Police were called at about 10.20am today, Wednesday May 16 2012, to reports of young men riding a motorcycle on the footpaths at Savages Wood, Bradley Stoke.  Emergency response and neighbourhood officers, supported by the police helicopter, attended the scene.

A motorcycle, believed to have been stolen from Filton College on Tuesday May 15, was found in bushes at about 11.15am and seized by police.  Five men aged between 20 and 24 were arrested and remain in police custody.

At the beginning of May, Geoff Cater, Mike Greenslade and Andy Mullins set off in their kayaks from Tatums Beach, Portscatho on the Cornish South Coast for what will be the adventure of a lifetime!

The team – Midlifekayak – are aiming to paddle 2,500 miles around the mainland of Britain and will be raising money for their favourite charities along the way. The West of England MS Therapy Centre is thrilled to be one of the chosen charities for this exciting challenge!

The three adventurers hope to cover the 2,500 miles in fewer than 90 paddling days. Even given the unseasonably bad weather they are aiming to appear on the Cornish coast again in around 100 days’ time. This will be an amazing achievement by anyone’s standards! The team, whose average age is 46, are under no illusions that this will be both a tough physical and mental challenge but are excited about the task ahead.

Geoff Cater said: “This is a tremendous personal opportunity, underpinned by raising money for charities which are close to our hearts”.

Although they are going to be sleeping outdoors for most of the 100 nights Geoff noted “I am most looking forward to arriving at one of the isolated islands off the coast of Scotland and enjoying a whiskey as they sun goes down.”

Following a wonderful send off in Cornwall from their friends and supporters Midlifekayak have just completed their first full week of paddling and are almost out of Cornwall and into Devon. They hope to be on their way to Wales by the end of this week. They have battled some stormy weather, paddled through some very lumpy water and enjoyed a few beers around the campfire to recover. You can follow their progress on their blog http://midlifekayak.com

Alongside The West of England MS Therapy Centre Midlifekayak have also selected the charities Help for Heroes, Over The Wall and The Christian Adventure Centre to support.

You can make a donation all of these charities at www.sponsor-me.org/midlifekayak. The team are grateful for any support you can give and know it will help motivate them to complete this huge challenge.

To make a donation to The West of England MS Therapy Centre visit http://www.justgiving.com/nailseamtc/.

If you would like to find out more about the Kayak challenge or The West of England MS Therapy Centre please call us on 01454 201686 or email fundraising@mstherapybristol.org.uk

The West of England MS Therapy Centre, Bradbury House, Wheatfield Drive, Bradley Stoke, Bristol BS32 9DB
Registered Charity Number 801155

Photograph shows Midlifekayak arriving at Port Gaverne on Monday 7 May 2012.

With the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Weekend fast approaching, we would love to hear how you are planning to celebrate.

Do let us know your ideas – are you having a local street party? Do send us in your photos of any local community events that you have enjoyed attending – we love to see them!

Have you seen or met the Queen at all over the years?  Do send us in your memories and/or photos if you have any.

In the last edition of Little Stoke Gifford Matters we produced a selection of photos for the Little Stoke Scouts 60th Jubilee which is also being celebrated this year.  One of the photos included the Queen visiting Filton High School, with the caption – ‘The Queen opening Filton High School but can anyone remember the year?’

We were delighted to receive feedback from local resident Claire Wood in response to this photo, which I am pleased to share here  - “I’m Claire Wood and I have lived in Stoke Gifford for the last 14 years. I grew up in Filton. I was really interested in looking on pages 6 and 7 of the Little Stoke Gifford Matters magazine at the old photos of scouting events. There is one picture at the bottom of page 6, with the Queen visiting Filton High School and the comment attached to it is that the Queen is opening Filton High but could anyone remember the year? I remember it very well, as I  was very much involved in the day, as a pupil of Filton High, at the time. It was NOT the opening of Filton High.  It was a visit made by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh to celebrate her Silver Jubilee. The date is August 8th 1977.

We all gave up a day of our summer holidays to be there. It followed months of planning, preparation and training on how to behave and what to do.  She visited other places in Bristol on that day including the official opening (or naming, or something) of  Royal Portbury Dock at Avonmouth. 

Just a funny story to add to this but a year later, on the last day of the summer term 1978, Mr Smith who was Head Master of Filton High at the time, gave the day’s notices and said after all the planning that had gone into the previous year’s visit by the Queen, we might not believe him if he told us that she was visiting again today! Actually what was happening was that the Queen was arriving by train at Bristol Parkway and going by car into the city of Bristol for an event and Mr Smith got all the pupils to go out and line the Mile Straight and wave as she passed by in her car!”

Thank you Claire for making contact and agreeing to share your memories.  It would be great to compile a few more memories/photos of the Queen visiting our locality in this, her Diamond Jubilee Year, so if you have anything to share please do get in touch by emailing jaci@mattersmagazines.co.uk

Bradley Stoke Judo Club held a Sponsored Judothon at Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre on April 29^th  with 40 of their judoka taking part. Their goal was to each complete 100 legal throws….so in excess of 4000 throws were made, and more than £2000 was raised in a combined sponsorship and raffle and lots of fun had in the process! The Club is also grateful to the BJA who supported the event by donating some raffle prizes and judogi.

In total there there are about 70 youngsters within the Club aged between 5 and 19 and ranging in abilities from complete novices to members of the British Junior Squad. Two of whom, Lele Naire and Pete Miles have recently travelled to Kiev and the Czech Republic representing GB.  The club is consistently in the medals and are keen that the youngsters get the chance to compete outside of the UK to expose themselves to the best in Europe and beyond. Last June, 19 members went to Grissoles in France. This June, 26 are travelling to Venray in Holland and in 2013 the Club hopes to take all their British medallists to compete at the US Open in Florida!

The sponsored Judothon is part of the ongoing fundraising activities at the Club.

Martin Davis, author of the sell-out local history book, is delighted that a spin-off of his publication has been the creation of Southern Brooks Archaeology. The group comprises like minded people from Filton, Little Stoke, Patchway, Bradley Stoke and Stoke Gifford with an interest in local history.

On Tuesday, 1 May the group are conducting an archaeological survey at the top end of Little Stoke, Little Stoke Park, looking for the site of one of the five farms that once made up the hamlet. They know what the farm looked like in 1725 and one of the group, Janet Gallagher, daughter of Jim and Betty Wyatt, who were part of the Little Stoke Farm community from 1947, has painted an artist’s impression of the 1725 farm.

The survey will be led by Archaeologist, Paul Driscoll, of South Gloucestershire C C, with the support of Heritage Lottery Funding. Any local residents interested in going along can do so from 10am onwards. The event is weather-dependent but is likely to go on until approximately 3pm.

Key Stage 2 children from Holy Trinity and Baileys Court Primary Schools enjoyed a fun and friendly competition in dodgeball this week.

Three teams of six (Holy Trinity, Baileys Court Blue and Baileys Court Red) competed against each other in the after-school tournament, each side keen to secure the coveted trophy.  The teams were all of mixed ages from year 3 to year 6.

Holy Trinity’s Head Teacher, Jane Johns, commented: ” All of the local schools are trying to participate in as many inter-school sports events as possible as we feel that the competitive element is healthy alongside developing teamwork and sportsmanship. We are trying to ensure that as many age groups as possible have the chance during the year so this was good having a mixed KS2 team. In school the children have loved playing dodgeball as it’s a new sport to us.”
        

Many parents, and even grandparents, turned up to support their teams. After a very close tournament, with lots of fun and excitement, Holy Trinity emerged as the winners, with Baileys Court Reds coming in as runners up.

Well done to all the players who took part and represented their schools so well.

The Bradley Stoke swans are hugely popular with local residents both young and old and many will be concerned by the apparent disappearance of the female yesterday.  We are therefore pleased to share this press release from the Three Brooks Nature Conservation Group (TBNCG).

The female swan from the Three Brooks Nature Reserve lake was today (Thursday 26th April) found in distress by a dog walker, who thought the swan may have a broken leg. The RSPCA were called and were met at the lake by two committee members from TBNCG, Sara Messenger and Gill Smith.

The hen was, fortunately, not on her island nest or in the water but on the bank being protected by her mate. Alan, from the RSPCA checked the bird over and although a broken leg was ruled out the bird was very weak and was struggling to stand and he made the decision to take the bird to the RSPCA clinic in Bristol.  Although no injury was found the bird was obviously in need of treatment and has been placed on a drip, it is hoped that she will improve in a few days, if not she will be sent to specialist centre West Hatch in Taunton for further treatment.

The swans have had mixed fortunes after making Bradley Stoke their home. Last year the pair had eggs broken, were harassed by dogs, shot at by two boys with an air rifle and (with the help of another local resident), survived the attentions of three men with a large hold-all.  Although they hatched 5 chicks, they all got caught in the weir and although dog walker Michael braved the cob and got all five out, only 2 survived.

To give the swans the best possible chance this year, the TBNCG spent Saturday 11^th February moving the swans nest from the bank over to the island. Ducks and swans, unlike other birds, cannot carry anything in their beaks, so they nest by pulling nesting material into a pile. To deter the pair from using their old nesting site, the group cut down all the reeds by the lake and transported them over to the island by kayak where 4 triangular nests were made. TBNCG’s ‘Bird Boy’ Rob Williams reported a month later that they had been successful and that the swans were then nesting on the island.

Sara told us “We always knew the swans were popular but it wasn’t until we spent a day moving their nest that we knew just how popular they were. Everyone that walked by asked what we were doing and were very pleased that everything possible was being done to help the pair and all wanted to share ‘their’ swan stories with us.”

Update 27th April received from Sara Messenger of the Three Brooks :  ”I contacted the RSPCA this morning to ask after our swan and Alan was very sad to tell me that she had deteriorated further overnight and the vet had thought it would be kinder to end her suffering. I asked if they would do a post mortem but he said that they can’t afford to do them.”

Sad news.

The Prime Minister has visited the Airbus site at Filton along with local Filton and Bradley Stoke MP Jack Lopresti. Jack and the Prime Minister met with Airbus senior managers to discuss the firm’s future business plans and were then treated to a tour of the factory that assembles the A400M military aircraft wings. The Prime Minister and the Filton and Bradley Stoke MP then had a chance to chat with Filton based apprentices.

Jack said:  “I was delighted that the Prime Minister took the time to come and see the excellent work that is done by Airbus in Filton. We couldn’t be prouder of Airbus locally and I know that the PM is very proud of what Airbus is doing for UK manufacturing and exports.”

At Filton, over 4,500 people are employed in the design office and in business support roles such as procurement, finance and customer service. Core activities at Filton include the design, engineering and support for Airbus wings, fuel systems and landing gear integration. Teams also work on systems, structures, and aerodynamics research, development and test facilities.

More than 2,000 engineers at Filton are involved in a range of areas, including wing integration, flight physics, structures and systems. Filton also is responsible for wing assembly and equipping for the A400M multi-role airlifter, and is home to a Composites Structures Development Centre.

Airbus’ presence in Filton will be enhanced with the future construction of a new aerospace business park, which is to consolidate the site’s engineering, design, customer support and other employees into one highly-efficient office block. Expected features of this 12-acre facility, which Airbus aims to begin building in 2012, include modern office space and an auditorium.

photo shows: The Prime Minister with Jack Lopresti MP, Mark Barclay Airbus senior Vice President and Airbus A400M managers

Yes it is that time of year again when we ask you to get baking or simply come along and enjoy a delicious piece of cake to raise funds for the Bristol MS Society.  MS is an illness that has had a big impact on the editor of Bishopston Matters. Kerry’s dad (above with Kerry and her mum) has suffered with the disese for over forty years.  The family remain in good spirits and invite you to join them for this community event.

This year the Cake Break will run from 10am to 2pm.  As well as refreshments there will be cake stalls, raffle, activities for children and new for this year a stall with treats and information for Coeliac sufferers and they hope to have some live music!

Everybody is welcome and encouraged to join in. If anybody would like to get involved with the organising or can volunteer a talent or form of entertainment please do get in touch with Kerry who will welcome your support. She has already been touched by the offers of help received after sending out a few e-mails. She is also be on the look-out for raffle prizes so if there is any local businesses out there that would be willing to donate a prize that would be fantastic!  You can contact Kerry on 07881 924 059 or e-mail kerry@bishopstonmatters.co.uk

For everybody else the most amazing thing you could do would be to come along and enjoy yourselves. It will be a fun informal event for the community.

Saturday 5th May, 10am to 2pm at the Horfield Baptist Church (who we would like to thank for their kindness already) on the Gloucester Road (or disabled access via Brynland Avenue). 

A national directory of Open Gardens launched just 18 months ago has already grown to include over 500 town and village open garden events.

The site is simple to use, with a clever search facility, and free from the curse of complex and intrusive advertising, the site allows people to find out about Open Gardens just down the road or indeed across the country.

This website supports the smaller event organisers who don’t have a voice – those volunteers who bring together gardeners and gardens, plant enthusiasts and hobbyists, Hosta lovers and Pelargonium fanciers – the melting pot of Middle England that is Open Gardens.

For the humble town or village Open Gardens organiser, the site offers a real opportunity to get much needed publicity. For the garden visitor, it offers a simple way to find out about Open Garden events in their area.

Open Gardens is all about horticultural espionage. It’s about ideas, planting schemes, sneaky solutions to difficult garden problems. It’s about taking a peep at the garden of that house you’ve always admired. It’s about tea and cake in the gentle heat of an English spring or summer. At times, it’s also about rain of course.

Get your event on board today, or if you’re a visitor, find open gardens events in the local area.  One local listing for the area is the Little Stoke Allotments Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Themed Open Morning on Sunday 3rd June from 10am-12noon … why not check out the site for more information on this local event amongst others?

Visit www.opengardens.co.uk.

The annual Bradley Stoke 10k run is organised by Sole Sisters as part of the Bradley Stoke Festival weekend. This year it is taking place on Sunday 3rd June, a week earlier than usual as the whole Bradley Stoke festival has been brought forward a week to coincide with the Queen’s Jubilee weekend celebrations and additional Bank Holiday.

The 10k (approx 6 miles) course is along tracks and footpaths through Bradley Stoke’s Conservation area and will start and finish at the Jubilee Centre in Savages Wood Road. Applicants over the age of 16 are encouraged to get their entries in quickly – the race is limited to 500 runners and is usually full!

Entry fee if you are a member of an affiliated club is £13.00, or if not £15.00. Entry forms are available in the latest edition of Bradley Stoke Matters, or are available online here.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to this year’s nominated charity which is the new West of England MS Therapy Centre, just opened in Wheatfield Drive, Bradley Stoke.

Bradley Stoke Matters is pleased to again be one of the sponsors of this year’s event, along with Bradley Stoke Physio, RonHill, UP & Running, Dr Michael Fraine Ltd, South Gloucestershire and Bradley Stoke Town Council.

Let’s hope the current wet weather conditions improve and we have a lovely dry weekend for the run this year!

Bradley Stoke’s WillowBrook Shopping Centre has launched a  facebook page to promote business and improve community interaction.  The centre is managed by Bristol-based commercial property specialists Colliers International.

WillowBrook Shopping Centre  manager Scott Lahive said the page had already proved a big success celebrating Easter attractions – as well as promoting the best bargains.  He commented: “The Facebook page was launched in response to growing footfall and visitor numbers in a what remains a highly accessible location at the heart of  the community. As well as detailing the  activities at the centre and the special offers at our shops, the facebook page also includes customer feedback information as well as a competition. We have already had almost 800 likes and we have only been going for a month! The facebook page really opens the centre up to the surrounding community and creates more interaction between the precinct and its customers.”

You can find the WillowBrook Centre’s Facebook page here

The lovely photo of the WillowBrook Centre was sent in to us recently by local resident Marcus Davies

The West of England MS Therapy Centre will be opening the doors of its brand new centre in Bradley Stoke to local businesses on Monday 30 April 2012.

This exclusive event will be the first Open Evening at the Centre which opened in February 2012. Local businesses are being invited to come along between 4pm – 7pm for a chance to find out about the work of the Centre, see and experience first-hand some of the therapies on offer, and meet the staff and volunteers.  Drinks and nibbles will be available throughout the event and there will also be opportunity for attendees to mingle with the other invited guests from the local business community.

Since opening its doors in 1985 thousands of people with Multiple Sclerosis have benefitted from the services available at The West of England MS Therapy Centre. For many the support provided by the Centre has been invaluable to them and their families and carers from diagnosis onwards.

The Centre offers a wide range of affordable therapies including physiotherapy, oxygen therapy, acupuncture, reflexology, reiki and counselling. It is also a social environment for its members and is proud to boast it has never turned anyone away. The Centre hopes to widen its services in the future and also hopes to offer them to those living with other neurological diseases in the region.

Fundraising Manager Janet Epplestone said: “This is a great opportunity for us to introduce ourselves to our new neighbours and welcome them into our fantastic new Therapy Centre. By finding out more about our work and members we hope that local companies and organisations might like to work more closely with us, make use of our facilities and help us to raise funds to continue and expand our services.”

The West of England MS Therapy Centre will also be running an Open Evening for local community groups on Tuesday 15 May 4pm-7pm. All are welcome.

If you would like to attend either Open Evening please contact the Fundraising Office on 01454 201686 or email fundraising@mstherapybristol.org.uk

Celebrity fitness guru Lucy Wyndham-Read has sent a message of good luck to local runner Kate Stuart ahead of the London Marathon, which takes place this weekend.  Kate Stuart, 43, from Bradley Stoke, was inspired to run and raise vital funds for HEART UK, the Cholesterol Charity, following the recent death of her father.

This is the first time Kate has run the London Marathon and she explained why raising funds for HEART UK was so important to her.  Kate said: “My Dad, John Baker, passed away suddenly from heart disease – there was no warning, he just simply collapsed and died. He was a wonderful man. His death made me realise that you can’t take anything for granted.  I have thought about running the London Marathon for a while and am determined to achieve my goal. I want to raise funds for HEART UK to help others who are in the same position.”

Lucy Wyndham-Read, a TV regular and the author of ‘The No Gym Workout,’ said: “I’d like to wish Kate the very best of luck as she gets ready for the London Marathon. It’s one of the most strenuous and demanding fundraising events people can do and I want to congratulate her on helping HEART UK to prevent further deaths from heart disease in South Gloucestershire and around the country.”

HEART UK Chief Executive Jules Payne said: “We’re delighted that Kate has chosen to run for HEART UK and we’ll be in London cheering her on and celebrating at the finishing line. The funds Kate is raising are essential as we look to support those who have lost loved ones and to raise awareness of the importance of heart health, one of the UK’s biggest killers.”

HEART UK is the UK’s only cholesterol charity and dedicated to providing support for people with inherited high cholesterol. They also work with governing bodies and medical stakeholders to develop better methods of detection and treatment for cholesterol related conditions.

To sponsor Kate, please visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KateStuart and to get running tips from Lucy Wyndham-Read, please email her at: lucy@lwrfitness.com.

The Teamredlaces Challenge is designed to encourage people to get active for heart health, to spread the redlaces message and raise vital funds for the work of HEART UK. Every person running the London Marathon for HEART UK will receive a pair of redlaces to raise awareness of inherited high cholesterol and prompt people to question their family’s heart history. Every pair of redlaces bought will raise funds to support families with high cholesterol, helping them to make important lifestyle changes and enjoy longer lives.

Lucy Wyndham-Read, one of the country’s top fitness consultants, is helping HEART UK get the word out there about how important fitness is, especially with high cholesterol conditions. Lucy is helping us keep young heart running with our redlaces representing healthy arteries.

Wow, what a day! With no less than one hundred and thirty eight participants, this year’s Treasure Hunt was beyond everyone’s expectations and the helpers finished the day tired but happy, with everyone enjoying themselves.

Event manager and Stokes Cycling Club Chairman, Bryan Huish, said “This was a great event, with lots more people than we expected, and everybody ticked the box on the feedback form for “it was a lot of fun” so it was all worth it. We’d like to thank everyone for making this day a success, and BikeFix Bradley Stoke for the prizes and the Dr Bike.”

There was a constant stream of people queuing to register, pick up the freebies kindly supplied by South Gloucestershire Council, and to get their bikes checked by BikeFix Bradley Stoke mechanic Richard Burton, ably supported by club members.

Officially starting at 10:00, people started arriving at 09:30 before setting up was finished, but they were welcomed with open arms and signed in, given route sheets and clues, and wished good luck – which must have worked as most of them completed the course! The club designed the route to be family friendly for even the teeniest of cyclists, with a two part figure of eight course. The first section was short, only two miles, flat and mostly off road, whilst the second section was slightly longer at three miles and not quite so flat. The clues were mostly easy-peasy, with the odd cunningly contrived one to separate the men from the boys, so most people got most of them. Some people got so involved that they went back several times to check for clues that they’d missed, but most just had a good bike ride on local paths and had fun trying to spot clues on the way.

What a great event!

Further to the mini-orchard planted at Meadowbrook Primary School last week, children at Bradley Stoke Community School have now been involved in planting their orchard, courtesy of John Lewis Cribb’s Causeway Partners and Forest of Avon Trust.

The orchard of English apple varieties was planted by students from the school (supported by teachers, John Lewis representatives and Jon Clark from the Forest of Avon Trust) on the afternoon of 27th March. The project is being co-ordinated by the Forest of Avon Trust, the local tree charity, which was on hand to help plant the trees and provide guidance about how to look after them.

Before the event, the Forest of Avon Trust was presented with a cheque from the John Lewis Partnership.

photo: John Lewis staff join children at Bradley Stoke Community School to plant an English apple orchard, sponsored by the company. (Also pictured Jon Clark, Forest of Avon Trust and Claire Wilson, teacher at Bradley Stoke Community School).

Claire Wilson, Bradley Stoke Community School, said
“This exciting opportunity has given our students here at Bradley Stoke Community School a real chance to engage more with the environment around them. We have recently been working on developing our courtyard areas so that they become more productive spaces and act as small allotments. The trees are a fantastic addition to this student led project. They are really excited about it. We are also able to plant some in our outside eating area which will provide shelter for the students in the summer.”

Staff and students at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (formerly Filton College) took part in the Sport Relief Mile on Sunday to raise money for this national campaign.

Starting at the Millennium Square, the twelve students and six staff members that took part had a wonderful time. Some managed to cross the line in seven minutes whilst others strolled in after a leisurely thirteen. All from the level 2 IT department at the College, the group collectively raised over £300 to go towards this worthy cause.

A total of 17 cities across the country held a flagship run with Bristol having a record turnout of over 4,300 people.

Kath Wilkinson, Tutor, comments: “It was a great experience, the students all supported each other and enjoyed getting involved, most of all we had fun and our legs aren’t too sore today!”

John Lewis Cribb’s Causeway Partners have voted for Meadowbrook Primary School to receive a mini- orchard donated by the company. The orchard of English apple varieties was planted by children on the morning of 21st March. The project was co-ordinated by the Forest of Avon Trust, the local tree charity, which will be on hand to help plant the trees and provide guidance about how to look after them.

John Lewis Cribb’s Causeway employees were asked to nominate two local schools to receive two mini- orchards, with Meadowbrook Primary School and Bradley Stoke Community School being the lucky recipients. Meadowbrook School’s Green Team undertook the planting, supported by teachers, John Lewis representatives and Jon Clark from the Forest of Avon Trust. John Lewis Partners whose children attend the school, were also invited.

Alan Andrews, Community Liaison Co-ordinator, John Lewis Cribbs Causeway, said:
“Working with Forest of Avon Trust and Meadowbrook Primary School has given us a real opportunity to make a difference to the children who attend. Our contribution to the local community is a big part of what makes our business different and our Partners are delighted to actively support such a good cause.”

Jon Barr, Headteacher, Meadowbrook Primary School, said:
“In January 2012 The Green Team children from our Year 4 came to see me to say they thought we needed more planting at school. Consequently we were thrilled to be chosen to receive the orchard by John Lewis and the Forest of Avon Trust as this will add significantly to the trees on our site. It is a particularly pleasing as we not only have parents of children who work for John Lewis Partnership but we also have support staff who are partners themselves. ”

Jon Clark, Executive Director of the Forest of Avon Trust. said:
“Planting and caring for trees is a fantastic way of engaging children in the environment. By planting apple trees they will also benefit from shade, reduced pollution and also some great, healthy apples to eat. We are really grateful to John Lewis Cribb’s Causeway for their support for this project and look forward to working with them on similar projects in the future. ”

Sunday 8th April, start between 10 and 12, finish by 2pm, from Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre.  Choice of either two miles or five miles on tracks and quiet roads.  Solve the clues and win an Easter Egg!

Free Bike Checks from BikeFix Bradley Stoke

Organised by the Stokes Cycling Club and supported by South Gloucestershire Council.  http://stokescyclingclub.org.uk/

Delighted, the children at Holy Family Primary School recently celebrated achieving their Silver ‘Sing Up’ award. Music and singing is an everyday occurrence at the school with songs sung in all classrooms, including songs about class topics to tidying up songs. A wondrous atmosphere is created as music fills the school when the year 6 prefects line up the key stage one children at break times and sing their way from the playground all the way to the classroom. Kieran Wilson, aged 10 stated, “As the year 2 prefect, I think it is a really good idea to sing because it stops the children from messing around in the line and they really love it too!”

To gain the Silver award, the teachers all had to lead singing in the school and in the community. Mrs Teucher, the music coordinator, took the excited school choir to the Galleries back in December to sing to the Christmas shoppers. They were accompanied by the very talented year 4 teacher, Mr Risdale, on his guitar. The fantastic choir also performed at the Christmas fayre and are already planning their repertoire for the summer fete. Erika Teucher was incredibly proud of the school’s achievement stating, “It’s wonderful to see all the children enjoying and engaged in their singing!”