THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset
23rd March 2022
Issue 722
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Concern for vulnerable families over Citizens Advice Bureau cuts There are fears about the impact on vulnerable families in South Gloucestershire as council budget cuts of 35% will see some Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) services cut from 1st April. The cuts will mean the closure of the Staple Hill High Street office, which for 47 years has offered independent and free expert advice to thousands of local residents. And concern was raised at last week’s Oldland Parish Council meeting about the impending loss of the well-used CAB outreach service at Juice Community Project in Cadbury Heath too and the impact on the ability of families to seek help and advice, particularly in the current climate. Just last month Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire reported a 95% increase in people across the district coming to them for problems with fuel debt. They said that with further hikes coming in April, this was “the tip of the
Also in this week’s issue
iceberg”. Advice services in South Gloucestershire have historically been led by the CAB but funding from the council has been reduced by more than £100,000. Under the new five-year contract, parts of the service will be delivered by the council from 1st April. The key locations for face-to-face advice will be the council’s One Stop Shops in Kingswood, Yate and Patchway and no longer in the district’s ‘priority neighbourhoods’ which include Cadbury Heath and Staple Hill. Oldland parish councillor Barry West told fellow members that he had learned that the CAB’s outreach service at Juice has lost its funding of £15,000 per year for a one-morning-aweek service, and that the nearest place that local families will be able to access face-to-face support is Kingswood which will mean an outlay on bus fares. He added that some residents struggle to access services digitally. Fellow parish councillor Jon Parker said he could not help contrasting the £15,000 a year for the CAB service in Cadbury Heath and the £500,000 which South Gloucestershire Council is allocating for a new park to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. He said he appreciated it was different pots of money but that if for example the fund for the new park was reduced to £450,000, that would provide at least three years of CAB funding. “I can’t help feeling that the community might prefer that sort of balance,” he said. The parish council decided to write to Rob Walsh, the head
Cross-party support for Cossham minor injury unit petition . . . page 3
Keynsham High Street reopens but new town centre roadworks start . . . page 4
of Safe Strong Communities at South Gloucestershire Council, to seek his views, bearing in mind that with the impending fuel poverty crisis, residents need a local advice facility more than ever. This week a South Gloucestershire Council spokesperson told us that the pandemic meant that many services delivered face-to-face needed to be provided online and by telephone. “The new service will build on this and while residents will be able to access and be referred to services through our One Stop Shops, there will also be digital access via webchat facilities and downloadable help guides available so that information, advice and guidance on financial, legal and benefits issues will be available through more channels than before the pandemic.” The spokesperson added: “While we recognise that people needing help may come from anywhere in the district, the areas of highest demand are centralised around Patchway, Kingswood and Yate, which is why we are using our One Stop Shops as a primary in-person access point, in addition to the online and telephone support.” South Gloucestershire Council says it is committed to working closely with partners to attract additional grant funding from other sources so that the service can be expanded further where possible.
Vigil for Ukraine in Staple Hill . . . page 5
Too few drivers and passengers blamed for latest bus cuts . . . page 7
Plans for a 24-hour drive-thru restaurant in Asda car park Plans have been revealed for a 24-hour drive-thru restaurant in Asda’s car park in Longwell Green. What brand it will be is not revealed in the planning application that has been lodged with South Gloucestershire Council by Euro Garages Ltd, part of the EG Group which owns Asda. The roadside retail giant operates sites for brands including KFC, Burger King and Subway. In 2020 the EG Group acquired one of the largest KFC franchise operators in the UK and Ireland. In January of this year the chicken chain announced plans to open up to 500 new restaurants across the UK, including drive-thrus.
Community meeting There will be a virtual meeting of the Boyd Valley Community Engagement Forum on Thursday 7th April at 7pm. Residents will be able to find out what it happening in their community and will have the chance to raise any issues. Foe details of how to join the meeting email CommunityEngagement@southglos.gov.uk or call 01454 868113.
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The EG Group also acquired healthy fast food brand Leon last spring which launched its first drive-thru in the autumn, with more planned. The application is for a single-storey building for a mixed restaurant and hot food takeaway use, incorporating a
said: “As a local resident looking out onto the car park, this 24-hour option brings the likely
dedicated ‘drive-thru’, in the eastern corner of the Asda car park. Five trees will need to be removed. The nearest residential properties are houses at Stoneleigh Drive and Stephens Drive but the application says they are unlikely to be disturbed by any activities related to the proposed restaurant. Barrs Court Primary School is also nearby. The plans show that CCTV will be installed to discourage anti-social behaviour. There will be litter picking patrols three times a day and litter bins will be provided outside the restaurant. Some local residents have already lodged objections. One
prospect of youths and cars congregating around this area at late hours. “The Asda car park has suffered a lot in the past (pre-COVID) with regards to people meeting late at night with cars for loud 'rides' and stunts in the cars. This brought significant noise issues. The police I believe were involved and this has the potential to bring this back.” Another local objector shared concerns about anti-social behaviour and feared that cooking smells would permeate surrounding homes. Residents have also highlighted there is no need to build new units when there are numerous empty units at Aspects Leisure Park and at the Gallagher Retail Park, and that the Asda store doesn’t open 24 hours so why does the restaurant need to. The planning reference is P22/00059/F and the deadline for comments is Monday 28th March.
Spring fair Keynsham WI will be hosting a spring fair in aid of Dementia Awareness in the Lounge Bar of the Royal British Legion in Charlton Road, Keynsham, on Saturday (26th March) from 9am to 11am.
The Week in • Wednesday 23rd March 2022
Petition for a minor injury unit at Cossham Hospital wins cross-party support A petition backed by more than 2,000 readers of The Week In, calling for the long-awaited minor injury unit at Cossham Hospital to be opened, has won cross-party support from South Gloucestershire councillors. The petition, which has a total of 5,078 signatures and reasserts the need for the unit more than eight years after it was scheduled to open, was brought to the attention of the Health Scrutiny Committee last Wednesday by Kingswood Labour councillor Andrea Reid. Also there to promote the petition was June Bennett, widow of the veteran Cossham campaigner Reg Bennett. Cllr Reid said she supports the petition as a local councillor and resident and highlighted the case of a local parent of two children who have brittle bone disease and who regularly has to take them into the children’s hospital in Bristol for the treatment of injuries but would be able to use Cossham if there was a minor injury unit (MIU) there. Conservative and Lib Dem councillors at the meeting also spoke in support of the petition, with Yate Lib Dem councillor Ruth Davis saying the MIU at Yate has taken pressure off Southmead Hospital A&E but has to turn people away at times because it is full, so if people come over from Kingswood to Yate, they may end up making another journey to Southmead or into the centre of Bristol to seek treatment. And Conservative councillor Judy Adams said she was also in support of the MIU for which the wait had been so long. Last September The Week In featured a front page story about a petition that had been started on the change.org website by local nurse Josh Ditte calling for a minor injury
unit at Cossham as there is still demand and need for the service, more than eight years after the hospital reopened following a £19m refurbishment but without the promised MIU. In response to requests from The Week In readers without internet access but who were keen to support the petition, we published a form that readers could sign and return, calling on the Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to implement the MIU. The form ran for several weeks, alongside an online petition we set up to complement it, and a total of 2,098 Week In readers showed their support. A further 2.980 people supported the petition on the change.org website. Readers have told us how hard it can be to get to the MIUs at Yate and Southmead without private transport. With major regeneration plans for Kingswood town centre, including more homes and facilities, the need for such a service within easy reach is seen as even greater. The CCG have received the collective petition and will be considering it at their governing body meeting on 5th April. Most of those supporting the petition came from the constituencies of Kingswood, Bristol East, Filton & Bradley Stoke, and Thornbury & Yate, and local MPs have been notified of the petition, as has the North Bristol NHS Trust. It has also been sent to the Secretary of State for Health and the Prime Minister. The Week In reported in depth on the previous attempt to get the MIU open when in 2014 a petition supported by politicians of all parties was raised by the late Reg Bennett
Cossham Hospital
and the Reformed Save Cossham Hospital Group. At the time the CCG responded by implementing a two-year trial offering minor injury treatment at GP surgeries in South Gloucestershire instead, which was a cheaper option. Initial feedback was positive and the CCG said the pilot scheme could be copied across England. But it failed to reduce pressure at Accident & Emergency units as hoped and was scrapped. Instead investment was put into the MIU at Yate. Yate MIU has X-ray facilities and treats patients with minor injuries that include cuts and grazes, sprains and strains, arm, lower leg and foot injuries including broken bones, bites, minor burns and scalds, minor head injuries, broken nose/nosebleeds and minor eye problems such as scratches. It is open from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week, and no appointment is necessary. It is run by run by Sirona health and care
whose website says it may need to close earlier than the times stated if it is experiencing “significant demand”.
Josh Ditte
June Bennett, left, & Cllr Andrea Reid
The Week in • Wednesday 23rd March 2022
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Keynsham High Street reopens to traffic ahead of latest roadworks Traffic is back using Keynsham High Street for the first time since last summer as the works to revitalised this part of the town centre came to an end last Friday. The work started at the end of May last year and the High Street has been closed to traffic since the end of June. The enhancements include footpath widening and resurfacing, improved cycling and bus stop facilities, new street furniture, trees and planting and better signage on the High Street between Bath Hill and Charlton Road.
The new cycle lane is separated from the road by a kerb
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.
Now it has reopened, the former one-way system through the town centre has been reinstated. The scheme aims to allow traffic to flow more smoothly with a new bus stop layby allowing cars to pass waiting buses. The second phase of the heritage-led public realm improvement scheme will involve Temple Street later this year but in the meantime there is more traffic disruption in the town centre for an expected period of three weeks because of essential sewer works by developer Halsall for Alliance Homes’ affordable housing development at Rock Road. The works at the new Keyne Court had been delayed until the High Street reopening. The first phase began on Monday and involves a full road closure of Rock Road and Ashton Way for approximately 21 days. Access to properties and car parks in Ashton Way is via Charlton Road. Charlton Park has a temporary one-way restriction in place to allow a bus diversion route. Some parking suspensions are in place to ensure that buses can travel through safely. Traffic heading towards Keynsham town centre from the Saltford direction on the A4 is being diverted along the Keynsham Bypass to Hicks Gate roundabout and back into the town via A4175 Durley Hill. Traffic on Charlton Road heading towards Saltford
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The High Street has reopened
that would normally use Ashton Way and Bath Hill to get to the A4 is turning left onto the High Street before using the roundabout at St John’s Church to do a U-turn. The current ban on right turns from Charlton Road into the High Street remains in place for safety reasons. Once Ashton Way and Rock Road have reopened, a second phase of works by Halsall to install balconies at Keyne Court is anticipated to begin on 11th April for approximately 17 days. This will involve a one-way system from the Rock Road and Ashton Way junction to West View Road.
Rock Road
Keynsham’s HSBC branch to close HSBC has confirmed that a further 69 of its branches will close for good later this year – including the one in Keynsham. The branch on the corner of the High Street and Charlton Road will shut its doors on 1st September. Other branches being shut include the one in Thornbury in South Gloucestershire on 25th August and the one at Whiteladies Road in Bristol on 29th September. HSBC says the decision to “re-shape” the network and invest in a wider package of support and different formats follows an increasing preference for mobile and online banking, which has accelerated since the start of the pandemic. It says that less than
50% of the bank’s customers now actively use its branch network, with the average footfall declining over 50% since 2017, faster than any point in the last decade. It is understood the closures will affect around 400 staff. Keynsham High Street still has a Halifax and a TSB but in recent years it has lost NatWest, Santander and Lloyds and most recently Barclays in February 2021.
The Week in • Wednesday 23rd March 2022
Vigil for Ukraine in Staple Hill A vigil for the people of Ukraine held at Fountain Square in Staple Hill on Sunday raised more than £400. Members of the Staple Hill Salvation Army band played and there were prayers led by Majors Colin and Nicola HyltonJones from the church. People were invited to lay single flowers on the Ukrainian flag in remembrance of lives already lost. The flag, which had been in the old Dame School in Mangotsfield where a vigil was held earlier this month, and which was used in a previous vigil outside the Russian Embassy in London, is being used to record messages of support for the people of Ukraine. Among those speaking at the vigil were Staple Hill & Mangotsfield ward councillors Ian Boulton, Michael Bell and Katie Cooper and Kingswood councillor Andrea Reid. Cllr Boulton said that the flag would be placed in Staple Hill Library for two weeks for any additional messages to be
The Week in • Wednesday 23rd March 2022
added before being delivered to the Ukrainian Embassy in London as a show of solidarity from the residents of Staple Hill and Mangotsfield. Cllr Cooper said she and other councillors had registered to take in Ukrainian refugees. There were activities at the vigil for children including planting a sunflower seed (the national flower of Ukraine), colouring a sunflower picture and making badges to wear as a reminder to think of those affected by war. People could also reflect under a tent that had been erected to remember those who have been displaced and are living in temporary accommodation. A cash collection raised £448 for the DEC Humanitarian Appeal, including more than £100 from the Red Lion in Mangotsfield. Meanwhile the Staple Hill branch of the Salvation Army has also thanked the community for supporting a coffee morning fundraiser for its work in Ukraine during the crisis which raised more than £2,200.
Communities show their support for refugees Saltford Community Association (SCA) says it has been contacted by a number of residents hoping to provide accommodation and support to Ukrainian refugees. SCA intends to set up a support group to enable refugees and Saltford hosts to meet up on a regular basis at Saltford Hall. This week SCA said: “We believe it will be important for fellow refugees to be able to meet up as much as it will be important for residents providing this support to meet up with like-minded people, to share experiences. “The group would also be able to identify what support refugees needed, so that we could appeal for these specific items so that generous donations of items were targeted at what was really needed.” Anyone interested in hosting a refugee family can register their interest at https://homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk/ SCA has highlighted charities leading efforts to connect refugees with sponsors in the UK – visit www.homesforukraine.org.uk and https://www.host4ukraine.com/ to find out more. Meanwhile Keynsham Elim Church has announced that it will open up on Wednesday afternoons from noon to 3pm to help refugees from Ukraine. The refugees will also be welcomed to the toddlers group and Sunday services. Elim hopes other local churches will provide a similar service on other days of the week.
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Campaign group takes fight against airport expansion to the High Court Bristol Airport Action Network (BAAN) has decided to appeal to the High Court against the recent Planning Inspectorate decision to allow the expansion from 10 million to 12 million passengers per year. Solicitors acting on behalf of the coordinating committee of the campaign group have issued papers to the High Court for a statutory appeal under the Town & Country Planning Act 1990. This challenge will highlight what they are advised are a number of errors in law in the decision to allow the expansion
of Bristol Airport. These include incorrect interpretation of local planning strategies and aviation policies, ignoring the importance of local carbon budgets and not adequately considering the extra non-carbon emissions that would be caused by the expansion. BAAN gathered together groups opposing Bristol Airport’s original planning application in December 2018 and has resisted the expansion plans ever since. North Somerset councillors voted to reject the airport’s plans in February 2020. Their reasons for turning down the
Traffic calming plan A scheme to improve safety at the junction of Memorial Road with New Walk in Hanham has been drawn up as part of the proposed redevelopment of the Kleeneze site by Homes England. The goods access to the Sealtech warehouse is being relocated from Ansteys Road to New Walk and to ensure safe access for vehicles using this new entrance, the speed table traffic calming feature is being proposed. The aim is to reduce traffic speeds on Memorial Road to make it safe for pedestrians to cross and other vulnerable road users, and help vehicles coming out of New Walk.
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Anyone with any comments on the plans should let South Gloucestershire Council know before the deadline of 9th April. Find out more on the council’s website under ‘Consultations’.
application included the increase in road traffic, loss of Green Belt land for parking, increased noise and air pollution from more flights and the rise in carbon emissions. However, Bristol Airport Ltd appealed against the decision and last month the inspectors allowed the airport’s appeal after a 10week inquiry. This is the decision BAAN is now trying to get quashed in the High Court. Stephen Clarke, one of the coordinators of BAAN, said the inspectors’ report had dismissed the enormous increase of carbon emissions as an issue by stating that the “climate was neutral in the planning balance”. “In this one sentence, they effectively ignored expert climate change science and the overwhelming extra carbon emissions caused by the expansion,” said Mr Clarke. “They also decided to completely ignore the parts of the North Somerset core local strategy that deals with climate change issues as well as the dozens of local residents who spoke passionately on the issue at the inquiry.” Richard Baxter, from BAAN, said: “We have only had a few weeks to consider what options of action were available to us and after legal advice we have opted to go for a statutory appeal.” Pledges on the CrowdJustice website to cover BAAN’s legal fees have so topped £28,000.
The Week in • Wednesday 23rd March 2022
Bus driver shortages and low passenger numbers blamed for more cuts Bus operator First West of England is blaming the latest round of bus cuts on a shortage of drivers and low passenger numbers which mean some services are not commercially viable. Service Y2 between Chipping Sodbury, Yate and Bristol, with Downend and Fishponds en route, will no longer operate after 24th April. Neither will Service T2 from Thornbury to Bristol via Cribbs Causeway. The route of the 92 will change to reflect low customer numbers around Whitchurch Village. It will operate directly to Belland Drive via Whitchurch Lane and no longer serve Windways. All journeys will terminate at Belland Drive and buses will no longer serve Hengrove Park or the Hengrove depot. First says that passenger numbers on the
network are still “significantly below” prepandemic levels. It will look to reinstate higher frequencies when these conditions change. Among the services affected are the 44 and
On the 39/X39 (Bath to Bristol via Saltford, Keynsham and Brislington) the first three journeys will depart from The Globe at Newton St Loe and due to low
45 journeys (Bristol City Centre to Cadbury Heath/Cherry Gardens) with First saying that some poorly used early morning and weekend services will be withdrawn. Monday to Friday off-peak frequency services will be reduced from every 20 minutes to every half hour. On the 48 and 49 (Bristol City Centre to Emersons Green/Lyde Green) Sunday frequency will be reduced from every 20 to every 30 minutes and some poorly used early morning and weekend journeys will be dropped.
passenger demand, some daily journeys will be withdrawn. Some journeys will also be withdrawn because of low customer demand on Services 6 and 7 (Bristol City Centre to Kingswood/Staple Hill). On the 42 (Bristol City Centre to Cherry Garden Road, Bitton), again due to low demand, some early morning and weekend journeys will be withdrawn, and it is a similar story for the 43 (Bristol City Centre to Cadbury Heath). In response to customer demand, Service 91 (Bristol City to Hengrove) will operate a slightly different route, running directly between Broad Walk Square and Melvin Square via Daventry Way and Leinster Avenue every 65 minutes, rather than along Ilminster Avenue. It will no longer extend to Hengrove Depot, instead terminating at Imperial Park.
‘These were difficult decisions’ Explaining the timetable shake-up, Doug Claringbold, MD of First West of England, said: “Despite the Government extending emergency funding for another six months, ongoing issues with driver availability mean further action is necessary beyond the changes we made at the end of January to ensure we can operate services more reliably for our customers. “A number of services will see temporary reductions in frequency whilst passenger and driver numbers are constrained but unfortunately there are a number of services that are not commercially
viable even at pre-pandemic passenger levels.” He added: “Wherever routes have been curtailed or cut, these were difficult decisions and we apologise to all customers who will be adversely impacted. We need to make these adjustments to be able to ensure the overall viability of our network in what remain very challenging and uncertain conditions, and we will continue to work closely with the West of England Combined Authority and other stakeholders as we navigate this difficult path.”
The 75 and 76, (Hengrove to Henbury/Cribbs Causeway) and the 90 (Bristol City Centre to Hengrove) will have lower frequency as will the m1 metrobus service from Hengrove Park to Cribbs Causeway. Service 93 (Bristol City Centre to Hengrove) will be withdrawn but Service 71 will extend from Parson Street in Bedminster to Hengrove Depot using the 93 route. Others affected by fewer journeys include Service 1 (Broomhill to Cribbs Causeway via Bristol City Centre) and the 2 and 2a between Cribbs Causeway (Brentry for Service 2a) and Stockwood via Bristol City Centre. For a list of all changes visit https://www.firstbus.co.uk/bristol-bath-andwest
Mayor criticised but he says there’s ‘no unlimited pot’ Conservative councillors and MPs in South Gloucestershire have criticised West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris for a “complete lack of consultation” on the latest round of bus cuts and for no new services to replace those being axed. They said that the West of England Combined Authority had also continued to ignore calls to restore the No 18 service between Kingswood and Keynsham, cancelled last year despite a campaign backed by hundreds of people to restore it. This week Mr Norris stressed there is no unlimited pot of money and sympathised with everyone who has lost services. “I am pleased to be supporting the 178, Y5 and 5
but I wish I could have done more. There are all important services. I and MPs crossparty warned again and again that the Government’s policy on emergency COVID-19 funding for buses was not fit for purpose. “The Government’s final U-turn has come too late for some bus routes. There is also another cliff edge coming as the Government has said this is the last time they will support bus services in this way. From October it will be simply down to us.” Bus passenger numbers are still threequarters of what they were before the pandemic and passengers are warned they will need to “use or lose” buses.
The Week in • Wednesday 23rd March 2022
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LETTERS Plea to Labour over new town council Dear Becky As Chair of South Gloucestershire Council’s Regulatory Committee, I am writing in response to the disappointing comments by the Labour Group leader on South Gloucestershire Council in last week’s edition around the democratically taken decision to create a town council for Kingswood. As readers will no doubt be aware, South Gloucestershire Council is leading a multimillion-pound regeneration vision for Kingswood, with plans in place to transform the town centre, improve public green spaces and level up the community. Having a town council is very much part of this vision to give the community more local representation, more control over local issues and a stronger voice. In fact, national research has found that town and parish councils also encourage a greater level of community assets, as well as higher rates of volunteering, group membership and charitable giving. It is a shame that Labour members – who claim to have been neutral on the matter but have only ever had negative things to say – have not been more supportive of this effort to level up Kingswood and continue to refuse the invitation to be a part of the masterplanning process which would certainly benefit their communities, instead just shouting from the side-lines. It is fair to say that the outcome of the recent consultation was close – coming down to five responses on one question posed to residents – but Labour act like a resounding majority were opposed when that clearly was not the case. They completely ignore the consultation demonstrating that the majority of residents clearly felt a town council could help improve their neighbourhood and would give the community a stronger voice. It is puzzling why Labour would not want that for the Kingwood community. Much of the comments opposed to the plans
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in the consultation related to worries around council tax increasing and it has been demonstrated quite clearly this wouldn’t necessarily be the case as, with the review over the need for Special Expenses under way, it would be down to the new town council to set their precept according to local priorities. This could indeed even see costs go down. What is shocking is that misinformation around costs continues to be broadcast – including in the comments made by the Labour Group leader in last week’s edition. If they spoke to as many local people on the doorstep as they claim, it is a shame they didn’t do more to clarify this with residents. The claim by Labour that emails are coming in “left, right and centre” does not correspond with what either myself or the leader of the council have experienced, given you need less than one hand to count the number of emails we have received. If councillors have such concerns, I don’t understand why they are not passing this information on directly to us, rather than grandstanding at public meetings. I would strongly encourage Labour to work with us in making sure the new town council is a success for the Kingswood community, rather than seeking to divide people unnecessarily. Cllr Paul Hughes Chair of South Gloucestershire Council Regulatory Committee
Tell us how our money is being spent Dear Editor When the police and fire services have only increased their fees on our council tax bills by 2% and 4%, you question why Bitton Parish Council have increased their precept by 27.7%! It’s not like they are a vital service. When people are struggling to make ends meet, they do not need Bitton Parish Council putting up their fees by 27.7%. Everyone in Bitton should object and write to Bitton Parish Council for an explanation.
Maybe residents should raise a vote of no confidence in their parish council who have not even distributed a newsletter to residents in the last two years; instead the money for this has gone towards their salary budget. Regarding the newsletter, their website states: “Bitton Parish Council aims to keep both parishioners and visitors up to date with the latest information relating to local amenities, facilities, future projects and developments. We aim to update parishioners at least three times a year. These will be delivered door to door around the parish.” The last newsletter issued was in January 2020! No funds have been allocated for a newsletter in the 2022/23 budget. So residents are not being kept informed of where their money is going. They need to explain their actions to the Bitton residents. Name & address supplied Editor’s note: See page 12 for a message from Bitton Parish Council’s Chair
10th and Sunday 12th June entails climbing Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis, the highest peaks in Wales, England and Scotland over just 36 hours. It is not for the faint-hearted, but those taking part will take an enormous amount of satisfaction from the challenge whilst enjoying the beautiful scenery and supporting our fight to beat meningitis in the UK within a generation. Sadly, meningitis and septicaemia continue to affect thousands of people in the UK and kill more under-5s than any other infectious disease. Help us to fund research to eradicate this devastating disease, raise lifesaving awareness and support those affected. We’d love you to join our team. You’ll find all the information you need to sign up on our website at www.meningitisnow.org Or email fundraising@meningitisnow.org Kirsty Owen-Hayward Fundraising manager, Meningitis Now
‘Petty’ row over colour of Keynsham pub
Rotary Club thanks for appeal donations
Dear Editor I could not agree more with Julia Chandler, (Letters, Issue 720). Surely B&NES Council have more important issues to deal with than the look of The Old Bank, and even if they have not, why do they not tell the complainant not to be so petty as the pub front is an improvement over some of the surrounding buildings, as is the improved look of the Conservative Club (Club 22). B Charles
Dear Editor The Rotarians of Kingswood did a bucket collection in Kings Chase Shopping Centre on Saturday 12th March in aid of the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. Through these pages, we want to thank the kind people of Kingswood who in just one day donated £807. The money raised has gone to the appeal to help folk whose lives have been uprooted by what is happening in their home country. Kingswood Rotary Club also supports Shelter Box which provides emergency shelter and cooking equipment for people overtaken by disaster and who need the wherewithal to survive and will be helping displaced Ukrainian families escaping the loss of their homes and the life they led. We are grateful to the generosity and humanity of the community.
Join the team Dear Editor We’re inviting outdoor enthusiasts among your readers to join charity Meningitis Now on an exhilarating but scenic adventure to take on a Three Peaks Challenge and help us beat the deadly disease. The Three Peaks Challenge between Friday
Richard Law Kingswood Rotary Club
The Week in • Wednesday 23rd March 2022
Share your memories of the Queen with us As the country prepares for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June, The Week In is asking for your memories from Her Majesty’s 70-year reign. Were you among the crowds who lined the
Celebrations in Saltford Saltford is planning its Big Jubilee Weekend to mark the Queen’s 70 years on the throne. On Thursday 2nd June there will be a beacon lighting event at the golf club with food, drink and music. On Friday 3rd June a free afternoon tea for
residents on the grass in front of Saltford Hall is planned while on Saturday 4th June there will be front garden sales and Saltford Choir will be in concert. On Sunday 5th June residents will be encouraged to hold street parties.
streets to see the Queen when she visited this area? Perhaps you remember watching her Coronation on the television or attended a street party or event to celebrate a Jubilee? You may even have attended a royal garden party hosted by the Queen, or received an award from her? We’d love to hear your stories and see your photos and share them with other readers as part of our special coverage of the Platinum Jubilee.
And please tell us about events in your community that are taking place over the Pat Rooney four-day bank holiday weekend from 2nd to 5th June. We will feature as many as we can. Contact us at admin@theweekin.co.uk or call 0117 9860381 or 07403 273967. This photo from our files is of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in Page Park in Staple Hill in 2012. Local people will also be gathering there on Saturday 4th June to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee.
Fees waived for Jubilee events in South Glos South Gloucestershire Council is helping local communities come together to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee this summer by waiving charges for street parties and events in public open spaces. As with previous national celebrations the council is welcoming applications for street party closures and the hire of open spaces for Jubilee celebration events held in the area between 2nd and 5th June and has confirmed that no fees will be charged. The council has previously announced that
more than 30 community Jubilee events are receiving a combined total of £50,000 in grant funding. To apply for a street party closure visit www.southglos.gov.uk/streetclosures where you can find a link to the application form. No closures will be permitted on A and B class roads. To apply to hire a public open space for a Jubilee celebration event visit www.southglos.gov.uk/open-spacehire where you’ll find a link to the event hire form.
Sudoku 1-Easy
SUNDAY CHEMISTS Sunday 27th 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 23rd March 2022
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Road safety petition being presented to council Close to 700 people have so far signed the petition calling for the Wellsway in Keynsham to be made safer for all road users and local residents.
The organisers have thanked everyone who has signed so far and plan to present the petition to Bath & North East Somerset Council tomorrow (Thursday).
Help make dream gym a reality Bristol Co-operative Gym, the only member-owned gym in the UK, has launched a crowdfunder campaign to renovate its studio in Brislington. The gym was set up in 2016 to offer an inclusive, welcoming space for exercise. Since 2016, powered by volunteers, the gym has worked with more than 1,000 people in parts of the city with limited access to health and fitness facilities. Originally based at All Hallows Hall in Easton, in October 2021 Bristol Co-operative Gym took on sole occupancy of
Crossword
a space in St Anne’s House in Brislington run by Bricks – a social enterprise supporting local and creative communities. Members and coaches have collaborated with local architects to design a training space in the former council office that is radically different to conventional gyms. The gym has confirmed £12,500 of match funding from Sport England and Power to Change. Find out more at bristolcooperativegym.org/
ACROSS
DOWN
1. Cautious (7)
1. Client (8)
8. Arsenal (7)
2. Jewish leader (5)
9. Append (7)
3. Plant life (5)
10. Laid bare (7)
4. Covered carriage (6)
11. Pacific island (7)
5. Prayer ending (4)
14. Not at home (3)
6. Natural clock (7)
16. Door fastener (4)
7. Tudor composer (4)
18. Satisfy (4)
12. Small metal spike (4)
19. Egg-shaped (4)
13. Predatory canine (4)
20. Barrier (4)
15. Roman garment (4)
21. Sub-tropical fruit (3) 16. Icy rain (4) 23. Inflatable rubber bag (7)
17. Sumptuous (8)
26. Supervise (7) 28. Be aware of (7)
22. European peninsula (6)
29. African spear (7)
24. Tropical vine (5)
30. Educational institution (7)
25. Express an opinion (5)
18. Skill, expertise (7)
26. Spoken (4) 27. Wise person (4)
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The Keynsham Road Safety Campaign launched the petition, which we featured in Issue 716 last month, to improve safety near the blind bend at Uplands following what they called more than two years of “discussions, prevaricating and empty promises” from B&NES Council. The council currently has plans to reduce the limit from 40mph to 30mph only as far up the Wellsway as The Homestead, which campaigners fear will make the situation worse as motorists will still be accelerating out of the 30mph stretch by the time they reach the bend on the edge of Keynsham. Campaigners want to see the speed limit reduced to 30mph right up to the edge of the town where the ‘Welcome to Keynsham’ sign is, along with flashing signs to alert motorists of the speed limit. In their petition, which is addressed to Cllr Manda Rigby, B&NES Cabinet member for Transport, and the highways department, the campaigners also call for a pavement from Uplands to Courtenay Road so pedestrians can access the byway near the Uplands bend, which joins the Chew Valley walking routes. The byway is also used by motorbikes and four-wheel drive vehicles. The petition is at https://tinyurl.com/bddzr9xn
Spotlight on new regional blueprint for homes and jobs A new blueprint setting out broad locations for growth to meet the need for homes and jobs in the West of England over the next 20 years is due to go out for public consultation this spring. The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and its constituent authorities of South Gloucestershire, Bath & North East Somerset and Bristol are working together on the draft Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) which will also contribute towards the ambition to meet carbon neutrality by 2030. It will be supported by the Local Plans being developed by each council. WECA has said it will also work with key partners, including North Somerset Council, to resolve cross-boundary issues. Before WECA discusses the strategy on 8th April, B&NES is holding a special Cabinet meeting on 31st March to discuss it and it will also be on the agenda at South Gloucestershire Council’s Cabinet meeting on 4th April. Last month South Gloucestershire Cabinet members criticised WECA for “a lack of meaningful engagement” in the process amid concerns that the district could be swamped with unsustainable levels of housing development. Once the draft is published there will be a 12-week consultation when residents and businesses will be invited to share their views. After that feedback has been taken into consideration, the SDS is due to go before planning inspectors in spring 2023 with a view to it being adopted later next year. The Week in • Wednesday 23rd March 2022
Woodland homes plan on B&NES-Bristol border is refused ‘Recycle more food waste’ plea South Gloucestershire Council is encouraging people to take more care with the disposal of their rubbish, particularly food waste, following the results of the council’s annual waste analysis. Every year a sample of waste is taken from black bins from different areas in South Gloucestershire to understand what’s being thrown away. This helps identify priorities for the council’s waste related projects and messages for recycling. This year the results show that 44 per cent of waste found in black bins could be recycled from home. Food waste makes up
29 per cent of the total amount of waste. The findings reveal that residents are recycling fruit and veg peelings, eggshells, tea bags and other inedible food waste, but many are still unnecessarily putting food such as bags of potatoes, loaves of bread and jars with food left in them into the black bins. Food waste is an important part of recycling at home and once taken away is recycled in Bristol by GENeco. The recycling process extracts biogas which is used to generate electricity and the leftover material is used as a non-chemical fertiliser on farmland.
A plan to build up to five homes on a woodland site on the border of Bath & North East Somerset and Bristol has been refused. Chapel Hill Homes Ltd had applied to Bath & North East Somerset Council for permission in principle for the development at Ridgeway Gardens at Whitchurch. The site is next to the Bristol boundary to the north and west. To the east is an electricity substation while there is open countryside to the south. But council planners last week turned down the application on the grounds that it would be inappropriate development in the Green
Belt, an unacceptable development within the open countryside, and would lead to a biodiversity net loss. Whitchurch Village Council had warned it would reduce the “green buffer” between the village and Bristol, adding that Whitchurch Village has fulfilled its housing development needs. Councillors had also raised concerns about the harm to wildlife. A total of 96 comments of objection were received from local residents. Bristol Tree Forum also objected, as did B&NES ward councillor Paul May and Tim Kent, who represents Hengrove & Whitchurch Park on Bristol City Council.
New pavilion approved South Gloucestershire Council has approved Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council’s planning application for a new pavilion on the King George V Playing Field at Sutherland Avenue. It will replace the current building which is in a poor condition.
The Week in • Wednesday 23rd March 2022
The woodland at Ridgeway Gardens
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The Community Page
Bitton Parish Council Words from the Chair
It’s such a privilege to live and work in Bitton parish with its easy access to open countryside and urban green spaces. As a council we work hard to protect this and support the physical and mental wellbeing of our residents. We are looking forward to a slice of normality this year with the return of the council competitions. We can’t wait to Jane Allinson be wowed by the entries of the
green fingered gardeners and allotment holders! It is always a pleasure to see the imagination and skills of our youngsters in the Creative Arts competition. The Photographic competition entries showed how much folk appreciated Bitton parish in lockdown with some stunning views and we
to this we have donated oak trees to four of our local schools for planting. Reluctantly, councillors have taken the decision to increase the precept for 2022/2023.The precept is the Parish Council’s share of the South Gloucestershire Council tax. This has not
look forward to those entries for 2022. The Parish Hall has been well used with a wide range of activities for all ages including puppies! We will be hosting an afternoon tea in June to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee for those who remember the Coronation first hand. To mark the occasion a bench will be installed by the stream on Hazelbury Drive in North Common. In addition
been increased for 4 years. We always strive to use the money wisely but sadly in order to maintain the services we provide to residents an increase has become necessary. If any of our residents would like to contact their local ward councillors, details can be found on the website https://www.bittonparishcouncil.gov.uk/councillors/
Community building for hire We still have availability for regular room hire at our community building on a Thursday. This can also be hired out for birthday parties. Please contact the Clerk for more information.
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The Week in • Wednesday 23rd March 2022
Situations Vacant
Community at 67 trustee Ron Sheppard with Shane Uzzell from Tesco
Donated books raise £400 for Keynsham charity Tesco has presented Keynsham charity Community at 67 with a cheque for £400 to support its work with young people. The money was raised from the sale of books donated to the store by customers. Ron Sheppard, a trustee at Community at 67 in Queens Road, said: “We are very grateful to Tesco and their customers for their
generous donation. It will support the work we do for young people such as the monthly music night Da Beats for secondary aged children.” The next Da Beats session is this Friday (25th March) from 7.30pm to 11pm. Find out more about the work of Community at 67 at www.community-67.org/ or call 07737 742300.
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Spreading the word about The Week In The Week In publisher Stephen Rodgers gave another talk earlier this month about the history and the future of The Week In newspaper. This time it was to CAMEO in Keynsham. An audience of almost 40 people braved the atrocious weather to go along to Victoria Methodist Church and hear the story about how the newspaper started in 2008 as the Keynsham & Saltford Times, before expanding across a large area of East Bristol in the following years. Stephen also explained how the print media industry was changing and how the business has had to adapt in recent years, culminating with the creation of the community benefit society, The Week In Community. This was followed by a question and answer session and a cup of tea. CAMEO (Come And Meet Each Other) is a friendly group for people who live alone. In
addition to regular get-togethers for a chat over tea and biscuits, the group also organises other activities that some people may find difficult to do on their own. This includes theatre outings, pub lunches and even a coach holiday which this year is to Harrogate. To find out more, contact the secretary via daphne.dawes1@gmail.com This was the second talk given by Stephen this year following a presentation to Keynsham Now, the town’s youth council, in January. If you run a group or association which holds meetings with guest speakers and would like Stephen to attend, email theweekincommunity@gmail.com
Testimonials Thank you to those who took the time to write short testimonials about The Week In newspaper. We have already been able to use
The CAMEO meeting some of them. If you want to let us have a couple of sentences about what difference The
Week In makes to you, then please use the box below.
The Week In makes a difference to me because ....
Send to The Week In Community Ltd. at 8 Temple Court, Keynsham BS31 1HA
The Week in • Wednesday 23rd March 2022
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Sudoku Solutions 1-Easy 4 9 1 7 5 3 6 8 2
2 3 6 8 4 1 7 5 9
8 7 5 9 6 2 4 1 3
1 6 7 4 3 5 9 2 8
Crossword Solution
2-Hard 5 8 9 2 1 7 3 6 4
3 2 4 6 8 9 5 7 1
9 5 8 1 7 4 2 3 6
6 4 3 5 2 8 1 9 7
7 1 2 3 9 6 8 4 5
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The Week in • Wednesday 23rd March 2022
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OLDLAND Village Club Bar & Social Club
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The Week in • Wednesday 23rd March 2022
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The Week in • Wednesday 23rd March 2022