Bath Echo - Issue 003 - 03/09/2019

ECHO

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Tuesday, 3rd September 2019

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People with hidden disabilities to benefit from use of Blue Badges P3

Council in dangerous territory" after refusing HMO expansion

Chance to adopt redundant BT phone boxes across B&NES P4

Plans to expand existing Twerton HMO to create seven bedrooms rejected Stephen Sumner

Local Democracy Reporter

PLANNING chiefs have defied stark warnings and rejected a bid to expand a student house in Twerton amid fears it could sleep 14 people and set a worrying precedent. Councillors were told an appeal would take Bath and North East Somerset Council into

“dangerous territory” but said they had to do what they felt was right. The application would have allowed an existing fourbed HMO (house in multiple occupation) in Lymore Avenue to expand to create seven double bedrooms, although conditions could have capped the number of occupants at seven. Neighbour Sarah Swash, one of 38 objectors, told Wednesday’s planning committee meeting:

“Student numbers could increase from four to 14. The communal space is minimal so they will go into the back garden. There will be more noise and disturbance for the neighbours. “This will effectively be a hostel or mini halls of residence in the middle of semi-detached houses.” She said there are not enough parking spaces in the street and the drains will be unable to cope, adding: “Please don’t let

monetary gain come above the needs of the community.” Representing applicant Olly Barkley, John Thompson said the property can already sleep up to six people, and that was only set to increase by one. He said the extensions to the side and rear were largely replacing what is already there but the property’s internal layout would change to provide more bedrooms. Continued on page 2

Festive street food market set to return to Kingsmead Square P16 Get the latest news for Bath 24/7 on our website www.bathecho.co.uk

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In this issue... Top Stories

P2-9

Education P10 Health P12 What's On

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Community

P16

Letters P18 Business P19 Politics P21 Puzzles P22 In Other News

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Sport

P24

Useful Information The Bath Echo newspaper is produced fortnightly, and delivered to 20,000 homes across the Bath area. If your home isn’t on our distribution route, you can pick up a copy at various locations across the city.

How to get in touch with us... For news items and press releases: news@bathecho.co.uk 01225 585484 For sport and match reports: sport@bathecho.co.uk 01225 585484 Want to have a letter published? letters@bathecho.co.uk Advertising & Marketing: advertise@bathecho.co.uk 01225 589789 Contact the editor: Sebastian Hawker editor@bathecho.co.uk Published by Media Bath Limited

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21% decline reported in number of serious road collisions across Avon and Somerset POLICE and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Sue Mountstevens has praised the work of Avon and Somerset Constabulary’s Roads Policing Unit following a reduction in the number of serious injury collisions. The number of serious injury collisions on roads across the area has dropped by more than 21%. Nationally, Avon and Somerset Police is the ninth most improved force for reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured (KSI) in collisions on the road. In 2018, there were 393 incidents that were identified as KSIs compared to 478 incidents in 2014. This improvement is despite a large increase in the number of vehicles on the road. In 2017 there were 2,486,591 registered vehicles on the road across Avon and Somerset, an increase of 8.6% since 2014. PCC Sue Mountstevens said: “It is encouraging to see such a big reduction in the number of KSI collisions on our roads. Although one life lost in a collision is one too many, thanks to the hard work of the Roads Policing Unit, our roads are becoming increasingly safer for all road users.” “I know road safety is a concern for local people and drivers using the roads unsafely can have a devastating impact on others and their families. “We will continue to work with our local partners including Highways England, Local Authorities and Fire and Rescue Services to keep our roads safe and educate local people on the dangers of driving unsafely.” “Local people can also make a

PCC Sue Mountstevens with PC Andy Grigg on a ride along | Photo: Avon & Somerset Police

difference by joining a Community Speedwatch Scheme (CSW) and working alongside Avon and Somerset Police. Damien Devanny, Avon and Somerset Police Road Safety Continuous Improvement Officer added: “Road Safety is a key priority for us and we have worked hard over the last couple of years to ensure we are best placed to understand and respond to incidents on the road. “Not only working internally with our Roads Policing Unit, we are continuing to enhance how we use multi agency data to further evidence where we can improve the safety of our roads.” The PCC continues to be instrumental in prioritising road safety for all road users. February 2015 saw the start of a phased roll out

of 29 speed cameras being re-activated across the area after 20 cameras were acquired by the Constabulary. The PCC bought a number of fixed speed cameras for £1 from local authorities after national research showed cameras had a positive impact on driver behaviour. She also ensured the Roads Policing Unit was better equipped by purchasing an additional three enforcement motorcycles in 2014 to support the nine speed enforcement vans.Since 2017, there has been a dedicated unit to deliver road safety across Avon and Somerset and this team works with local partners to deliver education, enforcement, and traffic management to make the road safer for users. The constabulary helps organise and

deliver voluntary speeding education courses to approximately 140,000 local drivers each year. There are approximately 166,000 drivers who are caught speeding throughout the force area each year and the remaining 26,000 either receive a fixed penalty or go to court. The revenue generated through speed courses goes towards cost recovery and the Road Safety Fund. The unit is also supported by local people through Community Speedwatch Schemes (CSW). There are currently 131 schemes in Avon and Somerset, giving local people the opportunity to actively get involved in keeping their roads safe. In 2018, Avon and Somerset Police sent educational warning letters to 36,000 drivers as a result of CSW observations.

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ISSN 2632-7805 The Bath Echo is regulated by IMPRESS: The Independent Monitor for the Press CIC. We adhere to the Standards Code adopted by IMPRESS, and can only deal with complaints which relate to an alleged breach of the standards set out in this Code. You can find out more about the code on the IMPRESS website: www.impress.press/standards/. If you believe we have breached this code, you can make a complaint to us regarding it. For more information, please visit: www.bathecho.co.uk/complaints/

Real, grave concerns" over HMO expansion Continued from page 1 Mr Thompson said it was not the applicant’s intention to house up to 14 people, and planning enforcement manager Richard Stott said that could be enforced with conditions. Mr Stott said breaching the conditions or the HMO licence risked hefty fines and the loss of a trusted provider status that would “kill the applicant’s business”. Councillor Dine Romero expressed “real, grave concerns” about the impact the expansion would have on the community. Her Southdown ward colleague Cllr Paul Crossley added: “This is effectively doubling the size of the HMO. We will get applications across the area. This will set a big precedent. “As Southdown fills up, these applications will be coming to a street near you, whether you’re in Saltford or Keynsham. “HMOs are growing across the district. It’s not healthy.” Cllr Sally Davis said the scheme

was policy compliant and she was prepared to follow the officers’ recommendation to approve, which Cllr Eleanor Jackson seconded “with the utmost reluctance”. “I can’t see how this is going to be defended at an appeal,” she said. But Cllr Manda Rigby proposed refusal, citing the impact on residents’ amenity and overdevelopment of the site. Mr Stott urged her to withdraw her motion, saying: “From experience it’s highly unlikely we would be able to sustain this on appeal. I think we’re setting ourselves up to fail. “We need to think carefully if we’re going down the refusal route – it’s putting officers in a difficult position. “We have a track record of losing these kinds of appeal. I think we’re in dangerous territory.” Cllr Hal MacFie said: “The right thing to do is turn this down. I’m now told it’s not a good idea because we’re going to lose. I’m

The HMO property in Lymore Gardens, Bath

struggling with that.” Cllr Rigby considered withdrawing her proposal to refuse the application, but said: “I don’t want to do anything that’s going to cost the council money but I don’t

want to feel we can’t make a decision we want to. It’s not just based on emotion because we feel we may lose it. If we do we will never make a stand.” Members voted to refuse the application.

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Permission granted for new city centre toy shop

News in Brief RUH governor elections The RUH is looking for five new Public Governors to help shape its services and plan for the future. The vacancies, created by the current five Governors coming to the end of their term of office, are in the City of Bath, Mendip, South Wiltshire, North Wiltshire and North East Somerset. The role of a Governor is to help ensure the Trust delivers services that meet the needs of patients, carers, staff and local stakeholders, and that the views of local people are heard. Nominations opened on Thursday 29th August and will close at 5pm on Monday 16th September.

Correction Bath monitoring group

The Entertainer logo on a storefront | Photo: chrisdorney / Shutterstock.com

PLANNING permission has been granted for popular toy shop The Entertainer to open a new store in the centre of Bath. The approved planning permission allows for the creation of a new shopfront on New Orchard Street, between Marks & Spencer and the Metro Bank. The bank, which opened in Octo-

ber last year, is subletting part of its ground floor to the toy shop, which has stores across the country including locally in Bristol, Keynsham and Midsomer Norton and Yate. The planning documents describe how the new site will "contribute to the economic sustainability" of the city centre and increase employ-

Low-cost loans on offer in bid to improve energy efficiency of properties in Bath HOMEOWNERS and landlords across Bath and North East Somerset are being offered lowcost loans to improve the energy efficiency of local properties or to install renewable energy measures. The loan is being offered by Wessex Resolutions, a not for profit community lending organisation set up by Bath & North East Somerset Council together with seventeen other councils from across the South West. The Wessex Energy Loans are offered at 4.2% fixed for the term of the loan and with flexible repayment arrangements. Anyone who owns a property in Bath and North East Somerset is eligible for the loan, subject to their ability to make the repayments, which is assessed by Wessex Loan advisors. Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for Housing, Planning and Economic Development,

said: “By using renewable energy and improving the energy efficiency of our homes we can all help to tackle the climate emergency. For many though the upfront cost of installing such measures is prohibitive, which is why these low cost loans are being offered spreading the cost over time to make payments more manageable.” The loans can be used to pay for insulation, solar panel installation and other renewable energy measures. The loans range from £500 – £15,000 and have repayment terms of between six months to 15 years. Once loans have been approved, homeowners can select their own contractors to carry out the work who can be paid directly once completion of the word is confirmed. For more information visit B&NES Council’s energy at home advice service: www.energyathome.org.uk.

ment opportunities for the local community. It also highlights an expected increase in pedestrian footfall in the area, due to the addition of the new shopfront. The Entertainer, founded in 1981 and the UK's largest independent toy retailer, is said to be bucking the trend of challenging trading conditions for similar retailers, and

grows its business through new store openings and the creation of strong links with communities. The number of people employed by the business has increased by around 15% since 2016. The opening of the new store comes after Eric Snooks, Bath's muchloved toy shop, closed in 2017 after trading for 67 years.

In Issue 002 of the Bath Echo newspaper, dated Tuesday 20th August, an article (Participants sought for new monitoring group - p21) contained a rogue spelling correction causing the email address of Lin Patterson to be incorrectly printed. The correct email address to use is lin@phonecoop.coop. We apologise for this error, and are happy to issue this correction.

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People with hidden disabilities set to benefit from use of Blue Badges PEOPLE with hidden disabilities will now benefit from improved access to travel thanks to a change in eligibility criteria for Blue Badges. New guidance has been issued by the Department for Transport (DfT) for local authorities to introduce eligibility for people with non-physical disabilities such as autism and mental health conditions. The changes will remove the barriers many people face when travelling if they are unable to park close to their destination. The DfT held an eight-week public consultation earlier this year and will now introduce the wider eligibility on 30th August, when people who meet the criteria will be able to apply for the first time. Councillor Neil Butters, cabinet member for Transport Services, said, “This new criteria for Blue Badges demonstrates a greater equality in the way physical and mental health conditions are considered. “Enabling people with mobility problems to access goods and services more readily is important for their wellbeing and quality of life.” The Blue Badge eligibility has been extended to people who: • Cannot undertake a journey without there being a risk of serious harm to their health and

safety or that of any other person (such as young children with autism); • Cannot undertake a journey without it causing them very considerable psychological distress; • Have very considerable difficulty walking, (both the physical act and the experience of walking). Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “We know that for some people, the possibility of not being able to find a parking space can make even leaving the house a challenge, which is why the Blue Badge is so important. “The scheme, which is already a lifeline for so many disabled people, will make a huge difference to those with non-visible conditions such as autism, dementia, Parkinson’s and arthritis. It is my

sincere wish that these changes will improve even more people’s lives.” Tim Nicholls Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the National Autistic Society added: “We are delighted to see the new Blue Badge rules come into force. This will be a huge relief for thousands of autistic people and their families in England, many of whom are so anxious about things going wrong that they find it hard to leave the house at all. Applications under the new criteria can only be made online at https://www.gov.uk/apply-bluebadge. Advice and support on the application process is available at B&NES Council’s One Stop Shops.

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News in Brief

Enforcement Officers keep cool with new uniform

Men arrested after being COUNCIL officers who keep the discovered with head streets of Bath and North East Somerset safe and offer advice injuries Avon and Somerset Police have arrested two men after a disturbance at a property in the Weston village area of Bath on Monday 26th August. Emergency services were called at around 9.40pm to reports of a disturbance at a property in Eastfield Avenue. On arrival, police discovered two men with head injuries. South Western Ambulance Service say they were called to the incident at 9.43pm and sent five resources to the scene, including two critical care teams. Both of the injured men were arrested and taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath for treatment.

Peasedown treasurer A Peasedown St John project is on the lookout for an Assistant Treasurer to join its team of organisers. Party in the Park costs £7,000 to host, with almost 50% being raised through sponsorship from businesses and grants from organisations. Festival Chairman, Nathan Hartley said: “We’re looking for an enthusiastic, experienced individual to join the festival team as our new Assistant Treasurer. “Since 2008, Peasedown Party in the Park has grown to one of the biggest in the district with up to 3,000 people attending." Over the past decade, almost £100,000 has been raised through the festival. “This is a brand-new post we’ve created to work alongside our existing Treasurer, Joy Fraser – with a view to taking over as the full-time Treasurer from September 2020”, added Nathan. For further details on the role, email: nathan.hartley@ peasedownpartyinthepark.org. uk.

to the public have been given a new-look uniform, with the option to wear shorts in hot weather. Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs), previously known as traffic wardens or parking attendants, are often the first point of contact for visitors and residents. Spending less than 10% of their time enforcing parking restrictions, the officers are frequently called upon to help with directions to local landmarks or parking queries. The new uniform reflects their approachability as well as incorporating a polo shirt and shorts to allow them to remain cool and comfortable in the heat. Councillor Neil Butters, cabinet member for Transport Services, said: “Our Civil Enforcement Officers provide a crucial service in making the streets of Bath and North East Somerset safer for everyone. “They offer the public excellent support with parking, directions and information about the local area and they always work outside in the fresh air. “It is good to see them enjoy a versatile, modern uniform that reflects their professionalism, whilst allowing them to be comfortable helping people on our streets in warm weather.” Thirty-five CEOs operate across Bath and North East Somerset seven days a week, including early mornings and late evenings, walking up to 10 miles a day in all weathers. They help keep local roads safe and help to reduce congestion by enforcing parking restrictions on public roads, as well as in the city’s car parks. They also have a wider role covering minor repairs to pay and display machines, reporting environmental crimes such as littering or dog fouling and reporting abandoned vehicles.

Bath and North East Somerset Council's Civil Enforcement Officers in their new uniform

Your chance to adopt redundant BT phone boxes for just £1 Stephen Sumner

Local Democracy Reporter

COMMUNITIES have less than 50 days to save 11 phone boxes across Bath and North East Somerset. BT has identified kiosks from Keynsham to Radstock that are increasingly redundant that it plans to remove. But for just a pound, the price of a phone call, councils, charities and landowners can step in and “adopt” them. Since the telecoms giant launched the scheme, more than 5,000 communities across the UK have seized the opportunity to “do something wonderful with local

phone boxes that had little or no usage”. BT says on its website: “We’re giving communities the opportunity to get back in touch with their local phone box, to make them once again an asset that local people can enjoy. And that doesn’t mean you have to make phone calls from them…” Phone boxes have been transformed into libraries, art galleries and shops, filled with plants like in Bath’s SouthGate shopping centre, or used to house life-saving kit like defibrillators. The use of payphones has fallen by 90 per cent over the last decade and BT says the need for them is shrinking all the time. Figures from BT show the phone

box in Poolemead Road in Bath was the most popular out of the 11 at risk, with 88 calls made in the last year. But the payphones in Newton Road in the city and Bristol Road in Whitchurch were among the 20 per cent across the country that have not been used at all in the last 12 months. The kiosks can be adopted by Bath and North East Somerset Council, town or parish councils, registered charities, and anyone who has a phone box on their land. The scheme is not available to other individuals, community groups such as residents associations or commercial organisations. The consultation closes on 10th October. Visit bt.com/adopt for more information about adopting one of the phone boxes. BT offers the phone boxes as seen. It will take away the phone and disconnect it but leave any power connections.

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Handblown baubles created by Bath business centre of new local fundraising partnership A DEDICATED special needs pre-school, Springboard Chippenham, has partnered with Bath Aqua Glass to create a new fundraising initiative to raise vital funds for the charity. Individually blown baubles in the new Springboard colour have been created as part of the new fundraising campaign. The baubles are completely unique as they are all handblown. They are ribbed to help children with visual impairment recognise them and be a part of the family tradition of dressing the tree at Christmas. Each Springboard Bauble that is sold will raise much-needed funds towards the £140,000 target needed each year by Springboard Chippenham. Springboard Baubles will be available from Bath Aqua Glass, www.bathaquaglass.com, Springboard Chippenham and at various events including the Rugby Legends event at Colerne RFC on 1st September 2019. The brand new partnership doesn’t end there, with Springboard Chippenham launching a major campaign at the beginning of September. Angelique, daughter of Annette and Adrian Dolan, proprietors of Bath Aqua Glass, has written and produced a song that will go out with a short film portraying a window to the world of Springboard Chippenham. One of the stars of the new short film is Jacob. He was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of one and left Springboard earlier this month to go to ‘big’ school. David, Jacob’s father who has

Royal Mail exceeds First Class mail target in Bath Royal Mail has exceeded a target of 93% of First Class mail arriving the next working day for the Bath area, it's been revealed. Royal Mail’s Quality of Service report for the first quarter of the 2019-20 financial year shows it exceeded its First Class mail target in the BA postcode area, with 93.9% of this mail delivered the next working day. Royal Mail has a regulatory target of 93%. For Second Class mail, Royal Mail again exceeded its target, delivering 98.9% of this type of mail within three working days. Mark Taylor, Service Delivery Leader, Royal Mail said: “We are very pleased with our First Class performance in this area. We take our Quality of Service requirements extremely seriously and our postmen and postwomen work hard to deliver high standards of service to all our customers across the UK.”

27-year-old arrested

been a big part of Springboard for the last 3 years, will now be working at Bath Aqua Glass. Annette Dolan, Managing Director of Bath Aqua Glass said: “We at Bath Aqua are so happy to support such and amazing project. “Encouraging the children to champion their achievements at Springboard is one of their greatest gifts to the children. We will blow the baubles with even more

love for Springboard!” Jane Boulton, Manager of Springboard added: “We are so grateful to Bath Aqua Glass for supporting us through this unique fundraising activity. “Just like the baubles, the children themselves are unique in every way. The support helps us to continue the work we have been doing for generations of families.

“Young children with a disability or learning difficulty deserve the best that we can offer. The staff are dedicated to promoting the children’s development whilst supporting the parents through often difficult and emotional times. Jacob’s story is a great example of believing in every child’s ability. With help from Bath Aqua Glass we will have more children creating more great stories.”

Fire crews tackle vehicle blaze on Lansdown Lane

FIREFIGHTERS from Bath Fire Station tackled a significant vehicle fire at the top of Lansdown Lane in Bath on Monday 26th August. Avon Fire & Rescue Service say they were called to the scene at 1.29pm. Sparks and smoke were spotted coming from underneath the car shortly before the fire took

News in Brief

hold, quickly engulfing the front of the vehicle. The road was closed as crews worked at the scene, quickly bringing the flames under control. Firefighters used one breathing apparatus for safety and one high-pressure hose reel to extinguish the fire. Avon Fire & Rescue say the cause is thought to be accidental.

A 27-year-old man from Bath has been arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, after being seen acting suspiciously by police officers. On Tuesday 20th August, officers received intelligence that a man was conducting suspected drug dealing activity in the centre of Bath. Plainclothes officers identified the suspected man acting suspiciously and detained him. A search found the man to be carrying eight wraps of suspected crack cocaine, a quantity of cash and two mobile phones. The man has been released under investigation whilst enquiries continue.

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Larkhall 5.30pm & 7.30pm Tel: Jane 07857 147093

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WEDNESDAY Oldfield park 10.00am Tel: Christine 07976 709203

THURSDAY Weston 7.00pm Tel: Sarah 07881 758292

Corsham 9.30am Tel: Jane 07857 147093

Southdown 5.30pm & 7.30pm Tel: Jane 07857 147093

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Join the fun and festivities at the Bath Dragon Boat Race

THIS year’s Bath Dragon Boat Race will take place at Bath Riverside on Sunday 8th September, with 18 teams battling it out on the water. There will be entertainment for all the family and refreshments on the riverbank, including a samba band and face painting. Teams will be going head-tohead in a series of heats in a bid to be crowned top dragons. Previous winners have included local fitness club Health Bath and Advance Investments. All those who have entered have been raising sponsorship to support two charities: Designability, a local charity who design and develop products for peo-

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ple living with disabilities and Mountain Way, which supports UK military veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder. Matt Redmore, Fundraising Officer at Designability, said: “This is Designability’s third year organising the Bath Dragon Boat Race and we are really excited to see who will take the crown this year. Our teams have been hard at work raising money for these great causes. The race always draws a great crowd so come on down and support our teams!” The event is free to spectators and will take place between 10.30am and 5.00pm on Sunday 8th September at Victoria Bridge, Bath Riverside.

Limited-edition £14k Bob Dylan graphic unveiled at Bath gallery AN ICONIC limited-edition graphic by Bob Dylan, handsigned by the artist himself, has been unveiled at a gallery in Bath. The Train Tracks graphic is available to purchase from Castle Fine Art on Old Bond Street, priced at £14,950. In a world first, the graphic has been released as a limited-edition silkscreen print in landscape form and has been framed with museum glass. The most technically sophisticated glazing for artworks, museum glass is used in world-renowned establishments like the National Gallery and is virtually invisible in controlled lighting conditions, allowing intricate details to stand out. Train Tracks was first released in 2008 to great critical acclaim, and has become synonymous with Dylan and his travels across America, symbolised by the expanse of railway line, surrounded by an anonymous landscape.

Stolen bike returned to owner thanks to local community POLICE officers have returned a stolen bicycle to its original owner in Batheaston, after it was recovered thanks to the help of the local community. The bike was stolen on 16th July from the owner’s home in Batheaston, an area that was recently targeted by thieves who stole eight bikes from five different properties. A number of the stolen bikes were found in various locations by local residents and through a combination of assistance from the community and follow up enquiries conducted by police officers, four out of the eight bikes have so far been recovered with two having been returned. PCSO Rich Riley, who returned this bike, said: “It’s great to be able to reunite this owner with his bike. “We are really grateful to the local Batheaston community for their help and support in recovering these bikes which has most definitely supported our investigation. “We understand that a number of bicycle thefts have come as result of owners selling their bikes online. “We ask sellers to be cautious when giving out personal information such as their home address and where possible meet potential buyers in public places. “We are also still hearing from victims who had their bikes stolen who haven’t recorded the details of the bicycles, taken pictures and registered them online. “This makes it even more difficult to recover and return the bikes so I encourage

The special artwork "Train Tracks" by Bob Dylan

Taken from The Drawn Blank Series, which comprises sketches created by Dylan between 1989 and 1992, the piece boasts his signature loose lines and instinctive brushstrokes. Karen King, gallery manager at Castle Fine Art, Bath, said: “Ever since Bob Dylan released the first instalment of The Drawn Blank series in 2016, the Train Tracks

graphic has become symbolic to collectors all around the world. “We feel very privileged to unveil the graphic as a silkscreen in landscape form - a world-first from Bob Dylan. There will only be 195 editions of the graphic made available worldwide, so we urge anybody interested in purchasing one to contact the gallery sooner rather than later.”

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PCSO Rich Riley with the owner of the stolen bike

all bike owners to follow our latest advice.” Avon and Somerset Police has issued the following tips to keep your bicycles safe from thieves: • Where possible, store your bicycles in your home. • If this isn’t possible, ensure they are kept in a secure outbuilding such as an alarmed and locked shed or garage. • Lock your bicycles to something immovable like a wall, the floor or a railing. Double lock your bikes using two quality locks, at least one of which is a D-lock. • Get your bikes security marked and registered at BikeRegister and Immobilise. Record the details of your bicycles including noting the frame number (normally found underneath the bike between the pedals or where the back wheel slots in), the BikeRegister number plus any other distinguishing features, and take a photo.

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Riverside flats approved despite monolithic" appearance Stephen Sumner

Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS for 25 flats that will “proudly” finish off a section of Bath’s riverside have been given the go-ahead. Food Machinery 2000, the family business behind the scheme which is relocating, proposes to demolish its Comfortable Place warehouse and two apartments to make way for the development. It had originally proposed six affordable flats but planning officers challenged the viability report it submitted. Now, eight of the 25 one and two-bed properties will be available under shared ownership. The applicant’s agent told Bath and North East Somerset Council’s planning committee meeting on Wednesday, August 28, the site was “exceptionally well placed” and the scheme will bring a “considerable” benefit to the public and the environment. Councillor Sally Davis said: “I think this will finish off the area quite proudly.” Bath Preservation Trust disagreed and said in its written objection the “heavy monolithic footprint of the building” would harm the area. It added: “The changes do not go far enough to allow this development to assimilate comfortably within the distinctive grain of the local townscape or the conservation area and World Heritage Site.” The site has been allocated for housing and sits near Bath Western Riverside, a major redevelopment of up to 2,281 homes that is nearly complete. According to its website, Food Machinery 2000 has 35 years’ experience supplying top-quality second-hand food processing and packaging equipment. Its application said the firm is looking to relocate and sell the site for redevelopment for residential use.

Above and below - Food Machinery 2000's plans | Photo: © NC Architects Ltd

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First Bus announces number of changes to services in Bath FIRST Bus has made a number of changes to their services operating in Bath, reflecting the start of their busiest period of the year coinciding with the end of the summer holidays and the start of the new academic year. Services 3, 3A, 4 and X31 Services 3 to and from Bathford and 3a serving Elmhurst will continue to operate a combined daytime frequency of every 10 minutes along the London Road. The 3 service will continue every 20 minutes to Bear Flat, Wellsway and Foxhill. The 3a service will now continue to and from the Royal United Hospital and Weston. This will create a cross-city link between Bathford, Batheaston and the London Road to the east and the Royal United Hospital to the west. The daytime frequency of route 4 between Odd Down and Weston via the Bus Station has changed to every 20 minutes. Together with the 3a, the 4 will provide a ten-minute frequency between the Bus Station, the Royal United Hospital and Weston Eastfield Avenue. At Foxhill, the experimental diversion of Service 3 via Mulberry Park has ended and buses have resumed the previous route, turning from Bradford Road into Fox Hill. Service 2 continues to serve Mulberry Park as before.

In the evenings and on Sundays there are changes to the timetable to improve reliability of service X31 journeys to and from Chippenham and all First-operated journeys will now operate through Batheaston village in both directions to give a better service at these times. Services 1 and 5 With the increase in passenger numbers and the new academic year, Service 1 from Bath Bus Station to Southdown, and Service 5 from Bath Bus Station to Whiteway, is now running at an increased frequency of every 10 minutes during the day, Monday to Friday. Service 1 will now also run more frequently on Saturdays, operating every 12 minutes. Services 19 and 19/A There are some minor changes to the timetable for Service 19/19A from Bath to Cribbs Causeway to improve reliability and punctuality. The route has also changed slightly in the Patchway area, with two additional sets of bus stops served on the A38, as well as operating via Charlton Boulevard. Two sets of bus stops on Highwood Road will no longer be served. There are several changes to the timetable of Service 39/X39 be-

tween Bath and Bristol to improve reliability and punctuality. At peak times, Monday to Friday, there is now a slight reduction in the number of journeys that will operate so that extra time can be used to make the service more reliable. Service 42 There are several changes to the timetable of Service 42 between Odd Down Park and Ride and the RUH. Departures from the Park and Ride site during the main part of the day are revised to 25 and 55 minutes past the hour. There are also changes to the departure time from Odd Down Park and Ride at peak times. Due to low customer demand, the last departure from the RUH is now at 7.45pm. Customers travelling after 7.45pm may wish to use Service 4, which stops close to Odd

Down Park and Ride. Services D1 and D2 Service D1 from Bath to Salisbury via Warminster has a slightly amended timetable to improve reliability and punctuality. Two journeys have also been withdrawn or amended due to low customer demand: the 6.40am Monday to Friday journey from Trowbridge to Westbury and the 6.26am Monday to Friday journey from Warminster to Bath will be curtailed to start from Westbury at 6.32am. Service D2 between Bath and Frome has a slightly amended Monday to Friday timetable to improve reliability and punctuality. To make the two different routes around Frome clearer for customers, buses will now operate as Service D2 in a clockwise direction and D2A in an anti-clockwise direction. Services U5 and U6 The Bath Spa University services will now resume their term-time timetables. Service U5 from the City Centre to Bath Spa University will do so from 21st September 2019 to coincide with the moving in weekend ahead of the start of the new academic year. Service U6 will do likewise from 23rd September 2019, and following a request from the University, an

additional, later last journey will operate from Bath Spa University at 7.15pm. Services to Wells There are some minor changes to the timetable for Service 126 from Weston-super-Mare to Wells. Due to very low customer demand for journeys serving the Blue School, the Monday to Friday 6.55am journey from Weston-super-Mare to Wells, which currently diverts via Blue School, will follow the standard Service 126 route and will not serve Blue School. The Monday to Friday 3.35pm schooldays only journey from Wells to Weston-super-Mare, which currently diverts via the Blue School, will now depart at 3.35pm on all days and will not serve the Blue School. There is a minor change to the route of Service 172 from Bath to Paulton/Wells in the Paulton area, which will also result in some changes to the timetable. Most journeys will operate a revised route around Paulton and will extend via Farringdon Gurney to Old Mills Tesco, using a new bus stop outside the store as a terminus rather than operating within the store grounds. The revised route will provide new links to and from Farrington Gurney, as well as providing connections with Service 376 for travel towards Bristol, Wells and Street.

Bay changes at Bath Bus Station Following feedback from local residents and staff, First Bus has made a number of changes to the bays at Bath Bus Station to improve facilities for customers.

BAY NUMBER

SERVICE NUMBER (DESTINATION)

BAY 1

NATIONAL EXPRESS

BAY 2 BAY 3

NATIONAL EXPRESS 179 (MIDSOMER NORTON) DEPARTURES FROM OTHER OPERATORS: 79 (MARSHFIELD), 228 (COLERNE), 620 (OLD SODBURY), 700 (SION HILL), 716 (NEWBRIDGE), 734 (BATHWICK), 752 (HINTON BLEWETT), 768 (MIDS. NORT)

BAY 4 BAY 5 BAY 6 BAY 7 BAY 8 BAY 9 BAY 10 BAY 11 BAY 12 BAY 13 BAY 14 BAY 15 BAY 16 DORCHESTER ST. (T) DORCHESTER ST. (N) DORCHESTER ST. (S)

4 (ODD DOWN) CUSTOMERS HEADING TOWARD RUH AND WESTON – SERVICE 3A AND 4 WILL DEPART FROM DORCHESTER STREET MENDIP XPLORER 172 (PAULTON), 173 & 174 (WELLS) X31 (CHIPPENHAM), X72 (EASTERTON) DISCOVER D1 (WARMINSTER & SALISBURY) DISCOVER D2/D2A (FROME) DISCOVER D3 (MELKSHAM (AND DEVIZES AND URCHFONT)) 37, 39, X39 (BRISTOL) 39, X39 (BRISTOL) 9 (UPPER WESTON), 19/19A (KINGSWOOD & CRIBBS CAUSEWAY) 1 (SOUTHDOWN) 5 (WHITEWAY) BATH SPA UNIBUS U5 (BATH SPA UNIVERSITY) 6 (FAIRFIELD PARK), 6A, 7 (LARKHALL) 3 (FOXHILL), 3A & 4 (RUH AND WESTON), 8 (KINGSWAY), 2 (COMBE DOWN & MULBERRY PARK) 3 (BATHFORD), 3A (ELMHURST), 20 (TWERTON), U1 (UNIVERSITY OF BATH) 12 (HAYCOMBE), 20 (UNIVERSITY OF BATH), U1 (GREEN PARK (PEAK), OLDFIELD PARK (OFF PEAK AND WEEKENDS))

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Education Scheme to encourage more women into careers in coding CODING bootcamp Mayden Academy has announced a new funding scheme to encourage more people from underrepresented groups to embark on careers in coding and increase diversity in the industry. The Diversitech Fund will offer a discount on fees for Mayden Academy’s Full Stack Track course to individuals from groups which are underrepresented in the tech industry. These groups include, but are not limited to: women, black, Asian and minority ethnic individuals, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The fund is awarded on a discretionary basis and may cover anything from several hundred pounds to the full cost of the course. The Full Stack Track is an intensive 16 week training course teaching students everything they need to know to get their first job in coding. Many students on the course are individuals seeking to retrain and begin a new career. The fund has been made possible through the generous contributions of Mayden Academy’s hiring partners, a group of forward-thinking tech companies based in the South West. Contributing partners include Redington, Play Sports Network, LoveHoney, blubolt, Seccl, Riviam and Altran. Mike Oram, director of the Academy said: “We’re hugely grateful to our hiring partners for making the Diversitech Fund possible and for taking such an active role

in making the tech industry more inclusive. “Programming offers so many opportunities to develop and grow in your career, and we believe those opportunities should be open to everyone.” Adam Jones, CTO of Reding-

ton said: “As a tech business, we know that diverse teams make better products and deliver better services. Supporting initiatives like the Diversitech fund allows us to drive positive change in our industry.” This fund comes in addition to the Academy’s exist-

ing deferred tuition offer, which gives students the chance to delay paying the course fee until they have graduated and have their first coding role. The course is designed to cover the in-demand skills that tech companies are looking for, teaching the fun-

damentals of coding for front and back-end, along with user design and agile project management. Students are not required to have any previous coding experience. If you’re interested in finding out more, visit https://mayden.academy.

Bath Spa Uni launches app to help improve NHS wellbeing A FIRST-of-its-kind app has been designed for the NHS to help tackle mental health issues amongst staff, after a study by Bath Spa University identified some of the possible causes of psychosocial stress. The new app, called Healthy Outcomes at Work (H.O.W.), has initially been designed for staff in three South West NHS Trusts who were surveyed for the study. They cited high volumes of work, unrealistic deadlines, a lack of resources and poor management around mental health as some of the main causes of poor mental health. H.O.W. was devised by Dr Jermaine Ravalier, Reader of Work and Wellbeing at Bath Spa University in response to the research, which was conducted in collaboration with Andrew McVicar, Professor in Psychology and Healthcare at Anglia Ruskin University and Charlotte Boichat, Postdoctoral Research Assistant at Bath Spa University. The app offers dedicated sections on the symptoms of stress, the

sources of support available and tips for senior managers on how to improve wellbeing in their workforce. Ravalier’s research, which was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), follows a recent study by the NHS which found the healthcare sector to have higher than average levels of stress-related sickness absence of all job sectors in the country. According to the latest NHS Staff Survey, approximately 40 per cent of NHS staff take sick leave due to work-related stress. The research also highlights a number of interventions that senior managers can make to help improve employee wellbeing, including more frequent supervision sessions to improve relationships, regular team meetings, mental health education for managers, efforts to change the environmental culture around taking breaks and promoting an environment where problematic relationships can be reported and improved.

Ravalier said: “It’s shocking that nearly 40 per cent of NHS staff have reported feeling unwell as a result of work-related stress and it’s clear to us that more needs to be done to tackle the issue. “As well as negatively impacting staff wellbeing, stress and sickness absence also have huge implications for the quality of care that patients receive, so we hope the research and app can go some way to helping those affected. “In time we’d like to see these resources being made available to NHS Trusts up and down the country.” The research and app will be presented at the upcoming Creating and Sustaining a Healthy Work-

force Conference on Friday 13rd September at Bath Spa University’s Newton Park Campus. The one-day conference will raise awareness of the importance of creating and sustaining a healthy workforce. Several world-leading voices from the healthcare sector will be speaking at the event, including Dr Ruth Allen, chief executive of the British Association of Social work, John McGowan, general secretary at the Social Worker’s Union and Dr Elaine Wainwright, Reader in Health and Occupational Psychology at Bath Spa University. Ravalier continued: “I am delighted to host these world-class speakers at the conference who will highlight what employers can do to ensure their staff’s wellbeing is being looked after, as well as present the research and app we’ve been working so hard on. “It’s so important to talk about the things the industry can do to improve wellbeing across the board, which in turn will have a positive impact on staff and their

patients.” Bath Spa University’s Dr Elaine Wainwright has also conducted a study which looks specifically at stress levels amongst trainee anaesthetists across the South West and Wales. Her research reveals that almost 40 per cent of trainee anaesthetists experience high levels of stress caused by excessive non-clinical workloads, such as paperwork, and exhaustion. Commenting on her findings, Dr Wainwright said: “This research is the first to explore in depth why trainee anaesthetists in the UK, who express great love for their jobs, may also struggle with the demanding, complex, extremely valuable work they do. “It was troubling to hear how many doctors expressed high levels of work stress. A key recommendation arising from the study is enabling vital non-clinical work to have dedicated time within training.” To book a ticket to the conference, visit bathspalive.com and search ‘wellbeing conference.’

Tuesday, 3rd September 2019

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Researchers contribute to Europe’s largest flooding survey PARTS of northern Britain have suffered Europe’s biggest increases in flooding since the 1960s, according to new research by a multinational team including engineers from the University of Bath. The study, the largest of its kind to date, investigated the impact of a changing climate on flooding, by using river flow data from thousands of locations over a 50-year

evidence yet, at the European scale, of the link between climate change and flooding. The study, published in the journal Nature, was led by the Vienna University of Technology and involved a team of research institutions in 24 European countries, and included Bath, the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH), and the University of Liverpool in the UK.

period. It showed that floods are becoming increasingly severe in north-west Europe, including the UK, but are decreasing in severity in southern and Eastern Europe. Floods in northern England and southern Scotland rose by 11 per cent during the period studied, from 1960 to 2010. The team of researchers, including Bath’s Dr Thomas Kjeldsen, say that the study provides the clearest

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The lead author, Professor Günter Blöschl of the Vienna University of Technology, said: "We already knew that climate change is shifting the timing of floods in a year, b u t the key q u e s tion had been, ‘Does climate change also control the magnitude of flood events?’. Our study did in fact find there are consistent patterns of flood change across Europe and these are in line with predicted climate change impacts, such as a contrast between increasing severity of flooding in the north and decreases in the south.” Scientists have long suspected that human-induced climate change is having an impact on the magnitude of flood waters because a warmer atmosphere can store more water, although this is not the only factor leading to flood changes in a warming world. However, until now, the extent to which climate change affects the severity of floods across Europe has not been clear because previous studies have been on a smaller scale due to a lack of access to data from parts of the continent. Thanks to a large-scale European collaboration involving almost 50 scientists from 35 institutions in 24 countries, the new study has been able to draw upon a huge amount of data, with the researchers analysing records from 3,738 flood measurement stations across Europe from the period 1960 to 2010. Jamie Hannaford of the UK‘s Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, one of the scientists who was involved in the research, says: “This timely study adds to a growing body of evidence that shows that flood magnitude has increased in the UK over the last five decades, particularly in parts of northern and

western Britain. “We show this is part of a continent-wide pattern of changes in flooding which is in line with what we may expect in a warming world. This highlights the i mp o r t a n c e of long-term hydrological monitoring and the benefits of data sharing and collaboration at a European scale in order to better understand the mechanisms behind observed changes in flooding.” The evaluation of data from the measurement stations over the 50-year period studied revealed trends in different regions of Europe. In central and north-western Europe, floods are increasing because precipitation (rain, snow, sleet or hail) is increasing and soils are becoming wetter. In southern Europe, flood levels are decreasing as climate change results in declining precipitation and the higher temperatures cause increased evaporation of water in the soil. However, in Mediterranean areas, small rivers floods may be becoming larger due to more frequent thunderstorms and land management changes such as deforestation. In Eastern Europe, flood levels are also decreasing – by up to 23 per cent in parts of Russia, for example – due to shallower snow packs in winter associated with the higher temperatures. If the trends in changing severity of flooding continue into the future, major increases in flood risk can be expected in many regions of Europe. The total annual bill from flood damage - estimated currently to be $100 billion worldwide – is continuing to rise, along with the devastating impact on communities. The researchers therefore advise policymakers to include their findings in their flood management strategies. Dr Thomas Kjeldsen of the University of Bath, adds: “Incorporating the evidence of increasing flood risk into engineering design and general flood management would ensure we are better prepared for future changes – a point also raised in the Government’s National Flood Resilience Review.”

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Health Thousands of youngsters not up-to- First services move to date with routine immunisations RUH's new building

PUBLIC Health England South West is warning local parents that around 5,000 five-year-olds in the region may not be fully up-to-date with some routine immunisations. The estimates, released as part of PHE’s Value of Vaccines campaign, show that some 4 and 5-year olds are starting school at unnecessary risk of serious diseases compared to the majority of their classmates, prompting a call for parents to check their child’s Red Book to ensure their children are up-to-date with scheduled immunisations. In the UK, dose 1 of the MMR vaccine, which protects against Measles, Mumps and Rubella, is usually given to infants at around 12 months of age. A second dose is given before school, usually at 3 years and 4 months of age, to ensure best protection. Two doses of MMR in a lifetime are needed for a person

to be considered fully protected. The 4-in-1 pre-school booster is also usually offered at 3 years and 4 months of age and protects against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus and polio. Based on percentage uptake from the latest vaccination coverage figures, PHE estimates that: • Over 30,000 (around 1 in 19) five-year-olds may still need to receive their first dose of MMR, leaving them significantly more at risk compared to pupils who are fully vaccinated. Around 2,000 of these children are in the South West. • Around 90,000 (around 1 in 7) five-year-olds in England may still need to receive their second dose of MMR Around 5,000 of these children are in the South West. • Around 100,000 (around 1 in 8) five-year-olds in England may still need their 4-in-1 pre-school booster that protects against

diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus and polio. Around 6,000 of these children are in the South West. This means more than 5% of five-year-olds are starting reception year having not received any MMR. This leaves them at high risk of measles at a time when outbreaks of the disease are occurring across the country. Dr Julie Yates, Lead Consultant for Screening and Immunisation for Public Health England South West, said: “It’s a real concern that so many young children in our region could be starting school without the full protection that the NHS childhood immunisation programme offers for free. We know that parents want the best protection for their children and so many may be unaware that their child is not up-to-date. “We’re urging all parents of primary school starters to check their child’s Red Book now."

THE first services and staff moved last weekend (31st August - 1st Sept) to the new RNHRD and Brownsword Therapies Centre at the Royal United Hospital’s Combe Park site. Therapies and Pain services, currently housed at the RUH, has transferred to their new home in the nearby building. They are joined by the Bath Centre for Fatigue Services, which is the first department from the Mineral Water Hospital to move. These are the first moves in a phased relocation programme. Rheumatology Services and Rheumatology Therapies will transfer from the Mineral Water Hospital, also known as the Min, next weekend (7th-8th September). Other services currently housed at the Min, chronic pain services, as well as diagnostic and research teams and support staff, will be making the move to the main RUH site in Bath this autumn. Bringing staff and services to-

gether on one site has been many years in the planning, and the RUH has worked closely with patients and staff to design the best new home for each service. RUH Chief Executive James Scott said: “This is an exciting time for everyone at the Trust and we’re really looking forward to colleagues and patients joining us here at Combe Park. “We know the Min is a muchloved building and there may be some sadness at moving. However, our new facilities will ensure that we can continue to provide the same high quality care, delivered by the same teams, in new and improved surroundings. We’ve also paid great attention to the interior design of our new buildings, incorporating some of the Min’s iconic features and artworks to ensure the history, heritage and significance of the Min will live on.”

RUH surgeon smashes record in demanding Ironman race A CONSULTANT surgeon from the RUH in Bath is celebrating after securing a new British record in one of the world’s toughest and most physically demanding competitions, a Quintuple Ironman race. A Quintuple Ironman consists of five times the Ironman distance. Competitors complete a jaw-dropping 12 mile swim, 560 mile bike ride and 130 mile run. Consultant Head Neck and Thyroid surgeon Stuart Gillett completed the race, which took place in Austria, in 75 hours, 15 minutes and 22 seconds – coming

Consultant Head, Neck and Thyroid surgeon Stuart Gillett

third overall and smashing the previous British record by over 24 hours. As if completing the race wasn’t impressive enough, Stuart made it to the end having taken on average only one hour’s sleep each day for the period of the race. Stuart said: “I had a total of three, one-hour breaks across the three days, and it’s fair to say it took its toll – on the run I got so tired that I was actually beginning to hallucinate. It’s not just a physical challenge, a lot of it is psychological too. The swim for me was the most difficult part – it was just so

boring!” Perhaps unsurprisingly, a passion for running and a strict training regime are part of Stuart’s daily life. “I have been competing in ultra-distance running events for many years and moved into ultra-triathlons two years ago,” he said. I train six days out of seven and I’ll usually cycle or run on my commute to work from my home near Bradford on Avon to the RUH in Bath. It’s a real honour to hold the new British record but I’m not finished yet – my aim is to go on and complete a deca Ironman race.”

Tuesday, 3rd September 2019

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Hotel offers spa treatments for those with cancer THE Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel has become one of the first hotels in the UK to offer Jennifer Young spa treatments for people who are living with and beyond cancer. Macdonald Hotels & Resorts has teamed up with specialist skincare company, Jennifer Young – Beauty Despite Cancer, to offer spa treatments and specialist products for people living with and beyond cancer, as well as to provide training for their inhouse beauty therapists and front of house staff in all 20 spa locations. Emma Leadbeater, Macdonald Spa Director, said: “We are very proud to be the first hotel group in the UK to be able to offer Jennifer Young spa treatments for those affected by cancer. “The decision to launch this range of products and treatments was driven by the demand from those living with cancer who are frequently unable to pamper themselves with conventional spa and beauty treatments due to sensitive skin and nails, a common consequence of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.” Those living with and beyond cancer often have their lives turned upside down, with a number of day-to-day experiences no longer being an option due to the physical or mental effects of their

chemotherapy or radiotherapy. For this reason, Macdonald Hotels & Resorts’ front of house staff and spa therapists have undergone specialist training in Jennifer Young’s accredited training school where they learned treatment techniques, as well as the appropriate language to use and sensitive consultation advice, to ensure the spa experience is normalised for guests looking to boost their sense of wellbeing with a spot of pampering. Jennifer Young used her scientific background, as well as extensive research with cancer specialists and patients to develop a variety of products designed to mitigate and ease the harsh effects that both chemotherapy and radiotherapy can have on the body, skin, nails and lips. A number of treatments and product ranges will be available at Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel. The ‘Defiant Beauty’ range is specially formulated for those living with cancer and addresses the side effects cancer treatments can have on skin, body and nails. The ‘Beyond Beauty’ range is formulated for use after cancer treatment and is designed for those who have been through chemotherapy or radiotherapy. All products contain a blend of ingredients and essential oils that are gentle on sensitive skin as

well as having anti-ageing benefits. Jennifer said: “It’s so often the case that those living with and beyond cancer are denied the chance to feel good and relax, but by working with Macdonald Hotels & Resorts we are offering more people the chance to get a sense of normality amidst what can be a challenging time. “Cancer and its side effects come in many different forms and the beauty of these products is that they are adapted by the accredited, highly trained staff to suit each guest’s need, leaving them feeling good and a bit more like their usual self.” As part of the collaboration with

St John Ambulance launches appeal for new volunteers ST John Ambulance is on the lookout for new first aid volunteers to help cover a wide range of exciting events in Bath – from rugby and running, to festivals and fetes. “Our Bath team of 20 volunteers provides first aid cover at regular events like rugby fixtures and performances at the Theatre Royal, plus lots of other occasions, including Somerset’s carnivals and the city’s half marathon,” said St John area manager, Craig Wilkins. “If it’s happening in Bath, we want to be there to support the community; it’s such a vibrant and active city that we need more volunteers to help us keep up with the number of events held locally.” Volunteering is a great way to learn new skills, meet new people and gain experiences you never considered were there. Lynda, a carer by day from Swainswick and operational first aider with St John Ambulance said: “To help make people feel more comfortable, safe and taken care of is very rewarding in a way that money doesn't. "You learn to give commitment and loyalty with your spare time and has always been enjoyable and well worth the thanks and recognition you get from those you help”. Ruth from Batheaston, board member of a social investment hub and operational first aider added: “I have stayed involved as it has lived up to my hopes and more - the people are lovely (colleagues and patients), and the role can expand into

Jennifer Young and Satya Life, the exclusive distributors of the specialist range, Macdonald Hotels & Resorts will be supporting Ellie’s Friend, a charity dedicated to improving the lives of adults affected by cancer across the UK. To mark the launch of the specialist range, Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel will be collaborating with Ellie’s Friend to give away five free spa days to those living with or beyond cancer. Emma Leadbeater added: “We know how beneficial a massage or facial can be and we didn’t want anyone who is affected by cancer to be denied that feeling of deep relaxation and self-care that a visit to a spa can provide.”

News in Brief Appointments cancelled A fault at the hydrotherapy pool at the RUH in Bath has meant a number of planned upcoming appointments have had to be rescheduled. A spokesperson for the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust said: "A fault occurred at the old RUH hydrotherapy pool, shortly before its official closure ahead of the Therapies department move to the new RNHRD and Brownsword Therapies Centre this weekend, 31 August. "This has meant a small number of appointment cancellations, all of which have been rescheduled. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Group counselling Charity We Hear You’s next free group counselling for people living with and beyond a diagnosis of cancer starts next month at the New Oriel Hall in Bath. There are a limited number of places still available for the sessions, which start on 24th September. There is a maximum of eight participants in each group, all of whom must have cancer or be in remission. For more information, and if you would be interested in participating, call 01373 455255 or email info@wehearyou.org.uk.

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many other areas taking you to such a variety of events depending on what you enjoy/ want to experience. Such a contrast to sitting in lots of meetings which is what my professional life involved!” “The units include everyone from first aiders with less than six months’ experience to ambulance crew members with over 20 years in St John all sharing a commonality that they want to help others. "Trained and supported internally by experienced volunteers, all you need is the confidence to make the first step. For more information on becoming a volunteer in Bath with St John Ambulance, as well as how to make a donation and details of training for the public, schools and businesses, visit www.sja.org.uk or call 08700 10 49 50.

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What's On Free fun-packed community afternoon planned to encourage visitors to explore Sydney Gardens

The special model railway that will be going on show | Photo: B&NES Council

A HOST of free activities are on offer to celebrate Bath’s Sydney Gardens, with something for everyone in the community to enjoy on one special day. A model railway, working forge, live classical music, guided tours and family-friendly creative activities are all included in the Friends of Sydney Gardens Community Day to encourage visitors to the UK’s only surviving Georgian Pleasure Gardens. The event, being held on Sunday 15th September, has been organised by Bath and North East Somerset Council and the Friends of Sydney Gardens to entice more people to explore the gardens, which are undergoing restoration following a £2.7m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Councillor Paul Crossley, cabinet member for Community Services, said: “This event is set to be an enjoyable afternoon that I hope will draw more people to come and see what Sydney Gardens

has to offer. "The gardens are a lovely haven from the hustle and bustle of our city and I look forward to seeing the community coming together on this special day.” The event will run from 1pm to 4pm and also includes stalls and activities from Bath Area Play Project, Bath Bees, RSPB and Kennet & Avon Canal. Donkey Rides are being provided over the afternoon by Danny’s Donkeys – a rescue centre for donkeys, and an Avon Fire & Rescue engine will be on site from 2pm to 3pm. Leading up to the event, a model railway of the London to Bristol mainline as it passes through Sydney Gardens will be on display at the Holburne Museum on 14th and 15th September. In addition, the Jane Austen 2019 Regency Costumed Promenade will set off from Sydney Gardens on 14th September at 11am. For more information on the

Community Day, visit: www. bathnes.gov.uk/sydneygardensactivities. Sydney Gardens first opened in 1795 and were a favourite spot of Jane Austen. The project to restore the Gardens will involve extensive heritage and wildlife conservation work, a new café and play area and refurbished tennis courts, a community hall and craft studio created within existing buildings and areas of the park that are currently closed to the public will be reopened. Upcoming activities planned in Sydney Gardens include: • After School Play – Every Wednesday, 3.30pm-5.30pm Led by play rangers from Bath Area Play Project with games and fun. Running every Wednesday from 4th September to the 9th October. For children aged 5 years and over. Under 8s must be accompanied by an adult. Meet by the London Plane Tree Trunk on the Lower Lawn.

• Friends of Sydney Gardens, Volunteer Gardening Every second Sunday of the month, 10am til 12 noon. Tools provided - bring your own gloves if you can. Meet at park entrance behind the Holburne Museum. • Friends of Sydney Gardens, Historic Tours of the Pleasure Gardens Every second Sunday of the month, 2.30pm to 3.15pm. Meet at the park entrance behind the Holburne Museum. Over the autumn the Sydney Garden Project will be starting a weekly Sydney Gardening Club, holding a dementia-friendly walk and talk, Hidden History talks, learning sessions for local primary schools and a Nature Tots group. The group will also be celebrating National Tree Week in November, and hosting an event focusing on Climate Change.

Don't miss... Bath fire station open day Avon Fire & Rescue Service are set to hold a special open day at their station near Cleveland Bridge in Bath. Residents are being invited along with their families on Sunday 22nd September to enjoy tours of the appliances and specialist equipment. Visitors will be able to get up close with the water rescue vehicle, boat, animal rescue equipment, turntable ladder, rescue tender and the pump. Firefighters will be on hand to answer questions and will be talking about water safety and On Call recruitment. There will also be a stall selling merchandise for The Fire Fighters Charity and donations are being welcomed. An ice cream van has also been arranged, with a percentage of all takings going to the charity. It's hoped that Avon and Somerset Police and South Western Ambulance Station will also take part in the event.

Bathampton show Bathampton's annual Village Show is taking place on Saturday 14th September, at the village hall and playing fields on Holcombe Lane. It's a special 50th anniversary event, with attractions including trade stalls, live music, a bouncy castle and tombola, cream teas and a barbecue. Prizes will be awarded for best flowers, garden produce, baking & preserves, art, photography, craft and floral art. For more information on the event, visit www. bathamptonvillageshow.co.uk. There's a fancy dress theme for Under 12s of 'Flower Power'.

Want us to feature your next event?

Email the details to whatson@bathecho.co.uk

Preview | The Man In The White Suit Theatre Royal Bath STEPHEN Mangan, Kara Tointon and Sue Johnston star in the world premiere production of The Man In The White Suit as the classic Ealing comedy is brought to the stage for the first time. Sean Foley’s hotly anticipated stage adaptation of the comedy The Man In The White Suit is set to appear at the Theatre Royal Bath from Friday 6th to Saturday 21st September starring Stephen Mangan (Episodes, Green Wing), Kara Tointon (Mr Selfridge, EastEnders) and Sue Johnston (The Royle Family, Brookside) as part of the Theatre Royal’s 2019 Sum-

Photo: © Nobby Clark

mer Season, directly prior to its transfer to Wyndham’s Theatre in the West End. When Sidney Stratton develops a fabric that never gets dirty and

never wears out, manufacturers and trades unions are terrified by the threat it poses to their industry and their jobs. Only Daphne, the mill owner’s daughter, shows Stratton any sympathy as his world gradually falls apart before he finally finds love and a new idea. The iconic 1951 film, which starred Alec Guinness, Joan Greenwood and Cecil Parker, was directed by Alexander Mackendrick and nominated for an Academy Award for its screenplay. The 2019 world premiere stage production is adapted and directed by double Olivier Award-win-

ning writer, actor and director Sean Foley, and sees him reunited with Stephen Mangan with whom he created the Olivier Award winning stage comedy Jeeves and Wooster. Foley also teams up again with set and costume designer Michael Taylor with whom he created the five times Olivier Award nominated staging of The Ladykillers. The Man In The White Suit will feature a cast of fourteen including actor musicians and a specially written score with songs by Charlie Fink, best known as lead singer and songwriter with indie-folk band Noah and the

Whale. Leading the cast of this brand new stage production are Stephen Mangan as Sidney Stratton, Kara Tointon as Daphne Birnley and Sue Johnston as Sidney’s landlady, Mrs Watson. They are joined by Richard Cordery as Birnley and Richard Durden as Sir John with Delroy Atkinson, Katie Bernstein, Ben Deery, Matthew Durkan, Rina Fatania, Oliver Kaderbhai, Eugene McCoy, Elliott Rennie and Katherine Toy. Tickets are on sale at the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 and online at www.theatreroyal.org.uk

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Review | The Life I Lead Dog-friendly screening of Downton Abbey at the Little Theatre Cinema Theatre Royal Bath THE Little Theatre Cinema in Bath is holding a dog-friendly screening of new film Downton Abbey on Sunday 29th September. The upcoming event follows the success of a number of dog-friendly events at the cinema. Blankets are provided to cover the cinema seats, and water bowls and doggie treats are also on offer. The lighting in the building will be set to low, instead of completely dark, and the sound will be lowered. Those interested can find out more and book tickets via the following link: https://bit.ly/2HDwA7x

Prosecco festival to return to Bath Miles Jupp as David Tomlinson | Photo © Piers Foley

The Life I Lead is a new comedy from James Kettle performed with great charisma and charm by Miles Jupp. The slightly unlikely content is the life of the British actor, David Tomlinson. The archetypal British businessman perhaps best remembered for portraying the irritable bank manager, Mr. Banks, in the film Mary Poppins. This is a life story of extraordinary highs and lows. The celebrations of life are mixed with deep tragedy, dysfunctional family relationships and a long-lasting friendship with Walt Disney. Tomlinson unsurprisingly started in repertory theatre, was part of the Second World War and eventually found fame and fortune before enforcing his own retirement with a fictional agent to avoid all offers of work. The superb Miles Jupp usually at

home in a “stand up” routine is engaging throughout. He inhabits the mantle well, easily weaving a conversational tone around the excellent script from James Kettle, which allows the crests and troughs of the story to evolve with ease. The simple staging evokes a room setting with a silhouette of Tomlinson cut into the door creating a shadow across the floor. The hues of sky blue and clouds bring freedom and contrast to the bowler-hatted, black-suited Tomlinson. Whilst many of the references to Tomlinson’s contemporaries resound with the older members of the audience, this is a production that is both compelling and hugely enjoyable brought to life by a memorable central performance.

Petra Schofield

THE UK’s biggest Prosecco festival is returning to Bath this November. The Prosecco Festival on Saturday 30th November will give bubble lovers a chance to sample more than 30 types of Prosecco, Cava, Pink Fizz & Prosecco Cocktails. New for 2019, the festival also features a selection of World Gins. The event, which will take place at Bath Pavilion, will also include a selection of Italian street food to complement the array of drinks. There'll also be a stage and dance floor with live band throughout. Standard entry starts at £12.50 and include festival access, a branded Prosecco Festival flute, complimentary Prosecco, wristband and access to the food stalls. You can purchase tickets at www.proseccofestival.co.uk. Speaking about the return of the festival, organisers said: "Bath is really well known for loving its fizz, and after huge demand, it was a must to come back in 2019!"

Coming up this week in Bath The Glass Menagerie

The Mission Theatre - 3rd - 7th September, 7.30pm The Glass Menagerie is one of Tennessee Williams’ most popular and acclaimed plays. The story is set in 1937 in the Wingfield’s apartment in a shabby tenement building in St Louis, Missouri.

Fastlove

On the way in Bath next week

Autumn Afternoon Racing

Ant Middleton

A Venetian Jubilee

Bath Racecourse - 4th September Gates open at 12pm With several races during the afternoon, you can be sure of some midweek excitement, as well as the chance to enjoy the autumn sunshine The event is supporting charity Empire Fighting Chance.

The Forum, Bath - 6th September Doors at 7pm This brand new show for 2019 from the No.1 Sunday Times Best Selling Author will bring the ‘elements’ to the audience through lighting, sound and set. Additional dates were added due to demand.

Museum of Bath Architecture 13th September - Starts at 6.30pm Join Musicke in the Ayre in celebrating the musical splendours of Venice in the 17th century. With a mixture of secular and sacred material, this is "music to die for." Tickets on the door cost £10.

The Forum, Bath - 6th September Doors at 7pm Direct from London's West End, the world’s favourite George Michael tribute show. Get ready for an unforgettable evening celebrating the global superstar that was George Michael.

American Museum - 7th September Starts at 6.30pm Enjoy your Saturday evening with some jazz on the lawns and terrace at the American Museum. Fuse a walk on the Winding Way, with a glass or two of American inspired drinks and music.

Garden Grooves

Trevor Nelson's Soul Nation

The Human League - Live

Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde

Duncan Chisholm

Chinese Ink Painting Workshop

Wine Tasting

Christ Church, Julian Road 8th September - Starts at 7.30pm Organist David Briggs brings a spine-chilling screening of the classic 1920 Gothic horror Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde to Christ Church, Bath, with live improvised accompaniment.

Chapel Arts Centre - 8th September Starts at 8pm Chisholm evokes a background steeped in the rich highland music tradition through his varied compositions. His playing takes you on a journey through the landscape which inspires him.

Komedia Bath - 13th September Doors open at 9pm A celebration of old school RnB classics, which will have you dancing all night. Soul Nation has been Trevor Nelson’s pride and joy over the last 5 years, growing quickly to include national tours. MEAA - 14th September 10am - 4pm Learn some basic techniques of Chinese ink painting. Led by UK based Chinese artist Peng Su, learn to paint subjects such as gingko and chrysanthemum; create your own artwork to take home.

Bath Racecourse - 14th September Gates open at 12pm Head to Bath Racecourse for an exciting day at the races followed by live music from 80s chart-toppers The Human League. The concert will begin straight after the last race of the day. Chapel Arts Centre - 16th September Starts at 7.30pm Presented by Ifor Stanton. Amathus are the sole importers of some prestigious wines, and now have 5 retail shops, London, Brighton, and now Bath. Ifor will choose wines from their extensive range.

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Community Trek Nepal challenge to raise money for Dorothy House

Festive street food market set to return to Kingsmead Square BATH'S Kingsmead Square will see the return of the annual Festive Street Food Market this year, from Thursday 28th November, running alongside the Bath Christmas Market. The Kingsmead Square Street Food Market will transform the area into a street food wonderland showcasing the South West’s best traders. Visitors can expect globallyinspired cuisine created using the best seasonal and regional produce; from mountain-style mac and cheese to vegan chilli dogs, Persian chicken and tofu tacos. Sophie Bowden Events, which helped to co-ordinate the original Kingsmead Square Festive Street Food Market in 2017, is organising the event alongside Bristol-based Buoy Events.

Sophie said: “Having run the event in its first year in 2017 I’m delighted to be back in Bath bringing what I consider to be some of the best street food available in the South West to Kingsmead Square this Christmas. “I am also thrilled to be collaborating with Buoy Events on delivering the event as I know our joint experience of running outdoor events and our passion for delicious street food will be a winning combination.” Patrick Holden from Buoy Events added: “Bath is a special place at Christmas, and it’s a real privilege to be coming to Kingsmead Square and working with Sophie Bowden Events for the first time. “We can’t wait to bring some of the best street food flavours in the South West, with a decent dose of

live music and something mulled on the side.” Lindsay Holdoway, Managing Director of HPH Commercial Property which inspired the first event, said: “As a business, HPH Commercial Property has always been passionate about improving the vitality of Kingsmead Square. “The Festive Street Food Market brings thousands of people to the area and we have received lots of positive feedback from local traders, members of the public and tourists about it. “We’re looking forward to the buzzing atmosphere and delicious food.” The market will be open from Thursday to Sunday, 28th November to 15th December, from 11am-9pm (closing at 6pm on Sundays).

Free early morning yoga sessions SOUTHGATE in Bath has teamed up with local fitness specialists TONIQ to host free weekly yoga sessions at the centre, taking place every Wednesday. The classes are set to run every Wednesday morning, between 7.30 – 8.15am, on the lawn in front of the Secret Garden Bar. The sessions will make for an ideal early morning workout and are suitable for all ages and abilities. Those interested should sign up via the contact form on the TONIQ website (www.toniqlife. com) and go along with a yoga mat. Spaces are limited, so it’s advised to book in advance.

DOROTHY House Hospice Care is inviting local people to signup before 30th September to take part in their adventurous Trek Nepal challenge in April 2020. Taking place between 25th April to 6th May 2020, a group of intrepid walkers will trek the breathtaking Himalayan Mountains to raise funds for the charity, to support vital patient care across Bath and North East Somerset, Somerset and Wiltshire. As part of a twelve-day trip, participants will take on a five-day trek in the Himalayas and enjoy stunning views of the snowy peaks of the Annapurna Mountains, stay in quaint locally-owned teahouses and enjoy learning about Nepalese culture. Dorothy House’s team of trekkers will also spend two days volunteering at Hospice Nepal near Kathmandu, assisting with light gardening, painting or decorating work and finding out about the challenges of delivering palliative care in rural Nepal. Two information events on Trek Nepal are being held, the first is at 7pm on Tuesday 24th September at the Bath Brew House in Bath and the second is from 7pm on Thursday 26th September at Dorothy House, Winsley near Bradford on Avon. Dorothy House nurses will be speaking at both events about the valuable work of the Hospice. Information on the full itinerary of the trek and volunteering challenge to Nepal will be available as well as fundraising tips on how to raise money. Verity Clark, community fundraiser at Dorothy House said: “Dorothy House provides free, compassionate palliative and end of life care and support for people with a life-limiting illness, their families and carers and our work touches the lives of many local people. “By taking part in this trek in the Himalayas for Dorothy House and raising sponsorship you will help fund valuable care for our patients, their families and carers. “As well as supporting Dorothy House a highlight of the trek will be visiting Hospice Nepal to tackle much-needed maintenance work. This is an unforgettable challenge that will stay with you forever and your fundraising will help us provide vital patient care at Dorothy House.”

Steph Millard, aged 29 from Bath, who is taking part in the Trek Nepal challenge in 2020 said: “This April I sadly lost my older brother at the young age of 33 due to bowel cancer. “The care, love and support Dorothy House gave to Benj, myself and my family has just been phenomenal and is ongoing. “In memory of him, I want to do something to give back to the Hospice and as I’m turning thirty just before the trek I wanted to set myself a big challenge to mark a new decade.” David Symington aged 67 from Bath, added: “I’ve wanted to visit the Himalayas for many years, so taking part in Trek Nepal to support the hospice that cared for my wife Caroline, before she died in 1994, has perfect synchronicity. “Twenty-five years on I’m lucky to be able to fulfil this long-held dream and be fit and healthy enough to take on this challenge. “I’m looking forward to spending time hiking and enjoying the spectacular mountains of the Himalayas as well as raising funds for Dorothy House, a charity which is close to my heart and relies largely on funding from the local community due to limited government funding. If this trekking experience appeals to you as much as it does to me, I hope you’ll join me and the other walkers and sign-up for our trip to Nepal next April.” Hospice Nepal was the first Palliative Care Centre to be established in Nepal in 1999 and cares for patients suffering from life-threatening illness. The Hospice has a small inpatient unit with eight beds in Lagankhel, near Kathmandu which includes a six bedded General Ward and two private rooms. The Hospice provides holistic care for patients at the end of life and helps to support their families. The epic challenge will be the adventure of a lifetime, help raise much-needed funds for Dorothy House and introduce participants to Nepalese culture. To hold one of the limited number of spaces on the trek, you’ll need to pay a deposit of £395. Dorothy House offers support and advice with fundraising activities and there is ample time to raise sponsorship before February 2020. To find out how to signup for Trek Nepal before 30th September, visit https://www. dorothyhouse.org.uk/events.

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Grenville Jones launches Peasedown cul-de-sac benefits from Hymn Search website £4000 street lighting upgrade

ONE of Bath’s celebrated mixedvoice choirs has received a boost of recognition thanks to the launch of a new website which helps people find suitable hymns for occasions. The Bath Chorus was established eight years ago by Bath music man Grenville Jones, and has sung all around the country and supported many local and national charities. Grenville told the Bath Echo: “The website www.hymnsearch. co.uk includes many well-loved hymns that would be suitable for special family celebrations or memorial services. It occurred to me that there must be many people around the English speaking world who, when faced with choosing a hymn for a

family occasion, might struggle with that choice. Hymnsearch directs viewers to some lovely hymn choices which can then be seen on YouTube The words of each hymn also appear to further help in choosing an appropriate hymn. These are divided into choices for weddings, memorials or special celebrations.” The Bath Chorus has just started back after its summer break. Rehearsals take place at St Bart’s Church in Oldfield Park on Monday evenings, and there is a simple voice test for new members. “There is a warm invitation to anyone looking for a friendly mixed-voice choir in Bath. Come along and meet us,” Grenville added.

A CUL-de-sac in Peasedown St John is now in the spotlight, thanks to a £4,000 street lighting upgrade. Lincott View, home to a collection of small flats and apartments, is nestled behind Hillcrest, adjacent to the village’s main thoroughfare, Bath Road. For a number of years, residents had been calling for better street lighting and investment in their street. A campaign led by Bath & North East Somerset Councillors Sarah Bevan and Karen Walker (Independents) paid off recently, with the council’s Street Lighting Department agreeing to allocate the funding for the necessary upgrades to be made. Cllr Sarah Bevan said: “Thanks to all the residents in Lincott View who contacted Karen and me about the need for street light upgrades in their street. "Last Autumn we lobbied the then Cabinet Member for Finance who agreed to allocate £4,000 for the work to be carried out. "The new lighting has been well received. We’d like to thank the council’s contractors who carried out a sterling job, efficiently and on time.” The Independent Councillors are now campaigning for street lighting upgrades and updates

Cllr Karen Walker and Cllr Sarah Bevan in Lincott View

in other areas in Peasedown St John. Cllr Karen Walker added: “When residents pay their council tax they expect an exceptionally good service in return! "What impacts and concerns people the most is what they see on their doorstep, such as the condition of road surfaces,

The VitaDEx Project We’re studying how the benefits of regular exercise go far beyond weight loss, and might even help keep our vitamin D levels up over winter. If you’re overweight, aged 25-65, and thinking of making exercise part of your lifestyle, then volunteering for our study could help you get going. You will need to be available between October and March for measurements taking place at the University of Bath.

To participate in this project please contact Dr Oly Perkin: O.J.Perkin@bath.ac.uk

whether trees and hedges are looked after, if street lights are working, and whether their refuse and recycling is being collected. These are the issues that residents contact us about the most!” Sarah and Karen will be releasing details of other street lighting upgrades later in the year.

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Letters Thanks for all of your continued support Firstly, I'd like to welcome you to the first Letters section we've included in this newspaper - many thanks to those who have sent in their contributions so far. We hope more of you will send in your thoughts about Bath and what's happening in your local community for our next issue. Details of how to do this are on the right hand side of this page. As per the subject of this piece, I'd like to take the opportunity to thank every single member of the Bath community who has been in touch with us, whether by phone, email or social media message, regarding the first two issues of the Bath Echo newspaper. Your support truly means a lot and we're so pleased that what we've created has been so well received by local residents. Many people have been calling for a community-led newspaper in Bath for a long time, and we're working hard to fill that space. I'd also like say how grateful we are to our current and future advertisers - as a free newspaper, we rely solely on advertising to cover the significant costs of printing and distributing to thousands of homes across the city. We're working on plans to create a subscription service that will allow people to guarantee a copy of the Bath Echo through their letterbox each fortnight, as well as offer people who aren't currently on our distribution routes the chance to receive one. Alongside this, we'll also be introducing the opportunity for people to contribute funds to support the ongoing running of the newspaper and website. We hope to bring you more news of this in our next issue, including information on pricing and how to sign up. Don't forget that as well as this newspaper, you can find the Bath Echo team working away on our website (www.bathecho. co.uk) and on various social media channels, keeping you up-todate with the latest news for Bath every day. I hope to make this column a regular feature, so until next time, I hope you enjoy reading the rest of this issue.

Sebastian Hawker Editor, Bath Echo

Clean streets The times I walk into the centre of Bath from the bus station into Southgate, the first thing that hits me is the discarded boxes, bags and food thrown onto the pavement outside is the first thing a visitor sees and is not good. Sometimes it is bad. The shop manager should be made to make sure it is clean and tidy as part of his job as manager. Perhaps he should be made to clean it up himself! Where is their pride?

Robert Wyatt

Take on a cycling challenge and fight meningitis We’d like to invite keen cyclists among your readers to saddle up for next year’s RideLondon-Surrey 100 challenge and help the UK’s largest meningitis charity beat the deadly disease. Meningitis Now has guaranteed places in the iconic event and we would love to have you on the team. It takes place on 16 August 2020, so you’ve plenty of time to get ready. Registration is just £9.99 with a fundraising pledge of £450. Be quick though, we only have 33 places available. Our cyclists receive a personalised technical cycling jersey and training plans. We also provide fundraising support and a dedicated member of staff to help you every step of the way and make sure you don’t fall by the wayside. There’s also our supporters lining the route to cheer you on your way and our famous post-race party to celebrate your success. So, why wait until

next February to find out if you have a place in the public ballot when you can sign up for one of our charity spots right away? The important part of course is that by cycling for us you’ll be helping to fight meningitis and moving us ever closer to our vision of a future where no one in the UK dies from the disease and everyone affected gets the support they need. Sadly, meningitis and septicaemia continue to affect thousands of people in the UK and kill more under-5s than any other infectious disease. Help us fight back on all fronts by funding research to eradicate the disease, raising awareness and supporting those affected. To find out more, visit our website at www.MeningitisNow.org, email kirstyo@ meningitisnow.org or call me on 01453 769021.

Clean air in Bath Once again I sat on a bus in Dorchester Street for more than four minutes before we departed with the diesel engine running. On the back of the bus was an advertisement paid for by the council advocating their programme Cleanair4Bath. I complained (via Twitter) several weeks ago to First about their drivers' frequent habit of leaving the engine idling while they are

Queen Square benches The benches look and feel fine. Couldn't Bath City Forum find a better way of spending a whopping £19,200? The only bench on The Circus has been removed since last summer, a welcome seat and place of rest at the top of Gay Street!

Kirsty Owen-Hayward Meningitis Now

Elizabeth Camm

the norm and time is a precious commodity. However, it is an industry where farmers and their families are at the heart of the operational decision making yet appear to put less value on the health and safety of themselves and their workers than other industries. The agriculture industry has a rate of fatal injury about 18 times higher than the average across all other industries. I can imagine that with around thirty deaths a year in a workforce of approximately quarter of a million, there is a feeling that despite the tragedy of such events, the calculation of ‘it won’t happen to me’ puts health and safety down the list of priorities. However, if one considers the figures for significant work-related injuries and ill-health, the odds become dramatically more worrying. The chances of someone working on a farm today receiving a work-related injury or health problem over a five-year period is around 1 in 10. As a farmer’s son who grew up on the family farm in the 50s, 60s and 70s, I have a genuine desire for the agriculture industry to grow and thrive safely. As a child I once saw the result of an inci-

dent where all the onlookers felt the victim should have known better, but at the time I wondered why anyone hadn’t told him he was doing it wrong if it was so obvious. Since the time I lived on the farm, I see that many of the risks aren’t new and the ways to manage them are well known. For example, regulations to safeguard children on farms and guards that protect workers from parts linking machinery have been around since the 1950s, yet 60 years on children are still dying on farms and farm workers are still being killed by moving vehicles and equipment. While some progress has clearly been made on these issues, the culture across the industry remains a problem. Farming organisations and agricultural colleges recognise there is a problem but collectively the question should be how we can get health and safety into the minds of everyone working on farms each and every day, as is the case in many other business areas. The sentiments in this letter are ones of concern, and to some degree frustration, that messages are not getting

loading at the bus station. First acknowledged the mistake and promised to pass it on to their staff. Either they didn't or the staff weren't listening. The irony here is that while the idea is that a Clean Air Zone would (among other things) stimulate bus use, it is the buses themselves that are contributing significantly to the pollution in the centre of the city.

Geoff Andrews

Submit a letter to us If you'd like a letter published in an upcoming issue of the newspaper, simply email it to letters@bathecho.co.uk. The deadline for publication in our next issue is: Wednesday 11th September. Please submit no more than 300 words, and provide your name and address. The address will not be published.

Farming health and safety I was prompted to write this letter after reviewing the recently released statistics on fatalities in the workplace, where once again agriculture is shown to have one of the worst rates across all sectors. This year made even more poignant in the light of some of the recent deaths on farms involving young people. I feel compelled to write this letter because it is clear there has been little real improvement in managing risk effectively on farms. While there have been some inroads and improvements made by the industry, the recent rise in the number of fatalities, although subject to natural variation, concerns me. The infrastructure of farms and the equipment used becomes ever larger and more sophisticated but is no more or less dangerous than that being used in many other industries where risk is being managed much more effectively. I wonder why agriculture cannot improve in the same way, especially when many of the incidents follow very similar patterns. There is no doubt farming is a complex working environment where large machinery is

through. When an incident happens not only is it usually a family tragedy or linked to someone in a close-knit working group, but it frequently has significant impact on the financial health of the business. The Act under which the HSE carries out its activities, charges us to ‘prevent death, injury and ill-health at work’. The key word is ‘prevent’ but of course we have regulatory powers to reinforce this role. Far too often in HSE we arrive at a farm when it is too late, because an incident has occurred. In my experience as a duty holder in heavy industries, safer businesses are usually more productive and more profitable because people are doing the right thing at the right time. My plea through this letter is for everyone working in agriculture to think every day about the ‘prevent’ word, listen to the help and look out for the guidance which is available not only from ourselves, but your industry bodies and colleges, so as you go about your business you think in ways that keep you and your workforce running a successful business safely.

Martin Temple HSE Chair

Grieving for your pet cat A pet cat can be the centre of home life, being a constant presence in their owner’s lives for many years. It’s therefore understandable that the death of a cat can come as a shock, and many owners can find it difficult to come to terms with their loss. Grieving for a cat may become more difficult as the death of a pet is not always seen as a significant loss, leading some people to hide their feelings. This means many

people avoid talking about how grief has affected them, which can cause them to feel very alone. Cats Protection is highlighting its free and confidential Paws to Listen support service, so people facing the loss of a cat do not have to feel alone. The service is run by trained volunteers who offer emotional support in coping with the loss of a cat. The service also includes a range of resources and information on its website,

including understanding euthanasia and how to help children deal with the death of a cat. The service is available between 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays. Anyone wishing to use the service can call 0800 024 9494 and a call back service is available if lines are busy.

Catherine Joyce, Paws to Listen Team Leader Cats Protection

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Business David Suchet hails son’s fitness studio for adding years to career ACTOR David Suchet has said physical fitness and movement has been key to his successful career, in part thanks to his son’s Bath-based fitness studio and exercise classes. The 73-year-old, most famous for his portrayal of Agatha Christie’s Poirot, was recently interviewed with his son Rob Suchet, cofounder of Bath’s riverside boutique fitness studio, CLASS. “Exercise has easily added 10 years onto my career, and my life,” claims David, who watches what he eats and trains regularly with a personal trainer in London and at the CLASS studio in Bath. Rob, an award-winning personal trainer and nutritional therapist, says that keeping fit is crucial if you want to keep the ageing process at bay. “The less we move the faster we age, so exercise becomes more important the older we get,” he explained. “At CLASS we’ve created specific ‘Upper Class’ sessions to cater to the requirements of the over 60s. “We focus on mobility, flexibility, strength and balance to help

Actor David Suchet at the CLASS fitness studio in Bath

better equip older people for everyday tasks in a friendly, unintimidating environment.” “I know staying active is even more important now then when I was younger,” continued David, who is a fan of the Upper Class Turn & BurnTM sessions – a 45 minute workout combining cardiovascular training on whole-body exercise bikes and

resistance exercises at fullyequipped individual stations. “But slowing down, meditation and stretching are also vital.” In addition to five different types of yoga, CLASS also offer Primal PatternsTM, a floor-based exercise session combining natural movement with new skills to create fluid patterns of movement.

Apex Hotel celebrates second anniversary with new appointments

THE award-winning Apex City of Bath Hotel is celebrating its second anniversary with the announcement of a brand new groups and events team. The £50 million pound property, which opened on the city’s James Street West in August 2017, is Bath’s largest and only purposebuilt city centre conference facility. The changes in the events team

Businesses nominated in Deliveroo’s first Restaurant Awards

see Kate Jay join the company as Maternity Cover Assistant Director of Sales, whilst Claire Pearce, former Groups and Events Executive has been promoted to Groups and Events Manager. Two new faces are also joining the growing team, with Abigail Hailes and Stephanie Kiss joining Kate Griffiths as Groups and Events Executives.

Amanda Jones who has worked with the hotel since it opened continues to hold the role as Sales Manager. The hotel houses 11 meeting and event spaces ideal for exhibitions, conferences, meetings and social events, capable of accommodating up to 400 people. Michael Musgrave, General Manager at Apex City of Bath

THREE restaurants across the Bath area have been nominated in a number of categories including 'Best Dessert Only Restaurant' and 'Best Indian' in Deliveroo’s inaugural Restaurant Awards. Voting has now opened for Deliveroo’s first-ever Restaurant Awards, which will take place on 17th October in London. Deliveroo say their Restaurant Awards are “set to shake up the sometimes stale approach to industry awards”, bringing in new categories for a generation of social-media eaters, who’ll be able to vote for the country’s most Instagrammable dish, amongst others. Three restaurants in Bath have been nominated for a range of awards, including: • Swoon (Kingsmead Square) – Best Dessert Only Restaurant • Indian Temptation (High Street) – Best Indian • The Caribbean Spot (Lower Bristol Road) – Best Cheap Eats Deliveroo has launched a new website with 19 categories that are up for public vote. The site also gives members of the public the opportunity to nominate any restaurant, giving them a chance to pick up an award. The longlist of nominations will be available to vote for until the second week of September, before the shortlist for each category is published on the website for a final public vote,

with the winners announced at the ceremony on 17th October. The event will honour the very best of Britain’s restaurants. Waitress star and former Strictly Come Dancing finalist Ashley Roberts will be hosting the evening, which aims to raise the profile of some of the UK’s best independent and multisite restaurants along with more traditional takeaways. Event host Ashley Roberts said: “After making my West End debut in Waitress, where I sang about food every night, I developed a full-blown obsession with the UK’s food scene. “I couldn’t be more excited to celebrate some of Britain’s best culinary talent at Deliveroo’s Restaurant Awards.” Setting itself apart from traditional industry accolades, award nominees have been selected through a combination of Deliveroo data and industry expertise. The big award of the night, 'The Restaurant Of The Year' will be hand-selected by a panel of industry judges, including outspoken food critic Giles Coren and Will Shu, Deliveroo’s CEO. Commenting on the night, Will Shu said: “Over the last 6 years Deliveroo has been fortunate enough to work with over 20,000 British takeaways and restaurants and The Deliveroo Restaurant Awards is just the latest way we’re helping to celebrate our amazing restaurant partners.”

Hotel, said: “The past two years have been exceptionally successful where conference and events is concerned. “We are the premier location for events of all sizes in the city of Bath, attracting both domestic and international business, and ultimately helping to lift tourism figures and boost the local economy. “I am thrilled to welcome Kate,

Abigail and Stephanie, it is an incredibly exciting time for the C&E team here at Bath. “The success of 2019 so far is true testament to the dedication and hard work of the team, and I am confident that our successful run will continue.”

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Touchstone helps DHI renovate Bath home for Syrian family TOUCHSTONE, the specialist property management firm, has partnered with award-winning charity Developing Health & Independence (DHI) to support their work in Bath and North East Somerset. Headquartered in Bath, Touchstone is one of the city’s largest employers. In a new partnership, they are supporting South West based charity DHI, which helps over 5,000 disadvantaged people each year turn their lives around. DHI work to resolve the root cause of complex issues, which are often housing-related. In their first project together, colleagues from Touchstone volunteered their time to help DHI renovate a three-bedroom house in Bath for a refugee family from Syria. A disabled member of the family needs a home with wheelchair access, and they are in huge need following trauma in the Syrian war zone. The house needed considerable updating, so as well as volunteering, Touchstone funded its complete redecoration. Colleagues from Touchstone spent two days working alongside DHI and the local Syrian community to undertake the decoration and landscaping works, and the home is now ready for its first family.

Helen Kings, Managing Director of Touchstone, said: “Our charity work is massively important to us, and being based in Bath we wanted to find a local charity where we could make a tangible difference.

Our colleagues have loved giving their time to renovate this home. It’s fantastic knowing their hard work will have such a positive impact for this family and many others in the future.”

Rosie Phillips, Chief Executive of DHI, said: “We are so grateful to Touchstone for their support. There is a huge need in Bath and North East Somerset for homes for a truly affordable rent. Now

this house is renovated, it will benefit families in our community long into the future including in the first instance for a vulnerable refugee family with a disabled person in the family.”

Fundraising drive for Bath businesses encouraged to join new Bath Trams group upcoming litter pick event A MEMBERSHIP and fundraising drive has been launched by the newly-formed Bath Area Trams Association as it works to promote the reintroduction of trams to the city. Those behind the group say that trams are vital in Bath to help fight climate change, ease congestion and revitalise the city. The first donation to the Bath Area Trams Association (BATA) came from former Mayor of Bath Ian Gilchrist. Chair of BATA Dave Andrews says that the installation of trams in various UK cities has played a significant role in taking car drivers off the roads. A report by the Department for Transport released earlier this year revealed how popular light rail/tram systems are, with over 267 million passenger journeys made on the eight light rail and tram systems in operation up and down the country during

2017/18. Mr Andrews said: “Bath had trams from 1904 to 1939 paid for by housing developers in for example Twerton and Oldfield Park,

Photo © Swampy167 / Shutterstock.com

and it was these trams which enabled the city to grow outside its then old compact core. “These trams ascended all the steep hills in Bath and negotiated the narrow streets in the same way as modern trams can.” The West of England Combined Authority announced in April that it would provide funding towards a number of studies looking at improving transport across the area.

BATH law firm Stone King has announced a new community initiative to help keep the city tidy and is inviting businesses across the area to get involved. Stone King, which has an office at Queen Square, is holding its Bath Litter Pick on Wednesday 25th September from 5-6pm, and wants as many businesses as possible to get involved. The event is part of a national initiative by the firm, with its other offices in Birmingham, Cam-

bridge, Leeds and London also planning on holding litter picks. Stone King’s Managing Partner Steven Greenwood said: “Bath is a beautiful city to live and work in and we want to help keep it looking at its best. “As part of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) we are committed to helping with good causes, and hope our actions will inspire other business to take part. “We will also be working with B&NES Council to make sure that

as much waste as possible can be recycled and not end up in landfill. “We are committed to being a socially responsible business, both internally and externally. We believe that it is crucial for us to make a positive impact on the communities in which we work and on our stakeholders.” Businesses interested in taking part should email samanthawalker@stoneking.co.uk or call 01225 478180.

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Politics ‘Prospective tenant’ found for Jolly’s department store site Stephen Sumner

Local Democracy Reporter

BATH and North East Somerset Council has finally found a “prospective tenant” for Jolly’s, but the contract has not been signed so its identity cannot be disclosed. The future of the department store, a valuable asset for the authority, has been in question since House of Fraser went into administration last August. It was bought for £90million by Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley, who attacked “greedy” landlords of the brand’s 59 shops. Describing the Milsom Street branch as a “key anchor retail unit”, B&NES Council officers said the decision was urgent and made “largely on a value for money basis, having considered the risks to the council of not taking it”. Their report says: “The tenant of the subject premises went into administration in August 2018. “Since this time the council has been in negotiation with several parties in relation to the granting of a new lease.

“Terms have now been agreed with the successful prospective tenant, subject to the approval of the cabinet. “[Property advisors] Hartnell Taylor Cook have confirmed that in their opinion the terms agreed (subject to contract) represent the best deal that could have been achieved for a new lease of the subject premises.” The lease was signed off by Councillor Richard Samuel, the cabinet member for resources, subject to terms and conditions that were themselves commercially sensitive. Officers said that while the council’s coffers are public funds, the authority needs to protect its commercial position. Cllr Samuel said: “The lease on this retail unit has not yet been signed. "Terms and conditions on the possible lease are still subject to our consideration. “In order to protect the commercial interests of both the council and tenant, we cannot comment about the tenant or the location until such time as a lease is completed.”

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Jolly’s on Milsom Street in Bath | Photo © ColinPeachey / Shutterstock.com

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Puzzles

Solutions will be shared in our next issue - out on 17/09/19

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3 Paradise (4)

11 Pilot (7)

4 Lie (7)

12 Pollen gatherers (4)

6 Restaurant worker (8)

13 When the living is easy (10)

7 Marriage (9)

14 Otherwise (4)

8 Opera by Bizet (6)

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22 Yorkshireman (4)

17 Large island in the Channel (1,1,1)

24 Preceding wedlock (10)

18 Computer information store (8)

25 Precious stones (4)

19 Thin and translucent (6)

28 Shining (7)

20 Expels (6)

29 Hollowed inward (7)

21 Disorder (7)

30 Bovine mammary gland (5)

23 Oriental (7)

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27 Untie (4)

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In Other News.... Columnist calls for gull crackdown

Thousands sign up for Help to Save account

Stephen Sumner

OVER 132,000 people have signed up to the government-backed savings account Help to Save – depositing more than £31.4 million. The account offers working people on low incomes a 50% bonus on what they save – rewarding them with 50p for every £1 they put away. Over four years, a maximum bonus of £1,200 is available on savings of up to £2,400. Statistics published today reveal that those using help to save accounts are already eligible for bonuses totalling around £14 million. The accounts make saving affordable, achievable and worthwhile. Some participants now see themselves as ‘savers’ rather than ‘spenders’. Economic Secretary to the Treasury, John Glen, said: “Saving shouldn’t be seen as a luxury but as an essential part of planning for the future. “That’s why I launched the Help to Save scheme last year, and it’s been great to see so many people using it to put money aside for themselves and their loved ones. “Around 3.5 million people could benefit from the scheme, so if you’re eligible but haven’t yet opened an account, you should

A DAILY Express columnist has claimed Guildhall bosses have “given up” on tackling the seagulls that now “have more rights than Bath residents”. Tim Newark is calling on the council to lobby Government for powers to curb the bird population, and said he will go to Downing Street himself if he has to. The freelance journalist and author moved into a home in Barton Buildings his family has owned since the 1980s nine years ago. He will not eat outside and no longer uses his garden because of the gulls and the “public health risk” from their excrement. He wants all properties to be ‘bird-proofed’ and said Bath and North East Somerset Council, a major landowner in the city, should lead by example. Mr Newark, who has a weekly politics column in the Daily Express, said: “It’s got worse. All you hear is the screech of gulls. “The noise level is quite extreme. It really puts you off sitting outside. It’s a very irritating and intrusive noise. "If a person or a business was doing that you could complain to the council and they would do something about it. “It’s so frustrating. It spoils summer in Bath for residents. “We have a little garden and we’ve stopped using it. We have to shut the windows. It’s absurd – it’s 24 hours a day. “I won’t sit outside with food. Even little specks of their faeces can fall in your food and you’ll get

Local Democracy Reporter

take a look. Saving comes with a 50% government bonus and even a small amount could help you to be more prepared for the future.” Help to Save is easy to use, flexible and secure. It helps those on lower incomes build up a ‘rainy day’ fund, and encourages a long-term savings habit. How much is saved and when is up to the account holder, and they don’t need to pay in every month to get a bonus. Help to Save is available for working people on Tax Credits, or Universal Credit claimants with a minimum earned income equivalent to 16 hours per week at the National Living Wage in their last assessment period. Account holders can save between £1 and £50 every calendar month and accounts last for four years from the date the account is opened. After two years, savers get a 50% tax-free bonus on the highest balance they’ve achieved. If they continue saving, they could receive another 50% tax-free bonus after a further two years. On maximum savings of £2,400 over four years, the overall bonus would be £1,200. To check eligibility, apply, and get more information savers can visit www.gov.uk/helptosave.

“The council needs to work hand in hand with residents. “We have to stop the gulls finding a safe place to nest. It’s for the good of the city and for tourism. “The council could give grants or discounts off business rates [for bird-proofing]. "It’s one of the biggest landlords in the city. "It should be leading by example and bird-proofing its properties.” The population of gulls in Bath stood at 835 breeding pairs in 2018, down by around a quarter since in 2015. B&NES Council said this was driven by a nest and egg removal treatment programme and the large-scale developments going on in the city that are helping to disrupt favoured nesting sites by the gulls. NBC is licensed to carry out treatments for reasons of public safety and health. All major council buildings are treated, including the Guildhall. During 2019 the council was able to expand its treatment programme as a result of additional funding from the BID and the management company for Bath Western Riverside, Pinnacle Management. Councillor Paul Crossley, cabinet member for community services, said: “B&NES Council leads the way in tackling the gull population by carrying out falconry on our own buildings and by providing treatments to other properties for free. “We deter gulls as proactively as we can within the guidance provided by Natural England in order to maintain residents’ public health and safety.”

salmonella. “We have a higher incidence of food poisoning in Bath than elsewhere. "I had a meeting with the old cabinet members – they said they were terrified of the bleeding heart liberals. "The council has given up.” B&NES Council’s website says: “Urban gulls are an issue for many towns and cities throughout the South West. “Whilst we can action situations that may attract gulls, such as poor house-keeping within premises, there is no legislation that enables the council to control them effectively.” The authority offers free roof treatment in a designated area of the city. An update on its website in June said: “As the breeding season progresses, our contractor (NBC Environment) is finding that many eggs are beginning to hatch and it is no longer possible for new requests for treatments to be taken as the licence provided by Natural England does not allow any interaction with live chicks.” Mr Newark added: “We should go to Defra [the Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs] and get them to change the law to get urban gulls removed from the list of protected species. I’ll go with them. “It’s ludicrous that they should be protected. "They should be treated like any other pest. "The faeces degrades the architecture, makes a hell of a mess and encourages other species – rats are picking over the spilled rubbish.

Last issue's puzzle solutions Crossword Across: 1 NASA, 3 Basketball, 10 Therefore, 11 Queen, 12 Outlast, 13 Skittle, 14 Acne, 15 Elephants, 19 Prosecute, 21 Frau, 24 Excerpt, 27 Oxshott, 28 Aspen, 29 Harmonica, 30 Arithmetic, 31 Neat. Down: 1 National, 2 Sweetener, 4 Apostolic, 5 Knees, 6 Tequila, 7 Adept, 8 Lintel, 9 Began, 16 Pot-pourri, 17 Terrorize, 18 Subtract, 20 Scrunch, 22 Nevada, 23 Ascot, 25 Capri, 26 Tahoe.

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Sport

Share your sports news for our next edition!

Email sport@bathecho.co.uk or call 01225 585484

Team Bath's Synchro Club Summer Bath City FC to hold pay what you like" Camp a hit with artistic swimmers Community Day fixture

Crowds supporting Bath City FC | Photo © Bath City Football Club

SIXTY artistic swimmers from across Europe have been staying and training at the University of Bath for the third annual Team Bath Synchro Club Summer Camp. Young people from France and Spain are among those enjoying five days of expert coaching from international synchronised swimmers, including members of the British team, at the University’s Sports Training Village. As well as practicing routines and techniques in the Olympicsized London 2012 Legacy Pool, attendees benefited from strength and conditioning training in the Jumps & Throws Hall, nutrition and sports psychology advice as well as cross-over sessions in rhythmic gymnastics, yoga and contemporary dance. Swimmers also had their meals and stayed in accommodation on campus.

Team Bath Synchro Club founder Ilaria Brandimarte, who is a member of the British Swimming team, said: “It’s the third time we have run this camp in collaboration with Team Bath and it’s exciting to have athletes from all over the country here as well as some from Europe. “We are working on both sides of the sport, technical and free routines, and also have additional expert coaches from fields like artistic gymnastics, which will help the athletes improve their lifts, flexibility and acrobatic style. It will give them a 360 view of what it takes to be an athlete at the very top level of our sport.” Among the coaches running synchro sessions are GB internationals Danielle Cooper, who has helped to set up a synchro section for University of Bath students, and Daniella Lloyd who, along with Brandimarte,

was part of the British team that won free combination silver at the FINA Artistic Swimming World Series in Paris earlier this year. As well as the sessions for more advanced synchronised swimmers, the final day of the camp on Sunday will also feature novices who are just starting out in the sport, allowing them to gain more experience and learn from the swimmers around them. Team Bath Synchro Club offers training and competition opportunities throughout the year, for beginners who want to give the sport a try through to national and international standard competitors. The club is running taster sessions in September. Visit www. teambathsynchroclub.com to find out more.

Hurdles gold for University of Bath alumni David King and Jacob Paul UNIVERSITY of Bath alumni David King and Jacob Paul both claimed hurdles gold at the 2019 Müller British Athletics Championships in Birmingham Sports Performance graduate David King, who is still based at the University’s Sports Training Village with James Hillier’s coaching group, bagged the second British 110m hurdles title of his career after edging out Cameron Fillery in a photo finish.

Both King and Fillery clocked 13.78 in a final that was run into a strong headwind. Earlier in the afternoon, Paul – who studied Sport & Social Sciences and was coached by Colin Bovell during his time in Bath – produced a strong finish to overhaul former World, European and Commonwealth champion Dai Greene in a thrilling 400m hurdles final. Both Paul and Greene ran the

season’s best times, of 49.57 and 49.67 respectively, while Sports Performance student Alastair Chalmers – coached by Hillier – was fourth in 50.11. “It’s incredible,” said Paul. “My whole year has been planning towards the end of August and running my fastest time at the British Championships. I’m over the moon with that.” Cameron Chalmers, Alastair’s older brother and a Sports

BATH City Football Club is inviting residents across Bath to kick off a new tradition by going along to its annual “pay what you like” Community Day fixture on Saturday 14th September. Each Community Day, the community-owned football club traditionally waives its admission charge and invites supporters to pay whatever they like to attend the match, with 10% of all gate receipts donated to the Bath City FC Foundation, the club’s charitable arm. Carole Banwell, General Manager of Bath City FC said: “Thanks to the generosity of our partner BWW Communications, we’re able to make this match ‘Pay What You Like’ and invite every man, woman and child in Bath to come and enjoy an afternoon at the footy. “If you’ve not been before, it’s a great chance to experience one of Bath’s best-kept secrets. “We’ll be pulling out the stops, with the Bath City Beat-theGoalie inflatable, ice creams and other food pop-ups, half time entertainment, free giveaways and more!” Bath City’s mascot, Bladud the Pig, will be on hand to take selfies with kids of all ages, and visitors will even get the chance to meet and grab a photo with some of the players. Last year’s Community Day was Performance graduate, also ran his fastest time of 2019 – 45.84 – as he won a superb silver in the men’s 400m behind Matthew Hudson-Smith. Chalmers, King and Paul will now be looking to set the qualifying time for their respective events to guarantee their places in the British squad for the IAAF World Championships, which are being held in Doha from 28th September to 6th October.

Keep an eye out for the next issue of the Bath Echo - due out on Tuesday 17th September 2019

the club’s best-attended ever, with 1,585 people cheering on the “Stripes” – and Bath City FC hopes to smash the record this year by attracting over 2000 people to Twerton Park. Nick Foot, CEO of BWW Communications, added: “Since becoming a Community Club, Bath City has made great strides, with success on the field leading to significant increases in attendance. “There is a real swell in interest in the club and it is an honour and privilege for BWW Communications to play a small part in the resurgence of football in Bath.” Joy Saunders, Community Director at Bath City FC, said: “We are thrilled to once again open our gates to our local community on 14th September and are looking forward to welcoming you to our family-friendly club. “The football is sure to be excellent, but we are also looking forward to showcasing the breadth of community activities the club is involved in Bath, particularly with our youth activities and Bath City FC Foundation at half-time and around the ground. It’s sure to be a day not to be missed” The match against Eastbourne Borough kicks off at 3pm on Saturday 14th September at Twerton Park.

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