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THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset

2nd March 2022

Issue 719

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Messages of support for Ukraine Support is being shown across our region for the people of Ukraine following the invasion by Russian troops. Many local churches took part in a special Day of Prayer on Sunday. In Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees said: “Bristol stands alongside Ukraine and its citizens – as well as those protesting in Russia against war – and stands ready to offer sanctuary to those fleeing.” The façade of Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Roman Baths was lit in the colours of Ukraine’s flag. The council ‘s leader Kevin Guy condemned the invasion and said: “We will now work with central government on any coordinated response they bring forward to resettle refugees of the conflict, building on the fantastic response we have seen from local communities and organisations in our previous resettlement schemes.”

Also in this week’s issue

Anger over Wick Quarry decision . . . page 3

In Hanham the chairman of the local business community partnership Bernard Jackson has created a display in the yellow and blue of the Ukrainian flag in the window of his High Street florist shop with the message “Ukraine. We are thinking of you ALL.” Meanwhile the charity which each year brings children affected by the after-effects of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster for a four-week respite stay with host families in Bristol says it is deeply concerned and troubled by the current situation unfolding in Ukraine. In a message to its supporters the Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline said families in Belarus are unwillingly affected by the events. “We are in close contact with our partners on how we can give our support to these families, many of whom are very close to the areas of active military engagement. “These families are living with the pressures created by

More concerns over Saltford riverbank . . . pages 4 & 5

Chernobyl, the ongoing economic situation, then hit by COVID now have the added worries created by the conflict.”

Controversial roadblocks in Staple Hill removed . . . page 6

Travel disruption for bus and rail passengers . . . page 11

Council orders pub to be repainted within four months The owners of the Old Bank pub in Keynsham High Street have been told they must repaint its façade to a more traditional colour within four months. In 2019 the front was painted blue without listed building consent, and last year the owners lost a retrospective application to revert to the colour the frontage was before 2019 - cream at the top and blue at ground floor level.

Community meetings The next virtual meeting of the Kingswood Community Forum is on Monday (7th March) at 7pm while the Bitton, Oldland, North Common & Siston Community Engagement Forum meets virtually on Wednesday 9th March at 7pm. The meetings are a chance for local residents to raise any concerns and find out what is happening in their community. If you wish to take part in either meeting email CommunityEngagement@southglos.gov.uk or call 01454 868113.

The pub has since proposed repainting the façade to a more traditional pale grey, keeping the black shutters and archway, and the planning application was approved last week by Bath & North East Somerset Council. A council planning report says that the “softer, more natural colour” proposed will have a more positive impact on the character and significance of the Old Bank which is part of a significant grouping of historic buildings. To ensure that the pub is repainted as soon as possible, the council has imposed a four-month period of permission. The Old Bank was given a Grade II listing in 1975, which is when the neighbouring Keynsham Conservative Club was also listed. In Issue 716 last month we reported that the club have lodged an appeal to keep the front of their High Street building blue after B&NES Council refused a retrospective listed building application last year on the grounds that it is not in keeping with the town’s heritage and conservation area. The club had decided on the blue after seeing a photograph taken in the early 1970s which showed the frontage painted blue. They maintain it was that colour when the building was listed.

The Old Bank as it was before it was painted all blue

The Old Bank as it is now

The Week in • Wednesday 2nd March 2022

Anger that controversial Wick Quarry plans won’t be ‘called in’ Residents concerned about the access to a proposed outdoor activity centre at Wick Quarry say they have lost their chance to have the plans subjected to “full scrutiny and transparency”. As we reported last week, they are unhappy about the proposed car park entrance in Rock Road because of fears about the impact on those who use the narrow network of lanes including horse riders, walkers and cyclists. They believe access through the main quarry entrance at London Road would be better, or via one of the other entrances that have been blocked up over the years. With UK Active Outdoors Ltd’s plans for a disused part of the quarry being recommended for approval and their local ward councillors failing to call in the application for consideration by the planning committee, the residents had been pinning their hopes on the council’s Director of Environment & Community Services Nigel Riglar referring it to the committee himself, a move they understood is within his power under the council's constitution But the council has since issued this statement: “We appreciate that some residents do not object to the proposed use of the site as a nature reserve, outdoor activity centre and recreation space, but do have concerns about the impact it would have on

the local highway. Some residents have also asked that the application is considered at a planning committee meeting, rather than the decision being made under officers’ delegated powers. “Having carefully reviewed the feedback we’ve received; we are satisfied that the application has been processed properly. The highways concerns raised form part of the officer assessment and the advice of highways experts has been considered. There is no basis to refer this application to the planning committee as it has not been ‘called in’ by a councillor and falls outside of the scope for a referral by the director. “We will continue to review the proposed highways improvements and traffic volumes and understand the applicant has offered to meet local residents to explain and discuss how the site would operate in practice, to address any remaining concerns.” In response, one of the objectors, Susan Jones, said: “I am dismayed at the decision from Nigel Riglar that he doesn't intend to use his powers to 'call in' the application for Wick Quarry. “Given that our two local councillors missed the deadline, local residents feel angry and frustrated. Indeed no one has chosen to explain the rationale behind this decision. “The council's stance demonstrates a complete lack of consideration for people

Housing plans ‘would improve conservation area’ Plans have been lodged with South Gloucestershire Council to build five homes at the old nursery site behind houses along Tower Road North in Warmley. There have been previous applications to develop the site, the most recent being in 2016 when the council refused outline permission for four homes. Ecology and access were given as the reasons for refusal. Access was previously proposed using the single side lane of No 114. This latest application involves both the drives of numbers 112 and 114. Whilst approval has previously been granted on the land for one house, the developer argues that this is not an

living in close proximity, who have genuine concerns regarding road safety and loss of amenity. “Calling in the application to the committee would at least have given local people the opportunity to have full scrutiny and Wick Outdoor Centre transparency. “Bearing in mind that we have had two years of COVID restrictions when even HMRC have relaxed deadlines - why are South Gloucestershire Council being so 'jobsworth?’.” The junction of Cleeve Lane & Rock Road Approximately 350 responses have been received to the planning residents for not calling in the plans, calling application with a greater number in support it “an honest mistake”. This week they said they were still waiting to of the proposals. As we reported last week, ward councillor hear from the other ward councillor Ben Steve Reade has apologised to the concerned

Stokes.

Response from quarry developer This week Tristan Bawn, of UK Active Outdoors Ltd, confirmed to us that they are considering a ‘Plan B’ involving minibuses shuttling in visitors to the quarry “when viable” to reduce private car use. Tog Hill car park is one of many options being considered as a place for visitors to board a bus. But he stressed that as an allinclusive centre, some people will need to

arrive at the quarry by car. Mr Bawn also said the company would be supportive of any efforts by the parish council to try to secure local traffic calming measures. A public meeting is being planned at the site for people to find out more about operations at the activity centre, but a date has yet to be confirmed.

effective use of land in line with national planning policy. “Planners’ blight” is said to have led to the site’s deterioration and current state, but the applicant says the latest plans would enhance the Warmley Conservation Area as well as much-needed family housing. Warmley was designated as a conservation area in 1995 in recognition of its important history and architectural connections with William Champion, the prominent Quaker, industrialist and entrepreneur. The applicant argues that the current state of the land detracts from the enjoyment of those visiting the historic site close by and that the latest plans would improve that. The planning reference is P22/01299/O.

The Week in • Wednesday 2nd March 2022

Santa Dash The Saltford Santa Dash team are pleased to announce that last year’s event raised £9,250 for the two chosen charities - Off The Record B&NES and Project 28. Both charities provide crucial services to improve the lives of young people in local communities and this money will make a huge difference to the support they can offer. Since it began in 2013, the Saltford Santa Dash has raised more than £100,000 for local charities supporting young people in the community.

‘Worrying’ new evidence Bath & North East Somerset Council has been handed an independent engineering report into the stability and condition of the riverbank at Mead Lane in Saltford which reveals “worrying evid-ence” that it is being weakened by the mooring of boats. In 2019 Saltford Environment Group (SEG) flagged up concerns that the riverbank could collapse after documents came to light showing that stabilisation work by engineering firm Halcrow some 14 years previously was not designed for moorings. But those fears were eased by specialist engineers from Atkins Global who were commissioned by B&NES Council to investigate. They found no immediate concern, with the rock protection appearing mainly intact. Part of the riverbank at Mead Lane has since been designated as a space for nature and no mooring is allowed. Moorings remain

available along part of the riverbank at Mead Lane. These are 14-day moorings only and the council has an ambition to remove moorings by the end of 2022. However, concerned that Atkins’ mooring assessment in 2020 omitted to cover key issues, in particular the condition of the stabilisation scheme's rock armour below the waterline, Saltford residents have since commissioned an indepen-dent report from Bristol firm Jubb Consulting Engineers Ltd. Residents were concerned that the mooring of heavy boats permitted and encouraged by B&NES Council during and

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%.

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The Week in • Wednesday 2nd March 2022

over riverbank safety in Saltford since its 2016/17 mooring trial in Mead Lane had damaged and potentially de-stabilised the riverbank. SEG have now published the findings of Jubb’s report on their web-site and say it has revealed “worrying evidence”. The report found it unlikely that ad-hoc moorings would have been anticipated during the stabilisation design, particularly so in the geotextile and rock armour, which as evidenced by the findings of their report, has degraded. Jubb also said that continued mooring of narrow and other boats could result in loss of habitat and exacerbation of the scarp/scour feature which appears to have formed since the works. Reviewing Atkins’ report, Jubb noted that “no river side, or bathymetry surveys were undertaken, which are important considerations”. They added: “We do not agree with Atkins where they conclude that the rock armour has promoted sediment accumulation and horizontal vegetation growth. Our findings are that except in the area protected by a large willow and the farthest downstream section (approaching the sailing club), the original 2004/5 remedial works have been degraded somewhat….” On their website, SEG say they have always recognised the need to improve facilities for the mooring of boats on the river that provide safe and appropriate moorings for the liveaboard community and other boat users whilst protecting the natural environment. “However, when B&NES Cabinet took the decision in September 2020 to end moorings in Mead Lane by 31st December 2022, SEG was concerned that the

The Week in • Wednesday 2nd March 2022

2+ year timescale meant a prolonged period of risk to the riverbank's rock armour and stability when its condition below the waterline was not known. “The rock armour could clearly be seen to be displaced or missing from most stretches of the area used for moorings and this new report confirms that the ‘original 2004/5 remedial works have been degraded’.” SEG say that the full extent of the structural damage could not be measured by Jubb during their assessment last September due to the large number of moored boats. “As soon as the mooring ban is implemented by B&NES Council, a full structural survey and the implementation of repairs is therefore necessary before even further repairs are required to protect the adjacent highway, the original objective of the rock armour stabilisation scheme. “It is reasonable to surmise that the longer moorings are permitted to continue, the bigger the bill for repairs is likely

to be for council taxpayers.” Last month residents sought a meeting with B&NES Council's chief executive to discuss the report. And this week a B&NES Council spokesperson told The Week In: “The council is aware of the independent survey and has recently received a copy. We will be assessing the information over the coming weeks.”

Controversial road blocks in Staple Hill are removed The controversial road blocks that were installed on two Staple Hill streets in response to the pandemic have finally been removed. The council said the measures were installed on Signal Road and Charnell Road in 2020 “to optimise the increases in active travel and greatly reduced vehicle use seen during lockdown”. But despite the positive response from people living on the roads immediately affected, a consultation showed that the scheme had not been well received by residents in the wider area, so it was decided to remove the restrictions. The barricades had been due to be removed on 23rd December last year but the day before the expected dismantling, the council posted on its website that the revocation order was not made as anticipated on 1st December and so the measures could not be removed on 23rd December. It added: “All physical measures installed

during the trial closure will remain in place for the foreseeable future. Further updates on the next steps will be posted here as we approach the expiration of the 18-month experimental period in the new year.” The following day the council announced on its Facebook page that the restrictions would remain in place while it responded to “a potential legal challenge to their imposition”. At the council’s 15th December meeting, a petition against the removal of the scheme, signed by 250 people, was presented by Staple Hill councillor Katie Cooper. She spoke about the “upset and division” caused by the road closures and said her colleague Cllr Ian Boulton had started a petition asking for a traffic management review of Staple Hill to be held as soon as possible. Three of the residents who signed the petition addressed the meeting, explaining that despite being a narrow road and providing a major access point to the Bristol and Bath Railway Path, Signal Road had been a busy

rat-run prior to the restrictions. They said that since the traffic restrictions, many more families had used the Railway Path and there had been a big increase in the number of schoolchildren passing through. The residents said the decision to not make the scheme permanent had been taken by the council’s director of environment and community services based purely on the outcome of an outline consultation and a petition from Teewell Hill residents. They said he had made his decision even though the council’s own traffic services team had recommended that the scheme be made permanent, and the senior environmental policy and climate change officer had been in favour of keeping it. The meeting also heard that many cyclists and walkers had not realised the scheme was going to be revoked as no attempt had been made by the council to engage with them. After The Week In asked the council for a statement regarding the removal of the

Charnell Road restrictions

Signal Road restrictions

Signal Road now

barricades, a spokesperson told us: “The temporary traffic restrictions on Signal Road and Charnell Road in Staple Hill have been removed. The measures were installed in June 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Despite the positive response from people living on the roads immediately affected, a consultation showed that the scheme had not been well received by residents in the wider area, which is why a decision was made to remove the restrictions. “We continue to work with residents and local members to provide a solution for this area to help reduce traffic and congestion, and to make active travel more accessible.”

Charnell Road now

The Week in • Wednesday 2nd March 2022

Church mice go on show in Bitton A tableaux of knitted mice depicting life in Bitton are set to go on show in the village. Bitton Mouse Fest will be staged at St Mary’s Church on Saturday 12th March from 10.30am to 5pm and on Sunday 13th March from 11.30am to 5pm. Entrance to the exhibition is free with donations welcome. Tea and cake will be available and there will be the chance to buy a mouse. The church mice are made by the local knitting group who have been meeting since 2008, with the aim to knit for charity with donated wool. Their achievements include hats for troops to wear under their helmets in Afghanistan, hats for babies in the premature unit at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, ear muffs for dogs to protect them on Bonfire Night, and school jumpers for the poor in African countries where children are not allowed to attend without uniform. Most recently they’ve been knitting squares to make blankets for patients at Southmead Hospital.

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The Week in • Wednesday 2nd March 2022

Redevelopment plans for historic Harefield Hall are approved Plans to turn a former residential care home in Longwell Green into three homes and build another five in the grounds have been approved by South Gloucestershire Council. The outline proposals by Banff Securities Limited are for listed Harefield Hall on Bath Road, which was originally built as a large Victorian country house. The planning application lodged last year said that the proposed development offers the opportunity to “safeguard” the property which had been vacant for more than three years since the care home business ceased trading. Prior to that it accommodated up to 21 elderly residents.

The report said: “The applicants have already had to invest considerable sums into the Hall to maintain its state of repair but being unoccupied it will doubtless deteriorate over time if left empty ... There is therefore some urgency to find a viable use for the building which has precipitated this application. If supported, the re-introduction of domestic occupation of the building will safeguard the Hall for generations to come.” The five new-builds will be positioned in the north-eastern corner of the site behind Harefield Hall and next to Harefield Lodge The access on to Bath Road will be widened as part of the development.

LETTERS Suggested bus service improvements Dear Editor Oldland Common, North Common and the Cherry Gardens area have no bus service to Keynsham, our nearest shopping, services centre and railway station. The 42 used to go there, then the 18 but now nothing. The 17 is too far away to use. Secondly, the connection to Bath, our nearest city, is reliant on the No 19. The last bus into Bath arrives at 22.09 but the last bus out of Bath leaves at 18.45. This means that there is no return evening bus service to Bath. May I suggest: The 42 returns to Keynsham. It can take the former No 18 route from Barry Road down Kenilworth Drive and onto Keynsham, thus avoiding the railway bridge. It needn’t go into the one-way system at Keynsham but turn around by Keynsham Church and start the return journey. An alternative would be to go into Tesco’s car park and stop there if a timetable lay-over is needed. Rerouting the 42 only misses out two current stops. Passengers using the Cherry Garden Lane stop can go to the former No 18 stop by Cherry Garden Primary School. Those few using the terminus stop could join at the bottom of Kenilworth Drive. A No 19A runs an hourly evening shuttle service between Bath and Kingswood after 18.45. As this bus is stationed at Bath it would be able to terminate there, rather than returning from Cribbs Causeway. I have written to First Bristol but have had no reply. Patrick Horton, Bitton

Abandoned sign Dear Editor Please can I bring to your notice a road sign that has been unceremoniously dumped on the side for the road after being set up before Christmas to inform of a day’s work to work to be carried out. BANES Council must

surely keep a record of road signs that are put out for that use and one would have thought have a system to ensure they are picked up when the work is completed. The sign as you will see from the photo is upside down and is found adjacent to the Overhill Dog Kennels just before you enter Norton Marleward. Graham P Steer, Whitchurch

D-day looms for AD power plant Dear Editor We have received news that Resourceful Energy Anaerobic Limited’s planning application for a super-sized anaerobic digester power plant in the Green Belt near Keynsham will be decided by Bath and North East Somerset Council at a planning committee meeting in Bath on Wednesday 9 March at 11am. If anyone submitted one of the many 1,000+ objections to this proposal, you may also have received notification of this meeting from B&NES Council. This mentions the opportunity to speak at the meeting but if you are considering this, please talk to us first. Our group, opposing the application, is only allowed a mere three minutes to present our case! We plan to use every precious second of that time effectively. We have therefore lined up our excellent planning consultant to speak to cover the key planning issues on behalf of our local communities. The planning officer’s recommendation is

due to be published on Wednesday 2 March – either to approve or refuse. At this point we will have a clearer idea of the next steps we need to take and how best to approach the planning committee meeting itself. We will provide further information as soon as we have it. POKE Protect Our Keynsham Environment Editor’s note: Keep an eye on our website theweekin.co.uk/ - for an update on this

Sarah & Layla’s fundraising continues Dear The Week In In the past you have very kindly shared stories about Layla’s Epilepsy Book for Kids and the fundraising we have been doing. You also kindly sponsored some of Layla’s books which you gave to local schools with profits going to epilepsy charities. It was a busy time before Christmas fundraising at Downend Co-op and thanks to staff and customers and members of Bristol Epilepsy Support Group, we raised enough money to donate 182 epilepsy information packs with Layla’s book inside, along with child-friendly epilepsy first aid leaflets and stickers and Young Carers leaflets too; 100 went to the NHS, 41 to Bristol schools and libraries, and 41 to South Gloucestershire schools and libraries, with the profits being shared between three epilepsy charities. I've been busy fundraising for all the charities who kindly gave the leaflets and stickers to go inside the epilepsy information packs too, plus every charity collection I do I collect a box of food to go to a local foodbank. Some has gone to the Resound foodbank; the last four months of food has gone to the Kingswood foodbank which has been an amazing support recently. Since I started fundraising back in 2006, when I was well enough to run marathons, to more present-day charity collections after

my health deteriorated, I have raised a total of £16,308.56 which has helped many amazing charities and good causes like epilepsy charities and Young Carers, and it has helped fund a total of 500 epilepsy information packs too. Sarah Reid

Drivers ignoring new Highway Code rules Dear The Week In On 17th February we were trying to cross Avon Mill Lane by the roundabout at Bath Hill in Keynsham. Clearly, drivers do not seem to know that there is a new Highway Code or they were choosing to ignore it. About five drivers from the direction of Bath were driving very fast and failed to stop for us. One of the drivers did not even use their indicators. About two drivers from the direction of Keynsham High Street also failed to stop for us to cross the road. The idea is to make it safer for pedestrians crossing roads by forcing drivers to be aware of their surroundings. We would never just cross the road without a driver stopping for us as that would just be too dangerous for all concerned. Therefore, we had to wait for the coast to be clear before even attempting to cross the road and even then we felt we were taking our lives into our hands. Most of the drivers were exceeding speed limits and they also seemed to want to ignore the fact that there is a 20mph speed limit on Avon Mill Lane. This is an appeal for drivers to brush up on The Highway Code and to drive with due consideration for pedestrians who are trying to cross the roads. We would like to thank the kind lady driver who did stop for us to cross Avon Mill Lane a few days before. It's good to know that there are drivers who are aware of the new Highway Code. Irene Pearce Keynsham

The Week in • Wednesday 2nd March 2022

Bid for more homes in village goes to appeal An appeal has been lodged with the Secretary of State to try to secure planning permission for three bungalows in Sleep Lane in Whitchurch Village. An outline application for the demolition of existing buildings and the redevelopment of land next to Oaklea was refused by Bath & North East Somerset Council on the grounds that it would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt and is outside of the housing development boundary. There were also concerns about the lack of access visibility. A previous outline application for Oaklea submitted in 2017 for six homes was refused on the grounds that it was outside the settlement boundary of Whitchurch Village, the impact on the rural feel of the area and the impact on the openness of the Green Belt. The applicant argues that since that decision, two nearby housing developments - The Bridles (Bellway Homes) and White Church Court (Barratt Homes) - have completely

changed the rural feel of the village; national planing guidance has also been updated, highlighting that limited infilling is acceptable in the Green Belt. The latest application has reduced the number of homes from six to three and they are single-storey to help reduce any impact; the scheme also includes biodiversity enhancements. As part of their appeal the applicant states that the site is in a highly sustainable location and visibility splays can be achieved to ensure a satisfactory access.

Choirs unite for free concert Keynsham’s popular Good Afternoon Choir, along with the South Gloucestershire Good Afternoon Choir, will present their first free admission concert of the year at St John’s Keynsham Parish Church on Saturday 12th March. The Keynsham Good Afternoon Choir, led by Grenville Jones, and the South Gloucestershire Good Afternoon Choir, led by Matt Finch, have more than 90 enthusiastic members between them who are busy preparing their programme for the concert which will support the Dementia Action Alliance and Dementia UK, charities chosen by the members of the choirs. The Good Afternoon Choirs were started by Bath music man Grenville Jones 12 years ago and there are now 19 across the South West, with more than 800 members ‘Singing in the

Afternoon’. There are no auditions. Members of the Keynsham Good Afternoon Choir meet every Wednesday afternoon from 2pm to 4pm. From Wednesday 16th March they return to Keynsham Methodist Church for weekly rehearsals. South Gloucestershire Good Afternoon Choir also meet every Wednesday from 2pm to 4pm in the Great Hall at Kingswood Community Centre. There is no need to book for the concert at St John’s. Doors open at 7pm. Grenville Jones said: “It is going to be a great night of music and of course this will be the first time that the Keynsham and South Gloucestershire Good Afternoon Choirs have performed together at a public concert in over two years. We are absolutely delighted to be back singing again.”

Sudoku 1-Easy

SUNDAY CHEMISTS Sunday 6th March

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 2nd March 2022

Pupils’ soup-er idea Difficult week for bus passengers train and helps the homeless Year 6 pupils at St Stephen’s Junior School in Soundwell have held a home-made soup sale to raise money for housing and homelessness charity Shelter. Last term the students were investigating how science can help the homeless. Inspired by a presentation from a representative from the Shelter, the children were eager to help the worthy cause and decided to use the vegetables from the school allotment to make and sell soup. They harvested the vegetables they had grown with the help of school gardener Mr Evans, and with the help of the school kitchen they made leek and potato and spicy parsnip soup which they sold to

Preparing vegetables from the allotment for the soup

parents. The pupils promoted their charity soup sale by writing persuasive pieces that were sent out to parents and designed advertising posters that were placed around the school. £107.10 was raised for Shelter from the sale. Headteacher Louise Wilson said: “I am so proud of the children of Year 6. They have lived our school values of Justice, Mercy and Humility by doing what is right, being kind and working as a team. The work with Shelter has also heightened their awareness of homeless issues and has increased their empathy towards the terrible situation that people find themselves in.”

Soup sale

Crossword

Rail and bus passengers suffered a torrid time last week on the back of storms Eunice and Franklin. On Monday (21st February) problems at First created another ‘perfect storm’ for bus travellers between Keynsham and Bristol. A breakdown caused the cancellation of one round trip of the 178 during the afternoon which was then compounded by two cancellations on the 349 which caused problems for people trying to get back to Keynsham in what used to be the early evening rush hour. One comment on The Week In Facebook page said: “My dad is 78 and went in to Bristol from Keynsham on the 349 bus in the early afternoon. He waited for a return bus over an hour in the cold. He didn’t want to put any of us out by picking him up so ended up getting the X39 then he got off at Saltford and rang just after 9pm to be picked as he was so cold and tired.” At the same time, rail services were still recovering from the storm chaos of the previous weekend with disruption and a 50mph speed limit on trains in place until late afternoon. Planned engineering works also meant services to Severn Beach and stopping trains between Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Engine (5)

1. Worker in stone (5)

4. Small raisin (7)

2. Braid of hair (5)

8. Marshal (7)

3. Prepared (5)

9. Similar (5)

4. Close embrace (6)

10. Offensive (5)

5. Cook in oven (5)

Parkway were being replaced by buses. The works were due to end on Sunday (27th February). Finally, problems continued for travellers from Keynsham, Saltford, Whitchurch and Brislington. With emergency road repairs forcing the closure of The Grove (between Redcliffe Bridge and Prince Street) services were already subject to diversion. Then on Tuesday (22nd February) it was announced that emergency repairs at the entrance of Bristol Bus Station meant the closure of bays 16 and 17 until further notice. This affects the operations of the 39, X39 and 376 routes which no longer start or end at the bus station. Passengers using the 39 and X39 now have to use the bus stop at Lewins Mead while the 376 uses bus stop S6 on Bond Street (outside the old Debenhams store). The roadworks at The Grove were scheduled to end this week. • There was further disruption to services on Thursday evening (24th February) with cancellations on the 376 which serves Whitchurch and Pensford. According to a statement issued by First’s Wells depot which runs the Mendip Explorer services, this was due to staff shortages through illness and the most severe disruption was between Wells and Street.

13. Salad vegetable (7) 6. Farewell (5) 17. Scarlet (3)

7. Topic (5)

18. Egg on (6)

11. Take land illegally (5)

19. Crushed rock (6)

12. Musical ornament (5)

20. Born as (3)

14. Limit (4)

22. Mexican lizard (7)

15. Jewelled headdress (5)

25. Social class (5) 28. Endure (5) 29. Moroccan city (7) 30. Perspired (7) 31. Brawny (5)

16. Eclat (anag.) (5) 17. Hire (4) 21. Uplifted (6) 22. Accumulate (5) 23. Oily fruit (5) 24. Open (5) 25. Marine mollusc (5) 26. Unbending (5) 27. Ahead of time (5)

The Week in • Wednesday 2nd March 2022

New transport hubs to be trialled in the West of England People are being asked for their views to help shape new mobility hubs that aim to make it easier for people to access different types of transport when travelling in the region. The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) says that mobility hubs are places that bring together different types of transport such as buses, e-scooters and e-bikes, and provide useful facilities and local information as well as providing a focal point for local Lyde Green

communities. Among the hubs are Kingswood town centre, Lyde Green Park & Ride, the Bristol and Bath Science Park at Emersons Green and St James Place in Mangotsfield. WECA, working with South Gloucestershire Council and Bristol City Council, will be trialling the hubs in clusters with larger hubs on public transport routes and at key destination points and smaller, local hubs in neighbourhoods giving more options to connect to public transport. Residents and businesses can give their views about how they travel in and around the hub locations and what kind of facilities and information would be most useful. This could include seating, remote working spaces, play or exercise equipment, wayfinding to local parks and destinations, parcel lockers or public art displays. The trial is part of the Future Transport Zone - a series of transport innovations and trial funded by the West of England Combined Authority and the Department for Transport, combining the latest in technology with improvements in infrastructure, to test out innovations which enable seamless car-free journeys. More information about all the hubs

Science Park

including questionnaires can be found at www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/mobility-

hubs. The closing date is Sunday (6th March).

Invitation to join Lenten pilgrimage Members of three churches will be taking

bring your own lunch.

part in a Lenten pilgrimage on Sunday 20th

At 1pm they will head on to St Anne’s at

March.

Syston for tea and cake. People are advised

The churches in the Benefice of Warmley,

to wear stout shoes or boots as there are

Syston and Bitton say local people are

some uneven steps and a stile or two.

welcome to join them for the whole day or

The organisers would appreciate knowing

just for a cuppa. The walk will include a

numbers in advance. Contact Sally Sibley

scavenger hunt.

After meeting at 8.30am at St Mary’s in

sallysibley4@hotmail.com

Bitton for light refreshments, walkers will

The churches say they are responding to the

head to Bitton Station. They will leave there

climate emergency and are hoping to

at 9.30am for St Barnabas Church in

explore ways to become more green and

Warmley where they are due to arrive at

take

10.30am for a Climate Sunday service and

responsibility.

0779

both

941

6142

individual

and

collective

St James Place

Kingswood town centre

The Week in • Wednesday 2nd March 2022

‘We’ll fight Bristol Airport expansion all the way’ The Keynsham branch of Extinction Rebellion (XR) hosted a well-supported meeting at the Baptist Church Hall last month. Member Richard Prior said: “The extraordinary recent decision to allow the expansion of Bristol Airport in the face of the impending climate emergency, despite the evidence presented to the inquiry regarding the immense damage locally and globally, galvanised the meeting. “The anger in the room demonstrated that this decision will be fought all the way. Bristol Airport is big enough and due to the catastrophic impact on climate change that air travel has, we must fly less, not more.” The group of local people came together to hear a speaker from the national Extinction Rebellion group speak about the risk to the planet from climate change and the fight to keep average global temperatures below 2*C.

The XR meeting in Keynsham

Richard Prior said: “Those present heard that it is not too late to prevent the worst impacts of climate change. Since Greta Thunberg, school strikes and Extinction Rebellion, the overwhelming majority of the British public are now aware of what we are facing. Despite politicians in power doing virtually nothing to turn this around and concentrating more on trying to silence protest, there are now many people, such as all those that gathered in Keynsham Baptist Church Hall who will make their voices heard.” The next meeting of Keynsham XR is on Wednesday 16th March at 7.30pm at Keynsham Baptist Church when there will be a speaker from BAAN (Bristol Airport Action Network). Everyone is invited. Contact Keynsham XR at keynshamxr@gmail.com Find out more about BAAN at bristolairportactionnetwork.wordpress.com/

£50k awarded for Jubilee events across South Glos More than 30 community events being held to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee are set to receive a combined £50,000 from South Gloucestershire Council. The funding will support a range of street parties, picnics, garden parties, fun days and fetes over the long Jubilee weekend from Thursday 2nd June to Sunday 5th June. In total, 33 local events run by town and parish councils, community groups and charities bid for the funding, all of which have been recommended to receive a grant from South Gloucestershire Council. The council has taken a step further in marking the Queen’s 70 years on the throne with the approval of a new Jubilee Park in Cadbury Heath with a focus on bringing people closer to nature reflecting the late Duke of Edinburgh’s passion for biodiversity. The exact location of the park has yet to be revealed. Among those receiving grants in our area are Avon Valley Railway at Bitton which gets £1,160 for street parties. Bitton Village Residents’ Association Picnic is planning a concert in the Pound Ground for which it will get £1,000, while Bitton Parish Council will be hosting an afternoon tea event with a £1,800 grant. The Friends of Page Park in Staple Hill have been successful in their bid for £1,800 for a party in the park while Staple Hill Community Hub will receive £1,800 for a family day at the Pendennis Estate. Other successful applicants include Siston Parish Council (£1,800 for a family event); Hanham Abbots Parish Council (£1,590 for a Jubilee celebration: Juice Community Project in Cadbury Heath (£1,050 for a picnic in the park); and Lyde Green Community Association (£1,500 for an ‘extravaganza’ event).

Top rating for academy Frome Vale Academy in Downend has been judged to be an ‘Outstanding’ school in all areas following a recent inspection by Ofsted. The 175-pupil academy in Frenchay Road had previously been judged in 2018 as requiring improvement. Formerly Oldbury Court Primary School, Frome Vale has been part of the Cabot Learning Federation (CLF) since 2012. In their report published last month, the inspectors said: “Pupils excel at this highly ambitious and inclusive school. Staff strive relentlessly to find ways to improve pupils’ lives, including through the delivery of the very carefully planned curriculum. “Pupils know that staff care for and respect them. Disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities learn alongside, and in harmony with, their peers.” Other highlights of the report included praise for pupils’ excellent behaviour and that leaders’ moral purpose underpins the school’s success. Principal Jan Saunders said that the judgement was an endorsement of the hard work and unrelenting approach to developing a broad and engaging curriculum underpinned by a culture of “Frome Vale Citizenship”. She added: “This approach has involved all stakeholders who have worked tirelessly to ensure that we provide the best life chances for all our pupils. We would like to thank our Frome Vale Citizens, school community, families, and the CLF.”

Open day Two new businesses in Keynsham are holding an open day this Saturday (5th March) from 10am to 2pm. Pie & Lattes Pilates and Tilia, a holistic massage therapy studio, are based above Scrumptious Sweets at 23A High Street. The space was previously a hair salon and has undergone major renovation work.

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The Week in • Wednesday 2nd March 2022

Longwell Green WI report

Situations Vacant

At Longwell Green WI’s first meeting of the year, members played games and enjoyed social time with friends they hadn't seen for a while. At the February meeting there was an interesting talk by Tony Rance, entitled Toastmaster to the Queen. He gave members an insight into the roles he performs at weddings, topping out ceremonies and various functions. He also shared stories of his work with royalty and famous people. An interesting and varied programme is lined up for the year which includes a talk from the charity St Mungo’s which helps the homeless, a Tai Chi session and a trip to Kingswood Heritage Museum. Skittles evenings and a quiz night are also planned, along with trips to Chavenage House in Gloucestershire and Windsor. There are lots of groups that members can participate in and most are up and running now. They include book clubs, walking groups, a knitting group and craft club. On the first Thursday of the month members enjoyed Tea & Chat at The Chapel café in Longwell Green. Longwell Green WI’s regular meetings are held on the third Friday of the month at 7.30pm at Longwell Green Community Centre. New members are always welcome. Email longwellwi@gmail.com, call 0117 9864782 or just come along on the night. Linda Muller

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The Week in • Wednesday 2nd March 2022

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