By Jack Lopresti, MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke.

The most powerful and impactful things in the world can often be traced to their local roots. Behind all of the worthiest projects are dedicated people whose efforts stand invisibly behind to create something spectacular. This is particularly true of our new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers, the largest warships the Royal Navy has ever built, as well as the various other ships that would escort them on exercise and operations.

I had the privilege of visiting HMS Prince of Wales at Rosyth in Scotland, to see for myself the fruits of the hard work of people across our local area. Of course, as many of you will know, the Ministry of Defence’s Defence Equipment and Support body (DE&S) is based at Abbey Wood and played a central role in delivering this vessel, including procuring the various sensors and systems on the ships and the aircraft that will fly from them.

The mighty MT30 gas turbine engine which powers the ships was designed and built by Rolls-Royce and was tested and will be serviced from their site in Patchway. Rolls-Royce in Patchway employs staff from right across our area and I am proud to say that we are quite literally the driving force behind Britain’s largest warship.

Thales, based in Stoke Gifford, designed and delivered the FLYCO control tower on HMS Prince of Wales. Acting like an airport’s air traffic control tower, this oversees the operations of all aircraft using the carrier, including landing and take-off.

BAE Systems, the lead member of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance which built the Queen Elizabeth Class carriers, used its networked visualisation suite in Filton to bring together the Ministry of Defence and other partners working together on the ships for design reviews and approvals. Many of the key decisions that shaped the final delivery of this spectacular project were taken right here in our local area.

L3 MAPPS, based out of the Aztec West Business Park near Bradley Stoke, provided the marine control systems – the IT and electronics which underpin the aircraft carrier and allow it to move.

Babcock pulled together the wider designs and delivered the ship assembly process, and have produced critical components, including delivering more than 10,000 tonnes of materials to Rosyth for construction. They have offices in Bristol, as well as Stoke Gifford and Patchway.

More: "Thank you to the workers, loved ones, and wider communities" »

Share this article:

Discussion is open - be the first to comment - click here to respond.

Bradley Stoke accountancy firm Dunkley’s, well known locally for its support of the Wallace and Gromit sculpture trails, has been named ‘Marketing Innovation Firm of the Year’ in a competition organised by a leading supplier of accountancy software.

On Tuesday 9th October, the crème de la crème of IRIS Accounting Solutions’ customers gathered and celebrated the inaugural IRIS Customer Awards in London.

Dunkley’s were nominated for the ‘Marketing Innovation Firm of the Year’ award, which recognises “the creative thinking and skilful marketing that has enabled a practice to make a market impression, gain new clients and stand out from the crowd”.

Dunkley’s have developed a unique approach to marketing, which includes Gorillas, Gromits, Shauns and T-Rexs, and with this creative twist included in their application, hopes were high. Managing director Mike Dunkley and marketing manager Nicole Crompton attended the ceremony, held in the members’ lounge at Twickenham Stadium, and were delighted to be announced as the winners!

Lisa White, one of the directors at Dunkley’s, described the achievement as “a reflection of all the effort put in by our marketing manager, Nicole.” She added: “Her ideas, energy and enthusiasm are refreshing. Her commitment to the campaigns undertaken is inspirational! Winning the award is a real testament to her constant hard work.”

Mike Dunkley commented: “We live in a snowstorm of information and Nicole always ensures our message stands out as a beacon of enlightenment.”

This article originally appeared in the November 2018 issue of the Bradley Stoke Journal magazine (on page 22). The magazine is delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH (except August), to ALL 8,700 homes in Bradley Stoke. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.

Share this article:

Discussion is open - be the first to comment - click here to respond.

Local hotel and restaurant DoubleTree by Hilton Bristol North, located in Woodlands Lane, Bradley Stoke, has created a fantastic new alfresco social and dining space in part of a previously under-utilised grassed area in the centre of the complex.

Known as ‘The Courtyard’ and accessed from the rear of the existing public lounge area, the pergoda-style structure (a hybrid between a pergola and pagoda) offers a sheltered dining space with built-in heaters and mood lighting.

The roof is of a transparent polycarbonate design that allows full natural daylight to permeate and this sits atop an oak-framed structure which the hotel says was designed and constructed by local businesses and contractors.

The capacity of The Courtyard for alfresco dining is 45 covers, however, it can hold more people for social gatherings and when use is made of the opportunity to extend onto the grassed area.

The new flexible outside space will also allow the hotel to cater for a multitude of other guest experiences, including pre-arrival banqueting drinks, wedding ceremonies and corporate BBQ events.

Bradley Stoke mayor Andy Ward was invited to officially open the new pergoda at a special launch event held on Thursday 19th April, at which local business people, supporters and stakeholders were treated to an arrival drink (sponsored by Thatchers), canapés and a barbecue-themed buffet.

Representatives of the hotel’s two local charities, The Grand Appeal and Avon Autistic, also joined in the fun and everyone enjoyed the beautifully sunny weather that blessed the occasion.

More: Concept was two years in the making, says general manager »

Share this article:

On Wednesday 17th January, BizSpace, the largest provider of flexible workspace with offices and workshops across the UK, hosted a launch event, opening the doors to their brand new business centre for Bristol.

Located at Equinox South, Great Park Road (opposite Mama Bear’s Nursery), the building has been fully refurbished to include a range of first-class facilities and services specifically aimed at small businesses.

Attendees at the launch event were the first to preview the site and network with other like-minded individuals.

Twisted Kitchen were on site with a wood oven pizza van serving fresh stone-baked pizza to attendees, with champagne and other refreshments provided. The lucky winner of the ‘business card draw’ was Tim Macmillan from Enable Recruitment, who was delighted with his prize of a £100 Red Letter Day experience.
The site comprises 55 offices ranging from 140 to 400 sq ft, offering 24-hour access, parking facilities and telecoms packages.

Its proximity to the motorway network, Bristol Parkway Station, The Mall at Cribbs Causeway and Bristol city centre is seen as a major selling point.

Tim Macmillan from Enable Recruitment commenting on the site launch said:

“Lovely offices! This new centre is great for the area as it is in a perfect location and enables small businesses in Bristol to expand.”

More: Venue will host monthly networking get-togethers »

Share this article: