Stoke Gifford Parish Council, which hit the national headlines last year when it withdrew permission for a not-for-profit group to use Little Stoke Park for a free weekly running event, has been singled out for criticism by the government in a recently published consultation document titled ‘Running Free’.

The parish council caused outrage in April 2016 when it voted to insist on a financial contribution from the local volunteer group which had staged a weekly 5km ‘parkrun’ in Little Stoke Park since November 2012, claiming that, as an organised group, it should contribute financially towards the maintenance of the park.

Parkrun is a free-to-enter timed 5km run that takes place at 445 locations across the UK at 9am every Saturday. The events are delivered entirely by local volunteers, with support from parkrun UK, a national not-for-profit organisation funded by sponsorship, grants and donations.

Local representatives said parkrun’s founding principles ruled out any compulsory charge being made on participants and forbade them from handling money, the latter effectively ruling out the raising of funds through any other means (such as asking for voluntary donations or applying for a grant).

There is also a 2km junior version of parkrun, for children aged between 4 and 14, the local stage of which continues to take place in Little Stoke Park on Sunday mornings as it was exempted from the parish council’s ruling.

In the consultation paper published on 12th April, the government says the decision by Stoke Gifford Parish Council to impose a charge on parkrun for the use of Little Stoke Park is “entirely contrary to the objectives of this government both for health and for voluntary community action”.

The paper’s introductory section adds: “The government considers it important that action be taken to prevent other local authorities following Stoke Gifford Parish Council’s example.”

More: "Parkrun and junior parkrun share the park with other park users" »

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Stoke Gifford Taekwon-do were triumphant at the recent ITF World Championships held in Brighton.

Six members of the club were selected to represent Team UK at the Championships, which were held at the end of July. There were over 39 countries participating in the Worlds, from all continents, which totalled to over 500 competitors.

William Lambern who lives in Stoke Gifford, performed excellently in his first outing at an international championships against some really superb competition from Ireland and Australia, but was unable to get into a medal position.

Esme McCarthy also from Stoke Gifford, came up against some equally tough competition from Canada, Argentina and two Australians in the patterns category but rose to the challenge and was elated to come away with the first place World Champion title! She also had a tough draw in the sparring, as she was moved up to the heavier weight category. She put up a great fight to beat Canada in the first round but was beaten in the next round by Ireland – however this was enough to get her a well deserved bronze.

Lucie Robertshaw was also making her international debut and had a tough decision in her first round patterns draw against Argentina. This did not deter her though, and she went on to put in a fantastic effort against some really mature, tall girls in the special technique division. All her extra practice had paid off and she was rewarded with a well deserved World silver medal for her efforts.

More: Club members already looking forward to 2018 event in Argentina »

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Following a great deal of hard work behind the scenes, Little Stoke FC were invited to join the Gloucestershire County League for the 2016/17 season and played their first home game at Little Stoke Park on Saturday 27th August.

Prerequisites for acceptance into the league included the installation of pitch perimeter barriers and trainers’ boxes (dugouts) for the home and away teams, and the provision of separate changing facilities for match officials.

Funding for the ground improvements came from housebuilder ‘S106’ contributions arising from the Charlton Hayes development, but much of the labour was provided free of charge by club members.

In their first home game, the team were held to a 0-0 draw by visitors Frampton United. Their first league win came a week later when they won 2-1 away to Gala Wilton. The next home game, on 10th September, saw a sizeable crowd turn out at Little Stoke Park to watch a local derby match against Patchway Town, which the visitors edged 1-0.

First team manager Ashley Coles said:

“I would like to thank all the club members who, collectively, have put in an enormous amount of work to ensure that the club’s ground could qualify for county league standard”.

“On behalf of the club, I would also like to thank Stoke Gifford Parish Council for all the support they have given us in this project, both financially and through the help offered by their staff.”

“The club is pleased to hear that the parish council has announced plans to extend Little Stoke Community Hall, including the provision of new changing facilities and a café, which will further enhance Little Stoke Park as a venue for county league football.”

More: News and fixtures for Little Stoke FC »

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Stoke Gifford Taekwondo (TKD) student Phoebe Grandfield, 19, has been awarded the Bristol Young Sporting Hero title for 2016.

Phoebe was nominated by her tutors at SGS College and her instructor at Stoke Gifford TKD, Miss Kerry Burridge.

She has been training in taekwondo since the age of 5 and has faced many difficulties and obstacles including severe epilepsy, autism, ADHD and learning difficulties. Despite all of these, Phoebe has gone on to achieve a 3rd degree black belt in taekwondo as well as a place in the Team UK squad and a subsequent world bronze medal in 2014 and a European gold medal in 2015, in the power breaking discipline.

She was notified in February that she had made it through as a finalist and was then invited to the award evening that was held in the Wills Memorial Building in Bristol on Friday 1st April.

Phoebe was joined by her family, taekwondo instructor and friends from Stoke Gifford TKD.

The awards were preceded by a lovely dinner with over 200 other hopeful finalists, friends, family and celebrities.

Phoebe’s category was the fifth one to be announced and, as with the other nominees, a short video was shown beforehand. Filmed in February, this showed Miss Burridge talking about Phoebe’s achievements.

After all videos had been shown, it was Big Brother 2011 star Josie Gibson who announced and presented the award. Phoebe was both shocked and elated when her name was revealed as the winner!

A very excited Phoebe made her way to the stage to collect her award and give a brief speech, thanking the people who were important to her achieving so much and overcoming the obstacles that she faces.

More: Sophie praised for "high level of dedication and determination" »

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