Southern Brooks Community Partnership has launched two new initiatives aimed at making Patchway a better place for people with dementia and their carers to live.

Following the launch of the Patchway Dementia Action Alliance in September, monthly dementia awareness sessions are being staged at various venues in the town and a monthly ‘memory café’ is being held at the Casson Centre.

Dementia Awareness Sessions

Come along and get a simple introduction to the issues around dementia, and how you can help. They are enjoyable, interactive, and only last an hour. These sessions are part of Alzheimer’s Society’s national campaign to make a million ‘dementia friends’ by 2015. Be part of this national network!

Dates for your diary:

• Friday 24th January: 10.30am to 11.30am at Holy Family Church, Southsea road
• Wednesday 12th February: 1pm to 2pm at the Casson Centre, Rodway Road
• Tuesday 25th February:  7pm to 8pm at St Chad’s Church, Rodway Road
• Wednesday 12th March: 7pm to 8pm at Amberley Road Baptist Church

To book your place, call Eleanor on 01454 868 570 or email eleanorfairbrother@southernbrooks.org.uk .

Patchway Memory Café

A social space for people who are worried about their memory, people diagnosed with dementia, and their friends and family. With information about services available and relevant talks plus games, activities, and homemade cake.

If you need help with transport, get in touch with Eleanor (see above).

Third Monday of the month from 2pm to 4pm at the Casson Centre, Rodway Road. Next dates: 16th December, 20th January, 17th February.

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A new police custody suite being constructed on the former Bensons site on Gloucester Road in Patchway could be run by a private firm when it opens in 2014.

Avon and Somerset Police says it is considering the possibility of contracting a private partner to manage services at the new facility, along with others in Bridgwater, Keynsham and Yeovil. This would include staffing the custody units, carrying out identification services and transporting detainees.

Five companies (G4S Care and Justice Services (UK) Ltd, The GEO Group UK Inc, Interserve Investments Ltd, Resource (NI) Limited and Tascor Services Ltd) have been invited to tender for the services.

The force says it wants to explore how a partnership might help it improve standards, increase expertise and adopt efficient ways of working.

Chief Constable Nick Gargan said:

“The opening of our new purpose built custody suites next year has presented us with a unique opportunity to review and maximise the service we provide. We want to see what a private partner can provide us in terms of innovation, efficiency and value for money. The savings we make will reduce the need for cuts to frontline policing.”

More: Decision expected early in the New Year »

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Police are appealing for help in tracing a stolen tricycle, which belongs to a five-year old girl who has cerebral palsy.

Thieves broke into a shed at the home of the girl’s grandmother in Bradley Road, Patchway, to steal the specially-built red Tomcat trike, worth £600.

The break-in was only noticed on Wednesday 6th November 2013, but could have happened at any time between Sunday 27th October and 6th November.

The thieves also stole a lilac Dawes Galaxy Plus ladies’ pushbike with a basket on the back and a black men’s Reflex mountain bike with stickers on it.

The girl’s mother, who asked not to be named, said:

“It’s a hand-built bike, not off the shelf, which we got about a year ago after a fund-raising campaign.”

Anyone with any information which could help police track down any of these stolen bikes is asked to call them on 101, quoting reference 110942/13.

Alternatively, phone the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They never ask your name or trace your call.

Photo: Tomcat trike similar to the one stolen.

Security advice from Avon and Somerset Police

We recommend using a ‘Sold Secure’ quality lock on your shed; fitting a low-cost shed alarm; securing bikes and other valuables to a ground anchor within your shed; permanently marking bikes with your postcode; and registering them for free on property database www.immobilise.com.

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Thousands of excited fans crowded from 4pm at The Mall, Cribbs Causeway earlier today (Thursday 7th November) to watch The Saturdays open The Mall’s Winter Wonderland and switch on the shopping centre’s Christmas lights.

Saturdays fans braved the cold rain for this year’s Christmas lights switch-on concert in support of the military charity Help for Heroes.

Bristol Fashion Week host and ITV Daybreak presenter Mark Heyes fronted the show, and entertained an eager crowd before The Saturdays arrived. We were welcomed first by a short, but sweet set from local band Young Kato. Already having been support acts for Pixie Lot and Olly Murs at the Mall, the crowd was already familiar with the boys.

After much anticipation, and introductions from Mark Heyes, The Saturdays finally took to the stage. After The Saturdays had been introduced, the crowd began counting down for the lights switch-on. The band was one member short, with Frankie still at home looking after a new addition to her family. However, Una, Mollie, Rochelle and Vanessa kept The Saturdays’ flag flying and crowded around the plunger to press it down together. The dark winter’s night was soon filled with blue and white Christmas lights, surrounding the stage and Mall with a Christmas glow. The Christmas Castle lit up from behind the stage, and to top off the Christmas feeling, fake snow falling over the crowd.

More: Winter Wonderland open until Sunday 5th January »

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