Issuu

THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset

20th July 2022

Issue 739

FREE

Read by more than 40,000 people each week

KFC confirms plans to open drive-thru in Longwell Green Fried chicken chain KFC has confirmed it is behind the

opportunities for unemployed and young people living in the

controversial plans to open a 24-hour drive-thru in Asda’s

local area.”

Longwell Green car park.

In addition, it says the KFC model is to generate additional

We have previously reported on plans for a restaurant and

employment through maintenance contracts typically

hot food takeaway, including a dedicated ‘drive-thru’, in the

involving local tradespeople; for each KFC restaurant, on

eastern corner of the car park of Asda at Craven Way.

average the construction will provide around 140 direct

However, the proposed chain was not revealed in the

construction jobs that comprise of 90 on-site roles and 50 off-

planning application that was lodged with South

site positions.

Gloucestershire Council by Euro Garages Ltd, part of the EG

The statement also highlights further wider impacts in the

Group which owns Asda.

construction supply chain as the construction of each

But confirmation has now come in a statement on the

restaurant supports indirect employment opportunities

for a new drive-thru fast food establishment so close to one

council’s planning portal, highlighting the economic benefits

throughout the supply chain.

of our local schools has greatly concerned the community.

that a KFC branch will bring to the area.

The governing body at Barrs Court Primary School has

“Having discussed the matter with the headteacher recently,

KFC says that once operational, the restaurant will create

already slammed plans for the car park, which is opposite the

I am awaiting the planning report that will assess the issues.

around 30 new jobs (full and part-time) and that new

school, and there have been lots of objections from local

“I am keen that the council continues to push for meaningful

employees will be supported by ongoing training. The

residents. There is also a nursery very close by.

change in tackling childhood obesity as part of our new Local

statement says: “These opportunities provide valuable, new

The council has yet to make a decision on the planning

Plan and take a holistic approach towards putting public

application but officers have said there are no highway or

health and the next generation first.

transportation reasons to object to it.

“If any local people share my concerns, I would encourage

A drive-thru like the one in Keynsham is planned

them to have their say through the council’s planning process

Fast food exclusion zones Two

years

ago,

South

Gloucestershire

to make sure their voices are heard.” Council’s

Conservative administration agreed plans to press ahead with a fast food exclusion zone policy within at least 400 metres of any school in South Gloucestershire, helping to deter children from the temptation of junk food. That policy is going through the council’s Local Plan process so has not yet been adopted. This week Cllr Toby Savage, who represents the Longwell Green ward and is the leader of the council said: “The plans

Also in this week’s issue

Another delay to Lyde Green schools . . . page 3

Overnight closures on A4 in Saltford . . . page 4

Row over new uniform at Kingswood school . . . page 5

Council-run care home in Keynsham told to improve . . . page 6

Over 40 cars tampered with in one night Police are asking residents of Pucklechurch, Emersons Green and Lyde Green to be on the alert after reports of someone trying car door handles. At the Community Engagement Forum for the Boyd Valley last Wednesday night PCSO Joshua Miller spoke about multiple reports of vehicles in Pucklechurch being tampered with on the night of 21st June. Police had more than 10 reports from individual people, one of whom stated that at least 40 cars had been tampered with.

£895 5

There have also been incidents in Lyde Green and Emersons Green. This week police said they have delivered letters to homes in Pucklechurch including Cossham Road, Kestrel Drive, Oaktree Avenue and The Moorings; to Barn Close and Emet Lane in Emersons Green; and Rowan Drive in Lyde Green. There have also been thefts locally from sheds and garages. Anyone with information is asked to call 101 and give the reference 5222161320.

Mangotsfield paint attack Paint was poured over a car parked on Burley

silicone.

Grove in Mangotsfield on the night of Sunday

Police ask anyone with information about this

10th July and all four tyres were punctured.

incident to call them on 101 giving the

WHAT’S INCLUDED WITH EVERY DOOR:

The offenders also covered the front door of

reference number 5222163575. Alternatively

• EXPERT MEASURING & FITTING • 2 REMOTE CONTROLS • ACOUSTIC & THERMAL INSULATION • FREE DISPOSAL OF YOUR OLD DOOR • AVAILABLE IN 21 COLOURS

the home with paint and sealed it shut with

call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Garolla garage doors are expertly made to measure in our own UK factories, they’re strong and solidly built. The electric Garolla door rolls up vertically, taking up only 8 inches inside your garage, maximising valuable space.

COVID-19 cases rising CALL US TODAY ON:

The most up-to-date figures on Monday showed

had risen from 36 to 58. The most recent Bristol

ƫĀāāĈƫăćĊƫāĀćā

1,147 reported cases (398.5 cases per 100,000

City Council bulletin (13th July) estimated 4.6

population)

South

per cent of people in Bristol, B&NES, and North

Gloucestershire, up from 896 cases the previous

Somerset had COVID-19 in the past week (up

week. The number of COVID-19 patients in the

from 4.2%). The number in hospital with

North Bristol NHS Trust (Southmead Hospital)

COVID-19 increased to 159 from 104.

MOBILE:

07537 149 128

Give us a call today and we’ll come and measure up completely FREE of charge.

COVID-19

*Offer valid for openings up to 2.4m wide & including 2 remote controls, 55mm white slats, internal manual override.

The Week in • Wednesday 20th July 2022

New Lyde Green schools delayed by another year The expected opening of the long-awaited secondary school for Lyde Green and a second primary school to serve the growing estate has been delayed yet again. A joint statement was issued on Monday by South

Gloucestershire Council, Olympus Academy Trust (who will run the secondary school), Castle School Education Trust (who will run the primary school), the South West Regional Schools Commissioner’s Office and the Department of

Three fires in one day

Assault being treated as a hate crime

Avon Fire & Rescue Service were called out to tackle a fire in Oldland Common on Thursday that was caused by the overloading of sockets and daisy-chaining of extension cables. Crews from Kingswood, Temple and Hicks Gate fire stations attended Cook Close at 10am where they found the blaze affecting a two-storey semi-detached house. One person was taken to hospital by a neighbour. Earlier in the day - at 4.35am - crews from Kingswood fire station were called to reports of a car on fire on the A4174 Ring Road at Hicks Gate. Crews used two high pressure hose reels to extinguish the flames. With the road closed for a time, crews used a further hose reel and slick-off road wash. The fire was determined to have been started deliberately. That same morning crews from Kingswood fire station were called to tackle a van on fire on Bath Road at Longwell Green. A telegraph pole was also affected. The cause of the fire was said to be accidental.

The Week in • Wednesday 20th July 2022

Police are carrying out an investigation after a 23-yearold man was assaulted in Staple Hill. The victim was dragged along by a dark-coloured car for a short distance in High Street, sometime between 11.30pm and midnight on Thursday 7th July. He suffered scrapes and grazes as a result but did not need treatment at hospital. Avon & Somerset Police said: “Due to information provided by the victim, it’s currently being treated as a potential hate crime. We want to speak to anyone who saw this incident happen and we’re particularly keen to speak to three witnesses – two men and a woman – who spoke to the victim’s friend and were able to take down a partial number plate. “If you can help, please call us on 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5222162279.”

Education. It said: “We have not yet been able to finalise all the details, but we do anticipate construction of the new primary and secondary school to commence in 2023. Therefore, to provide surety to families who will be looking to apply for school places in the autumn for the following academic year, we must with regret defer the anticipated opening date for the new secondary school for Lyde Green until September 2024. “This also means that the construction of the new primary school, delivered as part of a single project with the secondary school, will also be delayed. “The council will continue to work with existing schools in the local area to ensure that there are sufficient places to meet demand both in the primary and secondary phases until the new buildings are available. This will include providing transport assistance when the nearest suitable school is not within walking distance of home.” South Gloucestershire Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for Schools, Cllr Erica Williams, said: “We recognise and share the frustration that families will feel at the ongoing delay to this project.” It is the latest delay for families. The project was delayed last summer because one of the building companies and one of the school sponsors were replaced. Then in January of this year, with the deadline for making secondary school choices for September just days away, the council told parents who had wanted Lyde Green that they would have to review their preferences for the upcoming academic year. The Year 7 pupils’ first year would have been in temporary accommodation at Winterbourne Academy and initially it had been planned that they would move across to the new permanent site in Lyde Green in September 2023. But realising that the permanent building would not be completed by then, the council felt it was not in the best interests of their education to be in temporary facilities for any longer than necessary. • We’ll have reaction to this in next week’s paper.

Keep in touch, let us know what you think, send us your news www.facebook.com/theweekin

Overnight road closures on A4 Overnight resurfacing work will be taking place on the A4 Bath Road in Saltford from Monday 1st August for up to a week. The work, which is weather dependent, will be carried out under road closures between 7pm and 7am. Diversion routes will be in place for local traffic and advance notices

positioned along the route to warn drivers of the closure. Bus operators have been informed and will be re-routing services if necessary. The road will be reopened at the end of each night’s work. In a letter to residents, Bath & North East

Ring Road disruption

Somerset Council and its contractor Volker Highways say: “Residents will need to make their own arrangements to find alternative parking. Unfortunately this also applied to disabled parking spaces within the area of work. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.” The letter advises that vehicle access to homes within the closure will be maintained

whenever possible but “unfortunately there will be times when access will not be possible so please be prepared for delays, disruption and make alternative arrangements before this work starts”. The highways team are working with the waste service team to try to ensure that collections aren’t disrupted although there will be occasions when this is not possible.

There will be partial closures of the A4174

However, the closures will be off-peak

Ring Road from today (Wednesday) lasting for

(9.30am-3pm), They will start at Hicks Gate,

around seven weeks for litter picking, mowing

moving round in stages to Filton.

and gully clearing.

South Gloucestershire Council says the

Teewell Hill in Staple Hill will be closed to

metres, will also be closed.

There will be lane closures on different

closures are the only way to keep the clean-up

traffic for four weeks from next Monday (25th

South Gloucestershire Council says the work

and cutting teams safe.

July) for essential gas main replacement work.

is taking place in the school holidays to

Gloucester Road, from its junction with

minimise disruption. There will be a diversion

Teewell Hill in a southerly direction for 25

in place.

sections of both sides of the carriageway.

Teewell Hill closing for 4 weeks

Keep in touch, let us know what you think, send us your news www.facebook.com/theweekin

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.

Boat drifts after cables are cut Someone damaged a boat on the riverside of

If you have any information call the police on

The Shallows in Saltford during the night of

101, giving reference number 5222166064.

Monday 11th July. The mooring and electric

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously

cables were cut, leaving the boat to drift.

on 0800 555 111.

16,000 copies are distributed through retail outlets, libraries, pubs, community centres each week. Verified pick-up rate of 97%.

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

Stephen Rodgers admin@theweekin.co.uk Becky Feather 07403 273967 Christine Rogers, Sophie Mead, Kamui Oshino

Advertising

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

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

The Week in • Wednesday 20th July 2022

Parents launch petition over uniform changes A petition has been started by parents concerned about a uniform change at King’s Oak Academy (KOA) in Kingswood from September. The petition - Keep King's Oak uniform affordable and accessible for all – has been set up on Petitions.net and has over 100 signatures. KOA, part of the Cabot Learning Federation, is changing from a primary and secondary school to having a lower, middle and upper school. Parents say that with the steep rise in the cost of living, KOA should introduce a transition phase for the new uniform to allow more time for it to look into a logo patch alternative to branded items, and for ‘hand-me-downs’ to be re-used and not thrown away. The school is also being urged to keep non-logo items acceptable in the lower and middle school for all uniform and PE kit “as it’s a precedent that's been set and to change it now flies in face of Government guidance which advises all schools to do all they can to reduce costs of school uniform, not increase them”. The new uniform includes three different polo colours for different age groups. The school initially said the uniform would include black trousers (as currently worn) but has switched to charcoal grey. Principal Katherine Ogden has said the new uniform is cheaper when taken across the school as a whole but lead campaigners Hannah Patterson and Abi Skinner say that doesn’t take into account the hand-me-downs that families currently use. They also say that the only skirt option is branded and that parents of children going into Year 11 are unhappy about having to buy a new uniform that their children will only wear for seven months. The petition also calls on the academy to find a more reliable, accessible and local supplier to save parents the “constant stress” of having to hope that items are even available from supplier Monkhouse as parents are unhappy with the current service and quality of items.

In response KOA says it consulted extensively with parents, carers, pupils and staff more than 12 months ago about the changes: “Our new, inclusive uniform has been designed to ensure we are both raising aspirations in our school community and prioritising the comfort and needs of all of our pupils. “The only core branded items required for purchase from the designated supplier are a school jumper and a PE top – all other items can be purchased unbranded from alternative sources. If pupils wish to wear a skirt, or a KOA rugby top, both of which are non-core or optional, for quality and assurance purposes these must also be purchased from the designated supplier. “We are very mindful that some families may need support to transition to a new uniform, which is why we encourage anyone with concerns to contact us. We are able to offer financial support to those families most in need. We have also purchased significant numbers of uniform items that we can supply to pupils at no cost at the beginning of term if required.” Miss Ogden explained that the switch to charcoal grey trousers is that they tend to be available in more tailored versions, unlike the variety of styles of black trousers available. She said the school is still exploring options for an optional iron-on branded logo patch. KOA is also liaising with Kids Just Recycle and South Gloucestershire Council about setting up a uniform recycling scheme. She added that the school has been told by Monkhouse that items will be ready in time for the new term and assured parents that pupils would not be penalised if they are not available. This week Hannah Patterson said the uniform issue is causing some families great distress and that parents “want affordable uniform, not handouts”. A South Gloucestershire Council spokesperson said: “The approach to school uniform is a matter for each multi-

Ofsted praise for ‘happy’ Bitton school

Man dies following collision

Ofsted inspectors have rated The Meadows Primary School in Bitton as Good in all areas of educational provision. The judgement has been welcomed by Futura Learning Partnership, which took over the running of The Meadows after the school was placed in special measures in 2016. The inspectors said pupils come to school happy and eager to learn and benefit from warm and caring relationships with staff who know them well. Leaders have high expectations of pupils’ work, attitudes and behaviour. Staff give pupils the help they need to succeed and they work hard and achieve well. This week headteacher Joy Mounter said: “We are proud and pleased that Ofsted has recognised the qualities of our school.”

The Week in • Wednesday 20th July 2022

Lead campaigners Hannah Patterson & Abi Skinner

academy trust and their schools and, as a local authority, we do not play a role in making those decisions. “We do expect that schools are mindful of costs in making any requirements of or changes to uniforms, particularly where this will have an impact on low-income families. We understand that the school has communicated with families in relation to alternative suppliers, for example, and we operate a school clothing grant to support those with exceptional needs.” Those needs include homelessness, death of a parent or “conditions of extreme poverty” in addition to being on benefits.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a pedestrian died in a collision with a grey Audi A3 on Airport Road in Bristol on Sunday 10th July. Zac Betty, 24, of Knowle, had been walking to work on the pavement when he was involved in the collision at 9.56pm.. In a statement Zac’s grieving family spoke of their heartbreak for their “loving, caring and selfless son, brother, uncle and daddy”. A 30-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He was later released on conditional police bail, pending further inquiries. A second man arrested has been released without charge. If you saw the collision or have any dashcam or other footage showing the manner in which the Audi was being driven beforehand, call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5222164028.

Council-run care home needs improvement, says watchdog A council-run care home in Keynsham has been told by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) that it needs to improve. The CQC regulates both NHS and private health and social care services in England. Charlton House Resource Centre is a care home with nursing care and is run by Bath and North East Somerset Council.

Following a recent inspection the CQC’s published report outlines that improvements are needed in terms of the service being safe, effective and well-led. However, the service is rated as Good for being caring and responsive. The home in Hawthorns Lane was previously inspected in 2018, when it was run by Sirona

Difficulties in finding a dentist During the inspectors’ visit the registered

published in 2019.

manager spoke of the difficulties they were

Key findings then found the majority (52%) of

having at Charlton House Resource Centre in

care homes visited had no policy to promote

registering residents with a local dentist. The

and protect people’s oral health. Whilst two-

report said: “This was because they were not

thirds of the care homes that the CQC visited

taking on NHS patients and accessibility of

said their residents could always, or nearly

one of the two dentists in the town.”

always, access NHS dental care, the report did

The CQC is currently carrying out a study into

reveal a lack of dentists able or willing to visit

the quality of oral health care support and

care homes. Other challenges people faced

access to dentists for people in care homes. It

involved dentists not accepting new patients

follows

and the length of time it took to get an

the

findings

and

recommendations from its national report

appointment with an NHS dentist.

care and health. It required improvements in the same categories back then. The latest inspection report found that people living there could not be assured they would be safe in the event of a fire because not all staff had participated in a fire drill or completed fire training; nor was there information on how people would be evacuated in the event of a fire. There were significant gaps in daily records relating to food and nutrition, alongside not fully capturing the type of personal care given. However, residents were protected against the risks of abuse and staff recruitment was safe. People had access to health and social care professionals who worked alongside the nursing and care team. People and their relatives were complimentary about the staff and

observations of staff interactions with people showed they were treated with kindness, dignity and respect. Charlton House Resource Centre is registered to provide personal and nursing care to 30 people. There were 25 people living there at the time of the inspection. The CQC is asking for an action plan from the provider to understand what will be done to improve the standards of quality and safety, and will monitor progress. The Week In has asked B&NES Council if it wishes to respond to the report but we had not received a response at the time of going to print.

The Week in • Wednesday 20th July 2022

Road safety champion backs calls for 30mph limit on ‘gateway to Keynsham’ There is “no doubt whatsoever” that the plan to reduce the speed limit on Wellsway in Keynsham from 40mph to 30mph needs to be extended further to include the stretch by the blind bend and junction at Uplands. That’s the opinion of Cllr Alan Hale, who visited the road Friday in his role as Bath & North East Somerset Council’s member advocate for road safety. It follows the issuing of a traffic regulation order (TRO) by the council to reduce the limit from 40mph to 30mph only as far up Wellsway as The Homestead. Objections and representations to the TRO must be sent by tomorrow (Thursday). In Issue 737 we highlighted local residents’ concerns that their “valid arguments” for getting the 30mph speed limit extended had been ignored by the council. Residents say there are regular accidents on this stretch of the B3116. And on Friday Cllr Hale, who represents a different part of Keynsham, met residents by

the junction of the Wellsway with the byway at Uplands. His background includes being both an advanced police driver and instructor, and between 2003 until 2016 he was senior road safety officer for South Gloucestershire Council. He is a former chair of the West of England Road Safety Partnership and continues to do road safety work with the Institute of Advanced Motorists. Cllr Hale, who said Wellsway is a “significant gateway to the town”, agrees with local residents that the proposed 30mph limit should be extended beyond the location of the byway serving Uplands Cottages on the west side and Uplands Farm on the east side, where there are several homes following barn conversions. In his response to the council as part of the TRO consultation he said: “The residents living in Uplands Cottages have to emerge into Wellsway by taking a significant leap of faith due to speed of traffic and reduced view of town-bound traffic coming around the

bend.” He said he agrees with residents that if the 30mph limit stops some distance north of Uplands Cottage, it is highly likely that traffic leaving the town will be accelerating hard as drivers leave it. “I spent time at the junction of Uplands Cottages and the Local resident Rachel Stokes with Cllr Alan Hale Wellsway. Without doubt the passing traffic in both directions was well the approach.” in excess of 40mph. Despite the presence of He said residents had also highlighted the four of us stood at the junction, traffic bound danger of turning left and very quickly being for the town made no recognition of us. There faced with a vehicle in the process of was no reduction in speed, nor did they adjust overtaking out of the town. “I would suggest their position on the road to extend their that a double white line system may well be a safety measure on the approach from the safety margin between their vehicle and us. “There is no doubt whatsoever that the town.” 30mph proposed limit must be extended well Following recent resurfacing there are beyond this junction to the south, and clear currently no road markings on this stretch of indications to SLOW and signed junction on the Wellsway.

Saltford Festival hailed a success The recent Saltford Festival has been hailed a

and their hosts took part in a family barn dance

success.

at Saltford Hall. Talks, walks and taster

Food lovers were entertained with events such

sessions also played a big part in the week’s

as a ‘Taste of France’ and a cheese and wine

activities and the festival drew to a close with

night. A food extravaganza took place in

glorious weather at the Family Sunday Funday

Saltford Hall with three chefs providing

at Saltford Sports Club, and an open garden at

cookery demos and lots of tasters and talks.

Eastover Farm.

In total an eclectic mix of nearly 80 events

The organisers thank everyone for supporting

took place over the nine days. There was a

the events, with special thanks to the army of

variety of tea and coffee mornings and for

volunteers who made it all possible. An

those seeking something a little stronger, the

announcement is due soon on how much was

Bird in Hand pub hosted a beer and cider

raised for village organisations.

festival. Many of Saltford’s Ukrainian guests

Sophie Mead

The beer and cider festival

The Week in • Wednesday 20th July 2022

LETTERS Why shut Keynsham High Street to traffic?

Ignored by Labour Dear Editor I have been following with interest letters from

Dear Editor Since hearing about a proposal to close Keynsham High Street to traffic each day for a set period of time, I have been puzzled as to why and what are the benefits, especially now that it has only recently been reopened following considerable amounts of time and taxpayers’ money having

your readers complaining about a lack of response from Chris Skidmore, the Kingswood MP. My experience in dealing with politicians resulted in me being ignored by a whole party! On 6th May 2020 I saw an interview on Sky News by the then Shadow Health Minister Jonathan Ashworth criticising what he saw as the lateness of the

been spent. Also factor in the very recent publicity regarding

Government lockdown on March 23rd, advising

Shadow Cabinet alongside Jonathan Ashworth,

emergency; in mainstream media there had been

she might be able to ask him if he could reply to

very little mention of the trajectory that is

me. Her reply was brief and to the point saying

predicted. It has been clearly the case of business

that she found it odd that I was fixated with the

as usual, with the scientists’ predictions being

issue and it was “Time to move on I think”. I

ignored. The many marches we went on and

replied to her advising that I felt her reply to be

letters we wrote to our MPs were ignored, even

somewhat rude but heard nothing more from her.

the Pope’s incredibly powerful words in Laudato

So I think that my dealings with the Labour Party

Si were ignored and it was as if the 2015

trying to get simple answers to simple questions

agreement was never made. It is a fact that it took

have left me assuming that when I saw Mr

a young girl - Greta Thunberg - bunking off

Ashworth's interview, his responses were not

school to draw the public’s attention to it.

entirely truthful. It appears that untruths from the

Then on 1st May 2019 the BBC reported that

top are not just restricted to the Conservative

Parliament had declared a climate emergency, a

Party - politicians of all parties need to remember

direct result of Extinction Rebellion’s actions:

who pay their salaries and to whom they are

“The declaration of an emergency was one of the

therefore accountable.

key demands put to the government by

Mike Barrow,

environmental

Keynsham

Rebellion, in a series of protests over recent

the safety improvement plan, which seems at odds

that had there been a Labour Government, it

with the partial closure proposal. The opportunity

would have locked down earlier.

arose whereby one of the local councillors

Knowing how, in any walk of life it is easy to be

promoting this idea could be questioned. His

wise after the event and not being able to recall

reply was that it could facilitate for example

any announcement from the Labour Party prior to

market stalls, thus “improving” the High Street.

March 23rd that they would have locked down

I will leave the residents and in particular the

earlier, I emailed Mr Ashworth asking him on

existing High Street traders to make their own

what date lockdown had become Labour Party

judgement about this. Additionally, this could

policy and how was the public made aware of this

replace the existing market held in the Market

policy. I followed my email up with two chasers

Walk, which is apparently “too windy”. I then

to Mr Ashworth but heard nothing.

Be part of the solution to save our planet

posed a number of questions about other practical

I then emailed the Policy Forum of the Labour

Dear Editor

considerations.

the

Party in London asking the questions followed up

Mrs L Owen, in Issue 738, raises the subject of

conveniently positioned disabled parking bays

by a chaser – again, no response. I then decided

free speech in this country and criticises

that will become unavailable? No response other

Extinction Rebellion’s tactics.

than that we managed during COVID.

geographically my closest Labour Member of

Theoretically we do currently have free speech;

What about the increased risk of more trip hazard

Parliament and I asked her the questions. Her

legally, it is enshrined in law through the Human

victims if the public could cross the road even

reply was that the procedure stated is that I should

Rights Act and Article 10, the Freedom of

more easily? No response. Finally, what about the

refer the matter to my own Member of

expression. It was, of course, legal for us to hold

routing of the No 17 bus: “Well, that could be

Parliament, Jacob Rees-Mogg but I replied to her

a rally and march.

rather than trying to help contribute to the

rerouted as it was during previous closures.”

that as my questions were about Labour policy, I

But I, like many, am increasingly concerned that

solution. COP26 failed and COP27 is likely to as

I am sure readers will think of other issues. The

felt a response from her might be appropriate. I

this basic human right is currently in greater peril

well. Rather than reducing our carbon emissions,

councillor went on to say that the current traders

heard nothing from her.

than at any time in living memory. Of course, it

we accelerate towards climate catastrophe. The

will need to be consulted and this is important as

I then decided on another form of attack by

is abundantly clear that our media is generally

forests of Europe are currently burning, we are

they are the organisations that will be directly

contacting the Labour Party at all levels and so I

controlled by a few with huge wealth and

continually seeing record temperatures, including

affected, positively or negatively, by this

emailed the leader Kier Starmer. Another chaser

influence. Happily, that does not seem to be the

this country. This is just the beginning.

proposal, and their views should hold more

resulted with the inevitable no replies. Similarly

case with this publication! But in the print and

Please don’t criticise those that are making huge

influence over the final decision rather than the

two emails to the South West Regional Office of

broadcast media it is incredibly difficult for

sacrifices; some climate activists have served

opinions of the public who have participated in

the Labour Party resulted in nothing.

certain information that is not in the interest of

considerable

the survey.

At last having made contact with the party locally,

those in control to be published or broadcast.

extraordinary that this has barely been reported.

Apparently there is no online petition available,

I received a very friendly reply from the secretary,

We have seen this in the past with the tobacco

Please use your time and energy to read the

thus limiting the views expressed. I would

Dave Biddleston - as you would from Dave - but

industry and the countless lives that ultimately

words of António Guterres, Sir David King and

welcome a full statement being publicised

he was unable to answer my questions.

this has cost. We see it now with the fossil fuel

many others. Then you will see the need to act

following these surveys, which could be printed

At this point we were now in September and so I

industry, for example, and other industries that

now and become part of the solution.

in this paper.

went back to Kerry McCarthy, advising that I

ultimately put so very many more lives at risk.

Rich Prior

Cynthia Withyman

hoped that as she, at that time, served in the

It has clearly been the case with the climate

Keynsham Extinction Rebellion

Firstly,

what

about

Kerry

McCarthy

she

was

activist

group

Extinction

weeks.” In my experience, Extinction Rebellion are polite but they need to do more than write letters to their MP or the local paper. History will be very much kinder to Extinction Rebellion than current, and I daresay our children may well be shocked that they received any criticism at all and wished they had gone further. It seems clear to me that the message has now got across to our politicians, industrialists and the general public. What I find astounding is that people waste time criticising Extinction Rebellion

time

prison;

yes,

The Week in • Wednesday 20th July 2022

‘Chocolate Dinosaur’ Mike Burt dies, aged 69 A well-known former worker at the Fry’s/Cadbury’s chocolate factory in Keynsham has died. Mike Burt, who was 69, had been suffering from cancer. He and former work colleague Hugh Evans, together known as the Chocolate Dinosaurs, have given talks, screened films and shared memorabilia with local groups, raising money in the process for the Children’s Hospice South West. To date more than £4,000 has been raised, and it was Mike’s wish that Hugh continues their work. Mike Burt, who grew up in Hanham, joined Fry’s at the Somerdale site in Keynsham as an apprentice engineer in 1969. He played football for Fry’s and was also a referee. Mike was also very active as a member of the Fry’s Youth Club and had many stories to tell. He later moved to into a managerial position, becoming an area manager on production. He was very involved in the company’s fundraising for Children in Need and with organising visits to the factory for youngsters on a respite

‘Vision’ for Parkway Station People are being invited to have their say on a “vision” for Bristol Parkway Station. South Gloucestershire Council is working with Network Rail, Great Western Railway and the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) to prepare a masterplan. The aim is to better improve facilities at the station; connect Parkway to local communities; improve connections to local bus services; improve routes for walking, wheeling (such as wheelchairs and mobility scooters) and cycling; make better use of the land available; and respond to the climate and nature emergency. Visit https://beta.southglos.gov.uk/parkway-stationmasterplan

holiday with the Chernobyl Children’s Life Line charity. Mike was also involved in a company project to get homeless people into work. He was very proud to be involved with these projects. He organised factory tours for families before the closure in 2011. Both Mike and Hugh were involved in the closedown team, including helping to empty the old Fry Club before it moved to the new Somerdale Pavilion. They did two exhibitions about Fry’s/Cadbury’s at the Fry Club in 2010 and 2011 that were attended by 8,000 people in total. They also did one at the M Shed in Bristol and others including at Frenchay Village Museum, Avon Valley Railway at Bitton and the old signal box in Warmley. Remaining as Somerdale custodians when the new Taylor Wimpey estate and St Monica Trust’s Chocolate Quarter were built, Mike and Hugh together with Alan Hillman, another ex-employee, have taken care of the little Roman villa park at the entrance to the site. Mike was very keen to keep the history of Somerdale alive. In 2017 they arranged for the war memorial honouring employees who died in the two world wars to be relocated, along with the memorial to the chocolate company’s founder Joseph Fry, by a few metres to accommodate the creation of the new cycle and walkway in the nearby cutting. Mike was involved every year with the Remembrance Sunday service held at the war memorial which includes the names of the 136 Fry’s workers who died during the Great War and the 29 names of Second World War service personnel and workers who died in the Blitz. He also carried out voluntary work with Hugh at the Warmley Signal Box and its garden. Mike was a keen golfer and played at Lansdown Golf Club for many years where he was very proud to be elected as club captain in 2019. In the same year he was diagnosed with bowel cancer. Mike, who lived in North Common, leaves wife Kay, daughters Sam and Sara, and grandchildren Oscar, Mia and

Sudoku 1-Easy

Mike Burt

Winnie. His funeral will be on Wednesday 3rd August at 2pm at Westerleigh Crematorium. The collection will be for St Peter’s Hospice.

November start for Bristol CAZ Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees has confirmed that the city’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ) will start operating on Monday 28th November. He has also highlighted that there is still time to apply for financial support to replace vehicles that don’t meet the zone’s emission standards. More than 3,800 applications for financial support have been received so far. Find out more at https://tinyurl.com/4sdeav89 For free travel offers head to https://tinyurl.com/2z9ccuw2

SUNDAY CHEMISTS Sunday 24th July

2 -Hard

Boots, Gallagher Retail Park, Longwell Green (10.30am-4pm) Asda, Longwell Green (10am-4pm) Boots, Emersons Green Retail Park (10.30am-4.30pm) Sainsbury’s, Emersons Green Retail Park (9.30am-4.30pm) 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 20th July 2022

Care home placed in special measures A care home in Whitchurch Village has been put into special measures following a recent inspection Bradbury House Ltd runs Cypress Lodge, a learning disability service providing personal care to up to 10 people. The inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) was prompted in part due to concerns the CQC received about potential abuse and unsafe staffing levels. At its previous inspection in 2018 Cypress Lodge in The Witheys had been rated overall as Good. But it is now Inadequate in terms of being safe and well-led; it has also been told that it needs to improve caring. The report says: “The provider failed to act and reduce the risk of avoidable harm to people; we identified concerns in relation to fire safety, environmental maintenance and

risks of burns from hot surfaces. Medicines were not always managed safely and there were insufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff deployed.” The CQC also said that the provider had failed to establish checks and audits and use them effectively to identify shortfalls, errors and omissions. However, the manager was working to improve the service and introduce new ways of working. The report also highlighted: “We heard one staff member speak with a person in an undignified way and the environment did not promote people to live dignified lives.” The service is now under review and the CQC will re-inspect within six months to check for significant improvements. The Week In has contacted Bradbury House Ltd asking if they wish to comment on the

report but we have not yet had a response. Bradbury House Ltd runs 10 residential homes in the Bristol and Somerset area.

Teenager injured in knifepoint robbery Police are appealing for witnesses after a 17-year-old’s trainers were stolen during a robbery at Hengrove Leisure Park. He was approached by two other teenagers at just after 3.30pm on Monday 4th July. One threatened him with a knife before stealing his black Nike Air Max trainers. The victim suffered an injury to his wrist for which he received treatment at hospital. One suspect was of mixed race and of

large build, wearing glasses, a blue coat, and a face covering. The second was white, with a bushy beard, wearing a grey Nike tracksuit and red gloves. He had a bag with him. Both were in their mid to late teens. If you saw any part of this incident, or know the identities of the offenders, call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5222158653. Alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Crossword

Another home it runs in our area, Bradbury House in Brislington, was recently rated as Good.

WI members hear from high-profile speakers Avon Federation of Women’s Institutes held their summer lunch on Tuesday 5th July when members from numerous WIs in the area met at Bristol Golf Club to socialise and hear from two guest speakers. First was Sarah Crew, Chief Constable (the first female) of Avon From left, Peaches Golding OBE, Sue Murphy & Somerset Police. Her talk related & Sarah Crew to the work her force is doing to combat violence against women. 90th birthday. The second guest speaker was Peaches Whilst the lunch was taking place, a short Golding OBE, who is Her Majesty’s Lord- distance away at The Wave in South Lieutenant of the City and County of Gloucestershire, another Avon Federation Bristol. Peaches spoke about the selection member was enjoying a special day. and appointment process and outlined the Georgina Moore, of Frampton Cotterell duties of the Queen’s representative for WI, holder of an Unsung Hero award from Bristol. the 2019 BBC Sports Personality of the Sue Murphy, who chairs the Federation, Year event, was taking part in the transfer presented gifts to the speakers and also to of the Queen’s Baton on its journey to Susan Marshfield, a long-time WI member Birmingham via Bristol and South of Winterbourne Evening WI, who Gloucestershire for the Commonwealth received flowers as she was celebrating her Games.

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Lecturer (6)

1. Meal (6)

4. Approach boldly (6)

2. Agreement (6)

8. Outdoor meal (6)

3. Fit to eat (6)

10. Guard (6)

5. Dairy food (6)

11. Carried (5)

6. Opening, vent (6)

12. Saunter (6)

7. Assignations (6)

14. Facet (6)

9. Young horse (4)

16. Food regime (4)

10. Break (4)

17. Saucy (4)

13. Lubricated (5)

19. Views (4)

15. Arrogant (5)

22. Sixty minutes (4)

18. Sculpture (6)

26. Treeless plain (6)

19. Trapped (6)

27. Fervent (6)

20. Rubber (6)

28. First Greek letter (5)

21. Condiment (4)

29. Driving force (6)

22. Sunken boundary (2-2)

30. Temper, toughen (6)

23. Colour (6)

31. Tolerate (6)

25. Taken dishonestly (6)

24. Feel remorse (6)

32. Sir Isaac ------, mathematician (6)

The Week in • Wednesday 20th July 2022

Plans to turn old nursery buildings into homes are refused Plans to convert five buildings at the redundant Whitegate Nurseries site on Stockwood Hill into six homes have been rejected by Bath & North East Somerset Council. Whitegate Nurseries closed in 2018 after 64 years, with the owner blaming crippling

business rates and competition from big retailers. Last year an application to build up to nine homes on the Green Belt site was withdrawn and a new proposal was submitted to re-use the existing buildings and the same access, adding a new road within the site. The plans

Successful week of action against drug crime Operation Scorpion, which earlier this month targeted illegal drug supply and drug crime across the South West, saw Avon & Somerset Police join colleagues across the region to carry out operations alongside preventative, educational and engagement work within communities. There were almost 700 acts of disruption carried out in Avon and Somerset including: • 17 arrests relating to drug offences, including importation and drug-driving. • 12 warrants in relation to properties and people linked to drug supply. • Two county lines disrupted.

The Week in • Wednesday 20th July 2022

also included parking for 18 cars and 18 bikes. Council officers have now made their decision, saying they consider that the proposed development represents the substantial re-construction of buildings “tantamount to the construction of new houses within the open countryside”. They said that while there are a range of facilities within cycling and walking distance on paper, steep Stockwood Hill does not provide a safe and attractive route for cyclists

or pedestrians with its lack of street lighting and history of injury accidents. There was also insufficient information to demonstrate compliance with Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations in relation to bats. Nor was there enough information to show that the development could achieve net gain and no net loss in biodiversity. It was also felt that not enough information had been provided to conclude that the change of use of the land would not harm important trees nearby.

• Thousands of pounds worth of class A drugs and cannabis seized. • 147 visits and/or safeguarding checks to the addresses of vulnerable people identified through intelligence gathered with the support of partners and the public. • 45 educational visits to schools to engage with young people and teachers about drug harm and exploitation as well as a number of other community-focused engagement activities. Avon and Somerset’s work contributed to a South West regional total of 127 drugrelated arrests, over £600,000 of suspected drugs seized and more than 200 vulnerable children and adults safeguarded.

A summer festival for everyone Get ready for four days of entertainment at the Ham Farm Festival later this month. For the second year the cross-genre music festival will be gracing the grounds of Ham Farm Cottage at Emersons Green from Thursday 28th to Sunday 31st July as well as other local venues. The festival is not for profit and was started by husband and wife Emily and Francisco Correa. Emily, the flute teacher at Downend School, performs widely as well as doing

orchestral work with many big orchestras, including the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales, Welsh National Opera, Opera North and Oxford Philharmonia. Francisco teaches at a school in Bath and also

Gloucestershire Council, Emersons Green Town Council, Downend School and Arts Council England. There are many events, both free and ticketed. In total there are eight concerts with

indigenous Andean instruments. Another highlight will be Dracula in Space by Bowjangles which takes place in St James Church Hall on Friday 29th July at 6pm, billed as an entertaining night of comedy and

performs as a soloist all over the country, in South America and mainland Europe. The couple have two children at Blackhorse Primary School which is kindly supporting the festival by lending the stage. This year the festival will be bigger and better, with support also from South

everything from folk and classical to pop and rock and roll. There are also two children’s shows and three free workshops. Emily says that one of the most exciting events this year is the Misa Criolla concert on Sunday 31st July at 5pm which will take place in St James Church in Mangotsfield in collaboration with the church in celebration of its 800-year centenary. The choir consists of 50 local vocalists and a professional ensemble and soloist and will feature

music. To find out more about the festival visit http://www.hamfarmfestival.com/ which has the full programme and details of how to get tickets, including festival passes. The organisers want the festival to be accessible to everyone, so if anyone is struggling financially and would love to come to an event, they can contact them through the website to request free tickets. Kamui Oshino

Last year’s festival

Bowjangles

Library cards open a new chapter for thousands of young readers All pupils in Reception and Year 1 at South Gloucestershire primary schools will be given their own library card this month as part of a drive to encourage youngsters across the district to read more for pleasure, as well as accessing wider library facilities and leisure centres. The aim of the programme, agreed as part of this year’s council budget at a cost of £40,000 per year, is to help support the council priority of giving every child the best start in life. The library cards will be rolled out over the next four years, with all pupils in Year 6

receiving their own cards in the autumn term to help ensure that momentum and interest in reading is carried into their secondary education. Over the next four years every child at primary school will have received a card, unlocking a host of learning and leisure opportunities. Library access will give children instant opportunities to borrow books free of charge. In addition, children’s library cards can also be used at any of the South Gloucestershire Active Lifestyle Centres, which will help support their wider physical and mental health and wellbeing

The Week in • Wednesday 20th July 2022

School’s out for summer! With the holidays fast approaching, Sophie Mead offers some ideas on how to keep yourself and the kids entertained. Free holiday activities and food clubs in South Gloucestershire What? Summer holiday activities and food clubs Where? Across South Glos When? School summer holidays The Department for Education has made funds available to every local authority in England to arrange free holiday provision, including healthy food and enriching activities for children. Juice Community Project is running Fit and Fed (free lunch and free activities) in Coronation Park, Cadbury Heath, every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 26th July to 1st September for any children aged four to 16 in the BS30 area. Youngsters pick up their lunch from Juice in Newton Road at noon, then head to the park for sports, games and arts and crafts. Signature Sports Coaching are running multi-sports fun days at Parkwall Primary School in Cadbury Heath, St Augustine’s Primary School in Downend and The Park Primary School in Kingswood. Progressive Sports are running activities at Bromley Heath Infant and Junior School, Blackhorse Primary and Christ Church Hanham Primary School, while Swift Sports Coaching are running a holiday club at Longwell Green Primary School. The South Gloucestershire play scheme has free activities at Beacon Rise Primary and Fit for Sport will be running a playscheme from the Active Lifestyle Centre in Kingswood. Unique Voice have performing arts activities at Barley Close Community Primary in Mangotsfield. For details and dates visit https://tinyurl.com/245pt6pp

Holiday activity and food (HAF) programmes in Bath & North East Somerset What? Summer holiday activities and food clubs Where? Across Bath & North East Somerset When? School summer holidays All HAF camps and programmes in B&NES this summer are free of charge and include a free meal for any child or young person in receipt of benefit-related free school meals. The events include a multi-activity camp at Castle Primary School in Keynsham and environmental wooden games play

activities and making workshops at Keynsham Methodist Church. Download the brochure which includes details and dates of all events taking place - https://tinyurl.com/muyww2yr

Your Holiday Hub Bristol (YHH) What? Summer holiday activities and food clubs Where? Bristol When? School summer holidays Your Holiday Hub is a Department for Education funded programme aimed at ensuring that all children in Bristol have equal access to fun, enriching and healthy activities over the school holidays. They have a great selection of events in an easy-to-use browser. It includes Youth Club on Wheels Holiday Clubs for Hengrove/Whitchurch and Brislington. For details and dates visit https://www.yourholidayhubbristol.co.uk

Summer Reading Challenge What? Reading fun Where? Participating libraries across the UK When? School summer holidays Join Gadgeteers, the Summer Reading Challenge 2022, at your local library and pick up your free bag of Gadgeteer Goodies. All primary school aged children are invited to take part, it’s fun and free. Head to https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/

Summer Reading Challenge

What? Music and arts festival When? Saturday 27th August Where? Willsbridge Mill Willsbridge Mill Community Refresh, a non-for-profit voluntary group maintaining and regenerating the Mill since 2014, are running a brand new music and arts festival. Millfest 22 will be a showcase of local bands, artists and businesses to give back the community. There will be 10 arts and craft stalls, six bands playing live music, festival menu and a bar. This is a free event but tickets (£5.98) are being offered which will give you a wristband for discounts on food and drink, plus a festival programme. All money raised goes back into supporting the land for creation of wildlife habitats. Visit https://willsbridgemill.com/millfest-22/

The Big Butterfly Count What? Looking for butterflies Where? Anywhere! When? Now - Sunday 7th August The Big Butterfly Count is a UK-wide survey aimed at helping assess the health of the environment, simply by counting the amount and type of butterflies (and some dayflying moths) you see. To start, you can download a butterfly ID chart app for free to identify and record the butterflies you spot. Choose a place to spot butterflies and moths. Watch for 15 minutes. Then record which species you see to the website or on the app to contribute to conservation science and research. Visit https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/

Credit Paul Box

Situations Vacant

Bristol International Balloon Fiesta What? Bristol International Balloon Fiesta Where? Ashton Court Estate and the skies around Bristol When? 11th August – 14th August Featuring more than 100 hot air balloons, the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is Europe’s largest. Look out for community launches too like last year when people nominated their community. One of the locations chosen for a mass ascent was Hanham Common. Visit https://www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk/ The Big Butterfly count

The Week in • Wednesday 20th July 2022

Willsbridge Mill Community Refresh – Millfest 22 13

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

Service Directory Aerials

Aerials

Blinds

Appliances

Car Spares

Garden Services

Driveways

Home Maintenance

Painting & Decorating

Architectural Services

DEADLINE FOR PLACING DIRECTORY ADVERTS IS FRIDAY 4.30PM

An advert like this costs

£21.00

+ VAT

per insert

Discounts are available for multiple bookings starting at 2 weeks

Electrical

THE WEEK IN adverts call 0117 986 0381

DEADLINE FOR PLACING DIRECTORY ADVERTS IS FRIDAY 4.30PM

The Week in • Wednesday 20th July 2022

Service Directory Book a series of adverts and save even more

Plumbing

Telephone Engineers

Venue Hire

Book a series of adverts and save even more

Our Directory is the perfect place to find a local tradesperson.

An advert like this costs

£21.00

+ VAT

Waste Disposal

per insert

DEADLINE FOR PLACING DIRECTORY ADVERTS IS FRIDAY 4.30PM

Discounts are available for multiple bookings starting at 2 weeks

+ VAT Discounts are available for multiple bookings starting at 2 weeks

Adverts cost £4.20 per

centimetre (min 5cm)

Tree Services

The more weeks you

book the cheaper

each insertion

becomes

1 week - £21

2 weeks - £18.90

2 weeks - £18.90 An advert like this costs

4 wk - £17.85 6 wk - £16.80

£21.00

8 wk - £15.75

+ VAT

12 wk - £14.70

per insert

26 wk - £13.65

Discounts are available for multiple bookings starting at 2 weeks

52 wk - £12.60

All prices per week exc VAT

Roofing You don't have to book successive weeks. You can choose fortnightly, monthly or specific insertion dates as long as the total number of insertions booked corresponds to the discount rate. Similar percentage discounts apply equally to larger sized adverts.

An advert like this costs

£21.00

+ VAT per insert

Call us now on

0117 986 0381

Wigs

Discounts are available for multiple bookings starting at 2 weeks

The Week in • Wednesday 20th July 2022

THE WEEK IN adverts call 0117 986 0381

You don't have to book successive weeks. You can choose fortnightly, monthly or specific insertion dates as long as the total number of insertions booked corresponds to the discount rate. Similar percentage discounts apply equally to larger sized adverts.

+ VAT per insert Discounts are available for multiple bookings starting at 2 weeks

DEADLINE FOR PLACING DIRECTORY ADVERTS IS FRIDAY 4.30PM

Call us now on

0117 986 0381 15

The Week in • Wednesday 20th July 2022