THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset Issue 791
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26th July 2023
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Row as plan to improve Keynsham shopfronts is ‘ignored’ There is anger that Bath & North East Somerset Council
not complied with my advice of submitting an application,
won’t be taking enforcement action against a shopfront
thus the advertisements remain unauthorised. Because of this,
in Keynsham, even though it doesn’t comply with rules
we have had to assess the expediency of pursing formal
drawn up to improve the town centre’s heritage.
action.
After Keynsham Town Council highlighted concerns that the
“However, as there are other shops in the near vicinity with
shopfront of No 1 Turkish Barbers in Temple Street was not
very similar advertisements, this premises' shopfront could
in keeping, B&NES Council carried out an investigation –
not be considered incongruous to the surrounding area.
but has said it won’t be pursuing formal action.
Therefore, I'm afraid we won't be able to pursue this matter
In response the town council has accused B&NES of
further.”
“surrender” and says the design guide drawn up as part of the
Following a meeting of the town council's planning
orange shutter and illuminated signs were installed.
costly four-year heritage improvement project has been
committee last week, B&NES has been urged to rethink the
The enforcement officer in that case told the town council
“ignored”.
decision. The town council said: “We are not happy with the
that the illuminated hanging sign had been removed and the
The Keynsham Shopfront Design Guide was produced to
surrender approach that has been taken in respect of this
shutter painted grey: “Whilst this was welcomed and does
ensure that the High Street and Temple Street conservation
enforcement matter.
partly address the issue, I have made the owners of the
areas are protected from brightly coloured advertising
“The town council requests that B&NES Council rethink this
business aware that this does not fully solve the breaches of
signage. It was put together by a partnership including
decision which goes against the plans to have coordinated
planning control and the other illuminated sign will need to
B&NES, the town council and Historic England.
shopfront designs, as detailed in the Keynsham Shopfront
be removed, in addition to further alterations to the
The town council was told that a B&NES enforcement officer
Design Guide produced as part of the Keynsham High Street
shopfront.”
visited the barber’s shop and informed the owners that the
Heritage Action Zone.”
The officer continued: “Whilst we are aware that the current
advertisements at the front did not have an exemption or
The town council added: “A considerable amount of money
shopfront appears inappropriate in the location and is unlikely
deemed consent under Town & County Planning regulations,
and resources have been spent working on this guide, for the
to get permission, we always try and resolve breaches of
and they should submit an application for advertisement
contents of the same to be ignored.”
planning control through informal means in the first instance
consent to try to authorise them.
• B&NES Council has also been dealing with another
and in this case, we have managed to negotiate partial
The officer told the town council: “Since my visit I reached
enforcement case at the former Wright Butcher’s shop in the
compliance. We hope to be able to work with the business
out to them via email several times; unfortunately they have
High Street, which is now Keynsham Mini Market. An
owners to find a resolution as soon as possible.”
B&NES Council has been able to negotiate ‘partial compliance’ so far with this store
Also in this week’s issue
Wellsway in Keynsham closes for 12 weeks . . . page 2
South Glos bin strike latest . . . page 3
Page Park in Staple Hill scoops top award yet again . . . page 5
Sikh school plan for Kingswood pub . . . page 7
‘Plan your journey during Wellsway roadworks’ Bath & North East Somerset
New Look branch to close The New Look shop in Kings Chase Shopping Centre in Kingswood is to close next month. Kings Chase Shopping Centre announced
Council has advised people to
last week: “Sadly, after many years with us
plan their journeys as from
here at Kings Chase, New Look will be
Monday the B3116 Wellsway in
closing their doors for the final time on
Keynsham closed for up to 12 weeks to allow Wessex Water to build a new £500,000 relief sewer to tackle local flooding problems. A diversion route using the A39 and A4 is in place for the duration of the closure, which extends between the
to the diversion route.”
entrance to Rockhill Estate to the junction
First’s 522 bus service is diverting via
with Bath Road.
Bath Road, Chandag Road and Hurn Lane
B&NES Council asked Wessex Water to
in both directions. The bus company says:
time the works to coincide with the start
“Regretfully the Limekilns Close and
of the school summer holidays to
Hurn Lane bus stops on the Wellsway will
minimise disruption to the local traffic
not be served and passengers are advised
network.
to board or alight at Sunnymead bus stop
Alex Aulds, project manager for Wessex
on the Wellsway or the Wellsway bus stop
Water, said: “We have met with councils
by the New Inn heading towards Bristol
in Keynsham and Saltford to better
or The Talbot bus stop on the Bath Road
understand the impact this road closure
heading towards Bath.”
will have and ensure the appropriate
Wessex Water’s plans for Hanham, see
measures are in place to direct traffic on
page 11
Wednesday 9th August.
There are very few ‘key’ shops in Kingswood
“We would like to thank Carol and the New
now that draw customers and this is one of
Look Kingswood team for their service over
them. I am really sad to hear this.”
the years and we wish them all the very best
Some of the responses have been rather
for the future. Make sure you stay tuned for
cynical including: “Does this mean we get
exciting updates about who will be replacing
another charity shop, takeaway or slots
them soon!”
shop?”.
The Kingswood branch was one of 60 of the
One person observed: “It's about time this
fashion retailer’s 593 stores in the UK which
long-heralded regeneration of Kingswood
were identified for potential closure in 2018
happened. We seem to be going backwards.
under a Company Voluntary Arrangement
not forwards what are South Gloucestershire
proposal approved by creditors. At the time
Council playing at?”
the Keynsham shop closed but the Kings
But another commented: “It’s not really the
Chase branch remained open.
council’s fault. Even if they charged minimal
New Look is understood to have been in
rent these companies aren’t interested in
Kingswood for about 30 years and the
having a presence on the high street. If New
closure announcement has prompted a range
Look was making a profit it wouldn’t be
of comments on Facebook.
closing. Lots of people are armchair shoppers
One person said: “This is beyond sad. Carol
now or use click and collect. There will
and her team are a big draw to Kingswood.
naturally be fewer physical shops.”
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The Week in • Wednesday 26th July 2023
Striking bin worker’s direct plea to councillors A striking Suez worker has directly asked South Gloucestershire councillors to exert pressure to bring the dispute to an end as he revealed that he and his colleagues have not had a wage rise in line with inflation for 21 years. At the full council meeting at Kingswood Civic Centre last Wednesday, Jim said he was there on behalf of striking workers who empty the bins under the council’s contract with Suez. Around 150 workers who are members of the Unite union are on strike indefinitely in their pay dispute with Suez. Jim said that South Gloucestershire refuse workers are paid less than every other contractor in the South West, just above the minimum wage. He said: “I don’t need to remind you all that we are also the people that elect you in. We are all ratepayers. I am a ratepayer and I had
one of your councillors say to me, ‘Get on back to work’. That is treating us with utter contempt. We do a very hard job. We go out in all winds and weathers; we get abused, we get underpaid, we get undervalued. “I would ask you also to remember that the company we work for is a French company and they send £89m to their greedy shareholders in France. They put profit before people.” He pointed out that South Gloucestershire Council is losing thousands of pounds while there is incorrect recycling of products taking place. “So we would like for the council if you can, and I don’t know what your remit is, to apply pressure on Suez to come back to the negotiating table in a meaningful way. If I told you we had a meeting with them that lasted four minutes, and the contracts
manager that was running it said, ‘That’s what’s on the table, if you don’t like it, we will take it off the table.’ “How do you think we felt as a workforce? We have not had a wage rise in line with inflation for 21 years. We are not unfair people. We are very reasonable people. But we cannot go on if we get a wage rise under the rate of inflation.” He said there are members going to foodbanks who are working 40 hours a week. He added: “Please help us bring this dispute to a resolution because I can assure every one of you, we don’t want this. We are losing money.” At the meeting the opposition Conservative leader Sam Bromiley said he had met the workforce to hear their concerns and had been the first person from the council to do so. Cabinet member Leigh Ingham stressed that the council continues to exert pressure as much as possible on Suez to come to the negotiating table. She told Wednesday’s meeting: “We were really pleased to hear that on Friday, facilitated by ACAS, there was a negotiation that took place. Nine per cent was offered to
Sam Bromiley
the workers and that message has gone out I believe from Suez today. “We are not in a position to facilitate a solution. It’s an external matter, they aren’t our staff.” • Strikes by more than 200 Suez workers responsible for emptying bins on behalf of Somerset Council were cancelled last week after the workers accepted an improved pay offer of 9%. See Letters, page 8
Jim addressing South Gloucestershire Council on behalf of striking workers
CCTV issued after police car is damaged Police have issued a CCTV image of a woman they’d like to speak to after a patrol car was vandalised in Kingswood. It was in a marked police parking bay at Kingswood Civic Centre when a red substance was sprayed over it at about 6.30pm on Sunday 28th May. The woman is described as white, in her 20s, with dark hair tied in a ponytail. If you have any other information call 101, quoting crime reference 5223125198.
The Week in • Wednesday 26th July 2023
3
131 new jobs coming as new drive-thrus get the green light Two new drive-thrus for Emersons Green – a McDonald’s and a Greggs – have won planning
permission
from
South
Gloucestershire Council. The new fast food outlets will go next to the Costa Coffee drive-thru on land which had been earmarked for a pub/restaurant at the Harlequin Office Park development. Applicant
Greene
King
Commercial
Investments Ltd says that 34 full-time and 97 part-time jobs will be created. The McDonald’s
The site of the proposed drive-thrus
will be open round the clock while the Greggs will be open daily from 7am to 11pm.
The nearest residential properties are separated by the Ring
The site is accessed from Fieldfare via Folly Brook Road
Road and landscaping plans include 22 trees, 105 metres of
which in turn links to the A4174 Ring Road. The Greggs will
native hedgerow, new grassed areas, shrub planting, and an
be closest to the Costa outlet. Outdoor seating is planned at
ecological habitat feature.
each drive-thru, plus a small children’s play area at the
It is the final undeveloped plot at the Harlequin development
McDonald’s.
which includes offices, a Travelodge and children’s nursery.
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.
More than 11 tons of humanitarian aid on its way to Ukraine On a very wet morning, more than 15
The lorry left for Northern Romania on
volunteers from the Keynsham-based
Sunday, where the load will then be taken
charity Hope for Ukraine managed to load
on for distribution in Ukraine.
more than 11 tons of humanitarian aid. This took place with the help of forklift driver Mark from Tudor Services and IJ
Flags in the lorry show solidarity with Ukraine
McGill transport company. The aid destined for Ukraine includes food, medical aid, generators, water
16,000 copies are distributed through retail outlets, libraries, pubs, community centres each week. Verified pick-up rate of 97%.
purification, bikes and tents and other
The Week In Community Ltd, 8 Temple Court, Keynsham. BS31 1HA
The Keynsham-based charity thanks the
0117 986 0381. www.theweekin.co.uk ISSN: 2052-9767
people of the town and surrounding areas
items. Some of the camping equipment and other items were salvaged from the leftovers from the Glastonbury Festival.
who have donated a lot of the aid for this latest trip and continue to do so.
Publisher Editor Contributors
Stephen Rodgers admin@theweekin.co.uk Becky Feather 07403 273967 Christine Rogers
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0117 986 0381 sales.theweekin@gmail.com @theweekineditor the_week_in_news
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Volunteers packing the lorry
The Week in • Wednesday 26th July 2023
Page Park scoops Green Flag Award again Page Park in Staple Hill has earned a prestigious Green Flag Award for the fifth year running. This is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces and a testament to the hard work and dedication of the grounds team at South Gloucestershire Council and the volunteer Friends of Page Park. The park, which has undergone a National Lottery Heritage Fund revamp, was awarded marks for community involvement, biodiversity, how welcoming it is, as well as for cleanliness, control of dog fouling and maintenance. Vice chair of the Friends, Steph Purser, said: “It’s amazing to achieve our Green Flag Status once again. Thank you to all our volunteers and grounds staff for all their work and effort in making our park such a beautiful place to visit.”
Have your say on speed tables and zebra crossing People are being invited to have their say on proposed speed tables near the old Chief Trading Post site in Oldland Common. Four speed tables are planned along the A4175 Barry Road/Cherry Garden Road, one of them with a zebra crossing. South Gloucestershire Council says there will be a greater need for people to cross the road once the site is redeveloped. Fifty homes are being planned by Alliance Homes. There is permission for six supported living homes
The Week in • Wednesday 26th July 2023
and retail/café use, as well as for a community/health surgery building. The council says: “The purpose of the scheme is to provide a lower self-enforcing speed environment along Barry Road and Cherry Garden Road in the vicinity of the new development. The new zebra crossing will provide a safer place for local residents to cross the road.” Online questionnaires for both the speed tables and zebra crossing are on the council’s website. Search under ‘Consultations’. The deadline for comments is 12th August.
The A4175 is currently dug up for works relating to the redevelopment of the old Chief Trading Post site
5
Diamond day for couple who met in a coffee bar Well-known Hanham couple John and Heather Goddard are celebrating their Diamond Wedding anniversary this week. The couple met at a coffee bar in Exeter called El Zamba. John, who is originally from Wellington in Somerset, was 21 and serving in the RAF at Chivenor in Devon. Heather Simons was 18 and from Exeter. Both say there was an instant attraction. They were married on 27th July 1963 with just a few friends and relatives in attendance at the Lady Chapel at St Mark’s Church in Exeter. By now Heather was 21 and had just completed her teacher’s training at college in Brighton. John was 23 and had served an apprenticeship in radio and television. Having earned promotion to become a service manager in Bath, the couple soon relocated, first renting in Bath and then buying their own home in Mount Hill Road in Hanham. Son Stephen soon came along. Heather first taught home economics at Brislington Comprehensive School and after a short time moved to St Thomas More RC Secondary School in Horfield in Bristol. She retired from there in 2000 as head of design and technology. Asked about the secret to their long and
happy marriage, Heather and John cite their
has also been a member of Hanham
shared interests including politics and cooking. Heather first tried to enter local politics in 1976 when she missed out on winning the Hanham seat on Kingswood District Council for the Conservatives by just five votes. Undeterred she tried again in 1979 and was successful. She went on to become the authority’s first woman chair. The council was later renamed Kingswood Borough Council and then during the shakeup of local councils in 1996 South Gloucestershire Council was formed. Heather served on South Gloucestershire as Cabinet member for Communities and Development of Strategic Partnerships & External Affairs. She has also served on both Hanham Parish Council and Hanham Abbots Parish Council and remains an Independent member on the latter. John’s work as a national manager took him away from home a lot but he joined Hanham Abbots Parish Council in 1979 and South Gloucestershire Council in 2003. He too had a Cabinet role, holding the Corporate Resources portfolio. Both he and Heather stood down from the authority in 2019. John
Parish Council and remains an Independent member of Hanham Abbots Parish Council of which he is currently chair. Heather and John were both made Honorary Aldermen four years ago for their eminent service and along with others who hold that title were at last week’s ceremony in Kingswood Civic Centre to see four new aldermen being confirmed. Cross-party collaboration has always been important for both Heather and John and the couple have friends from across the political spectrum. Outside of politics, John was a founder governor of Hanham High School (now known as Hanham Woods Academy) and chaired the governing body for many years. Heather was chair of governors of Hanham Abbots Junior School for 13 years. John was also chairman of Kingswood District Scouts for a time and Heather, who had been West of England girls’ diving champion and Devon County Ladies springboard champion, enjoyed being a
Thailand and taught Thai cookery at Soundwell College, as well as Indian cooking and cookery classes for men. For a time he and Heather ran a catering business together supplying Thai food for private events. The couple, who also have a grandson David, and great-grandson, Alfie, will be celebrating
diving coach at Soundwell. John is a keen cook too; a lover of Thai food in particular, he went on a cookery course in
their 60 years of marriage with family and friends at a party at the Aerospace Bristol museum this weekend.
Heather and John
Honorary Aldermen are appointed At a special ceremony last Wednesday, four former members of South Gloucestershire Council were honoured for their eminent past service by being appointed as Honorary Aldermen. They were Conservative Colin Hunt, who represented Emersons Green; former Lib Dem group leader Ruth Davis, who represented Yate Central; Shirley Holloway, who represented Thornbury South & Alveston; and Conservative Brian Allinson, who represented Stoke Gifford.
Honorary Alderman Colin Hunt, right, with the Chair of the council Mike Drew
Give rugby a try this summer Kingswood Rugby Club Under 14s are desperately seeking new players and are offering free summer sessions on Tuesday evenings to anyone who might be interested in giving rugby a try. For more information contact Matt Rich on 07725 952545. The all-inclusive club, who play at Grimsbury Road playing fields, have many different teams of ages and capabilities.
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The Week in • Wednesday 26th July 2023
Sikh school plan for former inn There is a proposal to turn a vacant Kingswood pub into a Sikh school. The Old Flower Pot Inn on the High Street has been closed since 2017 after failing to secure any interested leaseholders, and there have been anti-social behaviour and security issues. Flowerpot Properties Ltd won planning permission in 2021 to turn the pub into a 125place children’s nursery but that has not been implemented. Now there are plans by Bristol Gurmat Class to change the use of the pub to learning and local community use. The idea is for the building to become a permanent base for Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Gurmat Vidhyala (Bristol), formerly known as Bristol Gurmat Class, which is the region’s leading Sikh supplementary education programme and a 100% non-profit charity.
It offers classes to children aged four to 18 on the faith as well as script reading and writing, musical training and martial arts. Classes were previously held at the Bristol Gurdwara in St George but these were unable to recommence there following the pandemic. Since 2022 classes have been spread around a variety of local community centres and there is a waiting list for places. Lessons typically take place in the early evening and in the day on Saturdays and range from individual tuition to group classes varying in size from eight to 15 pupils. There are currently 100 local children registered for classes each week. Once a month on a weekend, the ground floor classrooms would become a venue for the local Sikh community to assemble for Langar, which is a community-led gathering
Pub under new management as fight to build convenience store is stepped up Appeal proceedings are getting under way as Tesco pursues its bid to build a convenience store next to the King William IV pub in Warmley. In Issue 784 last month we reported that an appeal had been indicated after permission for the corner shop was refused by South Gloucestershire Council earlier ths year. Documents relating to the appeal were placed on the council’s planning portal last week. Meanwhile the pub reopened under new management at the weekend after being closed for a short time. The Punch Pubs website had been looking for someone to “bring this gem back to its former glory”. The controversial planning application
The Week in • Wednesday 26th July 2023
serving free meals to all, regardless of religion, gender or ethnicity. The application retains the existing building and maintenance work is proposed to bring the building back to a good state of repair. The applicant hopes to start lessons in September. The five off-street parking spaces at the frontage would be retained. Parents are encouraged to bring their children to lessons, to car share, walk or use public transport; older children often travel to class
individually by foot or bus. Lesson times would be staggered to reduce the impact of parents dropping off and collecting. All lessons take place after the school day has ended so there would be no highway impact during the morning peak traffic rush hour. The planning reference is P23/02141/F and the deadline for comments is 8th August. Signs have already gone up outside the building.
lodged by Cordage Estates Ltd involves demolishing the single-storey extension and building a shop on land to the side, with a new access off Tower Road South to serve a reconfigured car park. The plans, which were first lodged with the council in mid-2021, were amended several times including altering the design of the building and making changes in respect of transport movements, but the changes failed to satisfy council planners. The application was refused on the grounds that the planned service bay in front of the pub, so close to a pedestrian crossing, would likely increase highway dangers. The developer argues that this is contrary to the results of an independent road safety audit.
7
LETTERS Labour-Lib Dem coalition are ‘in hiding’ Dear Editor As I write, rubbish is piling up on the streets of South Gloucestershire. Food waste is being left to rot, recyclables are no longer being recycled and an environmental and public health crisis has been created. But the council is nowhere to be seen. As
the
opposition
group
on
South
Gloucestershire Council, we have consistently urged the Labour-Lib Dem coalition to up its game in response to the ongoing bin strikes. We have asked for more capacity to be created at the district’s waste centres, for more temporary bin sites to be made available and at more convenient opening times, for greater efforts to be made to support people in hard-toreach
communities
and
for
leadership is a key responsibility of senior
floor of the Riverside block. This is currently
councillors and it is essential that they are
hidden by a large window art design behind
visible in the community during times of crisis.
which is a plethora of disused council office
In October, the administration will meet to
furniture That has to be an opportunity for Bath
decide what the future of the waste and
and North East Somerset Council to take the
recycling service looks like in South
bull by the horns and utilise it for community-
Gloucestershire. They are currently considering
led business and cultural activities. They do
reducing the frequency of black bin collections,
own, it after all! This was mooted in the
introducing charges at recycling centres and
Temple Street Improvement Scheme brochure
upping the garden waste collection charge to as
but as with many of the better proposals, never
much as £75. While I sincerely hope that Suez
materialised. We got our seating parklets, albeit
lamentable handling of this pernicious saga has
and Unite will agree a settlement to end the
in the most ridiculous location.
even made national and international news,
strike as quickly as possible, I worry that the
Chris Oliver, Keynsham Hardware
spotlighting Keynsham as a laughing stock.
current problems in the waste service are merely a foretaste of things to come.
The controversial cycle lane’s serious design defect has created a false appearance or optical
Leader of the Conservative Group on
Growing weary of strike action
South Gloucestershire Council
Dear Editor
planner to realise that from day one, when
Cllr Sam Bromiley
Like most residents in South Gloucestershire,
better
illusion when approaching the deceptive stepped kerb. You didn’t need to be a highway people started falling, that a hazardous problem
asked the council to look at what options are
Ideas for improving our town centre
I am growing weary at the downing of tools by
available to recompense residents for the
Dear Editor
in return. Little wonder the union are in no
inconvenience.
I partly agree with Alan Hale about 'bigging up'
hurry to return to work when they are receiving
While the Conservative councillors have been
Keynsham (Letters, Issue 790).
a reported £1,400 a month in strike pay.
out and about litter picking and helping
We have lost a number of shops and services
It is fine for Sharon Graham of Unite to slag
residents dispose of their endless stacks of
but we still have some useful businesses. Many
off Suez from her residence in Hammersmith,
recycling, members of the Labour-Lib Dem
of the people who bemoan our lost retail past
she is not suffering.
coalition are hiding.
are the very ones who drive straight to retail
Henry Hannon, Warmley
I visited the picket line to speak to the Suez
parks or frequent the largest supermarket in our
workers currently on strike. While I sympathise
town, presumably on the premise that there is
enormously with residents who have been
nowhere else to shop. Well, there were
affected by the strike, I also appreciate that
alternatives, but gone now.
Find the courage to remove this hazard
some Suez workers feel they are not getting a
As a trader, I have suggested the idea of a
Dear Editor
fair pay deal from their employers. I listened
community hub on two occasions. Firstly,
Every time I see a report about the latest victim
carefully to the arguments the workers
when the new Civic Centre was built, a covered
to fall foul of Keynsham’s infamous cycle lane,
Why is the 42 bus always being cancelled?
presented and was shocked to learn that I was
market hall with small shop units and stalls
I reach for my blood pressure tablets.
Dear Editor
the first person from the council who had met
would have been great for some of our lost
This scandal has carried on for over a year,
I am writing about bus service 42, which runs
with them. To date, nobody from the ruling
business services and other community events,
with those responsible for the public safety
from Bitton to the City Centre once an hour.
administration has bothered to take the time to
such as craft fairs, the ArtSpace, workshops
sticking to their entrenched belief that despite
Why do First Bus keep cancelling this bus?
actually meet the workers, listen to their
plus many other events. I've seen that thrive
scores of people becoming injured tripping
I look at the bus app and it tells me the 42 is
concerns and try to facilitate a settlement.
elsewhere. Then, when the old fire station was
over the stepped kerb between the cycle lane
five minutes away. I wait and then suddenly it
While the council is not directly responsible for
available, the town council lost their bid to a
and the road, they continue to support the
disappears off the face of the earth. Is there a
negotiating an end to the strike, there is still a
developer that has now left the building
layout on the basis that “it complies with
black hole between Bitton and Cock Road that
significant role for the administration to play
unoccupied for several years.
Government-approved specifications”.
eats buses? This happens time and time again.
There is a large space available on the ground
Bath & North East Somerset Council’s
Now the 43 on the other hand is a 20-minute
communication with residents. We have even
in helping to broker a deal. Providing local
8
members of the Unite trade union. We pay sky-high council tax and get very little
existed which needed to be removed expeditiously. Following public outrage over the rising casualty figures, the council has now implemented a costly Stage 4 road safety audit and design review. This unpromising move has the whiff of a typical local government delaying tactic. What’s really needed is for someone at the top to find the courage and compassion to come clean and admit that the cycle lane’s design contained a harmful error – and then set about organising the island’s removal, including those ludicrous bollards! Philip Gannaway
The Week in • Wednesday 26th July 2023
LETTERS service, 43s run more often than a nose with a cold. It is quite a
Vehicle crime is ‘causing havoc’
common occurrence to see two 43s travelling in tandem. If First
Dear Editor
have to lose a bus for operational reasons, why do they always
At the weekend Keynsham saw yet more motorbikes,
take the 42 off when it is an hourly service - surely it would
bicycles and cars stolen and dumped after being driven for
make more sense to take a 43 off? We can't seem to get an
joyriding.
answer from First Bus so perhaps you could help. When you
The frequency of these events seems to be increasing and little
can't walk to a 43 or 44 bus route, you depend on this service
seems to be being done about apprehending the culprits.
42. It is so frustrating, especially if you depend on it for hospital
Something needs to be done about this anti-social crime - the
or other important appointments. Please First Bus, keep our 42
havoc that is being caused to innocent members of the public as
running and sort your app out.
well as the financial cost of replacing the stolen vehicle and loss
John Sibley
of independence for the victims.
Editor’s note: We will be asking First and will keep you posted
I realise that over that the last few years there have been cuts to
What use is a cashless bank?
police budgets which affects their operational ability but the
Dear Editor Reading your article about Barclays opening a site at the Park Centre in Kingswood, I thought what a good idea, until I read the last line. What use is this if it doesn't handle cash? People go to banks for access to their money. Mike Osborne
rights of the innocent, law-abiding citizens must be put first and foremost, otherwise anarchy will prevail. Keynsham’s reputation is being sullied by these incidents. Name and address supplied Editor’s note: We will be speaking to the police and hope to bring you an update next week
Controversy over phone mast opposite secondary school More than 120 people have registered their objections to plans for a 15-metre 5G phone mast opposite Downend School. Cignal Infrastructure UK Ltd, better known as mobile network provider Three, is behind the plans for the mast on a grass verge at Westerleigh Road. Across the road is the secondary school. Stanbridge Primary School is also close by. Only 55 properties were consulted. One person observed: “Due to its elevated positioning, it is essential to ensure that all residential properties in the vicinity of Mangotsfield are informed about this application and its potential implications.” Another objector said: “The siting will have a detrimental effect on the natural environment imposing on the beautiful views that can be seen from this location…The mast would be visible from our window and tower over surrounding
properties in a densely residential area. “Already a dangerous junction opposite a school where several complaints have been made to the council regarding altering the road layout to make it safer for children crossing; the additional mast and three boxes will have an impact upon drivers' views when using this road, impacting the children crossing at this site… The grass verge is used by schoolchildren so it is false to imply that this location doesn't have a pedestrian flow.” There have also been concerns about the impact on health. The application includes a certificate which says the proposed mast meets International Commission on NonIonising Radiation Protection Certificate guidelines for public exposure. So far there have been five comments in support of the mast. The planning reference is P23/02029/PN1. The deadline for comments is 2nd August.
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SUNDAY CHEMISTS
1-Easy
Boots, Gallagher Retail Park, Longwell Green
Sunday 30th July
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 26th July 2023
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Filming at station Moonage Pictures were at Avon Valley Railway in Bitton last Friday night filming in the station’s car park for a new BBC drama called A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. It is based on a trilogy of novels for young adults by author Holly Jackson.
Lottery grant for church hall St Mary’s Church Hall in Bitton has welcomed a £8,400 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund. This will make it possible to replace a failed heater and to refurbish the hall throughout. The hall, which is in Church Lane. was built from public subscription in 1830 as the village school. These days it is available for hire by all members of the community. It has a kitchen, toilets and disabled access. For bookings call 0117 9322122.
True crime mini-series filmed locally hits TV screens A mini-series based on a true crime, which includes scenes shot around Bristol and Bath, has aired on BBC One over the last week. Keynsham Town Football Club’s car park was used as a base for the production of The Sixth Commandment and some scenes were shot at a house in Cherry Wood in Oldland Common. Timothy Spall and Anne Reid lead the cast in the four-part series. The first two episodes went out last Monday and Tuesday and episodes three and four were going out this Monday and Tuesday. The whole series is available on iPlayer. The veteran actors portray university lecturer and novelist Peter Farquhar and his neighbour Ann Moore-Martin, who became the targets of Benjamin Field, a PhD student and churchwarden (played by Éanna Hardwicke). In 2013 in the village of Maids Moreton in Buckinghamshire, Mr Farquhar was duped into a fake relationship with Field to get him to change his will. The younger man repeatedly drugged Mr Farquhar and eventually killed him. He was found dead in his home in 2015, aged 69, with his death at first attributed to alcoholism. Field then moved on to groom Ann Moore-Martin but his involvement sparked suspicion from locals and family members, eventually leading to Field being arrested. It wasn’t until 2019 that he was convicted, aged 31, of Mr Farquhar’s
Crossword
ACROSS
DOWN
1. Range (5)
1. Cereal (5)
4. Scheming (7)
2. Social customs (5)
8. To the purpose (7)
3. Slightly drunk (5)
9. Scrub clean (5)
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10. Offensive (5)
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13. Swathe (7)
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17. Tiny (3)
7. Sudden increase (5)
18. Fortress (6)
11. Isolated (5)
19. Disprove (6)
12. Teacher (5)
20. Beer (3)
14. Existed (4)
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25. Crawl (5)
16. Liquid measure (5)
28. Brag (5)
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29. Tropical plant (7)
21. Foliage (6)
30. Lockjaw (7)
22. Wooden shoe (5)
31. Fashion (5)
23. Adjust (5)
Filming in Oldland Common
murder and jailed for at least 36 years. Field was also accused of plotting to kill Ann Moore-Martin, who died of natural causes in 2017, but was found not guilty.
Production vehicles in the car park at Keynsham Town FC
24. Taint (anag.) (5) 25. Army unit (5) 26. Each (5) 27. Stage (5)
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The Week in • Wednesday 26th July 2023
New pottery painting centre opens A new pottery painting barn opened in Saltford at the weekend. The new activity space is the latest addition to Flourish Foodhall and Kitchen and is situated behind its Home & Lifestyle store. Flourish Pottery Painting offers a wide range of paintable ceramics from piggybanks, princesses and rockets to teapots, mugs and vases, ranging from £7 to £26. Flourish managing director Paul Castle said: “This exciting
project has been six months in the making as a response to many of our customers wanting a fun activity to do with their families.” As well as general bookings, the activity space will be available for children’s parties, corporate groups, clubs and school and nursery bookings. Painted ceramics are glazed and fired in Flourish’s own kiln to collect two weeks after painting.
Holly-Mae, left & Gia Rose enjoying their pottery painting
Utility firm’s plans for playing field Wessex Water is asking for planning permission for a temporary compound on a Hanham playing field while it carries out sewer improvement works locally. The utility company has told South Gloucestershire Council that the compound on the field to the south of Wesley Avenue is needed during improvement works to the sewer network within Wiltshire Avenue. The work aims to prevent combined sewer overflowing in the event of a storm. As it is not on land adjoining the planned works it does not fall within permitted development rights, so Wessex Water is having to apply for full planning permission for access and use of part of the field for the compound which will include a site office, toilets, storage, skips and generator. The company has said it will pay for the planting and maintenance of six trees to provide a biodiversity net gain.
The Week in • Wednesday 26th July 2023
Art club
A temporary diversion of a public footpath has already been agreed with the council. The planning reference is P23/01997/F and the deadline for comments is 9th August.
The Tuesday Palette Art Club, which meets at Cadbury Heath Hall on Tuesday afternoons, welcomes new members. There is easy access to the hall. Accredited artist Mike Long comes once a month to give a short demonstration and then members have a go, with help when needed. The fee is £8 per month, which includes tea, coffee and biscuits at half time. For more information contact Doreen on 0117 9605281.
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Metro Mayor joins campaigners to fight ‘rushed’ ticket office closures West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris has called for a pause on the “rushed” plans to shut almost all railway ticket offices in the West of England until it can be proved the changes benefit passengers. The Labour Mayor has backed calls for an equalities impact assessment to help ensure passengers who find machines especially tricky to use are not penalised. There are proposals to shut the ticket booths at Keynsham, Bristol Parkway, Yate, Filton Abbey Wood, Bristol Temple Meads, Bath Spa and Oldfield Park, where an estimated
600,000 paper tickets were sold last year. The three-week consultation closes today (Wednesday) and Mr Norris was due to meet campaigners outside Bristol Temple Meads Station this afternoon. Mr Norris accused ministers of “dodging accountability” by rushing through the changes, pointing out that the watchdog that will decide on whether the closures should get the green light has also raised concerns about the speed of the process. He said: “Many West of England residents value ticket offices
Bus franchising not a silver bullet, warns Dan Norris
Dan Norris
and the staff who offer important advice. A machine just isn’t the same. “This feels ideological. Why a blanket ban on ticket offices? Shouldn’t we see what works best for passengers in each station? We need to do everything we can to encourage people onto trains. Not put up barriers. That’s all the more vital if we are going to try to reach our ambitious Net Zero targets locally.
A campaign organisation has launched a petition calling for buses in the region to be taken back under public control. Reclaim Our Buses is a broad coalition of resident and community groups in the West of England who want to see London-style franchising in the region. This involves the local transport authority, in this case the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) planning the bus network and collecting fare revenue while contracting bus companies to operate the routes on its behalf. The group held a launch event on College Green in Bristol on 7th July and a petition on www.megaphone.org.uk had reached more than 1,000 signatures by the end of the following week. Some other mayoral authorities are considering a franchise operation with Greater Manchester the most advanced. Reclaim Our Buses sees potential benefits of franchising through profits from profitable bus routes being ploughed back to subsidise others which are considered socially necessary. The group also believes it would lead to cheaper and more consistent fares if they were set by the local transport authority. Last month, the campaign group made representations at the WECA Committee meeting, urging Regional Mayor Dan Norris to start the lengthy legal process towards franchising by issuing a notice of intent. But Mr Norris warned that franchising is not a silver bullet. Responding to Reclaim Our Buses’ representative Maria Carvalho, he said: “We all want London-style buses, but we don’t want a bus service that loses money.” Pointing to Manchester, which has a profitable tram system, the Mayor said he had not ruled franchising out but wanted to do more work first on what system suits our region best before going full throttle with expensive consultants. He also said that franchising is not the same as state ownership, and bus companies which hired to provide services would still include profit within their tender prices. 12
The ticket booth at Keynsham Station
“And for those working at train stations, there is also the extra worry of how these closures will affect their livelihoods, especially with the mixed messaging coming from operators, and from Government. “I’m also really concerned this consultation isn’t properly taking into account the people who will feel the impact of these changes the most, and it is turning into little more than a rubber-stamping exercise for ministers.”
South Glos Council condemns closure proposals An urgent motion condemning proposed rail ticket office closures was unanimously passed by South Gloucestershire Council last Wednesday. The Liberal Democrat group proposed the motion calling for a reversal of the proposed measures. It highlighted that not all residents are able to use station ticket machines or have the means to book a ticket in advance or pay other than in cash, and that complicated journeys involving connections are likely to require human assistance to ensure customers buy the most appropriate and cheapest tickets. The motion also raised concerns that the closure of ticket offices would disproportionately affect elderly and disabled residents in South Gloucestershire, as well as those with poor literacy and IT skills, and the implications for current station staff over possible redundancies. It was agreed that the council's co-leaders would write to the Secretary of State for Transport and the Railways Minister, expressing the council’s opposition to the possible closure of staffed rail ticket offices. The motion also instructed the co-leaders to write to Great
Image credit CA850 Flickr
Western Railway expressing the council’s opposition to any plans to leave South Gloucestershire residents without access to the full set of services provided by staffed ticket offices, and calling on them to publish the equalities impact assessment ahead of the end of the consultation, which is today (Wednesday). The opposition Conservatives voted for the motion but called it “opportunistic”. The Week in • Wednesday 26th July 2023
Fun activities during the school holidays Community at 67 at Queens Road in Keynsham is offering free activities for children and their parents or carers to do together every Monday during the school holidays. At the start of next week (31st July and 2nd August) you can follow a story trail around Queens Road and Kelston Park and discover what happens when pirates move into a seaside village. This trail is suitable for all ages, there are no limits on numbers taking part and no booking is required. See Community at 67’s window for details and set off on your adventure as you follow the story. On 7th August families can making Lego creations. Booking is required. On 14th August the volunteers who run the maths club invite families to come and play a memory game, make 3D pyramids and other shapes. Booking is required. On 21st August join the Green Fingers
session. Booking is required. And on 28th August there will be a scavenger hunt. No booking is needed, just turn up to get your list of items to look for in the local area. Martin Burton, chair of trustees at Community at 67, said: “All children look forward to the long summer holidays but it can be difficult to keep your children occupied without spending money. We hope the activities at Community at 67 will provide time for families to have fun together both indoors and outdoors totally free, as all the activities are run by volunteers to whom we are very grateful.” The sessions are for children aged five to 11 but younger siblings are welcome at nonbookable sessions. Parents must stay with their children. Find out more at w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / c o m m u n i t y 6 7 . Activities will be able to be booked during the previous week.
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Find out more about virtual club People are invited to go along to The Crown Inn in Keynsham this Friday evening (28th July) to find out more about the South West UK Virtual Lions Club, which has been going for two years. The club has members in Keynsham, Willsbridge, Pucklechurch and across North Somerset. As a virtual club, meetings are online. Alongside these there is a mixture of different hands-on service
activities to help other organisations and both virtual and in-person fundraising events to support local and global good causes. The drop-in event at The Crown is between 7pm and 9.30pm. You can meet members and also support the pub’s school holiday meals project for children. Items on the shopping list include hot dog sausages (tins), biscuits, chocolate bars, long-life bread, tins of tuna and baked beans.
Nursery retains top rating Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School in Downend has retained its Outstanding rating from Ofsted following a recent inspection. Red Bus, which employs 54 members of childcare staff, has 233 children on the roll and is based at the
former maternity hospital in Downend Road. The inspectors called the nursery “remarkable” and said staff implement a highly ambitious curriculum that cultivates children who are incredibly curious and excited to learn.
Retrospective planning application A retrospective planning application has been submitted to South Gloucestershire Council for a members-only gym at Unity Business Park in Bitton. The planning application submitted by JNPT Health and Fitness is for the change of use of Units 1 and Unit 2 to indoor sport,
The Week in • Wednesday 26th July 2023
recreation or fitness. The applicant says that on taking on the lease of the building last year, the owner had suggested the intended use was not an issue. The deadline for comments is 11th August. The planning reference is P23/01643/F.
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The Week in • Wednesday 26th July 2023