THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset
23rd November 2022
Issue 757
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Keynsham family’s eight-year wait for justice ends A Dutch court has found three men guilty of the murder of
In 2014, all four were fighters for the self-proclaimed Donetsk
298 people – one of them from Keynsham – who had been
People’s Republic, a pro-Russia separatist movement.
onboard Flight MH17 when it was shot down over eastern
The men remain fugitives. Only Pulatov chose to appoint
Ukraine in 2014.
lawyers, who entered a not guilty on his behalf.
Ben Pocock, a former pupil of St John’s Primary School and
The victims came from 10 countries and more than half were
Wellsway School, had been on the Malaysia Airlines jet which
Dutch. The Netherlands has led the international investigation.
was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.
Russia has always denied any involvement in the shooting
The 20-year-old second year international business degree
down of the Boeing 777.
student at Loughborough University had been en route to study
After Thursday’s sentencing Foreign Secretary James Cleverly
in Australia for six months.
said the guilty verdict was “an important step in securing
Last Thursday the court in The Hague handed down sentences
justice for the families of the victims”.
of life imprisonment to former Russian intelligence agents Igor
He added: “The downing of MH17 was a shocking violation
Girkin and Sergey Dubinskiy and Ukrainian separatist leader
of international norms which keep our societies safe. It serves
Leonid Kharchenko after finding them guilty. The judgement
as a stark reminder of the human cost of Russia’s actions in
included a 16 million euro damages award.
Ukraine over many years.”
A third Russian national, Oleg Pulatov, was acquitted owing
The Pocock family have contacted The Week In to say they are
to lack of evidence.
relieved that justice has been done after eight years. Ben Pocock
Also in this week’s issue
Developer says 70 new homes deal for Keynsham is ‘excellent’ . . . page 3
Find out what’s lined up for Keynsham’s Winter Festival . . . page 6
Get ready for Bristol’s Clean Air Zone . . . page 7
More cuts to bus services . . . page 14
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The Week in • Wednesday 23rd November 2022
70 new homes deal ‘an excellent proposal for Keynsham’ Councillors have finally reached agreement over plans for 70 new homes in east Keynsham, with money being promised upfront from Taylor Wimpey to ease the impact on local roads before the first home is occupied. The decision had been delayed in October for Bath & North East Somerset Council officers to pin down the developer on when the triggers for contributions to off-set the impacts of the new estate would be, and to get a better biodiversity net gain (BNG). BNG becomes law in England next November when a minimum 10% gain in biodiversity will be a condition of planning although this might not always be possible to provide on site, as in this case. As the eightacre site at Minsmere Road is currently green fields, building 70 houses on it can’t achieve that, so Taylor Wimpey has identified land on the other side of Keynsham – on the Somerdale plain – on which to make ecological improvements. However, more negotiations have managed to improve on-site BNG at Minsmere Road, such as more bird boxes, bee bricks on surrounding trees and insect hotels. This pushes the overall BNG up from 11.12% to 12.57% and the committee heard that both Natural England and the council’s ecologist are satisfied. Speaking at Thursday’s planning committee meeting, a Taylor Wimpey representative said a “huge amount of work” had been done to be able to front-load the financial contribution as early as possible. He described the overall £2.3m package of contributions, which includes money for sustainable transport measures, school places and for the neighbouring Manor Road Local Nature Reserve, as an “excellent proposal for Keynsham”.
There will be just over £1.5m towards sustainable transport measures, one third of it paid before the first home is occupied. Another third will be payable before the 20th home is occupied and the final third handed over before half the homes are occupied. One third of education requirements will also be triggered before the first resident moves in. The total contribution towards school places is over £650,000. Before any development starts £80,000 of improvement work is planned at the Manor Road reserve. There were more than 250 objections to the plans including from Keynsham Town Council, Saltford Environment Group, Saltford Parish Council and countryside charity CPRE. However, council officers felt the application to be consistent with B&NES emerging update to the Local Plan. 30% of the homes will be ‘affordable’. Keynsham East councillor Hal MacFie told Thursday’s meeting that he was not happy with the intensity of homes and suggested that 50 would be better to achieve 10 per cent BNG on site. Cllr Shaun Hughes, Independent councillor for Midsomer Norton, said the council had declared an ecological emergency and moving the BNG down the road would not benefit existing or future residents at Minsmere Road. Saltford councillor Duncan Hounsell said the principle of the land at Minsmere Road being developed had been conceded eight years ago when it was safeguarded for future development, and it was just a question of when. He had been concerned at the previous meeting about the BNG being principally offsite, and had major concerns about overcapacity on local roads, particularly roundabouts. However, he said that although the BNG
Fire damage would still be principally off site, with only a “modest” improvement on site, he was impressed with the improvement and triggers for transport mitigation measures, including a regular bus service link to the town centre which would benefit the Chandag estate. There was a majority vote for the proposals with just Cllr Hughes and Cllr MacFie voting against. The plans are in outline so details of the layout of homes will be subject to a future planning application.
Withies Green There is currently a holding order on the
nearby proposed Withies Green development for 213 homes which B&NES approved in July. The hold-up is until the Secretary of State decides whether to call in the application for review following concerns raised by Keynsham Town Council, Saltford Parish Council and Saltford Environment Group. Like the land at Minsmere Road, it was supposed to be safeguarded against development until at least 2029 and objectors say the council’s decision has pre-empted the Local Plan update which has yet to be signed off.
£895 5
Poppy tins stolen Staple Hill & District Royal British Legion have reported that several shops had their Poppy Appeal tins stolen in Staple Hill this year. They called it a very “very sad state
of affairs but thankfully there is CCTV”. Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 101, quoting crime reference AS-20221116-0736.
Cyclist dies after collision A cyclist died after a collision with a lorry in Hengrove last Wednesday. Police were called to Whitchurch Lane at 8.05am following reports of a collision at the junction with The Boulevard. The
cyclist, who was in her 30s, died at the scene. Anyone who saw the incident, or has dash cam footage, and has yet to speak to police, is asked to contact 101. The reference number is 5222275628.
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The Week in • Wednesday 23rd November 2022
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Find a welcoming and Here is a round-up of local places providing welcoming and warm spaces this winter SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE Holy Trinity Church Hall, Kingswood Every Thursday from 11am to 7pm, the Kingswood Community Fridge project offers a warm space, free groceries, kids’ play equipment and tea/coffee.
Warmley Community Centre Warm hub starts Wednesday 7th December, 1pm-3.30pm. Other December dates are 14th and 21st. In January it’s open on the 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th. Tea/coffee and biscuits, with games and quizzes some weeks.
Kingswood Community Fridge
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.
North Common Village Hall Community Café on Tuesdays, noon-3pm. Free or subsidised, depending on situation. Teas/coffees, hot meals, music and chat. Christ Church, Downend A Warm Spaces Café opens on Thursdays from 1st December (11am-2.30pm with lunch at noon). Free soup and roll and a piece of cake (donations welcome). Staple Hill Salvation Army A warm space on Tuesdays and Fridays, noon-6pm. Free coffee/tea, soup and a roll and entertainment for those wanting to drop in or stay longer. Staple Hill Community Hub Open Wednesdays 10.30am-11.30am. A warm space with free tea/coffee and a friendly chat. United Church in Longwell Green A warm space Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10am-noon to enjoy hot drinks, a warm environment and meet others.
Oldland United Reformed Church ‘Winter Wednesday’ each week, 10am-noon. Drop in for free coffee and cake, catch up with friends and make new ones. Juice Community Project, Cadbury Heath Open Thursdays between 10am and 3pm for anyone wanting a cup of tea or coffee. Soup served at lunchtime. Also open MondayThursday for a drop-in for anyone needing advice or a listening ear. South Gloucestershire libraries All provide a warm, friendly space to stay for as long as you like within opening times. Many have coffee and tea-making facilities during staffed hours. Open seven days a week with unstaffed hours provided by the Open Access scheme. BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET Keynsham Elim Pentecostal Church Open Fridays (11am-2pm). Non-profit café called Toasties serving food at very
16,000 copies are distributed through retail outlets, libraries, pubs, community centres each week. Verified pick-up rate of 97%.
The Week In Community Ltd, 8 Temple Court, Keynsham. BS31 1HA 0117 986 0381. www.theweekin.co.uk ISSN: 2052-9767 Publisher Editor Contributors
Stephen Rodgers admin@theweekin.co.uk Becky Feather 07403 273967 Christine Rogers
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Tracy Broderick 0117 986 0381 sales.theweekin@gmail.com @theweekineditor the_week_in_news
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The Week in • Wednesday 23rd November 2022
warm space near you affordable prices. St John’s Church, Keynsham Open 2pm-4pm on Mondays. Light refreshments served. St Dunstan’s Parish Centre, Keynsham Open Wednesdays (10.30am to 12.30pm). Light refreshments. Keynsham Methodist Church (Queens Road Centre) Café Plus is open to everyone every Friday 8.45am-10.30am. Come for a chat over tea/coffee and a bacon butty or cereals and toast. Soft play area for toddlers and a children's clothes swap. Keynsham Methodist Church (Victoria Centre) The coffee shop is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 10am-noon
Keynsham Methodist Church's Queens Road Centre
offering hot drinks and biscuits, with a children's corner. Crown Inn, Keynsham Open every day from noon until 10pm. Soup for £1.50 for OAPs and parents with babies, alongside free tea/coffee. Keynsham Library & Information Service Open Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm and on Fridays and Saturdays 9.30am-4.30pm. Farmborough Community Shop All welcome to come and use the café space to stay warm. No purchase necessary. Open 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday-Friday and on Saturdays from 9am to noon. Whitchurch Village Community Centre Open Wednesdays 1pm-3.30pm. A warm welcome, refreshments and a chance to meet others. Saltford Sports Club The club will be opening its doors on Wednesday afternoons in December to offer a warm space (no further details at present). BRISTOL St Peter's Methodist Church, Brislington Open Tuesdays 11am-2pm.
The Week in • Wednesday 23rd November 2022
Stockwood Children's Centre Open Monday-Thursday 8.30am-3.30pm. Children and families welcome. St Augustine's Church, Whitchurch Open Wednesdays 10am-4pm, for Saturday breakfast 10am-noon and for hot drinks on Sunday 3pm-5pm. Everyone welcome. Christ Church, Hengrove Thursdays 10am-1pm, Fridays 1pm-4pm, Sundays 11am-noon. All welcome. Speedwell Children's Centre Open Monday-Friday 9am-3pm for children
and families. Hillfields Community Hub Open Monday-Thursday 11am-3pm. Everyone welcome. Bristol Charities Vassall Centre, Fishponds Open Monday-Friday, 8.30am-5pm (café open 9.30am-3pm). Services include wifi/charging points and hot drinks. Everyone welcome. Please let us know of any more warm spaces and we can share them
Tree planting in Kingswood On Sunday (27th November) Kingswood Climate Action Group will be planting trees at Westons Way Playing Field and invite local people to join them. Jon Gadsden from the group said: “One easy way of reducing long-lived greenhouse gasses is to plant trees, which capture CO2 and lock it safely away for decades. “The tree planting is organised along with South Gloucestershire Council who will be providing plenty of trees to plant in and around the playing field. Please bring your own spade or gardening fork - and wellie boots may be a good idea.” The tree planting will start at 10am and finish by 1pm. To find out more about the group email kingswoodclimateaction@gmail.com
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The Week in • Wednesday 23rd November 2022
Get ready for Bristol’s Clean Air Zone Bristol’s long-awaited Clean Air Zone (CAZ) starts next week. Over 71% of vehicles travelling into Bristol already meet the zone's emission standards. Only older and more polluting vehicles will be charged. From Monday (28h November) you will need to pay to drive within the zone if your vehicle doesn’t meet the zone's emissions standards, unless you are exempt. To check if your vehicle will be charged and if so how much you'll have to pay visit www.gov.uk/clean-air-zones You will be able to pay to enter the CAZ up to six days before and until six days after. If you do not pay, you may receive a Penalty Charge Notice of £120, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days. Find out more at www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/streets-travel/bristols-caz See Letters, page 8
Council apologises for traffic ban delay The six-month trial ban on through traffic using Queen Charlton Lane as a rat run, that had been due to start last Thursday, has been delayed. Bath & North East Somerset Council had announced that the ‘Liveable Neighbourhood’ scheme – and two similar ones in Bath - were starting from 17th November but they didn’t. Cllr Sarah Warren, deputy leader and cabinet member for Climate and Sustainable Travel, said: “We have notified the relevant ward councillors, residents’ associations and parish councils directly that the work to install the trial through-traffic restriction on Queen Charlton Lane in Keynsham, and on Southlands and Church Street in Bath, will be delayed and will now start on Monday 28th November. “This is so that, as far as possible, the work could be completed in one visit for each location. We anticipate
Queen Charlton
work to be completed by Friday 2nd December. We are sorry for any inconvenience.”
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The Week in • Wednesday 23rd November 2022
works with a full range of patients, both acute and chronic injuries, helping facilitate getting them back to doing what they love. He also has a keen interest in injury prevention, by creating exercise plans based on the demands of sports to help reduce the risk of injuries. Tom will be at the Saltford Santa Dash on Sunday 4th December on hand for pre- and post-race massage, as well as advice and tips if you want to ask him anything specific.
Tom
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LETTERS Poppy Appeal can link the generations Dear Becky Involving young people in the Poppy Appeal is an integral part of Remembrance activity, keeping the memory alive of the sacrifices made by men and women in the First and Second World War and those from more recent conflicts, such as the Falklands,
the lights are full on most days and no one
performing acute hospital in the country as a
flexible, you can have a busy personal and
inside. As things stand at the moment, this is
result of the lack of our community hospital
professional life and still foster as the pooch
not right.
(Guardian front page, 14/11/2022).
will be in training for the duration of the
DG Hanham
Despite my letters, phone calls and emails, I
working week. Guide Dogs provide you with
A South Gloucestershire
have not heard from our MP. It would help if
training too so if you’re not an expert with
Council spokesperson told us that the lights
readers could also contact Jack Lopresti and
dogs, this doesn’t matter, you can still help to
are on in the evenings because the library has
ask why nothing is being done to help us?
change the life of someone with sight loss.
Open Access which allows it to open when
Barbara Harris
Guide Dogs also have a Sighted Guide
Editor’s note:
volunteer role for those interested in pairing
staff are not there: “Having the lights on
Could you foster a guide dog?
up with someone with sight loss, based around
Dear Editor
together, like going for walks, joining a club
Guide Dogs, the charity for the Blind, are
or even going to a football match or theatre
looking for volunteers in the Bristol area to
production. If you are interested visit
Dear Editor
foster their life-changing dogs in training.
www.guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer For any
We have been waiting for our promised
The branch is looking for dog lovers to
questions,
community hospital on a reserved site at
provide a temporary yet loving home for
patrycja.janecka@guidedogs.org.uk
Frenchay since 2005.
approximately 20 weeks for a dog in training
Pat Janecka
In 2010 we had an excellent plan for a 68-bed
whilst they embark on their journey to
Guide Dogs for the Blind Association’s
community hospital serving the population of
becoming a guide dog. If you are a dog lover
Often children have many questions to ask
volunteering coordinator specialist for
250,000, on the site at Frenchay which was
but your lifestyle means you cannot look after
about what happened or what the experience
Bristol, South Glos & Somerset
formally approved. This was scrapped by the
a dog full-time, then this could be the perfect
of warfare was like. Remembrance is an
incoming Conservative Government.
role for you.
opportunity for children to learn of the
Since then, the Government has, in effect,
As a fosterer, your support will include:
calamitous events that have affected many
‘kicked the can down the road’ and changed
• Doing the ‘school run’ for your dog in
nations and to be able to understand some of
the plan to a ‘hybrid’ version combining
training: dropping them off between 8-9am
the reasons for conflict and unrest around the
elderly care with only 40-50 rehabilitation
and picking them up between 5-6pm Monday
world that still persist today.
beds despite it being calculated that 68 beds
to Friday at the Bedminster Guide Dogs site.
Children fundraising for the Royal British
were needed in 2010. The population has
• Providing a dog in training with a warm and
Legion Poppy Appeal provides a wonderful
increased to 293,000.
welcoming home.
link between generations and provides young
There is no NHS central funding for this
• Engaging with our first class training
people with the opportunity to actively
facility: a private provider must be found to
programme to help re-engage your dog at
support service veterans.
build the facility then lease it to the NHS.
home with their training to become a guide
There is still counting to do but so far the
South
dog.
Bitton and Oldland branch of the Royal
Scrutiny Committee, a body authorised to
• Providing care and support for your dog
British Legion have collected £19,000 for the
check NHS provision, has not considered this
within your home e.g., grooming and feeding
Poppy Appeal.
matter for two years.
them.
Dawn Harrill
In September this year, I asked Jack Lopresti,
• Ensuring the dog is not left alone for more
Poppy Appeal organiser
MP for Filton & Bradley Stoke, to arrange a
than four hours in a 24-hour period.
meeting with Will Quince, Minister of State
Having your own dog can come with serious
Energy concern
for Health and Secondary Care, so that I can
cost implications but volunteering at Guide
Dear Becky
demonstrate our plight to him and show him
Dogs means you don’t have to worry about
Thank you Bristol Eye Hospital
I live in Hanham and I pass the library six
why
’bed-blockers’ in
food or veterinary costs. Guide Dogs cover all
Dear Becky
days a week between the hours of 5 and 7 and
Southmead Hospital which is the worst
the bills. This volunteering role is also very
I went to the Bristol Eye Hospital last week as
Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.
ensures users can see into the library before entering for safety reasons.”
What’s happening with our promised hospital?
Florence Ashby supporting the appeal at Asda in Longwell Green
8
Gloucestershire
we
have
300
Council
Health
joint interests. A Sighted Guide and their partner can do a whole array of things
contact
me
at
‘Greening’ Temple Street Dear Editor I would like to thank the many people who supported my comments in Issue 755 about replacing parking with planters in Temple Street and especially John Blanning for his excellent idea to put hanging baskets up outside the shops. They could even put some up at the Riverside block! This would 'green' the street with a splash of colour at a very modest cost instead of wasting so much money. Yes, we might have to take them in at closing time but that is a small price to pay for bringing a bit of joy to the street. Chris Oliver
The Week in • Wednesday 23rd November 2022
LETTERS an emergency. Sadly my sight is very bad and
modestly paid staff at BRI and BHOC who
I am going blind.
with the background of the cost of living
I was there for several hours and they were
issues are going to also struggle to find the
kind enough to bring a cup of tea to this old
funds to update their cars.
lady.
I wonder what our local MPs think of the CAZ
Just as I got home the consultant I had seen
scheme and it’s negative impact on those who
there called me and told me that tests had
can least afford to either pay the charge or
revealed that my diabetes was at a danger level
update their cars?
and he had notified my GP. I then had a call
Graham, Longwell Green
almost immediately from my doctor’s surgery. I would like to say thank you to the eye hospital for such an amazing service. A Longwell Green resident
Light fantastic Dear Editor Just when I thought the whole world had gone mad for one reason or another - sanity and
CAZ scheme is unfair
Customer service award for Saltford Post Office Saltford Post Office has, for two years running, won the best customer service award for the South West Post Office Region. Saltford Post Office closed at the end of 2017 but Saltford Community Association worked hard to get the branch reopened and it did in September 2019 in the new location of the community library. John Davies, chairman of Saltford Community Association, is seen here handing over the award certificates to
Saltford Post Office counter clerks Trish Hubbard and Bob Screen.
peace are restored.
Dear Editor The Bristol CAZ zone starts charging from
Support local high streets this festive season
28th Nov. This zone, controversially, includes the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI) and Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre (BHOC). Currently Blue Badge holders or those having cancer treatment at BHOC can apply for exemptions. However, those exemption only run up to 31st March next year. Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees has stated all exemptions will then end. I think this is most unfair, and possibly discriminatory, as the majority of Blue Badge holders are on limited incomes and simply cannot afford to update their existing
Why? Because the choir boy is once again
older cars to a new electric, or even petrol
back in his usual place as part of the Christmas
model.
lights in Keynsham High Street. OK - so you
Those having cancer treatment at BHOC
are all thinking that getting excited about a
surely don’t deserve the added stress of high
metal choir boy on a lamp post probably
charges or again having to find funds to update
means I should get out more and you may be
their car.
right!
Then you have all the nursing and other
Julia Chandler
A new campaign from South Gloucestershire Council hopes to encourage people to visit their local high streets this festive season. The council is again supporting the hundreds of independent traders who make up high streets across the district. The campaign will highlight everything South Gloucestershire’s high streets have to offer shoppers and families including festive events, a wide selection of local businesses and free parking. Throughout the festive season the council will be promoting free and low-cost Christmas events taking place in Kingswood, Hanham, Staple Hill, Downend, Chipping Sodbury, Filton,
Sudoku 1-Easy
Thornbury and Station Road in Yate. The campaign includes a photo competition. To enter, all people need to do is visit their local high street, capture something that represents Christmas spirit and post their photo on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #SouthGlosChristmas and the relevant hashtag for where the photo was taken, such as #ChristmasInStapleHill. Prizes include a £50 meal-out voucher for the overall winner, as well as vouchers for coffee and cake for the runners-up. The competition closes on 12th December. Full details on how to enter can befound at www.southglos.gov.uk/shopsouthglos
SUNDAY CHEMISTS Sunday 27th November
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 23rd November 2022
9
All fired up for great food Discovering classic Italian dishes with a twist at B Block in Keynsham Not having to cook on a Friday night is a treat and one I’d been looking forward to all week. We arrived at B Block at The Chocolate Quarter just before 6pm and received a warm welcome from front-of-house supervisor Courtney and chef Chris. He has been at B Block since it opened (it’s recently celebrated its fifth birthday) and is passionate about creating dishes with a twist. Whilst opening during the day all week, the only evenings that B Block is open are Fridays and Saturdays (until 8pm). We got settled in a comfy sofa booth. The restaurant was quiet when we arrived but soon began getting busier with a mix of
ages. The kitchen, which has a wood-fired oven, is in full view of diners. With the Somerdale estate on the doorstep of the old Cadbury’s factory redevelopment and the town centre only a short walk away, Courtney said that they get a lot of regulars. My husband ordered a pint of his favourite Gem and I had a Cortefresca Pinot Grigio which was nice and flinty. From the antipasti menu I chose wood roasted wild mushrooms with garlic butter flatbread and rocket (£6.50). A supply issue meant there was a substitution with button mushrooms but no matter, the dish was a generous size and delectable. Mike plumped for wood roasted prawns in lemon, chilli, garlic and parsley, served with rocket and sourdough (£7.95). Eating it was a messy business but he proclaimed it was well worth it for the “gorgeous” flavours. B Block prides itself on not having “ordinary pizzas” and promises “you’ll find flavours not available anywhere else”. Mike was intrigued by the sound of the braised ox cheek and onion pizza (£14.25) which has a bechamel sauce, fior di latte, crispy shallots and parmesan. Keen to try something different but still enjoy a ‘meaty’ pizza, he found it delicious
The wood roasted prawns
Crossword
The braised ox cheek and onion pizza
ACROSS
DOWN
1. Moving staircase (9)
1. Newt (3)
6. Donkey (3)
3. Overdue (4)
8. Pig's foot (7)
4. Tooth deposit (6)
9. Bedtime drink (5)
5. Competition (4)
10. Preposition (4)
6. Explanation (7)
11. East Anglian river (3)
7. Declaration (9)
13. Heal (4) 14. Pulsate (5) 16. Surroundings (6) 18. Sheen (6) 19. Book of maps (5) 21. Animal droppings (4)
10. Without delay (9) 11. Sloping trough (5) 12. Tooth (5) 14. Beverage (3) 15. Passenger vehicle (3) 17. Neck cord (7) 20. Famous film dog (6)
22. Listening organ (3)
24. Command (5)
23. Young male horse (4)
25. Nuisance (4)
27. Yawning (5)
29. Domestic fuel (3)
28. Lively party (inf.) (7) 30. Finish (3) 31. Synonym finder (9)
10
2. Scottish farm (5)
26. Verdi opera (4)
but filling. (Chris said it’s one that people sometimes share). There are only two alternatives on the al forno menu – a vegetarian aubergine parmigiana (£8.50) or braised brisket lasagne served with garlic bread and rocket (£9.50). I went for the Braised brisket lasagne latter; this take on the traditional mince dish gives it a very different texture. It was flavourful and the garlic bread accompanying it was superb. The team also brought us a selection of tasty salads from the deli bar to try with our meal, hence I couldn’t munch through all my garlic bread. It was boxed up and I enjoyed it heated up at home the next day. Sadly we had no room for puds (there’s a choice of ice creams, home-made panna cotta or affogato) but I had a decaf coffee while Mike rounded off his meal, at Chris’s suggestion, with a limoncello. Food at B Block can be eaten in or taken away and glutenfree pizzas are available on a 24-hour pre-order basis. There is a popular £25 weekend offer on Friday and Saturdays between 5pm and 7pm of two pizzas and a bottle of house wine (red, white or rosé). A children’s menu is available. The restaurant will be showing all World Cup matches during opening hours and staying open especially for the England v USA and Wales v England games. Check out @bblockpizza on social media for the special £15 pizza and a pint/glass of wine deal. B Block also serves breakfast, lunch and drinks and is open from 8am to 4pm Monday to Thursday, from 8am to 8pm on Fridays, from 9am to 8pm on Saturdays and from 9am to 11.30am on Sundays. Parking at The Chocolate Quarter is free for up to two hours and monitored (so don’t forget to key in your car registration number when you arrive!). Keynsham Station is a fiveminute walk away. Becky Feather The Week in • Wednesday 23rd November 2022
Question mark over building’s future Plans to turn an empty council-owned building in Keynsham into flats have been withdrawn. Aequus Developments, the property arm of Bath & North East Somerset Council, had submitted a planning application to turn Grade II listed Milward House on Bristol Road into flats. It was last used as offices.
Two two-bed flats and four one-bed flats had been proposed. But this week Tom Davies, B&NES Cabinet member for Adult Services and Council House Building, said: “The planning application has been withdrawn due to listed building challenges. The council is now reviewing the options for the building.”
The Week in • Wednesday 23rd November 2022
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More bus services slashed Only weeks after slashing its bus network to a size it could run ‘reliably’, First axed almost 1,500 journeys from its Bristol schedule last Wednesday. Blaming a continued shortage of drivers, the changes were implemented with no notice and while the cuts have been labelled “temporary” the company has made clear they will not be reinstated this side of the next scheduled timetable revision next April. Around 20 different routes are affected, some losing just one early or late departure, others seeing as many as 25 services
The No 2 is one of the services affected by cuts
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removed from the timetable. First says that these have already been included on its app and bus shelter departure information. Local services affected include the 1 from Broomhill, 2 from Stockwood, 42 (Cherry Gardens), 43 (Cadbury Heath), 48 (Emersons Green), 49 (Lyde Green), 75 & 92 (Hengrove). First is thought to be between 150 and 200 drivers short and despite a high-profile recruitment campaign, that number appears to be rising rather than reducing. Last month First cut a raft of services including more than 20 ‘supported’ routes for which it received financial contributions from the West of There are fewer journeys on the 42 route England Combined Authority (WECA). These include the 178 and 96 services which WECA announced publicly. He commented: “This news from First consequently was able to replace in part by working with is disappointing. “I know the frustration when the bus you are expecting smaller bus operators in the area. At that time First Managing Director Doug Claringbold said doesn’t turn up. One choice when using the limited pool of of the cuts: “We simply have no choice to withdraw or reduce drivers is fewer buses but more reliable ones. Most people I those services and ensure we focus on running buses where meet tend to pick reliability over regularity. there are enough customers travelling.” Whether the latest “But this does need to work as we’ve been here before - when round of ‘temporary’ journey withdrawals are a consequence First and other companies say they need to do X or Y which will mean more reliable services, but those more reliable of a lack of drivers or customers is not immediately clear. It is understood that Regional Mayor Dan Norris’s office services are not materialising. I genuinely hope these changes received notice of First’s latest cuts just minutes before it was today sort this reliability issue through to April.”
The Week in • Wednesday 23rd November 2022
Children and staff move into new Keynsham school Staff and children at Two Rivers Church of England Primary have moved into their new ‘eco school’ buildings on the Hygge Park development in east Keynsham. The school in Fairfield Way has nearly 60 children in Reception and Years 1 and 2 and will grow year by year, becoming open to all age groups from September 2026 with space for up to 420 pupils. The new school has been developed to strict environmental standards set by the Passivhaus Institute in Germany. Bath & North East Somerset Council has contributed
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nearly £1m, mostly from contributions it has received from housing developers, for alterations to the design to help create a building that has low impact on the environment and high energy efficiency. Two Rivers School produces its own energy from photovoltaic panels on the roof. Headteacher Claire Graham said the children and staff were delighted with their new surroundings after moving in at the start of November. They had been in temporary accommodation on the nearby Wellsway campus of schools.
Claire Graham, head of Two Rivers, with pupils
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Classical concerts return to Keynsham Top-level classical cultural performances return to Keynsham after a gap of almost three years. Prior to COVID-19, a group of like-minded music lovers regularly organised sell-out concerts in the town. Keynsham Concerts restarts its activities next month with the highly acclaimed pianist Dominic Irving. Graduating from the Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in 2009, he has gained a reputation as both a performer and composer. His repertoire spans classical and jazz as well
as film scores. Dominic produced his first film score in 2014 and earlier this year performed two scores he had written to accompany 1920s silent movies at a special event at the Arnolfini in Bristol. You may also find him tinkling the ivories occasionally at the Pump Room in Bath. The programme for the concert on Saturday 3rd December at the Fear Hall features Mendelssohn, Rachmaninoff, Mozart, Chopin and Brahms, and some of Dominic’s own
Sudoku Solutions 1-Easy 4 9 1 7 5 3 6 8 2
2 3 6 8 4 1 7 5 9
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compositions. Having written his first piece when only 10, the Keynsham performance includes some of his teenage compositions. Tickets cost £15 (£10 students) and can be reserved by email with simon.hazlewood@live.co.uk or by calling 07901 613086. They are also available on the door (cash only). Keynsham Concerts is a not-for-profit organisation supported by Simon Hazlewood, Leonora Mullen and Terry and Siri Edwards.
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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