon! For further information please contact 07716 353182 to speak to a member, or find us on Facebook.
Queen’s Jubilee beacon lighting event in Bradley Stoke
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May 2022
News
Ambitious new target of 6,500 homes for airfield
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new masterplan submitted by YTL, the firm behind the redevelopment of the former Filton Airfield, attempts to show how the number of new homes being built on the site could be increased from the currently approved 2,675 to as many as 6,500. The uplift would be achieved by increasing the proportion of apartment blocks within the mix of property types to be built, with heights up to 18 storeys (and for two buildings up to 30 storeys). By linking the increase in housing to phased improvements in transport infrastructure (see facing page), YTL hopes to convince South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) planning officers that it would “make best use of the largest area of brownfield
land in the south west”. Failing to maximise the potential of such brownfield land will lead to “more development on green fields in unsustainable out-oftown locations”, it claims. Since the original planning consent for 2,675 homes was granted in 2018, YTL has also had its plans for a 17,000-capacity arena complex in the former Brabazon hangars approved. However, it says that since then, “the housing crisis and climate emergency have only got more acute”, and there is also a greater imperative to ‘level-up’ every region of the UK following the Covid-19 pandemic. The firm says that a first step up to 3,675 homes could be achieved by transferring a quota of 1,000 homes earmarked in SGC’s Core Strategy on land at
Indicative CGI aerial view of Brabazon, with the YTL Arena centre right
Patchway Trading Estate, as that project “is no longer expected to go ahead”. This would not increase the total number of homes being built within the Cribbs Patchway New Neighbourhood (set in the Core Strategy at 5,700) and, it is claimed, would not require any additional transport infrastructure beyond that already approved, which includes a new railway station on the former airfield and bus services on the Cribbs Patchway MetroBus Extension. YTL says its new phased masterplan will have the potential to deliver over 1,000 new affordable homes within a ‘15-minute neighbourhood’, where every daily need or essential service is less than a 15 minute walk or bike ride away. Seb Loyn, planning & development director for YTL Developments, said: “Bristol and South Gloucestershire face a housing crisis and need to build more than 100,000 new homes within the next two decades.” “But it is not enough to just build homes: if we are to tackle the climate crisis, we need to make sure we build more
sustainable homes in the right places. This means on brownfield land along existing transport corridors like at Brabazon, where public transport connections and active travel routes provide a genuine alternative to cardependent lifestyles.” “Brabazon sits on major public transport corridors, including the M1 MetroBus route and Concorde Way cycle path. A train service from the new rail station being built at Brabazon will connect to Bristol Temple Meads in less than 15 minutes when operational in 2023.” “Nowhere in the West of England is better placed to build the new homes, offices, schools and community facilities we need, and to do so in a way that is environmentally and economically sustainable.” “Crucially, additional homes and offices will only be built as and when improved public transport connections come forward. The proposals we have submitted have a series of checks and balance in place to ensure that increased density can only be delivered at the same time as the additional public transport needed to support it.”
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Brabazon development (Filton Airfield): From 2,675 to 6,500 homes in four phases
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Schools
Popular headteacher says farewell to Trust
T
he end of April saw Richard Clark, a headteacher with the Olympus Academy Trust, say a sad farewell to children, parents and colleagues after choosing to take early retirement in order to pursue other interests. Up to this point, Richard had been teaching for 30 years across Devon and South Gloucestershire, with exactly 20 of these years, to the day, serving as a local headteacher in Wick, Stoke Lodge and Patchway. Richard remarked that, “Even though there have been many highs and lows during this time, for me, the highs definitely outweighed anything else.” “Even on the most challenging days there was always something to take from it. Quite often a child would make you smile with something they said or had learnt that day. Often, they were so proud and excited to share some of their learning with you that they would be queueing at the door! This, by far, outweighed anything else that happened that day.” When asked what he has most enjoyed about his time in schools, Richard said that he loved working with the children, families and staff in the Olympus Academy Trust and that he felt there was a real ‘family spirit’ across all of the schools. “This became very apparent during the early days of the Covid pandemic when we worked as one team, across all of the schools, to ensure provision was made for key worker families as well as providing materials for those who had to stay home.” He added that “The Trust leadership and facilities at Bradley Stoke helped to ensure key worker families could operate as normal. We would use our minibuses to collect pupils on a daily basis from the local schools and then worked with teams of staff to ensure all the children were supported. It really showed what was achievable in a matter of hours when everyone worked as one.”
Richard Clark (centre) with Dave Baker and Claire Banks of Olympus
Richard said that he absolutely loved working alongside “some of the most amazing members of staff” in the education sector within our local schools. “They are so committed and passionate about teaching and learning and often go over and beyond for our children and young people. I will certainly miss the comradeship that you gain from such committed and hard-working individuals.” Speaking about leaving his current position, Richard explained that he is calling it a ‘new phase’ rather than retirement. After leaving his first job in a factory as an electronics engineer, he trained as a physical education teacher in Plymouth. Two of his favourite aspects of PE teaching were rugby and swimming coaching. He explained that he is currently returning to his roots as a swimming teacher at Winterbourne, viewing swimming as a vital life skill that can not only save lives, but can also be great for health and fitness throughout life. Amongst his future plans, Richard is keen to set up a social enterprise project with a view to helping others in the local community to learn and develop their interest in ceramics and pottery, as well as their entrepreneurial skills. Were there any regrets? “None,” he replied, “apart from having to call in sick for the first time in 30 years on my last
day due to contracting Covid! I managed to miss the farewell assembly that the children and staff organised for me. However, I recently attended a re-run to make up for the one I missed, which I really appreciated. I have certainly felt privileged to
have worked in education and hopefully have made a small difference for some.” Dave Baker, CEO of Olympus Academy Trust, said that Richard would be a great loss to the education community locally as he had always been an advocate for community cohesion and partnership working. He added that Richard had always given his time, energy and expertise tirelessly and willingly everywhere he worked within the Trust. He added: “I will miss Richard as I have worked with him in different roles for the entire 20 years of his headship, many of which have been in the local area where we now work and where Richard lives. I know that Richard will maintain his connections with us and we wish him well as he starts his next phase. I am extremely grateful to him for all that he has done in his time with the Trust.”
ERNEST TILL
SOUTH WEST & CO LTD
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What’s On
Village Fête returns after two-year break
STOKE GIFFORD TRUST COMMITTEE FETE AND FUN DOG SHOW Proceeds of Dog Show will go to Bristol DAWG (Greyhound & Lurcher Rescue) RD
FRIDAY, 3 JUNE 2022 JUDGING STARTS 1.00 PM PROMPT (PAY AS YOU ENTER THE RING – CASH ONLY) £1.50 PER CLASS
Venue: Stoke Gifford Trust Hall Playing Field North Road, Stoke Gifford, Bristol BS34 8PE
S
2012 Village Fête
toke Gifford’s popular Village Fête returns on Bank Holiday Friday 3rd June following a two-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The event takes place between 2pm and 5pm at the Trust Grounds, North Road BS34 8PE. There will be music, entertainment, donkey rides, bouncy castles, teacup rides, stalls, sideshows, games and refreshments. Children will have the chance to meet, and have photos taken with, Paw Patrol, Sonic, Peter Rabbit, Paddington,
Buzz Lightyear and Super Mario. Families can bring along their pooch to enter the ever-popular Fun Dog Show run by DAWG (a Bristol greyhound and lurcher rescue charity), starting at 1pm. There is no formal entry charge to the fête, but the Trust will be collecting donations towards the cost of staging the event. Please note that no parking is available on site (other than for Blue Badge holders). Stalls are still available. For details, visit the Trust website stokegiffordtrust.org.uk
1. Best Puppy (Under 1 year) 2. Most Handsome Dog 3. Prettiest Bitch 4. Best Short Coat 5. Best Long Coat 6. Best Cross Breed 7. Best Rescue 8. Best Brace 9. Best Condition 10. Best Child Handler 14 years and under 11. Best Veteran over 7 years old 12. Best Sighthound 13. Dog with the most appealing eyes 14. Dog with the waggiest tail 15. Dog the Judge would most like to take home Rosettes to 6th place plus Cups & Special Rosettes Any further information telephone Gerry 0117 9695332 or 07795 194223
Fun dog show at the 2012 fête. Inset: Loz Because (photo: Sandy McClure)
Stoke Gifford Fête: Programme of events
Main Display area 2.15 Loz Because with Marky Jay – Fun circus, puppetry and stories 2.45 Stoke Gifford School of Dance – Interactive dance session 3.15 Stoke Gifford Taekwondo – Display 3.45 Loz Because with Marky Jay – Fun circus, puppetry and stories Refreshment area 2.00 Brass band 2.45 Stoke Singers Community Choir 3.15 Brass band 4.00 Stoke Gifford Gospel Choir
Tennis courts 2.45-3.45 Circus workshop Information correct at time of going to press
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May 2022
Bradley Stoke Community Festival, 3rd–5th June Friday 3rd June from 10.30am at the Jubilee Centre BS32 8HL
The Picnic in the Park, for children of all ages and their parents/carers, starts at 10.30am and runs until 2pm at the Jubilee Centre. Van Buren will again present a magic show, with 30-minute performances starting at 10am, 11.30am and 1.30pm*, along with juggling and entertainment alongside a bouncy castle. Hosted by Bradley Stoke Radio, providing music and entertainment. Refreshments will be served during the morning with face painting also available. * Spaces for the magic show are limited; please email info@re-energize.co.uk to be sure of a space.
Saturday 4th June 11.30am to 6.10pm at the Jubilee Centre BS32 8HL Jubilee Green hosts a portable skate park half-pipe, offering a mix of pro rider displays and ‘have a go’ sessions throughout the day. Street art ‘paint a board’ sessions for local children and young people supported by the town council’s Youth Work team. Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre will be providing fitness session displays. On the main field, music will be provided by local bands Our Way, Limited Edition, The Longshots, Beacon Rise, Uncle Buck and Mosaic, plus performers from Bradley Stoke Community School. Local dance groups will perform in between the bands and include: Danceworks, Arabella Belly Dancers, Babyballet, Burlesque Chair Dance Group, Chinese Dancers and Ghana Community Bristol Cultural Dance, along with other local clubs and associations. Fun rides for the children include trampolines, giant slides, football games, giant inflatables, Wipe Out, Wrecking Ball inflatable, Rodeo Bull in the Community Zone, a helter skelter and the popular young children’s go-karts. A tall climbing wall will be alongside the Bradley Stoke Scouts’ stalls, which feature longbow archery and other fun activities. An exhibition on Jubilee Green will feature a range of arts & crafts stalls. Sideshows and community stalls will offer a wide range of local products, services and novelties. Bradley Stoke FC’s Youth section will showcase the new Under-7s mixed teams as well as the new Girls’ U8 and existing U10 teams starting at 12pm on the top field soccer pitches.
Sunday 5th June from 9.30am at the Jubilee Centre & Baileys Court A 10k multi-terrain race organised by Sole Sisters starts at 9.30am from the Jubilee Centre (where it also finishes). Over 600 competitors are expected. At Baileys Court Activity Centre, Bradley Stoke Bowls Club will offer ‘have a go’ sessions for visitors between 12pm and 3pm (see page 15). At Bradley Stoke Skate Park, the Youth Work team will be hosting its annual Skatepark Festival competition along with the portable skate park half-pipe, pro demos and circus skills. Action takes place between 1pm and 5pm (see page 19).
Venues: Baileys Court Activity Centre, Baileys Court Road BS32 8BH • Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre, Fiddlers Wood Lane BS32 9BS OPEN AS USUAL during bridge works Gipsy Patch Lane is now fully reopened!
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Bradley Stoke Community Festival, 3rd-5th June Saturday’s main arena programme At the Jubilee Centre, Savages Wood Road, Bradley Stoke BS32 8HL Band / Performance
Location
Time
Duration
Bradley Stoke Community School Choir
Music stage
11.30
35 minutes
Danceworks
Dance stage
12.05
20 minutes
Mayor’s Welcome
Dance stage
12.25
5 minutes
Our Way
Music stage
12.30
35 minutes
Burlesque Chair Dance Group
Dance stage
13.10
20 minutes
Limited Edition
Music stage
13.30
40 minutes
Chinese Dance
Dance stage
14.10
20 minutes
The Longshots
Music stage
14.30
40 minutes
Babyballet
Dance stage
15.10
20 minutes
Beacon Rise
Music stage
15.30
40 minutes
Arabella Belly Dancers
Dance stage
16.10
20 minutes
Uncle Buck
Music stage
16.30
40 minutes
Ghana Community Bristol Cultural Dance Dance stage
17.10
20 minutes
Mosaic
17.30
40 minutes
Music stage Festival ends:18.10
For the latest Community Festival news, visit: • www.bradleystokejournal.co.uk • ‘Bradley Stoke Journal’ on Facebook
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May 2022
News
A new lease of life
Baptism
E
aster is a time of new life and new beginnings, and it is evident that this new lease of life is being experienced at Little Stoke Baptist Church. Since becoming Minister of LSBC in August last year, minister Rev. Tania Vaughan says that what began as a slow realisation for the community that the building was indeed open soon led to a sense that the people within were very much alive and welcoming. Easter Saturday afternoon was a beautiful day that many people in the community enjoyed at the LSBC Easter Event. Children making chocolate nests, doing craft and playing in the building as parents sat and chatted over coffee and hot cross buns. Outside, the car park was turned into a play area where adults chatted in the sun, children played games and both tried to hook a duck, which was
not as easy as it looked! Some of the children planted sunflowers along the hedgerow so that over the coming weeks they can watch new life grow. On Easter Sunday, a new lease of life became eternal life as we saw our first baptism for a number of years. Easter is a time when we, as Christians, celebrate the resurrection life of Jesus by which we can experience a new life of forgiveness, love and acceptance. The waters of baptism symbolise the beginning of that new life. Easter crafts
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What’s On
Charity open days at Harry Stoke garden
T
he owners of a property in the old hamlet of Harry Stoke are opening their garden to the public for two days this month to raise funds for a number of charities. The event forms part of the National Garden Scheme, which this year will see over 3,500 gardens opening on selected dates to benefit numerous good causes. The garden at The Yews, in Harry Stoke Road (a quiet lane midway between Bristol Parkway and UWE), extends to about 1 acre and has been developed by the present owners Dr Barbara Laue & Dr Chris Payne since 1987. It is named after the over 300-year-old yew trees that feature prominently in the layout. In the front is a formal area with a pond, a gazebo, herbaceous borders and many pieces of clipped box, yew and lonicera. “See if you can spot ‘Anubis’ among the balls, cones and pyramids,” says Barbara. Apart from the old yews, other trees of interest are ginkoes, birches, hollies, eucalyptus, corkscrew hazel, Indian bean tree, Cornelian cherry and recently acquired variegated
privet ‘lollipops’. Round the back you can explore the vegetable garden, apple orchard and greenhouse. And beyond that a developing wildflower meadow and the allimportant compost area. There will be tea, cakes and plants for sale. “Do check out the plants– they’ll be much cheaper than in a garden centre,” says Barbara. The benefiting charities include St Peter’s Hospice and Bristol-based For-ethiopa. Opening: Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd May, 2-5pm. Entry: adults £5, under-18s free Where: Harry Stoke Road BS34 8QH. Access from Great Stoke Way to the middle of Harry Stoke Road. Parking: In Dave Shore’s paddock, just after turning into Harry Stoke Road. Or from the nearby retail centre, walk up the road by The Range and in the bend follow the footpath straight ahead through to Harry Stoke Road and you will come out opposite the garden. Access: Sadly not really suitable for wheelchairs – gravel, grass, uneven paving and slopes.
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May 2022
News
Dance school’s show rated a “huge success”
S
tudents at Stoke Gifford School of Dance have performed their latest show ‘A Night at the Movies’ to an audience of family and friends. The event, which took place at The Olympus Theatre, SGS WISE Campus, Stoke Gifford, on Saturday 26th March, was a huge success. It was an extra special show this time after two years spent dancing in living rooms and kitchens on Zoom, followed by a tentative return to the studio for socially distanced lessons. The cast, which consisted of 60 dancers aged between 3 and 17 years old, showcased their wonderful talents in ballet, modern, tap, contemporary and singing.
Eve Brewer, principal of the school, described the huge effort that is needed to put together a show on this scale: “The preparation for the show starts many months before and includes music editing, choreography, organising costumes and props, designing the programme and writing health & safety protocols and risk assessments. Plus rallying up the support of parents and friends for ticket sales and to help with the smooth running of the show. And all that before we even start teaching the dances to the children!” The performance was based on music from the movies and included pieces from classics such as ‘Charlie and the
Chocolate Factory’, ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and ‘Footloose’ as well as newer favourites from ‘Frozen’, ‘The Hunger Games’ and ‘Dear Evan Hansen’. With dances ranging from pre-school and reception ballet all the way up to advanced tap and modern, there was plenty of variety for the audience to delight in. Madelynne, 8, who performed ballet, tap and modern in the show, said: “I loved being a part of the show and it was great to be back on stage after dancing at home for so long! We all worked really hard learning and practising the dances and I felt very proud to show my family the routines. I also loved getting dressed up in the sparkly costumes!”
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With the event behind them, the dancers and teachers were looking forward to a break over Easter to refresh themselves ready for a busy term of exams in the summer! ● www.stokegifforddance.co.uk
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News
Forget fence worries for good.
For a FREE, no-obligation quote, find out more via:
0117 259 1789 | colourfencebristol.co.uk *t&c’s apply - see website for details
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May 2022
News
Join the conversation on a vision for the north fringe of Bristol
R
esidents who live in the north fringe of Bristol, which includes parts of Bristol and South Gloucestershire, are invited to give their views on a plan to shape the future of the area. The strategic masterplan for the north fringe of Bristol is being jointly developed by the West of England Combined Authority, South Gloucestershire Council and Bristol City Council. The masterplan sets out a vision that aims to address inequalities, make sure growth is sustainable, and respond to the climate and ecological emergency, over the next 30 years. Illustrative schemes in the plan include: • Possible alternative land uses and improved connections at the Aztec West Business Park • Improving access and public spaces around Bradley Stoke town centre • Improving active travel connections between UWE / Abbey Wood and Stoke Gifford • Transforming the A38 so that it no longer forms a major barrier between communities To take part in the survey and find out more, visit westofengland-ca.gov.uk/north-fringe Paper copies of the survey are available from all public libraries in the north fringe.
During the engagement period, there will be the following drop-in events: Thursday 19th May, 2pm – 6pm Patchway Community Centre, Rodway Road, Patchway BS34 5PF Tuesday 24th May, 6pm – 8.30pm Little Stoke Community Café, Little Stoke Park, Little Stoke Lane, Little Stoke BS34 6HR These offer an opportunity to learn more about the plan, meet the project team and ask questions.
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Marshall Toyota Bristol (Cribbs Causeway) First Field Way, Cribbs Causeway, Bristol, BS34 5TN Tel: 0117 321 7676 www.marshallbristolcribbs.toyota.co.uk *3.9% APR Representative only available on new retail orders of All New Aygo X between 15th December 2021 and 31st March 2022 and registered and financed through Toyota Financial Services by 30th June 2022 on a 42 month AccessToyota (PCP) plan with 0%-35% deposit. Toyota AccessFlex payment breaks are not available. Toyota Financial Services is a trading name of Toyota Financial Services (UK) PLC; registered office Great Burgh, Burgh Heath, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 5UZ. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Indemnities may be required. Finance subject to status to over 18s. Other finance offers are available but cannot be used in conjunction with this offer. Offer may be varied or withdrawn at any time. 8,000 miles per annum, excess miles over contracted charged at 8p per mile. Toyota Centres are independent of Toyota Financial Services. Participating Toyota Centres. Affordable finance through AccessToyota (PCP). Terms and conditions apply.
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Schools Ofsted: Patchway secondary school ‘requires improvement’
A
secondary school in Patchway that joined the Olympus Academy Trust (OAT) in 2016 after being rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted has received another disappointing grading from inspectors who visited the school in February. The latest Ofsted report for Patchway Community School allocates an overall rating of ‘requires improvement’, with the same rating being given to the individual assessment categories of ‘quality of education’, ‘behaviour and attitudes’ and ‘leadership and management’. On the plus side, ‘personal development’ and ‘sixth form provision’, were both rated ‘good’ by the inspectors. The report acknowledges that Trustees, Trust leaders and local governors are committed to stabilising and improving the school. However, it adds that they “have yet to secure a good quality of education for all pupils”. Progress has been made on improving attendance. The report says that pupils are now attending school regularly, including those who previously had high rates of absence. Inspectors say the curriculum has been planned carefully and leaders and staff are clear about what pupils need to learn. However, teachers do not always check the learning in lessons has been fully understood. Pupils’ conduct in lessons is said to be “calm and orderly” with very little disruption to learning. However, behaviour outside lessons is “not good enough”, causing concern for some pupils. Survey results show that most parents said their child is happy and feels safe at the school, however a majority said that when they had raised concerns with the school, they hadn’t been dealt with properly. Asked if they would recommend the school to another parent, only 40 percent said “yes”. Following publication of the report in April, a spokesperson
for OAT said: “We knew that it was going to be a close call as to whether inspectors would see enough to say that Patchway Community School is now a consistently good school. There were many positives in the inspection report as well as some areas of concern that will require further action.” “The inspection has not changed the direction of travel but has confirmed that all the things we have been working on in recent months are moving the school closer to being consistently good. New expectations and routines introduced in stages since the autumn have had a hugely positive impact and the school is increasingly calm, purposeful and happy on a day-to-day basis. Some of the changes are a direct response to concerns raised by students and parents about feeling safe and supported.” Dave Baker, OAT chief executive, said: “Members of the Olympus Central Team have spent a lot of time based in Patchway since October and we have seen week by week how the new routines have helped to establish better habits. This will enable all students to thrive once they are used to them.” Patchway Community School headteacher, Karen Cornick, expressed thanks to students for being superb ambassadors for their school during the two days of inspection. She said that it was no surprise to her that inspectors praised students for their honesty, warmth and eagerness to talk about their positive experiences as members of the school community.
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Get well · Stay well
M
May 2022
by Lauren Small, massage therapist at Willow Brook Clinic
What is Massage Therapy?
assage therapy is considered part of integrative medicine, which means that it is often used alongside other treatments such as chiropractic or exercise therapy. It is increasingly being offered along with standard treatment for a wide range of medical conditions and situations. But it can also stand alone and be used to treat many issues including reducing stress and increasing relaxation. Massage therapy uses different pressure points and movement techniques to release stress and tension in order to provide relief from painful symptoms, heal injuries and support wellness. As with exercise, massage has great benefit when you receive it regularly. A programme of regular massage will help your body maintain its overall health. When we use our bodies for daily tasks, like sitting to work at a computer or taking part in vigorous exercise, the buildup of waste products in your muscles can leave you feeling tired and sore. A massage will increase your circulation, removing waste products and bringing healing nutrients to your muscles. Some muscles can become so contracted that they press on nerves causing pain and tingling. Our muscles can get tight from repeated use, even causing active trigger points, which is a spasm in
your muscle. A deep tissue massage releases restrictions in your muscles, joints and surrounding fascia, giving your body a chance to return to a more natural and healthy state. By releasing tension, massage can help prevent injuries that might result from putting stress on unbalanced muscle groups. The most noticeable response to massage is relaxation. The therapy can improve your sleep and help you focus on your wellbeing. A qualified massage therapist will discuss your objectives with you and tailor your massage to suit your needs. Massage is not a luxury, it is a way to happier, healthy life. Massage can be a powerful tool to help you take charge of your health and wellbeing. The Willow Brook Clinic www.willowbrookclinic.co.uk
● See our advert on page 9.
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May 2022
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25
News
WI branch contributes to ‘Queen’s Green Canopy’
M
embers of Stoke Gifford WI assembled in Royal Park, Stoke Gifford on Saturday 30th April to attach a plaque to a tree they had planted late last year to mark Her Majesty The Queen’s upcoming Platinum Jubilee. The local branch of the WI decided they would like to plant the tree as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative, which invites people from across the
United Kingdom to ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’. After the plaque unveiling, branch members enjoyed coffee and cake in the sunshine. Sue Grimsted, president of Stoke Gifford WI, said: “After having our application approved, we were really pleased with the site that was offered to us.” “We purchased our tree, acer
× freemanii ‘Morgan’, locally in Rockhampton and it was planted at the end of November 2021, as it needed to be in the ground before Christmas.” “Many thanks for everyone’s help along the way.” Stoke Gifford WI will be celebrating its 56th anniversary in July. Meetings are on the first Wednesday of the month (except
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August) at the Trust Hall, North Road, starting at 7.30pm. The branch has a varied programme with a guest speaker most months. Recent topics have ranged from pantomime dames to rapeseed oil. They also have days out and stage craft days, book club events, quiz nights, skittles competitions etc. Visitors are always welcome.
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May 2022
News
Stoke Gifford Scouts learn all about aviation By Andrew Phelps, 1st Stoke Gifford Scouts he Old School Rooms (OSR) troop recently spent time learning ‘all things aviation’ for the Air Activities Badge. This is a multi-stage badge, so anyone in Scouting can progressively learn more and extend their knowledge and skills from Beavers to Explorers. With the local connection to the aviation industry being so strong, it seemed a natural badge for the Scouts to attempt. Firstly, we went to the Aerospace Bristol museum on Hayes Way in Patchway, and as well as looking around this great educational facility the Scouts were taken into the classroom to design a rocket and use a foot pump to project it into the air. Some designs were more successful than others, with a few getting stuck up in the rafters. The staff were great and very helpful. The Concorde exhibit was awesome, and the displays were a great way to show the Scouts some requirements of the air activities badge. The remaining requirements were covered by Mike Webb, one of the assistant Scout leaders whose background is in aviation, with him teaching the Scouts about how the controls work to make the aircraft manoeuvre and speed up, slow down and land. The Scouts made paper airplanes and tested them in the OSR hall – planes of all shapes and sizes. Some models were very
T
Left: On a visit to Aerospace Bristol. Right: Flying circuits around Reykjavik using gaming simulator controls.
aerodynamic, and the Scouts had chance to make adjustments with a little advice from others. All the models flew and it was a bit like watching the film clips of man’s early attempts at flight. The final section of the badge was a flight simulator, and we were lucky enough to be joined by Roger, a former RAF fast jet pilot and current flight instructor, who brought into the Old School Rooms some gaming simulator controls. These enabled the Scouts to fly circuits around Reykjavik in Iceland, in full control of the aircraft with Roger explaining and describing rolling, banking, climbing and increasing speed etc. whilst the Scouts performed the movements. Learning all about aviation was great and with parents, family and friends working in the industry hopefully we have sparked some of the Scouts to think of careers either building,
flying or designing the aircraft of the future. This is what Scouting is all about – ‘Skills For Life’. We have a great team of adult volunteers at the troop and are always looking for more. We are especially looking for a group treasurer; if you are interested or would like further information, please contact Paul Smith the group Scout leader (email pauljampotsmith@gmail.com) or visit the 1st Stoke Gifford website and complete an enquiry form.
Centre: Launching rockets with foot pumps. Above: Testing paper airplanes.
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27
Sport
In Brief
Begbrook Green Bowls Big Weekend 28th-29th May
Timetable clarified for Cheswick parish split
egbrook Green Bowling Club is located in Frenchay Park Road, alongside Begbrook Park and Stapleton & Begbrook Social Club. To welcome the warmer weather, we are holding a series of free open days for people to come along and give bowls a try. All you need is a flat pair of shoes, and we’ll provide the rest, writes Ken Maynard. The open days will take place between 10.30am and 4pm on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th May, to celebrate the Bowls Big Fun Weekend taking place nationally. Bowls is truly a sport for all; whether you are young, or young at heart, there is no age barrier. It is a very social activity which only takes a minute to learn but a lifetime to master. As well as providing an essential social lifeline, it is a good means of exercise, but most important of all it’s great FUN.
Following the decision by South Gloucestershire Council to create a new parish for Cheswick Village and Stoke Park by removing these areas from the existing parish of Stoke Gifford, the local authority has now clarified the timetable for the process. The second stage of public consultation, which will consider parish boundaries, is expected to begin sometime in June and run for approximately 8 weeks. The final officer report will be presented at the September meeting of SGC’s Regulatory Committee after which Council will consider any agreed changes in October. It is planned that the new parish will formally come into existence on the day of the May 2023 local elections. Stoke Gifford Parish Council has reserved a budget of £80,000 to cover asset transfers and loss of precept income arising from the loss of its University ward.
B
A previous Open Day at Begbrook Green Bowling Club
Check out our website, begbrookgreenbc.org.uk or find us on Facebook under ‘Begbrook Green Bowling Club’. For further details and to register your interest or book a session, please contact Jane Warburton (07712 315981) or
jewarburton12@gmail.com Alternatively, register via the Bowls England website by typing bowlsweekend.com/register into your browser. Once on the website, click on ‘Find your nearest club’ using our postcode BS16 1HY.
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May 2022
Advertising Thumbs up for new fertility clinic from Dannii and Fran
N
ewlyweds Dannii and Fran Thorington-Neve, who are expecting their first baby in August, have given an enthusiastic thumbsup to the new state-of-the-art fertility clinic just opened by Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine (BCRM) at Aztec West. Fran, 34, said: “We were thrilled to see the scan of our baby, who is the result of our second round of IVF with BCRM. The whole thing is such an amazing experience, and we are incredibly excited about becoming parents. “Dannii and I opted for reciprocal IVF, which means she is carrying my embryo, and we’re hoping – after a suitable interval – to be able to do it all over again with me carrying Dannii’s embryo next time, to provide a little brother or sister for this one.”
The couple, who married last July, both work for the UK’s leading veterinary charity PDSA, and they live in Totterdown. Fran said they are both very impressed by BCRM’s new premises at Aztec West. “The new clinic has a lovely warm feeling to it: much more spacious and airy. It’s easily accessible, near the junction of the M4 and the M5, and there’s loads of free parking. They just have the nicest team of people there, who make you feel so special and well looked after.” One of the longest-established fertility operators in the South West, the ever-increasing demand for BCRM’s services was a major driver in their relocation, and the planning for the new clinic has focused on enhancing the patient experience, as well as equipping them to treat a
greater number of patients and to continue developing as a centre of excellence. The Aztec West premises offer a very large consulting suite, the latest technology laboratories, plus energy-efficient features and ultra-modern theatres. BCRM treats heterosexual couples, same sex couples and
single women, and can help with male as well as female fertility issues. The clinic has some of the best success rates in the country for IVF. Further details are available by emailing Contact@BCRM.clinic, phoning 0117 259 1159 to talk to a Patient Advisor or through the website www.fertilitybristol.com
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News
BS & SG Journal magazines enter retirement Hugely popular Journal websites and social media channels will continue to provide local news coverage By Stephen Horton, BS & SG Journal editor am saddened to inform readers that this issue of the Stoke Gifford Journal magazine will be the last you will receive through your letterbox. I hope you have enjoyed reading our in-depth coverage of local news since the first issue of our magazine was published back in October 2018. Printing a free newspaper and distributing it to thousands of homes has always been a financially challenging exercise, but thanks to the tremendous support of our advertisers, we have managed to keep our heads above water and continue publishing high-quality products for over nine years. However, cost pressures resulting from Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic, combined with declining demand within the wider print advertising market, have brought matters to a head in the last couple of years. Most recently, the energy crisis has led to printing prices rocketing, and the notification of a further increase (the third in 10 months) from 1st April has unfortunately been the final straw. Another factor in the decision to cease publication has been your editor’s desire to start taking things easier as he approaches normal retirement age!
I
Whereas it might have been possible to struggle on for a few more years by lowering the quality threshold and throwing a magazine together from poor quality and irrelevant press releases, that is not a path we wanted to go down. But the good news is that we will be continuing our extensive local news coverage on all our existing online channels: website, Facebook and Twitter. Please do take a moment to explore our recently revamped, fully responsive website (stokegiffordournal.co.uk), which is full of news articles and information pages. To keep fully informed of everything that is going on in the area, we recommend following our Twitter feed (@TheSGJournal), which includes breaking news, brief items that don’t justify a website article and links to relevant news from other publishers. You don’t need to have a Twitter account to read it. You can also view the latest tweets on the homepage of our website. To make sure you don’t miss any local news stories, why not sign up to our email newsletter? To subscribe, click on the email icon at the top of our website. You will receive no more than one email message per day. Thanks for reading our magazine. See you online soon!
Issue 1 of the Bradley Stoke Journal magazine (May 2013)
Issue 1 of the Stoke Gifford Journal magazine (October 2018)
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PAINTING & DECORATING
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