The South Glos Post

South Gloucestershire police will be joining the festivities at the South Gloucestershire County Show over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

The show is being held at Old Down between Saturday August 29 and Monday August 31 2009.

Police, Police Community Support Officers and Special Constables will have a crime prevention display at the event.

As well as being around during the day, officers will be handing out security advice to motorists coming to a drive-in screening of the movie ‘Mamma Mia’.

Acting Neighbourhood Inspector Adrian Fallows said: “We are always looking for ways to make sure we are in touch with local people and aware of any concerns they may have.

“People are often happier to mention a nuisance or other issue in passing than to call into a station or public meeting. We hope this event will be a great opportunity for our neighbourhood officers to meet people, find out about any worries they have and give out tips on how to deter criminals.

“While South Gloucestershire is a very safe place to live and work, we have recently had a few burglaries where thieves have reached through insecure door or window to take keys and steal cars. There have also been some thefts of sat navs and laptop computers left on view in cars.

“This sort of opportunist theft causes people a lot of inconvenience and worry, and can be prevented by always locking up and safely hiding away small, portable valuables – including car keys.”

Anyone wishing to contact the Neighbourhood Team can ring Thornbury Police Station on 0845 456 7000 or visit the police website, www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/inyourarea

Local people can also tell police and other agencies about any problems they think should be a priority at the Safer Stronger Community Group meeting at Alveston Jubilee Hall at 7.30pm on Wednesday September 02 2009. The current priority for the Alveston area is speeding. The current priority for the Alveston area is speeding.

Source: Avon and Somerset Police

Students across South Gloucestershire have been celebrating today, as the district celebrates its best GCSE results to date.

Overall, the results reflect continuing good improvement which is above the national average. The number of students achieving 5 A* to C grades this year has increased by almost 5 per cent, compared with the national increase of 1.4 per cent, taking the figure to 68.5 per cent, compared with the national average of 67.1 per cent. There has also been a 1.6 per cent increase to 49.7 per cent for students achieving 5 A* to C grades including English and Maths.

The council and schools have focused on this improvement as a priority to ensure that every young person does as well as they possibly can, and the results reflect the commitment of everyone especially the young people.

Councillor Sheila Cook, executive member for children and young people, said: “Early indications are very promising and it has been an encouraging day for the thousands of young people receiving their GCSE results in South Gloucestershire.

“We are confident that these results will continue to show improvements across the district which is testament to the dedication of our teachers who are committed to helping our young people achieve their full potential. It is also a reflection of the hard work that our students put in to gaining these important qualifications.

“The council has identified educational achievement as one of its highest priorities and this year has allocated significant additional resources to further improve results over the next few years.”

Source: South Gloucestershire Post

South Gloucestershire Libraries’ annual summer reading scheme has been hailed a great success after more than 4,000 children signed up to take part in the Quest Seeker challenge during the summer holidays. As children read during the holidays they collected stickers (some being scratch and sniff ones) to complete a poster. Those reading six books completed the challenge and received a medal, certificate and free DVD hire voucher.

Cllr Heather Goddard, executive member for communities, said: “South Gloucestershire Libraries are doing a crucial job instilling a love of reading in our young people, and they use the Summer Reading Challenge to reach more children each year”

In addition to joining in the reading challenge, children have taken part in a range of special activities around the Quest Seeker theme including kite construction, designing their own coat of arms, dragon making and creating puppet theatres.

Due to the success of the Summer Challenge, this year the library service was assisted by volunteers who were able to support children taking part in the activities. Thanking the volunteers for their support, Martin Burton Head of Library, Arts and Information said “The volunteers made a huge difference to the scheme this year and have enabled us to maintain the quality of the activities and spend time helping children choose books and take part in activities. The skills and experience they gain will also help them in their personal development”

There will be an award evening at Staple Hill Library on Thursday 27th August at 6.00 pm. During the evening some of the children who have completed the Summer Reading Challenge from Staple Hill Library will be presented with their medals and there will be a presentation of certificates to the volunteers by Cllr Shirley Holloway, Chair of South Gloucestershire Council.

Source: South Gloucestershire Council

An exhibition has been arranged for the public to view information on proposals for new cycle routes as part of the Cycling City project in South Gloucestershire.

The exhibition will take place from Friday 28 August to Sunday 6 September in Emersons Green library where the public can view plans and information on the routes. The exhibition will be available during library opening hours.

Officers will be available to answer questions on the scheme and information will be available on Wednesday 9 September from 2.00pm-7.00pm in Sainsbury’s Emersons Green store.

The plans are also available online at www.southglos.gov.uk/consultation

The Cycling City project will implement safe, continuous, attractive, comfortable and coherent routes across the project area.

Planned work on the routes includes:

• widening existing footways to allow shared-use
• improved signing
• safe level crossing points at key areas along the route
• existing lighting will be reviewed and new innovative ways of illuminating the path will be considered
• easing steep gradients at certain points to provide access for wheelchairs/prams

The proposals form part of the routes in South Gloucestershire included in the Cycling City Project.

In 2008 South Gloucestershire Council, jointly with Bristol City Council, were chosen as Britain’s first Cycling City.

Cllr Brian Allinson, executive member for planning, transportation and strategic environment said: “The Cycling City project is a great opportunity to make Emersons Green a safe and attractive place to cycle. Some of the improvements will benefit pedestrians as well as cyclists. We look forward to hearing what local residents think of these initial proposals in order to help us shape this scheme.”

For further information please ring 01454 863640 or email cycleforum@southglos.gov.uk .

Source: South Gloucestershire Council