The Week In - Issue 686 - 7th July 2021

THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset

7th July 2021

Issue 686

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Swimmers perplexed by ‘brand new pool’ claims after £11m leisure centre refurbishment The “brand new 25m pool” being advertised at the

And there is dismay at a new locker system being introduced

refurbished Keynsham Leisure Centre has left some

for swimmers which will cost 30p per visit for a single use

swimmers angry and disappointed, with one describing

token. They say they are the only users who didn’t benefit

it as “the same old pool with its surroundings tarted up”.

from the refurbishment of the centre and the only users being

The leisure centre, which is operated by Better in partnership

hit by this additional cost.

with B&NES Council, has undergone a makeover costing a

One regular swimmer who contacted The Week In to raise

budget-busting £11m.

his concerns said: “We had been assured that the whole centre

The refurbishment includes a new gym, soft play area and

would be refurbished. The centre would be closed for

café, as well as a new learners’ pool - but concerned users

months, but it would be worth the disruption, and we would

say the main swimming pool still has broken tiles and dirty

be amazed by the finished product. We were amazed all right.

grout at the bottom.

“The main swimming pool is in exactly the same sorry

Also highlighted are the pitfalls of having no dedicated

condition it has always been in. Cracked tiles, filthy grout

final build cost was £11m which was significantly larger than

cleaners employed at the centre, with the staff on a cleaning

and flotsam and jetsam in the main pool and changing area.

the original budget figure. As you can appreciate, it just

rota system instead.

“All that time and money and absolutely NO improvement

wasn’t possible to totally refurbish all existing areas which

to the pool? The room wall tiles might have been changed,

meant that some tough decisions had to be made. One of

but we don’t swim on the wall. All we see is murky water

which excluded a total refurbishment of the pool tank as this

with growing depths of filth appearing in the cracks in the

was not deemed feasible when balancing the needs across the

tiles. Even the metal safety screen on the poolside is the

entire centre.

original.

“In addition to the pool surrounds/balcony area, we did

“Everything else has been renewed, replaced and improved,

ensure tile replacement works were completed in various

but if you’re a swimmer, tough luck. On inquiring about the

targeted areas of the pool tank. Extensive work was also

reasons for the lack of pool improvement, we were told that

completed in the plant room areas which included new

the work was deemed too expensive. I understand that funds

heating, air handling and filtration works.

are tight, but I don’t see how a pool of that age is ever going

“Modifying the current pool structure to provide a deck level

to get cheaper to maintain, repair or improve.”

pool was also seriously considered during the final design

He was told in an email from the partnership manager: “The

build. Unfortunately there was a significant cost associated with this which just wasn’t feasible.” Continued on page 2

Also in this week’s issue

Corner shop plan for the King Billy in Warmley . . . page 5

Campaign to save the 17 bus . . . page 6

Environment Agency objects to Wessex Water’s bridge proposal . . . page 9

24-hour fuel station and café with drive-through proposed at Saltford . . . page 11

Swimmers perplexed Continued from page 1 Regarding the issue of cleanliness, users say staff respond to each incident flagged up with them, but it is a recurring problem. They add that other leisure centres, such as the one at Longwell Green run by Circadian Trust, have dedicated cleaners so that fitness staff can get on with their jobs. The new locker system begins on 19th July. Customers will be able to buy a single use locker token for 30p from one of the three machines. The leisure centre’s website says the system has been introduced following customer feedback on the state of the old lockers which were out of order “owing to reasons beyond our control. The charge allows for more regular maintenance of the lockers and quicker repairs”. But pool users fear that the decision will not only deter and prevent some people from using the facilities but also discourage some from using the lockers so that rather than increasing security, it could increase the risk of theft.

2

Centre’s redevelopment When plans were first announced for the redevelopment of Keynsham Leisure Centre they were not without controversy. In autumn 2015, when B&NES Council asked the public for their views, there were four choices of location: Ashton Way car park, two greenfield sites away from the town centre and a refurbishment of the existing location. But it was not just the location which caused concern at that

point - provision for a sports hall, squash courts and spectator seating for the swimming pool were missing. With more than 70% of the responses favouring the existing site, and subsequent climbdowns over indoor sports provision, initial plans for the leisure centre redevelopment went on public display in June 2016. At that point, it was a £7m project, taking in the old snooker club building and being delivered in two stages to keep

What swimmers are saying Keynsham Leisure Centre pool users have been posting comments on social media recently. One person said that Better and B&NES were advertising “Our brand new 25m pool”. He said: “Really? If you visit Keynsham Leisure Centre (which I do as a proud member every weekday) you’ll find that the 25m pool is one of the few things which has not been installed new. It’s the same old pool as ever, with its surroundings tarted up and no more. But are you aware that Better are rubbing the salt in the wounds of us disappointed swimmers? Swimmers are the only centre users who now have to pay 30p per visit (non-refundable) for use of a locker. For daily swimmers that’s an extra around £75 per year for the ‘privilege’ of using a locker to keep your stuff.” Another wrote: “No way is that pool new. The tiles are

yellow and old.” On the installation of new lockers, someone commented that the token machine at Bath Sports & Leisure Centre, also operated by Better, “is almost always out of order”. Another observed: “If extra revenue is essential to cover the lockers’ maintenance why can’t it be included in the swim cost, rather than making customers faff around.” Someone also commented: “If you forget something in your locker you have to pay for another token. It's an absolute joke.” A parent pointed out that the refurbishment had not included change stations in cubicles or more tables:” Such a challenge with a baby and toddler to dress. I bring a bath mat for baby to sit on but it doesn't ever feel very clean in the change rooms.”

The Week in • Wednesday 7th July 2021

courted controversy from the outset the leisure centre open in some form. People were asked their views on two different options on the indoor sports provision but that was not the limit of the controversy. While there was delight at B&NES Council’s re-think over indoor sports provision, others believed that swimmers had been short-changed. While the new learner

pool was welcomed, some felt that the pool and spectator facilities, which were built in the 1970s, were now being overlooked. The impact on Keynsham Swimming Club’s ability to develop Olympic swimmers such as member SiobhanMarie O’Connor (who had just won silver at Rio) and host galas in the future was a particular concern. But the

swimming club told The Week In at the time that although it was still early days, they were confident the club would have a bright future and a refurbished 25-metre pool would still be in demand. By the end of the year, a planning application was ready for submission, albeit with subsequent concerns raised over the changing facilities provision.

Leisure centre operator responds to criticism We put the concerns raised about Keynsham Leisure Centre to operator Better, which is a not-for-profit charitable social enterprise. This week a spokesperson told us: “Following an £11m investment programme, Keynsham Leisure Centre and pool provide some of the best facilities in the region and will continue to do so for many years to come. “All the broken tiles in the pool tank and changing rooms have been replaced and re-grouted as part of the overhaul in 2018. “We are sorry if a customer has found that a particular cleaning detail did not meet their expectations on the occasion they visited. Changing areas are cleaned on an ongoing basis during the working day to deal with on-thespot issues - with an additional deep clean programmed after closing.

The Week in • Wednesday 7th July 2021

“We thank the actively engaged customers who took part in our community consultation and for pointing out issues promptly so we can deal with them. “While we still provide hanging hooks poolside for those who don’t want to pay for a locker, token-operated lockers have been re-introduced at a modest cost that allows them to be serviced and maintained on a more frequent basis and to a higher standard – important given the high demand and usage at this popular centre. “Spending less on repairing lockers (and renewing plant and machinery so it doesn’t need expensive repairs) means we can continue to subsidise the true cost of swimming, which further reduces the barriers to public participation.” The centre is run in partnership with B&NES Council which led on the project. We have also offered the council the opportunity to respond.

3

‘We may need to pay more to recruit bin drivers’ The deputy leader of B&NES Council has admitted that it may need to pay more to recruit bin lorry drivers to help tackle the shortage which is leading to missed waste and recycling collections across the district. Lib Dem Richard Samuel, who is also the Cabinet Member for Economic Development & Resources, was speaking at last week’s Corporate Policy Development & Scrutiny Panel. He was quizzed by the panel’s chair Karen Warrington about what was happening as she

Richard Samuel

had heard “that we have lost a lot of drivers, that we are advertising now and that we might not have the same packages as our neighbours”. Cllr Samuel said: “There are 100,000 HGV drivers short in the UK and the reason for that is probably Brexit.” A lot of the European Union nationals who have left were drivers, he said. “We have been affected by that and you are quite right that our pay rates are not necessarily as comparable with even the authorities around us, and even with the private sector.” He said he had read that some employers are now paying £40,000 a year to have HGV drivers. “We don’t pay anywhere near that as you can probably imagine but also they are taking people in to train them to become HGV drivers on the basis that there is a job there for them.

THE WEEK IN Barrs Court, Bitton, Brislington, Cadbury Heath, Compton Dando, Corston, Downend, Emersons Green, Fishponds, Hanham, Hillfields, Keynsham, Kingswood, Longwell Green, Mangotsfield, Marksbury, North Common, Oldland Common, Pucklechurch, Saltford, Staple Hill, Stockwood, St George, Warmley, Whitchurch, Wick, Willsbridge. 16,000 copies are distributed through retail outlets, libraries, pubs, community centres each week. Verified pick-up rate of 97%.

The Week In Community Ltd, 8 Temple Court, Keynsham. BS31 1HA 0117 986 0381 www.theweekin.co.uk ISSN: 2052-9767 Publisher Editor Contributors

Stephen Rodgers admin@theweekin.co.uk Becky Feather 07403 273967 Christine Rogers

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No material in this publication, nor its associated website (www.theweekin.co.uk) may be reproduced without the written permission of The Week In. All rights reserved. The Week In is regulated by IMPRESS: The Independent Monitor for the Press CIC. As such, we adhere to the IMPRESS complaints procedure. A copy of this procedure can be found on our website or can be sent upon written request to the address above. 4

“But despite that, there is a shortage. Now how that has affected us is that driver shortages, plus sickness has led to failures, and breakdowns in the recycling and waste collection service.” He said that has been raised with officers. “We’ve asked for some urgent work to take place about how we deal with that reality, But I think we are going to have to probably look at how we reward those jobs and whether those reward packages are competitive. “It is causing us quite a problem at the moment and it has happened quite quickly. This is not something that has crept up.” He understood it is to do with the final Brexit implementation date: “It seems to have accelerated since then.” Cllr Samuel said the responsibility for dealing with these issues is delegated to officers. “We have said to the chief executive this has got to be resolved because it’s leading to service failures in unpredictable ways in many wards and it is causing quite a problem...we cannot operate an important service like waste and recycling collection without a full complement. “I think there is another issue in there as well which is that most of our crews are two-man (or woman) crews and the two-person operation is one of the problems because if you don’t have the driver then you have no service. And I think most other organisations will tend to operate three-person operation in the cabs. That makes a big difference to your resilience. I haven’t seen the solution yet but

the issue has been raised with officers.” Cllr Winston Duguid said it was important to get the message across to all residents the importance of cutting their cardboard and making it easier to pick up. “That is part of the solution.” Cllr Warrington will draft concerns from the panel to the council’s chief executive and director of human resources and is due to make a statement to the next Cabinet meeting on 20th July. • Crews had to go out last Wednesday to collect backlog including in Keynsham and Saltford and were scheduled to return to roads in Saltford and parts of Bath again on Friday and Saturday. They were also due to return to a small number of roads in Bath on Monday. We first highlighted the problem in Issue 684, reporting that the leader of the Conservative group Vic Pritchard had suggested to the council’s chief executive that the level of salary should be raised to attract staff. Cllr Pritchard was reportedly told that to do that, the money would have to come from somewhere else.

Giving hedgehogs a helping hand While it is difficult to accurately monitor

Emersons Green ward area to host in their

hedgehog numbers, The Woodland Trust

gardens.

believes

have

If you would like to apply for one of the

decreased by over half in rural areas and a

hedgehog houses there is an application

third in urban areas since 2000.

form at https://tinyurl.com/rhn79p7d

To try to encourage and protect hedgehogs

Subject to eligibility criteria, hedgehog

in the local area, Emersons Green Town

houses will be allocated by random draw.

Council has a limited supply of hedgehog

The closing date for applications is Friday

houses to distribute to residents of the

10th September.

that

numbers

could

Call for artists South Gloucestershire Council is calling

streets as we look to promote shopping

artists to help with a community project

locally and rediscovering what South

running this summer. “There will be a

Gloucestershire has to offer.”

chance to showcase your work in our high

Contact highstreets@southglos.gov.uk

The Week in • Wednesday 7th July 2021

Corner shop planned next to the King Billy in Warmley Plans to demolish part of the King

Plans show a new access off Tower Road

William IV pub in Warmley and build a

South to serve a new reconfigured car park

corner shop have been submitted to South

for the pub and convenience store.

Gloucestershire Council.

A

The application for the site at the junction of

demolished to make way for the enlarged

Cadbury Heath Road and Tower Road South

parking area to the south.

has come from Cordage Estates. There is

A total of eight car parking spaces are

already a Costcutter corner shop including a

planned for the convenience store, including

post office, on the opposite side of the

one disabled bay. Four cycle parking spaces

junction.

are proposed close to the entrance for use by

Although Tesco is not specifically mentioned

staff and customers. The rear of the car park

in the application, an artist’s impression

would provide 16 spaces for the public

shows a convenience store with the

house, a similar number to that currently

supermarket’s name on it.

available.

The store would employ 25 staff and open

Goods deliveries to both pub and store would

from 6am to 11pm every day. The proposals

be off-road using the area in front of the pub.

say the store would provide residents with a

It is proposed to remove the front porch of

‘top-up’ shopping service for a local walk-in

the pub to improve accessibility.

catchment population and a limited amount

A transport statement as part of the

of passing trade.

application says that the store use would

The land to be developed is deemed surplus

result in a moderate increase in traffic to the

to the operational requirements of the pub,

site and that there has been just one injury

which is locally listed, and the application

collision recorded in the vicinity, “indicating

says the plan is for capital receipt raised from

that the local highway network does not have

the sale of the land to be reinvested back into

an accident problem”.

the business.

The planning reference is P21/03182/F.

The Week in • Wednesday 7th July 2021

single-storey

extension

would

be

5

Concerns over future of key bus route A campaign is under way to save First’s

because of the “current situation”, saying it

Mayor Dan Norris the strength of feeling

future of the 17 at next Monday’s South

17 bus service which links Southmead

has only tendered services for a one-year

about the 17.

Gloucestershire Cabinet meeting.

Hospital and Keynsham and takes in

period which will allow it to carry out a full

With pressure building, regional transport

She says that rather than placing essential

Cossham Hospital en route.

passenger consultation later this year or in

campaigner David Redgewell said he

services like the 17 under threat from the

The contract for the No 17 bus is one of the

early 2022 to then carry out a full tender

understood that Mr Norris is now sourcing

tender process, there should be investment

services financially supported by the West of

process.

information from First about the cost of

and expansion of public transport links so

England Combined Authority (WECA).

A petition urging South Gloucestershire

keeping a through 17 service.

that car-free travel is a real option for all

From September there are plans to split the

Council to impress on WECA that the 17 is

Cllr Reid will be raising concerns about the

residents to reach key destinations.

route into two, with passengers having to

not optional and should be maintained as a

change in Kingswood.

single route journey has been started by

There was no public consultation about

Kingswood councillor Andrea Reid. The e-

changes to any routes in the latest review

petition on the council’s website has so far

of services, sparking concerns including

been signed by more than 300 people.

from patients and NHS staff who rely on the

As the route also serves communities in

17.

Bristol and Bath & North East Somerset, The

WECA has told transport campaigners that

Week In is printing a petition this week so

the lack of a full passenger consultation is

that readers can show West of England

6

The Week in • Wednesday 7th July 2021

Row leads to resignations at Keynsham Foodbank Just before we were preparing this week’s issue for print

said: “We have recently had a change of leadership within

significant contribution

on Monday, we learned that there has been a string of

the trustees and the style is alien to what has been used to

to the work of the

resignations at Keynsham Foodbank, including chairman

great effect with volunteers happy and successfully for nine

charity

and project manager Alan Hale who set it up nine years

years.

years, in supporting

ago.

“As a result, some members of the management group held

those in need in our

Keynsham Foodbank is part of the Trussell Trust. Mr Hale

a meeting out of which came a motion of no confidence in

community.

the trustees. However, the trustees collectively declined the

“We continue to ensure

request to resign and in consequence I felt that I had to resign,

food is available to

albeit with a heavy heart.”

people in need – please

Mr Hale said his deputy Lesley Organ had also resigned

do not stop asking for

along with two new trustees and two managers at the

our help, we are here for

foodbank warehouse, as well as the distribution centre

you.

manager and her deputy, the health and safety manager, plus

“If you need help from Keynsham Foodbank, please continue

two other volunteers.

to contact the network of professionals that issue eVouchers,

Mr Hale added that in the crossover of emails, members of

for example local Citizens Advice and the B&NES Welfare

the management committee received emails from the chair

Support Team on 01225 477277, as well as GPs, nurses,

of the trustees sacking them.

health visitors, social workers, and church ministers plus

On Monday night the chair of the trustees Gwen Edwards

many more who are able to issue eVouchers.

told The Week In: “The board of trustees at Keynsham

“The Keynsham Foodbank team thank the local community

Foodbank sadly confirm that a small number of volunteers

and volunteers for their ongoing support of the work

have resigned from the team. We thank them for their

we do.”

Fit and Fed over the summer Juice Community Project in Cadbury Heath will again be running the Fit and Fed programme over the school summer holidays with free lunches and activities in Coronation Park for children over five in the BS30 area. It will run from noon to 2pm every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 27th July to 26th August. There is no need to book but food will be on a first come, first served basis. To find out more call Juice on 01454 302302.

The Week in • Wednesday 7th July 2021

over

many

Alan Hale

7

Man arrested in firearms investigation and weapon is seized A man from Warmley suspected of buying a forwardventing black firearm was arrested and a weapon seized last Tuesday morning. The man, aged 25, was arrested by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers at his home on Tower Road South. A forward-venting blank firearm was found in his bedroom and seized by officers. Such weapons are illegal in the UK and are readily convertible to fire live rounds. NCA Senior Investigating Officer Rowena Chopping said: “The illicit firearms market moves at a fast pace. We’re now seeing more forward-venting blank firearms being moved more frequently between criminal groups, which is a

worrying trend. “This type of firearm can be converted into a lethal weapon, and then used by organised criminals to threaten, intimidate, and kill. “Since 2018 we’ve seized more than 500 forwardventing blank firearms as part of Project Vizardlike. Criminals smuggling firearms around the country should know we and our policing partners will pursue them tirelessly.” Project Vizardlike is a national NCA-led operation targeting people buying forward venting blank firing weapons online and importing them into the UK. Since 2018, at least 522 prohibited weapons and 3500 rounds of ammunition have

Community meeting

been seized in the UK by the NCA and police forces as part of this project and 83 people have been arrested. If you have any information about illegal firearms or any concerns about people’s access to firearms, report it to police or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

An open virtual meeting for residents of

chance to engage with the local police beat

the Boyd Valley ward to discuss and

team, Avon Fire & Rescue Service and

address neighbourhood matters is being

councillors and to find out what is

organised by South Gloucestershire

happening locally. There will also be a

More roadworks in town centre

Council next Tuesday (13th July) at

public health update.

Rock Road in Keynsham is being dug

Monday, with parking suspended and traffic

7pm.

To get involved email communityengage

up for cable work by Truespeed for

signals controlling the traffic.

The Community Engagement Forum is a

ment@southglos.gov.uk

12 days which is adding to the disruption

There are already traffic lights connected

to traffic caused by the closure of the

with the High Street works and on Monday

nearby High Street for major excavation

there were further lights causing hold-ups on

work.

Bath Hill where Wessex Water was carrying

Truespeed began working in Rock Road on

out sewer network improvements.

Rock Road

Public realm improvement works are taking place in the High Street

Open Access resumes at South Glos libraries Open Access has now resumed at South Gloucestershire libraries for weekends only initially. It is operating with COVID-19 restrictions in place, initially on Saturday afternoons once staffed hours end until 5pm, and on Sundays between 8am and 5pm.

8

The Week in • Wednesday 7th July 2021

Environment Agency recommends bridge scheme refusal over flood risk concerns The Environment Agency has lodged an objection to Wessex Water’s plans for a bridge and access road linking its Saltford plant to the A431. Wessex Water has applied to Bath & North East Somerset Council for planning application, saying it needs to improve access to carry out major work to increase capacity at the sewage treatment centre at Mead Lane and provide for the site in the long term. Its regional scientific centre is also based there. Existing access along Mead Lane can be difficult as it floods when the river level is high, and HGVs struggle to negotiate narrow roads in Saltford. Although the proposed new access on the A431 falls within B&NES, it is just a few metres from the South Gloucestershire border and people living nearby say that the A431 at Swineford floods more frequently than Mead Lane and to a greater depth. The Environment Agency, which has been consulted about the plans, has now written to B&NES Council, saying that

in the absence of a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) supported by acceptable hydraulic modelling, “we object to this application and recommend that planning permission is refused”. It says that the submitted FRA and modelling does not comply with the requirements for site specific flood risk assessments so does not adequately assess the flood risks posed by the development. “In particular, it fails to demonstrate flood risk will not be increased elsewhere as a result of this development.” The Environment Agency says that Wessex Water should submit a revised FRA and modelling: “If this cannot be achieved, we are likely to maintain our objection.” The Cotswolds Conservation Board meanwhile has written to B&NES Council reminding it of its statutory duty to have regard for the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the Cotswolds National Landscape, which is the new name for the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

South Glos Council raises no objection to Wessex Water’s scheme South Gloucestershire Council has raised no objection to Wessex Water’s plans for a bridge and access road linking the Mead Lane plant in Saltford to the A431 near Swineford, subject to conditions. One of those is that flood gates are installed on the A431– something people who live locally have been calling for since the year 2000 and for which South Gloucestershire Council made £10,000 financial provision for after the 2013/14 floods. B&NES Council formally consulted its neighbouring authority over Wessex’s planning application. In a letter to B&NES last week, South Gloucestershire’s Director of Environment and Community Services Nigel Riglar drew attention to the “strong, detailed, and well-articulated, representations of members of the local communities in Bitton and Swineford, and their local representatives”. He said: “They feel that the transfer of the impacts arising from access to the Saltford works from B&NES communities to these in South Gloucestershire is unwarranted and that improvements to the existing access and/or options wholly within B&NES should be preferred. “They further point to impacts arising from the construction, traffic movements, flood risk and landscape harm, which they consider will adversely affect their amenity and the character of the area. The council supports the rights of these residents to have their views heard and taken into careful consideration by B&NES Council. “They have also been taken into account in the council’s assessment. Nevertheless, the council has carefully considered the planning application as submitted, and

The Week in • Wednesday 7th July 2021

Wessex Water’s site at Mead Lane

notwithstanding these concerns, I can advise you that subject to the points set out below, South Gloucestershire Council raise no objection in principle to the proposal.” Those points include a legal agreement requiring the provision of a pair of flood gates each end of the Swineford flood zone on the A431 in agreed positions, along with appropriate signage. The council also highlights that the area where the construction compound would be sited on the north of the A431 is on land historically used for landfill, so care must be taken regarding the release of contaminants. It also wants to see a Vehicle Activated Speed sign on the A431, a footway from the new access to the boundary between the two districts, and mature planting to provide adequate screening. B&NES Council is due to make its decision on the plans by the end of this month.

Flooding at Swineford

MP lodges formal objection to plans Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore has written to B&NES Council to raise his concerns over Wessex Water’s proposal after being contacted by many of his constituents in Bitton and Swineford. He said: “As the MP representing the part of South Gloucestershire nearest to this site, I have written to object to this application unless a number of matters are resolved to the satisfaction of Bitton and Swineford residents, namely: “Robust flood mitigation measures to address the fact that the A431 floods regularly, which is set to worsen as a result of climate change. Several of my residents are expert in these matters and I would urge that their representations are given the technical weight that they deserve. “Mature planting as part of a significant ‘net gain’ for wildlife and ecology to restore the natural screening that we stand to lose should this application be approved. Local flora and fauna are integral to the character of the local area and the local Green Belt and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty designations. “Comprehensive action to address traffic impact and to improve accessibility and road safety. Local residents are already experiencing increased HGV traffic, noise, vibration and air pollution on a route that is vulnerable to road closures and flooding events, and the proposed traffic from this application, both construction and operation, will only worsen this. “This is as a result of the Clean Air Zone and works linked to the closure of Cleveland Bridge in Bath. The cumulative impact of these different interventions must be considered when analysing this application.”

9

LETTERS Hole in the pavement Dear Editor The pavement close to Hanham Library has been for a considerable time, obstructed by barriers around a hole. At the present time the hole is filling with leaves and rubbish. There is no indication who is responsible for necessary works and repairs to be done. Maybe this will refresh someone's memory that the hole needs fixing. A Wager, St George

Calling all epilepsy heroes

trip, organised by Staple Hill British Legion

Dear Editor

these were several years ago, and it has been very

I am writing to ask your readers to seek out and

much expanded.

celebrate the epilepsy heroes in your community.

There are many memorials to the Navy, Army and

Epilepsy affects over 51,000 across the South

the RAF commemorating those who gave their

West, some of them helped by truly inspirational

lives in wars and conflicts all around the world,

people. Those who think nothing of going out of

but the most poignant and emotional is the one

their way to lend a hand or even save a life when

commemorating the British and Commonwealth

someone really needs it. This year, national

PoWs who gave their lives building the Burma

charity Epilepsy Action wants to thank them and

Siam Railway for their Japanese captors and was

honour their efforts publicly with a Helping

famously made into the Bridge on the River Kwai

temperatures, being cruelly treated and being fed

Hands 2021 award. This past year has been such

film.

the most meagre of rations is beyond belief; a

an unsettling time, especially for those living with

There is also a small museum alongside the

great many died, and those who survived never

invisible conditions like epilepsy. Pandemic or

preserved recovered section of railway track that

really recovered.

not, so many people and families have struggled

has many photos, and written stories. The

Cllr Michael Bell & E4287332 Senior

behind closed doors. Community heroes have

conditions they worked in, extremely high

Aircraftsman Bell, RAF

Branch,

to

the

National

Memorial

in

Staffordshire. I have been there several times but

often been a lifeline, stepping up in a crisis. It

Pedestrianisation plan deserves consideration

could be a teacher who has been a legend in lockdown. A total stranger who rallied during a seizure. Or a local group who took on an epic

Rotarians club together to buy special trike for Elliot

Dear Editor

fundraiser for epilepsy. Whoever they are, we

In principle I support the views expressed by

want to hear all about them!

David Matthews in last week’s issue regarding the

Last year, my daughter, eight-year-old Sienna,

future of Hanham High Street. If the businesses

picked up an award for the care she gives to her

there are to thrive, then the only long-term

sister, who has severe epilepsy and complex

solution is to pedestrianise all or part of the area.

needs. Sienna does so much each day and this

exercise bike, thanks to help

The transformation, albeit for only a few hours,

thankless job goes unnoticed by the outside

from local Rotary clubs.

and usually on a cold and wet winter's evening,

world. She is a remarkable little girl who doesn't

Elliot suffers from a muscular

for the annual Hanham Fair illustrates what it

even know the difference she makes to her sister's

condition which means he has

could be like. The problem is, how to do it

life. I wanted to tell her – and everyone else - how

to have regular exercise to

permanently without causing major disruption to

proud we are of her.

prevent severe pain and to

those residents who would be most affected by

This summer, Epilepsy Action would love for

support his physical day-to-

such a major upheaval?

your readers to be inspired by amazing people like

day

Obviously, without support from them and the

Sienna and to nominate more Helping Hands

cycling was one of a number

general population, any such project would be a

heroes. To do this, visit epilepsy.org.uk/awards

non-starter, so if the matter is ever to receive

before 15th August. We can’t wait to hear about

serious consideration it would mean holding

your heroes, to celebrate and to thank them, on

lengthy and probably tortuous consultations, but

behalf of people with epilepsy everywhere.

surely it is worthwhile discussing? If the centre of

Dee Appleby

Hanham is ever to become a vibrant community,

• Support is available on Epilepsy Action’s

A youngster is riding high on his

specially

activities.

designed

Regular

of recommended options for exercise but Elliot needed a

spanking new tricycle recently at Saltford

special trike to meet his needs.

Golf Club. His parents attended the

Keynsham Rotary was approached and

presentation,

other local clubs were asked to assist in

Kingswood, Fishponds & Downend and

website, epilepsy.org.uk, or by calling our

getting hold of a suitable bike. It has not

Bathavon clubs, plus Derek Aston of Yate

helpline on Freephone 0808 800 5050.

been possible to raise funds over the last

Supplies and a member of the Rotary Club

year but relatively small amounts from each

of Cotswold Tyndale.

Lest we forget

club raised the total needed.

The bike was an immediate success as Elliot

tunnel or a flyover, are out of the question.

Dear Editor

Elliot was formally presented with his

demonstrated his skills in manoeuvring it.

Mike Openshaw, Hanham

Recently I went on an Armed Forces Day coach

then a permanent closure of at least a section of the main road, which currently splits the area in two, seems to me to be the only solution, assuming, of course, that the other options, i.e. a

10

as

did

Rotarians

from

The Week in • Wednesday 7th July 2021

24-hour fuel station and café with drive-through proposed Plans to remove car sales from Avon Valley Garage in Saltford and change the site to a 24-hour fuel station with a coffee shop/café and drive-through to the rear have been lodged with Bath & North East Somerset Council. The change of use application for 584 Bath Road has been drawn up on behalf of Farmborough-based Hillside Farm Investments Ltd. The application says that Avon Valley Garage has a long established use for the sale of cars but the premises previously operated as a petrol station.

“The use for the sale of fuel has never been abandoned and has continued throughout the period when car sales have taken place, albeit on a reduced scale. “The applicant wishes to re-instate petrol sales as being the predominant use, a use which will take place from the forecourt under the existing canopy. The current rather unattractive, flat roof structure will be removed and a new two-storey building is proposed. “Designed to harmonise with and better reflect the site’s semi-rural location, the building will be set back further into

Mobile speed camera locations Here are the locations in our area where you can expect to see police mobile speed cameras this week. South Gloucestershire: On the A4175 at Oldland Common; on the A431 Bath Road at Swineford; at Upton Cheyney on Marshfield Lane and Brewery Hill; in Hanham on Whittucks Road and Abbots Road; at Sweets Road in Kingswood; on the A4174 Avon Ring Road near Junction 1 of the M32; in Wick on Milford Avenue; in Longwell Green on Court Farm Road, Shellards Road and Ellacombe Road; in North Common at Mill Lane and at Tower Lane in Warmley; on Gloucester Road in Staple Hill; in Downend on Cleeve Hill and the A4017 Bromley Heath Road/North Street; also at several locations along the A432 Badminton Road, including Downend. Bath & North East Somerset: In Keynsham on the B3116 Wellsway, Albert Road, Bristol Road, Coronation Avenue, Queens Road and Rock Road;

in Saltford on Grange Road, Manor Road and Norman Road; on the A431 Kelston Road; on the A37 at Pensford. Bristol: On the A4 Bath Road at Hicks Gate; in Brislington on the A4 Brislington Hill, the A4174 Callington Road, Allison Road, Talbot Road, Hungerford Road, Wick Road and School Road; in Hengrove on the A37 Wells Road, A4174 Hengrove Way, Tarnock Avenue, Cadogan Road, Petherton Road, Hengrove Avenue, Hengrove Lane and Great Hayles Road; in Stockwood on Ladman Road, Stockwood Lane and Sturminster Road; in Whitchurch on Hazelbury Road, Ridgeway Lane and Whitchurch Lane; in St George on the A431 Nags Head Hill/Air Balloon Road, the A420 Bell Hill Road/Two Mile Hill Road, Kingsway, Blackswarth Road, Plummers Hill and Hillside Road; in Fishponds on the A432 Fishponds Road and Thicket Avenue; at Argyle Road in Mayfield Park; in Whitehall on Whitehall Avenue and the B4465 Whitehall Road; also on the B4465 Forest Road at Hillfields.

Sudoku 1-Easy

the site, allowing the introduction of significant landscaping to help soften the development.” On the ground floor, a coffee shop/café is proposed, which will also provide takeaway hot drinks and snacks via a drivethrough service to the rear. To make the business viable, the applicant wants to extend the existing footprint by approximately 30%. Above the café, staff accommodation is proposed which the application says will provide sustainable accommodation by reducing travel needs while also providing on-site security. Opening 24 hours a day, the business would provide local job opportunities for up to 10 full-time and six part-time staff. A number of car recharging points are proposed, as is cycle parking for customers and staff. The site has an existing access point but separate entry and exit points are proposed. The application says that the future traffic generation would not have a serious detrimental effect on the A4 Bath Road. The planning application is 21/01644/FUL.

SUNDAY CHEMISTS Sunday 11th July

2 -Hard

Boots, Gallagher Retail Park, Longwell Green (10.30am-4pm) Asda, Longwell Green (10am-4pm) Boots, Emersons Green Retail Park (10.30am-4.30pm) Sainsbury’s, Emersons Green Retail Park (9.30am-4.30pm) Stockwood Pharmacy, 78 Hollway Road, BS14 8PG (9am-7pm) Keynsham Pharmacy, 15 Station Road, BS31 2BH (10am-4pm) Tesco, Callington Road, Brislington (10am to 4pm) Morrisons, 688-718 Fishponds Road, Fishponds (10am-4pm) Boots, Avonmeads Retail Park, St Philips Causeway (11am-5pm)

The Week in • Wednesday 7th July 2021

11

Nursery plan submitted for vacant heritage building A planning application has been submitted to South Gloucestershire Council to turn the old factory canteen building in the centre of Bitton’s new housing estate into a children’s nursery. Most of the old Intier buildings were pulled down by Linden Homes to make way for their new Bitton Mill development but the locally listed canteen was kept and planning permission granted for commercial/community use as part of the scheme.

In February (Issue 667) we reported that plans to convert the vacant canteen building into office space for Mobius Works had been refused by South Gloucestershire councillors even though planning officers had recommended approval. The development control committee shared Bitton residents’ concerns about just three allocated spaces for the proposed 35-desk office and voted by a large majority to reject the application on the grounds that insufficient parking provision would have a harmful impact on the immediate and wider

area due to on-street congestion. It emerged at the committee meeting that a local nursery and pre-school business was interested in taking over the canteen in Champion Road. At the time local councillor Paul Hughes said there had been preliminary discussions with council planners and they had indicated a positive response. He called it the “right solution” for the building. Now a planning application for a nursery has been submitted by BRO Architecture. The plans include installing a first floor and adjusting a window opening at the rear to add a doorway to make use of the garden area. The nursery would employ five full-time employees and the proposed opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The planning reference is P21/04112/F.

Support service being wound up

The old canteen building is surrounded by houses

Crossword

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Amusing person (8)

1. Flexible stick (4)

5. Refer to (4)

2. Clemency (5)

9. Blissful state (7)

3. Demise (5)

10. Choral composition 4. Deciduous shrub (6) (5) 6. Whole number (7) 11. Throw (3) 7. Having a right (8) 12. Chinese fruit (6)

8. Symbol (6)

15. Not heavy (5)

13. Food fish (3)

17. Valley (4)

14. Limit (4)

19. Small canine pet (6)

16. Sparkles (8)

22. Drench (6)

18. Former Italian currency (4)

24. Expensive (4)

20. Bicycle carrier (7)

26. Church council (5)

21. Curiosity (6) 27. Incendiary liquid (6) 23. Snake (3) 30. Evergreen creeper 25. No matter who (6) (3) 28. Heartbeat (5) 32. Expel from 29. Patois (inf.) (5) property (5) 31. Deprivation (4) 33. Florida city (7) 34. Certain (4) 35. Bountiful (8)

12

After more than a year of delivering emergency support to residents across Bath and North East Somerset during the pandemic, third sector organisation 3SG is stepping down from providing volunteer support for the Community Wellbeing Hub. Since the start of the first national lockdown, 3SG and its 2,000 volunteers have provided a shopping and medication service for vulnerable residents, completing more than 5,000 tasks. However, with restrictions now easing and referrals from the Community Wellbeing Hub significantly reducing, the service is being wound up to enable 3SG to focus on its core mission of supporting a network of 200 charities and social enterprises across the area. The Community Wellbeing Hub, which is a partnership of public, private and voluntary sector organisations, will continue to offer support to residents by signposting people to other services, such as NHS Volunteer Responders. It will also continue to provide direct food support through emergency food supplies, advice on weight management and healthy eating, ‘Cook It’ classes, and referrals to foodbanks and other organisations offering support. Many of the volunteers who have provided support to local people are now volunteering at the vaccination site at Bath Racecourse. Volunteers who have expressed a wish to continue to volunteer in other roles are being offered support through the volunteer service to find other opportunities. The Community Wellbeing Hub can be contacted on 0300 247 0050.

The Week in • Wednesday 7th July 2021

Talk at museum by TV historian John Horwood (1803–1821) was a miner’s son from Hanham who was convicted of the murder of a local girl and was the first person to be hanged at Bristol New Gaol. One of this year’s four new displays at Kingswood Heritage

Council rejects 5G mast plan

Museum features John’s story

South Gloucestershire Council has refused to

“The mast would tower above the nearby

7.30 pm, TV historian Richard

grant prior approval to a phone giant for a 5G

residential properties and be in very close

Felix will be giving a talk at the

mast outside a block of flats in Staple Hill.

proximity to them … In policy terms,

museum about John Horwood’s

H3G UK wanted to put the 18-metre high

proposals should be sited, designed and

trial and the consequences of

mast and four cabinets on a wide section of

landscaped so as to minimise any negative

what happened next.

pavement outside Church Court, on the

impact

natural

For further information and to

corner of Soundwell Road and Leicester

environment. The proposals fail to achieve

book tickets visit Richard

Square.

these requirements at this location.”

Felix’s website at www.richard-

The plans showed it would be immediately

The council said that the applicant had not

felix.co.uk

outside the three-storey flats and just four

submitted

(Tickets are not available from

metres from windows.

demonstrate that no suitable alternative site

The council planning officer’s report said:

was available in the area.

The Week in • Wednesday 7th July 2021

upon

the

built

sufficient

and

information

and on Saturday 31st July at

to

Richard Felix

the museum).

13

Bristol’s Clean Air Zone delayed until next summer Bristol’s Clean Air Zone will now be introduced in the

the zone are already clean enough and won’t be charged. This

summer of 2022, rather than this October, with a

percentage is likely to increase when citizens and businesses

strengthened package of support to help people and

take advantage of financial support from the council to

businesses adapt to the changes to tackle pollution in the

switch to a cleaner vehicle or more sustainable form of travel.

city, the council has announced.

In addition, more people will now be eligible for financial

But Bristol Green councillors have expressed their frustration

support after Bristol City Council raised its low-income

that once again the launch date has been delayed.

threshold from £24,000 to £27,000 by early 2022.

The introduction of the

All residents inside the zone with a non-compliant vehicle

zone will include support

will be offered a one-year exemption to give them time to

for people to upgrade to

apply for financial support to switch to a cleaner vehicle or

cleaner vehicles and more

different way of travelling.

sustainable travel habits,

Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said: “The Clean Air Zone

causes permanent health issues such as asthma and reduced

while seeing older and

is a complex project. We’re working closely with

lung function among children.”

more polluting vehicles

Government to get it right and get the best deal for Bristol

Green councillor for Eastville Lorraine Francis said: “It's

charged to drive through

residents and businesses.

incredibly frustrating that the council have now delayed

the city centre as outlined

“We’ve gained valuable insight from the introduction of

action by another nine months, despite having been required

in plans that were submitted to the Government in February.

Clean Air Zones in other cities and I’m pleased we’ve been

by the Government to start in October this year.

The city council says it worked closely with the

able to strengthen our proposals to provide a significant

“The mitigation measures which have already been

Government’s Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU) to ensure the

package of support and give people more time to prepare for

announced are welcome but could have been in place years

additional support, with the implementation of the zone

the zone.”

ago as they are in cities like Birmingham and Bath, which

meaning the city will remain on track to reduce pollution

In a statement Bristol’s Green councillors said: “Since 2017

have already launched their own Clean Air Zones.”

caused by traffic to within legal limits by 2023, a date that

the council has explored four different schemes for a Clean

Find

has been brought forward significantly since work started on

Air Zone and missed multiple Government deadlines. As a

https://www.bristol.gov.uk/streets-travel/bristol-caz

the Clean Air Zone.

result, Bristol’s air pollution is in breach of legal limits and

Are local authorities really confronting the issues they

Nearly three-quarters of vehicles (71 per cent) travelling into

contributes to 300 excess deaths in the city each year and

face? See page 15

Marvin Rees

out

more

about

the

zone

at

Help improve the quality of local rivers, streams and lakes Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) is

George Clark, BART project manager, said:

seeking volunteers to take part in its

“Rivers and streams are the arteries of our

annual WaterBlitz event.

planet but they face serious challenges.

Between 9th and and 12th July, BART aims

Within the Bristol Avon catchment we often

to collect as many samples from the rivers,

see nutrient pollution entering watercourses

streams and lakes of the Bristol Avon

and degrading these important ecosystems

catchment to help gain a snapshot of water

and impacting the species that inhabit them.

quality.

Therefore it is increasingly important to

BART will supply free water testing kits to

carry out monitoring and work together for

volunteers which will measure nutrient

rivers.”

levels in a water sample taken from a chosen

“The WaterBlitz is a great opportunity

waterbody. In high concentrations nutrients

to get back outside after months of

can impact the local wildlife which depends

lockdown and connect with your favourite

on a healthy river. The presence of these

local river or newly discovered stream.

Individuals or groups can get involved in the

This will be an opportunity to collect a kit

nutrients may indicate a pollution event

Volunteers can take an active, and socially

event and BART would like to encourage

and ask any questions you may have.

nearby or ongoing issues from land

distant role in scientific monitoring, helping

schools and community groups to take part

To find out more and register for a free, easy-

management, sewage outfalls or urban

us understand the water quality issues in our

too. On Saturday (10th July) BART will host

to-use

pressures. The results will help BART target

communities and help us protect our

an event at Oldbury Court Estate from 10am

https://bristolavonriverstrust.org/event/

its ongoing conservation work.

precious rivers.”

to 2pm.

bristol-avon-waterblitz-2021/

14

water

sampling

kit

head

to

The Week in • Wednesday 7th July 2021

The low-hanging fruit in tackling climate change While there is a great deal of talk about climate change, The Week In publisher Stephen Rodgers asks whether our local authorities are really confronting the issues they face The phrase ‘doing nothing is not an option’ is frequently used in local and central government terms when confronting a difficult issue. When it comes to all matters ‘climate change’ that term is slightly nuanced. It is more a case of being seen to do something while doing nothing of any consequence. On a local level we have councils declaring climate emergencies and embarking on policies which are high on semantics but will have minimal impact ahead of their declared 2030 deadlines. No one expects climate change to be achieved by local councils alone. Many expect COP26 in Glasgow to be nothing more than a talking a shop and the record of nations signed up to previous climate change conference pledges does not bode well. If ‘doing nothing’ is OK at international level and our own government talks about green energy investment while committing £27bn to road building, what can we do at a local level? While separating our rubbish and increasing recycling levels

4% of vehicles entering the city centre are chargeable yet the

more trains, trams or alternative forms of vehicle power

may make us feel good about saving the planet, we

scheme is raising around £50,000 a week. Imagine how those

anytime soon. It is fine for Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees saying

conveniently avoid confronting the real issues. At a local

figures would look if private cars were included.

he wants to flood central Bristol with buses for example. All

level, what councils should be hell bent on achieving is a

The council has also declared that by working with local

you need is twice the number of buses and twice the number

reduction in car use. Traffic congestion does not just

businesses and taxi drivers, it has been able to remove 240

of drivers.

contribute to global warming, it kills people. The Week In

older, polluting vehicles since the Bath CAZ was introduced.

‘Holistic approach’ is another of those ‘doing nothing is not

recently reported on revelations that around 270 schools in

They have been replaced by 240 vehicles that don’t pollute

an option’ terms. But if we are going to confront the ‘climate

our area are located in areas where NO2 levels exceed World

as much.

emergency’ that our local authorities are all agreed exists then

Health Organisation safe limits. So why do we just turn a

On another level, the West of England Combined Authority

we do need to affect behavioural change. If councils are

blind eye to estimations which point to over 300 excess

is very pleased with its trial of e-scooters. While the scheme

running scared of re-election by inconveniencing car drivers,

deaths a year in the Bristol area from traffic fumes?

seems to be hitting the headlines for the wrong reasons after

then shouldn’t they be trying to change attitudes?

Take a closer look at the much-heralded ‘clean air zones’ in

the first few months of the project, it is clear that they have

The problem remains that all of us ‘need’ our car. Many of

Bath and Bristol. In Bath, fear of upsetting the voters resulted

become popular. But what effect are they having on the

us really do but for the majority that ‘need’ is defined by

in a watered-down version which conveniently excluded the

problem they are supposed to address? How many car drivers

where our children go to school or the social requirement for

main cause of vehicle pollution – private cars.

have abandoned their vehicles in favour of an e-scooter? One

the ‘weekly shop’. Wouldn’t it be interesting if we started

Meanwhile Bristol ‘talked but not walked’ its way to missing

of the companies behind e-scooter trials elsewhere in the

asking people to think more about why they need their cars

Government-imposed deadline after Government-imposed

country has just declared that 17% of their use is as an

or why households have more than one car? Some of those

deadline before finally coming up with a plan which similarly

alternative to car journeys – so 83% aren’t. If e-scooter users

answers may help formulate future housing or education

skirts around the biggest threat. And guess what –

are in fact converts from walking or public transport, then

requirements in council local plans. Attitudes can change

implementation has just been delayed until next year.

surely that is counter intuitive.

quickly, as enforced home working over the last 15 months

Apparently, the council needs more time to help drivers

has demonstrated.

upgrade their vehicles or be persuaded out of their cars

No easy fix

If we started to seriously consider how we use the cars that

altogether! So, 270 schools in dangerous areas and 300

If we are going to get people out of their cars then it is going

we believe we need (like walking to the local shop instead

excess deaths is clearly not persuasive enough.

to need measures that hurt. For many years I believed we

of driving) that already would be a start. 17% of scooter users

B&NES Council has just released figures for the first three

needed a carrot before we had a stick. Now I believe we need

converting from car journeys or 240 polluting cars removed

months of its Clean Air Zone (CAZ). While you can make

to use a stick to make people eat the carrot. There is no easy

from our roads is still welcomed. But charging to drive into

statistics say whatever you want to support your own

fix. No single council or single government will bring about

city centres or reducing road space in favour of public

message, what the initial findings make clear is that the CAZ

the changes that are needed and decades of under-investment

transport would heighten the thought process about whether

is targeting a very small part of the initial problem. Only 3%-

and preferring to ignore the real issues mean there won’t be

we really ‘need’ to make that car journey in the first place.

The Week in • Wednesday 7th July 2021

15

Discovering Devon & the Jurassic Coast We set off for Exmouth on a sunny morning with hedgerows clouded with cow parsley and long silky grass. Summer had arrived at last. Avoiding the motorway, we headed down towards Exmouth, arriving at our accommodation on the East Devon coast about 3pm. We checked in and made our way to Exmouth's surprisingly busy promenade. Families thronged the beach where surfer kites and hang gliders seemed to have rapidly risen in popularity. That evening we were surprised to find we were the only people dining in the recently refurbished elegant hotel. The next day we walked around Exmouth's impressive marina, where brightly coloured apartments have recently been erected. The old docks closed in 1990 when the harbour wall became unsafe and the last boat to leave was the 700 ton Star-Libra. However, little fishing boats sail from the small port, and the ferry to Star Cross is stationed here. A few shops and a tempting bar restaurant give the complex a pleasant atmosphere. Whilst stopping for coffee, we noticed pied wagtails skittering amongst the tables while seagulls wheeled overhead. The next day we took a trip to Barnstaple by train, travelling cross country to North Devon. Our train left Exmouth at 10am and we travelled to Exeter along the estuary, taking advantage of coastal views across the bay. On arrival at Exeter Central 20 minutes or so later we took a whistle-stop walk around the city centre, admiring the impressive Cathedral and interesting old buildings. An hour later we were on the Barnstaple train, puffing our way north west. We passed through vibrant countryside, and signs advertising the Otter Trail appeared. Out-ofthe way hamlets such as Eggesford, Yeoford

and Copplestone whisked by. Our journey took an hour and a half. It was then a short walk from the station across Barnstaple Long Bridge which spans the River Taw and is one of the largest medieval bridges in Britain. The town of Barnstaple thrived on the wool industry. It started exporting wool in the 14th century from its slightly inland harbour. However, after this silted up, the trade became unviable. Other industries including ship building, sawmills and foundries then became the commercial alternative. The Pannier Market is an impressive Victorian building, selling a variety of antiques and wares. It has hardly changed over the last 150 years and is one of the largest indoor markets in Britain. Turning a corner at Golden Street, just off the High Street, we were surprised to see a strange grassy mound. This was the site of an Anglo-Saxon cemetery until William the Conqueror built a castle and motte over it. The castle has long since disappeared and the mound is now included within Barnstaple's parkland area. Perusing the little gift and charity shops and walking Barnstaple's streets and parkland, it was soon time to wend our way back to the station for our train back to Exeter Central and on to our hotel in Exmouth. The next two days we had decided we would stay in Bridport, close to West Bay, or Broadchurch as fans of the popular programme know it as. On the way we visited The Donkey Sanctuary near Sidmouth, a must for children and grandparents alike. Its seven-acre site is flat and home to hundreds of donkeys rescued from toil and maltreatment. There is a spacious restaurant and gift shop, plus plenty of benches around the site for the weary walker. The sanctuary is run by a charity and has been in existence for more than 50 years.

Barnstaple’s Pannier Market

16

There is a riding centre for disabled children and memorial trees are a feature of the well laid out site. Its closeness to the rugged Devon coastline means there is a picturesque walk leading down from the sanctuary to a small beach at Weston Mouth. It was whilst following the path around the sanctuary that my partner Dave spied The Jurassic Coast at West Bay a crow on a fence. Being a nature lover, he approached the bird cautiously. As it was very tame he decided he would encourage it to fly on to his arm. Sitting on the grass close to the bird, amazingly the crow did take a short hop and landed on his shoulder. Thrilled, he spent the next eight to 10 minutes as a Long John Dave with the tame crow Silver impressionist. Our last day we spent at West Bay, setting unusual and interesting items. The building for the famous Broadchurch TV series. stretches over three floors and has plenty of Gingerly we walked along the pebbled and outdoor seating and a café. sandy beach. In recent years, further along On the Wednesday morning we packed up the coast, the ancient cliffs that are a feature for our journey back to Bristol. As we left of the Jurassic Coast have been known to our B&B in Bridport, I noticed with some regret that the twice weekly market was crash without warning into the sea. West Bay was known as Bridport Harbour setting up. The wide High Street and main for many years as it was from here that the road out of the small town buzzed with stall ropes and nets famously made here were exported to foreign parts. Now West Bay is a holiday resort with enthusiasts worldwide wanting to explore the Jurassic Coast as well as discover the setting of one of television's most popular detective series. The old customs warehouse now acts as an antique and vintage store selling all types of

holders and early morning shoppers. It occurred to me to stay for an extra day. However, with foreign holidays seemingly out of reach, there is plenty of time for a return visit and that special stall with the handbags and seaside scarves that fleetingly but definitely caught my eye! Christine Rogers

The new marina at Exmouth

The Week in • Wednesday 7th July 2021

The Community Page

Nature in our garden Lockdown, self-isolation and shielding have presented us all with different problems. But what do you do if you have been diagnosed with cancer just at the start of the pandemic? For Michael Poole from Longwell Green the only thing he could do while undergoing chemotherapy was indulge in his love of nature and photographic skills. Throughout the last 15 months he has catalogued the comings and goings in his own garden with some of these amazing images. His period of confinement has even covered two breeding seasons for foxes which he has captured playing as cubs, growing and leaving the den – only for the process to repeat itself a year later. As well as saluting Michael’s amazing talent it is also a wonderful reminder of just how close we are to nature – even in an urban environment like Longwell Green.

First members’ meeting In the anticipation of more lockdown measures lifting this month and face-to-face meetings becoming easier to organise, The Week In Community is planning to hold its first members’ meeting on Wednesday 28th July. Members of the society will receive full details of the meeting during the week of 5th July if, as is widely predicted, the Government confirms further lifting of controls on public gatherings. The Week In newspaper has been published by The Week In Community since the beginning of the year and as a community benefit society, it is owned by individual members rather than shareholders. Profits no longer revert to shareholders but must be re-invested into the community. The first members’ meeting will be a chance to discuss plans for the future of the newspaper and what community activities and organisations could benefit from surpluses generated. A newspaper owned by its readers is not a unique concept. There are already a number of publications around the country which are owned by community benefit societies. In one respect it is an acknowledgement of the changing environment of the news industry which has previously been underwritten by advertising revenue and/or paid sales. But it is also a means of ensuring local communities continue to have a voice and hold authority to account. If you want to find out more about and join the growing Week In Community then visit our website www.theweekin.co.uk and click on the “become a member” button in the top right of the home page.

Help produce The Week In Community Pages You may have read about this in recent editions of The Week In. It is the first initiative introduced this year since the paper was published by a community benefit society. The Community Pages project launched with the help of local parish councils and volunteer organisations in our readership area and has recently received financial support from The Quartet Foundation. We want to have more of the weekly newspaper produced by the people who read it and as such are looking out for contributors and technicians who can be helped to develop their skills. The spectacular images on this page are one such example. We already have a few more writers who will be producing words and pictures for future editions. We are still looking for people who want to learn the page make-up and production skills to actually prepare The Community Pages for print. If you would like to know more then send an email with brief details about yourself to theweekincommunity@gmail.com

The Week in • Wednesday 7th July 2021

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Large-scale vaccination centre opens at UWE A new large-scale vaccination centre opens today (Wednesday) at the Conference and Exhibition Centre at UWE Bristol’s Frenchay Campus. It will have a capacity of up to 1,000 vaccinations a day and makes use of the decommissioned NHS Nightingale Hospital Bristol facilities. The Vaccination Centre @ UWE Bristol will sit alongside the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) Vaccination Programme’s existing GP, community pharmacy and Ashton Gate vaccination sites. It will increase vaccination capacity across BNSSG in the race to protect as many people as possible from the Delta variant of COVID19 before any planned easing of lockdown.

It will also allow more vital second dose vaccinations to be brought forward from 12 weeks for those eligible to offer the best possible protection against hospitalisation from COVID19. The centre has a large free car park and is easily accessible by car from much of BNSSG, while the UWE

“If you have been putting off booking your appointment, please don’t delay. We have lots of first dose vaccination capacity at the moment on the National Booking System, in GP clinics and at walk-in centres. We’re working hard to make it as easy as possible for everyone in our region to take

Bristol Campus is a 15-minute bus journey from central Bristol. Dr Tim Whittlestone, Clinical Lead for the vaccination programme, said: “Although we are making good progress in BNSSG, we still have hundreds of thousands of first and second dose vaccinations to give. The Vaccination Centre @ UWE Bristol will increase our capacity to ensure we reach the deadline of offering all adults a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine before 25th July.

up the offer of a vaccination by offering as many options as possible. Please book your appointment, now.” Professor Steve West, UWE Bristol Vice-Chancellor, said: “We are proud to be able to help the regional and national effort to get people vaccinated.” Over seven million COVID-19 vaccinations have now been given in the South West, but around 230,000 over-50s in the region are yet to receive the life-saving jab.

MP joins residents in Southey Park clean Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore joined local residents and members of the Friends of Southey Park group recently for a litter pick in the open space off New Cheltenham Road. The Friends work in partnership with South Gloucestershire Council to raise the profile of the green area through positive activities and working with other community groups and agencies. Mr Skidmore said: “I am delighted to join Southey Park volunteers and take part in another litter pick to help keep our local area tidy and looking its best. “We have seen how the pandemic has unfortunately meant increased littering for

our communities here in South Gloucestershire, so it was fantastic to get together with local residents and members to take positive action for the environment locally.” Friends’ member Tina Sheppard said: “The Friends of Southey Park was founded by local residents to safeguard and develop Southey Park for the benefit of all local residents, wildlife and park users. We hold annual events to raise much-needed funds for park improvements and undertake monthly litter picks.” If you would like to get involved contact friendsofsoutheypark@gmail.com

COVID-19 cases still rising rapidly The most recently available data as we went to print showed a further sharp rise in local confirmed COVID cases. In South Gloucestershire in the seven days up to 29th June, there were 605 new cases. The figure per 100,000 population was 212, a rise of 72%.

Community eco festival being planned in Keynsham Churches Together in Keynsham and Saltford, in conjunction with Keynsham Town Council, are arranging a community eco festival to be based in Market Walk

businesses, charities, community groups, action groups, schools and other young people’s groups. Churches will be open providing visual presentations and also as

and The Space in Keynsham on Saturday 18th September. The objective of the event will be to raise awareness about climate change and to

a quiet place and for meditation. On the Friday evening there will be an open evening held in The Space with guest speakers being the head of food and

provide information on what individuals can do to reduce their carbon footprint. Mindfulness, spiritual, social and climate justice elements will be included in the event, such as our responsibility to care for

farming at the Soil Association, the chief executive of Avon Wildlife Trust, the managing director of Bath and West

nature and the effect of global warning, not only on us but the poorest on the planet. There will be stalls representing

Chris Skidmore, third from left, at the litter pick

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Bristol’s infection rate continues to rise rapidly. Cases for the same period rose from 925 to 1,528. There were 330 cases per 100,000 population. Bath & North East Somerset data showed cases up from 250 to 327 – which is 169 per 100,000 population.

Community Energy and the fund manager of Triodos Bank. The Saturday event will run from 10am to 3pm. More information will be made available in the coming weeks.

Dog dies after collision Police have asked for witnesses to a collision on Lees Hill in Kingswood on Saturday 26th June at 4:30pm involving a dog being hit by a car. The dog sadly passed away. If you have any information call 101 with a message for PC 2996.

The Week in • Wednesday 7th July 2021

Curo site managers scoop Bath Christmas double win at building awards Market dates extended for an extra week

Two site managers with housing association and housebuilder Curo have received the National House Building Council’s 2021 Pride in the Job Quality Award. Lee Watts is senior site manager at Woodland View at Hygge Park in Keynsham and Alan Mapston is senior site manager at Mulberry Park in Combe Down in Bath. Often referred to as the ‘Oscars of the house-building industry’, the Pride in the Job Awards celebrate the vital role that site managers play in ensuring new homes are constructed on time, on safe sites and to the highest quality standards. The competition endorses the best site managers from across Lee Watts

Alan Mapston

the country, following a rigorous and lengthy judging process that looks at key areas such as leadership, technical expertise, health and safety and attention to detail. This is Lee’s second Pride in the Job Award, having won his first in 2013. Woodland View is creating 56 new homes within the larger Hygge Park scheme and is anticipated to complete in spring 2022. Mulberry Park is a development of almost 700 homes, open spaces and community facilities in Combe Down. It is due to complete in 2026.

Very rare giant sawflies found in Wick A keen walker from Kingswood came across these very rare creatures at Golden Valley Nature Reserve in Wick. Stefan Csaki said: “They were identified by a sawfly group and an entomology Facebook group as Cimbex luteus, Giant Willow Sawfly. “I was told there have only been 23 recorded sightings since 1962 in the UK at 16 sites.” The sawflies measured 5cm long and Stefan told us: “They were on the path before the weir and I had to warn an elderly couple not to stand on them!” Stefan says he loves nature and always wants to learn about and discover the local area’s wildlife.

Bath Christmas Market will be extended for an additional week as part of B&NES Council’s commitment to support stall holders and traders as they recover from the impact of COVID-19. It is the first time in the market’s 20-year history that it will run for 25 days. This year it will launch with a residents’ night on Thursday 24th November and finish on Sunday 19th December. Council leader Kevin Guy said: “The market provides a huge boost not just to the stall holders but also to our retail, accommodation, hospitality and tourism sectors and this year it will play a critical role in helping business get back on its feet. “I’ve been talking to businesses and what I am hearing is ‘why does the market finish so soon in the run-up to Christmas?’ This year is an opportunity for us to trial an extension and run it closer to Christmas.” Bath Christmas Market is ranked in the top 10 in Europe and attracts 400,000 visitors per year, with an estimated spend in the city of £32.5m in 2019. This year the council is investing £27,200 on improvements to the chalets, which for COVID-safety measures will be reduced from 205 to 161. This will allow more space for visitors to move through the event site during traditionally busy periods. Pitch fees are being advertised at a reduced rate to help with the fact that people have struggled for many months and there will be some very short-term pitches for traders who are either starting out or have always wanted to sell at the market but maybe couldn’t make enough stock or are unable to attend the full duration. There will also be mobility helpers for visitors with accessibility requirements.

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Have your say in Police and Crime survey Newly elected Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) Mark Shelford is calling on local people to tell him what policing issues matter most to them by completing his Police and Crime survey. The survey, which takes about 10 minutes to complete, includes a number of questions focusing on draft police and crime priorities and objectives, which cover a range of police topics including anti-social behaviour, burglary, hate crime, rural crime and domestic abuse. The PCC says he wants to ensure he is listening to communities' concerns and thoughts and would like as many

people as possible to share their views on these draft objectives. He said: “The PCC’s priorities and objectives are the cornerstone of a Police and Crime Plan. As your PCC, I am the bridge between local people and the police, and it is absolutely essential that I hear from as many local people as possible, including victims of crime, about my proposed Police and Crime Plan and the direction I am setting for policing in Avon and Somerset. “When I came into the role, I promised I would make Avon and Somerset a safer place for everyone and part of this is

listening to your views, thoughts and concerns. “The survey is an opportunity for residents to tell me what they want their police service to focus on. Your voice matters.” The plan will include various aspects about policing of the area, how the Chief Constable will be held to account, and how Mr Shelford will use the money to deliver an effective and efficient police service and support other services, such as victim support providers. The survey will run until September. To take part head to https://bit.ly/3h78BQe

Temporary Chief Constable is appointed Sarah Crew has been appointed as Temporary Chief Constable for Avon & Somerset Police. She stepped up into the role with effect from last Friday, having served as a police officer in Avon & Somerset Police since 1994 and as Deputy Chief Constable since 2017. The announcement follows the decision earlier this year of Chief Constable Andy Marsh not to renew his contract which expired last week. Police & Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford said: “Andy Marsh has been an inspirational Chief Constable and has shaped Avon and Somerset to be one of best police forces in the country. I would like to thank Andy for his dedication and fearless commitment in serving Avon and Somerset. He has done us proud. “I am pleased that the Police and Crime Panel has approved

Situations Vacant

the appointment of Sarah Crew as Temporary Chief Constable. As National Police Chief Council’s lead for rape and adult sex offences, Sarah is a nationally recognised senior police officer and her leadership in transforming the response to rape and serious sexual offences through the work of Project Bluestone has been exceptional.” Sarah Crew said she was incredibly proud to take on the role and paid tribute to Andy Marsh and “all our officers, staff and volunteers who are making a difference every day and have tirelessly served the public during what’s been an incredibly challenging year”. The formal process to recruit a Chief Constable will take place over coming weeks with the new appointment due to be made by this autumn.

Region’s first Jobs & Skills Summit West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris was this week meeting residents in the region whose jobs have been hit by COVID-19 as part of the region’s first Jobs & Skills Summit. He was due to talk with apprentices in Bristol and Radstock, community learners in South Gloucestershire; Bath mothers returning to work, and students at Weston

College. The summit was a key manifesto pledge from the new Metro Mayor. He said: “We urgently need to make sure more people in the West of England have the opportunity of decent, well-paid and fulfilling jobs. I want to hear firsthand from local people about their experiences so that I can put in place more support to help at this difficult time.”

New £2.4m Innovation Hub opens at Science Park A brand new £2.4m Innovation Hub has opened at the Bristol & Bath Science Park, bringing investment and hitech jobs to the area. Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening on Monday, South Gloucestershire Council Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources, Ben Burton, welcomed representatives from the three tenants - TP Group, Spark Product Innovation and INSPHERE - as they look to take occupancy of the state-of-the-art new facilities.

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The Science Park, which is jointly owned by South Gloucestershire Council and the University of Bath, seeks tenants whose activities are in the fields of science, technology, research and development. The new 5,000sq ft Innovation Hub has been designed to complement the existing award-winning buildings on site and allows flexibility for each floor to be sub-divided into two or three individual office areas if required.

The Week in • Wednesday 7th July 2021

The Week in • Wednesday 7th July 2021

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