Up to 18 new jobs are to be created when Aldi opens at the former Somerfield site in Fern Dene.

Eagle-eyed Examiner reader Rob spotted the application (see the PDF here) filed by the firm for changes to the building layout.

The application, which includes “external alterations and landscaping”, was filed in the last week of 2006.

The document reveals the store is planning to open 8am-8pm each day and 10am-4pm on Sundays.

Aldi will also replace the current canopy over the front of the building and Lloyd’s Pharmacy will also have a new independent entrance created.

The news will be good for those in the north of the town who had complained there were few facilities for them since Somerfield closed in November 2006.

At present there is no indication when the store will open - when we find out we’ll publish the details here.

Residents of the Coppice in Bradley Stoke have started petition over the use of a home to film porn movies, reports the Evening Post.

The article claims that more than 30 families have signed asking the owner, James Edwards, to stop the activities.

But Avon and Somerset Police and South Gloucestershire Council say that there is nothing criminal about Mr Edwards’ use of the home.

In fact, the article goes on to say he has signed an Acceptable Behaviour Contract following one incident that resulted in a fine for a visitor to the home.

• Read the full article here

Bradley Stoke’s new police beat manager has been named as Claire Dible.

She is due to start in her new role at the end of the month as the constabulary takes up residence in office space in Bradley Stoke Community School.

Avon and Somerset Police are also starting a campaign aimed at making BS a “safe and thriving place to live in”.

The Safer & Stronger Community Partnership will feature representatives from various groups including Neighbourhood Watch, members of the business community and council members.

A spokesman for the constabulary told the Examiner the aims were:

• To promote pride in the local area as a safe thriving and pleasant place to live
• To empower local people to have a greater voice and influence over local decisions
• To allow communities to consider and set policing priorities for their area to help reduce crime and disorder
• To improve the quality of life of local people

A dog walker in Bradley Stoke has been hit with a £50 fine after letting their dog foul on a pavement.

The walker was caught by South Gloucestershire Council wardens only “20 steps” away from two dog bins on Bradley Stoke Way.

The fine was dished out as the owner walked away and did not clear up the mess.

A spokesperson for the council says the fine is the second handed out in recent weeks.

A new forum which aims to link up small businesses in Bradley Stoke is to launch in February.

The Small Business Forum is aiming to be “a voice for the business community in the town”.

The idea for the group is the brainchild of Nick Wood who runs a counselling and psychotherapy service from rented space at the Bradley Stoke Community School.

“Having started my own small business over the last few years I have learnt a whole new set of skills and it has sometimes been a hard slog,” said Nick.

“There is help available but I also feel it would be great to share ideas and experiences with other local business people.

“Clubbing together might help us to pool resources, provide a marketing platform and, who knows even put something back into the community we serve.”

The other aims of the forum are:

• Provide mutual support for it’s members
• Be a place to share ideas and experiences
• Provide access to advice and specialist expertise
• Establish links with community groups and initiatives

The first meeting of the group will be at 5.30pm on Monday, 19 February 2007 at the Pitman Training Centre, Bradley Pavillions, Pear Tree Road, Bradley Stoke.

If you run a small business in the town and would like to get in touch with Nick ahead of the meeting then you can email him via nick4info@yahoo.co.uk

Two boys from Bradley Stoke are having trouble finding sporting memorabilia to sell off for charity.

Callum Howard and Adam Snook, 11, want sport items to auction in aid of the RSPCA, reports the Bristol Evening Post.
So far they have only bagged a Bristol City shirt and an email from Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

All of the letters have been sent on RSPCA headed paper with a letter from the charity confirming what the pair are doing.

Callum’s dad, Philip, is appealing to the community for more items. You can call him on 0771 858 2177 if you can help out.

The sale itself is planned for Saturday, 20 January between 11am and 2pm at the Bradley Stoke Community School.

Global warming has made its mark on Bradley Stoke with the creation of a giant new lake.

The rain has poured down next to Tesco and the Three Brooks pub to create the new water feature.

The lake is on the corner of the land where new housing is currently being built.

It will be a welcome sight for people hoping to buy new houses in the area - lakeside properties are at a premium.

It is hoped that ducks and other wildfowl will eventually make a home for themselves on the water.

* Yes, we know this is rubbish, but it’s a slow news week and we wanted to give you all a laugh.