The Bradley Stoke Journal

Bradley Stoke residents should find it easier to speak to a police officer in person following the official opening of a ‘beat post’ at the Willow Brook shopping centre earlier this month.

The new office, accessed from the shopping mall via a short passage between the Santander bank agency and Reflections hairdressers, gives police a local base meaning that they no longer have to spend time returning to Filton police station in order to perform administrative tasks.

Residents can now make an appointment to speak to a police officer in person at the local office. A weekly ‘drop in’ session will also be held on Wednesdays between 1pm and 3pm, when officers will be available to “discuss any issues or concerns and give advice” without a prior appointment being made.

The office for the beat post has been provided free of charge by the Willow Brook Centre, which will also pay all associated utility costs. Bradley Stoke Town Council is also supporting the venture up to the tune of £750 per annum (approved until April 2012) covering business rates and other ancillary charges.

Speaking at the official opening, Bradley Stoke Mayor Ben Walker said:

“I am delighted to be able open this beat post from which our neighbourhood policing team will operate, to further improve the town’s policing. We continue to work with and support our policing team to ensure Bradley Stoke benefits from some of the best services available throughout South Gloucestershire.”

Continue reading to find out how to make an appointment »

Local Councillors visited Bradley Stoke Community School (BSCS) last week to promote Youth Unltd, South Gloucestershire Council’s (SGC’s) concessionary fares scheme for young people aged 14 to 18.

The Youth Unltd card was introduced by the Council in April 2010 and offers half adult fare for local bus services after 6pm weekdays and all day on weekends and school holidays.

On the 29th and 30th January Youth Unltd card holders can travel for free on all local bus services (excluding Stagecoach) for any journey which starts and/or finishes in South Gloucestershire.

The Council has been working closely with schools to promote this offer including visiting schools during lunchtimes to give students the opportunity to sign up.

BSCS headteacher Dave Baker said:

“This is a fantastic opportunity for our students; there has been a lot of interest in the Youth Unltd bus pass and we have promoted it as we believe it is important for young people to develop their independence.”

Read on to find out who can apply for the Youth Unltd card »

The Willow Brook Centre (WBC) has announced that Bradley Stoke’s new Boots store will open on Wednesday 9th February.

The store will stock a wide range of health and beauty products and provide a full prescription dispensing service through its ‘Midnight Pharmacy’, which will remain open until midnight Monday to Saturday and 4pm on Sunday.

A promotional leaflet [PDF, 1.2MB], downloadable from the WBC website, includes an opening offer voucher giving £5 off when spending £25 at the new store until Wednesday 23rd February.

Jobs at the new store have been advertised on the www.boots.jobs website since December last year.  The site is currently showing a single vacancy for a Team Manager.

Norman Baker MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, was in Bradley Stoke last week as part of a visit to see the the results of Bristol and South Gloucestershire’s Cycle City project.

At Bradley Stoke Community School (BSCS) the Minister saw how schools in South Gloucestershire are encouraging their pupils to cycle to school and witnessed pupils receiving Bikeability training. The school has high levels of cycling among pupils and is part of the Concorde Project – a pilot scheme to encourage cycling between school sites by 14-19 year olds.

The Minister also visited Parkway Station, where he was shown new and improved cycle routes to the station, improved cycling information and a new, secure cycle parking stand in front of the station entrance.

He also met staff at Hewlett Packard who showed him how the Cycling City project has been helping them and other local firms.

Read on for comments on the Minister’s visit by local Councillors »

South Gloucestershire Council has announced the dates and locations for this February half term’s free Holiday Cycling Courses for children.

Courses cover Bikeability levels one, two and three – designed to give beginners and improvers the skills needed to take to their bikes with confidence.

Locally, the courses will run at Bradley Stoke Community School as follows:

• Level 1 – Mon 21st: 9:30am to 12 noon
• Level 2 – Mon 21st, Tue 22nd and Wed 23rd: 1pm to 3:30pm
• Level 3 – Mon 21st, Tue 22nd and Wed 23rd: 9:30 am to 12 noon

Places are offered on a ‘first come first served’ basis and are subject to change due to availability and numbers.

More info: Holiday Courses (Better by Bike)

Related link: Walking and Cycling in Bradley Stoke (The Journal)