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THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset Issue 811

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13th December 2023

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Aldi store planned next to the A4 at Keynsham Plans to build another supermarket next to the busy A4 at Keynsham have been revealed. Aldi has launched a “community consultation” in advance of a planning application to Bath & North East Somerset Council for a store next to the Esso filling station which has a small Morrison’s convenience store. The discount retailer says the site is “an unattractive brownfield site that currently contains derelict storage buildings”. The proposal will use the existing access points – Worlds End Lane to the north and the A4 Bath Road to the south. Aldi says: “We are continuing to review this in discussion with the council and our own transport consultants. The access routes will be suitably upgraded and will also allow pedestrians and bicycles to access the site safely.” The retailer adds that Worlds End Lane has recently been upgraded as part of the council’s recycling centre expansion and that currently Keynsham residents are “poorly served by discount supermarkets, leaving them no choice but to travel further afield to Bristol or shopping at pricier alternatives”.

Also in this week’s issue

Man arrested after fatal Ring Road crash . . . page 3

The closest major supermarket to the proposed site is Waitrose which is next to the Broadmead roundabout. Aldi says its new store would create up to 40 jobs in-store, additional jobs during construction, and permanent jobs throughout the supply chain. More than 100 customer parking spaces are proposed, with free parking for 90 minutes. The community consultation is open for comments until Sunday (17th December). Aldi says it will then carefully review all the feedback received. “This will play a vital role in shaping the planning application we submit to Bath and North East Somerset Council in the subsequent months. “We eagerly anticipate your insights and feedback on our proposals. To review our plans, please visit the ‘virtual exhibition’ and share your thoughts through our online feedback form.” You can view the plans at aldiconsultation.co.uk/keynsham There has been much development in this part of Keynsham in recent years - with more to come. Sites nearby including the Hygge Park housing estate, the council’s huge new recycling centre and the new Meryton Place nursing home.

Major housing plans for Shortwood, Warmley, Hanham, Oldland & Mangotsfield . . . page 5

The site of the proposed store

Two more units have just been approved at Pixash Business Centre and a further 200+ homes are due to be built at nearby Withies Green. A proposed new industrial estate on land earmarked for employment was refused on appeal last year. The planning application had showed vehicular access from the layby near the Esso garage on the A4. The planning inspector was not convinced that all options to provide a primary vehicle access to Pixash Lane via Worlds End Lane had been fully explored.

Death of former S. Glos Council leader . . . page 7

Photos from Keynsham Christmas tree festival . . . page 11

The Week in • Wednesday 13th December 2023

Major planning application submitted for brownfield site A planning application to redevelop the

It follows a recent pre-application public

The developers say there would be one and

spaces and the commercial outside of

old Lucas Works in Kingswood has been

consultation regarding the site, which is

two-bed apartments, and two, three and four-

working hours, the demand has been

submitted

almost four acres and sits between Moravian

bed houses, and the scheme could potentially

considered and that this should not result in

Road, Hanham Road and Bright Street.

South

Gloucestershire

Council.

meet any need for a particular size or type of

any displaced parking to the public

MG&G Holdings Ltd have

affordable housing.

highway”.

applied for outline permission to

The proposed development will provide a

The planning application says that the site is

demolish the existing buildings

total of 234 parking spaces which is a

in a highly sustainable location with

and redevelop the site for a

shortfall of 62 spaces compared to the

amenities nearby and alternative modes of

mixed use scheme with up to

council’s minimum parking requirement.

travel within reasonable travel distances.

140 homes, 1,650sq m of

However, the applicants say that “with the

The planning reference is P23/03368/0.

commercial space and a new

flexibility within both unallocated visitor

The deadline for comments is 9th January.

access from Moravian Road. The site is occupied by a number of buildings, many of which are outdated, in a state of disrepair or subject to prohibition orders,

The artist's impression (BBA Architects & Planners)

so much of it is vacant.

Appeal after double stabbing Police are investigating after two men in their 40s were attacked at a flat in Downend Road, Kingswood. Emergency services were called just after 1.40am on Sunday 3rd December. Both men were taken to hospital with stab wounds. Avon & Somerset Police said that the

The Lucas site Downend Road

injuries were not believed to be life

with

information,

threatening.

travelling along Downend Road between

“Officers have carried out house-to-house

1am and 2am who saw or has dashcam or

enquiries and a forensic examination of the

other footage of anything suspicious.

scene and are following up positive lines of

Call

investigation. At this stage there's nothing

5223295042.

to suggest any wider threat to the public.”

Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555

Detectives are keen to hear from anyone

111.

101

and

especially

give

anyone

the

reference

Alternatively

contact

Man dies and another is arrested after crash A man was arrested after a person died in a

while initial enquiries were carried out at

crash last Tuesday on the A4174 Ring

the scene.

Road.

Police said a 37-year-old man has been

Avon & Somerset Police have appealed for

arrested in connection with the incident. It

witnesses and dashcam footage after a

is understood the victim was a 20-year-old

scaffolding lorry collided with the central

man.

reservation

Anyone who saw the collision or has

and

overturned

near

Mangotsfield at around 5.25pm.

dashcam footage is asked to phone 101 and

They said that a specially trained officer

provide the call handler with the reference

was providing the victim’s family with

5223297300.

support. No other vehicles are believed to

The road remained closed until Thursday

have been involved in the incident.

for extensive repairs needed to resurface the

The A4174 was closed between the

carriageway after a large diesel spillage and

Dramway and Siston Hill roundabouts

to repair the vehicle restraint barrier.

The Week in • Wednesday 13th December 2023

Five flats planned at crossroads location There are plans to turn a building at a prominent crossroads location in Staple Hill into five flats. 141 High Street previously housed insurance firm Mark Richard on the ground floor, but it closed last year and has been vacant since. There is already accommodation above but there is a now a planning application to raise the existing building roofline and build a three-storey rear extension to create three one-bed and two two-bed apartments. There are currently four car parking spaces but the developers say that due to the sustainable location, on-site parking has not been included. However, there is space for six cycles. The site sits at the junction of High Street, Broad Street,

The site at the crossroads

Soundwell Road and Victoria Road. The planning reference is P23/03260/F. The council expects to make a decision by 24th January.

Vehicle crimes in Keynsham Two males tried to steal a moped from Keynsham High Street at 8.20pm on Wednesday

THE WEEK IN

29th November.

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.

trying to break the steering

They arrived on a moped and jumped on the other vehicle, lock, but were scared off by a member of the public. The

crime reference number is 5223292484. A van was broken into while parked on the corner of Charlton Road and Lays Drive in Keynsham on the same night. The side door was drilled to gain entry and all the tools were stolen. The crime reference is 5223292688. If you have any information regarding either of these incidents, especially CCTV, call the police on 101. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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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

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The Week in • Wednesday 13th December 2023

Many Green Belt sites face sacrifice to solve South Glos housing crisis Public consultation is now under way on the draft South Gloucestershire Local Plan which will set out the number and location of homes and jobs needed up to the year 2040. The council believes at least 7,813 new homes will need to be on greenfield land beyond the urban area and market towns, some of which is currently protected Green Belt, including the ‘east fringe’ of Bristol at Shortwood, fields north of the A420 at Warmley, three locations in Hanham, farmland at Oldland Common, land next to Mangotsfield School, and Green Belt land north of the Lyde Green estate. The council is keen to stress however that nothing is set in stone. The council’s cabinet member with responsibility for

the new Local Plan, Cllr Chris Willmore, said: “A new Local Plan for South Gloucestershire will aim to tackle several challenges: where and how will we and the next generations live, and how will we prepare ourselves for that, while preserving the wonderful environment that is why many people choose to live here in the first place. “The ideas we are putting forward in this consultation are our emerging preferred strategy. That means the council hasn’t made any decisions yet, but we want to talk with our communities about these ideas and to hear theirs. “When we say it is ‘preferred’, that simply means that we think the approach we’re presenting is a positive way of meeting our collective needs in response to the challenges we are all facing together. Those include the cost of living crisis,

the risk of dramatic changes to our climate and environment, and the need for more homes that people can afford to live in. “It is a strategy because we have taken a look at the different issues in the rural and urban areas of South Gloucestershire and the areas in between. We have factored in what we know is happening in the wider region and think these approaches will work for us together. But we are still open to hearing more ideas. “We want to know where people think this draft plan is right and where it can be improved.” Find out more at https://tinyurl.com/2y3746fk We’ll publish details next week of consultation events. See also pages 8 & 13.

Potential sites for housing in the east fringe of Bristol • Three Green Belt sites in Hanham - 125 homes at Castle Farm Road (The Batch); 85 homes south of Abbots Road; 60 homes on land at Castle Inn Farm. Redrow Homes and Ashfield Land already have a speculative planning application lodged for the 20-acre Batch site. • 350 homes on Green Belt land to the rear of Park Farm at Barry Road, Oldland Common. • 1,150 homes on Green Belt land north of the A4174 Ring Road at Lower Shortwood (including the old golf course) along with employment and facilities including a primary school, local centre and park & ride. The site is 260 acres and the council says there is capacity for 1,350 more homes beyond 2040. • 280 homes on Green Belt land directly adjacent to Shortwood (west). • 65 homes on land at Pomphrey Hill, Shortwood. • 50 homes on Green Belt land south of Shortwood Hill. • 195 homes on Green Belt land at Cossham Street,

Mangotsfield. • Employment use at Glenfern and land east of Carsons Road, Mangotsfield (currently Green Belt). • 970 homes on 137 acres of Green Belt land north of the A420 at Warmley and south of Goose Green, along with employment, facilities including primary school, local centre and park & ride, and small-scale employment. • 30 homes at 15 and 17a, London Road, Warmley (both in the Green Belt). • 800 homes on Green Belt land north of Lyde Green (on the north side of the M4) along with employment and facilities including primary school, local centre, and a park & ride. There is said to be capacity for 1,200 homes beyond the plan period. • 110 homes at The Sawmills on Bath Road at Bridgeyate. • Employment use on at Homeapple Close, Bridgeyate (which is Green Belt). • 60 homes on Green Belt land east of Abson Road,

Pucklechurch. • Two sites in Willsbridge - 95 homes at Jarretts Garden Centre and 15 homes at 12 The Park. • Four sites in Wick, 25 homes are proposed on land at Wick Quarry; 30 on land north of London Road and five to the rear of London Road (both sites within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty); and 10 homes to the rear of 91 High Street.

Green Belt land east of the A4174 Ring Road at Lower Shortwood

970 homes are being suggested on land north of Warmley and south of Goose Green

The site at Cossham Street, Mangotsfield

Farmland at Barry Road, Oldland Common

One of the fields at The Batch

Part of the site at Shortwood where it’s suggested 280 homes could be built

There is capacity for 95 homes at the Jarretts site at WIllsbridge

The Week in • Wednesday 13th December 2023

South Glos Council’s former leader passes away A former leader of South Gloucestershire Council has died. Ruth Davis passed away on Saturday 2nd December following a short illness. She was a prominent figure within local government, serving as a local councillor between 1991 and 2023. She represented the Yate Central ward and was leader of South Gloucestershire Council between 2005 and 2007, and then chaired the council in 2021/22. She led the Liberal Democrat group for 13 years and supported a strong theme of partnership working during her time as a councillor. She was one of the founder members of South Gloucestershire Council following its inception in 1996 and was awarded the title of Honorary Alderman in July this year in recognition of her outstanding service. The current Lib Dem leader of South Gloucestershire

Council, Cllr Claire Young, said: “Ruth made a huge contribution to local communities over the 32 years she served as a councillor. She was always incredibly generous when it came to helping others and I know many of us will greatly miss her friendship and wise counsel. Our thoughts are with her family.” Co-leader of the council, Cllr Ian Boulton said: “Ruth epitomised the way we have long tried to work in South Gloucestershire as someone who worked for the benefit of our community regardless of any political differences. She encouraged, supported and provided respected advice to many of us and, while we have lost a political opponent, we have also lost a friend. The Labour group send our condolences to all who loved and will miss Ruth.” Conservative group leader Cllr Sam Bromiley said he was saddened, and that Ruth had been a very able and hard-

Ruth Davis

working, respected by colleagues from all parties and by members of the wider community.

More than 60 drivers arrested

Flooding affects roads

Avon & Somerset Police say that 61 people were arrested during the first week of the force’s winter drink/drug-drive enforcement campaign. The police say: “Each of these individuals made the choice to put lives at risk by getting behind the wheel while intoxicated - and will now face serious consequences. “We need your help to take dangerous drivers off the road

Heavy flooding caused problems on several local roads at the start of last week. A vehicle got stuck in floodwater in Old Bristol Road in Keynsham last Monday and flooding also affected Keynsham Road at Willsbridge and roads in Oldland Common including Barry Road and the bottom of Court Road, as well as the A420 at Warmley.

The Week in • Wednesday 13th December 2023

before they can cause harm. If you suspect someone is driving under the influence of drink or drugs, report it. “If you know someone that habitually drinks or drug drives, call 101 or report it online. “You can also report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. “If it's happening now, always call 999.”

LETTERS Local Plan process is a long tortuous haul Dear Editor Hanham District Green Belt Conservation Society reviewed South Gloucestershire Council’s two announcements posted online on Wednesday 6th December regarding their new proposed Local Plan. There was diversity and contradiction between the two documents regarding relevant dates and how to take action. Also where a form was offered for download it did not exist. It would appear that this consultation is an abstract consultation. When all objections and input sent in by 7th February have been considered, the actually proposed Local Plan will be put out for consultation in the Spring of 2024, i.e. March and April. This means if you have already objected to the development on the Green Belt on The Batch in Hanham, you will have to object again by the 7th February to proposals within the Local Plan and then object again on the actual Local Plan after March 2024. This is going to be a long, tortuous haul to which we must all be aware and keep responding. Treasurer Hanham District Green Belt Conservation Society

New visa rules are devastating Dear Editor The Government’s new visa rules announced last week are devastating for many families in our area, including mine. Me and my wife fought hard, through months of legal wrangling and spent thousands of pounds so we could live a stable and happy life together here in the UK. We earn enough to provide for ourselves, and through income tax and visa fees, we have already paid more than our fair share towards Britain’s public services. Under the new rules we would not earn enough to qualify and might have to leave the country altogether in two years’ time. This would break up my entire family who all live here in the

Bristol area. I wonder if other readers know locals with similar experiences who have been put through great pain this week, and whether I could use your pages to invite everyone to write to their local MPs to reverse this cruel new policy? Daniel Johnston Hanham

Musings on Keynsham this festive season Dear Editor Firstly I’d like to express my thanks, as I guess will many residents, for the splendid efforts of the Keynsham in Bloom volunteers. It’s difficult enough coping with one’s own garden, let alone to plant up public spaces. Maybe now is the time to reflect on other matters. The new bridge over the River Chew in Keynsham Park has fared better than expected. It’s very stable, which is a good thing, but I still have to be convinced by the ‘rust panels’, although one does become accustomed to seeing them; at least they have so far escaped the attention of Keynsham’s graffiti ‘artists’. Fingers crossed for 2024! Whilst on the subject of the park, when will the councils (by which I mean Bath & North East Somerset and Keynsham Town Council) find the money to do the ‘little jobs’, like repairing the walls, the weir structure and replacing tired signage (e.g. by the weir)? The park is also under threat from being nibbled at by the proposed bus stops under the suggested bypass ‘improvement’ scheme. I don't have a problem with the nibbling, so long as other land is added. I’m personally in favour of extending the park along the fields lining the River Chew as far as the bridge at Chewton Keynsham. Now, let’s turn to the Christmas lights pathetic! When will the retailers, and the councils, wake up to the fact that decent Christmas decorations attract people to the town. I remember when every shop had a Christmas tree, covered in coloured bulbs,

stuck out above the shop; now we have a few rather boring white and gold set pieces attached to lamp posts. Whatever happened to the strings of lights strung across the street? And no public Christmas trees - there used to be one next to the old clock tower and one by St John’s Church (or is the one in front of the church the public tree?). And why so many white lights, why no cheerful mixtures of bright coloured bulbs? I remember Romsey in Hampshire used to look beautiful at Christmas, and attracted many shoppers to the town, although recent decorations have not been as good. As for shop window Christmas displays, once again, despite making millions of pounds in profits, the chain stores make next to no effort. The saving grace are the small independents Perfect Fit and Savannah Studio Tattoos are examples in Temple Street that spring to mind. Again, maybe that’s an area where the council could award a prize, say £1,000, to make it worthwhile, for the best Christmas shop window display (the money to go to the staff)? £1,000, I hear you say – well, how much of an improvement to the street scene has been the £1m or so spent on putting a new pavement down in Temple Street and providing those silly street planters (sorry, Keynsham in Bloom) which just block the street? Not a lot! Talking of councils wasting money, what about the High Street cycle lane? I suggested a bright yellow line on the kerb edge, but I haven’t heard the council’s response to that. Something needs to be done, but I’m not convinced by the idea of a pedestrianised High Street - more money to be spent! Returning to Temple Street for a moment, I would encourage your readers to inspect on B&NES Council’s website proposals for the redevelopment of the old fire station site. The drawing that I have seen published uses the developers’ trick of altering perspectives of a building to make it look smaller than it is (in this case against the old British Gas building). Readers should comment as they think fit. To my eye it follows in the tradition of very boring architecture, where one suspects the architect

only has recourse to a ruler and set square. And, of course, trying to squeeze on as much as possible. I think it’s wonderful that £2,000 has been raised to pay for a bench to be purchased and placed in the park in memory of Simon Sherwell. But why does it cost £2,000 to buy, install and maintain (for 10 years) a bench? How much does it really cost to lay a concrete slab, buy a decent bench and bolt it down? And as for maintenance, I don't think any of the benches in the park have seen maintenance for many a year! There’s still a seat with badly fire damaged slats (caused by someone putting a disposable barbecue on the seat) at the railway end of the park. I think it’s been damaged for two or three years now but no sign of a repair. Maybe I’ll raise it on ‘Fix My Street’! Merry Christmas to all – bah humbug! John Blanning Keynsham

Chorister outshines dull festive lights Dear Editor Oh, what joy it was to see the return of that lovely little chorister above the computer shop, far outshining Keynsham’s dull and piteous array of Christmas lights. Alas, further down the street our local Christmas tradition has been destroyed by putting the tree up straight! Best wishes for the future, and many thanks to The Week In publisher Stephen Rogers for his sterling work over the years. Patrick Harris

Don’t pedestrianise Keynsham High Street Dear Editor Please councillors, do not pedestrianise Keynsham High Street. Try and remember the hold-up of traffic when it was temporarily pedestrianised before indulging in vanity projects, and then reversing your decision and being costly to us taxpayers. B Charles

The Week in • Wednesday 13th December 2023

Former copper’s book conjures up Heartbeat era Books are a great gift idea at Christmas and for those of us who like to shop local, here’s an interesting one penned by a Keynsham author about his career in the police force. David E Leach’s book - An Ordinary Copper, Reflections on policing since the mid-1960s - takes the reader through the highs and lows of his career which began in the era in which the ITV police period drama Heartbeat was set. In fact David was prompted to write his book after he was asked by a lady at a dinner if he liked the popular programme, which ran for 18 series. He joked “That was me!” Later in the conversation she asked: “Why don’t you write a book?” So he did. At more than 300 pages, it’s an enjoyable read, documenting David’s 30+ years with the police from the day he began as a recruit at the Somerset Constabulary’s Training School in 1965 through his various postings and promotions to his retirement - and finally his thoughts about policing today. David spent most of his career moving around the Avon and Somerset area and also recounts his experiences further afield, including at New Scotland Yard. The father-of-three recalls many memorable moments, including facing a gunman early in his career, guarding a Jordanian princess, the Wickwar gas explosion in 1987, and policing during the riots in Bristol in the 1980s in which he

Winter concert Key Voices Community Choir will perform in a winter concert with carols and songs from around the world on Monday 18th December at St Dunstan’s Church in Keynsham. The concerts starts at 7.30pm and is in aid of the Children’s Hospice South West. Admission is £5 (children free).

was injured. The photo on the cover of the book (for which credit is given to the Weston Mercury) shows David on the first day equipped with a Stornophone personal radio. This well-written book, which is published by ELPS and available in paperback, costs £10 (£4.50 postage) but David is happy to deliver copies to anyone living in Keynsham. Contact him at dleachcmc@blueyonder.co.uk Becky Feather

Gift a charity abseil David Leach today

Community carols People are invited to join community carols in Kingswood Park on Saturday (16th December) at 4.30pm. There will be free, festive refreshments.

Sudoku 1-Easy

Early bird tickets for a charity abseil 100ft down St John’s Church tower in Keynsham in April are now available. The tickets are currently £15 but will be £25 after 5th January. Those taking part in the event on Saturday 20th April are asked to raise £100 for Keynsham and District Mencap. As an alternative Christmas gift, people can buy a voucher costing £125 which gets the recipient an abseil with no fundraising requirement. Find out more by calling 01179 865659 or email clare@keynshammencap.org.uk

SUNDAY CHEMISTS Sunday 17th December

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 13th December 2023

‘Progress being made’ on longawaited schools for Lyde Green South Gloucestershire Council has announced that “progress is being made” in the long wait for a 900-place secondary school and adjoining primary school on the Lyde Green estate.

If the final hurdles can be overcome, the colocated schools at Honeysuckle Road will open in September 2026 – four years behind schedule. In the autumn the Department for Education

CCTV appeal following suspected bus arson Police are appealing for help to identify this woman in connection with their investigation into a fire on a double-decker bus. Officers were called to The Coots in Stockwood on Sunday 26th November following reports of a fire on the No 2 service. The woman is white, of average build, with dark hair. She is shown wearing a black jumper, grey trousers, and white shoes. The bus, which was running between Cribbs Causeway and Stockwood, was travelling along Ladman Road and then onto Stockwood Road. The vehicle came to a stop when the driver realised the

vehicle was on fire. No one was injured. If you recognise her call 101 and quote the reference number 5223289324. You can alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

(DfE) had warned the council that the project faced cancellation if there were any further delays. Lyde Green’s first primary school opened in 2015 in Willowherb Road and separate primary and secondary schools in the north east of the new estate were approved in outline in May 2016. But subsequently there was a change in location, a change in one of the sponsors and a change in builder. The construction industry has also seen costs rise. With no secondary school on the estate, children have to travel out to other schools. In the past month the council has taken legal ownership of the land. In a statement on Friday the council said: “We are now at the final stage of the pre-construction process. Updated plans have been costed by the construction company selected to deliver the project. These are being reviewed before being submitted to the DfE for their final approval. “Planning approval is expected to be granted by the end of the year and we expect DfE to give their approval to the updated plans by the end of January. Once these have been given, the council will be able to award the

contract and construction of the two-schools project can commence.” The Olympus Academy Trust will be running the secondary school and Castle School Education Trust (CSET) will run the primary school. CSET already runs Lyde Green’s first primary school. The cost of the scheme was put at £30m in 2021 but more than £41m has been committed to date, including agreement from the DfE to invest more than £30m. Last summer the council said it hoped the sports facilities at the site would be available for community use towards the end of 2022 but that project has been hit by delays too. The latest update is that the pavilion and natural grass pitches will be usable “next year”.

Crossword ACROSS

DOWN

1. Mollusc (7)

1. Disorder (8)

8. Mythical creature (7)

2. Change (5)

9. Performer (7)

4. Mexican village (6)

10. Refuse to deal with (7)

5. Cunning (4)

11. Nocturnal bird (4,3)

7. Biting insect (4)

14. Decompose (3)

13. Small bird (4)

16. Worry (4)

15. Urban area (4)

18. Limit (4)

16. Hill (4)

19. Augury (4)

17. Loft access (8)

20. Certain (4)

18. Hermit (7)

21. Unused (3)

22. Castrated male (6)

23. Release (7)

24. Apple drink (5)

26. Gourd plant (7) 28. Experience (7) 29. Fiendish (7)

3. Lariat (5)

6. Temporary stay (7) 12. Naked (4)

25. Of the ear (5) 26. Nosegay (4) 27. Monarch (4)

30. Athlete (7)

The Week in • Wednesday 13th December 2023

Church hosts Christmas tree festival Hundreds of people visited the Christmas tree festival at St John’s Church in Keynsham which ran from Friday until Sunday. There were dozens of trees creatively decorated by local organisations to reflect the work they do. There was also a prayer tree on which people could attach cards to leave a wish to remember

The Royal British Legion's tree decorated with poppies

someone or pray for issues locally and in the wider world. Visitors could listen to a variety of live music, including carols, and enjoy refreshments. Admission was free but donations were invited for church finds. The boiler recently failed and sorting that out is a major project for St John’s.

St John's Choir performing at the Christmas tree festival

Keynsham Walkers are Welcome's tree

Abbeyfield's tree

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The Week in • Wednesday 13th December 2023

negative news, then you could consider signing up for the Happiness for Wellness course. The next one starts at The Chocolate Quarter in Keynsham on Tuesday, 30th January from 2pm to 3pm, with further classes planned for later in 2024. Led by Michelle Falcon, from Back in Tune Coaching, and supported by her expertise as a cognitive hypnotherapist, teacher and NLP practitioner, this eight-week course, based on The New York Times bestseller book, ‘Happy For No Reason’, by Marci Schimoff, will explore the key concepts and research around the science of happiness. “Michelle has a warm personality. I appreciated her care, knowledge and expertise in delivering really useful information,” said one participant. You will learn about the 21 Happiness Habits and how to increase your ‘happiness set-point’ for peace of mind, health and wellbeing, which means that what you learn can help to keep you resilient and grounded in times of stress, so you can always navigate your way back to happiness. The live classes will include a variety of simple exercises from positive psychology to involve mind, body, heart and spirit. It’s suitable for all ages and presented in a fun and engaging way through personal stories, facts, practical tasks, videos and anecdotes. The full fee is £235 with an Early Bird Discount to £195 for Keynsham residents who book before 31st December 2023. Gift vouchers are also available for future online and

in-person classes, as well as shorter holiday classes for children and teens. Further information, course dates and booking can be found at www.backintunecoaching.com

Masked offenders Two people were seen on CCTV trying to break into a home on St Anne’s Avenue in Keynsham at approximately 4.10am on Sunday 26th November. The offenders were wearing ski masks and arrived on pushbikes and tried to force a side door. If you have any information, especially CCTV images, call 101, giving crime reference number 5223289025. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Situations Vacant

Office conversion plan Mace Systems Ltd has applied to Bath & North East Somerset Council for prior approval to turn office premises at Wellsway House at 9 Wellsway in Keynsham into four flats. The planning reference is 23/04509/CDCOU. The deadline for comments is 5th January and a decision is expected by the end of January.

Charity fair The Bristol & District branch of Cats Protection says the Christmas fayre held at the Fear Hall in Keynsham on Saturday 2nd December raised £255. The charity works to rescue and rehome cats and kittens in the Bristol and South Gloucestershire areas.

The Week in • Wednesday 13th December 2023

Nothing changes – or does it? In the second of his recollections of The Week In, Stephen Rodgers looks at some of the stories that just would not go away! I’d like to think The Week In has made a difference to people’s lives over the last 16 years. By bringing issues under the spotlight, I am sure it has, but that doesn’t alter the fact the some of our lead stories from the very earliest editions seem to be with us still. One story that actually pre-dated the launch of the paper was the Minor Injury Unit at Cossham Hospital. First promised in 2005, we followed the campaign led by Reg Bennett in 2014. Eight years after that The Week In helped gather a 5,000-signature petition to establish the much-needed facility. Finally this year, the health authority’s chief executive, while not heeding the call, pledged to work with South Gloucestershire Council to “really understand” what the population needs. Another hot topic in the last 12 months has been Keynsham High Street. While the most recent headlines have centred on the layout of the one-way system, talk of pedestrianisation is back on the agenda. And this is a story that first aired in 2012 as part of the redevelopment of the Civic Centre. Since 2017, when the ‘trial’ layout was first installed, there have been headlines about public consultation findings, ditching of ‘alternative options’, enforced closure during lockdown and finally the ‘optical illusion’ at the cycle lane which regularly seems to catch out pedestrians. Another recent headline (just last week in fact) concerned the redevelopment, or rather lack of development, of the old Douglas factory site in Kingswood. Heralded as the antidote to a significant housing shortage when granted planning permission in 2010, work has stopped amid legal disputes, failed developers and residents of the houses actually completed left in limbo. As for transport, do you remember all the disruption caused by the electrification of the GWR line from London to Bristol Temple Meads? The line closures while bridges were adapted to make room for the overhead gantries? That was during

The Week in • Wednesday 13th December 2023

2016 but by the end of the year, the Government announced that electrification from Swindon to Bristol was being “deferred”. Chris Grayling was Transport Minister then, and when I got the chance to interview him the following year, he had great trouble answering my repeated questioning on when we would actually see electrification in Keynsham. There is still no sign of it today. Sadly, the only news item over the last 16 years which has consistently reached a conclusion is the removal of land from the Green Belt for house-building. The developers have wasted no time in taking full advantage. Although not every development in our area has been on Green Belt and the need for more housing has never been in doubt, the collective result is quite startling. Time prevented me from completing research on one article I planned to write last year – perhaps in retirement, I will be able to do so. But if you are able to look at an Ordnance Survey map of the area from 2008 and compare it with today – take a close look in particular at areas

to the south and west of Keynsham and the rolling fields of Lyde Green! And to bring this story full circle, this week’s headlines are? Yep, the Green Belt under threat east of Kingswood as South Gloucestershire Council presents its latest draft Local Plan. Already the Save Our Green Spaces group have re-formed. Their first incarnation came during the very early days of this paper, in 2008, when local residents mobilised against plans in the Government’s Regional Spatial Strategy. And take a look at the picture above. Who is that young man marching with the protesters? None other than Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Jacob Rees-Mogg. A decade later he was to author a report for a free market think tank calling for Green Belt land to be "selectively reclassified, with a presumed right to development". Whether he feels that way about The Batch in Hanham we will no doubt discover during a forthcoming General Election campaign.

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