South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) will be giving Patchway residents a chance to comment on the future of Filton Airfield at a public exhibition on Tuesday 11th October, from 3pm to 7:30pm.

The exhibition will summarise the feedback received in response to the Council’s Position Statement that was published in June, after BAE Systems had announced its intention to close the airfield.

The event, to be held at the new Patchway Locality Hub in Rodway Road, will provide residents with a further opportunity to express their views on the future of the airfield.

The exhibition material will also be available to view on the SGC website from Monday 3rd October at www.southglos.gov.uk/filtonairfield.

The Council says it is particularly interested to hear what residents think about the following questions and asks that responses to the consultation are structured in this way:

1. Do you accept that the closure of Filton Airfield is the only realistic option? Yes/No
2. If No to (1) above, what would you suggest as a way to keep the airfield viable? Do you have any information to support this?
3. If Yes to (1) above, how do you think the airfield should be reused/redeveloped? What would you wish to see included in the redevelopment?

Read on to find out how to respond to the Filton Airfield consultation »

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A pre-school in Patchway has been rated “good” by an Ofsted inspector, who visited the ‘early years’ care provider earlier this month.

Bright Sparks Pre-School, run by a non-profit limited company and based in new purpose-built premises on the site of Stoke Lodge Primary School, has a capacity for 71 children under eight years old. There are currently 220 children on roll, of whom 160 are in the ‘early years’ age range.

The inspector says the pre-school is “highly effective” in meeting children’s needs through collaboration with parents and key agencies, adding:

“There is good support for each child who is recognised as an individual and they make good progress in their learning through consistent interaction by knowledgeable staff. Children’s welfare is promoted well especially with regards to exceptional safeguarding procedures.”

The inspector’s report goes on to suggest how the provision could be improved by further developing assessment arrangements in order to be more consistent in identifying learning priorities.

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Police have seized 46 cannabis plants during a raid on a property in Bradley Road, Patchway, reports the Bristol Evening Post.

The raid was one of ten carried out so far this week as part of an operation running across the force area to target and disrupt the organised cultivation of the drug.

Police say they have so far seized a total of 900 plants with an estimated street value of £857,500.00 during the first week of the crackdown, dubbed ‘Operation Viscount’.

Force-wide, 15 individuals have been arrested on suspicion of possession and supply offences. Officers have also seized cash and amphetamines.

The force’s Drugs Strategy Manager Paul Bunt said:

“This is a great start to our latest campaign. We will be carrying out many more warrants over the coming months to clamp down on cannabis cultivation in Avon and Somerset.”

“Operation Viscount should send out a clear message that illegal drugs of any kind will not be tolerated and we will continue to bring offenders to justice.”

More: Tell-tale signs of houses being used for growing cannabis »

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The new Patchway Library within the Severnvale Locality Hub in Rodaway Road, Patchway, showcased its impressive facilities to the local community last Tuesday (20th September).

Members of the public and representatives of local organistaions were treated to refreshments, while staff were on hand to increase awareness of the full range of services available at the bright and modern new library, which replaces the previous building demolished to make way for the hub.

During the construction of the hub, Patchway Library was housed in the Casson Centre, between the Community Centre and the offices of Patchway Town Council.

Notable features of the new library include a number of large TV screens that promote library services and upcoming events in and around Patchway and a bank of internet-connected PCs available for use by library visitors.

Read on for details of upcoming events at the new library »

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