Wednesday 29 July 2009

Get involved in improving health services

Do you receive health or social care in South Glos? Do you want to help make the services better? Then why not join the LINk (Local Improvement Network)? The next meeting is taking place in Westerleigh village hall on Monday 3rd August from 2pm to 4pm. There will be a short talk from the Independent Complaints and Advocacy Service. For more information ring Sarah Booker on 0117 9589351 or 0117 9589349.

Thursday 23 July 2009

Did you see this assault in Yate Shopping Centre?

Police are looking for witnesses to an incident in which a 16-year-old girl was assaulted on Monday afternoon (July 20) at about 2.30pm in Yate shopping centre.

The victim was outside the Dorothy Perkins Store when she was approached by a woman in her 30s who appeared to head butt the teenager, who was also punched several times. The victim suffered bruising to her head.

Police believe there would have been a number of people in the shopping centre at the time who may have witnessed the incident.

They would like anyone who could help their enquiries to contact them. Anyone with information is asked to contact Staple Hill police station on 0845 4567000.

Tuesday 21 July 2009

At least it's good for the allotments...



Many of us are depressed by the currrent weather, but people say the rain is good for gardens and allotments. Cllr Mandy Sainsbury recently judged the Dodington Allotments Association competition (just before the deluge started!) and here are some of her photos.


Allotments are rather scarce. If you live within Dodington Parish (Birds, Shire Way, south side of Rodford Way, or the country area out to the motorway) and you would like to go on the waiting list, please contact Dodington Parish Council on 01454 866546.

If you aren't a Dodington parishioner, the Parish Council can give you a contact number for the company that owns the private allotments alongside the railway line.

Appeal for information after pensioner tricked (Yate)

Police are appealing for information about a group of men who tricked their way into a pensioner's home and stole cash from him.

The 84 year old was walking home from Yate shopping centre at around 12.20pm on July 18 when a grey car pulled alongside him in Church Road. A passenger told him he was working for a charity and persuaded him to reveal his address.

When he got home he was approached by two men who said they needed to check a water leak. He let them, and then a third man, into his home, where he was robbed.

Police have descriptions of the men they would like to talk to. The passenger in the car is white, aged between 40-45, of slight build, with grey hair and wearing rimless glasses.

The other three are white .One was 5ft 10ins tall, of thin build, in his late 20s, clean shaven with dark hair.

The second was 5ft 8ins, of stocky build, clean shaven with dark hair.

The third is 5ft 8ins, of medium build, with dark hair. All were wearing dark clothing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0845 456 7000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers never ask your name and never trace your call.

Latest swine flu advice from Council

You can read the latest swine flu advice from South Glos Council on their website. In particular, they stress that if you need anti-viral medication, rather than go out yourself and risk spreading the illness to other people, including health professionals, you should ask a "flu friend" to collect the medication on your behalf.

If you have children, you can find the latest information about schools, nurseries, pre-schools, children's centres and other services online.

Sunday 19 July 2009

Bus services update, and a chance to question First

  • A chance to question First
  • Download our local First Bus timetable
  • Get regular bus updates from South Glos
  • What's your experience been of the X27?

A chance to question First

This week you have the chance to put questions to representatives of First Bus. Jenny MacLeod, Operations Director, and Simon Cursio, Commercial Director, are attending the Planning, Transportation and Strategic Environment Select Committee on 22 July to respond to councillors’ questions and concerns.

Pat Hockey, who chairs the committee, said, "Members of the public are always welcome to attend our select committee meetings, to raise issues, ask questions or present petitions. If you can't make it along yourself, you can contact your local councillor and ask them to raise questions on your behalf".

The meeting will be held at 3pm on 22 July, in the Council Chamber, the Council Offices, Castle Street, Thornbury. If you would like to speak, please contact Gordon Moss on 01454 86 3014.


Download your local First Bus timetable

You can now download the timetable of First Bus services (though not the other companies' services unfortunately)in Chipping Sodbury, Yate, Coalpit Heath, Frampton Cotterell and Winterbourne from the South Glos website here


Get regular bus updates from South Glos

You can get regular updates on the X27 and associated services by putting yourself on the South Glos on a mailing list for offers and news. Please let South Glos know your name and email addresses and/or postal address. You can send this information to onthemove@southglos.gov.uk or alternatively you can call their contact centre on 01454 868004 and ask to be put on the transport mailing list.


What's your experience been of the X27?

How have YOU found the X27 service since the changes? Has the extension through to the Centre been useful? Have you had any problems? Please let us know by emailing paul.hulbert@gmail.com.

Wednesday 15 July 2009

Yate library latest

It looks like the refurbishment of Yate library may be finished ahead of schedule, with Monday 19th October pencilled in for the re-opening.

The library closed last October and the service has been operating from 23 South Parade in Yate Shopping Centre. There won't be room to run the usual summer holiday activities in these temporary premises but there will be activities at other libraries including Chipping Sodbury, Emerson's Green and Winterbourne.

Wednesday 8 July 2009

Discover the nature where you live

Nature lovers are invited to join a walk to explore the wildflower meadows, riverside grasslands and woodlands of St John’s Park estate in Chipping Sodbury.

The walk, which will be led by Mary Wood from Avon Wildlife Trust, takes place on Tuesday 21 July from 7pm.

South Gloucestershire Council has employed the Avon Wildlife Trust to renew the management plan for these open spaces so please come along to discover the wildlife and discuss how the areas should be managed in the future.

Anyone interested in joining the walk should meet at the bridge over the River Frome on Wickwar Road at 7pm.

If you need any further details please contact Chris Giles at South Gloucestershire Council on 01454 863725.

Monday 6 July 2009

Major roadworks in Westerleigh Rd, Yate, 13-17 July

Essential roadworks will be carried out affecting Westerleigh Road from the Rodford Way roundabout to the junction with St Briavels Drive. they will be planing off the existing surface of the carriageway, followed by resurfacing.

The traffic will be controlled by temporary traffic lights. Access to properties fronting the site will be available at all times and every effort will be made to keep the disruption to local residents to a minimum.

The work will start at approximately 8am each morning and continue until about 5pm. Please note that adverse weather conditions or plant / delivery problems may affect these times and dates.

It is possible that delays will occur during the day, so alternative routes are advised. Please watch the local press for any further news. South Gloucestershire Council apologises for any inconvenience caused.

Saturday 4 July 2009

Out in the open air...



Fancy a bit of gentle exercise in the open air tomorrow morning? (Sunday)

Then join Wapley Bushes Conservation Group at their work morning. Meet 10.00 am at the gate on Shire Way, Yate.

More details available here.