The Bradley Stoke Journal

Southern Brooks Community Partnership (SBCP) has announced the opening of the nomination period for the 2012 Outstanding Women’s Awards, which are to be presented as part of the local International Women’s Day celebrations.

The aim of the awards is to celebrate the many contributions that women and girls make to their families and communities – improving the lives and wellbeing of those around them.

Nominations are welcomed for women living in the Southern Brooks area, which includes Bradley Stoke, Filton, Patchway and Stoke Gifford.

Awards will be presented under the following three categories:

Community Award

For women who have taken on the role of community leaders either through their volunteering efforts, examples include running a toddler group, youth or ladies’ group etc, or by going beyond their work specification or leading a pressure campaign to make changes benefiting their community. For women who have demonstrated leadership activities that have benefited their communities.

Business Woman’s Award

For women who have either set up or managed a local business which has grown significantly; or have developed their employees, or women who have mentored others in business and are role models in their fields. For women making a positive impact on the communities that they work in.

More: Young Woman’s Award and how to nominate »

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A fashion show to mark this year’s International Women’s Day takes place this Tuesday evening (8th March) at Bradley Stoke Community School (BSCS).

The event, organised by Southern Brooks Community Partnership (SBCP), will see over 50 models from India, England, East Asia and Africa showcasing historical and regional fashions.

The evening will also feature the Southern Brooks Outstanding Women’s Awards, now in their third year, to be chosen from 22 nominations in the three categories of personal achievement, young woman and community.

There will be a samba band, drama by a BSCS student presenting a monologue and, courtesy of the Ramada Grange Hotel, a sparkling wine and canapés welcome reception.

The event starts at 6:30pm with a viewing of the South Gloucestershire Visual Art Gallery and a number of information stalls.

Entry costs just £2 (pay on the door), donated to the Friends of Jubilee Green, who will be giving a talk about their work so far and plans for the future.

Once again, men are invited to come along with their partners, if they so wish, says SBCP’s Winsome Barrett-Muir.

Thursday night’s International Women’s Day celebratory event  organised by Southern Brooks Community Partnership (SBCP), once again attracted a large and enthusiastic crowd to Bradley Stoke Community School (BSCS).

The evening kicked off with performances from the BSCS salsa band and a musical performance from local girl group ‘Raise Your Voice”.

This was followed by an international fashion show, choreographed by Furo Sefia of African Elegance, and featuring some stunningly colourful African and Asian costumes.

The awards ceremony for the Poetry and Photography competition (a new feature this year) began with a moving recital of four of the poems entered, before Cllr Heather Goddard, Executive Member for Communities at South Gloucestershire Council, announced the winners and presented the prizes.

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Deadline for Nominations and Entries: Saturday 9th January

Southern Brooks Community Partnership (SBCP) would like to remind readers of an important deadline in connection with their International Women’s Day event, which takes place in March.

Winsome Barrett-Muir of SBCP writes:

“Every year International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world to acknowledge and show appreciation for women and their role in society. In Bradley Stoke we have celebrated International Women’s day for the past six years. Last year we added the Outstanding Women’s Awards (OWAs) to the celebration. It’s a way to raise the profile of the many ways local women have contributed to the areas they live in. In a new town like Bradley Stoke this has helped tremendously in bringing people together to create a vibrant community. The award was created to acknowledge and celebrate these contributions.”

“This year we’re again running the OWAs and have added a poetry and photography competition to the event. For this anyone can take part, the theme is ‘A woman you know’ . Just write a poem or take a photograph of a woman who has had a positive influence on your life.”

“Last year three of the awards were won by residents of Bradley Stoke: the community award, the mentor award and the personal achievement award. All who were nominated felt appreciated and enjoyed the event . The deadline is fast approaching (Saturday 9th January) and we have some fantastic prizes for the winners, all we need are the nominations and the poems/photographs.”

Nomination and entry forms can be downloaded from Southern Brooks Community Partnership website or collected from local libraries.

Completed forms can be handed in at local libraries or posted to SBCP.

Why not take a few minutes to write a nomination and show someone you acknowledge their contributions?

More photos of the 2009 IWD event in Bradley Stoke [PDF, 2.7MB]

A poetry and photography competition is to be run in conjunction with an event that celebrates International Women’s Day (IWD)  in South Gloucestershire.

Southern Brooks Community Partnership (SBCP), which organises the annual IWD event at Bradley Stoke Community School, says:

We want to hear from you about one woman who has influenced your life; your mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, teacher, wife, daughter or even an historical figure, etc – a woman who has loved you, inspired you, supported you, believed in you, someone you love, a woman you know who has made a difference in your life.

The competition is open to men and women aged eleven and over, who are residents of South Gloucestershire.

Entries, which may be a photograph OR a poem OR both, must be received by Saturday 9th January 2010. Winners will be announced at the IWD event on Thursday 11th March 2010.

More information and entry form: International Women’s Day 2010 (SBCP)

The new police inspector for the Filton Neighbourhood Area, which includes Bradley Stoke, is expected to address a meeting of the Safer and Stronger Community Group on Tuesday evening.

Inspector Bob Evely recently replaced Inspector Simon Ellis, who has taken up a post at police HQ.

Other recent changes on the Bradley Stoke Beat saw PC Steven Palmer taking over the role of Beat Manager.

Inspector Evely says:

“I live nearby and know the area quite well, but now I’ll be working with my team to make sure I understand the issues facing our communities so that we can tackle neighbourhood priorities effectively. There is a great team here and I want to make sure they continue to be accessible to everyone in their neighbourhood.”

“I want to make sure we are doing the right thing by the right people. I consider the community to be part of the team – local people must play their part if we are to find long-term solutions to the problems affecting our neighbourhood and ensure everyone feels and is safe.”

Also due to address the meeting is Willow Brook Centre Manager, Scott Lahive, who may have something to say about issues recently highlighted by the local police.

Bradley Stoke Beat Manager, PC Palmer, is quoted as saying:

“A small number of local youths have been responsible for most of the anti-social behaviour in the town centre and are starting to get involved in crime. I have already caught one youth driving a stolen moped who has been charged to Court, and I am building evidence to seek ASBOs on others in this group.”

Mr Lahive will be able to report that car parking issues at the centre have eased, now that demolition of the old Tesco store is complete. Residents will no doubt be keen to hear news on prospective tenants of phase 2 of the town centre development, which is due to open in the Summer.

Safer and Stronger Group Chairperson, Julie Snelling, told The Journal that she expects plans for the forthcoming celebration of International Women’s Day and local street lighting issues (at Winsbury Way) to also figure in discussions at the meeting.

Neighbours of the Jubilee Green, Savages Wood Road, where a new Beacon play park is to be built, can be expected to once more voice their fears that the park could be plagued by vandalism and anti-social behaviour. A recent “consultation” meeting saw residents demanding that the park be secured by a high fence, so that it could be closed off at night.

The Safer and Stronger Community Group meeting takes place on Tuesday (17th February) at the Jubilee Centre, Savages Wood Road, starting at 7pm.