Hi there,

We’re currently looking to move from Kent to Bradley Stoke, but have a problem with primary school admissions.

Our eldest starts reception in September 2013, but it seems that most (if not all) of the primary schools are now full, so he may be sent to a school outside the immediate area.

Does anyone know where that might be, please? e.g. experience from previous years, or knowledge from this year?

Would it be better to delay our move until midway through the school year? (e.g. Jan 2014)

I appreciate there are no absolute answers, just looking for some advice.

Thanks,

Connor

I regularly walk up the pedestrian footpath parallel to the Tesco filling station and outside the Tesco staff entrance with my young children. The children complain about the smoke that they inhale as they walk past the Tesco employee smokers on the corner, where the delivery lorries pass.

There has recently been a lot of press coverage of ‘second hand’ cigarette smoke, especially with children and I am in agreement with them that having to be subjected to this is unacceptable.

Whilst I understand that there has to be a smoking area dedicated for those employees that smoke – isn’t there an alternative location away from the footpath so that non-smokers (and children) do not have to suffer? It’s not as if this footpath is out of the way – it’s a primary route for pedestrians from the Savages Wood Road end of the site.

My children also comment on the cigarette butt ends left all over the pavement and verge chippings and how disgusting it looks. I am amazed that Tesco management do not notice this themselves, bearing in mind that they have to pass it as they go through the staff entrance.

Related links:

• Secondhand smoke still seriously affecting children (BBC)
• Stephen Williams MP wins award for anti-smoking work (BBC)

Steve

A supply teacher from Bradley Stoke is being tried at Bristol Crown Court on charges of of sexually abusing eight girls in primary schools, reports the Bristol Post.

John Alway, 60, of Juniper Way first stood trial in June 2012 when he was accused of sexually assaulting three girls of primary school age, but that trial was halted when media coverage resulted in five more complainants coming forward.

Alway denies a charge of attempted rape and 22 sexual assaults against eight girls between 1997 and 2004, when the youngest alleged victim was nine.

Read more: Bristol supply teacher accused of “trying to rape pupil”

I’m absolutely astonished by the irresponsible parents I have seen in Bradley Stoke who think its fine to tow an extremely vulnerable child in a trailer behind a bicycle ON THE ROAD! How stupid is that!!!

Phil Holes

Photo: Library image by tylerconk [licence cc-by 2.0]

We hadn’t been there long, so weren’t sure if she couldn’t find her way back to us. We spent weeks looking for her, put up posters and contacted the local vets and council with no luck

I just wanted to know if anyone has taken her in as I saw a cat very similar to her by the Baileys Court pub on Saturday (20th April). She was black with mottled gingery markings, quite small and had three black feet and one light brown. When she ran off she was wearing a silver sparkly collar.

If anyone has any information I would appreciate it if you got in contact so I know she is OK. She was my husband’s first pet and he loved her so much and he’s never really moved on from losing her.

KTyrrell

[Ed: Anyone with information can contact The Journal and we'll forward your message to KTyrrell.]

Has anybody else actually read the leaflet delivered locally this week regarding forthcoming changes for the collection of green waste (green bin)?

The council are going to start charging for this service and are holding a consultation on three options.

I’m not sure how widely these leaflets have been distributed, the info is on their website so make sure you read it and have your say!

BS Res

Ed: Very briefly, the three options being considered are: annual subscription of £36/year; pre-pay sacks at £20 for 10 sacks; or ‘pay as you go’ sacks at £2/sack. More information about the consultation can be found here:

www.southglos.gov.uk/wasteconsultation

Bristol Water says its has re-configured its network in an area of south Bradley Stoke after customers reported loss of supply or low pressure this morning.

A spokesperson said the company had received 18 calls from customers, with the first coming in at 9:45am.

Properties on higher ground are believed to have been most affected.

The affected area, which includes Sherbourne Avenue and Watch Elm Close, has now been “re-zoned” into another part of the network.

At 12pm, just one property in Sherbourne Avenue was still having problems and a temporary ‘overland’ pipe had been installed to supply it.

We found a ring today in Wheatfield Drive.

It has jewels and looks like it might be fairly expensive.

Get in touch via this site if you’ve lost one.

Andy

Has anyone else had a large nail hammered into their car tyre?

I just had my tyres replaced as they were due only to find out during my MOT I had a huge nail in the centre of my front tyre.

I know this has previously been a problem a few years ago.

I would encourage local residents to check their cars.

eWal

[Previous story in The Journal: Police seek witnesses after car vandals put lives at risk]

Having recently nearly been run over along with my pregnant girlfriend, I am motivated to post here to see if others have also had a near miss.

I was waiting with my girlfriend at the crossing at about 7:30pm (opposite side to Tesco), I pressed the button, and the usual amber red sequence happened. Genuinely, there were no cars in sight when I pressed the lights and if anyone knows the crossing they will know it changes almost instantly. It was on red for about a second and due to both the time and because I was with someone I thought nothing of looking to her before crossing. As I put one foot forward I caught a cars headlights in my right eye and put my arm out to stop my girlfriend from crossing. There would have been no visibility for her as I was on her right starting to cross. The car was travelling at above average speed and showed no signs of slowing whatsoever.

I have noticed more drivers are speeding off the roundabout and racing along Savages Road and trying to beat the lights at the crossing or avoiding looking altogether. It is very common to go through on amber but also on red now. This happens during daylight and night hours. I had only commented a week before that it’s an accident waiting to happen and I didn’t think it might be us!

A retirement complex has been built right next to the crossing and it’s frequently used by children to the primary or secondary.

I have been a Bradley Stoke resident for over ten years and have noticed the volume of traffic increase year on year. However, it’s the desperate or insane need to get to shops at any speed in ignorance of lights which is of concern.

If you have had a similar experience please post on here as the crossing should be upgraded to a puffin type now at a minimum but I’m not sure how to stop the dangerous driving. Ideas welcome.

AverageJoe