The Bradley Stoke Journal

Two local MPs were in town recently to take part in a debate about the Big Society with representatives from South Gloucestershire’s voluntary and community sector.

MPs Jack Lopresti (Filton & Bradley Stoke) and Steve Webb (Thornbury & Yate) heard about the diversity and value of the work which is already being done in local communities by the voluntary and community organisations, addressed concerns about government spending cuts threatening these services and answered questions on the delivery of the Big Society.

The event took place at Baileys Court Activity Centre on Friday 10th December.

Mr Webb said after the event:

“Voluntary groups and charities play a crucial role in providing support and services for local people in South Gloucestershire. Though we all recognise that money is tight, the conference was a reminder of the great value that voluntary groups provide”

Mr Lopresti added:

“I was extremely pleased for the opportunity to speak in the debate, and to see, firsthand, the dedication, passion and professionalism of the people I had the chance to meet. I look forward to visiting some of these projects in the very near future and to give my support to them in any way I can.”

“I have secured a debate in the House of Commons, on 21st December about ‘How the Big Society promotes Social Mobility’ and I will be using some of what I learnt last Friday.”

The event was run in partnership by infrastructure organisations CVS South Gloucestershire and Southern Brooks Community Partnership.

Read on for comments from the organisers of the event »

Bradley Stoke Community Radio Association has been awarded a grant of £5,000 from the Quartet Community Foundation’s Grassroots Grants Programme towards setting up a community radio station in the town.

The money comes on top of the £2,500 awarded to the group in August by South Gloucestershire Council’s Southern Brooks Area Forum, £1,500 from the same source in 2009, £1,000 from the Avon and Somerset Police Community Trust and £400 from Bradley Stoke Town Council.

Lucy Smith, who has been responsible for fundraising, said:

“We are very pleased to say that we are just a couple of steps away from having a full time online radio station.”

“The funds we have now raised will be used to buy equipment and enable us to provide online streaming through our website and access for all to our programming in the new year.”

“We will also be able to promote our programmes throughout the community and get more people and groups involved in this exciting community project.”

Read on for more details of the group’s plans »

Adverts for vacancies at the new Boots store and regional office in Bradley Stoke have begun appearing on the Boots jobs website.

A press release put out by the Willow Brook Centre in August stated there would be at least 30 jobs at the new store, while a planning application seeking to install a mezzanine floor in the unit suggested that the regional office would employ a further 15 people.

The www.boots.jobs website is currently showing adverts for a Qualified Dispenser and a Team Manager.

To find the jobs, search for all jobs within one mile of postcode BS32 8EF. To be alerted of new jobs as they become available, sign up for email alerts by entering your email address in the form at the bottom of the search results page.

A Pharmacist position at the new store is also being advertised on a specialist recruitment website.

The store will open in “February 2011″, according to the job details shown on the Boots site.

Related link: Jobs in Bradley Stoke (The Journal)

An action day by Filton and Bradley Conservatives last Saturday has given a further boost to the voting figures for our local telephone exchanges in BT’s Race to Infinity broadband upgrade competition.

The Almondsbury exchange has now passed the 900 mark and remains on target to meet the qualifying level of 1,000 votes by the end of the competition on 31st December.

With less than three weeks to go before the deadline, it looks like the 01454 exchange could be one of just 16 exchanges to make the grade from 2,495 eligible exchanges nationwide.

Although there is little hope of reaching a top five position, which would guarantee the installation of BT’s superfast Infinity fibre optic broadband by 2012, it is hoped that achieving the qualifying mark will greatly increase the prospects of the exchange being upgraded in the near future.

This is supported by a BT press release put out this week in which Jon Reynolds, BT South West Regional Director said:

“Every vote does count because, whether communities win the race or not, each vote is an indication of demand for the next generation of broadband in the South West.”

“The data collected by BT will be used in planning where the roll-out goes next.”

Local MP Jack Lopresti’s team of eight Conservative volunteers, including Cllr John Calway, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, delivered leaflets and knocked on doors in the worst broadband ‘slowspots’ of the town on Saturday, generating an impressive rise in the voting figures for the Almondsbury exchange.

Read how the Brook Way Youth Club will help the campaign »

Police are appealing for the public’s help to find 13-year-old Jade Evans.

Jade has been missing from her home in Bradley Stoke since the early hours of today (Monday 13th December 2010).

Her disappearance is said to be very out of character and officers are very concerned for her welfare.

It is thought she may be in the Pilning or St George areas, where she has friends.

Jade is described as of mixed heritage with a pale complexion and died plum red dark hair which is straight and just past shoulder length. She is of medium build and 5ft 4ins tall. She normally wears leggings and jumpers with grey ‘UGG’ boots.

Anyone who has seen Jade or knows of her whereabouts is asked to contact police at Trinity Road on 0845 456 7000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

More info: Photo of Jade Evans [Avon and Somerset Police]