The Bradley Stoke Journal

A new footbridge has been constructed to provide an additional access point into Bradley Stoke’s Savages Wood. The bridge is situated just off the path that runs along the boundary of Bradley Stoke Community School’s playing fields, not far from the skate park behind Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre.

The bridge also marks the starting point of the Orienteering and Nature Trail that has recently been constructed in the Three Brooks Local Nature Reserve.

John Morris of South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) told The Journal:

A new wooden footbridge has recently been built by conservation volunteers following demand from dog walkers and other users. It was put there to help walkers cross the deep ditch that runs alongside Savages Wood. The bridge provides a new access point to the woodland and enables users of the new orienteering trail to enter the woodland near the course start.

Savages Wood, consisting predominantly of oak and ash trees, is the largest parcel of woodland in the Nature Reserve. The earliest record of its existence is on the 1880 Ordnance Survey map, although it is thought that some parts of it may be older than that.

A launch event for the new Orienteering and Nature Trail takes place on Saturday 13th September, between 11am and 3pm; entry is free and members of Bristol Orienteering Klub will be on hand to offer friendly advice.

Maps and other materials relating to the Trail may be downloaded from the orienteering page on the SGC website.

The Neighbourhood Policing Team in Bradley Stoke has announced a clampdown on the illegal riding of mopeds, motorcycles and mini-mopeds in the Three Brooks Local Nature Reserve.

The move follows complaints about the nuisance from families, dog walkers and people living nearby.

Signs positioned at entrances to the reserve, which have been in place for many years, clearly state that the riding of motorcycles is prohibited (see photo).

Neighbourhood PC Michael Friis confirms that “There are no rights of way for vehicles across this reserve. Only pedal cycles and walkers are permitted.”

He added: “Anyone caught riding any sort of motorbike in the nature reserve could find their vehicle seized and even crushed by police.”

Officers have a power under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act to seize a vehicle being used to cause alarm or in an anti-social manner.

The Police statement encourages motorcycling enthusiasts to find out about local clubs and authorised tracks from the Amateur Motorcycle Association (AMCA). Local motocross tracks may be found at Cheddar and Tormarton.

Related Links:

• The Journal’s Bradley Stoke Police page
• The Journal’s guide to walking and cycling in Bradley Stoke

The Three Brooks Nature Conservation Group is hosting a birdbox making session on Saturday (5th July) - meet at the Three Brooks lake at 10am. You can take your finished birdbox home (for a donation of £5) or have it put up in the local woods.

The Group stages regular conservation days on the first Saturday in each month - the upcoming August and September meets will feature traditional haycutting at two sites within the Three Brooks Local Nature Reserve.

Saturday also sees three of Bradley Stoke’s schools staging their annual summer fayres:

• Baileys Court Primary School (12pm to 2pm)
• Bowsland Green Primary School (12pm to 6pm)
• Wheatfield Primary School (from 11am)