THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset
31st May 2023
Issue 783
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Police seek protection order in crackdown on car meets The police are calling for a Public Spaces Protection Order to help crack down on nuisance car meets in Longwell Green. Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) enable local authorities to deal with a particular issue that is having a detrimental effect on the quality of life for those in the local community. This week a spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council said: “The police have asked us to consider an application for a PSPO in respect of car meets and
Pedestrian dies after collision Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage following a fatal collision on the A4174 Ring Road near Warmley between a pedestrian and a van. Emergency services were called at around 4.25am last Thursday. Despite paramedics’ best efforts, the pedestrian died at the scene. The road was closed in both directions between the Deanery Road and Wraxall Road junctions while officers carried out enquiries. Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 101, quoting reference number 5223121662.
Also in this week’s issue
cruise activity at Gallagher Retail Park and we are currently working with them to assess the volume of evidence that might support such an application.” The neighbourhood police reported to the recent meeting of Oldland Parish Council that patrols to collate reports for a PSPO application were ongoing. They also flagged up that small groups of cars still appear to be congregating at other nearby locations – namely the lower car parks at Asda and Aspects Leisure Park, and outside Tileflair at Aldermoor Way. This week a local resident told us that Aspects Leisure Park previously had a lot of trouble with cars racing around and parking up playing loud music, but that since speed bumps had been installed all around the car park, offenders have instead been carrying out “very irresponsible/dangerous car racing, skidding and creating terrible noise elsewhere”. He said that vehicle and other anti-social related crime affects Gallagher Shopping Park and Asda, as well as Gallagher Retail Park. Another reader shared a report of “boy racers” revving engines and youths on mopeds speeding in the car park of Asda at 8.30pm, along with gangs of teenagers hanging around outside the store. We have also heard from a reader that a large knife was found last month in undergrowth next to the footpath that leads from Asda to the Ring Road footbridge,
Plans for 50 ‘affordable’ homes in Oldland Common are submitted . . . page 3
South Glos Tories accused of ‘sour grapes’ . . . page 4
which he said was concerning as a large group of teenagers had previously been seen fighting outside the main entrance of the store. Meanwhile the recent update from the police to the parish council highlighted problems in the Aspects Leisure Park area with youths on bikes wearing head coverings to avoid being identified. The police also said that there have been reports of antisocial behaviour at Cock Road Ridge, on the other side of the A4174 Ring Road, with motorbikes being ridden around on common land.
Wessex Water’s £17m investment in Keynsham . . . page 6
Stockwood nursery branded Inadequate by Ofsted . . . page 10
Family fun lined up as village festival returns Mangotsfield is celebrating its 31st annual
everyone is advised to leave their car at
year serving on the planning committee. It
and
village festival on Saturday 10th June after
home.
has been an eye-opening experience to see
alongside local businesses who donate their
a four-year hiatus following the global
Following the opening ceremony and
the dedication shown by those involved
services - without them the festival could not
pandemic.
displays from local schools and clubs, the
behind the scenes.
happen.”
This year the festival is taking place at a new
live music will begin at 1.25pm with the Kris
“We first met in September 2022 and I
You can keep up to date with what’s going
venue - Pomphrey Hill on the North Field in
Nock Big Band followed by Kick The Cat,
wrongly assumed it would be standing room
on via the Facebook page
Johnson Road, Mangotsfield.
Outatime 80s and closing act Levi Valentino.
only. You may be surprised to learn that it is
https://www.facebook.com/mangofest
As in previous years the organisers are
Ross Janes, from the Mangotsfield Festival
in fact a small, dedicated team who help to
If you are interested in setting up a stall at
hoping to have a parade but they say a few
planning committee, says: “The dictionary
plan and run the entire festival.
the festival email
things still need to fall into place for that to
defines a community as a group of people
“On average it costs about £16,000 to put on
stalls@mangotsfieldfestival.co.uk
happen and they are hoping to issue an
living in the same place, but I would argue
our festival, which is a figure that may shock
If you are part of a local voluntary
update soon.
that definition really doesn't do Mangotsfield
many, which is why this year has seen many
organisation and would be interested in
The formal opening ceremony will be held at
justice. Mangotsfield is full of people who
local events come to an end due to the
applying for one of the community grants
11am and the festival has something for
come together, regularly, for shared causes,
financial challenges they have faced. We
contact
everyone. There will be plenty of stalls, live
and nothing exemplifies this more than the
want to ensure Mangotsfield Festival
grants@mangotsfieldfestival.co.uk
music, song and dance (in the main arena), a
Mangotsfield Village Festival.
continues so we will be asking for those
And if you would like to help volunteer on
dog show, and an area dedicated to children's
“I have been involved on the very fringes of
attending to make donations on the day. We
the day of the festival contact the planning
activities, along with food and drink. There
the festival for 12 years, helping to lead the
are very grateful for the support we receive
committee at
will be no on-site parking available so
parade through our village, but this is my first
from both South Gloucestershire Council
committee@mangotsfieldfestival.co.uk
2
Emersons
Green Town
Council,
The Week in • Wednesday 31st May 2023
Plans lodged for 50 ‘affordable’ homes on Chief Trading Post site Plans to build 50 “100% affordable”
Community open space, including a wildlife
homes on the Chief Trading Post site at
haven and children’s play area, is included on
Barry Road in Oldland Common have
the eastern and northern parts of the site.
now
Despite the site being in the Green Belt,
been
submitted
to
South
Gloucestershire Council.
permission to redevelop it was granted to site
It follows a pre-application consultation with
owner Oldland Common LLP in 2022 as it
people living nearby.
made use of previously developed land and
Social housing provider Alliance Homes is
the overall public benefits were said to
working with Countryside Partnerships as
outweigh the harm.
developer to deliver detailed proposals for 42
The redevelopment plans that were approved
houses and eight maisonette/flats on the
last year also included full planning
Green Belt site.
permission for a replacement Chief Trading
As part of a hybrid scheme, outline planning
Post farm shop and café, as well as other
permission was granted at the end of last year
retail units, and for six supported living
for 50 homes but it had been expected the
homes.
which will include a new junction and
development would be a mix of open market
In addition, outline planning permission was
a crossing at the junction of Oakleigh
sale and affordable homes.
granted for a community/health surgery
Gardens, and a new bus stop and
The plans to make them all affordable, rather
building as a replacement for Hanham
shelter on Barry Road (southbound).
than just 35%, is to meet significant demand,
Health’s branch surgery in Oldland Common,
Meanwhile an amended scheme for a
say the applicants. Twenty-five homes would
although as we have previously reported,
farm shop and café involving a cheaper
be for rent and 25 for shared ownership. The
there is currently no funding available for
pre-fabricated wooden building is also
proposed development includes mostly two
that element of the scheme.
expected, as we revealed in Issue 775.
and three-bedroom homes, with a small
The whole site has since been razed to the
See Letters, page 8
number of one and four-bedroom houses.
ground and earlier in May Montel Civil
The layout follows the inspiration of the
Engineering Ltd began what will be several
gridded nature of the former greenhouses.
months of works prior to redevelopment,
How the development would look Credit: Nash Partnership
An artist's impression of homes on the site Credit: Nash Partnership
The Chief Trading Post site as it looks this week
Plans welcomed by younger generation Prior to Alliance Homes and Countryside
Partnerships
said
that
Partnerships submitting their application,
“numerous”
other
informal
a consultation was held with leaflets
through phone calls, and that the entire
outlining the proposals sent to more than
range of ages were represented, including
440 households. This welcomed the views
18 to 24-year-olds who are usually under-
of local people through completion of an
represented during public consultations.
online survey.
Respondents understood there is a need
Only 15 people responded through using
for affordable housing locally and hoped
the website feedback form but the
that this would enable villagers to
company that ran the consultation on
afford to stay close to where they grew
behalf of Alliance Homes and Countryside
up.
The Week in • Wednesday 31st May 2023
there
were replies
3
‘Sour grapes’ accusation levelled at Tories The Conservatives on South Gloucestershire Council have been taken to task after complaining that despite being the largest party following the recent local elections, they have been excluded from power. The Tories had enjoyed an outright majority since 2015 but lost 10 councillors on 4th May, leaving them with 23. The Lib Dems now have 23 councillors and Labour 17 and the two parties have agreed to share power. At last Wednesday’s full council meeting, Cllr Claire Young, the Lib Dem group leader, was formally elected as the new council leader with Labour leader Ian Boulton becoming coleader. The new Cabinet was also appointed along with committee chairs. Cllr Young said: “Our priorities include tackling the climate and nature emergency and helping residents with the cost of living crisis – both of these will be taken into account with all decision-making. We will also be focusing on improving lives of children and families, working with schools to address educational inequalities, and promoting age-friendly communities.” She also said they would be developing a new Local Plan to protect South Gloucestershire from speculative development, working with health partners to improve the range of health services, and working with the West of England Combined Authority Barrs Court, Bitton, Brislington, (WECA) to identify Cadbury Heath, Compton Dando, improvements to bus Corston, Downend, Emersons Green, Fishponds, Hanham, Hillfields, services and the wider travel Keynsham, Kingswood, Longwell and transport network. Green, Mangotsfield, Marksbury, New Conservative leader North Common, Oldland Common, Cllr Sam Bromiley said: “We Pucklechurch, Saltford, Staple Hill, made clear that our door was Stockwood, St George, Warmley, open to have conversations Whitchurch, Wick, Willsbridge. early on, not backroom 16,000 copies are distributed through deals, but our contact was retail outlets, libraries, pubs, met by silence or refusal community centres each week. every time. There are so Verified pick-up rate of 97%. many unknowns to what the groups have agreed. The Week In Community Ltd, 8 Temple Court, Keynsham. BS31 1HA Residents are left in the dark 0117 986 0381. www.theweekin.co.uk as to what will happen in the ISSN: 2052-9767 next four years.” Lib Dem councillor and new Publisher Stephen Rodgers admin@theweekin.co.uk Cabinet member Louise Editor Becky Feather 07403 273967 Contributors Christine Rogers Harris said there were “sour grapes” coming from the Advertising Tracy Broderick Tory benches: “The thing 0117 986 0381 about democracy is that sales.theweekin@gmail.com people vote and in South @theweekineditor Gloucestershire the people
THE WEEK IN
Cllr Claire Young and Cllr Ian Boulton
voted not to have a Conservative administration. This time round the electorate spoke very clearly. Yes, the Conservatives got 38% of the vote but of course that means that there is another big chunk that they didn’t get. Sixty one per cent of our residents voted against having a Conservative administration.” Fellow Lib Dem and Cabinet member Cllr Chris Willmore pointed out that with under 40% of the vote at the previous election, the Conservatives had taken 100% of all Chairs and Cabinet seats and taken decisions entirely behind closed doors. Tory councillor Ben Burton said: “At the moment, all residents know is vote Lib Dem get Labour, vote Labour get Lib Dem, we just get something that opposes the Tories. That’s not exactly a positive message to send out.” Deputy Tory leader Liz Brennan said the Lib Dems were promising to protect South Gloucestershire from having to take Bristol’s unmet housing allocations but queried: “If Cllr Boulton attends West of England Combined Authority committees instead of the Liberals, will he give the Labour WECA Mayor everything he asks for at the expense of South Glos residents? Is he strong enough to resist the pressure? We have recently heard that Keir Starmer is rather keen to build Green Belt.” Cllr Boulton said that people in South Gloucestershire wanted a change. “There were some good things that have come out of the last few years obviously. However, I am also aware that many residents felt upset about things that were imposed on them with little listening to consultation.” He said there was a positive way forward and that the agreement would be available on the council website: “There is no great secret in there, no controversy.” He added that he hoped there would be a “re-setting” of the council’s relationship with the West of England Combined Authority. The less than harmonious relationship between WECA’s Labour Mayor Dan Norris and the former Tory leader of South Gloucestershire Council Toby Savage has been well documented. See also page 12
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.
Tea concert in Hanham The Magpie Music Group will be giving an afternoon tea concert in the United
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4
Reformed Church Hall in Tabernacle Road, Hanham, on Saturday 10th June at 3pm. Admission is free with a retiring collection for church funds and the Children’s Hospice South West.
The Week in • Wednesday 31st May 2023
Have your say at meeting about Green Belt housing proposals There will be the chance for residents to have their say
The plans for the 20-acre site known as The Batch appeared
among others did not receive direct notification despite being
about plans to build 149 homes on four fields in the Green
on South Gloucestershire Council’s planning portal on
registered. The outline plans have been submitted by Ashfield
Belt in Hanham at a meeting next week.
Monday 15th May but there is anger that with the deadline
Land & Redrow Homes. Access would be via Hencliffe Way,
Hanham Abbots Parish Council’s Assembly of Electors
for comments being Friday 16th June, the statutory
where the plan is to knock down No 64 to create an entrance.
meeting takes place on Tuesday (6th June) at Longwell Green
notification only went up at the site on Friday 26th May and
Already there are more than 80 objections on the planning
Primary School from 6pm to 7.15pm.
that Hanham District Green Belt Conservation Society
portal, highlighting that the Green Belt land should be protected and raising concerns about the threat to ecology
Two teens charged as inquiries continue into taxi incident Two people have been charged and police inquiries
The driver went to hospital for treatment to his injury and
continue into an incident in Brislington on Sunday 21st
was discharged to recover at home.
May during which a taxi driver was stabbed.
A 16-year-old boy has been charged with affray, criminal
A group of teenagers arrived in Choke Walk by taxi
damage and possession of an offensive weapon. Another
shortly after 9pm. There was an “altercation” at a nearby
boy aged 17 has been charged with affray and criminal
home in which a car and a window of the property were
damage. A 16-year-old girl arrested in connection with the
damaged. A resident chased the group back to the taxi and
incident has been released on conditional police bail
in the process the driver was wounded. He managed to
pending further enquiries. A third boy, aged 17, who was
drive away to West Town Lane, where he was found by
arrested that Sunday night on suspicion of wounding with
patrolling police officers at about 9.15pm. The teenagers
intent to cause grievous bodily harm, has been released on
fled before officers arrived.
police bail pending more enquiries.
The Week in • Wednesday 31st May 2023
and wildlife and the impact on local services and roads. At the start of this week only one comment appearing to be in support had been posted. It says: “Bristol is desperate for accommodation. Any opportunity to build new homes and affordable housing should be embraced. Progress is the way forward.” The planning reference is P23/01330/O. See Letters, page 8
5
Wessex Water’s £17m investment in Keynsham Investment totalling £17m is coming to
issues with sewer flooding near the centre of
a 170-metre stretch of the B3116 Wellsway
for up to 12 weeks while the work is carried
Keynsham later this summer with projects
the town, with the other ensuring that
near Keynsham Cricket Club, connecting
out, with a diversion using the A39 and A4
to ensure the environment in and around
processes for treating wastewater continue to
two separate systems in a bid to reduce
put in place.
the town continues to be protected.
meet the highest environmental standards.
incidents of sewer flooding in nearby streets
Meanwhile at the start of the same month, a
Wessex Water says that one of the projects
A 12-week scheme starting on 24th July will
and homes.
two-year programme of improvements will
has been designed to address long-standing
see a new gravity relief sewer installed along
The £500,000 project is being timed to
get under way at the water recycling centre
ensure the majority of it coincides with the
off Broadmead Lane, where £16.5m is being
school summer holidays. The B3116
invested to expand the site and allow further
(Wellsway) will be closed to through traffic
infrastructure to be installed.
Don’t take our tadpoles! The group that looks after Willsbridge Mill and its grounds says that people have been taking tadpoles from the
Road closure for bridge works
ponds.
Avon Mill Lane in Keynsham will be closed on Sunday 18th June to allow for the new
Willsbridge Mill Community Refresh
footbridge over the River Chew to be brought into Memorial Park.
said: “We have pond dipping activities
The opening of the new polymer bridge is expected to be at some point in July.
and kits at certain times of the year to
The children’s play park at Bath Hill and the entrance to the park at Avon Mill Lane
not disturb natural behaviours but
are currently closed.
please keep our amphibians in our ponds. “Frogs, toads and newts have laid their eggs here for a reason and if you have your own pond without tadpoles, it might not be ready to habit them yet. Please wait and they will come in their own time, adding them can cause them to die and spread disease and invasive plants. “If you have collected tadpoles to watch grow, then please put them back where you found them when they have front legs. They need to learn to adapt in the wild and like to return to their own ponds for breeding.”
6
The Week in • Wednesday 31st May 2023
Crowds turn out for motorbike rally Crowds again lined the road outside Kingswood Heritage Museum at Warmley to watch this year’s annual Douglas Cavalcade. The world-famous Douglas motorcycles were built in Kingswood from 1907 to 1957 and there is a permanent exhibition at the museum. On Sunday at noon the riders set off with a roar to follow the old factory test route.
The first of the bikes setting off
One of the bikes on display - a Vespa made under licence at Douglas's Kingswood factory
More bikes on display
The cavalcade always draws crowds
Police appeal after two pedestrians are injured Police have appealed for witnesses and
The injured woman and man, both in their
dashcam or other footage after two
30s, went to hospital for treatment and
pedestrians were injured in a collision in
were last week recovering at home.
Brislington on Monday 22nd May.
Police are investigating the incident and
It happened at about 7.25pm in Callington
are keen to hear from anyone with
Road. A white Ford Fiesta and a grey
information. If you can help, call 101 and
Vauxhall Corsa were involved in the
give the call handler the reference number
incident, with the Corsa colliding with the
5223119444, or complete the online
pedestrians and a wall.
appeals form.
Views on the pews invited Parishioners in Bitton are being invited to
The drop-in session runs from 11am to
a drop-in session at St Mary’s Church on
3pm. Coffee, tea and cakes will be
Saturday (3rd June) to try out and give
available as well as a short presentation on
their opinion on a redesigned pew.
the history of seating in the Grade I listed
The new prototype uses the existing oak
church and further information about the
and elm of the current pews but
development project.
remodelling means more comfort and the
St Mary’s has received some generous
addition of retractable wheels will allow
sponsorship for the redesign work but is
them to be moved so that the church can
still seeking pew sponsors to ensure that
be used for a wider range of events.
all the pews can be fitted out in this way.
The Week in • Wednesday 31st May 2023
7
LETTERS Regulations aren’t keeping people safe Dear Editor I write in response to Daniel Cotter’s letter in last week’s issue – ‘Have Brits forgotten how to walk?’ His sanctimonious manner suggests that over 70 people who have fallen at the cycle lane are in some way lacking either mobility, agility or common sense. None of the casualties were volunteers and none of them wished to suffer significantly serious injuries and many requiring an ambulance to attend and a trip to A&E. Despite the stance of the Lib Dem administration that everything is built to regulations, over 70 casualties prove that the regulations are not keeping people safe. The optical illusion that is present blends the cycle lane and the pavement as a flat surface and is I suspect the main cause. Though it has taken over 12 months there seems to be a chink of light. I met by coincidence two officers in Keynsham High Street last week who were discussing the issues. I also spoke with the leader of the council who suggested that he and the appropriate executive member would be looking at the situation as “one a month is too many”.
application for 149 homes on The Batch, Hanham
appalling attempt to breach the Green Belt status
• D is for Dial. Digging can be dangerous and
- an area of designated Green Belt land – but
of this precious part of Hanham.
hitting a gas pipe may cause a gas leak, fire or
regrettably omitted to inform close residents
Alan Jones
explosion. Phone Wales & West Utilities first on
promptly.
Member, Hanham District Green Belt
029
Despite the society, myself and other members of
Conservation Society
www.wwutilities.co.uk/dig
planning issues within our area, we received no notification. postal notification. Until last Friday there was no evidence of the statutory notifications being posted on the proposed entrances to the application site. Not surprisingly, the response deadline
remains
unchanged.
This
inept
procedure will obviously result in a reduced opportunity to mobilise a meaningful response. The land is designated Green Belt land, the status of
which
Tory ‘begging letter’
has
been
verified
by
South
Gloucestershire Council in 2006 and again in 2011. The current assessment, arbitrarily produced by Grass Roots Planning, acting for Redrow Homes, has unsurprisingly not arrived at the same conclusion! Maintaining Green Belt areas remains a commitment within the current South Gloucestershire Council Local Plan Core Strategy 2006 - 2027. A traffic assessment was carried out, which was based on a very carefully located vehicle counting
or
go
to
safe. Make sure you get an up-to-date copy of our gas plans and check if we need to visit your home
Dear Becky My wife and I have received a begging letter in
However, on Thursday 25th May I received a
8912
• I is for Investigate - it’s the only way to stay
Hanham District Green Belt Conservation Society being registered to receive direct notification of
2027
the form of an email from Stephen Massey, who claims to be the CEO of the Conservative Party. In our opinion he is boasting about wasting money on two million leaflets, several thousand social media advertisements and the hiring of 40
before you work. And if you have a gas meter, remember that your gas supply pipe will cross the ground in front of it, so be extra careful if you are digging in that area. • G is for Go ahead – but with care. Make sure you’re careful, especially if using a digger. Take all the precautions necessary to avoid damaging
new campaign managers. He is asking us to contribute to the Conservative Party and as pensioners we feel this is a downright insult when his monthly pension is probably more
the gas network, yourself, others, and your bank balance. You will be billed for any costs if something goes wrong and could be prosecuted.
than our combined annual pension. In our view this sort of money should be directed to the very necessary social services, such as the NHS, ambulance service, police, teachers, etcetera, instead of being frittered away on
Underground gas pipes are getting damaged every day by people digging without knowing what’s beneath. Not only can this cause serious injury, but the costs of repair, fines and fees can be huge. By following these simple steps, your work will
pathetic efforts to win back the voters.
go to plan and, most importantly, will keep you
Mr & Mrs V McVeigh
and your family safe.
Yate
Andrew Kennedy
(This letter was also sent to MP Luke Hall)
Connections Customer Manager Wales & West Utilities
favourable results.
Plan ahead to avoid a disaster at home
Your article in Issue 782 mentions what appears
Dear Editor
to be generous open space areas within the
This is a message from Wales & West Utilities –
New plans far removed from original scheme
proposed development, but the credibility of this
helping readers avoid costly and dangerous home
Dear Becky
is limited, as most of this area will be required to
disasters this summer.
I have seen the new proposals for 50 “affordable”
accommodate the necessary SUDS drainage
At Wales & West Utilities we look after the pipes
homes to be built on the Green Belt site of the
system!
in the ground that keep gas flowing safely to heat
former Chief Trading Post in Oldland Common.
Finally, your article mentions that the applicants
and power local homes and businesses long into
This is so far from the original proposal for a
claim an overall biodiversity “net gain, of over
the future. But with many homeowners using the
mixed development of properties for sale and rent
10%” could be achieved by the development.
bank
home
which was acceptable to many residents. I would
How on earth can the construction of 149 homes,
improvements, we’re seeing an increase in
encourage your readers to study the new plans
construction of a road network, etc., provide a
damage to gas pipes across the area.
fully at P23/01635/RM.
“net gain” of biodiversity, compared to an open
So, we’re reminding people to ask themselves
I understand this will be discussed at Bitton Parish
Dear Becky
green space?
‘Can you DIG it’ before starting work to avoid a
Council’s planning committee and then by South
On 15th May South Gloucestershire Council’s
Hanham District Green Belt Conservation Society
construction catastrophe: there’s three simple
Gloucestershire Council’s Planning Committee.
planners validated a formal outline planning
will be mobilising all possible objections to the
steps everyone should remember.
V McNab
Sadly of course it has been in excess of one casualty a week for over 12 months. I take a bit of consolation in the fact that having been harassing the administration to take some action ever since the casualties of the first month, there is hopefully realisation stepping in before someone dies. So, Mr Cotter thank you for your observations and comment but I suspect there will be at least 70 readers who might take exception to your view. Cllr Alan Hale, B&NES Council
Anger at delayed notification of planning bid
8
device, which again resulted in the most
holiday
to
kickstart
their
The Week in • Wednesday 31st May 2023
‘Huge blow’ as Armed Forces Fire in outbuilding Day event is cancelled
Crews from Kingswood, Temple and Southmead fire stations attended a fire at an outbuilding in Pinkers Mead in Emersons Green last Wednesday just after 8.30pm.
The South Gloucestershire Armed Forces
ground.
Day event that had been due to take place
“We will continue to mark the day this year
in Staple Hill on Saturday 17th June has
and hope to work with South Gloucestershire
been cancelled.
Council for the annual flag-raising ceremony
The event, which traditionally includes a
in Yate. Additionally, we will host a free
parade, had been due to take place in Page
dinner for personnel, veterans and their
Park. In a statement on their website the
families in the local area as a thank you.
South Glos Armed Forces Day Committee
“We are already working towards 2024 and
announced that they had been working hard
several grants have been applied for to meet
with external partners, “but it has become
the increased costs of services required to
clear that with the lack of funding for the
make the event successful, safe and fun.
event and the realisation that more people are
“We aim to be back next year on 15th June
needed, we cannot go ahead for 2023”.
in Staple Hill.”
They added: “This is a huge blow to us on
Email southglosafd@gmail.com if you are
the committee and to those that have been
able to volunteer your services on the
working hard to get this event back off the
organising committee.
The cause of the blaze is thought to have been accidental.
More missed collections Bristol Waste Company has continued to
higher than usual volumes of recycling
struggle with missed recycling and refuse
following the Coronation for collections
collections in the last week.
happening later than scheduled.
Thousands of homes across Bristol have
Waste and recycling collections were
been affected in the last three weeks. The
scheduled to take place as usual on Bank
company has blamed staff shortages and
Holiday Monday (29th May).
Art and craft workshops Artist Joe Tymkow has organised a series
from 9.30am to 12.30pm. No previous
of art and craft workshops on Tuesday
experience is necessary but numbers are
mornings which got under way this week
limited.
at
There is a booking fee of £5 per person,
the
recently
created
Keynsham
MakeSpace at Riverside Square.
to cover hire charge and art materials.
They continue on 6th, 13th and 20th June
Contact Joe at joe.tymkow@gmail.com
Concert at church Bath Gilbert & Sullivan Society will be performing The Mikado at St Mary’s Church in Bitton on Saturday 24th June at 7.30pm. For tickets contact 07970 325927 or email djaharris@hotmail.com
Keep in touch, let us know what you think, send us your news www.facebook.com/theweekin
A previous Armed Forces Day event in Staple Hill
Sudoku
SUNDAY CHEMISTS
1-Easy
Boots, Gallagher Retail Park, Longwell Green
Sunday 4th June
2 -Hard
(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 31st May 2023
9
‘Significant breaches’ uncovered at nursery The Stockwood nursery and pre-school Curious Hedgehogs has been given Ofsted’s lowest rating following an inspection. The Stockwood Lane setting, where there are more than 100 children on the roll, had previously been rated as Good. The two inspectors said that the quality of education, leadership and management, the children’s personal development, and behaviour and attitudes were all Inadequate. They highlighted “significant breaches” to the early years foundation stage requirements that meant children's safety and their learning and development were compromised. Their report said that the leadership and management team was not doing enough to ensure that safeguarding was effective and that children make the best possible progress. Although staff had attended safeguarding training, the impact
was “ineffective” as they demonstrated a poor knowledge of how to keep children safe. There was no curriculum in place and staff were not supervising and supporting children adequately. Youngsters were not receiving consistent support to help them develop
poor partnership with parents. Ofsted issued legal notices requiring the nursery to carry out a series of safeguarding and welfare actions in response to the concerns raised. The watchdog subsequently carried out two regulatory visits and was satisfied that the provider had
and learn well and staff were not doing enough to help close gaps in learning and development for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). There was also
taken the actions necessary. The Week In has invited Curious Hedgehogs to respond to the concerns raised.
Ofsted praise for sixth form college St Brendan’s Sixth Form College in Brislington, which provides education for around 1,800 students aged 16 to 18, has once again been rated as Good overall by Ofsted. The college takes students from Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.
Situations Vacant
A team of seven inspectors visited in March and their full report was published last week. They said that students enjoy their lessons because teachers have created a positive
St Brendan’s students
learning environment. Teachers set high expectations for
Crossword
completion of work and for meeting deadlines; leaders and
community, feel welcomed and valued at the college,” the
managers monitor students’ progress well and most
report noted.
students produce work of a consistently good quality.
Principal Marian Curran said: “We are delighted that
The report highlighted that students enjoy the “non-
Ofsted have highlighted the strong learning culture that
judgemental, inclusive atmosphere” at the college, where
exists at St Brendan’s Sixth Form College. We are a highly
they feel that they can be themselves and are respected as
inclusive college where individuality and the education of
individuals.
the whole person is nurtured. I am pleased that the
“Students from a wide diversity of backgrounds, including
inspectors have not only recognised our academic
those of various faiths, those with special educational
standards, but also the high level of support that our
needs and/or disabilities and students from the LGBTQ+
students receive and our culture of safeguarding.”
ACROSS
DOWN
1. Hand care (8)
1. Be listless (4)
5. Prejudice (4)
2. Audacity (5)
9. Persevere (7)
3. Ascend (5)
10. Bid (5)
4. Decayed (6)
11. Rocky hill (3)
6. Make hot (7)
12. Small stone (6)
7. Scatter liquid (8)
15. European country (5)
8. Deteriorate (6)
17. Formerly (4)
14. Reluctant (4)
19. Most senior (6)
16. Remorseful (8)
22. Temper, toughen (6)
18. Ready money (4)
24. Pronoun denoting something (4)
21. Regular (6)
26. Number in trio (5) 27. Sailor's song (6) 30. Fuss (3) 32. Fix deeply (5) 33. Sleeping area (7)
13. Word of farewell (3)
20. Long-lasting (7)
23. Religious woman (3) 25. Line on weather map (6) 28. Supplement (3,2) 29. Hidden treasure (5) 31. Islamic ruler (4)
34. Fencing sword (4) 35. Splendour (8)
10
The Week in • Wednesday 31st May 2023
Cycle ride boosts young doctor’s fundraising campaign Friends Dan Money from Keynsham and Leo Nolan from Saltford have teamed up to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. Leo has just completed a 950-mile cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats in support of Dan’s fundraising goals. Both aged 24, the two became good friends through their time at Wellsway School in Keynsham. Late last year, Dan
From left, Hamish, Adil & Leo
received a shocking diagnosis of bowel cancer and has since been undergoing treatment in Birmingham, where he has been working as an F2 junior doctor. Dan has chosen to raise money for Cancer Research UK (CRUK) because he especially appreciates how important upto-date research is in helping increase treatment options for people in this situation. Leo and friends decided to dedicate their ride in support of Dan’s fundraising and wore their CRUK jerseys with pride. They planned and completed the journey totally unsupported. In 12 days of cycling, and fuelled largely by malt loaf, they climbed the equivalent of 40 Empire State Buildings, had three punctures, two injured knees and one rider knocked off by an inquisitive lamb. Dan and his mum Sarah met the team in the Midlands to offer encouragement and good food! Dan and Leo thank everyone from the local community who has already
Dan Money
supported their fundraising. The cycle ride has raised more than £5,500 towards the current overall total which with Gift Aid included is approaching £30,000. If you would like to donate, visit Leo’s JustGiving page https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/lejog - or look out for future events at https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/unite/danielsfundraising
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11
‘Happy birthday’ bus passes from the Every resident in the West of England is
Speaking at the launch in Bristol last week,
During an interview with local media
week, couldn’t £8m have been better spent in
being offered free bus travel throughout
Mayor Norris said: “If you’re already a bus
representatives, including from The Week In,
supporting them? The Mayor reiterated that
the month of their birthday, thanks to an
user, this is a free month of travel to help
he said the scheme was the first of its kind in
the financial responsibility for subsidised bus
£8m initiative from the region’s Mayor
during this frightening cost of living crisis. It
the United Kingdom. Free travel has been
services lay with the local authorities in those
Dan Norris.
could see current bus users better off by one
offered elsewhere but never for a whole
two areas and it had been their decision not
The plan is for the first passengers to travel
twelfth of the bus costs they shell out
month.
to continue their support. “But (if the money
free from 1st July and the scheme will run
annually.
“The idea is that we can build in behaviour
was spent) we would end up with the same
until 30th June 2024 so that every resident’s
"But I hope birthday buses also give more
change. If people who drive a car say, ‘I’ll
outcome as in the last years, which has been
birthday is included.
people who aren’t already regular bus
give it a go for a month’, there is a chance
declining bus usage.
It is hoped that the 'birthday buses' will act as
passengers the perfect opportunity to jump
those people will make more bus journeys in
“It’s a big sum of money but that’s something
a catalyst for bus travel in the West of
on the bus and try it out - perhaps for a
the future and leave the car at home.”
we have to do because if we carry on in the
England to boost the number of passengers
regular commute, to go to the shops, a
With subsidised bus services in rural areas of
same old way, we know what the outcome
and encourage a long-term shift in travel
restaurant, or to spend their weekends
Bath & North East Somerset and South
will be.”
behaviour.
enjoying the amazing attractions and
Gloucestershire due to be withdrawn this
Asked if there is a danger that people trying
The £8m is coming from the £105m Bus
great beauty of our region. We really
Service Improvement Plan award from the
need more people using buses to cut
Government to the West of England
congestion, pollution and noise - and meet
Combined Authority (WECA) last year to
our important and very ambitious 2030 Net-
find innovative ways of getting people out of
Zero targets.
their cars and onto buses.
"If you’re not a regular on the buses, please
Currently, fewer than one in 10 regional
give it a go - you’ve literally got nothing to
commutes is made on public transport, and
lose, and a lot to gain. If you are a car owner,
congestion has a huge economic impact,
think how many times you could avoid filling
costing the West of England £300m a year,
up at a petrol station during the month of
says Mr Norris.
your birthday?”
Tories brand giveaway a ‘desperate publicity gimmick’ The
12
Conservatives
on
South
hospital appointments, visit their family
Gloucestershire Council have lashed out at
and friends or even simply do their
the Labour West of England Mayor’s free
weekly shopping. Instead of giving
bus travel initiative, saying it is a waste of
people free travel for one month of the
money.
year on already existing services, it would
They say that Mayor Dan Norris claims
be much more sensible to put that money
that it will encourage more people to use
towards resurrecting services that have
public transport, but no evidence for this
been cut and that have left people
claim has been made available.
isolated.”
Cllr Liz Brennan, the Conservative
Speaking
group’s Shadow Cabinet member for
Council’s meeting last Wednesday, David
Planning, Regeneration and Infrastructure,
Redgewell, from South West Transport
said she was “perplexed” at Dan Norris’s
Network, who sits on the passenger
decision to waste £8m “on what amounts
advisory panel on WECA, said: “I am not
to nothing more than a desperate publicity
sure that the £8m is something we are all
gimmick and a shameless act of self-
going to support. There is a debate to be
promotion”.
had there.”
She said: “£8m is an enormous sum of
He said that much more passenger
money that could easily be put towards
consultation is needed and called for a
resurrecting all the services that have been
passenger forum to be established as soon
cut after the WECA Mayor claimed he
as possible.
could no longer fund them.
“We need a review of WECA’s policies, on
“We hear all the time from residents who
its bus services, on the way it puts its bus
have been left isolated due to the bus cuts,
services together and we need much, much
with vulnerable people unable to get to
more passenger consultation.”
at
South
Gloucestershire
Dan Norris at the launch of the birthday bus scheme
How to apply for your free bus pass Passengers will be able to register for free
already travel free on buses.
travel at www.birthdaybus.co.uk
Once a resident has applied, their card will
Residents will need to supply their address
be sent to them in the post.
(which must be within the region), their
Residents should apply at least seven days
date of birth and a digital passport-style
before the first day of their birthday month
photo via the online form. Applicants
but they can still apply after that – right up
under 18 will additionally be required to
to the 15th day of their birthday month and
show proof of age. Those under five
still get a pass for the rest of that month. The Week in • Wednesday 31st May 2023
Metro Mayor
More pre-school places on the way
buses for the first time will suffer some of the
independent bus companies such as Bath Bus
negative experiences, such as cancellations
Co, Big Lemon and CT Coaches. The only
and delays, which have been reported widely
exceptions will be the A1 and A3 airport flyer
over the last 12 months, the West of England
services, the A4 and the Stagecoach Falcon.
Futura Learning Partnership has this week
for Education on detailed proposals for
Mayor said there is always a risk with an
Mayor Norris said: “People rightly say buses
confirmed that it intends to increase pre-
high quality, teacher-led provision and
experiment, but service reliability has been
are important, that affordable transport is
school provision in Keynsham to meet
hopes to be able to announce start dates
improving and he feels the attraction of free
critical in this cost of living crisis. That
local needs.
and
travel for month is something people will
urgent behaviour change of an ongoing kind
The trust already runs the successful 3-2-
admissions criteria, later in the summer.
react positively towards.
is key to overcoming the climate emergency.
4 playgroup on the Chandag schools
The decision to expand follows a survey
The free monthly pass will be available on all
This initiative to give free bus travel in the
campus and plans to extend and develop
carried out by Futura Learning Partnership
First and Stagecoach bus services across the
month of a passenger's birthday is a UK
this early years education and childcare
which established a high level of demand
region, as well as those operated by
first.”
offer.
from families for early years provision
It is expected that the expansion will
following the closure of some other local
Online community meeting
double the number of places available for
provision.
three and four-year-olds at the campus.
In a statement Futura said: “The trust is
The next virtual meeting of the Staple Hill,
what is happening in their community. Local
Families will be able to select part-time
committed to offering seamless education
Mangotsfield
Cheltenham
councillors attend, along with representatives
provision of 15 hours a week or full-time
for children aged two to 19, and already
Community Engagement Forum organised
from other organisations including the
of
and
has a pre-school working closely with
by South Gloucestershire Council takes
police. The meeting starts at 7pm. To take
after-school childcare will also be
Chandag Infant School and wraparound
place tomorrow (Thursday).
part contact the team by email on
available.
childcare on the site, so this was
Such meetings are a chance for local
CommunityEngagement@southglos.gov.uk
The trust is working with Bath & North
considered to be the right action to take to
residents to raise any concerns and find out
or call 01454 868113.
East Somerset Council and the Department
serve our community.”
&
New
30
hours.
Breakfast
club
further
information,
including
How you can support The Week In For the last 15 years The Week In has been
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The Week In will always be free but the size
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13
Crossword Solution
Sudoku Solutions 1-Easy
2-Hard
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