The Bradley Stoke Journal

Journal readers have been sending in their photos of the arrival of cygnets to a pair of mute swans at The Lake in the Three Brooks Local Nature Reserve.

The swans’ nest was sited at the side of the lake, close to the stone footbridge leading into the reserve from Juniper Way.

Five eggs were laid in the nest and, following an incubation period of around 35 days, five fluffy grey cygnets duly arrived at the end of April and they were soon seen out on the lake swimming with their proud parents.

Sadly, three of the new arrivals disappeared a few days later, the rumour being that they perished after falling down the weir at the far end of the lake.

Further perils await the surviving cygnets when they learn to fly in about four months time. Crash landings and collisions with overhead power cables often lead to fatalities at this crucial time, according to an informative article on the Fairford Swan Aid website.

Many thanks to Steve Gibbard and Annette Rumbelow for sending in photos of the newly-hatched cygnets.

We’ve put their photos, together with some of our own, in The Journal’s PicasaWeb gallery: album; slideshow.

Readers with more information to share about Bradley Stoke’s resident swan family are invited to leave a comment on this story. Photos may sent to the email address on our Contact Us page. We look forward to hearing from you.

Journal reader Owen Richards reports:

A dog was rescued from the lake in the Three Brooks Local Nature Reserve, Bradley Stoke, earlier today (at about 4pm), having presumably gone on the ice and fallen through.

A crew from Avon Fire & Rescue on scene broke through the ice and eventually used an inflatable boat to get to the dog (Morgan, a spaniel).

Photo credit: Owen Richards

A charity Orienteering Challenge, suitable for families and accompanied children, is to be held next weekend in Bradley Stoke.

The event, which takes place in the Three Brooks Local Nature Reserve between 11am and 4pm on Sunday 22nd August, will raise funds for the children’s charity Barnardo’s.

Families, teams and individuals can have a go at a timed circuit (with prizes to be won). For younger children and families, shorter ‘nature trails’ will be available, following five habitat themes.

Entry is set at just £1 per person, irrespective of team size and under-5s go free. Maps will be provided and refreshments will be available.

The event will be based at the entrance to Savage’s Woods between Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre and the Community School playing fields [map].

Organiser Leyla Roebuck says she had the idea for the event after doing some voluntary work at the charity’s Bristol office:

“Barnardo’s has always been a favourite of mine – I’m for anything that improves the quality of life in children.”

Barnardo’s South West spokesperson Martin Pitman told The Journal:

“I am delighted that one of our volunteer supporters has organised this interesting orienteering event in aid of Barnardo’s.

I know that Leyla, like us, is passionate about vulnerable and disadvantaged children and this seems like a great way to help whilst enabling the local community to join in the fun at the same time.”

Read more about the Three Brooks orienteering and nature trail »

Three carved wooden benches are set to be installed at locations in Bradley Stoke thanks to a environment grant worth £1,800 from South Gloucestershire Council.

Local chainsaw sculptor Andy O’Neill is currently working  in an area on Jubilee Green to carve the three benches from a recently felled sweet chestnut tree.

Andy hopes to complete the benches by Thursday 17th June, after which they will be installed at the following locations:

• Howard Davis memorial bench (swans and frog life cycle carving): by Davis Pond, Jubilee Green
• Bees and honeycomb bench – in the flower rich meadow, along the community forest path near Savages Wood
• Apple core bench – near the community orchard in the Three Brooks Local Nature Reserve

The first bench is named in memory of ornithologist Howard Davis, who lived at the now-demolished Little Stoke Farm, and was instrumental in the founding of what is now the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust based at Slimbridge.

Cllr Brian Allinson, SGC’s executive member for planning, transport and strategic environment, said:

“The council is committed to enhancing the district’s natural environment and these fascinating pieces of public furniture, created thanks to a grant from the council, are sure to become talking points in Bradley Stoke.”

See more photos of the Bradley Stoke wood carvings on PicasaWeb.

Police in Bradley Stoke have raised concerns over the lighting of campfires in Savages Wood, part of the Three Brooks Local Nature Reserve.

PC Steven Palmer told the April meeting of the Bradley Stoke Safer & Stronger Community Group (SSCG) that youths have been accessing the woodland via a gate near the skate park and have lit campfires in the ‘outdoor classroom’ in the middle of the woods. A recent incident saw the Avon Fire & Rescue Service being called to extinguish a fire, he added.

The ‘outdoor classroom’ was created in 2005 by the Three Brooks Nauture Conservation Group and is intended for use by groups of schoolchildren on organised visits to the nature reserve.

SSCG Chairperson Julie Snelling pointed out that a recently published government policy document had suggested that children be allowed to play with fire (presumably under adult supervision), but PC Palmer said the youths’ actions were “considered dangerous” and “should not be encouraged”.

Bradley Stoke Town Council discussed the matter at the February meeting of its Finance & Leisure Committee, where it was suggested that the lack of shelter at the skate park might be a factor in encouraging youths to enter the woods.

The Council is now looking into the possibility of providing a ‘teen shelter’ at the skate park and is even considering re-using some of its old bus shelters, recently taken out of service after South Gloucestershire Council upgraded shelters on the number 73 bus route.

Should young people be allowed to light campfires in the nature reserve? Use our comments facility to share your views.

Bradley Stoke has plenty of events to keep the children occupied this half term, with activities on offer at the Leisure Centre, Library and Three Brooks Local Nature Reserve.

Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre’s October Holiday Programme (for children aged four to sixteen) runs from Monday 27th Oct to Tuesday 4th Nov and includes activities ranging from trampolining to short tennis.

Bradley Stoke Library has a “Let’s go Batty ” session on Monday 27th Oct, with crafts and stories suitable for five to nine year olds, while Saturday 1st November sees a football-themed session aimed at “reluctant readers” aged eight and upwards.

There is an “Owl Prowl” in the Three Brooks Local Nature Reserve on Monday 27th Oct (meet outside the Leisure Centre at 7pm), followed by a Fungi Foray on Tuesday 28th October (meet outside the Leisure Centre at 2pm).