Councillor Andy Ward has been elected as the new mayor of Bradley Stoke. Andy, who has been a councillor since 2013, was formally handed the chain of office on Wednesday 10th May at Bradley Stoke Town Council’s AGM. He takes on the role as the town celebrates two significant milestones in its short history – the thirtieth anniversary of the first turf being cut and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the town council.

Originally from Tytherington, then Thornbury, Andy moved to Bradley Stoke with his wife, Marion (who is also a member of Bradley Stoke Town Council), in 1992. They chose Bradley Stoke as they believed it would be a perfect place to put down roots and bring up a family. Obviously, it was the right decision for the Ward family who have now lived here for twenty-five years with their daughter, Bex. Andy describes Bradley Stoke as “a vibrant town with a great sense of community”.

“The people who live here are friendly and neighbourly and the population is diverse, representing a wide variety of cultures. The town benefits from great facilities and access to some beautiful green spaces,” he adds.

Like many people in this area, Andy began his working life in the aerospace industry as a Rolls Royce apprentice. He has also run several small businesses. In 2011, he became involved in the inception of Bradley Stoke Radio (BSR) and he is currently chairman of this popular community organisation. He also broadcasts on the Drivetime Show three times a week. Through his involvement with BSR, Andy worked with the town council on a regular basis and it was this involvement that inspired him to stand for election.

More: New mayor is also involved in numerous voluntary groups »

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Bradley Stoke Town Council members and staff celebrated the 25th anniversary of the organisation’s establishment with a cake-cutting ceremony held at the annual town meeting on 10th May.

Although the first residents of the ‘new town’ of Bradley Stoke moved into their new homes in late 1987, the area continued to be served by no fewer than four parish councils – Almondsbury, Stoke Gifford, Patchway and Winterbourne.

Residents formed the Bradley Stoke Community Development Association to campaign for better facilities and to secure a single parish for the new town (fending off proposals to have separate parishes for the north and south).

Bradley Stoke Parish Council was finally formed in April 1992, following the election of 13 councillors the previous March. Soon after, councillors made use of the power to declare their parish a town “to underline its status … as the largest private housing development in Europe”.

In its early days, the town council had to fight for what it believed to be its fair share of the £3.2m that Almondsbury Parish Council had received in 1986 for selling land in the north of Bradley Stoke to developers. Its case was based on the fact that three-fifths of the population of the old Almondsbury parish now lived within the town of Bradley Stoke. Following arbitration, a settlement of £1.2m was agreed.

Photo: Councillors marked the occasion with a specially created cake and matching cupcakes (see also below).

More: Notable milestones for Bradley Stoke Town Council »

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The annual general meeting of Bradley Stoke Town Council on 10th May saw outgoing mayor Elaine Hardwick present cheques to her two chosen ‘charities of the year’.

In accordance with the mayor’s wishes declared at the start of her term in office, Heartful D0dgers and Transplant Sport were awarded equal shares of the amount collected over the year, with each receiving £3,907.

The money handed to the groups derives from fundraising events organised by the town council over the past 12 months, principally the community festival in June and the firework display in November.

Transplant Sport is the largest transplant charity promoting active recovery for transplant patients and increasing awareness of the benefits of organ donation and transplantation. It has been organising events over the last 39 years for transplant recipients and the wider transplant family – this can include donor families and live donors.

The Heartful Dodgers group aims to improve cardiac care in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. It fundraises for the Cardiac Rehabilitation team at Southmead Hospital, enabling it to purchase new equipment and fund courses for the staff.

Photo: Louise Hill, fundraising lead for Heartful Dodgers, receives a cheque from the mayor.

More: Photo of cheque presentation to Transplant Sport »

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The 2017 Bradley Stoke Community Festival got under way today (Friday 9th June) with the traditional Picnic in the Park, at which children were entertained in the Big Top by Professor Panic and took part in fun activities organised by the Friends of Jubilee Green.

Saturday (10th June) sees a packed programme of music and dance events at the Jubilee Centre playing fields, with the action starting at 11.30am and running through to 6pm.

Musical entertainment on Saturday begins with the BSCS students at 11.30am – followed by Gecko Blasters, Uncle Buck, Dockside, Nuttyness (Madness tribute), South Glos Jazz Band and Atlantic.

Dance and gymnastic groups performing in between the bands this year include Yasmin’s Dance, Bradley Stoke Gymnastics Club, the South Gloucestershire Asian project dancers, Stoke Gifford Dance, Kirsty Husher Dance and Stagecoach.

Over on Jubilee Green, there will be demonstrations from the Scouts’ marching band, GKR Karate, South West Winterguard Academy, Easy Dance Popstars, St Mary’s RFC, PT Boot Camp and Dragon Tang Soo Do, along with pro rider demonstrations on the King Ramps half-pipe.

Fun rides and attractions for the children include trampolines, giant slides, football games, giant inflatables, a helter skelter and the Vertical Xtreme climbing wall, alongside the local Scouts providing longbow archery.

To mark its 25th anniversary, the town council has sponsored a community area with several rides including Wipe Out, Bungee Run and Surf Simulator on which the adults will be able to join in with the children! These attractions will be free of charge, with the option of making a donation to the mayor’s charities.

Another special 25th anniversary feature is the ‘Bradley Stoke Bazaar’, which is a large marquee holding a wide selection of stalls featuring arts and crafts, gifts and handicrafts as well as a cartoonist and face painters.

The Bradley Stoke Youth FC football tournament for Year 1 children, with 14 schools taking part, starts at 12pm on the top soccer pitches (prizegiving at 3pm).

Sunday’s events: BS 10k Run, kwik cricket and skate park competition »

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