The Bradley Stoke Journal

A charity Orienteering Challenge, suitable for families and accompanied children, is to be held next weekend in Bradley Stoke.

The event, which takes place in the Three Brooks Local Nature Reserve between 11am and 4pm on Sunday 22nd August, will raise funds for the children’s charity Barnardo’s.

Families, teams and individuals can have a go at a timed circuit (with prizes to be won). For younger children and families, shorter ‘nature trails’ will be available, following five habitat themes.

Entry is set at just £1 per person, irrespective of team size and under-5s go free. Maps will be provided and refreshments will be available.

The event will be based at the entrance to Savage’s Woods between Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre and the Community School playing fields [map].

Organiser Leyla Roebuck says she had the idea for the event after doing some voluntary work at the charity’s Bristol office:

“Barnardo’s has always been a favourite of mine – I’m for anything that improves the quality of life in children.”

Barnardo’s South West spokesperson Martin Pitman told The Journal:

“I am delighted that one of our volunteer supporters has organised this interesting orienteering event in aid of Barnardo’s.

I know that Leyla, like us, is passionate about vulnerable and disadvantaged children and this seems like a great way to help whilst enabling the local community to join in the fun at the same time.”

Read more about the Three Brooks orienteering and nature trail »

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A number of summer holiday clubs and play schemes for school age children are now up and running in Bradley Stoke.

The Four Towns Play Association is staging its annual 5 Alive play scheme for children 5-11 years old at Bradley Stoke Community School. The free holiday club runs for four weeks, until 20th August. No need to book – just turn up with a completed registration form. It’s first come first served, so arrive early to avoid disappointment!

Older children (11+) are the focus of the Freespace activities being held at Brook Way Youth Club. Events planned include a skate park trip, It’s a Knockout competition, cricket match, football festival and a number of day trips.

There’s a sporting focus over at Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre, where children aged 4-16 can enjoy sessions that include multi-sport camp, girl heaven, active camps, rollerskating, tots time, fun & games, Active FIT, fencing, cheerleading, tri golf and kids’ fun time.

Read on to find out about more activities at Bradley Stoke Library and the Willow Brook Centre »

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The annual Summer Reading Challenge was launched at the recent official re-opening of Bradley Stoke Library, following a major extension to allow the library to improve services to children.

This year’s ‘Space Hop‘ Challenge, which invites youngsters to help the young crew of the Ex Libris to set up the first library on the moon, is an adventure to help keep children reading throughout the school summer holidays.

The Summer Reading Challenge is an immensely popular and successful national reading initiative which encourages children to read six or more books of their choice during the holidays with collectable incentives and rewards, plus a certificate or medal for every child who completes the challenge.

Last year, 4,200 youngsters took part across South Gloucestershire and it is hoped that this year’s ’space’ themed event will encourage even more.

Cllr Heather Goddard, executive member for communities, said:

“I know that children really enjoy taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge. It’s a great way to keep them entertained over the holidays, but more importantly, we know that children who take part read more books and read more widely than those who don’t, with potentially life-changing results.”

“I hope that children take part in this year’s challenge and visit the library during the holidays – many of which have been extended and refurbished to offer an even better service to children and young people.”

The official re-opening and Reading Challenge launch was performed by Cllr Janet Biggin, Chair of South Gloucestershire Council, on Saturday 17th July. Also attending the ceremony were Bradley Stoke Mayor Ben Walker and South Gloucestershire Cllr Brian Hopkinson.

Read on for more details about the expanded Bradley Stoke Library

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The Friends of Jubilee Green (FOJG) are throwing a party on Saturday (24th July) to celebrate the first anniversary of the Jubilee Green Park.

The £160,000 park, next to the Jubilee Centre on Savages Wood Road, was officially opened twelve months ago by the then-Mayor Cllr Mark Forsyth only to be temporarily closed days later to “allow completion of the site”.

The park has since become a favourite with children of all ages and has recently been enhanced by the addition of an avenue of fruit trees and a bed of sensory plants. Sadly, a number of silver birch trees planted around a seating area at the back of the park have been snapped off by vandals, but despite this, the Friends’ Group says it is determined to press on with further planned developments.

On Saturday, a ‘fun in the sun’ session will run in the park from 1pm to 3pm. Buckets and spades, footballs and soft cricket sets will be provided for everyone to enjoy.

The Woodlands Suite of the Jubilee Centre will be open from 1pm to 2pm, where a children’s drawing competition and ‘make a party hat’ craft session will be held. The best pictures will be used as a backdrop for FOJG’s future publicity posters.

Refreshments will be available – for which people will be asked to make a donation, with all monies raised going towards future projects.

Read on for details of the birthday parade with party bags for all »

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Conservative campaigners have welcomed today’s re-opening of Bradley Stoke Library after a five-week closure period, during which the library has been extended by around 60 square metres.

The extension maintains the large open plan design and enables the whole of the rear of the library to be used for children’s services and create a more dedicated space for this age group.

In addition, a staff workroom has been extended to allow more space for storage and office work.

In a joint statement, South Gloucestershire Conservative Councillors for Bradley Stoke John Ashe, Brian Hopkinson, Rob Jones and Sarah Pomfret said:

“In the past, we have had reports from local residents that the children’s area cannot always accommodate the number of families attending pre-school and holiday activities.”

“We have very much taken up these concerns with the council and we are delighted that the work has now been completed.”

“Local residents now have more space in which to enjoy their local library and make use of the important opportunities the facility offers.”

Read on for details of Saturday’s official re-opening ceremony »

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