Bradley Stoke Annual Town Meeting report:
• Toddler group receives apology
• Youth group has ‘challenges’ ahead
• Other news from the meeting

An apology has been issued to a toddler group using the Brook Way Activity Centre because of a lack of communication over the move of Bradley Stoke’s youth centre.

The group have collected a 251-name petition thinking they were about to be evicted from the centre.

But Bradley Stoke Town Council said daytime users of Brook Way would be able to stay with the youth centre active in the evening.

Councillor Mark Forsyth told the town’s annual meeting that they “would not want to see youth work impact on daytime users”.

He claimed they “never intended” to stop daytime users from being able to hire the centre.

The toddler group itself was described by one mother who attended the meeting as “being a lifeline for mums”.

The subject of youth work also put the council’s recent decision to move the club from the Jubilee Centre under the spotlight .

One youth pointed out the move to Brook Way would mean a 40 minute walk for some who live at the far ends of the town.

Councillor Brian Hopkinson suggested land in the centre of Bradley Stoke which had previously earmarked for a health centre could be used for a youth centre.

Cllr Hopkinson also addressed the thorny subject of Patchway youths using the Bradley Stoke centre saying “there may be challenges ahead”.

Bradley Stoke Town Council recently suggested that a contribution from Patchway Town Council could guarantee access for those children.

But, minutes published on the Patchway Town Council website from a recent finance meeting said contributing a suggested £12,000 left them with “many concerns”.

Other worries raised included anti-social behaviour on Saxon Way and concerns over medical provision in Bradley Stoke .

The Bradley Stoke Examiner’s exclusive about Sir Geoff Hurst attending this year’s community festival was also confirmed – the World Cup hero will be bringing the FA Community Shield.

A presentation on sport also gave Northavon Bowls Club the opportunity to question the town council’s commitment to sport – citing the fact seven of ten members abstained in a crucial vote in 2008 over rent at Bailey’s Court.