September 2018 saw a number of local community groups send in applications to the Aviva Community Fund in the hopes of receiving funding for their projects. After voting was opened to the public in October 2018, the finalists were announced on 27th November. From across the Stokes, there were four finalists: St Michael’s Primary School PTFA, 1st Bradley Stoke Scouts, Wheatfield Primary School and Bradley Stoke Youth FC.

On 24th January 2019, the winners from the ‘environment’ category were announced followed by the ‘health and wellbeing’ category on 31st January and on 7th February it was the final category, ‘skills for life’. Out of these three categories, two of the four finalists from the Stokes were successful and will be receiving the funding that they applied for.

Bradley Stoke Youth Football Club (BSYFC)

BSYFC’s U7 team received funding of £500 to purchase some winter training clothing as well as new training equipment such as mini-hurdles, training ladders and slalom poles to ensure training sessions remain engaging and interactive for the children.

James McTiernan, manager of the U7 team, said:

“We are delighted with the news that the club were able to secure a significant sum of money through the Aviva Community Fund. Coaches and parents worked really hard to ensure that we had enough votes to be considered. The under-7 squad are undergoing and really enjoying their first season in league football this year. The money will go towards kit and equipment, and will go a very long way in helping the children to grow and develop as both footballers and people.”

More: £5,000 for play equipment at St Michael’s School »

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Bradley Stoke resident Khushi Ashwin has recently achieved her dream of speaking at a special conference on global sustainable development which was held at the United Nations in New York at the end of January. After working towards her dream for many months, fourteen-year-old Khushi, who attends Abbeywood Community School, was given the opportunity to speak at the conference about her campaign for gender equality and reducing violence against women.

Khushi arrived in New York on Wednesday 30th January and enjoyed a guided tour of the UN Headquarters building as well as a tour of New York City in the middle of a snow storm with temperatures varying from -2 to -16 degrees Celsius! Describing her first experience of the UN, Khushi said

“We got to see four out of five major organs of the United Nations. The most memorable building was the ECOSOC as we were told that the unfinished ceiling at one end of the room symbolises the constant developments and changes the world will continue to have.”

As part of the 1 Million for 1 Billion (1M1B) Activate Impact Summit, Khushi had to compete against 50 students in the Future Leaders finals by pitching her project to the experts and senior delegates. After a long day of PowerPoint presentations and many rounds of competitions, Khushi qualified with 11 others for the finals, which gave her “a sense of satisfaction and pride”.

Friday 1st February saw the final event arrive as Khushi prepared herself to speak at the 1M1B Activate Impact Summit. The summit was headed by the Canadian ambassador Louise Blaze, who shared her valuable insights with those in attendance. Khushi had an audience of about 150 people, including eminent speakers, judges, guests, mentors and students. Speaking of her experience, Khushi said:

“Speaking at the UN was a different experience altogether: a tinge of nervousness mixed with a jolt of excitement and something I will never forget. To begin with, presenting in front of so many people gave me shivers, however, the smiles which arose from the audience gave me confidence and kept me going. The reaction and the look of joy on the faces of all the panellists at my presentation will be imprinted in my mind forever.”

More: Khushi meets local MP and home secretary Sajid Javid »

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An update from Sara Messenger of the Bradley Stoke in Bloom group.

This month once again saw us take part in South Gloucestershire Council’s (SGC’s) Spring Clean campaign. Keeping a wary eye on the gathering clouds, we set off from the doctors’ surgery on Brook Way armed with hoops, litter pickers and an alarming assortment of different coloured bags. Once, a task like litter picking was simple, but now it seems to be governed by a Byzantine set of rules. However, we mostly managed to use the right bags and to separate the recyclable and the rubbish. Maybe I only have myself to blame for this, as listening to a talk from SGC on how we needed to do our bit and recycle more, I did point out that we residents are mostly doing all we can, but all the rubbish from the street bins goes straight to landfill, even if it had been sorted first! Soon after that, we received a new set of rules stipulating that blue bags are for rubbish, clear for recycling and black will not be collected, so maybe our observation was taken on board.

Our morning route took us along The Common East, Brackendene and along Bradley Stoke Way to the Aztec West Roundabout, stopping only to pat dogs and chat, something I like to think of as my second hobby. Many people told us that they always pick up rubbish while walking their dog, and I do feel that these unsung heroes are regularly doing something which is probably far more beneficial to the town than our spring time blitz. I’m sure you would all like to join me in thanking them all for their efforts.

At one time, SGC would give regular helpers their own litter picker, although I’m not sure they still do. I’m sure I’ll hear the words ‘budget constraints’, but it seems a very small outlay to win the ongoing battle of keeping our town clean.

More: 20 bags of litter left for collection by the town council »

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Willow Brook Centre has once again launched its popular annual community awards programme, Stars of the Stokes.

2019 is the fourth year of the awards, which cover Bradley Stoke, Stoke Gifford, Winterbourne, Patchway, Almondsbury and Frampton Cotterell and comes on the back of increased nominations each year.

Willow Brook Centre works with a variety of local businesses to sponsor and promote the awards, led locally by the Bradley Stoke Journal and the Stoke Gifford Journal, and the awards night itself is broadcast live on Bradley Stoke Radio. Returning sponsors are Olympus Academy Trust, Tesco Extra, Aztec Hotel & Spa, Carisway Facilities Services, First Bus and Honeyfield Property Services.

Members of the public are invited to nominate anyone from the local area who they feel deserves recognition for outstanding community engagement and/or achievement of personal goals. Nominations can be made on the Stars of the Stokes website or by completing the nomination form in the March issues of the Journal magazines. The glittering awards night will be held at the Aztec Hotel & Spa on Friday 21st June.

More: The eight award categories for Stars of the Stokes 2018

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