Sunday, 23 November 2014

The Secret Garden and Young Gloucestershire Connection

The Young Gloucestershire (YG) Organisation is a Lottery funded drop in Centre for Young Adults and is dedicated to helping them to get a start in life on leaving school. They offer training, development, advice and support too, whilst providing a haven to attend when help or guidance is needed. Volunteer Mentors or Counsellors, an essential part of the operation at the YG find their roles Enjoyable, Taxing and spiritually rewarding!

It is at this point that I can introduce Charles Perkins, a relatively new Mentor and Counsellor at YG, who is committed to helping young and vulnerable adults. Having been and still is a successful businessman, he feels it is the right time in his life “to give something back” to the Community. He is passionate about helping the current youth of Gloucester and even after a short discussion with him you get a feeling that he generates an infectious enthusiasm.

It was during his induction at the YG that Charles first heard that the YG premises in Southgate street was under threat from the Landlords who , having alternative plans for the building ,wanted to evict YG at the end of their lease. Charles was appalled at this idea and in Charles’ words “ I, immediately saw that this facility could not be lost as its help is so invaluable in keeping so many young people off the streets permanently and away from drug addiction”. At that point he decided to use the successful renovation and launch of the Secret Garden Nursery to persuade the bank that Gloucester City was “going places” and to co fund the purchase of the Southgate street building. Once completed Charles then offered the YG a long term lease for 10 years so that they could the maintain their great work with the certainty of continuity for the future.

Charles is the MD and co-owner of the Secret Garden Nursery in Eastgate Street, which was his first investment venture into Gloucester. The Nursery opened some 6 months ago and since it has flourished into an accomplished Nursery which to date has almost 100 infants and toddlers on its register. The nursery rooms are described as very spacious with an incredible amount of natural light. The regency feature makes this a special place for children to spend their day and the large walled garden is the icing on the cake!

Charles is married to wife Katie and has three children of their own. Katie draws on her past experience as a Social Worker and is delighted to be part of a Nursery team, dedicated to enriching the lives of the children in their care. She is delighted when she can pass on her professional experience to assist Parents and carers with any queries they might have. The link between the Secret Garden and the Young Gloucestershire Centre will become stronger as Charles has a renovation plan for the internal parts of the Centre which will improve the quality of the facilities. It will follow the Nursery ethos by making the area suitable for babies and parents also. Additionally, access to the fabulous garden facilities at the Nursery will be offered to young parents from the YG to enjoy.

Charles is keen to give back to the Community and although he hails from Cheltenham , he has identified the potential for successful development in Gloucester City. For this initiative alone he is a most welcomed addition to our City businesses, particularly when it results in creating and helping worthwhile causes. Perhaps the staffs at the Nursery and at the YG are right when they describe Charles as a local hero?

Saturday, 22 November 2014

Dinglewell Junior School Developments

In this edition we catch up with an important development at Dinglwell Junior School. Following the departure of Head Teacher, Lisa Hartford ,there has been a re organisation of the School Staff with Miss Geraldine Brogan being initially appointed Acting Head Teacher before taking over the reins completely in mid- November.

Geraldine has been at Dinglewell School for over 4 years and is looking forward to the many challenges she can expect on a daily basis in her new role. However, she will always be grateful to Lisa Hartford for the opportunities and the guidance she provided as a trusted mentor and friend.

Already Geraldine is relishing the additional responsibilities of this new role and although those responsibilities are obviously very demanding they are also both rewarding and fulfilling.

I took the opportunity to call in on Geraldine early one morning and within minutes began to realise the importance of the role she has now acquired. Scheduled meetings, unscheduled meetings with Parents, Admin and Timetable queries and Greeting the Children – all this took place before 9am!! Geraldine feels that with such a hectic schedule, getting the time management balance is a key factor, whilst never losing sight of the Children’s needs both in the short and the long term.

The seamless transition process from Deputy to Acting Head to Head teacher has been managed most effectively by both Geraldine and the Governing body. In keeping with the schools philosophy of which Geraldine is completely immersed; her personal goal will be to ensure that each child is given the opportunity to develop to their full potential .

Geraldine is keen to point out that there are some very talented pupils at her school in all areas of the curriculum. A prime demonstration of this will take place in the very near future as part of the Christmas Festivities. Many of the Children will have auditioned for the annual Christmas Concert; a very “professional” production, which this year will have a Robin Hood theme. With the full support of Staff, Pupils and Parents, it is should be an undoubted success!

Geraldine is also aware of the contribution being made by her Acting Deputy Head, Tanya Naylor, a long serving member of staff, whose experience and support is invaluable.

It certainly looks like a sound combination which can progressively take the school forward. Therefore, let us as a Community wish Geraldine, Tanya , All the Staff and Pupils every success for the future at Dinglewell Junior School in 2015.

Future Olympic Hopefuls from the Community

Recently, I was fortunate to attend the Primary School Cross Country Championships held at PlockCourt and witnessed outstanding performances from three of the children from our Community.

Finlay Hawkins aged 10 and Sisters Victoria and Katherine Barnsley-Sutton, aged 10 and 9 respectively are all from the Barnwood. Although, they were representing St Mary’s Junior School in Churchdown, Victoria and Katherine live in Armscroft whilst Finlay lives on Barnwood road.

Between them, they won 3 of the 6 races on the programme. Katherine won the year 4 & 5 Girls race, before Victoria and Finlay each won their respective year 6 races.

It was a unique achievement, for each one of them, led their races from Start to Finish. There were over 130 competitors in each race and with wet and muddy conditions to contend with, it must have taken great stamina and determination for each one to achieve their victories. These were tremendous performances for which they should be highly commended. All received medals for their efforts with a certificate and the opportunity to represent Gloucester City Primary Schools at the County Championships in March next year.

We are always looking to promote achievement in the Community and this a particular instance which clearly demonstrates just how talented and gifted our Community children are.

Finally, when questions are being asked about the legacy from last year’s successful Olympics, look at this outstanding example of achievement; surely, these young athletes are ample proof that the Olympic legacy is still alive and running!

Monday, 22 September 2014

Longlevens AFC: A Thriving Community Club

As the football season is again underway we look at the Longlevens Football Club. This progressive club whose 1st Team are the current County league champions were promoted to the Helenic West League for this season and what a start the team has made! Already, as we go to print they are unbeaten League leaders, scoring more goals that any other team by some margin. It is not surprising therefore that Longlevens have 4 Players in the Top goal scoring category. Craig Martin leads the way with 6 goals followed by Sean O’Connor and Ryan Hughes on 5, with Adie Hemming on 4 goals.

Ambitious Manager, James French has astutely improved his squad, by persuading several players from local clubs to join him. James is now happy with his current squad and with lots of competition for a team place; it provides the players with the incentive to maintain their form. Let’s hope that the team’s early form can be maintained throughout the season.

The 2nd, 3rd and 4th Adult teams will each be challenged this season, as they too are all playing in higher and stronger leagues. They prepared really well in pre–season training and have a significant number of additional young adult players joining the teams. This situation has generated a healthy optimism about this season and a high degree of expectation that each team will do well!

The Longlevens AFC Youth Section goes from strength to strength, with a further 3 teams joining, this season from the Longlevens Infants Academy. This now established link is allowing the Players to continue football during the transition from Infants to Youth football. In three years the number of teams has increased 2 to 7 and hopefully by 2017 there will be teams representing Longlevens Youth from U12’s to U18’s.

There are 4 teams at U12 competing in Mid Gloucester (Scorpions & Tigers) and the Cheltenham League (Lions & Leopards). The Lions have made a tremendous start and are currently top of the Cheltenham Division 1! New Managers Andy Griffiths and John Bricknell are delighted and are now looking to consolidate their team’s position.

The U12 teams have been training together at Longford lane with as many as 40 players attending the sessions. All the Coaches are involved in improving the players Skills and Stamina whilst Scorpions Coach Lee Martin provides specialist goalkeeping coaching. The photo shows Lee with the U12’s goalkeepers.

Luke Kavanagh and Ed Smylie are current 1st Team Players, who are now into their second season of coaching the U14’s in the Gloucester Youth League and enjoy combining their Plying / Coaching roles at Longlevens.

Finally, Daren Baldwin manages and coachers the U15 team and was the first coach to transfer from the Infants three seasons ago. Daren has established a strong team, who last season were runners up in both the League and Cup to a very successful Lydney team. The team will be tested again this season as they are in a combined U15/U16 division of the Gloucester league.

At U13, Jake Ellway and Jimmy Scurr are experiencing their first roles as Youth Manager / Coach. Jake and Jimmy play for the Longlevens Adult teams and have made an immediate impact with their squad. They think their team is very talented and the players are always prepared to listen and learn. This team could play really well this season.

Finally, to organise pitches for 7 Youth teams and 4 Adult teams over a week end, is an extremely difficult situation; however, this problem could be alleviated, if the sports field on Innesworth lane became available to the Youth teams? The Club has recently, submitted an application to the Gloucester City Council for use of the pitch and pavilion at this location, which has been redundant since the severe flooding of 2007. Although, there would be a huge amount of work required to get the ground fit for matches, the commitment of Committee, Coaches and Players at the club would ensure that the facility would become an asset for the Youth teams. With so much in progress and commitment in abundance, the future is certainly looking very bright for All the teams at LonglevensAFC.

Barnwood Primary School Update

As Barnwood Primary School embarks on another academic year , a strategy is in place to ensure that there is continuity for maintaining the future of the school, whilst maintaining the progressive and spiritual approach for which the school is recognised.

Mrs Anne Davies, the Head teacher has, with the blessing of the Governors decided to take a phased approach to retirement, which involves the measured transfer of her role and responsibilities to ,Mrs Julia Matson. Anne will continue as Headteacher for 3 days a week and Mrs Matson the school’s Deputy Head has taken up the position of Co-Headteacher for 2 days a week.

Julia has been at the school since 2004, initially as a Class teacher before becoming a member of the senior management team. The “partnership” has made a great start with both Anne and Julia very comfortable with this shared role. It is an excellent initiative, as it allows Julia the time to establish herself in the role, before accepting full responsibility and having Anne as a mentor is an added bonus!

The Teaching team also have additional staff members too, they are Mrs Overington who will look after Year 2 and Mrs Paisley , will look after Year 3, whilst becoming part of the Senior Leadership Team also. We wish them both well for the future at Barnwood.

In complying with the Governments directives, there have been two major school developments. One is implementing the the New School Curriculum. Staff worked very hard in preparation for the new curriculum and have created an exciting and engaging prospectus which provides the very best opportunities for all pupils at Barnwood.

The second development is providing Hot School Lunches for the whole Key Stage 1, who are pupils 4 -7 years old. In complying with the Governments mandate, Barnwood has in place a comprehensive range of Lunch menus which offer a range of Healthy and Nutritious meals, provided by ABM Catering.

Three choices are available daily, with a vegetarian option and a salad bar also. It is a credit to the school’s organisation and resources that this status has been achieved so quickly!

Similarly the school is benefitting from a PE & Sport Premium Grant provided to which is being given to all schools to enhance the quality of sport provided for pupils. At Barnwood, £5500 has been allocated for 2013/14 and will be supplemented further over the next two years. The schools objective is to ensure that all pupils have access to high quality PE lessons, alongside greater opportunities for sporting participation, in competitions and sports clubs. To use the grant effectively, the school has a 3 year plan which includes:
*Procuring Extra Sports Kit, Equipment and Resources for PE and Sporting activities& clubs, current and new.
*Subscribing to Local and National Sports Networks will give access to inter school competitions and Improved Staff training opportunities.
*The provision of free transport for “sports” outings and the increased resources for playground games & activities complete the plan. Certainly it will enrich the abilities and ambitions of the Pupils and Staff.

A new school web site is under construction with the objective of enhancing the site and giving quicker and easier access to the elements of the site you wish to review. The end of September was the target completion date.

During October and November, the Singing Development Leader, from Gloucester Cathedral will be training Junior School Pupils in readiness for a Concert at the Cathedral, taking place on the 26th November. An organist and several choristers will accompany the Cathedral’s Singing Leader in the training process. The school is both thrilled and honoured to be chosen to participate in this event, with pupils eagerly awaiting the start of their training for this prestigious event.

Since the start of the new term the School Governors have been particularly busy with fund raising efforts and already a Family Quiz Night and a Ladies Pamper Evening have been organised. In conjunction with the PTA they are also planning the Annual Christmas Fayre which I understand will take place on the 6th December.

Barnwood Church of England Primary School is a valued part of the Community. It has a reputation for creating an Educational, Spiritual and Caring Environment for both Children and Staff. I think that their initiatives and developments at the start of this school year go a long way to demonstrating this!

Finally, let’s wish Anne and Julia every success in their new roles and commend the school Governors for their vision and pro-active initiatives.

Sunday, 10 August 2014

Big August Bank Holiday Fundraiser - Live at the Double Gloucester

Weekend starts on Friday with a tribute to the Blues Brothers, then continues all weekend with a massive tribute show on Sunday night, and our annual Cider festival, which this year shall be bigger than ever!



The fundraiser has been arranged by Paula Ryder who's little sister has spent most of her time in hospital. Paula is raising money for the charities who have supported them so that they can help more families. 'I am selling raffle tickets across a number of events to raise money, and will do the draw on the last weekend in August. I have raised £140 to date but want to raise much more, to make a real difference. FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Paulas-Fundraising-Page/683079305108009?ref_type=bookmark

The draw will be taking place on Sunday 24th August. Tickets can be bought online, see my FB Page to get in touch and buy tickets. I will also be selling tickets in the Beachwood Arcade on Friday 22nd August and in the Double Gloucester.'

The charities are:

· Martha Care - Registered Charity 1119249

Martha Care offers help and support for families when their very sick children are admitted to hospital in an emergency or in crisis, supporting them with practical advice and emotional support on the wards when they need it. Martha Care provides a specialist “Martha Care” Family Support Worker to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. Our biggest aim is to provide Martha Care workers to hospitals across the South West so all families in our area receive the support they need to be able to care for their sick child.

· Little Princess Trust - Registered Charity No. 1113172

As a result of treatment for cancer, most children will suffer hair loss as a side effect. Some boys and girls cope remarkably well but for others this can be very upsetting. They provide real-hair wigs, free of charge, to boys and girls across the UK and Ireland that have lost their own hair through cancer treatment. The wigs are provided free to children. However, the cost to the charity to purchase one wig is on average £350.

Tuesday, 22 July 2014

Barnwood Medical Centre: “Out with the Old in with the New”

It will be all change at the Barnwood Medical Practice with the relocation of the practice and its patients to the new Aspen Centre in Horton road which opens on 4th August. The Barnwood road site will close on the 1st August after 70 years of caring for patients at this location.

The modern, high–tech and eco-friendly Aspen Centre will meet the needs of the 6000 patients by offering the same caring and ultimately improved levels of service to all the patients from the Barnwood Practice.

Unlike the current site, there is ample car parking available in newly designated and controlled parking areas. An upgraded computer system will provide an immediate response with Patient information, whilst significantly ensuring that Patient confidentiality is always maintained.

As with any major project, the transition from one location to the other is always a very difficult period and the staff have worked diligently to make the transition as seamless as possible. However, Emily Abrahams, the Practice Manager is asking all patients for a little patience at this time and allow the new facility to get fully established. The installation of new equipment, furniture and the new ways of working for both staff and patient’s needs to be coordinated effectively. Inevitably, there will be “teething” troubles, however every effort has been made to alleviate the impact the move could have on certain patients including, the canvassing of the local bus company to provide a more frequent bus stopping point on Horton road for patients using the Aspen Centre.

Let’s wish Emily and everyone at the “new” Barnwood Medical Practice every success in their new environment. For more information about the relocation please call 01452 523362 or check the NHS Websites on www.barnwoodmedicalpractice.nhs.uk and www.aspencentre.co.uk.