Archive for June, 2011

Residents celebrate launch of new youth housing scheme

Tuesday, June 28th, 2011

Young residents at a new youth housing scheme in Patchway celebrated its official launch by hosting an open day yesterday.

Neighbours, local councillors, and support providers were invited to have a look around Charles England House to see how it’s helping young homeless residents to live independently. The scheme provides temporary accommodation to young people and support to help them find a new home. It’s run as a partnership between Merlin Housing Society, South Gloucestershire Council, and County Community Projects (CCP).

CCP Operations Manager Gareth Edwards, said “We wanted to hold an open day to showcase the work we do and highlight the importance of this valuable service. The residents have been really hands-on with the event. They designed the invitations, organised the refreshments, talked to guests and showed them around the scheme. We’re all very proud of their input.”

Youth Scheme Housing Manager, Anita Cuddihy, said: “When a resident arrives at the scheme we assess their needs and support them with an aim to helping  them find a more permanent home. They will also be put in touch with organisations offering any training or support they need. We’re confident that the scheme will help reduce the numbers of young homeless people in South Gloucestershire.”

Charles England House offers 24-hour housing related support to young people aged 16 to 24,   including single young people, couples, families, rough sleepers, and care leavers at risk of homelessness. An emergency room is also available to provide short-term assistance to 16 to 17 year olds who would otherwise be placed in bed and breakfast accommodation.

Photo shows Scheme Manager with sisters Charlene and Chadelle Newman, who live at the scheme.

Local burglaries prompts Police warning

Tuesday, June 28th, 2011

Police are reminding householders to lock up after a number of arrests for going equipped and burglary in South Gloucestershire in the past week.

On Wednesday June 22 officers responded to a call about people behaving suspiciously in the Abbeywood area and arrested five men.  Police then recovered four bicycles suspected of being stolen from sheds and garages after searching a number of addresses.  Five men aged 19, 20, 20, 22 and 62 were later released on police bail pending further enquiries. Two were given bail conditions including a night-time curfew.

Two men aged 18 and 21 were arrested early on Monday June 27 2010, in connection with a burglary at a home in Bradley Stoke. The police helicopter was involved in a search of the area after the break-in. The two men were later released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Neighbourhood Inspector Bob Evely said: “It’s important to remember to lock up your home and secure doors and windows if you’re not in the same room.

“But thieves are targeting sheds and garages to steal bicycles and other valuables – and often find tools they can then use to get into your home.  Use a hasp and staple fastening with a strong padlock on the door and good quality hinges. Fit a battery-powered alarm and make sure you mark all your property with your postcode and register it at www.immobilise.com. It’s also important to make sure you lock valuable bikes or mowers to a ground anchor with a strong chain.”

 For more crime prevention advice visit www.avonandsomerset.police.uk or contact your neighbourhood team.

Another Cat Missing From Bradley Stoke

Friday, June 24th, 2011

Much-loved family cat, Charlie, is the latest cat to be reported missing from Bradley Stoke.

Charlie  is 11 months old and has been missing since 8th June. The family told us “He has grown up with the family’s 1 year old daughter, and she is missing him desperately. He would sit on the bath panel with her whilst she took a bath and snuggle up next to her when she was poorly. We are lost without him.”

Charlie is a petite ginger cat,  and was last seen wearing a red collar. He is microchipped and was lost from Ormonds Close.

If any of our viewers find Charlie, please call 01454 618085.

Reward Offered For Kitten Missing From Bradley Stoke

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

The owners of a kitten, which went missing from the central part of Bradley Stoke, have offered a reward for the safe return of their beloved pet.

Much-loved pet, Chillpill, was last seen in Snowberry Close around 14th June.

The kitten is a petite tabbby, mostly brown with some grey and white and is medium haired. It is also micro chipped.

Local residents are asked please to check their sheds and garages. If you have any information please call 07551 831081.

Schools Work Together for Infant Music Festival

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

Bailey’s Court Primary School today hosted the annual Infant Music Festival for Year 2 pupils, which was attended by children from all around the local area including Meadowbrook and Holy Trinity. This was a great opportunity for the local primary schools to get together and share their enjoyment of music.

This year’s theme was ‘animals’ and children had been practicing a number of animal-themed songs for the last few weeks, specially for this event. Pupils dressed up in animal costumes or as farmers or vets – notably there were a large number of cats! – to add fun to the event.

Not to miss out, many of the teachers joined in with the theme and dressed up too.

Following this morning’s large event at Bailey’s Court, many of the schools  held special performances for parents to enable them to share the children’s learning.

Pupils at Meadowbrook performed in front of Reception and Year 1 pupils, as well as their own parents, back in their school hall, combining delightful singing with actions. Some families had made a tremendous effort with the costumes – as you can see from the pictures shown.

Bethany told us “My favourite song is one about jellyfish, but I didn’t have a jellyfish costume so today I am a cat!”

The schools whose pupils walked to Bailey’s Court would like to say a special ‘thank you’ to the parents who volunteered their time to walk with the children to and from this event.

New Bradley Stoke Crossing

Monday, June 20th, 2011

A new Bradley Stoke crossing brings a safer route to school for Wheatfield pupils, though drivers can expect minor delays during the installation.

Work started today on Bradley Stoke’s newest pedestrian crossing, on Brook Way just north of the mini roundabout at the junction with Wheatfield Drive.

£20,000 has been allocated by the Southern Brooks Area Forum to install a raised speed table across the full width of Brook Way, as part of the Wheatfield Primary School travel plan which identified difficulties for pupils and their carers crossing Brook Way at busy times.

As part of the Bradley Stoke Urban Safety Project between 2000 and 2001 Brook Way was ‘traffic calmed’ with speed cushions, but some residents have questioned their effectiveness. It is hoped that the new Brook Way crossing will not only make it safer for Wheatfield pupils and other pedestrians to cross Brook Way, but also encourage more walking to school and reduce the number of cars used in the school run.

During the installation work, two-way temporary traffic signals will be used to control traffic on the Brook Way. South Gloucestershire Council say that some minor delays for drivers are inevitable. The estimated completion date is 1st July.

Plea For Cat Missing From Palmers Leaze

Monday, June 20th, 2011

The owner of a cat which went missing from Palmers Leaze in Bradley Stoke on Friday is appealing for help from local residents to find her.

Tifa is a 2 year old female cat. She is mainly black with white paws, a white belly and white markings on her face. She has very distinctive long white whiskers and eyebrows and green eyes. She is very vocal and has a distinctive mew.

She is microchipped, wearing a pink collar with a pink tag containing her owners’ details.

Tifa went missing from Palmers Leaze on Friday 17th June and has been known to find herself dry warm places to hide! Owner, Laura has asked Bradley Stoke Matters to publicise her plea “Please could everyone in the area check their garden sheds, garages and gardens to see if they can find Tifa.”

If anyone does spot her please call 07878 608018 or 07779 069966.

Laura told us “Tifa is much missed and we’d be extremely grateful for her safe return. Many thanks!”

UPDATE 27th JUNE: WE ARE PLEASED TO HEAR THAT TIFA HAS RETURNED HOME SAFE AND WELL TODAY, JUST HUNGRY & THIRSTY HAVING OBVIOUSLY BEEN SHUT IN SOMEWHERE SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN!

Gold Medals for Bradley Stoke Judo Club in International Competition

Friday, June 17th, 2011

Last week 19 judoka from Bradley Stoke Judo Club aged between 8 and 16 travelled to Grisolles in France to compete in an international competition. They were accompanied by Head Coach Pete Douglas and assistant coach Gem Gale, together with parents and some siblings.

The event took place over 5 days with over 1200 competitors taking part from 14 countries including national teams from Turkey and Italy; 4 top Russian clubs, players from Senegal, Ghana….and many quality fighters from clubs in France, Spain and Holland.

Bradley Stoke Judo Club were the only British club represented and for many of the young fighters, several whom are British medallists, it was their first opportunity to train and fight overseas against some of the best in the world.

Not only did they have a fantastic time, but Zoe Okoye (8), Louis Arsac (14), and Kelly Wilson (16) won gold medals within their groups; Megan Robinson (10) came home with the silver, and bronze trophies were won by Louis Horne(9); Tasha Okoye (11), Ellie Young (11), Jack Reeves (11) and Pete Miles (15).

All in all it was a hugely successful trip with all players doing themselves and their Club proud. Well done from us to the whole team!

Footsteps for Abigail – Inside Out West Special 20th June

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011

Everyone will remember the two local fundraising campaigns over the last couple of years in order to send two local children, first Toby and secondly Abigail, over to visit a very special surgeon, Dr Park at the St Louis Children’s Hospital in America in order to undergo a life-changing operation to enable each of them to walk independently.

Toby and Abigail have both made tremendous progress to date following their operations, but also there has been an amazing development locally with the first ever UK SDR surgery (Dr Park version) having been performed just up the road in Frenchay. The surgeon at Frenchay trained under Dr Park, who is renowned as the best in the world at this and has a 100% sucess rate and has performed over 2000 of these operations.

This development at  Frenchay has brought forward the BBC’s follow up on Abigail’s progress following her operation in December. The programme will be shown as an Inside Out West Special at 7.30 on BBC1 on 20th June .   Abigail is currently 5 months into a 12-month rehabilitation, so her progress is still on-going and she continues to improve.

The first programme on Abigail aired last November and is available to view here if you missed it.  Photo shows Abigail with ‘the amazing’  Dr Park.

Guiness World Record Attempt Awaiting Confirmation

Tuesday, June 14th, 2011

A Bristol-based hockey club is awaiting confirmation of its new Guinness World Record™ for the longest hockey match in history.

Dozens of local volunteers got involved in the hope of earning a place in history and to help save the lives of premature and critically ill babies.

South Gloucestershire Hockey Club’s (SGHC) goal was to set a new Guinness World Record™ for the longest ever hockey match, beating the previous record of 30hrs 15mins. The challenge was launched in order to raise funds for the Cots for Tots Appeal, a £1m drive to provide vital equipment for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the city’s St Michael’s Hospital.

The marathon match took place on May 28th and 29th at Bradley Stoke Community School, and the club raised an impressive £1,900 even before the match began.

Organiser Darren Bane, an SGHC player and the father of a boy who was born more than three months early and spent the first six months at St Michael’s Hospital, said the event a great success. In addition to hockey players, the club received help from the local community in the form of independent witnesses to log key times and events, as part of an evidence package needed for Guinness in support of the world record claim.

Bradley Stoke’s Town Mayor, Cllr Ben Walker, blew the whistle to start the match at 9am on Saturday May 28th. The picture above shows a champagne celebration (spot the cork!) taken some 31 hours later.

The players had to overcome some nasty weather – strong winds and driving, misty, rain, not to mention extreme fatigue. By the time they finished, it looked more like an outing for the Ministry of Silly Walks than a hockey match, due to the leaden limbs of most of the players. But they persevered, and were bolstered by a good gathering of spectators to cheer them on at the end. Huge thanks to the school, Tesco, the witnesses, stewards and timekeepers, without whom it would not have been possible.

Darren told Bradley Stoke Matters “The sponsorship money is still coming in; at present we’ve just gone past the £4,400 barrier, and I KNOW of at least another £250 to come, so I am starting to seriously think that we may end up raising around £5,000, which will be awesome. Many of us are still aching and hurting, but it has been universally agreed that the “no pain, no gain” motto applies; it was all worth it!”

“The other thing that is happening now (apart from continuing recovery) is that we are putting together our evidence package for Guinness, which some coverage on your website will very much form part.”

Mummy Breakfast Club at Willow Brook Centre

Tuesday, June 14th, 2011

All local Mums are invited to join the free ‘Mummy Breakfast Club’ at the Willow Brook Centre.

The Willow Brook Centre is launching a new club especially for local Mums. The ‘Mummy’s Breakfast Morning’ club will be held on the last Tuesday of each month, starting on Tuesday 28th June 2011.

Membership is free and Mums can register by emailing their contact details to mummys@willowbrookcentre.co.uk

It’s great opportunity to catch up with other Mums and their children at the Harvester restaurant and enjoy FREE hot drinks between 9.30am and 11.30am.  Free activities for the children too, and on the 28th June there will be an art & craft workshop and a puppet workshop.  For the Mums, a Boots Beauty Advisor will be offering advice on makeup and skin care and at 10am chiropractors from the Willow Brook Centre will discuss musculoskeletal health and offer advice and a free spinal check at the clinic.   As a special treat for the launch event there will be a goody bag too.  Registration will also be available on the day.

It’s hosted by Harvester, but other Willow Brook Centre shops and businesses are supporting the club too and the free membership card will entitle Mums to special offers and discounts at selected outlets.

For example, if Mums present their ‘Mummy’s Breakfast Membership Card’ at the Brantano shoe shop in Bradley Stoke they can receive 10% off everything in-store (subject to terms and conditions).

Other participating businesses include C J Hole, Boots, Peacocks, Excellence Spa, the Willow brook Clinic, Reflections hair salon, the Card Factory, Costa Coffee and Pets at Home.

www.willowbrookcentre.co.uk

*NOTE* CHANGE OF VENUE FOR SUNDAY’S CHURCH SERVICE

Saturday, June 11th, 2011

Due to the poor weather forecast tomorrow morning, the outdoor United Churches Service scheduled for 11am at Baileys Court Activity Centre as part of the Festival weekend, will now take place at Christ the King Church, Maltravers Close still at 11 am.

Thumbs Up For FOJG Treasure Hunt

Saturday, June 11th, 2011

There were smiles all round at yesterday’s Preschool Picnic at Jubilee Green, with a host of fun activities laid on activities – mostly free – for young children.

Parents were able to enjoy a leisurely coffee and cake, while their children took advantage of face painting, sit-on toys, balloon modeling and bouncy castle.

Fabulous feedback was received from parents, grandparents and young children about the Friends of Jubilee Green’s Treasure Hunt. Devised by Michelle Dent and Helen Lane, the game consisted of locating twelve colourful envelopes full of fun stickers, hidden all around the park. The children were challenged to find all the envelopes stick the matching stickers onto their answer sheets – or even over their T-shirts.

Sally commented: “This treasure hunt is such a good idea. My daughter really enjoyed it – she loves stickers!”

As a member of the Friends of Jubilee Green, I thoroughly enjoyed helping to run the activity. It was a real joy to see the children’s excited little faces when they skipped off to find their next envelope, and their pride when they returned with their completed sheet, full of colourful stickers.

Each child was rewarded with a choice of fabulous prize – from toy mobile phones to water squirters and mini ice lolly makers.

Despite an initial downpour which looked like it could spoil the day, the sun soon came out, and made the day just perfect for local families.

Don’t miss the Festival Celebrations today and tomorrow!

Pre-Schoolers’ Treasure Hunt Today

Friday, June 10th, 2011

The Friends of Jubilee Green are delighted to be joining in with the Festival celebrations at today’s preschoolers’ picnic by laying on a fantastic TREASURE HUNT in and around the Jubilee Green park.

This will involve the children up to the age of 5 searching the park for SEVEN  envelopes containing stickers and matching them to their answer sheet. Or if they prefer they can cover their t-shirts with them! When they have found all the stickers they can choose a prize.

There is no charge for this activity, which has been sponsored by the Bradley Stoke and Little Stoke Gifford Matters Magazine.

Southern Brooks Community Development are organising a toddler toddle at 10.30 at the Jubilee Green – with face painting and making animal masks!!

This is a great event for young children, not to be missed.

Festival Weekend has Arrived!

Thursday, June 9th, 2011


The Annual Bradley Stoke Festival weekend is upon us once again with the preschoolers’ Picnic in the Park kicking off proceedings on Friday morning. The Festival, organised and funded by Bradley Stoke Town Council, is a fantastic celebration of the great community we have here in Bradley Stoke. It is always well attended and a lot of fun, with some great entertainment on offer – most of it FREE!

Schedule of Events are as below:

Friday 10th June
The Bradley Stoke Town Council monthly coffee morning will be combining with the annual Picnic in the Park and will be running from 9.30am until approximately 2.00pm at the Jubilee Centre. Professor Panic presents his range of circus skills in the Big Top alongside the Bubbleman. Refreshments will be served along with a range of local craft and community stalls.

Saturday 11th June 11.30 am – 6.00 pm
The headline band is the Counterfeit Bee Gees with local bands; Doing Time, Trouble on the Green, Tundra + the winner of The Battle of the Bands competition, Cassette. The dance area features local groups and clubs with fun rides for the children including trampolines, inflatables, activities, sideshows, quads and Bristol Zoo with a weird & wonderful collection of animals.

Kingswood Bus project will entertain 11 – 18 year olds alongside the SBCP Youth Workers. Sideshows, craft and community stalls will offer a wide range of local products and novelties.

The Schools Football Tournament for Year 1 Boys and 3/4 year girls starts at 10.30 a.m. on the top soccer pitches.

From 10.00am the Three Brooks Nature Conservation Group will stage a walk through the reserve from the leisure centre with a professional Ecologist providing expert insight into the natural world.

If you feel like partying-on after the last band has played at the Jubilee Centre, why not move on to the Leisure Centre where it is Family Disco Night from 7.30pm.  Entry is FREE and all ages are welcome, there will be a disco, karaoke and games!

Sunday 12th June
A 10k multi terrain race with up to 500 competitors organised by Sole Sisters starts at 09.30am and finishes at the Jubilee Centre.
There is also a Skate Competition at the Skate Park.
The Outdoor Church service organised by all the local churches starts at 11.00am at Baileys Court
The Bradley Stoke Cricket Club will provide a BBQ + bar from 12.00 noon and the 3rd Bradley Stoke Cricket 6-a-side Tournament takes place from 1.00p.m. until 6.00p.m. with evening entertainment in the clubhouse

Bradley Stoke Radio – Are you listening in?

Wednesday, June 8th, 2011

Bradley Stoke Radio went live last Saturday 4 June on 87.7 fm and will be on air until 18th June. Tune in or listen live on-line here.

Summer Fun Day for Shelbie – please help!

Wednesday, June 8th, 2011

Bristol Palace Football Club is a men’s eleven-a-side football established just last year who play and train in Little Stoke Playing Fields. Having just completed their first season of the Gloucestershire Football Association as league winners and GFA Cup winners 2010-11, they have set themselves a new challenge!

They are hosting a ‘Summer Fun Day’ in Little Stoke Playing Fields, on Saturday 2nd July 2011. The aim of this event is to raise funds to support Shelbie.

Shelbie is a 10 year old girl with an ongoing medical condition called Partial Trisomy 9p Deletion 3, which has a multitude of additional complications; heart disease, chronic lung disease, epilepsy, tubulopathy, diabetes, neuro-developmental delay and hypothyroidism. Shelbie cannot walk or speak and although life is limited, she is a happy child and is growing and getting bigger. The ‘Summer Fun Day’ will raise funds to assist Shelbie’s family in meeting her physical and mental needs.

To ensure the event is a success, The team are looking for contributions to the event from any individuals, local organisations or volunteers.

They urgently require:-
• Sponsorship
• Raffle prizes
• Advertising assistance

In addition, there are places available for local organisations to attend the event by occupying a stand and contributing to the day.

They hope to secure involvement from a number of local organisations to make this a large and successful event. There will be a 5-a-side football tournament running throughout the day, with stalls such as face painting, competitions and refreshments.

In order for the day to run smoothly, they also need additional volunteers to help during the day.

If you can help in any way please contact Nick Townsend on n.townsend@hotmail.co.uk or call him on 07970 603 862 if you require any further information.

Successful Launch of Bradley Stoke Radio

Saturday, June 4th, 2011

Local volunteers celebrate the culmination of months of planning and hard work

Music and bubbles filled the air at the Town Square of the Willow Brook Centre this morning, as volunteers and supporters of Bradley Stoke Community Radio counted down to the 12 noon live launch.

The station’s first presenters, Stephen Poole and Lucy Smith, were busy manning the decks in the studio in one of the offices on the first floor of the Willlow Brook Centre, kindly provided by the centre’s management team. Their studio – a £150 bargain from Ebay – houses all the presenters’ essential equipment, and provides a suitably quiet space for the presenters and any guests on the show to focus.

Bradley Stoke Mayor, Ben Walker, was there to wish everyone good luck, along with Jon Williams and newly elected Bradley Stoke Town Councillor Tom Aditya.

Countdown to FM Bradley Stoke Radio Launch

Friday, June 3rd, 2011

Bradley Stoke Radio will be launching the first FM broadcast to the community on Saturday June 4th. From 10:30am Bradley Stoke Radio will be hosting a PA in The Willow Brook Centre Town square with music and entertainment and a free prize draw to win tickets to the Weston Wheel.

At Midday the entertainment outside will go live to Bradley Stoke Radio to launch the first ever show on air with fanfare, smoke machines and an exciting countdown to the launch. The first programme will be hosted by Bradley Stoke Community Radio Association Chairperson, Stephen Poole and Secretary Lucy Smith who will showcase the exciting variety of programmes planned for the coming weeks of their FM broadcast and pay thanks to the organisations who have helped make Bradley Stoke Radio a reality.

VIP’s including local supporters and funding organizations and press are invited to join the launch and enjoy a tour of the studio after the midday launch. Local residents and business owners will also be offered tours of Bradley Stoke Radio throughout the day to meet volunteer presenters and see what goes on behind the scenes.

Matters Magazines are proud to be sponsoring this great community initiative.

BBC Radio Bristol Visits Matters Magazines

Wednesday, June 1st, 2011

The popularity of the local Matters Magazines and the 2 community websites, www.bradleystokematters.co.uk and www.bishopstonmatters.co.uk seems to be spreading fast!

Hot on the heels of Points West presenter, Chris Vacher, who interviewed Jaci and Alison from Bradley Stoke Matters for a TV appearance aired a fortnight ago, local BBC Radio presenter, Kate Justice, dropped in today to speak to Kerry who runs the popular Bishopston Matters, along with Alison from Bradley Stoke and Little Stoke Gifford Matters.

Kate, who is standing in for Steve Yabsley this week, was interested to hear how Matters Magazines was first started by Jaci and Alison 6 years ago, after the pair recognised a need for a reliable and regular source of community news, along with information about local tradespeople and services. The publication which started life as a black and white newsletter with a circulation of just 6,000 copies per quarter, has grown to a group of individual ‘Matters Magazines’ which between them cover a massive 53,000+ households throughout North Bristol per quarter, plus an additional 4,000 households in Corsham, Bath. The interview was well-timed as it was an excellent opportunity to tell BBC Radio listeners about the imminent launch of the very latest Matters Magazine, Filton Matters.

The Steve Yabsley show is on tomorrow, Thursday 2nd June from 12 noon to 2pm on 94.9FM. www.bbc.co.uk