The Bradley Stoke Journal

Peter Chivers, chief executive of the National Composites Centre (NCC) at the Bristol and Bath Science Park im Emersons Green, is to speak at a business breakfast function being held next week in Bradley Stoke.

The event will shine a light on activity in the South West’s manufacturing sector, and the role played by centres of excellence such as the NCC will be explored in an on-stage interview with Chivers by Christian Annesley of Insider Media.

The NCC is an open-access national centre that is designed to deliver innovation in the design and rapid manufacture of composites. It opened earlier this year on the science park, and is currently building up to full capacity. Chivers will be able to explain in detail what kind of projects and opportunities the NCC is able to facilitate, both right now and further down the line.

The Made in the South West Breakfast is being held on Thursday 17th November in the Key Point building at the Almondsbury Business Park, Great Park Road, Bradley Stoke.

Speakers at the event will also include representatives from TasteTech, The Manufacturing Advisory Service in the South West (MAS-SW), Santander and Ashfords.

Dear Editor,

Hello, by law in the U.K children over the age of 13 are able to work (http://tinyurl.com/3rx9fqt) under certain conditions.

I have searched the internet, emailed businesses etc and I am currently unsuccessful in finding a job; I was inquiring if you could help me in the search and/or post an article asking local employers for jobs for under 14′s?

Thank you for your time,

Kane Murtagh

A pair of shire horses visited the Aztec Hotel & Spa yesterday as part of an event to showcase the hotel’s cooperation with local suppliers.

The award-winning Thwaites Brewery shire horses were the centre of attention at the hotel in the Aztec West Business Park, where stalls from companies including Hobbs House Bakery (Chipping Sodbury) and Pieminister (Bristol) offered free samples to visitors.

The horses also visited the Lodge on the Park hotel and Starbucks coffee shop, also in Aztec West.

A spokesperson for the Aztec Hotel said:

“We’re proud to support local suppliers and work with them throughout the seasons as we develop our menus so we can showcase all that’s great about the south west.”

More photo from the event on PicasaWeb: album; slideshow

Related links:

• Hotels & Guest Houses around Bradley Stoke (The Journal)
• Pubs in Bradley Stoke (The Journal)

In reaction to today’s announcement by BAE Systems of the closure of Filton airfield, Jack Lopresti MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke said:

“I am disappointed about today’s news; I live within sight of the runway, and the closure effectively means the end to over 100 years of Filton’s use as an aerodrome, a huge part of our aviation history. We must of course respect and honour the past but always keep looking to the future, which Filton has always done and thrived.”

“Clearly the priority is to make sure that the airfield’s closure does not have an adverse affect on the local economy and the South West’s standing as the home to the British Aviation Industry.”

“I have been in contact with several local specialist technology firms and suppliers and have asked them to keep me informed of how the closure is likely to affect them. I have, however, received assurances from both Airbus UK and BAE systems that once the airfield closes at the end of 2012 they will have in place a range of effective mitigation measures that will allow the excellent work at the Filton site to continue without any major disruption. I am also glad that BAE will be working with their 19 employees affected by the closure to explore potential employment opportunities.”

“Whilst today’s news will sadden many residents we should also be encouraged by the good news the Filton site has had over the last few weeks and months; the Government’s A400M order, Airbus’s new £70 million design and research centre at Pegasus House and the news this week that EADS had won a £1 million injection that will fuel jobs growth in our local economy.”

Read on for a statement from the local Council »

It is anticipated that there are millions of people in the UK who have been mis-sold Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) by banks or lenders in recent years, and Davies and Partners Solicitors in Aztec West in Bristol has set up a new department dedicated to helping clients claim back their money.

The new Financial Services Claims team is headed up by Simon Pressdee who is a specialist in financial litigation for the firm.  He recognises that there are many people who were sold unsuitable policies but that don’t realise they may have the grounds to bring a claim to reclaim the payments they made, plus the interest on that money.

Simon said:

“We are speaking to many clients now who took out one of these policies which may have been in the guise of accident, sickness or unemployment protection, loan payment protection or personal loan protection.  Clients come to us when they have either failed to make a claim on the PPI they took out, or if they believe they were actually mis-sold a policy which was either not really required or was inappropriate due to their employment or medical status at the time.”

“It is a scandal just how many people were mis-sold these products by reputable lenders they trusted. We are keen to ensure that if someone took out one of these PPIs in the last six years and they have the grounds, they can claim their money and the interest back. We have a highly experienced team of financial litigation solicitors who can provide a free initial consultation to people and advise them if they have a viable claim to make.”

He concluded:

“Thankfully this should not happen in the future as following initial complaints made to the Office of Fair Trading back in 2005, the Competition Commission has pressed ahead with new, tougher regulations on the sale of PPI policies.   The new rules mean that banks or other lenders will not now be allowed to sell PPI policies to customers at the time or borrowing or during a fixed period of time.”

Related links:

• PPI compensation could reach £2.7bn, says regulator (BBC)
• Solicitors in and around Bradley Stoke (The Journal)

James Spencer has been a keen photographer for a number of years and has lived in Bradley Stoke for four years. He has now decided to start a new business called James Spencer Photography, utilising his skills and vast experience in the industry.

The business is based in Pursey Drive, Bradley Stoke, Bristol where James has established his own photographic studio.

James comments:

“My key aim is to ideally reach out to all families and individuals in the Bradley Stoke and Bristol area whatever their age or background, and ensure professional photographic products are within reach of all these people whatever their budget.”

“There is nothing better than having wonderful memories of the whole family or special occasions that you can treasure or give as presents to your loved ones.”

James will be offering many photographic services including Family portraits, Pet portraits, Wedding photography, Fashion photography, Event photography and Graduation and Prom photography services. All of these products are available either at James’ studio in Bradley Stoke or at a customer’s house or event.

Details of a number of very special offers to celebrate this new venture can be found on The Bradley Stoke Journal’s business showcase page for James Spencer Photography.