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THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset

14th July 2021

Issue 687

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Waste firm owner gets suspended jail sentence for fly-tipping A man from Siston has been sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for a year, and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work following the discovery of a flytip at Henfield Road at Lyde Green. Jordan Payne, of Arnold Road, appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court following an investigation by South Gloucestershire Council’s environmental enforcement team into the huge fly-tip in which furniture, garden waste and disused building materials were strewn along the road. He was also ordered to pay a total of £2,391 in prosecution and clear-up costs. During the investigation, waste from the fly-tip in August 2020 was identified by a householder as having been removed from their property after they had paid Payne to dispose of it. Payne was subsequently prosecuted for the waste-related offences of flytipping, not holding any waste transfer notes and storing collected waste in and around his home address. The investigation found that Payne had obtained a registered waste carrier Hanham licence in July 2020 and created a Facebook page to

Also in this week’s issue

advertise his business, called ‘Jordan’s Waste Clearance’. Over the next six weeks during lockdown, he travelled across Bristol and South Gloucestershire collecting waste for payment from variety of locations. He would often store the waste outside or near his home address before moving it elsewhere. During an interview, Payne produced a statement admitting that he had dumped some of the waste at Henfield Road but not all of it. He claimed to have disposed of the waste at a waste management business in Bristol but stated that his records had been thrown away when his vehicle was recently sold. No Bristol-based, waste businesses had record of him disposing of anything. South Gloucestershire Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities & Local Place, Cllr Rachael Hunt said: “This was a brazen act of fly-tipping on the public highway without any thought given to the impact it would have on our residents, or the hazard and disruption it would cause to road users. “Fly-tipping blights communities and our zero-tolerance approach means that anyone who fly-tips in South Gloucestershire is up to five times more likely to be prosecuted than anywhere else in the country. “Our award-winning environmental enforcement team has a 100 per cent record of securing successful prosecutions for this type of offence and if you fail in your duty of care and

Flooding fears at Keynsham housing estate . . . page 3

Local waste collection crisis deepens . . . page 6

allow rubbish to be fly-tipped here, you can expect to be caught and brought before the courts. “We advise residents to always ask for a copy of the company’s waste carrier registration certificate and ask where their waste is being taken, otherwise you could be liable. Do not be tempted to use people offering cheap waste clearance on sites such as Facebook and Gumtree unless you have confirmed that they are registered with the Environment Agency.” • Row over lack of successful fly-tipping prosecutions in B&NES, page 7

Pressure mounts to protect 17 bus . . . page 8

Hengrove man jailed for stealing from children’s charity . . . page 11

The Week in • Wednesday 14th July 2021

Flooding fears for Keynsham housing estate There are concerns that a bid by Taylor Wimpey to halve the agreed number of deep boreholes at The Meadows estate in Keynsham will make flooding problems there worse. The developer submitted a similar application to Bath & North East Somerset Council in 2019 but it was withdrawn. The council’s drainage and flooding team had recommended refusal of Taylor Wimpey’s request to reduce the number of soakaways - and also highlighted defects that needed attention on the two soakaways already built. Now Taylor Wimpey has submitted another application to change a condition so that there are two, not four, boreholes. Keynsham Town Council has objected, along with local residents. In 2011 Taylor Wimpey won permission on appeal to build 285 homes after B&NES Council had refused the development for reasons including that the access from Park Road was unacceptable and unsafe. The development formed part of B&NES Council’s 2007 Local Plan, with land having been removed from the Green Belt on the instruction of a Government inspector. Known as the K2 development, it was intended to be brought forward simultaneously as two coordinated projects – K2A off Charlton Road and K2B off Park Road - with Abbots Wood kept as a green buffer between the two. In 2015 the council approved K2B, granting Barratt Homes planning permission for 266 new homes. One of the conditions imposed on Taylor Wimpey was that future storm and foul water sewer connections had to be provided at the edge of Parcel B, next to Abbots Wood, to provide storm and foul water outfalls for the Parcel A development. In its latest application to vary the condition, the house builder says the reason is that Parcel A has been developed with storm and foul outfalls into the Parcel B manholes: “This now significantly reduces the overland storm water run-off catchment area into the existing pond at the top of Parcel B and allows for a reduction in the number of deep borehole soakaways.” But the town council said: “It is apparent that the current

drainage and surface water systems in place are not reaching the required standards to prevent the increased risk of flooding by ensuring the provision of a satisfactory means of surface water disposal on this development. “The variation proposed will only exacerbate the current problems encountered by residents and will increase further flooding episodes, especially with the risk of inclement weather associated with climate change.” Comments from concerned residents include: “There are areas of the estate which flood during times of rainfall even at this time of year; the main road, The Mead, runs fast with rainwater and the flow goes down the pathway to St Clements Road. A reduction in the boreholes cannot be appropriate.” Another said that after it rains, there is standing water in car park areas, a boggy football pitch and run-off from the pitch towards nearby Castle Primary School. “In addition some of the properties have had their drains out the front of the house re-done following poor installation. Who knows what else might be discovered in years to come? I object to a reduction on the grounds we need to do as much as possible to ensure adequate drainage now.” The resident adds: “With regards to Abbots Wood, having lived at The Meadows since 2014, I have noticed the worsening state since the drainage works through the middle of the site. There are some areas that seem like permanent bogs that weren't before. Developers need to be held to account and not cut corners.” B&NES Council is due to make a decision by 13th August.

The Mead

Abbots Wood

COVID-19 cases continue to soar The most recently available data as we went to print showed confirmed COVID cases continuing to shoot up. Confirmed cases in the seven days up to 6th July in Bristol numbered 2,343, up from 1,938 in the period ending 2nd July. The latest figure per 100,000 population was 506 cases. In South Gloucestershire there were 973 new cases, with the latest figure per 100,000 population up 61% to 341. Data for B&NES showed cases up from 328 to 600. The rate per 100,000 leapt from 170 to 310.

The Week in • Wednesday 14th July 2021

Vacant Store 21 to feature in Kingswood regeneration The masterplan for a regeneration of Kingswood town centre is due to be formally unveiled next week when a three-month consultation begins. South Gloucestershire Council is seeking views to help shape a vision for future homes, businesses and public spaces and make Kingswood a great place to shop, work, live, visit and enjoy. Pedestrianisation is a key feature. At last week’s Kingswood Community Engagement Forum, Kingswood councillor Pat Rooney said:

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.

“Store 21 is also being considered by the council now so there will be a huge area of public realm that will be taken under the council’s remit.” Store 21 in Regent Street has been derelict for some years and scaffolding has recently been put up. The council secured more than £12m last December from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund to transform the town centre. In May it was revealed that it had bought Kings Chase Shopping Centre and the car park for £10m in a major step towards the regeneration vision. There is a pop-up shop in Kings Chase Shopping Centre (Unit 6) where

people can view the plans. • We’ll have details of the

masterplan in next week’s issue.

Store 21

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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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Tracy Broderick 0117 986 0381 sales.theweekin@gmail.com @theweekineditor

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

The Week in • Wednesday 14th July 2021

Crackdown on dangerous and illegal parking near school Serious incidents have been raised by concerned residents

around the school, particularly around the Jubilee Road

about dangerous and illegal parking at drop-off and pick-

entrance.

up times at The Tynings Primary School in Staple Hill.

“Local residents have spoken to Ian to express their concerns

Local councillors are working with South Gloucestershire

that children may be at risk, or people park over driveways

Council’s Parking Enforcement Team and the South

or even on the yellow zig-zags.

Gloucestershire neighbourhood policing team to ensure the

“Whilst I completely understand that parents may often be

situation is monitored and action taken if needed.

in a hurry when dropping off/picking up, it is really

Headteacher Lois Haydon highlighted the issue to parents in

disappointing that we continue to have problems in the local

children are able to be dropped off and picked up safely, and

a letter last Friday. She said: “Unfortunately this week, we

area.

that our neighbours are happy with the way this is happening.

have been contacted by Ian Boulton, our local councillor,

“We have spoken to the police, and a beat officer/PCSO will

“Please help us with this – park safely, park considerately,

because of inconsiderate parking and amount of traffic

be more present to support us with ensuring that all of our

and whenever possible, walk to school.”

Concerns raised over safety at zebra crossing Safety concerns were raised at a public meeting last week about the

stop and even sometimes appear to speed up on their approach.

zebra crossing outside New Cheltenham Community Centre in

Cllr April Begley told the Kingswood Community Engagement Forum

Kingswood.

that there are two other roads that turn onto New Cheltenham Road close

Two local residents highlighted the dangers they have encountered while

to the crossing: “Once they have turned the corner or accelerated to go

using the crossing on New Cheltenham Road and there are fears that

out, they are on the zebra crossing immediately and that is one of the

there is a serious accident waiting to happen.

issues that must be of concern to people.”

One person who regularly crosses the road with three children said she

Cllr Andrea Reid said she would raise the road safety concerns with the

was “horrified” by the number of occasions when drivers have failed to

appropriate team at South Gloucestershire Council.

The Week in • Wednesday 14th July 2021

Waste collection crisis escalates Bristol Waste has suspended its garden waste collection for 10 weeks as the national driver shortage and continued impacts of COVID-19 mean it has significantly fewer drivers than usual. Meanwhile South Gloucestershire Council has been working with contractor Suez to catch up with missed collections. There have been delays to waste collections for some weeks in neighbouring Bath & North East Somerset as we have been reporting. In a statement last week Bristol Waste said: “A national driver shortage and the continued impacts of COVID-19 mean we are currently operating with a significant reduction in drivers.

notified of. Where possible, we encourage residents to

“We’re doing everything we can to minimise disruption to

compost their garden waste at home. You can find tips on our

collections, including working additional hours, moving

website.

drivers from other areas of the business to work on

“We hope these measures will ensure other work can

collections, and redeploying office staff to support the

continue as usual, but we ask for your support in avoiding

frontline.

putting extra strain on the services. Thank you for your

“However, to allow us to maintain our essential waste and

patience and understanding as we work through the issue.

recycling services, garden waste collections will be

“If you are an LGV driver who wants to make a difference

catch up with these collections and is putting plans in place

suspended for 10 weeks, including sack collections, starting

and is looking for local work with regular hours, we’d love

to minimise any potential disruption if there are further

with immediate effect. Unfortunately, the shortage also

to hear from you.”

problems.

means we are not able to return for missed garden waste

A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council told us

“The crews may be working later in the day and at weekends

collections.

that while the national driver shortage has not yet

to keep collections operating as normally as possible.

“Details of discounts and refunds available for those affected

significantly affected waste and recycling collections in ther

Residents may also see different types of vehicle collecting

by the disruption will be sent directly to subscribers. We are

district, there were delays to collections in some areas last

their recycling on occasion – all recyclable waste that we

also working on an interim solution that subscribers will be

week. The council has been have been working with Suez to

collect will continue to be separated for recycling.”

The Week in • Wednesday 14th July 2021

Lib Dems’ record on waste issues is criticised B&NES Council has come under fire for having no successful fly-tipping prosecutions in the last year, and for an increase in the amount of waste it sends for incineration. The opposition Conservative group is critical of the Lib Dems who control the council after recent revelations that over the past 12 months there has not been a single successful prosecution for fly-tipping, despite more than 3,000 separate incidents recorded. Neighbouring South Gloucestershire Council has a 100 per cent record of securing successful prosecutions for flytipping. The amount of waste that B&NES sends for incineration has increased by 28% since 2018/19.

The Conservatives are also critical of the severe delays to the kerbside collection service. The administration has blamed the delays on a nationwide shortage of drivers and in last week’s issue we reported that deputy leader Richard Samuel had told the chief executive that the problem has to be resolved and the council may need to pay more to recruit bin lorry drivers. Cllr Vic Pritchard, leader of the Conservative councillors, said: “This catalogue of failure when it comes to issues around waste and the environment is simply not good enough. It shows a staggering degree of ineptitude on behalf of the Lib Dem administration. “These services are extremely important to residents and the

Rail service changes Network Rail is replacing a major junction to improve the track layout on the approach to Bristol Temple Meads which mean changes to some train services from last Saturday (10th July) to Friday 3rd September. Some trains won’t be calling at Bristol Temple Meads,

The Week in • Wednesday 14th July 2021

journeys may take longer and replacement buses will be running. During this period travellers can also use their train ticket on local bus services. People are advised to check before travelling at GWR.com/Bristol

council needs to recognise that it has a vital role to play in discouraging behaviours that damage the environment. “The Conservative Group wants to see the administration make more of an effort to prosecute fly-tippers, incinerate less waste and ensure the kerbside collection service is able to return to full capacity as soon as possible.” The Week In has asked the Lib Dems if they wish to respond.

Pressure mounts to protect 17 bus

LETTERS Advice to Keynsham Leisure Centre operator

The campaign to protect the 17 Southmead

discussed with a caveat that its future is subject

have many swimmers.

Hospital to Keynsham bus service is

to tender costs remaining the same.

Barbara Cutting

gathering pace.

“It is essential in terms of enabling medical

It serves communities in Bristol, South

staff to travel to work and allowing residents

Gloucestershire and B&NES and takes in

to access medical treatment, sometime

Cossham Hospital en route. It is financially

lifesaving treatment.”

supported by the West of England Combined

She said that to end, reduce or convert the route

Dear Editor Having read your article on the front page of this week’s paper (Issue 686) I feel I must make comment.

A different opinion on pool’s cleanliness Dear Editor

Authority but from September the route could

to a two-bus journey would be “reprehensible”.

I am a regular morning swimmer at the pool

I wish to put my opinion on your article

be split into two.

Cabinet Member Steve Reade, who sits on

but I have failed to see some of the things the

about Keynsham Swimming Pool.

Kingswood councillor Andrea Reid, who

WECA’s transport board, said he would push

swimmer has made comment on. I agree

I am a regular swimmer at the pool and as

started a petition asking South Gloucestershire

strongly for the continuation of the service.

there are no cleaners, and the staff are

much as I agree with the some of the points

Council for support in protecting the 17,

Meanwhile Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore

expected to do the cleaning and surely they

made from some angry swimmers about not

submitted it to the Cabinet on Monday. She

has asked WECA to reconsider and invest in

are trained as lifesavers and not cleaners.

having any dedicated cleaners employed and

said: “Whilst we note the intention to maintain

supporting the service for the long-term.

This should not be happening.

expecting the staff to do it, I certainly do not

the No 17 service in some form at this present

• If you have not signed Cllr Reid’s petition,

I have not seen the dirt he speaks of on the

agree that the pool is filthy with flotsam and

time, we are deeply concerned that it’s being

one to WECA is below.

bottom of the pool and on the tiles and where

jetsam in the main pool and changing areas.

is this metal safety screen he speaks of? Yes,

The water is certainly not murky.

it is the same pool but then so is the Bath

We do not know where the metal safety

Sports Centre pool after refurbishment. The

screen is that is said to be the original.

staff are all brilliant at their jobs and are

Jacqueline Le Huray

doing their best in the circumstances.

Editor’s note: The safety screen the swimmer

The new locker system is a talking point and

mentioned in the article is on the poolside,

I’m not sure that that is going to work for

positioned to slow unattended children

Better who are obviously trying to claw

running towards the water.

money back from their swimming members. Having to use your bank card for a nonto use a locker, then if you need to return to

Unlicensed scooters are a menace

that locker more than once it’s another 30p

Dear Becky

each time but your card is locked in the

You were kind enough to explain the law re

locker (security) which you can’t access so

the e-scooters (Issue 680). However, the

how do you pay and does that mean you go

police, who are severely understaffed, have

home in your costume?

a nightmare with the unlicensed scooters.

returnable transaction of 30p to get a token

Absolutely

ridiculous!

I was driving through Leicester Square at

Some older members who swim don’t like

5.50pm recently when two unlicensed

using cashless machines so how will they

scooters undertook my car and another drove

manage? Will they leave their belongings in

straight in front of my car. It was very

the changing rooms and hope they are still

unnerving

there when they return? It does seem that

granddaughter.

swimmers are having to pay more for the

Is there anything that can been done about

privilege of a swim and gym members are

this menace? It seems that only serious

not being penalised, they still have the old

injury or a fatality will make the authorities

system on their lockers. Think about what

take action.

you are doing Better, otherwise you may not

J White, Soundwell

and

really

frightened

The Week in • Wednesday 14th July 2021

Plans to expand primary school Plans to expand Lyde Green Primary School in Willowherb Road to accommodate more pupils have been drawn up. Castle School Education Trust (CSET) runs the school which opened in 2015. With the continuing expansion of the Lyde Green estate, a second primary school was approved earlier this year off Honeysuckle Road. However, the new school is not expected to be complete until late 2022 and South Gloucestershire Council has asked CSET to provide additional teaching spaces.

CSET plans to convert the staff room and music room into two teaching classrooms which will be needed for the 20212022 academic year. The proposed permanent modular extension will provide a replacement music room and staff room. The planning reference on the South Gloucestershire Council website is P21/04638/F. In April we reported that a new 420-place primary and a 900place secondary school had been approved at Honeysuckle Road for entry in September of next year.

Plans for another defibrillator in Saltford Saltford Parish Council has announced that another defibrillator will be installed in the village. The council agreed at its recent meeting to restore the Norman Road phone box. SBS Design and Build and Saltford Kitchens have kindly offered to fund the costs of a defibrillator. There is already one outside the Bird in Hand pub. The council adopted the Norman Road phone box from BT in 2019. Councillors were in full agreement that lifesaving equipment at this location - on the junction of Norman Road and the A4 Bath Road - could be of critical help to those driving through as well as nearby residents. The restoration will start in the autumn. The kiosk will be removed for part of its restoration to be sand blasted and

repainted off-site so that the base can be levelled. A new door and defibrillator signs will be added.

Nathan Sheppard, of SBS Design and Build and Saltford Kitchens, meeting parish council chair Cllr Chris Warren at the recent similar project with Colin Baker from the Bird in Hand

Customers support Old Bank’s survival plan More than 40 comments of support have been sent to

Comments of support include: “The Old Bank has worked

B&NES Council in relation to the planning application by

very hard to build its business in a responsible way and

Keynsham pub The Old Bank to keep its outside bar.

should be supported by the council.”

The structure, put up behind the Grade II building without

There has also been a letter of objection, highlighting

planning permission, is a key part of the pub’s plans to

noise and parking concerns.

survive post-COVID, as we reported in Issue 684.

The council is due to make a decision by 8th August.

Sudoku 1-Easy

The Norman Road phone box

SUNDAY CHEMISTS Sunday 18th 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 14th July 2021

Suspended jail sentence for landlord Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) has welcomed the sentencing of a businessman from Bitton for breaching fire safety regulations at the Strachan & Henshaw building in Speedwell. Wayne Braund, the responsible person for the building, had pleaded guilty to six of the seven charges brought against him following a significant blaze in the tower block on New Year’s Eve 2018 which was tackled by 60 firefighters. Following a successful prosecution earlier this year, sentencing took place at Bristol Crown Court last Thursday. Braund, of

Fieldgrove Lane, was sentence to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, fined £25,000 and ordered to pay Avon Fire & Rescue Service £25,000 in costs. The service’s head of fire safety, Station Manager Karl Venn, said: “The sentencing is testament to two years’ hard work from our Business Fire Safety Team. “I would like to remind business owners that we take breaches of fire safety very seriously, as do the Criminal Justice System, as the sentencing of this case has shown.”

First launches Pride Bus Local bus operator First West of England is celebrating Pride with the launch of a brand new biogas-fuelled Pride Bus, sporting a livery decorated with the ‘Progress’ Pride flag and the phrase ‘Love Wins’. Doug Claringbold, MD of First West of England, said: “Despite Pride Day and the Parade March being postponed again this year, we are committed to supporting the movement with this bus which we are very

proud to introduce into our fleet and which will be seen all over Bristol.” Bristol Pride 2021, which began on 3rd July, runs until Friday (16th July) with online and physical events across the city. For more information visit www.bristolpride.co.uk

Crossword

The Remembrance parade in 2019

Community group steps in to keep Remembrance parade going A new community group in Kingswood started by the founders of the BS15 COVID19 support effort has agreed to help organise the town’s annual Remembrance Sunday parade. Speaking at the Kingswood Community Engagement Forum the Rev Beverley Charles, of Holy Trinity Church, said that historically the parade has been organised by the local branch of the Royal British Legion but that has for practical purposes closed, and the small team who have been arranging the parade don’t feel they can continue as they are getting older. Rev Charles, who took up her post in 2018, said that she had supported the organisers Gwen and Harry Francis and Neville

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Strikebreaker (8)

2. Heavy, dull (6)

8. Arouse (6)

3. Tooth decay (6)

9. Skin filament (4)

4. Transparent (6)

10. Spoil (3)

5. Garret (anag.) (6)

11. Garment maker (6)

6. Overnight case (6)

12. Broadcast visually (8)

7. Distant (6)

15. Fresh (6)

13. Craving (4)

16. Staggered (6)

14. Swerve (4)

20. Essential characteristics (6)

17. Organs of sight (4)

24. Time of year (6) 27. Dictionary of terms (8) 28. One-dimensional (6)

18. Mona ---- (4) 19. Gainsay (4) 21. Hands on hips (6) 22. Inconsistent (6) 23. Departure (6)

29. Recede (3)

24. Gloomy (6)

30. Slightly open (4)

25. Attack (6)

31. Chief nun (6)

26. Admit to holy orders (6)

32. British currency (8)

12. Rotate (4)

Wooding to have a parade that year and in 2019, but there was now a need to identify how the community would support the parade going forward. In other areas, parish or town councils organise Remembrance parades, such as in Hanham, Warmley and Yate, but there is no town council in Kingswood. We Are BS15 is a Community Interest Company (CIC) started by the founders of the BS15 COVID-19 support groups. Vicky Robinson from the group told the meeting it is prepared to bring the community together, including involving local schools, to keep the parade going. The neighbouring Staple Hill branch of the Royal British Legion will be approached for support.

Four killers jailed for a total of more than 90 years Four people were jailed at Bristol Crown Court last week for a combined total of more than 90 years for the murder of 29-year-old Andre Gayle, who was stabbed in Bristol last summer. Andre, a father of six, was stabbed nine times during the pre-planned attack in an alleyway near Easton Community Centre just after 3am on Monday 31st August. He died two days later. Rico Corbin and Tyan Finlayson, both 28 and from Speedwell, and 17-year-old Kymani Ennis, of Fishponds, who can now be named after legal restrictions were lifted, were found guilty of murder following a six-week trial. Jerome Lewis, 25, from London, had pleaded guilty to murder at an earlier hearing. Corbin was sentenced to a minimum of 26 years in prison, Lewis to a minimum of 25 years, Finlayson to a minimum of 23 years and Ennis to a minimum of 17 years.

The Week in • Wednesday 14th July 2021

Hengrove man who stole from Keynsham man disabled children’s charity is jailed ordained for A Hengrove man who spent donations meant to help

cooperate with its inquiry, the Commission referred the

children with disabilities or serious illnesses on his stag

matter to police. Officers from the Fraud Team launched an

do and wedding has been jailed for 28 months.

investigation, focusing on the income of the charity and

Scott Wright, 45, admitted fraudulently spending £57,000 of

determining what were legitimate expenses.

charitable funds. He was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court

It soon became clear large amounts of cash had been

last Thursday.

removed from the charity’s bank while significant sums were

Families of the children who believed they would be

credited to Wright’s personal accounts.

beneficiaries of the Darren Wright Foundation – the charity

Most of the money was spent on day-to-day living expenses

run by Wright – first became concerned in 2017. After

but Wright also used it to finance his stag do and wedding.

struggling to get hold of the charity and access the funds

Detective Sergeant Louise Sinclair, of the Fraud Team, said:

raised on behalf of their children, several families contacted

“While Wright has demonstrated significant remorse and

the Charity Commission.

regret for his actions, it is only right he is punished for the

When the trustees of the Darren Wright Foundation failed to

upset he caused.”

Council extends ban on HGVS using A420 A weight order introduced to stop vehicles over 7.5 tonnes from using the A420 as a diversion while Cleveland Bridge in Bath is shut for repairs is being extended. This week a South Gloucestershire Council spokesperson said: "We initially implemented a 21-day temporary weight limit on the A420 to enable us to meet the timescales for

The Week in • Wednesday 14th July 2021

the Cleveland Bridge closure. We have now actioned another order which fully covers the remainder of the closure period.” The historic bridge closed to traffic on 28th June for an anticipated three months. It is a crucial link in the road network between the A46 and the A36.

Clifton diocese Stephen Corrigan was ordained at Clifton Cathedral last Saturday to serve the diocese which covers Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. The 30-year-old grew up in Keynsham, attending St John's C of E Primary School, St Gregory's Catholic College in Bath and then St Brendan's Sixth Form College. He went on to study Politics and Theology at Leeds University and it was during his second year that he got in contact with the Diocese of Clifton about his vocation. He spent a very happy year working as an assistant chaplain at Bristol University before attending St John's Seminary at Wonersh, near Guildford, for the past six years. This included a placement for nine months at St Peter's Catholic Church in Gloucester. Stephen said: “It is a great privilege to be ordained and to serve God's people in the Church and celebrate the sacraments for them. Thank you for all the kind gifts and words of encouragement and support I have received.”

The Community Page This week’s community page features Hanham, but from two different angles. Instead of news from the parish council this time we have some of the latest statements from the Hanham District Green Belt Conservation Society which has been a tireless campaigner for the local community over a number of years. The other follows up on our wildlife feature last week. This time, the first of our ‘community writers’ Steffi Condick shares some of her passion for the flora and fauna around Hanham. If you want to contribute to our Community Pages in future editions, drop us a line at: theweekincommunity@gmail.com

Walk on the Hanham side If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that the last year will be one none of us will forget, as much as we may want to! However now with things finally starting to look up, it’s given us the breathing space to take a step back and consider the positives that have come out of the last year, such as how much more we have appreciated our local walks and wildlife, which – let’s face it – we all took for granted this time two years ago. When our walk of the day was our only form of exercise we made it count, and spotted squirrels by Hanham Surgery and horses over Hanham hills. Those of us quiet enough even spotted Bertie bunny and his friends out to play! Thousands of tadpoles we saw under the bridge by Hanham Hall. I’ve not seen them since being at school! If not working from home, would we have noticed which birds actually use our bird feeders? When we could only meet in the garden, we noticed dragonflies darting past. When the pubs were closed, we walked to the river and admired the view of ‘the trees’and watched the ducklings swim by. Would we have stopped to smell the flowers in our own garden if we hadn’t been confined to our homes? Or noticed how many different coloured flowers there are in our road? Who needs Chelsea when you can see the Hanham flower show for free!? Flowers are a lovely reminder that good things can come from bad situations, after all – it needs to rain for them to grow! One thing I will take away from this last year is to never stop appreciating what’s on your doorstep, especially when we are lucky enough for our doorsteps to be in this wonderful area. What can you find on your doorstep? Steffi Condick

News from the Hanham District Green Belt Conservation Society Local Planning Issues We are at the early stages of fully understanding the implications of South Gloucestershire Council’s Local Plan, the next phases of which are due to be published soon. We submitted a detailed response to the initial consultation document and will continue scrutiny of future proposals. Brownfield Registers Our society is an affiliated member of the CPRE - the Countryside Charity and greatly benefits from our liaison with the local Avonside group. The CPRE’s findings of their current report shows that across the UK, Brownfield Registers, which are required to be compiled by every local authority, are not only increasing but currently contain sufficient land to accommodate over one and a quarter million new homes! Surprisingly, over half of these sites already have planning permission and collectively, from currently registered brownfield sites alone, are able to meet the Government’s target of building 300,000 new homes per annum (through the lifetime of the current Government)!! National housebuilding companies have long been criticised for ‘banking’ sites with development permissions, to the sole advantage of their balance sheets and shareholders. If pressure, in the form of a set time-scale was applied, to ‘build-out’ the sites that have already been granted planning permission - there would be no reason why our Green spaces should not be safeguarded! To find out more or join the Hanham District Green Belt Conservation Society email:hanhamgreenbelt30@ gmail.com or visit: www.hanhamgreenbelt.co.uk

Bees please! Pooh bear was spotted on his way over from the Hundred Acre Wood to Hanham Woods the other day, after he caught wind of this spectacular beehive that miraculously appeared on the fence on the way down to the chequers. Passers-by were stunned to come face to face with this rare display which could be seen down by the pond leading to Sally on the Barn. The walkers who stopped to take in the hive were buzzing to be in such close proximity to these naturally shy creatures. The bees however, were on the fence! But where did they come from? It seems after a fire in a barn near by the Elm Tree pub, this swarm of bees escaped and took refuge by the pond. Steffi Condick

Next week . . . Whitchurch Parish Council 12

The Week in • Wednesday 14th July 2021

New Careers Café for carers

Situations Vacant

Carers Support Centre, which supports carers of all ages across Bristol and South Gloucestershire, has recently launched a virtual Careers Café. Carers can chat about training and employment opportunities. The online café is also an opportunity to meet other carers looking for flexible employment or thinking about refreshing their skills. The regular informal sessions highlight opportunities, share ideas and advice and enable carers to support each other throughout their employment journey. If you are an unpaid carer wanting to get back into work contact Carers Support Centre’s employment team at Employment@carerssupportcentre.org.uk or call 0117 3771015.

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The Week in • Wednesday 14th July 2021

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The Week In - Issue 687 - 14th July 2021