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THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset Issue 803

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18th October 2023

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New plans for site plagued by anti-social behaviour The empty Treetops care home in Keynsham has been the subject of numerous planning applications – and antisocial behaviour - and the latest bid to redevelop the site has now been revealed. Treetops Bristol Ltd has applied to Bath & North East Somerset Council to build 36 flats in two three-storey buildings on the site in St Clements Road, next to the health centre. The site has been vacant for some years. It has been suffering from criminal damage and numerous fires have been started by young people. A statement submitted as part of the outline planning application to demolish the existing 24-bed, single-storey Treetops

care home says the proposed development includes 11 onebedroom, 18 two-bedroom, and seven three-bedroom flats;

accessibility by walking, cycling and bus to a wide

30% of the homes are expected to be “affordable”.

range of services and facilities within the town,

Previous plans for the site have included both residential and

which should encourage occupiers to choose these

care home schemes. The latest bid says the proposals have

options over private car journeys.

evolved over an extensive period of multiple planning

There is some uncertainly about how many car

applications and appeals, culminating with a review from the

parking spaces will be provided. Documents

local design panel.

submitted in support of the application say there

The site is said to be in a sustainable location, with good

will be 30 car parking spaces for residents - with an

The plans include a solar photovoltaic panel array, air source

additional five car parking spaces available to be shared with

heat pump for each flat, and a mechanical ventilation and heat

the neighbouring health centre on a first come, first served

recovery system.

basis - and 79 secure covered cycle spaces. But the

The planning reference is 23/03390/OUT. The deadline for

application form says 33 vehicle spaces and 60 cycle spaces

comments is 9th November and a decision is expected in

will be provided.

early January.

The proposed development in St Clements Road

Police patrol crime hotspots

Also in this week’s issue

Crackdown on car cruises in South Glos . . . page 3

Keynsham neighbourhood police officers were out conducting

1.40pm when two youths aged between 11 and 14 were seen

patrols around both Treetops and the derelict flats in Tintagel

using broken paving slabs to try to smash windows at two

Close last week. Youths continue to break into the flats and

properties. If you have any information, especially CCTV

cause damage. The most recent incident was last Tuesday at

images, call 101.

Speed tables & zebra crossing approved in Oldland Common . . . page 4

Much-loved Kingswood shop to close after 65 years . . . page 7

Keynsham nursing home faces uncertain future . . . page 9

Friends and family fundraise for Garry after devastating fall Friends and family are rallying round to help a wellknown Keynsham man who fell at home, seriously injuring himself. Garry Stroud, 61, of Longmeadow Road, is currently being cared for at the specialist spinal rehabilitation unit in Salisbury following the fall two months ago. His father Les, of Westfield Close in Keynsham, said that his son had got up one night to go to the bathroom and had

Would-be burglars flee Police say that two males attempted to break into a home on Welland Road in Keynsham at around 5.30am on Monday 9th October. The offenders opened the unlocked

passed out, hitting his head on the bedroom door and in so doing seriously injured his spine. Garry spent time in Southmead Hospital and the Royal United Hospital in Bath before being transferred to Salisbury. He is expected to be there for six months’ rehabilitation. His father says Garry had always been fit and active and is determined to get better. He is able to lift his arms and hold a ball but is not yet able to walk. Garry who has a partner, Sheila, and twin boys Jesse and Dylan, was a founder member of Keynsham Wanderers JFC (now Somerdale JFC) and went to Keynsham Primary School in Kelston Road and then Broadlands School.

porch door and were attempting to remove the wooden

Tyre slashed

beading around the window of the internal door, which

Someone slashed the nearside rear tyre of a vehicle parked

alerted the residents who shouted out, forcing them to run

on Beaufort Road in Staple Hill between 6pm on Thursday

off in the direction of Severn Way.

5th October and 1pm the following day.

If you have any information about this incident, especially

CCTV images, call 101, giving reference number

5223246049. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers

5223244047.

anonymously on 0800 555111.

anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Alternatively,

call

Crimestoppers

Garry initially worked for his father’s drinks company and has worked as a delivery driver for Brakes, based in Avonmouth, for about 15 years. An event to raise money for Garry will be taking place on Saturday 18th November when a coach packed with more than 50 supporters will be Garry Stroud heading to the Mendips for a pub tour. The coach, which has been paid for by Daniel Pennington, of Keynsham Cars, will set off and return to Keynsham Royal British Legion. Among those on board will be Les, Garry’s sons and his two brothers, Mike and Steve. Les says that the Legion, The Old Bank pub and Celebrations Bars are also supporting the fundraising. Tickets for the coach are available from the British Legion at £15 a head.

The Week in • Wednesday 18th October 2023

Crackdown on car cruises in South Glos A Public Spaces Protection Order covering the whole of South Gloucestershire is being proposed in response to growing concerns about the number of anti-social car cruises in the district. Car cruising involves a congregation of drivers and their passengers, together with spectators, who gather or meet in car parks and other public places in order to race, perform stunts or show off their vehicles. South Gloucestershire Council, which has just launched a consultation on the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), says car cruises often result in reports of anti-social behaviour from residents and local

businesses who are affected, as well as impacting on other road users. “In addition, these often spontaneous events place a significant demand on police resources, local private security staff and in some cases council resources.” The council says some of the problems attached to car cruising include: • Causing a danger or risk of injury to other road users, including pedestrians, by speeding or racing; • Causing damage or risk of damage to property; • Speeding or racing on the public highway; • Performing stunts, including but not limited

to, doughnuts, manoeuvre drifting, skidding, handbrake turns, or wheel spinning; • Sounding horns or the playing of loud music so as to cause a nuisance; • Revving of engines so as to cause a nuisance; • Causing obstruction on a public highway or publicly accessible land. Breaching the order would be punishable with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100 (reduced

to £50 if paid within 10 days). If the Fixed Penalty is paid within 14 days, the offender would not be prosecuted. Longwell Green is one of the areas where problems have been reported including in the car parks at Aspects Leisure Park, Asda and Gallagher Retail Park. People are being invited to have their say in an online survey under the Consultations section of the council’s website.

Police operation targets motorbike crime Neighbourhood police officers from Staple

looking to deal with by the way of anti-

Hill and Kingswood and the Violence

social behaviour interventions and traffic

Reduction Unit have taken part in an

legislation.

operation to proactively deal with the anti-

The police advise: “We urge the public to

social riding of motorbikes and stolen

motorbikes.

look abandoned or have ignition damage.

During the operation on Wednesday 4th

“Please ensure you aware of the laws

October, police located five stolen motorbikes

regarding e-scooters before riding on public

in the area, engaged with e-scooter riders and

land.”

gave two e-scooter warnings.

Reports can be made to police via 999 if an

They said they also identified a male riding a

emergency, 101 for non-emergency or via the

motorbike anti-socially who they would be

website - https://orlo.uk/e8GiR

Pre-school at risk of closure Page Park Pre-School in Staple Hill is at risk

volunteers” to take on roles.

of closure if more volunteers don’t come

It says the pre-school will close after half term

forward. The pre-school, which meets in the

without volunteers stepping forward to take

sports pavilion, is a registered charity run by

on the role of treasurer and secretary. Email

a committee and is “desperately seeking

chair_page_park@hotmail.com

Wellsway reopens on time A £500,000 project to help address historic

said: “Naturally, with a scheme of this type,

issues with sewage system flooding in

some disruption was inevitable but we would

Keynsham has been completed on time, with

like to thank the local community for their co-

the B3116 Wellsway reopening to through

operation,

traffic on Friday after a 12-week closure.

understanding while the work was carried

Wessex Water’s project manager Alex Aulds

out.”

The Week in • Wednesday 18th October 2023

patience,

support

and

Speed tables and zebra crossing next to major redevelopment site are approved South Gloucestershire Council has approved speed tables and a zebra crossing 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. The council says there will be a greater need for people to cross once the former nurseries site is redeveloped. Ward councillors Erica Williams and Paul Hughes have welcomed the traffic calming measures, saying residents have raised concerns about the speed of traffic for a long time. The council received 23 objections to the proposed speed tables and there were 13 supporters. Regarding the zebra crossing

there were 10 in support and one against. The police supported both schemes. One objector to the speed tables said: “The A4175 carries about 10,000 vehicles per day and about 2,000 of these are goods vehicles or buses; these vehicles will bang and rattle loudly as they pass over the humps, causing significant noise nuisance.” The council responded to that concern, saying that whilst traffic calming features produce noise when vehicles travel over them, the reduction in traffic speeds and a smoother driving style can result in a reduction in overall noise level; where possible, speed tables have been placed where properties are set back from the road. Concerns were also raised about side roads

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.

There will be speed tables and a zebra crossing near the old Chief Trading Post site

being used as a rat run by drivers to avoid the speed tables as they have done during the time that temporary lights have been outside the old Chief Trading Post site while Montel Civil Engineering have been doing work including putting in a new junction and realigning kerbs. Comments included: “In my opinion there should be a light-controlled crossing on Barry Road, speed tables will just move traffic on to quiet, unhindered roads.”

In response the council said: “The extra time and delay by staying on the A4175 would not make taking an alternative route such as suggested quicker. Once the temporary signals are removed the traffic levels will revert to the previous level. A zebra crossing is the most appropriate form of crossing for this location.” Funding is being derived from the development. The schemes will now be formally advertised.

Green light for redesign of retail and café building Amended plans for a replacement Chief

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

Trading Post retail and café building at the old

The Week In Community Ltd, 8 Temple Court, Keynsham. BS31 1HA

Most of the staff were made redundant

0117 986 0381. www.theweekin.co.uk ISSN: 2052-9767 Publisher Editor Contributors

Stephen Rodgers admin@theweekin.co.uk Becky Feather 07403 273967 Christine Rogers

Advertising

0117 986 0381 sales.theweekin@gmail.com

nurseries site in Barry Road site have now been approved by South Gloucestershire Council. between last Christmas and January amid uncertainty about when the new facility would be built as part of the hybrid redevelopment. As building costs had more than doubled since the retail/café scheme was first drawn up prior to the pandemic, Chief Trading Post

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

owner Roland Tanner asked the council to amend the permitted plans to a pre-fabricated

The old Chief Trading Post shop was demolished

building, and permission has now been

plans to build 100% “affordable” homes - half

granted for a wooden building with units

for rent and half as shared ownership.

around a central courtyard.

However, last week they submitted a revised

At the end of 2022 full planning permission

application for 48 homes.

was also granted to site owner Oldland

The site also has outline planning permission

Common LLP for six supported living homes

for a community/health surgery building to

and approval in outline for 50 homes, 35% of

replace Hanham Health’s branch surgery in

them “affordable”.

Oldland Common. However, there is no

Earlier this year Alliance Homes and

funding available and whether it comes to

Countryside Partnerships submitted detailed

fruition remains to be seen.

The Week in • Wednesday 18th October 2023

Plans to turn former church into a house of multiple occupation Plans to convert the redundant Soundwell Spiritualist National Union Church into an eight-bed house of multiple occupation (HMO) have been submitted to South Gloucestershire Council.

Stores reopen under new ownership Stores in Keynsham, Kingswood and Redfield that were part of popular discount chain CM3, which went into liquidation last month, reopened last week under new ownership. Buyology, a discount retailer with stores in Newport and Barry in South Wales, has given all the CM3 staff the option to return to their old jobs if they want.

Kore Property Holdings Ltd’s plans for the single-storey detached property at 123A Soundwell Road include a firstfloor extension. No car parking is proposed but the plans include eight cycle spaces. The application says the church closed its doors on 21st May 2022 for the last time due to the lack of support from the membership in forming a committee. The church sold off land in 1970 to a private buyer. This land has been subject of several auction sales and planning applications for redevelopment and there is a current planning approval on the land for a pair of semi-detached single-storey houses. The planning reference for the HMO scheme is P23/02858/F.

Pharmacy takeover The Keynsham shop

The Week in • Wednesday 18th October 2023

Keynsham Pharmacy, based at Station Road, has confirmed that it has taken over the old Lloyds Pharmacy in the High Street. The whole team will be moving from Station Road to the High Street branch on 15th November.

CCTV appeal following robbery and fraud Police are appealing for help to identify two men as part of their ongoing investigation into a robbery and fraud offence in Kingswood. They believe the men will be able to aid their enquiries into the incidents which happened last month. The first man is described as black, slim and approximately 6ft 2in. He is seen wearing a black jacket, red hoodie, dark trousers and a face covering. He is shown carrying a backpack. The second man is described as black, slim and was wearing grey hooded

jumper and dark grey trousers. Police say that on Thursday 21st September at 7.15pm, an unknown man entered the convenience store on Hanham Road and demanded money from staff while holding a bladed article. He was unsuccessful in opening the till but made off with a bag. At around 7.45pm that day, a second unknown man entered a similar shop in Regent Street, attempting to pay with some bank cards. If you recognise either of the men, contact 101 and quote reference 5223230817.

Public footpath closed after bull charges at walkers Bath & North East Somerset Council closed off a footpath in Keynsham last week after an incident in which two terrified walkers had to wade into the River Chew to avoid a bull. The temporary closure of footpath BA27/23, which runs from a junction with the Steel Mills footpath through the field next to the River Chew for approximately 700 metres to a junction with Chewton Road, was announced on Tuesday. The council said there had been an incident between a walker and livestock. The closure order refers to “dangerous livestock” that needs to be removed from the field through which the public footpath runs. The walker shared their story on Facebook, writing: “We were in the river for 34 minutes. There were two of us. It was actually very

scary and I have a number of injuries. Ruined new shoes and ripped trousers. There were no warnings on the gate, it’s a public footpath. The bull charged at us twice and we saw it charge at another couple.”

The Week in • Wednesday 18th October 2023

Family-owned fabric store to close after 65 years The much-loved Nylon Shop on Two Mile Hill Road in Kingswood is to close after trading for 65 years. The shop, which draws customers from a wide area, is packed from floor to ceiling with a huge choice of fabrics for dressmaking, upholstery and crafts, as well as a wide range of sewing supplies and cutto-size memory foam.

Alan Stenning

Regulars were invited along to the shop last Monday evening as the closing down sale got under way, with everything reduced. The business was set up by Joan Billington, a young widow who needed to support her young sons. The Kingswood shop was Joan’s second shop - the first opened on Grosvenor Road in St Pauls. Joan shut that branch in 1980 after the riots in St Pauls and opened another one in Bedminster, which closed about 15 years ago. Joan continued working until well into her 80s and died in 2011, aged 86. Her daughter-in-law Janet Billington, pictured third from the left in the main picture, has worked in the Kingswood shop for almost 40 years with husband Brian. Janet says they have taken the sad decision to retire following the recent death from cancer of staff member Alan Stenning. Janet says Alan was a dear friend as well as an employee. He worked at the shop for 20 years and, being an upholsterer by trade, was very helpful in advising customers.

Alan’s photo hangs behind the counter in the shop and donations in his memory have been collected for St Peter’s Hospice. Regulars attending the open evening last week expressed sadness that the shop will be closing. Among them was Emma Hawkins, who runs the Bristol School of Sewing and Textiles based in Chiphouse Road, Kingswood. Emma, pictured on the right of the picture above, has been visiting the shop for more than 30 years and several of her

students had also come along. Another shopper was Sally England, from Warmley, who gets her crafts from The Nylon Shop. She got the material for her register wedding outfit 51 years ago from The Nylon Shop. The outfit, which Sally’s sister made for her, was a beige Crimplene jacket with a floral design, and beige/brown trousers. The shop is expected to close within 10 to 12 months.

Sally England

The shop has a closing down sale

The Week in • Wednesday 18th October 2023

LETTERS Persuade senior citizens to use crossing points Dear Editor The litany of accidental falls in Keynsham High Street continues. Personal observations suggest that this is mostly due to our senior citizens having to search for the kerbs while watching simultaneously for passing vehicular and cycling traffic heading in opposite directions. We already have at least four crossing points without kerbs along the length of the street but we need to persuade our senior citizens (of whom I am one) to use them. I am confident that the appropriate council committee could come up with a suitable solution along these lines which might reduce the number of ambulances to our High Street. Andrew Rintoul

Responses to request to re-route the 522

service 172. The route of service 178 was changed

patronage growth that would outweigh the

are reluctant to use the service, as it does not

by First West of England to operate direct via

potential negative impact of unreliability and

meet their needs. Driver shortages have been

Wellsway back in 2016 to speed up journeys and

longer journey times and a possible increase in

cited as the major excuse, but this does not

improve reliability. Later, patronage levels were

operational costs passed on to the Combined

cover the full picture.

not sufficient to maintain the service on a

Authority.”

Cynthia Withyman

commercial basis and the service was provided

When First Bus was approached, they did not

with financial support from the unitary authorities

indicate any operational difficulties or higher

Thank you for the music

and more recently the Combined Authority.”

costs with the proposal. They were in fact

Dear Editor

Additionally at the time the subsidised service

supportive.

I was visiting Kings Chase Shopping Centre in

for the Chandag estate provided by Stagecoach

“The WESTlink demand responsive service

Kingswood on Saturday to collect a prescription.

and CT Coaches were also removed. The

provides residents of Chandag estate with access

I was pleasantly surprised to come upon the

objective for the 522 was to retain a service to

to alternative public transport available Monday

Salvation Army Band playing a selection of

rural areas off main roads, hence justifying the

to Saturday between the times of 7am and 7pm.

music.

funding. The justification for rerouting

WESTlink serves the existing bus stops

It was very uplifting and several people stopped

through the Chandag estate is no different

throughout Chandag estate located on Hurn Lane,

to listen and to donate. As it was playing outside

compared to these outlying areas as there is

Chandag Road, Minsmere Road, Windrush Road

the now empty Wilko (sad) it lifted spirits.

now no acceptable alternative.

and Bath Road.”

Can I give a big thank you to the band and hope

WECA’s letter continues: “Having considered

WESTlink is not an acceptable substitute for a

you visit again soon to play.

your proposal, the Combined Authority at the

regular scheduled bus service. Many bus users

Ann Lovell

present time wishes to maintain the current route for the following reasons: “Re-routing the service via Chandag estate would

Dear Becky

reduce the reliability of the service by having to

Following my letter (Issue 796) about my

negotiate inconsiderate parking, resulting in

suggestion to re-route the 522 service, I’ve now

unnecessary and avoidable delays.”

had this response from the West of England

Parking on the Chandag estate is arguably

Combined Authority (WECA). My comments are

better and certainly no more “inconsiderate”

in bold.

than similar estates where buses currently

“Following discussions with First regarding your

travel.

request to re-route service 522 via the Chandag

“The existing bus stops on the Wellsway are

estate in Keynsham, the Combined Authority

within easy walking distance from the majority of

currently has no plans to revise the route

Chandag estate via Courtenay Road, Manor Road,

through.”

Hurn Lane and Severn Way/Limekilns Close.”

This is despite First Bus indicating a

Residents living on Chandag estate would have

willingness to adopt this change. Who operates

to walk up to 15 minutes to the nearest bus stop

the buses, First Bus or WECA?

on the Wellsway. Is this “easy”, especially for

“Service 522 is provided with Bus Service

the elderly, people with mobility problems or

Improvement Partnership (BSIP) funding. The

in bad weather?

Combined Authorities BSIP objectives are to

“Add further time to reach its destination, thereby

reduce bus journey times, ensure services run on

making the service less direct and therefore less

time, return patronage growth to pre-pandemic

attractive to existing and potentially new

levels by 2025 and increase customer satisfaction,

passengers.”

as well as aiming for all buses to be zero emission

Rerouting as I suggested will add only a few

by 2030.

minutes to the overall journey time. From

“As you may be aware, service 522 replaces

personal experience, the 522 consistently runs

services 178 between Keynsham and Radstock,

ahead of schedule and adopting the revised

although the 522 continues to Bath via

route will potentially attract new passengers.

Peasedown St. John, interworking with First

“Considered not to generate any significant

Free history talks over autumn and winter Bitton Parish History Group has a series of talks lined up for the autumn and winter. On Tuesday 24th October ‘Village Witchcraft’ will be the subject of a talk by Professor Ronald Hutton. It will be held in the Community Building in High Street, Oldland Common (7pm for 7.30pm). In his talk, Prof Hutton will look at the beliefs and practices associated with magic and witchcraft that were held by ordinary people in England and Wales between 1740 and 1940, the period of time between the end of the witch hunts, and living memory, which has often been neglected by historians of the occult. On Tuesday 21st November the acclaimed local historian Gary M Best will give a talk on Bristol’s controversial role in the slave trade. The venue for his talk is Unity Oldland Methodist Church in West Street, Oldland Common, again at 7pm for 7.30pm. Then on Tuesday 23rd January Eugene Byrne

Prof Ronald Hutton

will be giving a talk entitled ‘Unbuilt Bristol: the city that might have been’. It will focus mostly on the post-war period and will feature “the perfectly sensible proposals to the completely insane”. The venue for the talk has yet to be arranged. Entrance to all the talks is free and everyone is welcome. For more information contact Mike Gates, secretary of Bitton Parish History Group, on 07985 956454 or visit www.bittonhistory.org.uk

The Week in • Wednesday 18th October 2023

Council-run nursing home facing an uncertain future A question mark is hanging over the future of Keynsham

It recommends approval for a six-week

nursing home Charlton House as Bath & North East

consultation with residents, families,

Somerset Council has plans to “reshape care” for people who

staff and the wider community on care

are looked after in the district.

proposals which could see Cleeve

The council runs three care homes which are Community

Court becoming a centre of excellence

Resource Centres – Charlton House in Hawthorns Lane, Cleeve

for dementia care, including nursing

Court in Bath and Combe Lea in Midsomer Norton.

care.

Charlton House, which currently has just 11 out of 30 beds

Eleven places at Charlton House could

occupied, could instead offer “alternative care provision or

be moved to Cleeve Court or other

housing options to meet the needs of the local community”,

provision. The plans would also enable

according to a report being considered by Cllr Alison Born, the

younger people with complex needs to

council’s Cabinet member for Adult Services.

live closer to home with an enhanced offer at Combe Lea. Proposals also

Police visit

include the opportunity for community

The local police team will be visiting Sainsbury’s in Emersons Green on Friday (20th October) at 2pm to highlight working together in the community, the increase in abuse that shop workers are facing daily, and the rise in crime in the area.

use of day centre spaces at the three

Monthly ‘quiet space’ coffee morning

groups and charitable organisations’ sites at a reduced rental rate.

Charlton House

Extra Care schemes and sheltered housing provision currently provided at the three sites in

year so a decision has been made to review the services

partnership with housing providers will not be affected.

provided.

Last year Charlton House was rated as Inadequate by the Care

Cllr Born said: “I am acutely aware that these are people’s homes

Quality Commission and the council took the decision to

and so residents, their families and staff must have their say on

temporarily close 15 nursing care beds on one floor. The

any plans we make. Running alongside any decision is also the

inspection had been prompted by safeguarding concerns and

fact that providing care is very costly and like every council there

found a catalogue of failings for which the council apologised.

are huge pressures on our budgets. I shall give careful

The council says significant progress has been made since then

consideration to the report and the next steps for our Community

Keynsham Methodist Church on the High Street would

and the service is currently rated as ‘requires improvement’.

Resource Centres in the best interest of the people we care for

like to invite anyone living with dementia or memory loss

Combe Lea has 30 registered care beds and Cleeve Court

now and into the future.”

and their carers to come along to a ‘quiet space’ for coffee

provides 45. All three centres came back to the council three

The report says there is ample alternative provision of general

and cake from 10.30am to noon on the first Tuesday of

years ago having previously been contracted out. The council

nursing care home services for adults in B&NES but shortfalls

each month, starting on 7th November.

says all have been invested in significantly, including increased

in complex needs services. And it says that the Charlton House

For more information contact pastoral worker Sue on

pay for staff and training and equipment to support care.

building, which is relatively new and of high quality, is suitable

0756 2388807 or email pastoralworkerkmc@gmail.com

However, rising costs including agency cost pressures, could see

for several accommodation uses, including as a ‘step-down’

the service face a potential £1m overspend in the next financial

ward over winter.

Sudoku 1-Easy

SUNDAY CHEMISTS Sunday 22nd October

2 -Hard

Boots, Gallagher Retail Park, Longwell Green (10.30am-4pm) Asda, Longwell Green (10am-4pm) 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 18th October 2023

Work on neglected pond finally gets under way Work was finally getting under way this

highlighting concerns about the local beauty

Road to encourage wildlife.

commenting on Facebook: “Now can the

week to desilt the pond at Felicity Park, next

spot being allowed to fall into such a poor state.

In August 2022 South Gloucestershire Council

Environment Agency get their finger out and

to Siston Common.

The attenuation pond for the Siston Brook was

told us it had appointed an ecologist to advise

mend the sluice gate at Warmley Forest Park so

We have carried several stories in recent years

created after the building of the nearby Ring

on the future management of a number of ponds

the council can do the same for that pond. Only

within the district, including Felicity Park and

been waiting about six years.”

Popular café wins retrospective planning permission

Warmley Forest Park, adding that following the

The council manages Warmley Forest Park but

success of desilting works in Emersons Green

the Environment Agency (EA) owns the sluice

and Bradley Stoke, it was now focusing on

gate. After a dispute over who was responsible

restoring ponds in the wider Kingswood area

for fixing the gate, the EA has said it will fix it

The family-run Warmley Waiting Room café next to the Bristol & Bath Railway Path, which was inundated with support after it emerged that the planning permission granted four decades ago for the change of use was only temporary, is being allowed to continue operating. The popular café is in the original waiting room on the platform of the old Warmley Station, which is in the Green Belt. The current owners applied to South

included in the Common Connections project.

but it has not been a high priority.

The council says the desilting work at Felicity

As we reported in August (Issue 795) work is

Park is expected to take until 27th October. A

unlikely to start on repairing the broken sluice

path has been diverted to enable the operations

gate until next summer at the earliest and is

to take place safely. The work has been

dependent on the EA getting the funding and

welcomed by local campaigners, with one

resources required.

Gloucestershire Council to replace two storerooms in the garden with a new building containing improved storage, a prep kitchen and extra covered customer seating and is so doing discovered that the original planning permission in the early 1980s was only granted as temporary and they had to apply for planning permission for the existing café and garden, plus the new-build. The council has now permitted the scheme.

See also page 12

The pond at Felicity Park

Crossword

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Branch of mathematics (8)

2. Female relative (4)

6. Absent (4)

4. Cavalryman (6)

8. Is able to (3)

5. Wound mark (4)

9. Badge (8)

6. African nation (6)

10. Shine intensely (4)

7. Nuclear (6)

12. Later on (5) 14. Panache (5) 17. In addition (4) 18. Trust (8) 20. Climbing plant (8) 24. A few (4) 25. Wading bird (5) 26. Wary (5) 29. Aspect (4) 30. Wind instrument (8) 31. Mesh (3) 32. Dense fabric (4)

3. Bosses (6)

11. Era (5) 12. Boring tool (5) 13. Souvenir (5) 14. Healthy (3) 15. Irritate (5) 16. Regenerate (5) 19. Forbid (3) 21. Papal emissary (6) 22. Instant (6) 23. Ferocious (6) 24. Consecutive (6) 27. Deeds (4) 28. Flowerless plant (4)

33. British currency (8)

The Week in • Wednesday 18th October 2023

Delving into local mining history The East Bristol area has a fascinating coal mining history

the ward councillor for Boyd Valley Ben Stokes, and Siston

but little is known about the drift mine at Webbs Heath.

parish councillor Steve Reade.

The 19th century mine, of which the chimney is a local

With grants available from South Gloucestershire Council, it was

landmark, was abandoned in 1905 but the earliest known photo

a good opportunity for the volunteers to discuss future plans and

was taken around 1960.

the costs involved in restoring and preserving this rare and

Tom Garland, who lives on the heath and has been involved with

important site for future generations to enjoy.

the restoration project of the old mine, which began in June

Cllr Reade was one of the volunteers involved in April 2009

2022, invited me along earlier this month to see the site, where

when the site was first cleared of vegetation in readiness for

work is under way.

work to commence. Unfortunately, the work didn’t get any

It is hoped that this article might lead to more photos and

further at that time, but he has been helpful including supplying

knowledge coming to light, as well as more volunteers getting

bricks to complete the chimney restoration. Many more have

at the front of the engine house. This part of the project is

involved in the restoration.

been uncovered since then, buried under the soil in and around

expected to be completed by the end of this month.

the engine house.

The team are also restoring the roof on the slope down towards

Before we arrived for our tour, Clive and Ken were continuing

the mine entrance, but do not intend to break into the mine

to fill the areas around the foundations of the structure that once

workings. A brick wall deep underground prevents access.

Day one of restoration work back in June 2022 which shows how overgrown the site was

stood in front of the engine house. Now that Hamish has secured the hazardous section above the window, it is safe for excavation of the soil inside the structure to continue.

An early 1960s photo of the old mine

Some local people, with the help of several members of Avon Industrial Buildings Trust, were granted permission by the landowner Jonathan Seymour-Williams to carry out urgent repair

Excavation work on the drift mine

work and restoration to the mine which it is believed was a failed attempt to link up with the Crown Colliery at Warmley and work

The remaining work sessions this year are on Wednesday 25th

the seams from both ends. The shaft was driven in at the wrong

October, Saturday 4th, Wednesday 15th, Saturday 25th.

angle and in the wrong place, so the project was abandoned.

November and Wednesday 6th, and Saturday 16th December.

The volunteers meet every 10 to 11 days (on Saturdays and

It is hoped that the site will be made safe so that it can be open to the public and can be safeguarded as the adjoining land is being lined up for development by Bloor Homes. Anyone with old photographs or knowledge of the drift mine,

An old map

This hook was uncovered on the morning I was there

A few interesting items were uncovered that day, including a metal hook-shaped object which could possibly have been a

or who is interested in joining the restoration project, can contact Tom at tomjgarland@sky.com Becky Feather

fixing on one of the wooden carts used to extract coal or debris from the drift mine. The team have already found numerous pieces of metal rope so it is possible that this was the method used to secure the carts. By the end of the afternoon, a huge amount of soil, stone and brick had been extracted from the engine house. Hamish continued the rebuild of the section of wall around the window Wednesdays). Weather permitting, work normally starts around 10am and goes on until around 4.30pm. Those working on a regular basis alongside Tom are Hamish Orr-Ewing, Derek Hore, Keith Carrington, Ken Kemp, Pete Russell and Clive Hill. The chimney has been restored by David Hardwick using traditional lime mortar. Hamish, Derek, Ken and Pete are members of Avon Industrial Buildings Trust (AIBT) and also work at Brandy Bottom Colliery, near Coxgrove Hill, Pucklechurch where the surface buildings of the 19th century coal mine are in the process of being conserved. Joining the tour at the Webbs Heath site were Mr SeymourWilliams, South Gloucestershire Council’s co-leader Ian Boulton, who is the councillor for Staple Hill and Mangotsfield,

The Week in • Wednesday 18th October 2023

Tom and Derek with one of the items uncovered at the site

The chimney has been restored and work has been taking place on the window

Pupils’ wildlife show supports nature project Schoolchildren in South Gloucestershire put on a wildlife show to support the council’s mission to get more people involved in connecting habitats to help boost long-term nature recovery. Children at 10 schools have been supporting the council’s Common Connections project a four-year grassland habitat improvement project along the East Bristol urban fringe. The aim is to help tackle the climate and nature emergency by restoring lost habitats, which has so far involved planting nearly 1,000 small hedge plants for new hedgerows, more than 2,200 wildflower plugs, creating meadow areas for pollinators and planting more than 250 shrubs. Through the project, the council is launching a second community nature reserve scheme for families in and around Willsbridge Mill to make their gardens more wildlife-friendly. Residents can get involved by growing more grass, trees and shrubs to help support nature and other species. Sign up by visiting https://www.southglos.gov.uk/willsbridgenature-reserve Children at Parkwall Primary School in Cadbury Heath designed masks with the help of the Common Connections team and

helped create colourful placards to remind them about the importance of protecting habitats for local wildlife. The children were joined by the Chair of South Gloucestershire Council Cllr Mike Drew as they followed a nature trail from the school to Willsbridge Mill, where they performed an original song ‘The Wildlife Show’ in support of wildlife gardening to launch the community nature reserve project. Cllr Drew said: “It was fantastic to see the young people’s creativity, passion and enthusiasm for helping to protect our natural habitats here in South Gloucestershire. “We are creating a new community nature reserve and are encouraging local families to play their part by cutting their lawns less often, sowing wildflower seeds and meadow grasses, growing native plants and avoiding the use of pesticides and insecticides. People can also help out by building log piles, compost heaps or bug hotels, and creating access holes in their fences for hedgehogs.” The Common Connections project launched in summer 2022, with a large-scale wildflower meadow planting event at Siston Common. In partnership with Made Forever @ Kingsmeadow, more than 300 volunteers

Cllr Mike Drew with Parkwall Primary School children and parents

from the local community helped to plant thousands of wildflower plug plants. Over 300 tree whips have also been planted across several local green spaces, with the

help of volunteers from Kingswood Climate Action Group, Friends of Siston Common, town and parish councillors and other community members.

Growing success at Great Avon Wood Volunteers are needed to help plant 16,000 more trees in a new woodland being created in North East Somerset. Great Avon Wood is a partnership between Avon Needs Trees and Forest of Avon Trust. The new 100-acre woodland near Pensford has been designed to include species-rich grassland,

areas

natural

regeneration, agroforestry and a new orchard. Over

the

summer

dedicated

community of volunteers has been working hard to care for the newly planted trees. Project

manager

Heather

Mack

Tree planting. Credit: Niamh Harrington

explains: “We planted 6,000 trees

earlier this year and are so pleased that over

Avon Wood has come from the Green

90% of them are thriving due to the hard work

Recovery Fund which is managed by the West

and dedication of our amazing volunteers. We

of England Combined Authority.

will start planting again in mid-December and

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has

need the help of hundreds of volunteers as we

provided a grant to establish a heritage trail

plant a further 16,000 trees.”

and to set up partnerships that will allow Avon

The planting season runs until the end of

Needs Trees to attract and engage under-

March. During this time volunteers will be

represented groups. The trees are provided by

out tree planting five days a week, from

the Woodland Trust.

Wednesday to Sunday. Everyone is invited to

Find out more about Great Avon Wood, watch

get stuck in and help create the new

a three-minute film and register as a volunteer

woodland.

at www.avonneedstrees.org.uk/gaw

As well as tree planting, Great Avon Wood

People can donate to the Great Avon Wood

has already been the venue for numerous

Fund and help ensure the woodland is cared

community events. These have included

for

storytelling, tree ID, tree seed collection, bat

https://avonneedstrees.org.uk/donate/the-

and owl spotting, family days, and a series of

great-avon-wood-fund/

forest school sessions with young people from

Great Avon Wood is in the Chew Valley near

central Bristol and Pensford Primary School.

Pensford, close to the A37. It can be reached

Defra (the Department for Environment, Food

by bus from the centre of Bristol and is only

& Rural Affairs) has provided funding

a short distance from Whitchurch Village,

through the Trees for Climate programme and

where Sustrans’ National Cycle Network 3 is

funding for the establishment of the Great

largely vehicle-free to central Bristol.

over

the

coming

years

The Week in • Wednesday 18th October 2023

Students take on fundraising challenge towards a new minibus Staff, students, and Friends of King’s Oak Academy in Kingswood took on a monumental week of physical challenges to raise money towards a long-desired school minibus. The King’s Oak Academy Active Challenge week saw staff and students take to an exercise bike to complete the equivalent of the 837-mile Land’s End to John O’Groats route, before hitting a rowing machine to complete the 220mile length of the River Severn. They also used a treadmill to cover the 71 miles they would have to travel to visit all sister schools within the Cabot Learning Federation. By hitting the 1,250-mile total, the King’s Oak team raised £1,890 – nearly double their original £1,000 target. At the end of the week, the Friends of King’s Oak held the Active Challenge

Finale in the school canteen and offered students the chance to take part in more fundraising activities. They included hook a duck, topple a teacher and lucky dip, and there was also a tuck shop. In total, £3,905 was raised from the whole day of fundraising. This has now been added to other fundraising efforts – and support from local businesses, including Pam James Consultancy which donated £1,000 – to enable the school to order a new minibus. Katharine Ogden, the school’s principal, said: "Following the pandemic, we have been working hard to ensure that our children are able get out and go on trips or participate in wider enrichment activities. This is because we know these opportunities are crucial to deepening the learning experiences and help to create lifelong memories for children as they progress through their time in education. “The Active Challenge fundraising event was a remarkable team effort from the Friends of King's Oak, our children and staff who worked together to accrue some impressive distances on the treadmill, rowing machines and bicycle whilst also raising money to help us order a new minibus so we can continue to organise these important enrichment activities for our children in 2024. “Thank you very much to everyone who has supported us.”

Royal Navy and Marines visit school The Royal Navy and Royal Marines’ outreach team visited King’s Oak Academy in Kingswood recently to work with pupils and students on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities. This week-long project saw 350 students from Years 6, 7 and 8 spending time with the Navy and Marines, who sent four different personnel each day. Students were given numerous tasks throughout the week including building telecoms structures out of giant Lego and designing, creating and launching rockets made from classroom materials. Pupils also had the chance for a Q&A session with the team, where they also heard about the important humanitarian work the services carry out across the world.

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