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THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset Issue 806

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8th November 2023

Read by more than 40,000 people each week

Rail ticket office closure plan scrapped Plans to close seven West of England rail ticket offices,

huge victory for West of England passengers,

including Keynsham, Temple Meads, Bath Spa and

who delivered their message loud and clear that

Bristol Parkway, have been scrapped by Government

closing all our ticket offices is unacceptable.”

ministers.

Alongside his submission to passenger body

Hailing the u-turn, Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: “This is a

Transport Focus during the consultation, it has been revealed that 2,245 formal objections were made by West of England residents. The plan had been to close all the region’s ticket offices where an estimated 600,000 paper tickets were sold last year.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris with campaigners at Temple Meads in the summer

At Keynsham, there was a proposal to move the single member of staff who sells tickets on

Campaigners at Keynsham Station including Cllr Martin Burton, left

weekday mornings to work on both platforms.

Mr Norris said: “Every proposal to modernise our railways

The Mayor had raised his opposition to the ticket office

needs passengers at its heart. We must do everything possible

closures with ministers, including in person with the Rail

to encourage more people onto trains here in the West, and

Minister during the summer, and met campaigners against the

across the country. Never again should ministers support a

proposals.

Also in this week’s issue

Communities under threat in South Glos. Local Plan? . . . page 3

Continued on page 3

New Somerdale building gets underway . . . page 7

Keynsham Station special supplement . . . pages 9 to 16

Remembrance commemorations round-up . . . page 18

The Week in • Wednesday 8th November 2023

Rail ticket office closure plan scrapped Continued from page 1

enabling people to buy tickets and advise

plan to put barriers in the way to make that

them on the most cost effective way to

job harder.”

travel by train.

Keynsham and Saltford Labour Party this

“The proposals have caused a great deal of

week welcomed the decision by the

stress to both passengers and station staff

Government not to close rail ticket offices.

who would have been worried about the

In August they led a campaign in

implications of this proposal. In September

Keynsham to encourage people to respond

Rishi Sunak said that ‘the proposals were

to the consultation and make them aware of

the right thing for the British public and

the negative impact this would have on all

British taxpayers’.

travellers, but especially people with those

“This once again shows the Government

with disabilities.

completely out of touch with public opinion

Town councillor Martin Burton said:

and wasting money on a consultation that

“There was overwhelming opposition to the

the rail industry and passengers knew

proposal from the people we spoke to and

wouldn’t work.

a great deal of anger about the Government

“We would like to thank all those who

not caring about marginalised groups. The

responded to the consultation and made

station staff do a such a valuable job in

their feelings known to the Government.”

Serious financial pressure on B&NES Council Reports outlining the financial challenges

of £135.06m.

facing Bath and North East Somerset

Estimates show the council will need to

Council are due to go before the cabinet

find a further £35.3m, including the £1.74m

tomorrow (Thursday).

already identified, over the next five years.

A number of factors, including rising

This is based on the assumption that

inflation, increasing wage, energy and fuel

council tax increases of 4.99%, including

costs, and continued rising demand for

2% for the Adult Social Care Precept,

essential adult and children’s social care

remain for the period to 2024/25, with

services, are putting increasing pressure on

council tax reverting to 1.99% from

the council’s budgets.

2025/26.

There is an overall projected overspend of

In the shorter term, £23.19m of savings will

£6.5m against the revised 2023/24 budget

need to be found over the next two years.

Scabies scare closes council’s One Stop Shop A scabies scare led to the temporary closure of the One Stop Shop at Kingswood Civic Centre. Scabies is a highly contagious disease caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin. A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council said: “The One Stop Shop at Kingswood Civic Centre was closed on Tuesday 31st October from 2.30pm following a visit from a customer who was suspected to have scabies. “The One Stop Shop remained closed on Wednesday 1st November to enable a deep clean to be undertaken in accordance with well-established public health advice. “All other services remained open and scheduled appointments have been rearranged. The One Stop Shop is now open for business as usual.”

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The Week in • Wednesday 8th November 2023

Green grants available South Gloucestershire Council is funding sustainable planting projects in or near the district’s high streets. Grants of up to £4,000 are available to organisations who come up with environmentally-friendly ways to brighten up local shopping areas for the benefit of local residents, visitors and businesses. Such projects can also create shelter and habitats for nature and can help improve local air quality. This grant scheme is funded through the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Find out more at https://beta.southglos.gov.uk/greeningthe-high-street-grant/ The deadline is 19th November and there is a grants helpline if you have any questions on 01454 865865.

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

Housing planned on redundant factory site Woodstock Homes have given South Gloucestershire Council prior notification of their intention to demolish the former Bristol Uniforms building in Wathen Street in Staple Hill with a view to turning the site into housing. The company's predecessor, clothing manufacturer Wathen Gardiner & Co, had been based at Wathen Street since the turn of the 20th century. Bristol Uniforms, a specialist in protective clothing, particularly for firefighters, was bought by US firm MSA Safety in 2021 and the new owner has moved operations to the

Beeches Industrial Estate in Yate. The company is now known as MSA Bristol. The reference for Woodstock Homes’s application is P23/03052/PND.

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.

The Wathen Gardiner site

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

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

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

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

The Week in • Wednesday 8th November 2023

More communities under threat in South Gloucestershire Local Plan As we were going to press with this week’s edition, cabinet members on South Gloucestershire Council were about to sit down to approve the third phase of their Local Plan. All councils must produce a Local Plan and in South Gloucestershire, this is looking at housing, employment and infrastructure needs in the authority through to 2040. Until last year, the plan was being developed as part of the regionwide Spatial Development Plan being pursued by the West of England Combined Authority. But this was stopped when South Gloucestershire Council could not accept the number of new houses being proposed, primarily through neighbouring Bristol City Council being unable to meet its own target. Now, each unitary authority within the West of England is developing its own plan through a process of “cooperation with neighbouring councils”. In broad brush strokes, the draft plan being discussed prior to going out to public consultation, seeks to match housing need and employment in the same locations so as to reduce the need for long distance commuting. The plan also ensures there will be no loss of the Green Belt. Scratch below the surface however and it becomes clear that modifications to the existing Green Belt boundaries will be required. It also identifies many areas where speculative housing development plans have been firmly opposed by

The Week in • Wednesday 8th November 2023

local residents and councillors in the past. Chief among these is Warmley, but also Shortwood, Oldland Common, Bridgeyate and Hanham. The draft document is already a weighty tome at just over 250 pages. While it is perhaps not yet time to dust off the old “Save our Green Belt” placards used in previous campaigns,

the Draft Local Plan will undergo a period of public consultation during which more detail will be made available. No date has yet been confirmed but this is expected to start in early December. The Week In will provide more detail about what is being proposed in forthcoming editions as well as information on how to respond to the consultation.

Fundraising for park bench in memory of Simon An appeal has been launched to raise money for a bench in memory of Keynsham pub landlord Simon Sherwell, who passed away in February. The landlord of The Old Bank in the High Street died suddenly at the age of 41. The community rallied to help pay for his funeral with a GoFundMe page raising more than £4,000 from over 130 supporters. Now some of his family and friends have decided it would be fitting to commission a bench in Keynsham Park in Simon’s memory. The latest appeal page on the GoFundMe website says: “Simon was loved by so many,

and we didn't feel it right to go ahead and start the process without giving people the opportunity to contribute if they wish to or are able. “It costs just shy of £2,000 to install the bench (with a plaque) and for the council to maintain it for the next 10 years, so that is the figure we've set as a goal. “If we're lucky enough to raise in excess of what is needed, we'll donate the rest to local charities (of the family's choosing).” More than £1,300 has already been raised so far. To donate visit https://tinyurl.com/264hd3yx

Simon Sherwell

Help design and name new youth bus South Gloucestershire Council’s new youth bus will be on the road in early 2024 and young people are being invited to contribute their ideas for the design that will be displayed on the vehicle. The bus will be used for outreach work to youth clubs, parks and events throughout South Gloucestershire. It will offer the chance for young people to speak to trained youth workers in a safe space, with hot chocolate and toasties available on board. You can draw, design or write something about what matters to you, whether it’s sport, friends, a hobby, what you like about

where you live, or how you look after your own wellbeing. Submit your entry by 5pm on Sunday 3rd December by email to Millie.Crowley@southglos.gov.uk A panel of judges will choose three winners who will be invited to work with the council to blend their ideas together into a design to cover the new bus. The council is also looking for a name for the bus so add your ideas about that too. The competition is open to young people aged 11 to 19 or up to the age of 21 for those with learning disabilities. You must live and/or go to school or college in South Gloucestershire.

The Week in • Wednesday 8th November 2023

Work starts on Block D to complete Cadbury’s factory redevelopment A ground-breaking ceremony has been held to mark the start of work on St Monica Trust’s latest development at Keynsham. The building of Block D will mark the completion of the Bristol-based charity’s £60m redevelopment of the former Cadbury’s factory at Somerdale which closed in 2011 when production was outsourced to Poland. Built on the vacant land opposite the Somerdale Pavilion, that historically contained block D of the former factory, Block D will be a five-storey building offering 44 independent living apartments and operate at carbon net zero. The 44 apartments will be a mix of one and two-beds, with 18 apartments being affordable housing units for residents nominated by Bath and North East Somerset Council. There will be off-street parking for cars and bikes, a new landscaped area for pedestrians between Block D and the Somerdale Pavilion, and a new entrance to the Pavilion car park off Trajectus Way. The ground breaking ceremony

The ground-breaking ceremony was attended by St Monica Trust’s chief executive David Williams and president of the

commitment to provide affordable housing for the local

D and completion is expected in September 2025. RED’s

board of trustees Tim Ross, along with residents and staff

community, as we do at all our other retirement villages.

managing director Derek Quinn said: “We are delighted to be

from The Chocolate Quarter Retirement Village, which

“The Chocolate Quarter was the first retirement village in the

working with the St Monica Trust to deliver the last phase of

opened in 2018.

UK with facilities and services that were open to all. The fact

this prestigious development that is sewn into the fabric of

David Williams said: “The building of Block D not only

that we can now extend that offering to include affordable

Bristol’s history.

marks the completion of the trust’s redevelopment of the

housing is a wonderful way to further serve the local

“Not only that but providing much needed high-quality

former Somerdale factory, but it also fulfils our original

community, which has always made us feel so welcome.”

homes and care services to residents that require additional

How Block D will look

The Week in • Wednesday 8th November 2023

Tim Ross said: “This exciting

support. We are looking forward to delivering this community

redevelopment of the former

net zero carbon scheme and providing a lasting legacy for

Somerdale factory and the

Keynsham.”

additional

investment

St Monica Trust’s original approved plan for Block D was a

Keynsham

reflects

our

24-unit, four-storey apartment block with shops on the

commitment

build

ground floor but it revised the proposals after receiving no

communities where older

interest from national convenience retailers to open there.

people can flourish, alongside

Block C was converted into office accommodation when St

our

Monica Trust bought the site. The Chocolate Quarter

promise

provide

affordable housing.”

development is in blocks A and B and includes retirement

RED Construction Group’s

apartments, a care home, GP surgery, and facilities open to

South West division have

the wider community including eateries, salons, a small

been appointed to build Block

cinema, pool and gym.

LETTERS Fight for your local library service Dear Editor As a life-long user of my local libraries I believe that to save money, the powers-that-be are going to reduce opening hours for users in South

off nightly in and around Keynsham last week, I

Many readers (including many or most of those

could not think of one good reason for people to

who signed the petition) will not know what these

still be able to buy them over the counter.

are and, therefore, might be supportive of the lady

They are potentially lethal weapons, terrify pets

who set the ball rolling.

and are bad for the environment. They should be

I hope however, folk will have noticed the other

confined to public, organised displays.

grave partially shown in the photograph.

Jane, Keynsham

Clearly, marking the grave of a loved one,

Gloucestershire.

especially someone so young and so popular, is

They are thinking of reducing the hours for Staple

important but there have to be limits. What those

Hill Library on Mondays. Having worked in

Preserving local history Dear Editor

are should be made clear to us, your readers as

libraries (retired) for over 13 years, Mondays are Stockwood Library corner.

I see that a developer wants to demolish the old

I’m sure they were explained to the bereaved

the most used day of the week including story

John Norfolk

Bristol Uniforms site, previously Wathen

family.

time and returning books read over the weekend.

Whitchurch Village

Gardiner & Co, in Staple Hill.

David Matthews

If you are interested in saving our libraries’

Wathen Gardiner had been there since the turn of

Hanham

opening times please fill in the consultation form, either on the council’s website or you can get a paper form at your library, and try to save our

Thank you for highlighting hidden disabilities

library service.

Dear Becky

J White

I have just read the story in The Week In (Issue

the 20th century. I hope that any new housing incorporate or reflect in some way the history of

Balance needed in graves debate

the site.

Dear Editor

Name & address supplied

Thank you for reporting on the petition launched

development at Wathen Street will be able to

805) about hidden disabilities and can relate to

Improving our town

this so much. I have multiple disabilities and

Dear Editor

health issues and none of them are visible. I’ve

Friends, Romans, countrymen – and residents of

by Sarah Parsons (Issue 805, ‘Boxer’s . . . . grave ornaments’) calling for revision of the regulations

experience many challenges with my disabilities

Grave ornaments story not complete

Keynsham – lend me your ears (eyes!). Are you

from people assuming I was drunk during a

Dear Editor

We confess to having formerly had quite negative

contacting your local town councillor with your

seizure and have been looked up and down by

Your item about the family wishing to change the

feelings at the sight of graves, particularly newly

ideas of improvements for our town’s future?

drivers on buses where I feel I have to explain

regulations regarding what is or is not acceptable

formed, being personalised as they are. The

Your councillor will listen because they work

why I have a disabled bus pass as my epilepsy

as ‘ornamentation’ on a grave was not good

pathos of the bleakness and coldness of a bare

voluntarily and care for us residents.

stopped me driving 18 years ago.

journalism (Issue 805).

grave had escaped us, and we are now persuaded

What good news regarding the new ownership of

It’s one of the many reasons I fundraise for

You should have included some details which

by the eloquence of Sarah’s petition that some

CM3 and also Keynsham Pharmacy moving into

epilepsy charities and have done awareness talks

could easily have been obtained from the

change in the regulations is called for in the cause

the Lloyds Pharmacy building. Two very bits of

in different places over the years to raise hidden

management office for the remembrance park.

of compassion for the newly bereaved.

good news for our High Street.

disabilities awareness too.

Please, urgently contact the town council if you

I’ve donated 656 epilepsy information packs to

would like to have a shop like The Nylon Shop in

the NHS, schools, libraries and charities and to

Kingswood (which is closing) here in Keynsham.

families who needed them. So far I have raised

We had a fabric and trimmings shop here which

over £18,000 for charities and good causes close

we lost with the new clocktower developments.

to my heart as I’ve met so many people over the

Do you care? Would you like it back? It would

years who have had a similar experience to me

offer a few jobs and draw shoppers from outside

with their hidden disabilities.

the town because it’s unique.

Thanks for sharing your article about hidden

Remember if we residents do nothing, nothing

disabilities.

will change, and we’ll settle for a ‘make do’

Yours sincerely

bunch of plastic flowers remaining cable-tied to

anaemic High Street.

Sarah Reid

a lamp-post many months after the tragedy seems

Winifred Rickard, Keynsham

governing the placing of mementos on graves. It has given us much to think about.

At the same time it would seem to be right for the authorities to be allowed to regulate the appearance of burial sites. Such places can so easily deteriorate into neglected travesties of remembrance. One cannot regulate the suffering attendant on bereavement, but a publicised timelimit on its physical expression is surely appropriate. To our mind, flowers left at the site of, say, a road fatality is so, so sad. But a sun-and rain-bleached

to lay down additional layers of poignancy and

Ban on fireworks

grief, and are best removed after a respectful

New Pocket Park

Dear Editor

period.

Dear Editor

Isn’t it time for a ban on fireworks being sold to

Yours sincerely

I was delighted to see this new Pocket Park on the

the general public? Listening to the bangs going

Nancy and Peter Hurworth

The Week in • Wednesday 8th November 2023

The s Wilsh Aven

The Week in • Wednesday 8th November 2023

Felic Park

The Week in • Wednesday 8th November 2023

Grazing consultation results expected ‘by the end of the year’ Following our article at the end of March (Issue 774) about plans to reintroduce the centuries-old tradition of grazing cattle on Siston Common, some readers have been inquiring if there is an update. South Gloucestershire Council ran a consultation about the proposal which would see up to 20 cows graze on the part of the common that runs from the underpass nearest The Horseshoe pub and the one that goes under the A4174 Ring Road that leads towards Stanley Road. The council said the return of grazing to the common would help to recreate conditions to enable important and increasingly rare wildflowers and meadow grasses to reestablish. The cattle would be selected for their docile temperaments and hardiness and would be happy living outside during

South Glos Council takes action to help reduce littering from vehicles South

Gloucestershire

Council has stepped up its fight against littering in the district with the launch of a new initiative targeting those who discard it from vehicles. The

council’s

street

enforcement service has been warmer months and sharing the space with the public. This week a South Gloucestershire Council spokesperson said: “We hope to publish the results of the consultation before the end of the year.” Any plans would ultimately need permission from the Planning Inspectorate on behalf of the Environment Secretary as new fencing needed for the grazing would

extended to include this new

affect access to common land.

Repair Café The next Repair Café at Saltford Hall, where people can take along items that need repairing, will be on Saturday 18th November from 11am to 1.30pm, when the community café will also be open. Saltford Community Association runs the project in conjunction with Share & Repair, a charity in Bath and North East Somerset. The aim is to help local people save money and help the planet through reduce, repair and reuse. Owing to strong demand, more volunteer repairers are needed at the Repair Café which is held on the third Saturday of each month except for August and December.

area of action, using the Littering from

litter on the A4174 Ring Road, Operation

Vehicles (outside London) Regulations

Tiedown (waste falling from commercial

which authorises local authorities to carry out

vehicles) and enhances the powers open to

enforcement against the registered keepers of

street enforcement officers.

vehicles from which litter is thrown or

Anyone with dashcam, CCTV or mobile

ejected.

phone footage of a littering from vehicles

The council is able to deal with these

offence

offences by issuing Penalty Charge Notices

www.southglos.gov.uk/reportit

(PCNs) which carry a fine of £100, with a

Cllr

reduced rate for payment within the first 10

responsible for environmental enforcement

days of £50.

at the council, said: “We’re really pleased to

Evidence will be accepted in the form of

increase our ability to tackle littering in the

dashcam footage, CCTV or mobile phone

area by introducing this initiative.

footage, along with professional witness

“We’re working hard to keep our local roads

accounts from the police or council officers.

and streets clean and take littering offences

Where an offence is identified, the council

very seriously. Throwing litter from a car is

will send a ‘Notice to Owner’ advising the

completely

vehicle’s registered keeper where and when

moving or not. It makes roadsides look

the offence was committed, along with the

awful.

PCN.

“I encourage anyone that has video footage

The introduction of this initiative will support

of someone littering from a vehicle to send it

existing council priorities such as reducing

in to us for investigation.”

Sudoku 1-Easy

Cracking down on littering from vehicles

can

Leigh

report

Ingham,

cabinet

unacceptable,

via member

whether

it’s

SUNDAY CHEMISTS Sunday 12th November

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

city

Causeway, (11am-5pm)

The Week in • Wednesday 8th November 2023

Remembering the fallen Services and parades will be taking place

church service will take place at 10am for

on Sunday (12th November) to mark

those in the parade and representatives of the

Remembrance.

community only, due to space limitations.

In Keynsham a parade will leave Ashton Way

People are welcome to join in with the

at 9.15am to march to St John’s Church for a

service from the churchyard. There will then

service. The parade will then leave at

be a parade to the war memorial where many

10.30am, heading along the High Street and

villagers are expected to gather for a short

down Bath Hill to the gates of the Memorial

service ahead of the 11am silence.

Park for the two-minute silence at 11am.

In Warmley there will be a parade from the

There will also be a short service at

community centre to the war memorial for

9.30am at the Somerdale war memorial

the Act of Remembrance at 11am.

in Keynsham, which lists the 136 Fry’s

The Bitton & Oldland branch of the Royal

employees who died in the Great War

British Legion will be marking the occasion

and a further 40 Second World War

at the morning service at St Mary’s in Bitton

servicemen and company workers who died

during which there will be an Act of

in the Blitz.

Remembrance around the war memorial in

In Staple Hill a parade will set off at 10.20am

the churchyard at 11am.

from Page Road and march to the war

There will also be a service at the war

memorial in Page Park for a service and the

memorial outside Hanham Community

laying of wreaths.

Centre, starting at 10.45am, and a service at

In Kingswood there will be a parade from

the war memorial in Mangotsfield at

Cecil Road Car Park at 2.30pm to the war

12.15pm.

memorial outside Holy Trinity Church where

Whitchurch & Pensford British Legion at

there will be an Act of Remembrance and

Staunton Lane will be holding a service with

wreaths will be laid. There will then be a

wreath-laying in the Memorial Garden,

service in the church followed by a

starting at 10.45am.

fundraiser for the Poppy Appeal at

Meanwhile you can buy a poppy at various

Kingswood Entertainment and Sports Club.

outlets, including stalls at Sainsbury’s at

In Saltford, the parade will leave Saltford

Emersons Green, at Kings Chase Shopping

Hall for St Mary’s Church at 9.30am. A

Centre, and at Asda at Longwell Green.

Crossword

ACROSS

Last year’s parade in Staple Hill

The poppy stall at Sainsbury's in Emersons Green

DOWN

1. Roofing material (6) 1. Irritable (6) 4. Molest (6)

2. Bear the expense (6)

8. Non-stick surface (6)

3. Velcro (anag.) (6)

10. Hamper (6)

6. Fervour (6)

11. Poison (5)

7. Fairy (6)

12. Viral skin disease (6)

9. Bird's home (4)

14. Sudden (6)

5. Hands on hips (6)

10. White frost (4)

16. Loose earth (4)

13. Mountaineer's spike (5)

17. Bellow (4)

15. Shaving device (5)

19. Sufferings (4)

18. Fairground game (4-2)

22. Blemish (4)

19. Type of wood (6)

26. Citrus fruit (6)

20. Departure (6)

27. Strength of purpose (6)

21. Visionary (4)

28. Brute (anag.) (5) 29. Mull over (6) 30. Pill (6)

22. Soot (4) 23. Edible tuber (6) 24. Garment maker (6) 25. Heavy mallet (6)

31. Bear witness (6) 32. Vulgar (6)

The Week in • Wednesday 8th November 2023

Volunteering opportunities There are opportunities to get involved with volunteering at Cadbury Heath Hall. As a small charity, the hall is dependent on volunteers helping with running the facility day-to-day. Opportunities exist for people to help in a new community café, to support community

activities, join the management committee or act as a trustee. It is a chance to gain many new skills, make new friends, and take pride in helping in your community. For more details email info@cadburyheathhall.co.uk or call Debbie on 0117 967 3941 or 07467 936889.

Situations Vacant

Vacancy to fill? Advertising in The Week In is an effective and low cost option. Call

0117 986 0381. Deadline for Situations Vacant advert bookings is 4.00pm on the FRIDAY preceding publication.

The Week in • Wednesday 8th November 2023

Helping people in crisis The North Bristol and South Glos Foodbank has thanked all the schools, churches and businesses who donated food for their harvest appeal! They say: “We received an amazing 6,950kg of food and toiletries.” In the run-up to Christmas the foodbank, which is part of the Trussell Trust, has published a list of items most needed. They include tinned ham, tinned fruit, sponge puddings, tubs of chocolates, family biscuit packs, savoury crackers, sharing bags of

crisps and fruit squash. The foodbank has outlets including at Resound Church in Blackhorse Road, Mangotsfield. Donations can be dropped off there on Fridays from 10am to noon. Other donations points are Sainsbury’s at Emersons Green and Tesco Express in St James Place at Mangotsfield. Financial donations can also be made online at https://nbsg.foodbank.org.uk/ which is where you can also find out how to get help.

Free support event for carers Carers Rights Day is on Thursday 23rd November and the Carers Support Centre at Fishponds will be holding a free support event for unpaid carers across Bristol and South Gloucestershire. The event runs from 10.30am to 3pm at the Vassall Centre and will also be covered online via Zoom for those who can’t make it in person. Carers can find out about their rights, local hospital support and the Care Quality Commission's new duty to assess councils’ delivery of adult social care duties. People will be able to give their feedback on their experiences of adult social care to both South Gloucestershire and Bristol City councils. It will be a chance to meet other carers and enjoy a free lunch, pampering sessions and mindfulness practice. Places can be booked online at www.carerssupportcentre.org.uk/events, by contacting Comms@carerssupportcentre.org.uk or calling 0117 958 9902.

The Week in • Wednesday 8th November 2023

Cowboy builder prosecuted for ‘truly abysmal’ work A cowboy builder from St George has been sentenced to a Community Punishment Order of 187 hours of unpaid work and ordered to repay £21,000 to his victims after pleading guilty to carrying out poor building work on a house in Bristol. David Ward, trading as Eastwood Home Improvement Limited, was sentenced on 26th October at Bristol Crown Court in a case brought by the city council’s Trading Standards Service. The prosecution found that Ward carried out building work at a house in Brentry that when assessed by an expert witness was found to be exceptionally poor and not in compliance with architectural drawings or building regulations. He also failed to rectify the work or provide a refund to his victims. The expert witness described the work that Ward did in converting a garage as “truly abysmal” before concluding that he had only completed between 10 and 15% of the work he was paid to do. The victims explained that

Mr Ward’s actions resulted in them having to take time off work to deal with the stress, anxiety and depression caused by the experience. Ward was sentenced by Her Honour Judge MacMillan and had to pay £9,000 or the £21,000 upfront to the victims, with the remainder being paid at a rate of £500 per calendar month over a two-year period. He was also issued with a 15-day rehabilitation requirement. After the case the Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees said: “Our Trading Standards Service work hard to ensure that Bristol residents are protected from rogue traders such as Mr Ward. His actions caused great distress, reflected by the sentence given to this cowboy builder. If you’re thinking of having building works undertaken, make sure to check references and responsibilities for compliance with building regulations. Remember to always insist on a written contract and agree when money will be paid. Do not pay large upfront deposits and never agree to works from cold callers.”

The Community Page

Bitton Parish Council New Contact Details The contact details for Bitton Parish Council have now changed with immediate effect. These are now: Mrs Kelly Fry Bitton Parish Council, PO Box 337 Bristol BS15 0FR Telephone – 07480 513593

Awards Evening We hosted our Annual Awards Evening where we welcomed residents who had entered either our Bitton in Bloom or our photography competition. There were over 70 residents who attended making it a huge success. We look forward to seeing what entries are put forward in 2024.

Police advice at Coffee Club Saltford Community Coffee Club looks forward again to welcoming retired residents on Tuesday 21st November at 2pm for tea, coffee and cake and a chat in a warm environment. This month the club will be welcoming the police fraud protection team to provide their valuable and helpful advice. The High Sheriff of Somerset has fraud protection as

one of his focus causes this year and will be joining the get-together. To reserve your place and if you need any help with transport call 01225 632216 and leave a message for Coffee Club, or email Fiona.bell@saltfordcommunity.org by 15th November. The Coffee Club is regularly attracting around 50 residents.

Christmas trees in Hanham Hanham Methodist Church will have a display of Christmas trees decorated by local businesses and organisations on Friday 1st December (9am - 3pm) and Saturday 2nd December (9am - 6pm). At this time there will also be a collection of nativity scenes lent to the church by various local people. This will

coincide with the weekend of the Street Fair and the cafe will be open for drinks and snacks. The church has also been approved as a warm space and will be open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday each week between 10am and 2.30pm. Hot drinks and food will be available.

Keep in touch, let us know what you think, send us your news www.facebook.com/theweekin The Week in • Wednesday 8th November 2023

Redfield Hill Playpark The Playpark has now re-opened following the latest bout of vandalism. We urge residents to report anything suspicious that they see to the Police to allow extra patrols to be made in the area.

Dog Waste Bins Following the rise in dog waste littering in two areas of the Parish we have installed two new dog bins at the following locations: • The Lock Keeper, Keynsham • Corner of the re-diverted footpath behind Redfield Edge Primary School – PBN10 We would like to remind residents that dog owners must clean up after their dogs by law. If any residents would like to report an area of concern for investigating by the Dog Warden they can do this by logging onto www.beta.southglos.gov.uk/report-litter-dogfouling

Community Building We have availability on a Thursday during the day at our Community Building in Oldland Common. Please get in touch with the Clerk if you are interested in making a regular booking. 21

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