ECHO
Friday 28th August - Thursday 10th September 2026
www.bathecho.co.uk
Issue No. 137
Google Rated
Landscaping & Gardening Experts
07542 672 032
Find us on social media @BathEcho
FREE TO TAKE
Your FREE independent newspaper for Bath - reaching thousands of people every issue!
MEMORIAL SUCCESS
Years of lobbying to honour children killed in Bath Blitz pays off - P3 Don't miss the latest sports news with our expanded team coverage! P22 onwards
Cameras to begin enforcing traffic restrictions - P2
More 20mph city limits rolled out despite concerns - P4
Man admits threatening armed police with crossbow - P5
TILED & SLATE ROOFS • GUTTERS, FASCIAS & SOFFITS FLAT ROOFS • CHIMNEY REPAIRS • VELUX WINDOWS
01225 982761 • www.noadroofing.com Book your free* drone survey today! *Terms Apply
FOLLOW US
P2
Cameras begin enforcing traffic restrictions
Crossword
P13
Food & Drink
P14
What's On
P15
Community
P16
Health
P18
Education
P19
Business
P20
Politics
P21
Sports & Fixtures
P22
Useful Information Thousands of copies are delivered and distributed across Bath via our pick-up points and at cafés, venues, waiting rooms and local libraries.
How to get in touch with us... For news items and press releases: news@bathecho.co.uk 01225 585484 Editor Sebastian Hawker editor@bathecho.co.uk Becky Feather, Reporter becky@bathecho.co.uk Richard Briggs, Sports Reporter richard@bathecho.co.uk Advertising & Marketing: Rob Last - 07990 253664 rob@mediabath.co.uk For sport and match reports: sport@bathecho.co.uk 01225 585484 Want to have a letter published? letters@bathecho.co.uk Subscriptions/Distribution: production@bathecho.co.uk 01225 585484 Published by Media Bath Limited
Bath Echo, PO Box 5395, Bath, BA1 0YA
Company Number: 09384496
Disclaimer Please note, the views expressed in this newspaper are not necessarily the views of the editor, or publisher. No parts of this newspaper may be reproduced without prior written permission. Liability for advertising in this publication comes down to the individual advertiser, and not the publisher. © Media Bath Limited
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.impressorg.com 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/
The restriction on Gay Street, which is now being enforced by cameras | Photo © John Wimperis
than a Penalty Charge Notice. Two of the restrictions form part of the council’s Liveable Neighbourhoods programme, which aims to create safer streets, reduce congestion and improve conditions for walking, wheeling and cycling. Councillor Lucy Hodge, Bath & North East Somerset Council’s cabinet member for sustainable transport delivery, said: “The restrictions at these locations are already in place and were introduced to address specific road safety and traffic management issues.
“Camera enforcement is the next step in ensuring they are followed consistently and fairly. “When drivers don’t follow these restrictions, they put other people at risk and contribute to unnecessary congestion and delays. “Our aim is to improve the environment for walking, wheeling and cycling, making journeys safer for all road users, whilst keeping traffic moving more efficiently.” The council has powers to use cameras to enforce a range of traffic offences, including banned
From the Editor... Opinion, insight and the stories shaping Bath this week
W
HEN you see two unmarked police cars making their way quickly down Lansdown Lane in Bath, you get the feeling something is going on – and on Monday evening, that certainly turned out to be the case. I’m sometimes accused of being nosy (although I prefer to call it professional curiosity, naturally), so when another three unmarked police cars headed towards Locksbrook Road shortly afterwards, it seemed clear something significant was unfolding. So out the door I went to find out what was happening. And, as it turned out, there was plenty. No spoilers here though – you’ll
have to read the article on page 5. I’m often told that local news isn’t what it used to be, something I’m always keen to challenge when situations such as Monday’s happen. One of the advantages of being a genuinely local newspaper is that we can be on the scene within minutes, seeing what is happening for ourselves and asking questions. Upon arrival, it was clearly a fast-moving situation and, at that stage, none of us outside the police operation knew exactly what officers were dealing with. There can occasionally be some tension when journalists and emergency services meet at the scene of an unfolding incident. Reporters are trying to establish
Advert Size Full Page
6+ issues* £374
Half Page
£246
Quarter Page
£178
Eighth Page
£136
Sixteenth Page
£69
Page Banner
£178
12+ issues* £308 £203 £147 £112 £56 £147
26 issues* £220 £145 £105 £80 £40 £105
Advertise in this newspaper to reach thousands of potential customers. We offer a range of options to meet all budgets. Find out more and book your advert today. Call us on 01225 585484 or email rob@mediabath.co.uk
turns, yellow box junction contraventions, commercial vehicle weight restrictions and driving in mandatory cycle lanes. Speeding offences will continue to be enforced by the police. Money raised through Penalty Charge Notices is regulated by law and must first be used to cover enforcement and operating costs. Any surplus can only be spent on transport-related purposes, including road safety schemes, public transport, highway maintenance and infrastructure for walking, wheeling and cycling.
Sebastian Hawker
what is happening, while officers quite rightly have their attention focused on keeping people safe and bringing the situation under control. Ultimately, everyone has a job to do. With a cordon in place, Becky was also making her way to the scene. At that point, we were still largely in the dark. Enquiries had been submitted, officers at the scene understandably weren’t giving anything away, and all we could do was watch and wait. Before too long, things began to calm down. The cordon was lifted, armed officers returned to their vehicles and the police presence gradually cleared. As you’ll read in our report, a
man was arrested after threatening four police officers with a crossbow. He subsequently appeared in court in custody on Wednesday. For me, moments like this are a reminder of what makes local journalism so interesting. Police vehicles on blues and twos heading across the city, reports of an incident beginning to circulate or smoke appearing on the skyline are just some of the triggers which result in us grabbing our phones and keys and heading out to find out what was going on. Our job is simply to be there, ask the questions and, once the picture becomes clearer, tell our readers what has happened.
Where to get your FREE copy of the Bath Echo newspaper
Affordable advertising for local businesses INCLUDES 50% DISCOUNT
P12
*Price per issue
Pictures from the Past
DRIVERS are being reminded to follow existing traffic restrictions at five locations in Bath and Keynsham as new camera enforcement comes into operation. Bath & North East Somerset Council introduced Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras from Monday 24th August in an effort to improve compliance, road safety and traffic flow. The cameras enforce a banned right turn at High Street, Bath Hill and Temple Street in Keynsham, as well as a commercial vehicle weight restriction on Brook Road in Bath. They also monitor banned turns at Newbridge Road and Newbridge Hill, Sion Hill and Cavendish Road, as well as George Street and Gay Street. The council has stressed that the restrictions themselves are already in place, with the cameras being introduced to improve enforcement. A six-month warning period will operate at each location to give motorists time to adjust. During that period, a driver who breaches a restriction for the first time at a particular location will receive a warning notice rather
INCLUDES 30% DISCOUNT
P2-11
INCLUDES 15% DISCOUNT
In this issue... Top Stories
Friday 28th August - Thursday 10th September 2026
www.bathecho.co.uk
Marks & Spencer
17 Southgate Place, Bath, BA1 1AP
Morrisons
York Place, London Road, Bath, BA1 6AN
Prior Park Garden Centre
Prior Park Road, Bath, BA2 4NF
Royal United Hospital
The Atrium, RUH, Combe Park, Bath, BA1 3NG
Sainsbury’s (Green Park)
Green Park Station, Green Park Road, Bath, BA1 2DR
Sainsbury’s (Odd Down)
Frome Road, Bath, BA2 5RF
Tesco Express (Wellsway)
52 Wellsway, Bath, BA2 4SA
Tesco Express (Weston)
20 High Street, Upper Weston, Bath, BA1 4BX
The Hub, Mulberry Park
Mulberry Way, Combe Down, Bath, BA2 5BU
Waitrose
The Podium, Northgate Street, Bath, BA1 5AL
You can start a delivery subscription from just £5 per month. Visit subscribe.bathecho.co.uk or call 01225 585484 to get started.
Issue 137
P3
Your City, Your News - Bath Echo
Memorial campaign pays off with city plaque Becky Feather
Air raids that brought death and destruction to the city
Reporter
AFTER campaigning for more than half a century, a Bath man’s determination to erect a plaque in the city centre to honour the 66 children who died in the Blitz has paid off. Over the last year the Echo has been supporting City of Bath Ambassador Chris Kilminster, who lost five members of his family in the Blitz in 1942, in his fight to get a plaque erected to Bath’s ‘Lost Generation’. The youngest victims were four months old. Chris, from Combe Down, lobbied the council for many years for a memorial to be placed in the Orange Grove area. Earlier this summer he told us: “This city needs this. It needs this before I go. I’m approaching 80 now and I’ve got to do this for all these kids, all these families, including my family, everybody. “It’s got to be in the centre of Bath to let people know how badly Bath suffered in the Blitz. “This is the last thing I’ve got to do before I pass away. Nobody else is going to be able to do it when I’m not here.” Chris took it upon himself earlier this summer to make a memorial in a metal frame with all the children’s names in the hope of finding a prominent home for it. Last month Bath & North East Somerset Council recommended his plaque could be given a “fitting and prominent home” at the Shaftesbury Road Memorial Garden in Oldfield Park, alongside the Bath Blitz memorial. But Chris, whose wife Pat is also an ambassador, continued to push for it to be in the city centre. Supported by the Echo he contacted British Land and Aviva about the possibility of it being displayed somewhere in SouthGate Bath. This part of the city centre was heavily bombed in the Second World War. To Chris’s delight they were happy to help and have worked with him and Pat to produce a bespoke plaque and provide a permanent home for it on the wall at New Marchants Passage. It is believed to be the only such memorial of its kind in the UK. This week Guy Henderson, centre director at SouthGate Bath, told the Echo: “It’s been a pleasure to work with Chris and
Lisa and Chris in New Marchants Passage
Pat to help bring their idea to life. As a meaningful part of Bath’s heritage, we’re pleased to give the plaque a home within the centre, helping to share its story with the many people who visit us from all over the world. “We’re proud to be part of the Bath community and support Chris and Pat with something that means a great deal to them, as well as so many others.” Chris who visited the site with Lisa Bates from British Land on Wednesday, said: “I am so grateful to Lisa, the staff and the crew who did this from British Land. What took me 57 years was achieved by these people in two months.” The memorial is close to the site
where seven young members of the Rattray family died - George, William, Joan, Christine, Donald, Shirley and Pamela. Chris has detailed knowledge of the Bath Blitz, including where the bombs dropped, their weight, the damage they caused and the lives they claimed. In 2008 he arranged a service at the Shaftesbury Road site which was attended by German bomber pilot Willi Schludecker, who flew more than 120 sorties including three raids on Bath between 25th and 27th April 1942. Willi, who twice received the Iron Cross from Hitler, publicly apologised to the people of Bath at the service, which was transmitted live to 52 countries.
The new memorial plaque in the SouthGate Bath centre
The inscription on the new memorial reads: “Between April 25th – 27th 1942, German bomber aircraft from Luftwaffe KG2 flew from airfields in occupied France to carry out major air raids across the City of Bath. “During three intense air raids with some 166 sorties, nearly 19,000 buildings including many churches and historical architecture were damaged or completely destroyed. “Sadly the recorded death toll was 417, including 66 children, known as The Lost Generation. Hundreds of victims were laid to rest in two mass graves in Haycombe Cemetery on Friday 1st May 1942.” The plaque acknowledges Chris and Pat Kilminster and at the bottom, under the list of 66 names, is the line: “There are no victors in war, only victims.” Chris was born in 1947, two years after the Second World War ended. His seven-yearold sister Mary was one of 28 people killed at Roseberry Road in Bath when a 500kg bomb hit a public air raid shelter. It also claimed the lives of four other family members. His sister Shirley, who was four, survived the bombing while his mother lost a leg above the knee after she was hit by shrapnel. It is believed the intended target of the bomb was either the nearby Somerset and Dorset Railway junction or the gas works. A memorial at the Spring Wharf development at Roseberry Road was unveiled in 2019 bearing the names of those who died in the air raid shelter and is named Mary’s Walk after his sister.
News in Brief Firefighters tackle farm and hedge blaze Firefighters from Bath were called to a fire involving items at a farm and a section of nearby hedge on Lansdown Road in Charlcombe. Crews were alerted at 2.53pm on Monday 24th August and found the fire well alight when they arrived at the scene. Firefighters used two highpressure hose reels and drag forks to bring the flames under control and extinguish the blaze. The cause of the fire is believed to have been accidental.
Parks and green spaces retain Green Flags Seven parks and green spaces across Bath have once again been recognised with Green Flag Awards for the quality of their upkeep and facilities. Alexandra Park, Haycombe Cemetery, Bloomfield Green, Hedgemead Park, Henrietta Park, Royal Victoria Park and Sydney Gardens have all retained the internationally recognised standard. Each of the seven sites has received the award on multiple occasions, reflecting the work carried out to maintain them for residents and visitors. Councillor Oli Henman, cabinet project lead for climate change, said: “I’m proud that the hard work and dedication of our Parks team, Bereavement Services team and volunteers has resulted in seven Green Flag wins once again.”
Weather Forecast Fri 28th Sat 29th Sun 30th Mon 31st Tue 1st Wed 2nd Thu 3rd
(4th to 10th September) Expected to stay unsettled, with more rain on the way. A chance of strong winds for the region, then turning drier with temperatures around average.
We’re proud to work with some of Bath’s best known brands and companies Book your FREE consultation with us 01225 585085 studio@mediabath.co.uk
MediaBath
Long range forecast:
Struggling with social media for your business?
22°c 23°c 21°c 20°c 21°c 22°c 22°c
P4
www.bathecho.co.uk
Friday 28th August - Thursday 10th September 2026
Council rolling out more 20mph city limits despite concerns Becky Feather Reporter
20MPH routes are being rolled out on four key routes into Bath after consultations which drew support but also comments about the lower limit being unnecessary and that it will deter some people from coming to the city. The existing 30mph stretch of Lansdown Road will drop to 20mph, as will the 30mph limits on the A4 London Road West, the A4 Newbridge Road / Upper Bristol Road, and the A431 Kelston Road / Newbridge Hill. Bath & North East Somerset Council’s cabinet member for sustainable transport delivery, Councillor Lucy Hodge, reviewed comments and responses from the traffic management team, highways and traffic groups, and backs all the proposals. Under delegated powers, the council’s director for place management decided that the objections received “are not acceded to”. Traffic Regulation Orders for the new limits are now being advertised and are due to come into effect on 9th October. In a pre-consultation, Avon and Somerset Police’s traffic management unit had said they did not support the proposed 20mph speed limit on Lansdown Road from St Stephen’s Church to the junction with Granville Road. The unit said the speed data provided “is not commensurate with the 20mph speed limit being proposed”, while First Bus flagged up that from a trial run, it found it wouldn’t be able to operate the Lansdown Park & Ride on the current timetable. In the consultation, the council received 18 comments of support about extending the 20mph limit on Lansdown Road. A further four were partly in support. There were 13 objections and one partial objection. “The main reason of my support is the large number of children using that section of Lansdown Road, with many of them crossing the road”, said one supporter. “As a resident myself, too often, despite the 30mph limit, I see vehicles moving well over the speed limit.” Another said they’d heard from parents who are fearful of their children cycling to school on Lansdown Road because of “traffic anxiety”. One objector observed: “Lansdown Road is a main artery into Bath. it is wide and straight as are the pavements on both sides. Visibility for both pedestrians and vehicle drivers is good. “Reducing the limit by one third is unnecessarily restrictive. “The issue of schools is a red herring because a 20mph restriction is already in place at busy school times.” Another objector said: “Imposing a lower speed limit will slow my journey times, both as a car
driver/passenger and particularly as a bus passenger when using the Park & Ride where an already sluggish service will be reduced to a torturous meander. “This will make Bath even more of an obstacle than it already is, deterring me and other people from the wider region using Bath as a regional centre. I have already reduced my trips into Bath because of the extremely slow access, making shopping there uncompetitive with other centres. “Extending journey times further will probably rule it out as a destination for me. It is highly likely this limit will further depress Bath’s retail trade.” In response to concerns, a council report said the suitability of a speed limit is not decided solely by road width, alignment or visibility. “Current national and local guidance recognises that speed management should also take account of surrounding land uses, pedestrian activity, cycling activity, educational facilities, bus stops, crossing demand and the overall function of the route within the local community.” The report said that although existing school-time restrictions provide protection during arrivals and departures, pedestrian activity is not limited to school hours. In response to the London Road West consultation, there were six objections and one in support. The new limit will stretch from the existing 20mph speed limit near the Gloucester Road junction to the 20mph at High Street in Batheaston. Several objectors stated that London Road West is a wide, strategic A road with good visibility and does not naturally encourage speeds as low as 20mph. However, in response, the council report said the suitability of a speed limit is not determined solely by road width or classification. “The proposal has been developed on the basis that lower vehicle speeds can contribute to a safer and more attractive environment for vulnerable road users and support wider active travel objectives.” Reference was made in the consultation to poor compliance levels on other 20mph roads, such as in Midford. The council responded: “The existence of non-compliance elsewhere does not in itself demonstrate that a speed limit is inappropriate or incapable of delivering benefits at this location.” The consultation on introducing a 20mph limit on the A431 Kelston Road / Newbridge Hill – from Oldfield School to the junction with the A4 Upper Bristol Road – received seven comments of support, two of partial support
Inset: The A431 outside Newbridge Surgery | Above: The A4 Newbridge Road
and three objections. Among those endorsing it was a Newbridge Hill resident who said: “The straightness, width and lack of kerbside parking along much of the road, along with no speed signs at all, seem to encourage some drivers to assume the national speed limit applies. “This is through an area which includes two schools, accommodation for people with learning difficulties (deaf and vulnerable), access to NHS mental health facilities, and a busy GP surgery/pharmacy.” Comments of objection included concerns that queuing traffic will impact emergency access to the Royal United Hospital. But the council said that whilst Kelston Road forms part of an important route serving the hospital, the introduction of a 20mph speed limit is not expected to have an adverse impact on overall traffic flow. “The proposal relates to a change in the speed limit only and does not introduce physical trafficcalming features such as speed humps, road narrowings or
Concern over tailgating on routes During the consultation, concern was raised that making key routes into Bath 20mph may increase driver anxiety, with those trying to stick to the limit feeling pressured by impatient motorists. The council recognised concerns but said: “Speed limits are established to provide a clear and legal standard for all road users. Compliance with the limit remains a matter for individual drivers. “The possibility that some motorists may choose not to comply does not in itself justify retaining a higher limit.”
chicanes.” The council said emergency service operators had been given the opportunity to comment on the proposal. The proposal to bring in a 20mph limit on the A4 Newbridge Road, north west of its junction with Old Newbridge Hill and along Upper Bristol Road to the existing 20mph limit, prompted 16 comments of support and 18 objections. One of those in favour said: “I have lived in Newbridge Road for over 10 years and have become increasingly concerned about the number of drivers who are clearly exceeding the current speed limit. I would wholly welcome a 20mph limit for safety, noise and environmental reasons.” Another said they were supportive of a speed reduction, especially with the Hartwells redevelopment site likely to add around 300 more residents in the area. Several objectors suggested that a reduction from 30mph to 20mph will result in increased congestion, longer journey times and delays to buses and hospitalrelated traffic.
The council said: “The importance of maintaining reliable access to the Royal United Hospital is recognised, along with the concerns raised regarding staff commuting, patient access, ambulance movements and bus service reliability. “However, the proposed 20mph speed limit would not materially affect access to the hospital. Existing delays experienced on the corridor are primarily associated with junction operation, parking activity, peakperiod demand and general network congestion. “Similarly, delays affecting bus services are generally influenced by overall traffic conditions, passenger boarding times and network congestion. “It is considered that the proposed 20mph speed limit would not significantly affect bus journey reliability beyond existing constraints.” Comments also suggested that pedestrian crossings, junction improvements and parking management might provide greater safety benefits. The council said that falls outside the scope of the current proposal.
Campaign to make England’s first 20mph city
The campaign group Bath 20mph City says: “Bath is 8 miles of tarmac away from being England’s first 20mph city. We are campaigning for that by the end of 2027.” A petition to Councillor Lucy Hodge, cabinet member for sustainable transport delivery, calls on the council to lower the speed limit on the three routes that make up the remaining 30mph network. They are the Lower Bristol Road (A36), Wellsway/Wells Road (A367) and the southern periphery of Bath which campaigners say is used as a kind of “bypass” and the reason why the council recently placed a weight restriction on the route to stop HGVs using it. “Yet the route, which encompasses Whiteway Road, Rush Hill, Frome Road, Bradford Road, North Road and Claverton Down Road, is a largely a residential neighbourhood. It generally has buildings each side, and several of these are schools.” The group says that along or close to this route are 11 schools. “Once you factor in all the other local destinations such as Haycombe Cemetery, GP surgeries, dentists, shops, it is clear this is a road that should be safe for people, because it is used intensively by people who live in the area. Instead, we have a wall of traffic that at times divides the community.”
Issue 137
P5
Interested in advertising? Call 01225 585484
Man, 44, admits threatening armed Tunnel repairs set to police with crossbow in Bath cause rail disruption
A GWR train arriving in Bath | Photo © Colin Peachey / Shutterstock.com
Armed police at the scene
A 44-YEAR-OLD man appeared at Bath Magistrates’ Court in custody to face charges including threatening four police officers with a crossbow. It followed an incident at Weston Lock on Monday, 24th August. Armed police had been called to the area after receiving a call at about 6.15pm from a member of the public believing they had seen a man acting in a threatening manner with a weapon on a boat on the River Avon. Police said the boat was brought to shore and one man was arrested. There were no injuries.
Access to the nearby retail park was restricted as a precaution. Five charges were read out to Warwick Harrison, a lorry driver, of Stackpool Road in Bristol, when he appeared before District Judge Lynne Matthews on Wednesday, 26th August. He admitted unlawfully and intentionally threatening the officers with a crossbow in a public place in such a way that there was an immediate risk of serious physical harm. Harrison also pleaded guilty to unlawfully and intentionally threatening his neighbouring
A cordon was put in place
boater with a sword in a public place. He admitted causing criminal damage to the neighbour’s gate, bird feeder and TV aerial. However, Harrison denied a further charge of threatening the man with a saw in a private place. He also denied a charge of affray which caused those at the scene to fear for their personal safety. District Judge Matthews remanded Harrison in custody. He is due to appear at Bristol Crown Court on Monday 28th September for a trial preparation hearing.
Becky Feather Reporter
BATH & North East Somerset Council has granted listed building consent to Network Rail to do essential repairs to a tunnel designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel on the edge of Bath. The Great Western Railway line will have to be closed for the works on the 40-metre Twerton Short Tunnel, which is said to be in “poor condition”. Consent was granted for the rebuild of the upside wingwall 20 years ago and again in 2010, but these works were never carried
out so the permissions lapsed. The tunnel was built around 1840, and the portals are Grade II* listed due to their special architectural and historic interest and importance within the early development of the railway network nationally. Network Rail said in the application that “careful consideration” would be required to minimise the impact of any closures. The planned works will include tunnel lining repairs and the upside wingwall will need to be taken down and rebuilt to deal with structural issues, as will the parapets which are said to be “heavily displaced and distorted”.
WE TAKE THE DRAMA OUT OF MAKING A WILL. Will Writing Meet with a local professional and receive full guidance and support. Family & Property Trusts Ensure your loved ones receive the maximum benefit by protecting your estate with trusts. Lasting Powers of Attorney Give someone the power to make decisions on your behalf, no matter what happens. Probate Services Our specialists help make a difficult time as stress-free and straightforward as possible.
Contact us today
0117 952 0698 elm-online.co.uk 765 Fishponds Road, Bristol, BS16 3BS
P6
Friday 28th August - Thursday 10th September 2026
www.bathecho.co.uk
Knife crime funding to Parking charge changes come into extend marshal patrols effect following consultations
Some of Bath BID’s City Marshals | Photo © Bath BID
Becky Feather Reporter
BATH’S City Marshals have started providing extended patrols across Friday and Saturday evenings from 5pm to 10.30pm. Following a successful partnership last year, Avon and Somerset Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner have awarded Bath Business Improvement District (BID) funding through the Knife Crime Concentration Fund to deliver high-visibility patrols across the city centre. BID says that while Bath
continues to experience relatively low levels of knife crime, this funding supports a proactive approach to keeping the city safe. “The patrols will help deter anti-social behaviour, support police efforts to prevent serious violence, and provide reassurance to businesses, residents, and visitors. This additional funding will ensure full City Marshal coverage during the busiest weekend periods, eliminating any gaps in service while providing support for businesses across the city centre.” The patrols started on Friday, 14th August. Businesses can contact the City Marshals via Channel 1 on their Citylink radios.
A SERIES of changes to parking charges across Bath and North East Somerset came into effect on Tuesday, 25th August, following public consultations. Among the measures introduced by Bath & North East Somerset Council are new size-based charges for residents’ parking permits. The council said the change reflects the increasing variation in the size of vehicles using local roads, with larger vehicles taking up more space when parked and potentially having a greater impact on visibility and safety. It said the new system is intended to ensure motorists whose vehicles use more of the limited public road space make a greater contribution towards its management and maintenance. The changes form part of the council’s wider approach to road safety, sustainable transport and managing available road space. Other measures include a 20% increase in charges for onstreet parking permits, and phased increases in the price of Residents’ Parking Zone visitor permits. Parking charges have also been introduced on Weston Road in
Get your newspaper delivered! We’re pleased to offer a subscription service to ensure you never miss a copy of the Bath Echo
Permits will be based on the size of vehicles
Bath. From 1st October, motorists who park at Bath’s three Park & Ride sites without using the bus service will see the 24-hour parking charge rise from £3 to £4. Councillor Joel Hirst, cabinet member for sustainable transport strategy, said: “These changes will help us manage parking in a way that supports road safety, sustainability and fairness for all road users. “Research shows that larger vehicles like SUVs pose a greater risk to pedestrians and cyclists in collisions, with children particularly vulnerable. “By introducing size-based
permit charges, we are encouraging the use of smaller, safer and cleaner vehicles. I’d like to thank everyone who took part in the consultations, your feedback has helped shape the final proposals.” The final measures were drawn up after feedback was received from residents, businesses and other stakeholders. The council had previously proposed extending charges at Bath Hill East car park in Keynsham to Saturdays, but withdrew the plan after residents and businesses raised concerns about affordability and the possible impact on local footfall.
MediaBath BATH’S MEDIA AGENCY Does your business need help with any of these?
To start your subscription, visit www.subscribe.bathecho.co.uk, call 01225 585484 or fill in the form below Title Address
First Name
CONTACT US TODAY
Surname Postcode
Email Address: Telephone Number:
(*All fields are required)
Monthly (£5/month) Quarterly (£12/quarter) Annual (£40/year) Payment via: Credit/Debit Card Cheque Telephone Card Number:
Social Media Management Graphic Design Services Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) Google Ads & Paid Campaigns Website Design & Build Email Marketing Brand Guidelines Google My Business
Expiry: _ _ / _ _
CVV/CVC: _ _ _
Post your completed form to “Subs - Bath Echo, PO Box 5395, Bath, BA1 0YA” If you’d like to pay by cheque, please make it payable to ‘Media Bath Limited’.
Tel: 01225 585085 www.mediabath.co.uk
ECHO
We’re proud to produce the Bath Echo
Thinking About Live-in Care? It's good to be home. Our personalised live-in care provides dedicated, one-to-one support in the comfort of your own home. Whether you need companionship, help with daily routines or more complex care, our compassionate Care professionals are there to help you stay safe, independent and living life your way.
www.bluebirdcare.co.uk/bath 01225 982750 BBANES@bluebirdcare.co.uk
P8
Friday 28th August - Thursday 10th September 2026
www.bathecho.co.uk
House not built to planning permission branded ‘monstrous’ Becky Feather Reporter
A HOUSE on the edge of Bath which has not been built according to the agreed planning consent has been branded “monstrous”. More than 80 people have lodged objections to a retrospective application for changes to the property being built at the former nursery site in Bailbrook Lane, Lower Swainswick. The application is seeking: • A new basement area under the single-storey ground living area of 32 square metres • A new basement area under the single-storey ground kitchen area of 88 square metres • A new basement area next to the garage doors of 10 square metres • An amendment to the lower section of roof • An amendment to the roof of the second kitchen • An extra window at the front • A wider driveway to allow access from both directions. A report with the planning application says the site was taken on with the planning and technical drawings done, and the amendments were “necessary” at the time of construction to allow
for a safer build. Ward councillors Saskia Heijltjes and Joanna Wright (Lambridge, Green) say that given the enforcement history behind the application, the scale of the departures from what was approved and the number of objections, they want the amended plans referred to the planning committee for a decision if officers are minded to grant permission. The councillors say the original permission was granted for a selfbuild property, but the applicant has changed. They say that an enforcement investigation has found the building is out of alignment with its approved footprint and at least 1.2 metres taller than the approved height. “Even in its current, unfinished state, the building already stands taller than the listed church beside it, harming its setting, and this harm will only increase as roofing and finishes are added.” The councillors also flag up concerns about whether the drainage remains adequate, particularly given the history of flooding on this section of Bailbrook Lane. They add: “The cumulative effect of the changes to siting, height, volume, design and access
has fundamentally altered the development from the modest, hillside-stepped dwelling that was originally judged acceptable in the Green Belt and Conservation Area. “Using a variation of the approved plans list to regularise a building substantially built beyond what was approved, after construction has proceeded past the point raised in enforcement over a year ago, risks setting a precedent whereby approved plans become effectively indicative, rather than binding. “That would undermine public confidence in the planning system, in the Green Belt, and in the protection of heritage assets across the district.” One person writing on the council’s planning portal says: “I wish to object in the strongest terms at the blatant disregard this build has for planning law; it has carried on regardless, building bigger and higher than it had permission for, which is resulting in a monstrous building totally out of scale to its surroundings.” Another comments: “I strongly object to this retrospective planning application on the grounds that the development has been constructed in significant departure from the originally approved scheme.
A sign at the development in Bailbrook Lane
“The building is materially larger, higher, more prominent and differently positioned than approved, with changes to its footprint, massing, basement accommodation, roof design, levels, access arrangements and landscaping. “These alterations fundamentally alter the character and visual impact of the development and cannot reasonably be regarded as minor amendments. “The development causes harm to the openness and character of the Green Belt, the Bath Conservation Area, the World Heritage Site, the Cotswolds National Landscape and the
setting of the nearby Grade II listed former Bailbrook Mission Church. Its increased scale and prominence make it visually intrusive and out of keeping with the rural character of Bailbrook Lane. “There are also significant concerns regarding drainage, flood risk, groundwater impacts and highway safety.” The objector echoes the ward councillors’ concerns that approval of substantial unauthorised works carried out during an enforcement investigation would undermine confidence in the planning system.
Proposal for BT Street Hub is blocked over drug concerns John Wimperis
Local Democracy Reporter
PLANS to install a digital screen offering free phone calls in the city have been blocked over concerns it could be used to contact drug lines. BT wanted to replace some of its ageing 90s phone boxes in the city centre with a new BT street hub, as has been appearing in towns across the country. The street hub allows people to make free phone calls, charge their phone, and access WiFi, while hosting two large advertising screens on the side. It also includes a dedicated button to call 999. But Bath & North East Somerset Council blocked the plan after the police warned it could worsen anti-social behaviour and be used to contact drug lines. The council also said it would damage the value of the City of Bath UNESCO World Heritage Site. Now that decision has been upheld at appeal. BT’s plan would have seen the triangular KX300 phone kiosks on Charles Street removed, and the new street hub installed outside Kingsmead Entertainment Centre on James Street West. In their application for planning permission, the company said: “Street hubs will provide a sleek and modern answer to the demands of a digitally connected society.”
How the proposed Street Hub would have looked | Image © BT
But Avon and Somerset Police raised major concerns about the scheme with the council. The force’s “designing out crime” officer Jason Price said: “We are concerned that the provision of a new device that will facilitate WiFi access and free calls at this location will see it being misused to contact drug lines around the Kingsmead quare and surrounding area.” He said the police had warned BT four years ago that the nearby phone/cash machine on New Street was being used to contact drug lines. The police said: “BT have refused to engage or consider removal of the phone due to the income it produces, and as such this gives me no confidence that, should drug dealing increase at the location, that BT would be a responsible partner in addressing those problems.”
The police also claimed that BT street hubs in other areas had been used for buying drugs. One officer from Tower Hamlets, where a BT street hub was also installed, said: “Our local CCTV operatives at Tower Hamlets have images showing groups of drug users forming an orderly queue to use the phone on these booths to order drugs using the free 30-second call that is provided.” Sergeant Michelle Munro of Bath’s neighbourhood policing team added: “‘The proposed installation of street hubs in Kingsmead Square and surrounding locations raises significant concerns given the existing challenges in the area. We already experience persistent issues such as drug dealing, street drinking, a visible homeless community, and frequent incidents of antisocial behaviour.” She warned: “Introducing street
hubs into this environment would likely exacerbate these issues rather than alleviate them. Street hubs, with features such as free Wi-Fi, phone charging, free calls, and large 75-inch colour screens, are likely to attract loitering and create new congregation points. “The presence of these hubs could contribute to an atmosphere of intimidation and unease for residents, business owners, and visitors.” The council refused planning permission for the street hub in March, citing the risk that it could “compromise public safety and security” as well as concerns it would not fit into the historic city. BT lodged an appeal, insisting it would not harm public safety and calling the police’s claims “speculative”. BT said: “They are largely based on generalised assumptions
regarding the potential for antisocial behaviour rather than evidence demonstrating a direct causal relationship with the proposed development. “While it is recognised that the wider area experiences certain challenges associated with the night-time economy, this does not in itself justify attributing those issues to the proposed street hub.” BT is obligated to provide public communications equipment and is introducing the street hubs to replace ageing phone boxes. BT said: “The presence of a functioning, illuminated structure may deter anti-social behaviour rather than encourage it, particularly when combined with regular monitoring and maintenance. “The provision of free communication services, including emergency contact capability, represents a positive contribution to the usability and resilience of the public realm.” But inspector JJ Evans upheld the council’s decision. Their ruling stated: “The scheme would harm the character and appearance of the area and would unacceptably affect the setting of nearby listed buildings, as well as fail to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area and the World Heritage Site. “There would also be unacceptable public safety impacts.”
Issue 137
P9
Interested in advertising? Call 01225 585484
Wessex Water imposes first hosepipe Council teams begin ban in 50 years due to dry weather water-saving action A HOSEPIPE ban has been introduced across the Wessex Water region after prolonged dry weather and record levels of demand for water. The restrictions came into force on Tuesday 18th August, and affect around 1.4 million customers, including households in Bath and parts of Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire. It is the first hosepipe ban imposed by Wessex Water for 50 years, with the previous restrictions introduced during the drought of 1976. Customers are prevented from using hosepipes for activities including watering gardens, washing cars, patios, paths and driveways, cleaning windows and filling swimming or paddling pools. Wessex Water announced the restrictions following more than 40 days of record-breaking water demand and the region being formally declared in drought. Demand has consistently remained above 400 million litres per day, around 30% higher than the average for this time of year. Chief executive Ruth Jefferson said: “After 50 years without a hosepipe ban in the Wessex Water region – the first since the famous
drought of 1976 – this isn’t a decision we’ve made lightly and we’re sorry for the inconvenience it will cause. We know so many of our customers have already been taking steps to save water and we’re incredibly grateful for their support so far this summer. It makes such a difference. “But the prolonged and extreme dry weather has meant demand across our region has consistently remained at more than 400 million litres per day, 30% above average for this time of year and the equivalent of almost half a million hosepipes running for a full hour every day. “While we’re not running out of water for essential use, our challenge has been moving water through the network quickly enough to meet these record levels of demand. This also has an impact on our underground storage reservoirs, which normally replenish with treated water quickly.” Larger business customers which use significant amounts of water are being contacted and encouraged to cut non-essential consumption. Households are
asked to continue conserving water by allowing lawns to turn brown, using watering cans for plants, reusing washing-up water, keeping showers short and avoiding unnecessary car washing. Paddling pools can still be filled using buckets or watering cans, with customers encouraged to cover them when not in use. ■ Bristol Water ban in force too Bristol Water, whose area includes North East Somerset, this week introduced temporary restrictions on hosepipe use to protect resources in the River Severn. The temporary restrictions came into effect from yesterday, Thursday 27th August. During periods of dry weather, Bristol Water takes over half of its water from river sources, including the River Severn via the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, to help manage reservoir levels. Bristol Water is asking customers, businesses and visitors to the region to use water wisely by taking shorter showers, turning off taps while brushing teeth and only running washing machines and dishwashers with full loads.
DISCOVER OUR HOME CARE SERVICES
You don’t have to do this alone. When caring for someone you love starts to feel overwhelming, having the right support can make all the difference. Your local Bath home care team is here to support your loved one in their own home, giving you complete peace of mind.
somersetcare.co.uk
0800 817 4928
Not for profit, all for you.
BATH & North East Somerset Council has introduced a series of measures to reduce water use across its parks and green spaces following the prolonged period of hot and dry weather. The changes come amid growing concern over pressure on water resources after the region saw its first hosepipe ban in 50 years. The council said it remains committed to reducing consumption while continuing to maintain public spaces, protect environmental assets and deliver essential services. Measures include stopping the use of hosepipes on flowerbeds and displays in parks and open spaces. Watering at the council nursery has also been restricted to supplies from its internal reservoir, with priority given to plants most at risk of dying. The council is reviewing its treewatering programme to focus on newly planted trees most vulnerable to prolonged dry conditions. Hanging baskets are now only being watered where contractual obligations are in place. The council said its hanging baskets and planters are fitted with built-
in reservoirs, allowing watering rounds to be reduced. Councillor Oli Henman, cabinet project lead for climate change, said: “This prolonged spell of hot, dry weather has been really tough on our parks and green spaces and we’re carefully considering how we use water and where it is most needed to protect them. “Our teams have already changed the way we operate to reduce the amount of water we use and will keep looking for new ways to bring that amount down even further, as well as considering more rainwater capture and storage in future. “We’re working hard to strike the right balance between conserving water and protecting the amazing green spaces that make our area such a special place.” The council said climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather, including longer periods of hot and dry conditions, and is influencing how parks, planting schemes and green spaces are managed. Future planting decisions will increasingly take account of how resilient different plants and trees are likely to be in changing climate conditions.
P10
Friday 28th August - Thursday 10th September 2026
www.bathecho.co.uk
Crime & Court
Interested in sponsoring this section? Get in touch: advertise@bathecho.co.uk
Former teacher in court after being Man emptied bag of charged with child sex offences locusts inside city shop A 60-YEAR-OLD man has appeared before Bath magistrates to deny five alleged sexual offences involving a child. Darian Nelson, from Peasedown St John, is a former Bath drama teacher and has been involved in the drama circuit in the local area for over two decades. Until last week, he also had a show on local radio station Somer Valley FM. The Midsomer Norton-based community radio station confirmed to the Echo that a presenter had been suspended. Nelson faces two charges of engaging in sexual activity in Bath with a girl under the age of 13 between 25th January 2020 and 27th August 2023. He is also accused of assaulting a girl under 13 in Bath on 25th January 2020 by intentional touching, and a similar assault charge between 25th January 2020 and 27th August 2023. In addition, it is alleged that Nelson engaged in sexual
Bath Magistrates’ Court
communication with the child in Bath between the same dates. To each charge read out in court on Wednesday 19th August, Nelson replied: “Not guilty.” Magistrates committed the case to Bristol Crown Court where Nelson is due to appear for a trial preparation hearing on 18th September. He was granted
conditional bail. Somer Valley FM said that in line with its policies, it had suspended a presenter from its schedule. “While the case is ongoing, we are in no position to offer further comment.” Nelson last presented his show, Old New Borrowed and Blues, on Monday 17th August.
A MAN emptied a bag of locusts inside a Bath store, city magistrates heard. Skate shop Route One in The Corridor was forced to close while the store was cleaned up following the incident on 4th June. Appearing in court on Wednesday, 19th August to face five charges was George Chapman. The 29-year-old admitted displaying a visible representation which was threatening or abusive and likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. He pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to clothing in the shop to the value of more than £200 and causing £350 damage to a window pane. He also admitted stealing trainers worth £200 from Route One. The fifth offence, to which Chapman also pleaded guilty, was using threatening or abusive words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour likely to cause
Route One in The Corridor
harassment, alarm or distress guilty on 1st June. It related to a disturbance near his parents’ home in Bath, the court heard. Chapman, of Beech Avenue, Claverton Down, had no previous convictions. Magistrates adjourned sentencing until 14th October. The Probation Service has been asked to prepare a pre-sentence report which will include both mental health and alcohol treatment assessments. Chapman was granted unconditional bail until then.
Suspended sentence for Naked burglar accused of using axe bloodied man with knife to threaten motorhome owner
Magistrates imposed a six-month custodial sentence
A 36-YEAR-OLD MAN was arrested after walking around Combe Down bloodied and wielding a knife. At his appearance at Bath Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 19th August, Robert Marchant, of Bradford Park, admitted that without good reason or lawful authority, he was in possession of a large kitchen knife in a public place on 25th July. Police had received reports of a shirtless man with blood on his face carrying a knife. He was accompanied by others. When officers arrived at Queens Drive, Marchant placed the knife on the ground and they seized it. He told police he had been attacked by someone he knew from behind so had picked up a knife to protect himself and his family. Marchant was arrested
and initially taken to the Royal United Hospital. He told police he would probably not have used the knife, but it was a reaction to being assaulted. Representing Marchant, who works as a painter and decorator, duty solicitor Ned Kemp said the defendant had been “sucker punched” but that arming himself with a knife had been a “poor decision” not proportionate to the threat. Mr Kemp said the behaviour had been out of character for Marchant who had no relevant previous convictions. Magistrates imposed a six-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years. They ordered Marchant to pay £85 costs to the Crown Prosecution Service and a court surcharge of £154. They also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the knife.
IT was alleged in court that the owner of a motorhome which had broken down near Bath returned to the vehicle to find a naked burglar who wielded an axe and had caused extensive damage to the interior with faeces and bodily fluids. Appearing in custody at the dock at Bath Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 12th August, to deny four charges was 34-year-old Mathew Leggett. They all relate to Monday 10th
August. The vehicle was parked in a layby near the Two Headed Man junction on the A39 Wells Road. It is said that Leggett, of Radstock Road in Midsomer Norton, entered it as a trespasser with intent to do unlawful damage, threatened the owner with an offensive weapon, and intentionally exposed his genitals, intending that someone would see them and be caused alarm or distress.
The complainant’s anonymity is protected under Section 1 of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992. Leggett, who was arrested by police, faces a fourth charge of assaulting a constable in the execution of his duty. Magistrates committed the case to Bristol Crown Court and granted Leggett, a labourer, unconditional bail until the plea and trial preparation hearing, which will be on 2nd September.
Man given community order for wielding knife at butcher’s shop A 23-YEAR-OLD man who brandished a knife after complaining about early morning noise from a nearby Bath butcher’s shop has been given a community order under which he must complete 100 hours of unpaid work. Ross Christy first appeared in court in May in relation to the incident which happened on 7th October last year at Terry & Son butchers in London Street in Walcot. Christy admitted two charges – possessing a knife in public without good reason and using
threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to provoke violence – and magistrates adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report from the Probation Service. Christy, whose current address is Walcot Buildings, was back in court for his sentencing on Monday 10th August. The court heard that the business owner had never seen Christy before and he and his staff had started work at the same time they always did and were not making a noise. When interviewed by police,
Christy said he had decided to take a knife with him as he was going to a butcher’s shop where there would be knives. After reading the pre-sentence report, magistrates imposed a 14-month community order which as well as the unpaid work, includes a nine-month mental health treatment requirement (MHTR) and 11 rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) days. Christy must also pay prosecution costs of £85 and a court surcharge of £114. Magistrates ordered the deprivation of the knife.
Issue 137
P11
Your City, Your News - Bath Echo
Behaviour was ‘blip’ in Victim left needing man’s road to recovery surgery after attack
Jones was fined and ordered to pay prosecution costs
A 51-YEAR-OLD man who told a woman he would set his dog on her has been fined by Bath magistrates after admitting his threatening behaviour caused harassment, alarm or distress. The court heard that Paul Jones’ dog had been tied to a tree outside his home in Maple Drive in Westfield on 8th April, but the rope snapped and a woman walking by with her cockerpoo feared an attack. When the defendant came out, he was said to be aggressive as onlookers tried to calm the situation. At Jones’ court appearance on Monday 10th August, magistrates heard that he had felt people were “ganging up” on him at the time.
The woman said in a statement that she had changed her daily routine following the incident to avoid going along Maple Drive. She spoke of her fear that he might find out where she lives. The court heard that Jones has a long list of previous convictions but no longer takes Class A drugs and has stable accommodation after being homeless for 25 years. He is said to be doing very well and gets help from the charity Alongside. The incident on 8th April was described as a “blip” in his road to recovery. Magistrates fined Jones, who is on benefits, £120. They also ordered him to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a £48 court surcharge. They wished him good luck for the future.
A MAN who fractured another man’s jaw in three places outside Morrisons on London Road in Bath has been remanded in custody prior to his sentencing at Bristol Crown Court. On Wednesday 19th August, 34-year-old Yousef Harwood was brought before Bath magistrates to admit unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm on Mario Dutra. The court heard that police had received a 999 call from Mr Dutra about 4.40pm on 12th August to say he had been assaulted. He was struggling to talk because of his injury and bleeding mouth. Mr Dutra was taken to the city’s Royal United Hospital where he underwent surgery for the insertion of plates in his jaw. He told police the incident had left him traumatised and he did not know why he had been attacked by Harwood. The court heard that the two men know each other. Harwood, of no fixed address, was represented by duty solicitor Ruth Tily. She told magistrates that the complainant had damaged Harwood’s tent and when he saw
Mr Dutra, he punched him but had no intention of causing any serious damage and is “sincerely sorry” and “mortified” by what he did. She said Harwood has been street homeless for some time and has had a drug problem for many years. He is also due to be sentenced for a £11,420 burglary which he has admitted. On 1st July he stole sunglasses from Cutlers and Gross on Bridge Street in Bath after entering as a trespasser. Magistrates committed Harwood in custody to Bristol Crown Court, saying he would likely receive a substantial custodial sentence beyond their powers. The Probation Service has been asked to prepare a pre-sentence report for the judge. Harwood will be sentenced on 8th September. ■ As we reported earlier this month, Michael Morgan, a 47-year-old homeless man, admitted handling the sunglasses that were stolen from Cutlers and Gross and which were recovered. He is due to be sentenced for this and other crimes at Bristol Crown Court on 2nd September and is currently on unconditional bail.
Why do we ‘name and shame’ in our stories? Since the introduction of our Crime & Court section, we've been contacted by concerned members of the public, defendants and guilty parties regarding the inclusion of their names, ages, and partial addresses. We are proud to be able to provide court coverage of cases at Bath Magistrates' Court, something that many local newspapers are unable to do due to restricted time for their reporters. Reporting court cases acts as a deterrent against crime. Printing a defendant’s age and address stops anyone with the same name from being defamed. We do not have access to police or CPS files regarding cases, so everything reported is based on what the prosecution and defence say during a court hearing. HM Courts & Tribunals Service encourages and facilitates media access to courts and tribunals. We have the right to attend and report on proceedings held in open court, unless a statutory restriction applies, or a court order prevents this. Our stories are governed by the regulator IMPRESS, the Independent Monitor for the Press. We follow their dedicated Standards Code, which can be found at https://bit.ly/4n0d9qN
Business Asset and Debt Recovery • Dispute Resolution • Commercial Property Law • Corporate and Business Law • Employment and BattensHR • Trade Marks and Intellectual Property • Personal Asset and Debt Recovery • Dispute Resolution • Employment • Family Law and Divorce • Residential Conveyancing • Personal Injury • Residential Landlord and Tenant Issues • Property Dispute Resolution • Wills, Trusts, Probate and Estate Administration • Agricultural & Rural Legal Services • Planning • Media, Entertainment and Technology Law • Clinical and Medical Negligence • Business Asset and Debt Recovery • Dispute Resolution • Commercial Property Law • Corporate and Business Law • Employment and BattensHR • Trade Marks and Intellectual Property • Personal Asset and Debt Recovery • Dispute Resolution • Employment • Family Law and Divorce • Residential Conveyancing • Personal Injury • Residential Landlord and Tenant Issues • Property Dispute Resolution • Wills, Trusts, Probate and Estate Administration • Agricultural & Rural Legal Services • Planning • Media, Entertainment and Technology Law • Clinical and Medical Negligence • Business Asset and Debt Recovery • Dispute Resolution • Commercial Property Law • Corporate and Business Law • Employment and BattensHR • Trade Marks and Intellectual Property • Personal Asset and Debt Recovery • Dispute Resolution • Employment • Family Law and Divorce • Residential Conveyancing 0800 • Personal 652Injury 8373• Residential Landlord and Tenant Issues • Property Dispute Resolution • Wills, Trusts, Probate and Estate Administration • Agricultural & Rural Legal Services • Planning • Media,battens.co.uk Entertainment and Technology Law • Clinical and Medical Negligence • Business Asset and Debt Recovery • Dispute Resolution • Commercial Property Law • Corporate and Business Law • Employment and BattensHR • Trade Marks and Intellectual Property • Personal Asset and Debt Recovery • Dispute Resolution • Employment • Family Law
Our experience, your future
OFFICES: Bath • Bridport • Castle Cary • Poundbury • Sherborne • Wareham • Yeovil
P12
Friday 28th August - Thursday 10th September 2026
www.bathecho.co.uk
Pictures from the Past A Shadeless Boulevard
How Great Pulteney Street once looked, lined with trees
Kirsten Elliott Akeman Press
ANYONE walking along Great Pulteney Street a couple of weeks ago, with Bath in the grip of yet another heatwave, might have been forgiven, despite the monumentality of its architecture, for wishing that a few trees had been planted to cast a bit of shade. As this week’s archive photo shows, trees did once line Great Pulteney Street, although they were not part of the original
scheme. In early photographs of the street there is not a tree in sight. Not until 1879 was it decided to plant some, and needless to say they were controversial from the start. Although most residents were in favour, some were most definitely not, and before long there were complaints that they were not being looked after properly. People seem to have got used to the idea, however, and in 1893 more were planted. Many, if not all, were sycamores, and in 1902 it was decided, as they were beginning to shoot up somewhat alarmingly, to start
replacing them with acacias. A few years later, however, when an arboriculturalist took a look at them, he informed the parks department that they were not acacias at all, but false acacias. And so the debate began as to what to replace them with. Fruit trees was one suggestion which not surprisingly failed to get the go-ahead, but, when a number of trees was felled by a storm in autumn 1935, the opportunity was taken to replace them with silver birches. Great Pulteney Street was still tree lined in 1959, but in December that year the
parks department started felling them so that new street lighting could be installed. Some people liked the new look, but the official line was that, once the lighting scheme was complete, new trees would be planted. A year later, however, when pressed to say when replanting would begin, the council replied that no decision had been taken. Sixty-six years later, that decision has still to be made, and, while silver birches still grace Laura Place, Great Pulteney Street remains the leafless boulevard its original developers envisaged.
COLUMN | Clare Moody, Labour Police and Crime Commissioner
I
N conversation with residents, businesses and community groups across Avon and Somerset, I consistently hear calls for visible policing. For police officers to be accessible, connected to local concerns and focused on the issues that matter most to them. That is why strengthening visible neighbourhood policing is a priority in my Police and Crime Plan and why I was very pleased to attend the official opening of the new Bath Police Station on Monmouth Street. The new station marks an important milestone for policing
in the city and represents a crucial investment in delivering our goal. I’ve worked closely with the Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police to ensure the new station is fit for purpose, financially viable and responds directly to what residents in Bath have been calling for. Located in the heart of the city, it places officers closer to the communities they serve and provides a visible location where residents can talk to officers faceto-face. Importantly, and for the first time since 2015, it brings the public
enquiry office, neighbourhood policing and response policing teams in Bath together under one roof. Bringing these functions together in a single, visible city-centre hub will strengthen day-to-day collaboration between teams, support faster information sharing and help deliver a more effective policing service for Bath’s communities. Ensuring the policing workforce has the right tools, information and working environment is essential if they are to deliver the high-quality service our communities expect and deserve.
The station has been designed to be inclusive, accessible and sustainable, with facilities that support the wellbeing of officers, staff and visitors. Ultimately, it responds directly to what you tell me is needed and provides a service that is equipped to respond effectively to local concerns. In a city like Bath, with more than 94,000 residents, around six million visitors a year, and a thriving retail, hospitality and night-time economy, it is vital that local policing is equipped to
meet demand. I know there is still more to do to address local concerns, that policing is frequently having to do more with less, and that rising demand continues to place pressure on resources. But I also know this new station is a significant step in the right direction. I look forward to seeing the impact it will have in Bath and to continuing to listen to residents and communities, so I can represent your voices and priorities within policing strategies.
Issue 137
Crossword
P13
Interested in advertising? Call 01225 585484
Congratulations to Tim Greenwood for winning £20! You can find the answers to last issue's crossword on page 24
Complete our crossword for your chance to win £20! Across 1 Total (3-2) 4 Fat bakers make a hash of the morning meal (9) 9 Framework of hexagonal cells (9) 10 Petty officer on a merchant ship (5) 11 Game with traps and checks (3,6) 12 Headed (5) 13 “Good Will Hunting” star (4,5) 15 Cheap WW2 sub-machine gun (4) 17 Of the present month (4) 19 Victories (9) 23 Overtly aggressive man (5) 24 Perceptive (9) 26 Where you are now (5) 27 Noiseless (9) 28 Aping (9) 29 Sides in an eternal battle (5)
Down 1 Belief that there is no God (7) 2 Not strict (7) 3 Cargoes (8) 4 Tolerate (5) 5 At an early stage (9) 6 Sticky snacks? (6) 7 Kind of rifle (7) 8 Switched on (5,2) 14 Il Duce (9) 16 Humiliates (8) 17 Tel Aviv native, for example (7) 18 Feudal Japanese warrior (7) 20 Support for an orator (7) 21 Artists’ models (7) 22 Battle of Jericho leader (6) 25 Colloquialism (5)
Entering our competition - via email or post For your chance to win £20, submit your full name, postal address and answers by email to puzzles@bathecho.co.uk or via post to: Crossword Competition 2808 Bath Echo, PO Box 5395, Bath, BA1 0YA The winner will be the first randomly opened entry with the correct answers on 09/09/2026. They will be notified using the details they provide when entering the competition. Winners will be given the option of receiving a High Street shopping voucher or be provided the £20 via a BACS transfer.
P14
Friday 28th August - Thursday 10th September 2026
www.bathecho.co.uk
Food & Drink
Sponsor this section! Get in touch with Rob Last via rob@mediabath.co.uk
Melissa Blease
Food Writer
Tasty Dates For Your Diary Pig out in style at Newton Farm (Newton St Loe) on Bank Holiday Monday, 31st August, when Hog Roast Rolls from a whole, spitroasted Newton Farm hog keep refuelling attention levels up at the epicentre of an open day that celebrates everything good about life on a local farm (10am-4pm; free entry; car park pass £5). www.newtonfarmfoods.co.uk Take a table under the awning at the Beckford Bottle Shop (Saville Row) on Wednesday 2nd September and prepare to peruse a diverse selection of Portuguese wines perfectly paired with an array of petiscos, aka Portuguese tapas (£50pp). www.beckfordbottleshop.com Buy one fully-loaded burger
Review
on Tuesdays at the Old Crown (Weston) - and you get a second one for free! Wednesdays, meanwhile, are all about perfect pizzas for just £12.50 while a clutch of Fish & Fizz Friday deals put a wallet-friendly spin on the concept of a Friday Feast. www.theoldcrownweston.co.uk Celebrate late summer flavours and ‘golden hour pairings’ at English Wine Chef Naomi Joy Smith’s 5-course Amber Warmth Summer Supper Club in Limpley Stoke on Friday 4th September. FFI/to book, email nai.j.smith@ gmail.com (£80pp, to include wine flight). www.englishwinechef.com The coffee is flowing, the ovens are on high alert and the shelves
are filled with legendary freshlymade doughnuts, perfect pastries and more: Pipp & Co has opened on New Street (adjacent to Kingsmead Square). www.pipp.co Cocktail Club has landed at the Bath Chophouse (Northumberland Place): sup a classy range of selected classics for just £6 between 3pm-6pm every Tuesday-Friday. www.bathchophouse.com Explore the Seven Gems of Sicily at Castle Farm (Midford) on Saturday 5th September when a very special supper club inspired by the cultural and culinary history of Sicily served in uniquely magical surroundings is set to seduce all the senses
Don’t delay: book TODAY! /@picnicinparkbath
Grab a 4-pint jug of beer for just £20 all day long every Sunday at The Cub (Shires Yard). www.electricbearbrewing.com
Perennially popular merry making hotspots Green Park Brasserie and the Bath Pizza Co are flaunting recently-refreshed menus featuring small plates and light bites that sit perfectly alongside long-established fave raves. To compliment the whole array, the Spritz Menu brings a range of spritzes to the party all at £6 a pop. www.bathpizzaco.com
Picnic in the Park (Upper Bristol Road) have unveiled a schedule of pop-up events that guarantee Friday foodie fabulosity all the way through to the end of December including the Jaipur Curry Club on Friday 4th September, Hawker Atelier’s Fine Dining Fusions on Friday 18th September, the legendary Our Table experience on Friday 23rd October, Sam Kaekaon’s Thai Night on Friday 27th November… and some VERY special Christmas events in December.
Bottomless Brunch at Bath Spa Hotel
Sydney Road, Bathwick Bath BA2 6NS 0344 879 9106 macdonaldhotels.co.uk/bath Sunday brunch is one of my favourite things and I’ve just found one of the best places in Bath to enjoy it. It was a hot August day when we visited the Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel in Sydney Road to try their Bottomless Brunch. The doors to the garden were open, bringing a lovely breeze into the Vellore Restaurant, where we were warmly welcomed. The surroundings of the one-time ballroom are sumptuous, yet the atmosphere is relaxed. The restaurant has two AA Rosettes and the £39-a-head Bottomless Brunch is available every Sunday from noon to 4pm. From the small plates menu (starters) I chose the rich and velvety duck liver parfait, perfectly coupled with onion chutney and toasted brioche. Mike selected the breaded monkfish cheeks served with lemon aioli and declared them very more-ish. The other tempting choices on the small plates menu are wild mushroom arancini with truffle sauce and aged Parmesan; a charcuterie board; English asparagus with bacon jam and Manchego custard; beef tartare with ale tapioca and cured egg yolk; and Scotch egg with garlic emulsion. For my main course I plumped for the pan-fried cod served with sweet potato puree, crispy kale and olive tapenade. It was melt-in-the-mouth delicious and I had room to help Mike who, as I expected, had gone for the very generous roast
(£60pp). www.castlefarmmidford.co.uk
rib of beef with a huge Yorkshire pudding, horseradish béarnaise, broccoli and carrots. We both dipped into the dish of smoked new potatoes with whipped feta on the side. The other dishes on the mains menu are the Sunday burger and chargrilled harissa chicken with almond and chilli sauce. For dessert Mike was more than pleased with his generous portion of buttermilk pancakes, served with seasonal berries and clotted cream. My choice was the lighter English strawberry tart with clotted cream parfait and strawberry consommé. Pastry
perfection. The other dessert menu options are a warm giant chocolate chip cookie, and banana custard with a rhubarb compote and ginger crumb. Bottomless Brunchers have the choice of limitless Peroni, house red and house white (both Spanish), mimosas and soft drinks. Mike had the beer and I enjoyed my white wine, a great choice with the fish. The Bottomless Brunch slot is 90 minutes, but we did not feel hurried. The service was great. It’s tremendous value and yes, we have booked to go back!
Experience a taste of la dolce vita at Antica (Pulteney Bridge): 2 courses for just £25 (3/£29) every Sunday-Friday from 12pm-7pm. www.anticabath.co.uk Read more from Melissa at: www.theprandialplayground.uk
Reviewed by
Becky Feather
Issue 137
P15
Your City, Your News - Bath Echo
What's On
Friday 28th August - Thursday 10th September 2026
Mavericks
Textile Tour
Bitton Church Fete
Sing for Hope!
The Egg Theatre 28th & 29th August Two schools. Drayton College and Bright Side Academy. One residential school trip to an old Anglo Saxon battle site on the Somerset levels. It’s historical re-enactment time. Game on!
American Museum & Gardens 4th September, 2pm-5pm As part of London Textile Month, join one of the textile specialists for an exclusive guided tour of the American Museum & Gardens’ internationally renowned textile collection.
St Mary’s Church, Bitton 5th September, 1pm Bitton’s annual church fete and dog show. Gates open at 1pm. Plenty of attractions including the famous egg throwing competition at the end of the day.
Bath Abbey 9th September, 6.30pm Join 250 children in a hope-filled evening of song, celebrating Voices for Life’s fifth anniversary! An inspiring, rainbow-themed musical journey to celebrate the power of children’s voices.
Bella Jazz
Country Roads
Leafy Legacies Tree Walk
Jazz Emu: The Pleasure Is All Yours
The Grapes 30th August, 4pm-6pm Beautiful jazz to make you smile, swing and dance. Let Bella’s voice and Judge Singh’s bass get you in the mood to enjoy the last of the summer. Free entry.
The Forum 4th September, 7.30pm Head along to the place you belong, for a night of the very best country classics. Leave your 9 to 5 worries at the door and get ready as you celebrate the Kings and Queens of country music.
The Circus 6th September, 2pm A guided urban tree walk through Bath, from Circus to Pulteney Bridge. This walk explores the variety of native and exotic trees which are literally ‘hiding in plain sight’ in central Bath.
Komedia Bath 9th September, 8pm Musical meteor Jazz Emu was born to please you. Following a tour of the US, a triumphant Edinburgh Fringe run and sell-out runs in London, Jazz Emu is back with a brand-new musical odyssey.
Open Farm Day 2026
Foodies Festival
Ezra Pound Is Dead
Pink Mist
Newton Farm 31st August, 10am-4pm Enjoy a family day out, packed with everything that makes farm life great. Meet local businesses and makers at their market stalls, enjoy live music and tuck into the famous hog roast.
Royal Victoria Park 4th – 6th September Watch MasterChef Champions, Michelin-starred and top local chefs cooking their signature summer recipes in the Chefs Theatre. Music includes Symphonic Ibiza, Boyzlife and Example.
BRLSI 7th September, 7.30pm Duncan McGibbon, poet and convenor, presents Ezra Pound, the imagist, translator and borrower. He wanted to “make it new”, despite the difficulty of defining that movement.
The Mission Theatre 9th – 12th September A rarely-performed drama told in verse that reverberates through the mind long after the final line. It follows three young men from Bristol as they confront the brutal reality of conflict.
Mahjong at the Museum
Weston Village Flower Show
Chef Dara Klein with La Trattoria
Bath Patchwork Project
The Museum of East Asian Art (MEAA) 1st September, 2pm–4.30pm The MEAA is now offering a new Mahjong club in their galleries. Working in collaboration with Milk Tea Mahjong, they will be hosting Mahjong sessions on the first Tuesday of each month.
All Saints Centre 5th September, 2.30pm Head along for the annual Weston flower and produce show. Featuring over 80 classes including flowers, vegetables, fruit, handicraft, art and photography. Admission £2.
Topping & Company Booksellers 8th September, 7pm Fresh from Brawn and Trullo, celebrated chef Dara Klein has just opened her own restaurant, Tiella on Colombia Road to huge acclaim and rave reviews. This is rustic southern Italian cooking.
The Holburne Museum 9th September, 10.30am-12.30pm The Holburne is proud to be hosting Bath Patchwork Project 26 for a morning of drop-in stitching, connection and creativity. A patchwork of people and place.
P16
Friday 28th August - Thursday 10th September 2026
www.bathecho.co.uk
Community
Later Living Expert
Council to roll out red reusable recycling bags Becky Feather Reporter
BATH & North East Somerset Council is to spend £235,000 on reusable red bags for households across the district to make it easier for people to recycle plastics and metal. It follows a trial of the bags by 500 households last year, which has been declared a success. Residents chosen to take part in the 12-week trial had the bags delivered to their homes in February 2025 and used them to recycle household plastic bottles, pots, tubs, and trays, and metal packaging such as tins, cans, foil, and aerosols. The areas were chosen to reflect the diverse types of properties and housing density, and residents were asked to give their feedback. In Bath, households in Coxley Drive in Larkhall, Vernham Grove in Odd Down, Lymore Gardens in Southdown and Lansdown Crescent took part. The trial also included selected roads in Keynsham, Saltford, Farmborough, Midsomer Norton, Radstock and Hinton Blewitt. The council says the decision has been taken to roll out the red lidded recycling bags to approximately 85,000
The red bags will the replace green plastic boxes | Photo © B&NES Council
households, replacing the existing green box and lid system. A report on the council’s website says: “The proposal follows a successful trial involving approximately 500 households which demonstrated improved recycling quality, reduced contamination, lower levels of litter, clearer recycling presentation for residents and lower container replacement costs. “The rollout to all homes will support cleaner streets, improve recycling performance, increase operational efficiency, and provide a more cost-effective
recycling container solution for the council.” The decision was taken by the council’s director of place management to approve £235,000 of capital expenditure, funded through Service Supported Borrowing, to enable the districtwide rollout during 2026/27. The investment will fund the “purchase, communication, and distribution” of approximately 85,000 bags and is expected to deliver ongoing operational and financial benefits, including reduced container replacement costs and improved quality of recyclable materials.
The report adds: “The proposal represents the preferred option following the recycling container trial and will allow the council to realise the benefits of the service change at the earliest opportunity.” Three other options were discounted. One was to continue using the existing green lidded box for cans and plastics but that was not considered viable as there are no additional benefits. The second was to replace containers on a request-only basis and provide a bag for cans and plastics recycling instead of a box. The report said that based on current annual replacement rates, it would take approximately 10 years to achieve full districtwide implementation of the red bags. “While this is a cost-effective option, it would be impractical for collection crews due to inconsistent bag coverage and could be confusing for residents.” The third option was to roll out the red recycling bags over two financial years (2026/27 and 2027/28) in line with the wider collection fleet replacement plan, which would have been a more economical approach but would delay the full benefits of improved material quality for resale and increased recycling capture rates, the report said.
Owner of Warleigh Weir site threatens closure John Wimperis
Local Democracy Reporter
THE council says it is working closely with the owner of the island at Warleigh Weir after he threatened to illegally block access to the swimming spot. Johnny Palmer, who bought the island next to Warleigh Weir near Bath eight years ago to safeguard the site, said that he was considering closing it to the public. He said “scummy people” had been lighting fires and barbecues despite the risk of wildfires. Mr Palmer is not able to close the site legally as a public right of way runs across it. Bath & North East Somerset Council had previously refused to allow him to close the public right of way, but said it also has concerns about public safety at the weir. Council cabinet member Manda Rigby said: “Our prime concern is, as always, the safety of the public. We continue to work closely with Mr Palmer to explore possible solutions to the concerns he has raised about the public right of way at Warleigh Weir, which we have discussed with him at a recent meeting with
local partners. “We also have concerns about anti-social behaviour, water monitoring, inadequate facilities and safety provision as well as safe access to this privately owned area. “We strongly advise people to be aware of the personal risks they are undertaking when visiting sites such as Warleigh Weir.” People have been going to Warleigh Weir to swim for more than a century. When the river flow is very low, the area upstream of the weir contains both shallow areas for paddling and deep areas for swimming. But there are dangers associated with the site. Weirs become highly dangerous for swimmers with more water, particularly underneath them where recirculating currents can be difficult or impossible to escape. Warleigh Weir is a wild swimming site with no lifeguarding, and accessing the site requires walking directly across railway tracks at a level crossing with a gate and traffic lights. The water quality is periodically tested but can vary. Mr Palmer’s company Warleigh Island Conservation Project Ltd
Warleigh Weir near Bath | Photo © IanRedding / Shutterstock.com
bought the island in 2017 with the aim of protecting the site and keeping it available. He opened a permanent sauna on the island last year. He has repeatedly warned that he might close the island to the public. In 2018, he warned it would close if people continued to leave litter. Earlier this summer, he called for the public right of way to be extinguished over concerns about railway safety. Now he says he is considering closing off access to the island to all but invited guests and sauna users due to the risk of fire, even if it means blocking the public right of way.
Four months in, and already part of Bath
A new care community is taking shape in Bath, combining highquality care, meaningful experiences and strong links with the wider city. Just four months after opening, Darcy Gardens is becoming much more than a care home. Senior General Manager Agnieszka Musial, known as Aga, and Clinical Deputy General Manager Monica Banaduc are leading the team and setting high standards for operational and clinical excellence. With new residents arriving every week, the purpose-built home is growing into a diverse and inclusive community where people can enjoy relationships, interests, culture and new experiences while receiving outstanding care. Its philosophy is that care should support a person’s whole life, not simply their care needs. Residents come from different ages, backgrounds and beliefs, each bringing their own story, routines and interests. The team aims to keep individuality at the heart of everyday life while friendships develop naturally. Community engagement is another major focus. Angela Grace, Home Services Advisor for Community Engagement, is building links across Bath with professional networks, businesses, cultural organisations and community groups. These relationships bring people and organisations into Darcy Gardens while helping residents stay connected with the city. Alongside clinical care, the home offers a life enrichment programme including music, poetry, exercise, gardening, games, social gatherings and visiting entertainers. Darcy Gardens’ minibus enables outings to gardens, churches, attractions and cultural venues, allowing residents to revisit familiar places or discover somewhere new. The home is developing relationships with Bath businesses and organisations, bringing expertise, creativity, education, arts, music and wellbeing opportunities into the community. Charity and fundraising events give residents, families, staff and visitors opportunities to support causes that matter to them and remain contributors to the wider community. Four months in, Darcy Gardens is still at the beginning of its journey, with new residents, partnerships and experiences continuing to shape the home. Its vision is clear: premium care, meaningful experiences and connection, with clinical expertise and life enrichment working together in a diverse, welcoming home that is becoming an active part of Bath.
Celebrating Life
Celebrating Life
Mr Palmer said: “I know it is an offence to block a public right of way, but when faced with breaking this law or seeing a vicious wildfire take place which could harm people and livestock, I have to do the brave thing and break one law to avoid a much more serious issue.” He said: “Some revolting scumbags also leave rubbish on the island, which is another issue, but it is the fires that are forcing me to close the island, in face of enforcement action against me.”
Find us on Facebook Just search “Bath Echo”
01225 562409 Oldfield Lane, Bath, BA2 3NR www.barchester.com/home/ darcy-gardens-care-home
P17
Issue 137
Your City, Your News - Bath Echo
Arson attempt and vandalism at centre
Bath care home team raises more than £1,600 in Tough Mudder
Becky Feather Reporter
POLICE have issued an appeal after a vandalism and attempted arson attack at Bath Area Play Project in Odd Down. Writing on Facebook, leaders of the project, based at the community centre in Odins Road, said they were “gutted” that the Astro playing surface had been damaged along with guttering and downpipes, and graffiti scrawled on the building. They said: “Thousands of pounds have only recently been spent replacing the Astro, so now the court is currently having to remain locked due to the vandalism which means the children/young people who use, enjoy and respect this space are the ones missing out.” After putting out an appeal for any local tradespeople or volunteers who could donate some time, skills or materials to help with the repairs, the project has thanked local firm TR Roofing & Scaffolding, which stepped up to help. Avon and Somerset Police said in a statement: “We received a
Odd Down Community Centre
report of criminal damage at Odd Down Youth Club, Odins Road, Bath, which is suspected to have been carried out between 3.30pm on Friday 14 August and 9.30am on Monday 17 August. “Damage has been caused to guttering, downpipes, graffiti has been left at the scene, and it appears an attempt was made to start a fire. “Crime prevention advice has been provided, and initial enquiries have been carried out. “We would appeal to any witnesses, those with information, and anybody with relevant CCTV or dashcam footage to call us on 101 quoting reference number 5226232739 or complete our online appeals form.”
The Stratton House team taking on this year’s challenge | Photo © MHA
STAFF and family members from a Bath care home have raised almost £1,700 after completing a Tough Mudder challenge in South Gloucestershire. Jake Grant, Louise Gascoigne, Anne Head and Camellia Ebert, who all work at MHA Stratton House, took part in the event at the Badminton Estate on 15th August. They were joined by Jake’s brother Luca and Anne’s daughter Olivia, with the group raising a total of £1,692.50 for the home. Tough Mudder events feature
5km and 15km obstacle courses designed to test strength, stamina and determination. Money raised by the team will be used to support residents at MHA Stratton House, which provides residential care for 33 people. Louise, who works as an activity coordinator, said: “This was the second time I took part in the challenge and just like last year it was great to be a part of. “Due to the weather being very hot across the country the course was a lot drier this year. “The Tough Mudder is great for team building and one thing that
I like about it is that it’s not a race and you do get plenty of support. “The atmosphere throughout the challenge was great and we were always supporting one another.” She added that the money raised would help fund trips and activities for residents, with plans due to be made soon. Louise said: “To raise the money we did is fantastic and will go a long way in supporting our residents. “I want to thank each and every one who took part, and also those who donated to our cause, it’s highly appreciated.”
9LVLW 2XU :HEVLWH )RU <RXU 1HDUHVW 6KRZURRP 9LVLW 2XU :HEVLWH )RU <RXU 1HDUHVW 6KRZURRP Z Z Z O L FINANCE I H D Q G P R& EHIRE L O L W \PURCHASE F R X N R U AVAILABLE 7 H O
SHOWROOM MOBILITY MOBILITY SHOWROOM Z Z Zwww.lifeandmobility.co.uk O L I H D Q G P R E L O L W \ F R Xor N Tel: R U 701225 H O 251601 ADJUSTABLE BEDS, LUXURY ADJUSTABLE BEDS ADJUSTABLE BEDS, RISE & RECLINE CHAIRS, LUXURY ADJUSTABLE BEDS RISE&&RECLINE RECLINE CHAIRS RISE CHAIRS, MOBILITY SCOOTERS, RISE & RECLINE CHAIRS - MADE TOSCOOTERS, ORDER OR MOBILITY LOCAL FAMILY RUN LOCAL FAMILY RUN WHEELCHAIRS, WALKING AIDS, - MADEFOR TO WALKING ORDER OR LOCAL FAMILY RUN STOCK CHAIRS QUICK DELIVERY! LOCAL FAMILY RUN WHEELCHAIRS, AIDS, DAILY LIVING PRODUCTS STOCK CHAIRS FOR QUICK DELIVERY! DAILY LIVING PRODUCTS MOBILITY SCOOTERS & STAIRLIFTS MOBILITY SCOOTERS & STAIRLIFTS - LIGHTWEIGHT & ROAD LEGAL
Independently Owned & Operated
MOBILITY MOBILITY SHOWROO MOBILITY SHOWROOM SHOWROOM MOBILITY LOCALLOCAL FAMILYFAMILY RUN RUN SHOWROO 2SHQ GD\V D ZHHN LOCAL FAMILY RUN
106 North Road Combe Down Bath BA2 5DJ
- LIGHTWEIGHT & ROAD LEGAL Luxury Adjustable Beds LOCALCHAIRS FAMILYLuxury RUN Adjustable Beds 2SHQ GD\V D ZHHN POWER • /DUJH )XOO\ 6WRFNHG 6KRZURRP Luxury Adjustable Beds POWER CHAIRSLuxury Adjustable Beds • /DUJH )XOO\ 6WRFNHG 6KRZURRP Rise & Recline Chairs - Made to )ULHQGO\ /RFDO %XVLQHVV Rise & Recline Chairs - Made to AIDS &Beds ROLLATORS Rise & Recline Chairs - WALKING Made toAdjustable )ULHQGO\ /RFDO %XVLQHVV Rise & Recline Chairs - Made to Luxury WALKING AIDSAdjustable &Beds ROLLATORS Luxury Beds Order or Stock Chairs for Quick • )UHH (DV\ 3DUNLQJ Order or Stock Chairs for Quick Luxury Adjustable Luxury Adjustable Order or Stock Chairs for Quick )UHH (DV\ 3DUNLQJ WHEELCHAIRS Order or Stock Chairs for Quick &• Recline - Made toBeds Rise &Chairs Recline Chairs Made to Delivery! Delivery! Rise WHEELCHAIRS Rise & or Recline Chairs - for Made to-- Made Rise & Recline Chairs to Delivery! Order Stock Chairs Quick Delivery! Order or Order or Stock Chairs for Quick BATH LIFTS Stock Chairs forChairs Quickfor Quick or Stock Delivery! BATH LIFTS Mobility Scooters - LightweightOrder &Delivery! Mobility Scooters - Lightweight & Delivery! Mobility Scooters - Lightweight &Delivery! STAIR LIFTS - STRAIGHT & CURVED Mobility - Lightweight & Mobility Scooters - Lightweight & Scooters STAIR LIFTS STRAIGHT & CURVED Mobility Scooters - Lightweight & Road Legal Mobility Scooters Lightweight & Road Legal Mobility Scooters Lightweight & Road Legal Road Legal Road Legal Road Legal DAILY AIDS Road LIVING Legal Road Legal DAILY LIVING AIDS Powerchairs Powerchairs Melksham • Warminster • Trudoxhill, nr Frome • Shepton Mallet Powerchairs Powerchairs Powerchairs Powerchairs Melksham •SCOOTER Warminster • Trudoxhill, nr & Frome • Shepton Mallet Powerchairs Powerchairs PART OF OUR FAMILY SERVICING REPAIRS PART OF OUR FAMILY Walking Aids & Rollators SCOOTER SERVICING & REPAIRS Walking Aids & Rollators OF SHOWROOMS www.lifeandmobility.co.uk Walking Aids & Rollators Walking Aids & Rollators Walking Aids & Rollators OF SHOWROOMS Walking Aids Rollators www.lifeandmobility.co.uk Walking Aids & Rollators Walking Aids &&Rollators Wheelchairs Wheelchairs Wheelchairs Wheelchairs Wheelchairs Wheelchairs Bath LiftsBath Lifts Wheelchairs Wheelchairs Bath LiftsBath Lifts 9,6,7 86 72'$< $7 &2;/(< %86,1(66 3$5. &2;/(< :(//6 %$ 54 _ 7(/ 9,6,7 86 72'$< $7 &2;/(< %86,1(66 3$5. &2;/(< :(//6 %$ 54 _ 7(/ Stairlifts -Stairlifts Straight & Curved& Curved Straight Bath Lifts Stairlifts Straight & Curved BathLifts Lifts Stairlifts - Straight & Curved Bath Bath Lifts
MOBILITY SHOWROOM MOBILITY SHOWROOM MOBILITY SHOWROOM MOBILITY SHOWROOM
www.gmanningsfuneraldirectors.com gmanningsfuneraldirectors@btconnect.com
01225 833013
23(1 '$<6 $ :((. ,1 &2;/(< :(//6 23(1 '$<6 $ :((. ,1 &2;/(< :(//6
SHOWROOM MOBILITY SHOWROOM MOBILITY Daily Living Aids Daily Living Aids
Daily Living Aids Daily Living Aids Stairlifts Stairlifts Straight&&Curved Curved Stairlifts--Straight Straight & & Curved Curved Scooter & Repairs Repairs Stairlifts Scooter Servicing & Repairs Repairs -- Straight Scooter Servicing Servicing & Scooter Servicing & Daily Living Aids DailyLiving LivingAids Aids 9LVLW RXU 6KRZURRP 2SHQ 'D\V 0RQ 6DW Daily Living Aids ADJUSTABLE BEDS,Daily 9LVLW RXU 6KRZURRP 2SHQ 'D\V 0RQ 6DW 9LVLW RXU 6KRZURRP 2SHQ 'D\V 0RQ 6DW 9LVLW RXU 6KRZURRP 2SHQ 'D\V 0RQ 6DW
ADJUSTABLE BEDS,
)LQG XV # &R[OH\ %XVLQHVV 3DUN *ODVWRQEXU\ 5RDG &R[OH\ :HOOV %$ 54 1H[W WR :HOOV 5HFODPDWLRQ )LQG XV # &R[OH\ %XVLQHVV 3DUN *ODVWRQEXU\ 5RDG &R[OH\ :HOOV %$ 54 1H[W WR :HOOV 5HFODPDWLRQ Scooter RISE CHAIRS, Scooter Servicing Servicing&&Repairs Repairs ScooterServicing Servicing & & Repairs Repairs RISE & RECLINE CHAIRS, Scooter
)LQG XV # &R[OH\ %XVLQHVV 3DUN *ODVWRQEXU\ 5RDG &R[OH\ :HOOV %$ 54 1H[W WR :HOOV 5HFODPDWLRQ )LQG XV # &R[OH\ %XVLQHVV 3DUN *ODVWRQEXU\ 5RDG &R[OH\ :HOOV %$ 54 1H[W WR :HOOV 5HFODPDWLRQ
We supply and fit all types of window blinds
We offer no obligation home quotes and a full fitting service Visit our showroom: 499 BATH ROAD, SALTFORD BS31 3HQ Open 10.00 - 4.00 Mon-Sat, or phone us on
01225 874411
&$// 86 21 &$// 86 21 &$// 86 21 &$// 86 21 MOBILITY SCOOTERS, MOBILITY SCOOTERS, /LIH 0RELOLW\ 6ROXWLRQV :KHUH WR )LQG 8V www.lifeandmobility.co.uk www.lifeandmobility.co.uk /LIH 0RELOLW\ 6ROXWLRQV :KHUH WR )LQG 8V www.lifeandmobility.co.uk www.lifeandmobility.co.uk WHEELCHAIRS, WALKING AIDS, AIDS, WHEELCHAIRS, WALKING
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
& STAIRLIFTS STAIRLIFTS &$// 86 21 &$// 86 21 &$// 86 21 &$// 86 21 &R[OH\ %XVLQHVV 3DUN *ODVWRQEXU\ 5RDG &R[OH\ :HOOV %$ 54 7HO &R[OH\ %XVLQHVV 3DUN *ODVWRQEXU\ 5RDG &R[OH\ :HOOV %$ 54 7HO 2SHQ GD\V D ZHHN 2SHQ GD\V D ZHHN *URXQG )ORRU +DVNLQV 5HWDLO &HQWUH +LJK 6WUHHW 6KHSWRQ 0DOOHW %$ $; 7HO *URXQG )ORRU +DVNLQV 5HWDLO &HQWUH +LJK 6WUHHW 6KHSWRQ 0DOOHW %$ $; 7HO
*HRUJH 6WUHHW :DUPLQVWHU :LOWVKLUH %$ 4$ 7HO *HRUJH 6WUHHW :DUPLQVWHU :LOWVKLUH %$ 4$ 7HO www.lifeandmobility.co.uk www.lifeandmobility.co.uk www.lifeandmobility.co.uk www.lifeandmobility.co.uk
:HVWHUQ :D\ 0HONVKDP :LOWVKLUH 61 %< 7HO :HVWHUQ :D\ 0HONVKDP :LOWVKLUH 61 %< 7HO 7UXGR[KLOO 1U )URPH 6KHSWRQ 0DOOHW &R[OZ\ :HOOV :DUPLQVWHU 0HONVKDP 7UXGR[KLOO 1U )URPH 6KHSWRQ 0DOOHW &R[OZ\ :HOOV :DUPLQVWHU 0HONVKDP 7UXGR[KLOO 1U )URPH 6KHSWRQ 0DOOHW &R[OZ\ :HOOV :DUPLQVWHU 0HONVKDP 7UXGR[KLOO 1U )URPH 6KHSWRQ 0DOOHW &R[OZ\ :HOOV :DUPLQVWHU 0HONVKD
email: melksham@lifeandmobility.co.uk HPDLO PRELOLW\VKRZURRP#OLIHDQGPRELOLW\ FR XN HPDLO PRELOLW\VKRZURRP#OLIHDQGPRELOLW\ FR XN
PART OF OUR FAMILY PART OF OUR FAMILY OF SHOWROOMS OF SHOWROOMS
23(1 '$<6 $ :((. 23(1 '$<6 $ :((. FINANCE AND HIRE PURCHASE SUBJECT TO STATUS
P18
www.bathecho.co.uk
Friday 28th August - Thursday 10th September 2026
Health RUH nurse inspires dozens of colleagues to join stem cell register
Midwife recognised with special award
A NURSE at the Royal United Hospital in Bath has inspired almost 40 colleagues to join the stem cell donor register after donating her own cells to help a stranger. Clinical trials nurse Jansen Dela Cruz, who works in the RUH’s oncology team, organised a staff swabbing event in July in partnership with blood cancer and disorders charity DKMS. Her decision followed her own stem cell donation earlier this year, an experience she described as one of the proudest moments of her life. Jansen originally joined the register after being affected by cancer both through her work and within her family. She said: “I’m working day-today with cancer patients and I’ve got relatives who had cancer and who have passed away. So it’s a really important cause for me.” Several years after registering, she was contacted by DKMS after being identified as a possible match for a patient needing a transplant. Following medical checks, Jansen travelled to a clinic in London to donate her stem cells during an outpatient procedure lasting a few hours. She later learned that the cells had been flown across the Atlantic for an older man in North America. Jansen said: “I hope that after
A MIDWIFE at the Royal United Hospital has received a national award recognising her contribution to healthcare research. Lead research midwife Catherine Bressington has been named as one of the recipients of the NIHR20 Research Delivery Leaders Prizes, created to mark the 20th anniversary of the National Institute for Health and Care Research. The award recognises her work to expand opportunities for women, babies, children and families to take part in research studies at the RUH. One of the programmes she has helped introduce to the hospital is the Generation Study, which uses whole genome sequencing to screen newborn babies for more than 200 rare but treatable genetic conditions. Catherine qualified as a midwife at the RUH in 2013 and will receive a £10,000 development fund as part of the prize. She said the funding would allow her to visit centres of excellence, attend conferences and bring examples of good practice back to Bath. Catherine said: “As a midwife, I wanted to make sure we were providing the best possible care for the families we look after. “I realised that a career in research is a way of doing that
Jansen (right) at the event, alongside Pippa from DKMS | Photo © RUH
the stem cell transplant, he will be living his best life and ticking all the boxes in his bucket list of things to do. And enjoying time with his family. “I highly encourage everyone to sign up, as it increases the chances of people getting matched. “Saving someone’s life is one of the proudest moments that you could ever experience.” Only around one in three patients in need of a stem cell transplant will find a matching donor within their family, making volunteer
donors an important part of the process. Wanting to give colleagues the chance to make a similar difference, Jansen organised the RUH event, where nearly 40 staff members signed up to the register. People aged between 16 and 55 who are in generally good health can join the DKMS stem cell donor register by completing mouth swabs and answering a small number of health questions.
Photo © RUH
not only for the people who come through our doors today, but for future generations of families too. “I’m incredibly proud to lead a team that shares that vision. Research can sometimes be seen as happening behind the scenes, but we are all really motivated to improve frontline care. “This award gives me a fantastic opportunity to learn from other organisations, visit centres of excellence and attend conferences where new ideas are being developed. “If there are better ways of doing things elsewhere, I want to bring that learning back to the RUH so that the people we care for can benefit.” Nearly 5,000 people joined research studies at the RUH last year across a wide range of specialties. The trust said the studies contribute to the development of new treatments, improvements to services and greater understanding of different health conditions.
Councillor denies using status to ‘jump’ NHS dentist queue John Wimperis
Local Democracy Reporter
A GREEN councillor in Bath has rejected accusations she jumped the queue for an NHS dentist by mentioning she was a councillor. Councillor Joanna Wright (Lambridge), who leads the Green group on Bath & North East Somerset Council, told a council debate about dental services that she had been dropped by her NHS dentist because she had been unable to see them within two years during the Covid-19 pandemic. When she complained, as a councillor, that the system was unfair, she said that she and all her family were given an NHS dentist again. The Liberal Democrats, who run the council, accused Councillor Wright of “jumping the queue because she name-dropped being a councillor”. A video clip of her comments, posted on Facebook by the council’s Liberal Democrat
group, has been viewed 65,000 times. But Councillor Wright says she was not using her position to gain access but trying to point out how unfairly people were being treated. The party, who run the council, accused Councillor Wright of taking advantage of her elected position. But Councillor Wright says she was not using her position to gain access but trying to point out how unfairly people were being treated. The Green group tabled a motion for the council to urge the government to reform the system of NHS dentists at a full council meeting on 16th July. Bath and North East Somerset has been considered a “dental desert” due to the lack of NHS dentists taking on patients. The motion was seconded by the Liberal Democrats and passed unanimously. During her speech, Councillor Wright told the council she had lost her space with her NHS dentist during the pandemic as she had not been able to get an
appointment. She said: “I complained about this and I was told there was no way to get back on to that NHS dentist roll. I then declared I was a councillor and weirdly they put me and all of my family back on to being an NHS dentist. “It is the only time that it has been useful to be a councillor. It has probably saved me and my family a huge amount of money.” Liberal Democrat council leader Kevin Guy (Bathavon North) told the Local Democracy Reporting Service after the meeting: “I was surprised to hear Councillor Wright say in full council that the ‘only time it was useful to be a councillor’ was when she managed to get herself and her family on a NHS closed dentist’s list by mentioning her elected member role. “As she herself acknowledged, this saved her and her family ‘a huge amount of money.” He added: “It’s extremely important to highlight the need for more NHS dentists in our area and I’m sure the leader of the Green Party did not mean to take
Councillor Joanna Wright
advantage of her elected status.” Councillor Wright told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I did not use my position to get access, but in fact was trying to point out how unfair they were treating not only me but other patients.” She said: “I said during my summing up that I needed to declare that I did have an NHS dentist, as it is clear that many people [do] not, but that I nearly lost this during Covid. “I pointed out that during Covid, many NHS dentists used the inability for patients to see a dentist over 2 years … to move them off from having access to an
NHS dental provider. “I wrote to my NHS dentist and complained as a councillor that this was unfair and took advantage of people who, through no fault of their own, lost access to an NHS dentist. “The dentist seemed to know that I was a councillor and moved back onto the NHS dental system. I was not in a queue, just removed because of Covid restrictions.” She added: “It seems a shame to me that the Lib Dems focused on this aspect of my speech, rather than the wider issue of replacement of the UDA [unit of dental activity] system which is crippling NHS dentists. The motion passed unanimously.” Councillor Wright was originally elected as a Liberal Democrat councillor in 2019 but left to become the council’s only Green councillor in 2021, after Councillor Guy became Liberal Democrat group leader. She was re-elected as a Green at the 2023 local elections, alongside two new Green councillors who form the Green group she now leads.
Issue 137
P19
Interested in advertising? Call 01225 585484
Education
Interested in sponsoring this section? Get in touch: advertise@bathecho.co.uk
Positive trial results for device designed to reduce workload A DEVICE created by researchers and clinicians in Bath could reduce the number of staff needed to reposition ventilated patients in intensive care, early trial results suggest. The inflatable BathMat has been developed by teams at the University of Bath and Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust to support patients who are being treated in a prone position. Prone ventilation involves placing a sedated and ventilated patient on their front and is used to treat severe respiratory failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Patients can remain in this position for 16 hours a day for up to five days and need to be moved regularly to reduce the risk of pressure sores. A National Institute for Health and Care Research-funded clinical trial involving 30 patients and around 160 repositioning procedures concluded in June. Researchers found use of the BathMat reduced the number of staff needed for repositioning
from five to three, while saving around an hour of staff time for each exercise. The device is an inflatable pillow positioned beneath a patient’s chest and abdomen, allowing them to be gently raised so staff can move them more easily. It has been designed so that as few as two people can carry out repositioning. Dr Alexander Lunt, senior lecturer at the University of Bath and lead engineer on the project, said: “The BathMat was inspired by the challenges intensive care teams faced during the Covid-19 pandemic, many of which remain today as services continue to operate under significant workforce pressure. “By bringing together clinicians, engineers and researchers, we’ve developed a practical solution to a longstanding challenge in critical care. “These early clinical results show that we can safely reduce the number of staff required to reposition ventilated patients while maintaining high standards of care.”
The BathMat can be inflated and deflated to reposition the patient | Photo © University of Bath
Around 16,500 patients each year benefit from prone ventilation, which reduces mortality by around 17%. However, patients must be repositioned every two to four hours to prevent pressure injuries, with the process potentially requiring up to seven members of staff and taking as long as an hour. Dr Jerome Condry, anaesthetics registrar and research fellow at the RUH and chief investigator
Beard partnership to boost construction skills at college HUNDREDS of Bath College learners and apprentices are set to gain more direct access to construction industry experience through a new partnership with Beard Construction. The company has become a Strategic Partner of the college’s Construction and Building Services - Real Skills Hub, which is expected to support around 350 learners and apprentices each year. From the start of the 2026/27 academic year, Beard will contribute through site visits, workshops, masterclasses, practical projects and placement opportunities. The partnership is intended to connect classroom learning with commercial experience, helping students build professional behaviours, industry knowledge and evidence of practical skills while creating clearer routes into employment. Bath College and Beard will also review course content together to make sure training responds to skills shortages and employment needs across the West of England. With more than a century of construction experience, Beard will give learners opportunities to hear directly from industry professionals about different careers, the skills required for particular roles and expectations in the workplace. Sam Kenny, assistant principal at Bath College, said: “We are pleased to welcome Beard as a Strategic Partner for construction and building services. “Beard has an outstanding reputation
for innovation and investing in people, making it an ideal partner in developing the next generation of construction professionals. This partnership gives learners access to invaluable industry insight and meaningful, real-world opportunities to engage with employers. “By working closely with Beard, our curriculum aligns with industry needs and creates clear progression routes into apprenticeships, further study, and rewarding careers within the sector.” Neil Sherreard, deputy chairman at Beard, said: “We are honoured that Beard has become a Strategic Partner of Bath College’s Real Skills Hub. Construction offers a range of careers, and engagement with employers can help learners understand the different skills and behaviours required to deliver projects and succeed in specific roles. “We look forward to sharing over a century of construction experience with learners and helping them see how the knowledge they develop in the classroom and workshops will translate into the workplace. By creating an entry point and skills pathway for learners, this initiative will shape the highly skilled professionals of tomorrow in an industry with many skills gaps.” The partnership will extend beyond construction training, with Beard also becoming principal kit sponsor for Bath College Sport Academy’s men’s and women’s football teams and its men’s rugby team.
on the trial, said the early findings were “extremely encouraging”. He said: “Prone ventilation can be a life-saving treatment for patients with severe respiratory failure, but safe and regular repositioning is essential to achieving the best outcomes. “Evidence suggests that patients with complex care needs or a high body mass index may have reduced access to this treatment because of the resources required to deliver it. Our work
aims to help close that gap while improving the care provided to all proned patients.” He added that clinical teams using the BathMat had described it as “revolutionary”. Joanna Smart, programme director for NIHR Invention for Innovation, said the early results showed the device could help intensive care teams reposition patients more consistently while reducing both staffing requirements and staff time.
An education for the whole person academically, personally, spiritually
OPEN MORNINGS
Register online to join us for a tour of our school in action: 29 & 30 SEPTEMBER 2026, 9.00 am - 11.00 am
OPEN EVENING
1 OCTOBER 2026 , 6.00 pm - 8.30 pm Headteacher’s Welcome at 6.15pm & 7.15pm Scan to register
Bath Echo 137 138 FINAL.indd 1
10/08/2026 11:58
P20
Friday 28th August - Thursday 10th September 2026
www.bathecho.co.uk
Business Pub set to attract more visitors with Bathampton padel sauna and ice bath facilities courts set for approval Becky Feather
Becky Feather
A COUNTRYSIDE pub and guesthouse on the edge of Bath is planning to diversify by adding a sauna with an outdoor shower and ice bath to the garden. The Wheelwrights Arms at Mill Lane in Monkton Combe also has plans to create a permanent shelter on the terrace at the front for all-year-round use. Applications for planning permission and listed building consent have been submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council by Jack Golden, who took over the pub last year. The pub is Grade II listed and within a conservation area, the Green Belt and Cotswolds National Landscape. It was built in the 18th century as a house and became a pub in 1871. A private area of the pub garden is split into two levels by three stone steps. The plan is to locate a prefabricated sauna with changing room on the upper part of the secluded garden to take full advantage of the views across the valley. The external shower and ice bath would be on the lower part and accessed via both new and existing steps from the sauna. The facilities would be available
CONTROVERSIAL plans for five padel courts in Bathampton are being recommended for approval. Smash Padel’s application for the site off Station Road has sparked a huge response, with 186 letters of support and 106 objectors citing fears including noise, lighting and traffic harming the tranquillity of the village. The site is in the Green Belt, Cotswolds National Landscape and identified as being at risk of surface water flooding. It forms part of the Hampton Rocks Cutting Site of Special Scientific / Site of Nature Conservation Interest and is next to Bathampton Conservation Area. It is also within the Bath World Heritage Site setting. A padel racket is solid with no strings and makes a very loud noise when hitting the ball. There is currently nowhere to play the popular sport in the city, with previous attempts thwarted over noise concerns. Smash Padel says the site is next to railway tracks, where noise levels are already substantial, and the proposal will not be harmful to people living nearby. A report from Bath & North East Somerset Council planning
Reporter
Reporter
The facilities would be available to hire for an hour at a time | Library image
to hire for an hour for a maximum of four people at a time. A new access is proposed directly from the car park so visitors don’t have to walk through the main beer garden to get there. The proposed opening times are 7am to 9pm. Evening lighting would be kept to a minimum. The seating area near the pub entrance door is currently covered with parasols and gazebos. The proposed pergola at the front is of oak with a clear polycarbonate roof, and outdoor heaters are also proposed. A report with the application says the proposals represent “a sustainable investment in the
future of the business”. “They will help diversify income, improve the resilience of an established rural pub and guest house, support local employment, attract a broader range of visitors and contribute positively to the local economy. “At the same time, the nature of the proposed use means it is expected to have very limited impact in terms of noise, disturbance or anti-social behaviour.” The planning reference is 26/02993/FUL, with 11th September the date for any comments to be sent to the council.
officers reveals their satisfaction with the plans which will be going before the planning committee at the Guildhall in Bath next Wednesday, 2nd September. The officers consider the site to be Grey Belt land, saying the proposed development would not be inappropriate development within the Green Belt and that overall, the development will preserve the natural beauty of this part of the Cotswolds National Landscape. The proposed main building will have a footprint of 1,300 sq m and a maximum height of nine metres. Two smaller buildings comprising a toilet block and clubhouse are also proposed. The buildings are considered to be of an appropriate scale, form and design for their context. The report also says that a noise assessment report has been produced by a specialist company and assessed by the council’s environmental team. Although council highways officers initially raised concerns about the proposed access arrangements, modifications to the existing road layout, and the internal site configuration, they are now satisfied these have been overcome. A flood risk assessment submitted with the application has been reviewed by the lead local flood authority which raised no objection.
Proposal for seven-bed Aequus submits plans for seven HMO on Wellsway open-market houses in Keynsham Becky Feather Reporter
The property would be converted from a three-bed home
Becky Feather Reporter
THERE are plans to convert a three-bed property on Wellsway in Bath into a seven-bed house in multiple occupation (HMO). The change of use application for No. 519 includes adding a loft extension. Based on the most recent Bath & North East Somerset Council HMO data, the proposals will not result in a ‘sandwiching’ effect or a density that undermines the local community’s balance, says the application.
The site is said to be in a sustainable urban location with good accessibility to employment, education, local services and public transport. It adds: “The proposal represents an appropriate and sustainable form of development that will provide much-needed shared accommodation within Bath while preserving the character and appearance of the existing dwelling.” The property is currently a privately rented house with two parking spaces, which will be retained. Four bicycle spaces are proposed.
PLANS to build seven family houses on surplus car park land next to Keynsham Health Centre have been submitted by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s housing company. Full planning permission is being sought by Aequus Construction Limited (ACL), a subsidiary of Aequus, for the four-bed houses which will all be available for sale on the open market. The site at St Clements Road is said to be sustainably located and the planning application is an opportunity to provide “muchneeded” new housing for the Keynsham area. In August last year we reported that the council planned to buy the land under a £3.2 million development loan facility agreement in place with ACL. The Echo reported earlier this month that the council had stepped in to help Aequus,
which has been struggling financially due to “unfavourable market conditions” impacting on construction activity and depleting company reserves. The council said it was taking action to maintain the company whilst it works through issues and resumes construction activity. Four house type designs are proposed at the redundant car park site in St Clements Road, all complying with B&NES policy zero carbon operationally requirements. Each plot will have a private rear or side garden and a landscaped front garden with parking for two cars. The planning application includes landscaping, drainage and access works. The plans show the existing access will be used with associated visibility and highway improvements. The site is next to the former Treetops care home which closed in 2018 and has been a magnet for anti-social behaviour. A major fire ripped through the site in
The land at Keynsham Health Centre
May and much of the former care home has been demolished and the site levelled. The site has outline planning permission for 36 flats in two three-storey blocks and a reserved matters application is currently being determined by the council. The planning reference for the St Clements Road scheme is 24th September, and the deadline for any comments is 26/02918/FUL.
Follow on Threads Find us @BathEcho
Issue 137
P21
Your City, Your News - Bath Echo
Politics
Planning Round-up Changes proposed to church in Twerton
Aequus withdraws plans for up to 351 homes Becky Feather Reporter
AEQUUS, Bath & North East Somerset Council’s housing company, has scrapped its planning application to build up to 351 homes on the old gasworks site at Western Riverside, paving the way for a revised scheme. The proposal, under Phase 2 of the Western Riverside redevelopment, was submitted in May 2023. The withdrawal request was made on 6th August by the council as applicant, with Aequus the instructing client. Last week Councillor Matt McCabe, B&NES cabinet member for built environment, housing and sustainable development, told the Echo: “This historic planning application needed to be withdrawn ahead of Bath & North East Somerset Council and Berkeley Group submitting a new full planning application for the site in the early autumn. “By working innovatively with Berkeley, we have found a way of delivering significantly more affordable homes on site, but this requires a new planning application. “Aequus is progressing the Midland Road phase of the scheme, as the council will soon vacate the site and open the new Bath Recycling Centre in
How the withdrawn proposal for homes at the site could have looked | Image © B&NES Council / Stride Treglown
Locksbrook Road. “Following successful joint working to remediate the site, the opportunity arose to work with the adjacent landowner Berkeley Homes, enabling the council to deliver more affordable housing.” The Echo reported earlier this month that the council had stepped in to help Aequus, which is struggling financially. The application that was withdrawn also included up to 260 sq m of flexible space for community use and/or commercial use, demolition, land remediation, drainage, landscaping and access works.
You can have your say on the revised proposals in the community consultation at https://tinyurl.com/2362usmw In the pre-application consultation on the revised proposals, Bath Preservation Trust said that overall, it supports the design and layout and appearance. “Redesigned residential blocks and landscaping by Bath-based architect Fielden Clegg Bradley Studio will replace the previously proposed eight-storey block, minimising the risk of harm to long-range townscape views. “The revised scheme also
responds to calls for more cohesive landscaping to create strong public realm links and shared identity with the adjacent St William/Berkeley Homes site, as well as the provision of affordable housing.” The Western Riverside site was formerly the home of Stothert & Pitt’s crane factory, Victoria Works and the Bath Gasworks. An outline planning application was approved in 2010 for the major regeneration of this brownfield industrial land site with more than 2,000 homes. Phase 1 of development was completed in 2018/2019.
Work to finally start on play area improvements Becky Feather Reporter
WORK on the long-awaited play improvements in Keynsham’s Memorial Park is expected to start in midSeptember. Refurbishment of the upper play area was advertised for tender for six weeks earlier this year, but there was not even any feedback from contractors by the closing date. The project was re-tendered, targeted at a wider range of landscapers. A final design has now been agreed which will see the play area transformed with modern, safe equipment for children of all ages and abilities. The improvements, being delivered by Bath & North East Somerset Council and Keynsham Town Council, have been designed by landscape architects following public consultation. Specialist play provider Wicksteed will carry out the works, which are expected to take up to 12 weeks. The project includes the first
bespoke climbing wall in Bath and North East Somerset that has been specifically designed for the park, where children will be able to climb sideways as well as upwards. A large rope swing will create a social experience where children can swing and play as a group. An inclusive carousel with a wheelchair space will encourage children of all abilities to play side by side. New play mounds, including a tunnel feature, will add opportunities for imaginative play, climbing and adventure. The existing slide will remain with improved surfaces and pathways to make access cleaner, safer and easier. The project forms part of the ongoing investment in Keynsham Memorial Park and reflects the shared commitment of both councils to providing highquality recreational facilities for residents. Councillor Sarah Warren, deputy leader and cabinet member for Sustainable B&NES, said: “Our parks are wonderful spaces where children can play and communities can connect.
“The new play area at Keynsham Memorial Park is particularly exciting because it has been shaped by local feedback and will create a more inclusive place where children of all ages and abilities can have fun. “We’re committed to investing in our parks and green spaces because they play an important role in improving physical and mental health.” Councillor Andy Wait, chair of Keynsham Town Council, said: “We are delighted to see this exciting project moving forward. Keynsham Memorial Park is one of the town’s most popular and well-loved green spaces, enjoyed by families from across our community. “We’re especially pleased to see some new innovative designs which will excite our children, as well as some of the popular existing play equipment which will remain as part of the new design. “Some of the new equipment will give even more youngsters the opportunity to play, explore and have fun together. We look forward to seeing families enjoy the new play area for many years
Listed building consent is being sought for changes to the Church of the Ascension in Claude Avenue, Twerton. The church is Grade II listed and was built in 1907, with additions in 1911. The scheme is for alterations for the replacement of internal lobby double doors with modern fullyglazed doors. The proposal says: “The purpose of the alteration is for the secondary doors to provide an inviting welcoming approach for the people using the premises. On service days, or indeed any other day when the church is in use, the main timber entrance doors will be open, and the new glazed doors will provide clear lines of sight from the street whilst still providing a barrier to the elements as necessary.” Any comments should be sent to Bath & North East Somerset Council by 24th September. The planning reference is 26/03116/LBA.
Water tank plans at Bath Croquet Club Bath Croquet Club has submitted a planning application to Bath & North East Somerset Council to install a water storage tank and gated fencing at the croquet lawns at Bath Recreation Ground at Pulteney Mews. The planning reference is 26/03127/FUL and 24th September is the deadline for any comments.
Dog walking paddock proposed in Dunkerton Plans to change the use of land at Tunley Equestrian Centre at Withyditch Lane, Dunkerton, to a dog walking paddock have been submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council. The application has been lodged by All Paws Paddock. The planning reference is 26/02496/FUL and the deadline for comments is 16th September.
Repairs needed at Grade I listed Bath Spa building The Memorial Park play area
to come.” The new play area comes in addition to B&NES Council’s ongoing parks play equipment replacement programme across the district. Major refurbishments have already taken place at Loxton Drive, Calton Road, Burnt House Road and Weston Recreation Ground in Bath, as well as resurfacing at Sydney Gardens and upgrades at Royal Victoria Park. The council says there are more play area improvements coming this autumn at Vandyck Avenue in Keynsham; as well as Corston View, Pennyquick Park, Lymore Gardens and Moorlands Recreation Ground in Bath; at Staddlestones Park in Midsomer Norton; and Woodborough Road in Radstock.
Bath Spa University is seeking permission to carry out repair works to the Grade I listed Main House on its Newton St Loe campus. Part of a ceiling has come down due to a water leak from a blocked parapet gutter. The application for listed building consent has been submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council for the ceiling in room MH 102 which is in a service wing. The result of the leak is that the lime plaster has become detached from the laths. The application says the blocked parapet above the room has been cleared and the room is in the process of drying out, aided by the weather. The repairs proposed are considered “minimal” and as much historic fabric as possible will be retained.
P22
Friday 28th August - Thursday 10th September 2026
www.bathecho.co.uk
Sport
Interested in sponsoring this section? Get in touch: advertise@bathecho.co.uk
Larks’ FA Cup dreams over after replay defeat at Portishead
Bath 1sts’ battle against drop goes to final day
Bath 1st XI – here celebrating a wicket earlier in the season | Photo © Liz Bugg
Richard Briggs Reporter
Larkhall’s 2026-27 squad at the Camella Stadium with manager John Durbin| Photo © BlackmorePhotography.co.uk
Richard Briggs Reporter
LARKHALL Athletic are out of the Emirates FA Cup. They were beaten by Portishead Town in their preliminaryround replay at Bristol Road on Tuesday 25th August, the sides having drawn 2-2 at the Camella Stadium three days earlier. Technically the midweek result was a giant-killing, as the Larks are members of Pitching In Southern League Division One South and Posset are from the lower-grade Jewson Western League Premier Division. But the North Somerset club have retained most of the side who finished second in Southern League Division One South last term. Portishead were due to feature in the 2025-26 play-offs for a place in Southern League Premier South but were instead relegated due to issues with their
ground. Town opened the scoring in the sixth minute of the replay. Guests’ keeper Liam Armstrong got a hand to a curling effort by Posset skipper Kyle Egan but Ethan Feltham rammed home the ball from the follow-up. Feltham almost made it 2-0 nine minutes into the second half, his header rebounding off the Larkhall bar. And Feltham was denied once more in the 65th minute, this time his header from an Egan corner crashing against the goalframe. Posset’s reward for their win is a visit to Dorset’s Wimborne Town, from Southern League Premier South, in the first qualifying round on Saturday 5th September. Larkhall starting XI: Liam Armstrong, Lewis Graham, Jeff Forkuo, Sam Boulton, James Payton, Will Banks, Stan Wyatt, Ryan Beckinsale, Ben Cleary, Milo Murgatroyd, Freddie King.
Athletic are now without a victory in four games across all competitions. They were successful in their season opener, at Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Premier Division North outfit Kidlington in the FA Cup extra preliminary round, but then lost their first two Southern League Division One South fixtures before the pair of games against Portishead. John Durbin’s team will be looking to get back to winning ways when they take on Southern League Division One South rivals Dorchester Town at the Camella Stadium on Saturday 29th August in the FA Trophy first qualifying round (3pm). Arguably the more important business will come on Summer Bank Holiday Monday, when the Larks will be chasing their first points of the league campaign. They will entertain Westbury United at the Camella Stadium.
BATH 1st XI’s superb run in West of England Premier League Premier 1 came to an end with a crushing defeat by Worcestershire outfit Dumbleton 1st XI on Saturday 22nd August. Bath 1st XI’s superb run in West of England Premier League Premier 1 came to an end with a crushing defeat by Worcestershire outfit Dumbleton 1st XI on Saturday 22nd August. The Midlanders raced to victory by 186 runs at North Parade, dismissing their hosts – who had won their four previous league matches – for a paltry 119 in 35.3 overs. While the result enhanced Dumbleton’s bid for the championship – they are nine points clear at the top of the table with one round of matches to go – Bath have slipped back down to eighth place. And the Somerset men will go into their final league game of the campaign, away to Burbage & Easton Royal 1st XI on Saturday 29th August, still in with a chance of suffering relegation as they lie
only 10 points above the danger zone. However, the division is so tight that Bath are just 14 points adrift of fourth-placed Frocester. Dumbleton had two centurions as they powered to 305-4 from their 50 overs after being put in. Opener Lewis Rollinson cracked 108 – with three sixes and eight fours – off 140 balls. And number four Ewan Gegg smashed halfa-dozen sixes and 12 fours as he posted 120 from 99 deliveries. The duo plundered 201 for the third wicket after the villagers slipped to 45-2. Sam Young took 2-58 from seven overs for the hosts, who crumbled from 62-1 in reply. The nine subsequent Bath wickets fell in the space of 20.5 overs for the addition of 57 runs, Finn Brabham bamboozling the home team with 6-23 from 7.3 overs. Ross Martin pocketed 3-41 in 10 overs. Number three Ben Church was the only Bath batter to offer much resistance, striking 30 from 37 balls.
Find us on Facebook Bath Echo Sport
COLUMN | Ben Hicks, Clerk of the Course - Bath Racecourse Photo © Johnny Hathaway
I
AM really pleased to be able to say that Bath is back racing on Wednesday 2nd September. After what has been a challenging few months with the prolonged spell of hot and dry weather, it will be fantastic to see racing recommence here at Lansdown and to welcome everyone back through the gates. A huge amount of credit must go to our fantastic and dedicated grounds team, who have worked exceptionally hard to promote substantial recovery on the racing surface. The decision to transfer fixtures
was not an easy one, but it has allowed us to concentrate on getting the areas that had suffered most from the heat back into better shape. We have also been helped by some much more favourable weather recently. The temperatures have dropped, we have had some useful rainfall and likely further significant rain in the run-up to the 2nd September fixture. That would be very welcome and could make a big difference to the track – and who knows, we may see a going description other than firm!
There has been plenty of interest from owners and trainers in getting racing back at Bath, so I know the news that we are returning on 2nd September has been very well received. It is always encouraging to hear how keen connections are to bring their horses back here, so we are delighted to be able to give them the green light. The meeting itself is an important one, as it will include the final qualifier for the Sprint Series Final. This will be the last opportunity for horses to secure their place in the final, which will
take place on Sunday 13th September – the second day of our two-day fixture. Both the Sprint Series Final and Stayers Series Final will take place on the same day, and are each worth £40,000. So we are expecting two very competitive renewals with plenty of regular runners returning. Before we get to those finals, though, our attention is firmly on getting the track ready for 2nd September. The weather will obviously play
its part over the next few days, and we will continue to monitor the forecasts closely. It has been a long and demanding period for everyone involved, but the team have continued to work hard throughout, often in difficult conditions, and they deserve enormous credit for getting us back to this point. The whole team are excited to welcome everyone back, and I am confident we will have a successful end to 2026 with seven fixtures to go.
Issue 137
P23
Interested in advertising? Call 01225 585484
Don't miss the latest sports news
Visit www.bathecho.co.uk/sport or follow us on Facebook or X @BathEchoSport
City deserved no more than Basingstoke draw, admits Bartlett Richard Briggs Reporter
BATH City drew for the second time in four Pitching In Southern League matches – but maintained their unbeaten record – when they were held by Basingstoke Town on Saturday 22nd August. The sides played out a 1-1 stalemate at Winklebury Football Complex in front of a crowd of 725 – and visitors’ boss Scott Bartlett admitted that his team deserved no more than a share of the spoils. City went ahead in the 24th minute, Seweryn Streczen – on his first league start for the club – capitalising on a poor clearance by Town keeper Simon Grant and setting up Harry Parsons to lash home from the edge of the box. However, the Romans’ lead was short-lived. Only four minutes later, Tom Blake got the better of Bath custodian Harvey WilesRichards following good work by Louis McGrory. The travellers could have regained the initiative in the 40th minute, Grant saving well from Reuben Reid. Although Basingstoke dominated possession, Bath defended well. But they needed an excellent save with his legs from WilesRichards to deny Christos Papakonstantinou in the 77th minute.
And at the death, Town’s Miles Obodo fired over from an excellent position following a cross by D’Andre Brown. Bartlett said: “The lads are almost trying too hard. They need to relax. “I know I’ve said it before – and we’ll keep working at it – we need to be better with the ball. “All these teams have got 110% effort, enthusiasm. They want to fight, they want to scrap for their own team. “I thought a draw was a fair result, we didn’t deserve any more than that. We didn’t work their goalkeeper enough. “We didn’t get our wide players in dangerous areas. But everyone’s worked incredibly hard. They need to know that they can take more risks. “I want to enjoy watching us. I love the effort and the enthusiasm and the amount of first and second balls we won, but I do expect us to be a lot better on the ball, because in many ways it’s going be more difficult for us than it is for the opposition. “We’ve just got to find a pattern that suits everybody. We haven’t quite got that yet. “We saw glimpses of what I want us to be for probably an hour, 70 minutes, against Plymouth Parkway [in the 1-1 draw on Tuesday 11th August]. “The rest of it has just been pure effort, endeavour, defending our box really well, relying on having
some really good individuals. “So there’s work to do – but it does represent a really decent start [to the season]. “But as a learning exercise, today was brilliant on the back of Saturday [15th August, when City beat Hanworth Villa], so we’re going into [training on] Tuesday and Thursday really positive. “I wanted to start Sev [Streczen] because he deserved it. We actually missed his impact from the bench today, so that’s something that we’ll look at. “We need to be getting our dangerous players, the ones that can produce something, with more control, higher up the pitch. That has to come from me, so we’ll do that. “Sev did brilliantly for the goal because he went and pressed, forced a mistake, and then Harry shifted it and really, really good finish. “We’ve scored some brilliant goals so far this season, I’d just like us to work the goalie a little bit more, get people like Harry running at their back-line because they’re doing so much work without the ball. “We just need to find a way to get them higher up, so they can produce a little bit more for us. “I don’t think Harvey’s been tested in many of the games, but he’s there for us. “His concentration levels are very good, distribution’s brilliant, and we’re really pleased with him.
Harry Parsons scores Bath City’s goal at Basingstoke Town in the Pitching In Southern League on Saturday 22nd August | Photo © Simon Howe
“All the players are in a really good place in terms of they’re really enjoying it. They look together, training on Thursday was brilliant. “We just need to find a way of replicating that a little bit more often. “And it’s that old thing, there’s another 11 players out there trying really hard to stop us from winning, and they were a credit to their team today, Basingstoke. They could’ve nicked it at the end with a brilliant breakaway against us. “But I always want our teams to try to win rather than settle for a draw, especially at this stage of the season. “So I’m not disappointed, but I just think from a learning exercise, it was a really good lesson for us today.
“All in all happy, I think we’ve run hard for our fans today who again were brilliant. But I’d like to see a little bit more quality.” Bath: Harvey Wiles-Richards, Dan Greenslade, Ollie Tomlinson, Kieran Parselle, Enzio Boldewijn (Owen Windsor, 73), James Morton, Ollie Chamberlain, Jordan Tillson, Reuben Reid, Harry Parsons (Alex Fisher, 62), Seweryn Streczen (Scott Wilson, 62). Unused subs: Jack Batten, Matt Bowman. City will entertain Uxbridge at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park on Saturday 29th August in their next Premier South match (3pm). Bath will follow up the clash with the West Londoners by visiting Frome Town in Premier South on Summer Bank Holiday Monday, 31st August (3pm).
Table-topping Odd Down stunned by struggling Almondsbury
Lansdown 1st XI are league champions
Richard Briggs
Richard Briggs
ODD Down suffered their first defeat of the season when they were beaten by guests Almondsbury on Saturday 22nd August. Although the men from South Gloucestershire were 2-0 winners at the Lew Hill Memorial Ground, the Down remain top of the Jewson Western League Division One table. But with fellow high-fliers Avonmouth and AEK Boco due to play tonight, Tuesday 25th August, Odd Down could have surrendered pole position by the time they play their next game. With the Down having won their four previous matches in Division One, hopes were high of them extending that run to five with success against an Almondsbury team who had lost on all three of their earlier outings and still have the worst goal-difference in the division. The Almonds came to Bath
LANSDOWN 1st XI are champions of West of England Premier League Premier 2 Bristol / Somerset. The table-topping Bath side’s home win over Old Bristolians Westbury 1st XI on Saturday 22nd August means they have an unassailable 27-point lead over second-placed Taunton Deane 1st XI with one round of matches to go. But Lansdown had to dig deep to see off the old boys and ensure the title race did not go to the final day of the season. The hosts were floundering at 13-4 after 9.2 overs in pursuit of a target of 106. However, fifth-wicket pair Noah Davis and Dan Lezar completed the job to secure Lansdown’s place in Premier 1 for 2027. Bristolians were skittled for 105 in 31.2 overs after electing to bat at Combe Park.
Reporter
Reporter
Odd Down in possession during their shock defeat | Photo © Odd Down FC
looking to make amends for that trio of heavy setbacks in the league – 5-2 against Longwell Green Sports in their opener, followed by a 6-1 thrashing by Boco and then a 4-0 drubbing by promoted Nailsea United. And a pair of second-half goals in an encounter watched by a crowd of 50 meant they secured the shock result of the season so far. A 78th-minute penalty courtesy of Lewis Hughes opened the scoring. The spot-kick was awarded for handball. Then an injury-time header from Liam Nicholls – following a cross by Paolo Pali – wrapped up the
points. Odd Down: Oscar Morris, Jaiden Savery, Lewis Bahadur, Joe Paradise, Josh Howlett, Joe Ellis (Gracjan Blajek, 75), Ryan Gay, Charlie Saunders (Tobey Snelling, 80), Will Gould (Lenny Gale, 55), Dan Cottle (Jack Kelsey, 30), Alfie Andrews. Unused sub: James Hare. The Down will visit South Bristol outfit Mendip Broadwalk in the league on Saturday 29th August (3pm). And a second successive away fixture in Division One will take Tom Smith’s side to Keynsham Town on Tuesday 1st September (7.45pm).
Only two players – opener Ben Jarman (28) and number four Jino Jojo (26) – and extras (21) made it into double figures during an innings where the guests collapsed from 62-2. Lansdown’s star bowler was Sam Pearce, who snared 6-28 in nine overs. Lezar and skipper Jordan Smith each took two scalps. However, the home side’s champagne was very much on ice when Jake Roberts (0), Will Sutcliffe (2), Praneel Choughule (0) and Tejas Bante (4) found themselves back in the hutch. But Davis and Lezar formed an unbroken partnership that yielded 96 runs to steer Lansdown to glory. Davis finished with 45 not out – with eight fours – from 62 balls. And Lezar was unbeaten on 43 – containing two sixes and three fours – off 52 deliveries. George Willis bagged 3-12 in six overs for Old Bristolians Westbury.
P24
Friday 28th August - Thursday 10th September 2026
www.bathecho.co.uk
Sport
Upcoming Fixtures Bath Rugby
City Women hit back for their first FA Cup win Richard Briggs Reporter
BATH City Women stormed back from falling two goals behind to beat Paulton Rovers Ladies in a Women’s FA Cup thriller at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park. Rovers led 2-0 at the break in the preliminary-round tie on Sunday 23rd August and would have the slope in their favour in the second half. But watched by a crowd of around 130, Matt Abreu’s Romans produced an immense display after the interval to secure a 4-2 victory and set up a trip to Yeovilbased Pen Mill Ladies in the first qualifying round on Sunday 6th September. The win was the first in City’s history in the Women’s FA Cup – and it earned them £1,000 in prize money. Bath started brightly and Bex Fry created a good opportunity in the fifth minute, visiting keeper Emily Quinn grabbing the ball just before City’s new signing Brooke Steventon-Smith could latch onto it. Jessica Evans sent an angled drive wide from the edge of the box but Paulton battled back and went on to dominate the rest of the opening half. And the villagers broke the deadlock in the ninth minute. Lydia Kerton hit a post with an effort from out on the right wing and Aimee Michell knocked in the loose ball. An 18-yard freekick from the Romans’ Beth Edwards flashed narrowly wide in the 11th minute. But, 10 minutes later, home custodian Lucy Clay had to stretch to grab a 15-yarder from Kerton. Quinn parried a long-ranger
New signing Tara Mahadevan pounces to score Bath City Women’s fourth goal on Sunday 23rd August | Photo © Simon Howe
from Bath skipper Tara Taylor but Paulton extended their lead in the 38th minute, Kerton pouncing on an error by Clay and firing under her from an angle 15 yards out. At that stage it looked as though City were on their way out of the competition. However, whatever Abreu said to his charges at half-time had the desired effect as the Romans were a side transformed during the second 45. The tone was set in the 47th minute, Maddy Brown driving over from 15 yards after good work by Tara Mahadevan, a summer signing from Bitton Ladies. Six minutes later, Abby Gray headed over from a Brown corner. Edwards drilled wide from the edge of the box but the goal City threatened to score finally arrived in the 66th minute. Paulton failed to clear a cross from Steventon-Smith and Brown lashed home from 12 yards. The game was almost level two minutes later, Taylor’s 15-yarder blocked by Quinn’s legs. But, in the 72nd minute, Bath equalised. Brown was again the scorer, this time getting round Paulton defender Alice Dwyer
and shooting in from 12 yards. And the Romans struck for the third time in eight minutes to edge ahead. Steventon-Smith, who was with Whitchurch Ladies last term, set up Mahadevan and she fired past Quinn from 15 yards. Paulton tried to find a third goal. Alisha Stuart sent a weak 20-yarder straight at Clay, Tianna Allen banged a 15-yard angled effort wide and Clay grabbed an angled 12-yarder from Martha
Slocombe. But City were not finished. Taylor was desperately unlucky not to get onto the scoresheet in injury-time. Set up by Evans, the captain found herself with only Quinn to beat – but the goalie turned her shot behind. However, Rovers did concede again when, from the last real chance of the afternoon, Mahadevan put away the loose ball from close range after Quinn was unable to keep hold of a Fry free-kick from the right. Abreu gave all of his substitutes some game time. And that meant a short run-out for 45-year-old Hari Sabic, the former Bosnia international who scored goals for fun for City Development last season. Bath: Lucy Clay, Tara Taylor, Jessica Evans, Abby Gray, Georgia Dawson (Sophie Storey, 63), Bex Fry, Nell Bloomfield (Olivia Davis, 90), Beth Edwards (Tanea Wright, 90), Maddy Brown (Amy Key, 79), Brooke SteventonSmith, Tia Mahadevan (Hari Sabic, 90).
Bath City Women celebrate a goal during their 4-2 home victory over Paulton Rovers Ladies in the Women’s FA Cup | Photo © Simon Howe
Across: 1 In a state, 5 Mekong, 10 Chapati, 11 Oregano, 12 Successful, 13 Slug, 15 Myrtle, 16 Squishy, 18 The arts, 21 Pretty, 24 Eton, 25 Eventually, 27 Emotion, 28 Airline, 29 Anyone, 30 Pittance. Down: 1 In cash, 2 Anarchy, 3 Trajectory, 4 Trieste, 6 Eyes, 7 Oracles, 8 Good guys, 9 Moguls, 14 Bureaucrat, 17 Et cetera, 19 Ecology, 20 Savant, 21 Punjabi, 22 Tolkien, 23 Cyrene, 26 Finn.
STAIRLIFTS
LIFE AND MOBILITY
TEL: 01225 251601 www.lifeandmobility.co.uk Western Way, Melksham, Wiltshire, SN12 8BY (Next to Asda)
Bath Rugby v Sale Sharks (Away) PREM Rugby Cup – R1
Bath City FC Saturday 29th August – 3pm Bath City v Uxbridge (Home) League Monday 31st August – 3pm Bath City v Frome Town (Away) League Saturday 5th September – 3pm Bath City v Weymouth (Home) FA Cup 1Q
Bath Cricket Club (1ST XI)
Saturday 29th August – 12pm Bath 1st XI v Burbage & Easton Royal (Away) WEPL Premier 1
Lansdown Cricket Club (1ST XI) Saturday 29th August – 12pm Lansdown CC – 1st XI v Downend CC 1st XI (Away) WEPL Premier 2
Get Involved
Crossword answers - Issue 136 (14/08/2026)
• Straight or Curved • Indoor or Outdoor • Fast Installation • Personal Service • Local Company
Sunday 6th September – 3pm
• General Building • Property Development • Extensions & Loft Conversions • Groundworks • Plumbing & Electrical • Kitchens, Bathrooms & Wetrooms • Driveways & Landscaping T: 01225 519783 M: 07878 786879 E: ndcltd@outlook.com
Boost your business with an advertising campaign! Get in touch with us to book your adverts. Email rob@mediabath.co.uk or call 01225 585484 Series discounts available, along with bespoke digital packages
Whether you'd like us to include your upcoming fixtures within our pages, or submit a match report for publishing, our team would love to hear from you. Please send fixtures lists for your team to sport@bathecho.co.uk and we'll add your next event to our calendar. If you have photographs that we can use (with relevant permissions), we'd also like to include them within these pages, on our website and social media. We're happy to host match reports from across Bath and the local area. Please send them to sport@bathecho.co.uk with the subject Match Report. To ensure we can include them in our next issue, please limit the length to around 400 words. This newspaper is produced using paper from sustainably-managed forests.
Please recycle When you’ve finished reading, please make sure this newspaper is recycled. Just pop it in your green recycling box. Printed by Mortons Print & Mailing Ltd, Morton Way, Boston Road Industrial Estate, Horncastle, LN9 6JR
ISSN 2632-7805 © Media Bath Limited 2026