The creation of a new parish council for Stoke Lodge cleared its final hurdle this evening (Wednesday 22nd May) after councillors voted in favour of the move.

South Gloucestershire Council carried out a ‘Community Governance Review’ after campaigners from Stoke Lodge and The Common, Patchway, handed in a petition last year signed by over 500 local residents calling for the creation of a new parish council.

894 consultation leaflets were issued to Stoke Lodge households and 720 were returned and verified – an 80% response rate.

And of the verified responses, more than 80% indicated a wish to have a new parish council created.

Councillors on the authority’s Regulatory Committee recommended approval to the creation of a new Stoke Lodge parish council at their meeting in December and final sign-off was given at this evening’s special meeting of all councillors.

Stoke Lodge and The Common currently form part of Patchway parish, although they are separated from the rest of Patchway by the A38 dual-carriageway.

South Gloucestershire Conservative councillors for Bradley Stoke Central and Stoke Lodge, Sarah Pomfret and Brian Hopkinson, who are also both Patchway town councillors for Stoke Lodge, said:

“We’re delighted that councillors voted in line with the landslide consultation result to create a new parish council for Stoke Lodge and the Common.”

“Stoke Lodge residents have expressed in their hundreds how they are fed up with being taken for granted and treated as Patchway Town Council’s cash cow and how they want their own parish council to better reflect their community.”

More: Stoke Lodge is a distinct community, claim councillors »

Share this article:

Avon and Somerset Police say they are seeking witnesses after a number of cars were damaged in the Patchway area.

The incidents happened on Monday lunchtime (20th May) between midday and 12.45pm in Rodway Road.

Police believe that a man, who was dressed in a black top and black trousers, damaged the vehicles, which were parked outside a row of shops including Jhoots pharmacy and the Cyclops store.

It is believed there may have been people in the area at the time of the incident who may have information to assist with enquiries. Anyone able to help is asked to contact the police on 101 or via the online crime reporting form.

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

Share this article:

Patchway-based Southern Brooks Community Partnership is celebrating the award of new three year funding from the Big Lottery.

The money will help support the organisation’s work with local families and promote volunteering as a way of learning new skills.

Director Julie Close said:

“We are thrilled that we are going to be able to continue to work with families to help them tackle the difficult issues they face. Over the years we’ve built strong relationships with local families and the community – including schools, Churches and other professionals. This funding will secure two full time posts and fund two new posts. One will focus on working with Dads. We’ve just started a new project working with men, called Cook Out and we aim to build on this to set up new groups for men. We’re really keen to work with dads to promote the rights of fathers and their involvement in their children’s lives.”

“The second post will focus on developing volunteering opportunities. Many of our families want to get involved in helping other families. This new post will make sure that they are supported to have a great experience of volunteering. With the challenges that people face to getting jobs in this area, learning new skills through volunteering, feeling that you are making a contribution and seeing the changes that are possible is really important. This grant funding will help us work alongside local families to develop projects that enable them to feel that their voice and contribution counts, to feel safe within their communities and to help people challenge discrimination. People will have opportunities to learn new skills, try new activities and get more involved in their neighbourhoods.”

“Many people contributed to this successful grant application and we really say a big thank you to them – we wouldn’t have done it alone. Working together in the future is going to be really important in making sure that all families that want help, or want to get more involved in their communities or to take up new challenges have the right chances to do that. “

Share this article:

People living with dementia are being asked by Southern Brooks Community Partnership to come forward and give their views on how Patchway could be made a better place for them to live. Their views will inform the formation of the Patchway Dementia Action Alliance.

The consultation will be launched this Wednesday, 22nd May, during national Dementia Awareness Week, with a group event and a free lunch at Coniston Community Centre (from 10am to 1pm).

All people living with dementia in Patchway, their carers, friends and families are invited to get involved. People are also invited to get in touch for a one-one interview, where they could take the interviewer out around Patchway to share their experiences directly, or they can speak to the interviewer on the telephone, or write their views down and send them to Southern Brooks. The consultation will end with another group event and free lunch during the Patchway Festival.

Southern Brooks Community Partnership is trying to find out answers to questions such as how easily they can get around the local shops and amenities; how easily they can take an active part in Patchway community life; what they think about local support and services for dementia; and what local peoples’ attitudes towards dementia are like.

Eleanor Fairbrother, the community development worker at Southern Brooks who is leading the consultation, said:

“Dementia can be a really isolating and frightening experience, but it doesn’t need to be. We believe with a little bit more awareness and support from the community, people living with dementia will be able to lead much more fulfilling lives. The first step is finding out what people’s experiences are and what support is needed here in Patchway, and I am really looking forward to listening to local people.”

For more details about this week’s consultation event, phone Southern Brooks on 01454 868 570.

More about Patchway Dementia Action Alliance »

Share this article: