The Bradley Stoke Journal

A Bradley Stoke woman has been jailed for six months for fraudulently claiming more than £45k from the MoD, according to a report on the Mail Online website.

Helen Baggaley, of Champs Sur Marne, took advantage of a “lax accounting system” which allowed her to sign off her own expenses.

She siphoned off thousands of pounds in fake travel and subsidence claims and used the cash to fund a two-year spending spree.

The 32-year-old made the fraudulent claims when she was working as a personal at the Ministry of Defence establishment at Abbey Wood.

Appearing before judge Julian Lambert at Bristol Crown Court earlier today, Baggaley was jailed for six months.

The judge slammed the MoD’s policy of allowing people to clear their own expenses – after it emerged her claims were not checked.

Baggaley had earlier admitted the charges when she appeared at Bristol Magistrates Court in March.

Read more: Personal assistant at Ministry of Defence who squirreled £45,000 in fake travel and subsidence claims, jailed

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The Avon Coroner has delivered a verdict of accidental death in the case of a Bradley Stoke man who suffered a cardiac arrest while kayaking on the River Frome.

Iain Woodcock, 33, was helping fellow kayakers across a weir when a log slammed into his boat and pushed him towards a swirling “cauldron” of water.

Mr Woodcock, who had a seven-month-old daughter, was tossed about “like a rag doll” by the strong currents in the fierce undertow of the weir.

Despite his frantic attempts to escape and brave efforts of others to save him, he was dragged under and perished in the freezing waters.

The motorcycle instructor was a member of the Keynsham-based Globe360 canoe lifeguard unit and also volunteered for the emergency blood service Freewheelers.

Read more: Father drowned on night time white-water trip as he helped other kayakers escaping raging torrent (Mail Online)

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Bradley Stoke’s Willow Brook Shopping Centre has launched a Facebook page to promote business and improve community interaction.

The centre is managed by Bristol-based commercial property specialists Colliers International.

Willow Brook Manager Scott Lahive said the page had already proved a big success celebrating Easter attractions – as well as promoting the best bargains.

He said:

“We have already had almost 800 likes and we have only been going for a month. The Facebook page really opens the centre up to the surrounding community and creates more interaction between the precinct and its customers.”

Colliers International was appointed to manage the 295, 000 sq ft scheme, anchored by Tesco Extra, last October. The centre also includes 19,000 sq. ft. of high specification office space.

Mr Lahive concluded:

“The Facebook page was launched in response to growing footfall and visitor numbers in a what remains a highly accessible location at the heart of the community. As well as detailing the activities at the centre and the special offers at our shops the Facebook page also includes customer feedback information as well as a competition.”

Related link: The Bradley Stoke Journal on Facebook

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The West of England MS Therapy Centre will be opening the doors of its brand new centre in Bradley Stoke to local businesses on Monday 30th April.

This exclusive event will be the first Open Evening at the Centre which opened in February 2012. Local businesses are being invited to come along between 4pm and 7pm for a chance to find out about the work of the Centre, see and experience first-hand some of the therapies on offer, and meet the staff and volunteers. Drinks and nibbles will be available throughout the event and there will also be opportunity for attendees to mingle with the other invited guests from the local business community.

Since opening its doors in 1985. thousands of people with Multiple Sclerosis have benefitted from the services available at The West of England MS Therapy Centre. For many the support provided by the Centre has been invaluable to them and their families and carers from diagnosis onwards.

The Centre offers a wide range of affordable therapies including physiotherapy, oxygen therapy, acupuncture, reflexology, reiki and counselling. It is also a social environment for its members and is proud to boast it has never turned anyone away. The Centre hopes to widen its services in the future and also hopes to offer them to those living with other neurological diseases in the region.

More: Open Evening for community groups to follow in May »

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The leader of a Bradley Stoke youth group was among 28 “unsung heroes” honoured at the recent South Gloucestershire Community Awards evening in Filton.

Ken Burrows, Core Director of the South West Winterguard Academy (SWWA), was handed a Chair’s Community Award at a special ceremony held at BAWA on Thursday 29th March.

The awards honour people give up their time freely to help others and bring communities together.

The Chair of South Gloucestershire Council, Cllr Mike Drew presented the main awards and he was joined by Dame Janet Trotter, the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, who presented a special award to two of the volunteers.

Cllr Mike Drew said:

“I was amazed at the incredible commitment shown by all the volunteers. Their work makes a significant contribution to the quality of life of so many people within the South Gloucestershire community. Without them, community life in our area would be much poorer.”

A Council press release described Mr Burrows’ achievements as follows:

“Ken has given up endless hours of his time organising events, applying for grants, purchasing equipment and hiring coaches to take the young participants to competitions. Due to Ken’s efforts and dedication this academy is helping to keep young people fit, making lots of new friends and build up their confidence.”

More: Winner also organised recent Community Showcase events »

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The under-10s finished the County Cup unbeaten in all rounds. The semi-finals saw the green army score five tries against Stow, who until then had not conceded a single try in the competition. The final score was 25 – 10.

The final game against Cinderford was always going to be a tough one. St Mary’s scored the first try, early in the game. Five minutes later, Cinderford scored. The game was then end to end, with St Mary’s having most of the possession, and when not in possession the defensive play was very aggressive. Who would have thought that U10s would battle the way they did? The score did not change and Mary’s were awarded the cup on the basis of a silver try, but this was no more than was deserved.

Report: Paul Graham, St Mary’s Old Boys RFC, Trench Lane, Almondsbury

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