April 2023 No. 38
Genesis and RPZ
Page 5
Meet the Dementia Doctor
Page 6
What’s On
Pages 12-14, 23
Sports News
Pages 16-17
Bear Flat’s cricket coach Page19
The Ukrainian Ambassador has passed on his thanks to the people of Bath and North East Somerset, as generators arrive in Ukraine. Bath and North East Somerset has sent 14 generators to the city of Oleksandriya, with the most recent
arriving at the city’s general hospital on Thursday March 16.
Speaking to a full session of Bath and North East Somerset Council on March 16 where the council voted on setting up a friendship agreement with Oleksandriya, council leader Kevin Guy said he had been meeting with the
Ukrainian Ambassador that day. Mr Guy said: “He asked me personally to pass on his thanks and the thanks of his entire country to the whole council and to the people of Bath and North East Somerset for what we are about to do this evening.”
Continued on page 3
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By Harry Mottram: An article that appeared on the front page of the March Issue of Bath Voice – had a misleading headline for which I apologise. It stated that ‘Free Blue Badge parking to end’ which is not the case. What is changing is blue badge holders will need to pay the charge to enter the Clean Air Zone from 15th March as the exemption period comes to an end – if they do not meet the council’s emissions standards. Our sincere apologies if this has caused confusion or distress.
The article by John Wimperis a Local Democracy Reporter explained: The city’s clean air zone requires drivers of vehicles other than private cars and motorbikes to pay a charge to drive though the zone, which covers large parts of the city centre and adjacent areas, if they do not meet the council’s emissions standards.
Drivers with disabilities who hold Blue Badges were one of several groups able to apply for their vehicle to be exempt in the first two years of the Clean Air Zone, which came into
force in 2021. But now the exemption period is almost up.
From March 15, Blue Badge holders, wheelchair accessible taxis, community health, education, social care workers, community transport, and people who got exemptions under the financial assistance scheme will all now have to pay the charge for the first time.
Currently, there are 88 exemptions issued for Blue Badge holders, 27 of which are being actively used. 36 have not been used in the last three months and 25 have never been used.
The daily charge to enter the Clean Air Zone is £9 for taxis, minibuses, vans, pick-up trucks, and some campervans and four-by-fours; and £100 for coaches, buses, and HGVs. Private HGVs like horsebox vans and motorhomes can have the £100 reduced to £9, if registered with the council.
Motorbikes and private cars are not charged for entering the Clean Air Zone.
Widcombe & Lyncombe: Alison Born 01225 319188
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Dine Romero 01225 477496 dine_romero@bathnes.gov.uk
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Continued from page 1 in total has received over 30,000 refugees.”
“Since the summer last year, I have been having regular meetings with the Mayor of Oleksandriya to discuss how Bath and North East Somerset can help the region of Oleksandriya.
“And our meeting in December, we had to delay it by 24 hours because the Russians had shelled the city and destroyed the local electrical supply and when I got in contact with him the next day, with his team, he
The breastfeeding peer supporters at the RUH are calling for more volunteers to join them.
drop-in sessions and has a thriving Facebook community with over 1,400 members.
“This is a city that is the same size as Bath.”
Mr Guy said that he had been told by the Mayor that the best thing to to do help the city was send generators (pictured). Mr Guy said: “If you just want to picture this, the children’s hospital was suffering intermittent power shortages. During deliveries of babies, the incubator ward was going out of power.”
Continued on page 4
The breastfeeding peer support service was set up to supplement the support provided by the infant feeding team for mums to breastfeed their babies. The peer support service is led by volunteers who provide support in-person on the antenatal ward and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the RUH and in community locations across Bath and west Wiltshire.
The service also supports people virtually via weekly online
Every volunteer undergoes a 35-hour accredited training course and mentoring by experienced volunteers and RUH maternity staff.
To find out more contact Sally Tedstone, RUH Infant Feeding Specialist, at sally.tedstone@nhs.net.
To join the virtual support group, search for ‘Bath and West Wiltshire Breastfeeding Peer Support’ on Facebook or contact Heather Kale, Breastfeeding Peer Support Volunteer, at heather.kale@nhs.net.
Continued from page 3 year can give further insight into the effects that this has had on ordinary people just trying to live their daily lives in a warzone.
A generator sent by Bath and North Somerset has now been installed in the children’s hospital. Mr Guy added: “You as a council and the people of Bath and North East Somerset have been able to provide that warmth and care and I cannot thank you enough for that really generous act.”
He added: “I am very, very proud of the people of Bath and North East Somerset.”
The council’s close relationship with Oleksandriya, which the council voted unanimously to go about formalising with a proper “friendship agreement,” is believed to put the council at the forefront of sending direct aid to a city in Ukraine.
Seconding the motion for the friendship agreement, Radstock councillor Chris Dando said: “Those of us who were lucky enough to attend the concert last month in the Abbey got a small taste of a year in the life of Ukraine. There rightly wasn’t a dry eye in that house though most of that amazing and moving performance.
“And those like me who have made friends in Ukraine over that last
“This council and community of Bath and North East Somerset can be immensely proud of the work that we have done so far to support Ukraine, both through hosting refugees’ families — we have over 400 refugees in Bath and North East Somerset — and, as the leader has said, in the project to deliver valuable generators to the community of Oleksandriya.”
Keynsham South councillor Lisa O’Brien ran her own fundraiser last year to send generators to Ukraine, raising £9,000 which saw nine generators sent to Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Dnipro.
She said that people in Ukraine had also asked her to pass on their thanks to Bath and North East Somerset for donating the money for the generators. She said: “I certainly won’t be forgetting them because I think their bravery is an example to the world. So I absolutely support this.”
Mr Dando added: “I am immensely honoured to second this proposal and be involved in this project. Slava Ukraini!”
By Harry Mottram: The fields on the steep slopes above Widcombe under the shadow of Alexandra Park have slowly been transformed over the last two years by the Friends of the fields. New forests have appeared, brambles cleared, wild flowers planted and more paths laid out with more added last month as volunteers worked hard to lay gravel to allow locals to explore the former pasture lands. Visitors will also have seen hazel catkins,
which are like yellow lambs’ tails, that are lengthening and shedding masses of pollen; the male pollen hopes to alight on the tiny red female flowers, which look like tiny sea anemones. Join up as a volunteer. No previous experience is required, it’s great exercise and very sociable. They typically meet on Wednesdays and Sundays 10:0012:00. If you or any family or friends are interested in getting involved, contact lyncombehillfields@gmail.com
RPZ Genesis: A difficult issue blew up last month and was diffused after the charity Genesis Trust went public with its complaint over a Residents’ Parking Zone (RPZ).
In an open letter to the media the charity’s CEO Nick Mayo wrote: “Genesis Trust’s operations in Bath are under threat from the impact of the parking restrictions planned to start in the summer in two areas of the city where the charity has premises.”
He went on to say that despite working constructively with the council ‘nothing sensible or practicable has been forthcoming’ and their work was under threat.
The open letter worked as shortly afterwards they had a meeting with council leader Councillor Kevin Guy, and cabinet member for Transport Councillor Manda Rigby.
The result was a kiss and make-up agreement which will allow the charity’s staff to access additional parking spaces in the areas affected.
It means the charity’s work with the homeless and the vulnerable in the city can continue unhindered. Safe Bus: A special bus parked in the city centre on some nights will
be a refuge for those in danger or feel vulnerable.
The Safe Bus will provide first aid, psychological support, and a safe place for anyone in the city centre on Friday and Saturday nights.
It will be staffed by a combination of medical specialists, volunteers, and security staff, helping anyone needing emotional support.
Bath Business Improvement District (BID) has developed the project and will launch on 31st March, with a Friday and Saturday night service, between 10.30pm and 4.30am. Additional dates such as Bank Holidays, Party in the City, Freshers Week, Bath Rugby matches and other big events in the city will be added.
Name calling: There’s an old rebuke that parents give to their children of: “If you can’t say anything nice then don’t say anything at all.” Wise words which adults should also note as two local councillors fell fowl of this advice recently.
In the council Chamber during a debate on Entry Hill’s green space the leader of the council Kevin Guy made a disparaging comment to a member of the public caught on his microphone about suggesting flippantly the park could be an
abattoir. He later apologised.
The prospective Conservative candidate Mark Stricklin for Newbridge, posted a comment on the social media website nextdoor, which was later deleted, referencing a claim that the average gay marriage only lasted two and a half years - possibly aimed at Cllr Guy. Mr Stricklin has since apologised and is no long the Conservative candidate having stepped down due to the upset caused by the comments. Perhaps less said the better over both comments since apologies
were made.
Bath Spa Toastmasters: After three years of online meetings they are again having public meetings so members and guest can speak in front of an audience. They meet on the 2nd and 4th Thursday each month at 7.15pm (13th and 27th April) at The Salvation Army, Bath Citadel, Green Park Road, Bath, BA1 1XE so. Free for guests to attend and new members welcome. See Facebook, Meetup or at https:// toastmasterclub.org/portal. php?page=2989
By Harry Mottram:
Recently the Mission Theatre in Bath staged the Florian Zeller play The Father which has as its main theme dementia - as the eponymous character’s personality slowly shifts into a twilight zone where memory and moods are affected.
The theatre held a collection after each performance for The Research Institute for the Care of Older People (RICE) based in the RUH.
RICE is an internationally renowned research and treatment centre as well as an independent charity focused on essential research and providing support for people with dementia and other conditions of older age, their families and carers; dedicated to improving the quality of life of everyone involved.
The play at the Mission had pricked my interest and so intrigued I visited their HQ to chat to Dr Cathy Wernham, Clinical Research Fellow and Academic Geriatrician about the work they do.
“I have two jobs here, one is with the memory clinic and the other is in research where we do a lot of exciting work,” she said, “I was working at Batheaston as a GP and partner at a practice and we did some research with older folk and I
found it enjoyable and interesting.”
The work sparked her interest and so the Bathonian switched to RICE to help in the pioneering work. Currently there are three clinical research trials running at RICE.
Local people with mild dementia or mild cognitive impairment are welcome to apply to RICE to take part in these trials free of charge. They can contact RICE at info@rice. org.uk’
Back to the trials: there is the Evoke trial (with the Danish multinational pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk); Autonomy trial (with Belgium based Janssen);
and the Envision trial (with Biogen from Massachusetts) - so clearly an international effort in the research which will only grow as the population lives longer.
And that is reflected in the increase in the number of patients being referred to RICE via their GPs.
One of the things Melissa Hillier, CEO at RICE wanted to stress was their rating as Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission who judge standards in the medical field. She showed me around the centre - a modern and stylish three storey building on the RUH campus with its
waiting room, therapy rooms, gardens and clinical research area. All very impressive as clearly this is a centre of international importance. And dare I say it a facility that many of us of a certain age may well be grateful for its work in the future.
How it works: patients are usually referred to RICE by their GP. The GP may conduct blood tests before referral to check other potential causes of memory problems. They may also order a head CT scan. RICE checks the test results and at that point the patient enters the Memory Clinic Cathy spoke about. Patients take thinking tests she explained and a medical history is built up as the patient is examined. A likely diagnosis is arrived at and a suggested treatment set in train which include follow up appointments. It’s all very friendly and welcoming for a period in a patient’s life which is inevitably unwelcome.
With Hollywood star Bruce Willis recently diagnosed with dementia and the news of break through drugs like Lecanemab - the development of the condition is a subject set to see further research news and understanding. For more on RICE www.rice.org.uk/
It was 25 years ago that a scheme was founded in the days of New Labour amid concerns about young people being at a ‘risk of offending’.’
Mentoring Plus has come a long way since then with an emphasis on Mentoring as a more positive view of helping a new generation negotiate life with the use of adult mentors.
In that quarter of a century Mentoring Plus has helped more than 1,000 young people with finding ‘a positive path forward, helping them cope with life’s challenges and feel happier and more confident,’ as they put it.
The charity based at the Riverside Youth Hub in Victoria Place tucked down a short lane off London Road is seeking new voluntary mentors as well as help in funding.
In 2005 the funding for the scheme was axed by the Government in the new era of austerity but Bath’s Council stepped in with an annual sum of £65,000. Today that figure hasn’t risen so finding the shortfall of around £35,000 is down to fundraising, applying for grants and donations from the public.
The Mentors have one to one relationships with the young people who need help and they come from
all corners of society.
Ruth Keily, the charity’s CEO said that meeting once a month with the volunteer mentors restores her faith in humanity.
Keily a the Riverside Youth Hub off London Road community manager at the youth hub has previously volunteered in a number of organisations including Bath City Farm and has been with the hub for three years.
“We have 60 mentors and they come from all sorts of backgrounds,” she said, “former social workers and teachers who perhaps have moved into management but miss working with young people. Some are looking to move into social services as a career switch and want to gain experience, while others just want to make a difference.”
Ruth has a background in in marketing in banking and has been with the charity for nine years. Her colleague Becki Fox who is the
Young people often struggling in school, with family difficulties or with mental well being need time and help to stay safe and fulfil their potential with mentors who are fully trained she explained.
Mentors build up a relationship with a young person who can be any age from five to 25 over a year gaining their trust and a shared interest such as dance, sports or animals and the countryside.
Becki said that often the young person may only really unload what
concerns them after several months but it’s important that they are listened too as the many testimonials on their website illustrate what a life transforming time being mentored can be.
For instance one girl had been affected by bullying, low self-esteem, social isolation, low mood and significant challenges at home. Following mentoring she changed, became more confident and developed an interest in drama.
Another, this time a young lad came to the scheme depressed and angry but mentored with a strong female role model with a shared interest in music led to him recording his music in the hub’s studio.
The mentors have a budget of £45 a month which can be used for tickets or admission charges - and it doesn’t matter who the mentor is they all get the same - so it keeps activities realistic with as Ruth puts it: so no trips to Disneyland.
For more information about Mentoring Plus - to find out about mentoring and whether it’s for you and also to help with fund raising if possible visit https://mentoringplus. net/or call Becki or Ruth on 01225 429694.
racy
Reporter:There is a new West Link minibus services starting this month.
By Harry Mottram: Bathoniansand all voters in Bath and North East Somerset go to the polls on Thursday, May 4th, 2023 to elect new councillors.
Remember you need personal identification when you vote such as a photo driving licence or passport - or you may not be allowed to tick your cross in the booth.
In Bath and North East Somerset the current council is controlled by the Liberal Democrats who swept to power four years ago when they gained more councillors than the Conservatives in 2019.
Bath Voice understands the LibDems have 35 councillors, the Tories 12, Labour 5, Independents 6, and Greens 1 despite some changes since 2019.
Nationally the Conservatives are not doing well in the opinion polls compared to Labour but local elections tend to throw up contrasting results compared to a General Election.
There are no reliable local opinion polls so it is not known how well the Lib Dems, Tories, Labour and Greens will do or whether the Independents will prosper and remain above party politics.
The Liberal Democrats will be defending their record including such policies that have seen creating the first social or council housing in a generation in former offices.
Another policy are the changes to residential roads plagued by rat runs and ‘park and stride’ commuters but these have not been universally embraced by some residents who lobbied against them.
They have also taken flack over the
at Entry Hill’s former golf coursewhich is now in effect a park and a dog walker’s paradise.
The Government’s National Counter Terrorism Security Office recommended measures to protect the city centre against terrorism after vehicles were used to kill people in other cities in the past. The barriers have been criticised as being too expensive and cutting access and have been dubbed The Ring of Steel. The jury is still out on whether the scheme has a positive or negative effect on trade and access.
They have also introduced more cycle lanes in the city and approved the use of Voi’s e-scooters - to the anger of some motorists but the joy of those who use them.
In their defence they have said they have put in place many of the policies promised in the last election.
The Conservatives have been vocal in their opposition to some of the Resident’s Parking Zones and restrictions to vehicles in general as they claim they affect shops and businesses and are not wanted by some residents due to the costs of paying to park. And they haven’t held back on their criticism of the ‘Ring of Steel’ in part due to the cost that’s risen to more than £7 million.
Plus they will point to the victory of Police and Crime Commissioner Conservative Mark Shelford in the PCC election as good omen.
Labour have made it plain they would be in favour of the Council building more council homes and of getting tough with land owners who allow plots to remain empty when there is a shortage of affordable
services to be brought back within the Council’s full control rather than contracting private firms to carry out many services once done by local authorities.
In the past Labour had city councillors in Bath and they will be hoping their national popularity will have an affect. They do have Dan Norris for Labour who was elected as the Metro Mayor and he has worked with B&NES, South Glos and Bristol on transport and a number of areas to coordinate the councils to work together with mixed resultsdepending on your point of view.
There are currently five Independent councillors and they rely on their personal integrity and social standing to gain votes as they have no official political party for support.
These include councillors in several areas outside the city while in Bath the former mayor Cllr June Player represents Westmoreland along with fellow Independent Cllr Colin Blackburn - and will hope for a further endorsement from voters.
The Green Party may be hoping to emulate their colleagues in Bristol who became the second largest group in the city at the last election.
Currently their only representative is Cllr Joanna Wright of Lambridge. She was elected as a LibDem but switched to the Greens after she failed to agree with their response to the climate emergency after they changed leaders from Dino Romaro to Kevin Guy.
Local elections are important as they affect in some ways the lives of residents as much as a general election so the most important thing for voters is to vote on Thursday, May 4th, 2023, even if it’s raining.
Passengers will be able to book a West Link minibus via phone, app or a website, to take them from more remote areas to major transport routes. The services will run 30 bright green minibuses, as part of a £3-million new scheme known as ‘demand responsive transport’.
The new services are the largest of its kind in the country, having only been run before on a much smaller scale.
Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: “Stop-to-stop tailor-made travel is new for everyone. I am really pleased to see the first West Link bus, which is going into service from April and rolling out thereafter. It’s new to us all, so it certainly won’t be plain sailing.”
Eventually, the app and booking phone service will be able to advise passengers about major public transport route timetables.
The services will cover parts of North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Bristol and North Somerset, which are currently poorly served by public transport. Many of these places will also soon see traditional subsidised bus routes scrapped, as councils decided not to increase the transport levy for these routes in line with inflation.
Single fares will cost £2 for adults and £1 for children, for any length of journey. Concessionary and older person’s bus passes will be accepted. Initially the services will run Monday to Saturday from 7am to 7pm. But in future this will be expanded to 5.30am to 9.30pm Monday to Saturday, and 9am to 6pm on Sundays.
The dates for this year’s Bath Christmas Market have been announced alongside official visitor figures for the 2022 event - which boosted the local economy by an estimated £50 million said the Council.
Bath Christmas Market will open this year on Thursday November 23 and run for 18 days closing on Sunday December 10 with applications for stall holders opening mid-April.
Details from an independent survey of 900 people carried out by The South West Research company, revealed the 2022 market attracted an estimated 426,000 visitors over the 18-day event – which was up from 403,000 in 2019. The research also estimated the market boosted business in the city some £20 million pounds compared to the year before.
More than 900 people were questioned in the survey which revealed the proportion of visitors to the market, who stayed in the city as part of their trip increased during 2022, along with the amount they spent on their accommodation during their stay compared with 2019. The majority of staying visitors said they would consider returning for
another short break at another time of the year. More than 200 traders and 36 charities took part in the market. Bath & North East Somerset Council took over the running of the event in 2020 with a layout of the 178 chalets selling seasonal gifts, food and drink plus last year new Christmas Carts were introduced.
More information for stall holders for the 2023 market will be added to the Christmas Market website in the coming weeks and those wishing to apply can sign up to the mailing list here https://bathchristmasmarket.co. uk/
However not everyone is a fan as some of these remarks left on Trip Advisor suggest. They include these less than five-star reviews:
“Very disappointed. The market is completely overcrowded, and you can’t actually even get to the stalls, parking around the area is also near impossible. Definitely won’t be going again.”
“After wanting to visit for years I was so excited to make the 2-hour journey to Bath specifically for the Xmas market. What a lot of tat, clearly bulk bought from China and being sold at over inflated prices because it was in ‘Bath’ nothing new to see on
the stalls, and there definitely were not 170 stalls as advertised. Don’t bother going if you are planning to, overcrowded, dismal and disappointing.”
Also there was criticism of the amount of coaches coming to the market. Frome Nub News reported that Cllr Winston Duguid told the Council’s scrutiny meeting: “Those that I have known that have lived here for 30 years have never seen Bath so packed as it was on Saturday. I was called out to look at 26 coaches on Wellsway and when I went up to Odd Down park & ride, the extended facility for coaches was full. And for the first time in my experience of living in Bath, the Odd Down park & ride was full.”
Music news: In March, Wera Hobhouse, MP for Bath and Chair of the Music in Education All Party Parliamentary Group, met with the Music Venue Trust (MVT) to discuss the challenges facing grassroots music venues in the city.
The MVT is a UK registered charity which acts to protect, secure, and improve the UK’s grassroots music venue circuit. In Bath, the trust represents seven venues: The Bell Inn, Chapel Arts Centre, Komedia, Moles,
The Royal Oak, St Jame Wine Vaults and Walcot House.
Tom Maddicott, the owner of Moles in Bath, spoke with Mrs Hobhouse about the role his venue plays in the city. Moles supports Bath College and local musicians to practise their skills in front of live audiences, while also attracting swathes of visitors by hosting large acts such as Slowthai.
Tom and Wera discussed how the venues in Bath could have the potential to boost the local economy by encouraging gig-goers to stay in hotels and use local services. Grassroots Music Venues operate, on average, with a 0.2% profit margin. This makes them uniquely vulnerable to external factors such as the cost of living crisis and artist popularity.
Moles also reported that the energy costs for the venue have doubled, and that people are not going out as much as the cost of living crisis continues to pinch.
Under Liberal Democrat proposals, small and medium-sized businesses would be offered government grants covering 80% of the increase in their energy bills for one year, up to a maximum of £50,000.
I think I need to take issue with the headline of last month’s edition. It probably wasn’t necessary to lead your front page with the heading ‘Free Blue Badge Parking To End’. Of course your publication should keep residents informed of whatever BANES council is doing, particularly as (in this instance) actual information from the council hasn’t exactly been presented with clarity.
My partner is a disabled driver and would not find the sudden removal of Blue Badge ‘privileges’ at all helpful, and while the article does state that private cars aren’t affected, two things are I find slightly troubling.
Firstly, your article ought to make reference as to why private cars aren’t affected, in that Bath has a C type CAZ. Neither your writer or the quoted council official refers to this.
Secondly, your headline seems designed to sensationalise the matter, more in the way of a red top daily paper than of a community based freesheet. After all, you needn’t use those kind of tactics to increase your readership when your publication is provided without cost.
I am also unhappy that I only heard of this decision through your
publication, although I should take that up with the council. Happily, my partners vehicle is exempt from any CAZ charges and likely to remain so.
J M GordonPlease see page 2 for an apology.
Because of the Covid pandemic our programme Retired & Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP-West) Schools Programme of help in schools was halted in early 2020. Many schools are now asking us for volunteers to help children catch up with some of the learning they lost over the last few years, but sadly we have lost many of our volunteers and need to recruit again.
If you love reading and books and the company of children, we would love to hear from you! Many children in schools in BANES benefit hugely by having individual time with our vetted and trained volunteers.
A limited but regular commitment of time can bring you pleasure and satisfaction as you see your support helping children to develop confidence and skill and an enjoyment of reading.
We are a completely volunteerled organisation and we do not
charge any schools for our help.
If you want to know more please contact us - either by E mail at schools@rsvp-west.org.uk or telephone 0117 922 4392
Joan WhiteheadRunners wanted Mentoring plus is a Bath based charity who work across BATHNES supporting young people facing significant challenges in their lives. For many young people, difficulties in school, at home or with peers are a daily reality.
Children and teens struggling with anxiety, unmet needs or lack of family resources are missing out on education and opportunities. They feel alone and don’t know where to turn.
We’ve been helping children facing these tough challenges for 25 years, our practitioners and volunteer mentors engage with over 250 local young people each year in mentoring programmes, youth clubs and activities designed to help inspire, increase confidence, self-esteem and improve mental health and wellbeing.
The cost of delivering these services is shooting up, with demand
for them at an all-time high, meanwhile our charitable income has been hit by both covid restrictions and the rising cost of living.
Run for us in the Bath Half and help us keep providing these vital services for children in our community. You will be making a direct contribution towards helping a youngster achieve their full potential. We have a number of charity places left to fill so if you’d like to be part of the team, please contact us for further info at community@ mentoringplus.net. Places cost £47.40p but we do have some concession places available so let us know if you need help with your entry fee. The Bath Half takes place on Sunday October the 15th this year. Mentoring Plus appeal for runners
Becki Fox
Theatre Picks In Bath
Sat 1 Apr. Rondo Theatre, Bath. Bond, an unauthorised Parody. 8pm. By Gavin Robertson. Bond is back –unfit, older, but still wisecracking… and someone’s out to get him. Includes a tiny car chase.
4 Tue-6 Thu Apr. Egg Theatre, Bath. The Selfish Giant. A joyous reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s classic fairy tale. A story of friendship and the meaning of home.
Fri 7 Apr. Rondo Theatre. Scottish Falsetoo Sock Puppets Eurovision Sock Contest. 8pm. Earth’s funniest footwear are back with their latest comedy hour.
Wed-Sat, 12-15 Apr. Mission Theatre.
Hutch. Comedy by John Reynolds. Svenya, a sex chatline operator with a troubled past; Bob, a librarian and ex-convict; and Debbie, a teenage runaway with a secret, are afflicted by the landlord’s malign ambitions. Should they turn a blind eye or make a stand?
Wed 12 — Sat 15 Apr. Theatre
Royal Bath. Farm Hall. When six of Germany’s top nuclear scientists are detained by the Allied forces at Farm Hall, a country house in the Cambridge
countryside, they find themselves shut off from the outside world. In the summer of 1945 they hear the USA has dropped an atom bomb on Japan. Sun 16 Apr. Bath Theatre Royal. Kyiv City Ballet. In February last year, the celebrated Kyiv City Ballet embarked on a much anticipated tour of France. Just a day later Russia invaded, leaving the company stranded and unable to return home. Over a year on, the war still rages and these exceptional dancers remain in exile. With
extraordinary resilience, the company has gone from strength to strength, and we are privileged to be welcoming this incredible group of artists to Bath for two gala performances on their first ever tour of the UK. A varied programme of excerpts from some of their favourite ballets including Swan Lake, Giselle, La Bayadere, La Corsaire and more, this promises to be a unique occasion and a chance to show your support for the people of Ukraine. All profits from the performances go to charity.
Tue 18-Sat 22 Apr. Theatre Royal Bath. The Verdict. Frank Galvin is a washed up veteran lawyer. He is presented with one last chance to redeem himself when he is given an open-and-shut medical malpractice case that no one thinks he can win.
Fri 21 Apr. Mission Theatre. The Lonesome West. Black comedy by Martin McDonagh about an Irish priest on the track of murders in a small Irish village. By the writer of The Beauty Queen of Leenane.
Mon 24 — Sat 29 Apr. Theatre Royal Bath. The Time Machine. Join Original Theatre for a hilarious roller-coaster ride of a show and a brilliant new take on H G Wells classic science fiction novella. Sat 29-Sun 30 Apr. The Egg Theatre. Macbeth. Shakespeare’s story of the ruthless couple is given a modern twist for younger audiences.
Tue 2- Sat 6 May Theatre Royal Bath. Of Mice and Men. John Steinbeck’s classic novel is more than 80 years old, but with themes of economic migration, racism and exclusion it remains a parable for our times.
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Wed 3 May. Rondo Theatre. Seeds of Memories. 8pm. Written by Patrick Withey. Presented by Black Hound Productions. An uplifting show packed to the brim with puppetry and poetry.
Fri 5 May. Bath Abbey. A Royal Celebration concert. Abbey choirs sing music from past coronations and royal events. Featured items will be Parry’s I was glad, Handel’s Zadok the priest, Mathias’ Let the people praise thee. The Melody Makers join the Abbey choirs of Boys, Girls and Lay Clerks in a glorious evening of Royal music.
Tue 9-Sat 13 May. Mission Theatre. Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett. Presented by Playing Up Theatre Company. 7:30pm. Nothing happens, nobody comes as one critic put it. Two tramps contemplate the meaning of life in a strange post apocalyptic world.
Theatre Picks Outside Bath
Tue 18-Sat 22 Apr. Cheltenham
Everyman Theatre. Unexpected Twist. A family friendly show and a re-telling of the Charles Dickens classic, Oliver Twist, by Michael Rosen. Combining two stories in one.
Mon 24 Apr-Fri 5 May. Bristol Old Vic. One Man and His Cow. A rural romp, written and performed by the chaps from Living Spit - top comedy.
Fri 5 May. Taunton. Brewhouse
Theatre. Rosalie. Pleasure Dome
Throw yourself into Judo. Bath Judokwai run classes suitable for ages 11- adults every Monday evening from 6.45pm to 8pm at Hayesfield Senior School Sports Hall, Upper Oldfield Park, BA2 3LA. We are a non-profit making club affiliated to the British Judo Association For more information regarding classes and joining contact www.facebook.com/ bathjudowai/ or 01225 743727
Theatre in partnership with the National Trust present Rosalie, a new one-woman play inspired by Rosalie Chichester 1865-1949: Scientist, Photographer, Explorer, Collector, and unapologetic eccentric.
Pick of Diary Events in Bath
Mon 1- Sun 23 Apr. Bath comedy Festival. Various venues and events. These include a wine arts trail, children’s shows, an exhibition of cartoons, Bizarre Bath tour, stand up comedians and a New Act Competition. Plus there is David Eagle the acclaimed blind comedian at the Ring O Bells on April 3rd; Tue 4th Flibbertigibbet Theatre for children at the Widcombe Social Club; Wed 5th Ray Bradshaw and his Deaf Com 1 show at the Rondo Theatre and a New Act Competition at The Hop Pole; Thur 6th Open Mic Playgroup at
Sat 27 April
CitySound Voices at St Stephen’s Church, Lansdown. 7.30.pm. This popular mixed-voice choir celebrates10 years of music making with an exciting programme that includes Verdi, Faure, Les Mis and Queen. Joining them are choirs from King Edward’s School. www. citysound.org.uk for tickets via Eventbrite and further information.
The Bell Inn; Fri 7th, Jo Burke at Walcot House; Sat 8th Apr, Unrehearsed Blackadder Strikes Back at The Bell Inn Courtyard; Sun 9th Edd Hedges - Work
In Progress at Ring O Bells; Mon 10th Alan Francis - Fat Cyborg at Walcot House; Tue 11th Apr, Elf Lyons - Talks
Dirty For An Hour at Walcot House; Wed 12th, The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen at Widcombe Social Club; Thu 13th, Forum Comedy Club at the Forum Coffee House and also the The Smoking Duck Club - Open Mic Night at The New Inn; Sat 15th, Natural Theatre Company - Street Theatre performance at the Natural Theatre Company Studio; Sun 23rd Nick Page - live at the Stock Exchange Cocktail Club. For full details of many more shows visit https://www. bathcomedy.com/whats-on
Bear Flat Artists Art Trail & Open Studios 2023. Sat 27 to Mon 29 May. Bear Flat, Bath BA2 11am – 5pm daily. Free www.bearflatartists.co.uk 30 words about event: Celebrating 20 years of Open Studios. Almost forty artists welcome visitors to this year’s Arts Trail. Featuring painting, ceramics, jewellery, printmaking, photography, sculpture, glass, wood-turning, glass, illustration, and more.
Sun 2 Apr. St Matts, Widcombe. Palm Sunday Service 10.30am. Holy Communion and Baptism (CW)5pmEvening Service.
Sun 2- Thu 6 April. Commercial Hub, 15 New Bond Street, Bath BA1 1BA Exhibition of winning cartoons 24hr viewing (from street). Free. The best cartoons created by children aged 7 – 11 will be exhibited in the Commercial Hub over the Easter holidays. Come and see who has most successfully transformed a blank piece of paper into a riot of laughs, an explosion of adventure and a gobsmack of disbelief.
Wed 5 Apr. Bath Abbey. St. John Passion – J.S. Bach. The Abbey Girls and Lay Clerks perform alongside baroque specialists Rejouissance. As we move
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ALL TYPES OF WASTE REMOVAL FULLY
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through Holy Week towards Good Friday come and hear one of the most moving Christian works ever written by one of the greatest composers who ever lived. The Abbey Girls and Lay Clerks perform alongside baroque specialists Rejouissance. Featuring Ruairi Bowen as Evangelist.
Wed 5 Apr. Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution. Talk on Georgian Town Planning – Bath & the druid connection. 7pm. £4-£7. This talk is the third in a series of six talks about the UNESCO World Heritage status of the city of Bath. John Wood, the most successful town planner of English eighteenth-century architects, was ferociously eccentric. Professor
Timothy Mowl FSA, Emeritus Professor of History of Architecture and Designed Landscapes, University of Bristol.
Thu 6 Apr. Komedia. The Science of Magic Mushrooms with Dr. Chris Timmermann. Magic Mushrooms are leading the current psychedelic renaissance as they may unlock key questions to understand the mind, treat depression and increase wellbeing. Join Dr. Chris Timmermann, from the Centre for Psychedelic Research, as we explore the avenues of the psychedelic revolution in mental health and the pharmacology of psilocybin.
Fri 7-10 Mon Apr. Prior Park. Easter activities. Pick up your activity pack on arrival at visitor reception and complete the 10 nature-inspired activities that are hiding around the garden.
Sat 8 Apr. Rondo Theatre. Alasdair Beckett-King. 7:30pm. Stand up comedian with his Interdimensional show. Regular on Mock the Week.
Tue 11 Apr. Herschel Museum of Astronomy. Make your own Planet Suncatcher. Family fun.
Wed 12 Apr. Rondo Theatre. Top Secret the Magic of Science. Family show form. 2:30pm. Presented by Amethyst Magic. Hold on to your seats as the Rondo Theatre is transformed into a real-life science laboratory.
Thu 13-Sat 15 Apr. Roper Theatre. Bath Light Operatic Group. Songs from the Shows. The Casting Vote. 730pm. The Roper Theatre, Hayesfield School, Upper Oldfiled Park. Tickets www.ticketsource.co.uk/bath
Fri 14 Apr. Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution. Talk on Supermassive black holes: how to feed them and what happens when you do. This talk will explain how gas is driven onto supermassive black holes to make them active and how an accreting black hole can impact its host galaxy. Dr Carolin Villforth is a senior lecturer in the Astrophysics group at University of Bath.
Fri 14 Apr. Rondo Theatre. Sophie Duker: Hag. 8pm. Stand-up comedy. As seen on Live At The Apollo the sexy baby from Taskmaster is all grown up.
Sat 15 Apr. Chapel Arts Centre. Folk Rock Experience Tour – Songs of Sandy Denny. A British Folk-Rock band, performing original music inspired by the folk, rock and blues movement of
the 60s and 70s, including a dreamy mix of Fairport Convention, Strawbs and Sandy Denny’s greatest hits.
Sat 15 Apr. Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution. Victorian Literature. Discussion Group: Vanity Fair. 11am. A popular mid-Victorian novel by William Makepeace Thackeray is the focus of the discussion. Vanity Fair satirises nineteenth century society and Thackeray created the memorable character, Becky Sharp, whose behaviour is both lively and manipulative. With Veronica Trenchard.
Tue 18 Apr. Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution. Democracy erodes from the top – the challenge of populism in Europe. 7:30 pm. Professor Larry M. Bartels will join us live online and virtually via the large screen at Queen Square from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee to discuss Democracy erodes from the Top – leaders, citizens & the challenge of populism in Europe.
Wed 20 Apr. Burdell’s Yard. Double Act: Patrick Roe and Resolute. Stylish music from the guys.
Wed 20-Fri 22 Apr. The Forum, Bath. Hey Duggee The Live Theatre Show. Join Duggee and the Squirrels in this new vibrant interactive production bursting with music, puppets and barrels of laughs along the way.
Wed 20-Sun 23 Apr. Dinosaur World Live at Theatre Royal Bath, Saw Close. Dare to experience the dangers and delights of Dinosaur World Live in this interactive show for all the family.
Sat 22 Apr. Rondo. My Secret Sister. Bel Barnett, Dora Darling and Su Hart perform Capella harmonies across genres and eras.
Sun 23 Apr. Komedia. Aquapella. Bath’s renowned a cappella group returns for a night of vocal music.
Wed 26 Apr. The Forum. Jennifer Pike & Bath Philharmonia. An orchestral concert that focusses on the power of the human spirit.
Thu 27 Apr. Mission Theatre. Concert by Dean Friedman. 7.30pm. You may recall his chart-topping hits, Ariel, Lucky Stars, Lydia and McDonald’s Girl if you are of a certain age.
Sun 30 Apr. Bath Jewish Burial Ground Open Day. 11am-4pm. The burial ground is hidden away on Bradford Rd, Combe Down, at the entrance to the Mulberry Park estate. For directions see bathjewishburialground. org/findus.html. Parking close by, bus stop opposite. Find out about the lives of Bath’s Jewish community in the 19th and 20th centuries at this fascinating aspect of the city’s history.
Sat 6-Mon 8 May. Coronation Weekend. A number of events will take place on the weekend - some as last minute parties and picnics - whether your are a Royalist or a republican. The crowning of King Charles III means a bank holiday Monday. Events include picnickers on the Royal Crescent lawns for free family fun .
Sat 20 May. Museum of Bath at Work. 11am-1pm. Angus Buchanan Lecture
2023. Dr Cassie Newland – Industrial and Historical. In collaboration with Bristol Industrial Archaeological Society. Saturday 27 to Monday 29 May. Bear Flat Artists Art Trail and Open Studios. 11am – 5pm daily. Free. See various studios and galleries at www. bearflatartists.co.uk Celebrating 20 years of Open Studios. Almost 40 artists welcome visitors to this year’s Arts Trail. Featuring painting, ceramics, jewellery, printmaking, photography, sculpture, glass, wood-turning, glass, illustration, and more.
Pick of Diary Events outside of Bath
Tue 11-Fri 14 Apr. Westonbirt
Arboretum. Easter Activities. Meet Lotty a Feathered Friend and learn all about the birds that call Westonbirt home and even have a go at making your own bird feeders!
Sat 15 Apr. Bedminster, Bristol. Food Festival. eat: Bedminster featuresover 60 food and drink stalls in East Street showcasing the best of local food. Sat 22-Sun 23 Apr. The Big Bark at Bath & West Showground. Bring the whole family. Bring your dog, borrow a dog if you don’t have one. Whatever you do, don’t growl or bark if you miss it and are a fan of all things canine.
7-9 July. Priddy Folk Festival. Tickets/ info at www.priddyfolk.org
Exhibition Picks in Bath
American Museum, Bath. Claverton. The Museum features collections from the United States where you can visit room sets that recreate periods of American history giving the feeling that someone has just stepped out, as well as our world-renowned folk art, quilt and map collections. The Exhibition Gallery has a rotating programme of temporary exhibitions showcasing different links to American culture such as dinosaurs, photography, fashion, American music, history and travel. As part of an exciting new partnership with the Saatchi Gallery, the American Museum & Gardens presents America in Crisis in our Exhibition Gallery from 11 March to 4 July 2023. America in Crisis brings together over 80 works from 39 top American photographers, exploring social change in the US through the lens of a diverse group of artists from the 1960s till today. Experience events close-up, with incredible photography capturing different perspectives during tumultuous times, and get involved with the interactive, immersive displays exploring image classification and consumption.
Museum of Bath at Work. Julian Rd, Bath BA1 2RH. A Visual Record of a City at Work exhibition continues with photos and videos. Enter the world of working Bath through a series of authentically reconstructed workplaces, workshops and display galleries. Two thousand years of working life are on display from a Victorian ironmongers and engineering works, a soft drinks making factory and even a Bath Stone mine working, all on show in a former Real Tennis court, dating from 1777. Displays in two galleries: Landscapes
and Livelihoods and Knowing Your Place.
Victoria Art Gallery. Capturing Life: A Century of the New English Art Club This exhibition will combine work by current New English Art Club members alongside a core of over 30 paintings by illustrious past members. You’ll have the chance to see major pieces by John Singer Sargent, Philip Wilson Steer, Gwen John, Walter Sickert, Stanley Spencer and Winifred Nicholson. Until 11 April. Holburne Museum. Illustrating the World of Woodcuts in the Age of Durer. This is a rare opportunity to view the complete set of woodcuts known as The Great Passion, produced by the most famed artist of the German Renaissance, Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528). Until 23 April; Alberta Whittle: Dipping below a waxing moon, the dance claims us for release: newly commissioned sculptures. Until May 8 2023.
Herschel Museum of Astronomy. Commemorating 200 years since the death of William Herschel. Star Viewfinders. Come and make a star viewfinder and take part in the National Star Count. Find out how light pollution can affect our views of the constellations and see how many stars you can spot from your back garden. Drop in activity. Free with museum entry. Activity will run daily in the gallery.
Museum of East Asian Art. Revolution, Propaganda, Art: Printmaking in Modern China. Continues to 3 June 2023. The exhibition showcases a series of prints selected from Muban Educational Trust’s collection of over 6,000 and tells the story of China’s twentieth-century wars, revolution and rejuvenation. The exhibition explores artistic trends, political movements and technical developments in modern Chinese printmaking. The works presented mark several significant anniversaries in China’s modern history, including the May Fourth Movement (1919), the founding of the Chinese Communist Party (1921), and Lu Xun’s seminal printmaking class, which symbolises the origin of the Modern Woodcut Movement (1931).
Exhibition Picks outside Bath Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, Queens Road. The art of Japanese porcelain. The exhibition examines how Japan became the global leading makers of porcelain between 1640 and 1680. Until 30 July 2023. The Cave Art of Lascaux: a Virtual Reality Experience at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery. Step back in time 21,000 years and visit the incredible Stone Age cave art of Lascaux in immersive 3D. Until 10 Sept 2023.
Stonehenge Visitor Centre. Circles of Stone: Stonehenge and Prehistoric Japan is a new exhibition celebrating the rich culture of prehistoric Japan. Through a number of exquisite objects, some seen for the first time outside of Japan, the exhibition tells the story of Japanese settlements and stone circles of the middle and late Jomon periods, roughly the same time when Stonehenge was built and used. Until 20 August 2023. Regular events in Bath
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Football: Bath City FC play in the Vanarama League South, the sixth tier of the English league system.
This month the team play at home in the league against arch rivals Taunton in the battle of county town v city on bank holiday Good Friday with a 3pm KO. Then it’s struggling Essex side Concord Rangers on the 15th at Fortress Twerton and finally on the 29th they welcome Oxford City who are potentially in the play-offs for promotion.
The Romans go on the road to relegation threatened Hungerford on April Fools’ Day and Dorset’s Weymouth on the 10th. A long trip to Cheshunt on the 22nd beckons. Blue, Black and Whites: Bath Rugby play at The Rec in the Gallagher Premiership. Sadly Bath are rock bottom - but hope springs eternal and next season could see a revival of fortunes. There is a home game on May 6th v Saracens.
Away games at Gloucester against the Cherries on the 14th and Harlequins on the 22nd of April at Twickenham.
• At the time of going to press former Bath rugby player Levi Davis was still missing in Spain. He was
last seen in Barcelona on 29th October. His family have spent time in Spain searching for him while the media have speculated about where he went.
The Spanish police have (we understand) ruled out gangland links and are investigating whether he fell into the sea and are treating his vanishing as a missing person.
Bath Ladies Rugby: The 2nd XV play away at Ellingham & Ringwood on the 4th April Saracens Rugby: Bath Saracens are an amateur rugby club competing in the Counties 3 Tribute Dorset & Wilts Central.
Bath Saracens play Bexley Heath RFC on April 29 with a 2pm KO.
Formed on 13th March 1947, Bath Saracens are still going strong 75 years on. A warm and welcoming club, all players of skill and experience are welcome along; whether that be for general fitness, to compete on Saturdays or just to join in with socials.
Cricket: Bath Cricket Club have been drawn in the ECB National Club Championship against Golden Hill and Clevedon at North Parade on Sunday 14th May.
The club are up and batting and
bowling for a new season with home games on Sat 22nd v Swansea at North Parade with a 50 over friendly followed on the next day with a friendly against the south Wales visitors in the T20 format. They also face on Sat 29th Cheltenham and Sat 6th May Frocester in a West of England Premier Cricket League fixture. Croquet: Bath Croquet Club are offering sessions for beginners on the Recreation Ground located behind the rugby ground.
The dates of the sessions are; Taster Session – Sat 15th April am, plus 2 follow-up sessions on 22nd
Museum of East Asian Art. The rise of China as a super power is worying to the democracies of the West but in the 1960s the country underwent a frightening period of internal strife known as the Cultural Revolution.
Ironically that terrifying period has by chance benefited Bath’s Museum of East Asian Art in Bennett Street.
Volunteer guide at the museum Pam Gates (pictured) explained that the museum’s founder Brian McElney was working in Hong Kong at the time and began to collect pottery and works of art seen as decadent by the Communist regime across the border.
and 29th April. Taster Session – Sat 10th June am, plus 2 follow-up sessions on 17th and 24th June. Don’t miss out on this opportunity; please contact Hester for more details: (email: hester2210@btinternet.com or mobile: 07470-822444)
Team Bath Netball: The Bath University based Blue & Golds play home games against Severn Stars on Sat April 8th at 4pm; London Pulse on Fri April 14 at 7.30pm; celtic Dragons on Fri 21st at 7.30pm. This is followed by an away game on Mon Sat 1st May against Strathclyde Sirens at 6pm.
The Packhorse Inn: The Packhorse Inn has celebrated the fifth anniversary of its reopening following the community buy-back and restoration
The anniversary party was held over the third week end of March with live music on all three days.
The highlight of the event was the cutting of the birthday cake by Brian Perkins who was born in 1930 in a first floor bedroom of the Packhorse. Members of Brian’s family were Landlords of the Inn going back to the early 1900’s.
Brian related many memories of the Inn, including WW2 when both
British and American troops were customers.
There was also talk of the several ghosts whose presence is still in evidence.
There was a wonderful atmosphere, especially in the garden in the warm early Spring sunshine on the Sunday.
It was Just like an English village inn should be and showed how much the Inn was needed and is appreciated by the community and the vision and hard work of those who brought the Packhorse back to life..
Rob ColesHe built up a collection which included works from across East Asia which he eventually brought to Bath forming the basis of the museum’s collection which opened
to the public in 1993 as an education charity.
The collection has been added to by long-term loans and donations by the public over the years.
There is some exquisite artworks including items dating back thousands of years revealing how advanced civilisations were when Bath was still the preserve of neolithic hunters.
Student Games: University of Bath students won 11 medals, including gold for sporting scholar Leah Crisp, and set a host of personal bests when they competed in athletics, badminton, climbing and swimming at the 2023 BUCS Nationals in Sheffield.
Leading the way with 10 of the podium places was the Bath student swimming squad, who secured impressive fourth-placed finishes in the men’s, women’s and overall rankings after some superb performances at the BUCS Long Course Championships.
Twenty members of the team progressed into A finals, competing in a total of 30 individual and five relay finals.
Stand-out swims came from Santander Sporting Scholar Crisp whose three medals included 800m freestyle gold in 8:42.44 plus bronze in both the 400m freestyle and 1,500m freestyle.
Ivor Powell Sporting Scholar Cameron Brooker (Mechanical Engineering) won two individual medals, silver in the 200m freestyle and bronze in the 200m backstroke. He also played his part in the 4x100m freestyle, along with Aiden Symons-Brown, Miles Drabwell and
Lewis Maxwell, and the 4x100m medley relay, along with David Miller, Josh Gammon and Symons-Brown, where both teams were edged out to fourth by the smallest of margins.
First-time individual BUCS medallist Jemima Hall 200m freestyle, and Ekaterina Price 200m butterfly, posted lifetime bests to get onto the podium against strong international fields. Hall then teamed up with Jana Spinner, Maisie Gilford and Annabel Smith to bring home another bronze medal, this time in the women’s
4x100 freestyle. Gammon, backed up his BUCS short course success over the winter by winning two individual butterfly medals at the championships.
Katie Scott in the Badminton Championships, won bronze in the women’s singles. Scott also reached the quarter-finals of the women’s doubles with Cara Collins while Toby Dillingham and Santander Scholar William Jones reached the same stage in the men’s doubles. Kaylan Jensen was a quarter-finalist in the men’s singles too after winning two knockout matches in
straight sets.
In Indoor Athletics Matthew Alvarez narrowly miss out on a men’s 200m medal by threehundredths of a second as he finished fourth in 21.94 – he had clocked a new PB of 21.79 in the semi-finals.
Esther Leong set a new indoor lifetime best of 3.83m to place fifth in the women’s pole vault and Biology fresher Evelyne Fonteyne was sixth in the high jump after clearing 1.69m, just 3cm off a podium place. Ben Sutton was 10th in the men’s long jump with a 6.47m effort, while Alex O’CallaghanBrown (Psychology) placed in the same position overall in the 400m with a new indoor PB of 49.15.
Santander Sporting Scholar Aleeya Sibbons ran 7.46 to qualify fourth-fastest for the women’s 60m final but had to pull out of the race.
Nine students also represented the University of Bath in the BUCS Climbing Championships. Kai Pheasant (Civil Engineering) and Aisha Suhaimi (Psychology) were the leading Bath athletes in the men’s and women’s competitions respectively.
Visit teambath.com/student to find out more.
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Sandpits: The Friends of Sandpits group has started planning a centenary celebration in August 2023 with an afternoon event, led by the Bath Area Play Project who have previously put on events in the park. To make it happen they need to raise £1,000.
To donate visit : https://gofund. me/4f5af355
The organisers are also seeking sponsorship from local businesses and are keen to hear any ideas or questions. Email Lynne Whitfield lbwhitfield38@gmail.com
Fight case: A fight outside Sainsbury’s Local at Monmouth Street, Bath, has been reported by Geoffrey Bennett for Somerset Live. They reported that a Michael McGowan, 37, of Teviot Road in Keynsham, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm in October last year at Bristol Crown Court.
The incident happened in the middle of the day and involved McGowan intervening in an assault by a woman on Christopher Barry
The fracas ended when McGowan pushed a broken bottle into Christopher Barry’s head leaving him with a bloody wound.
The court heard McGowan had
many previous convictions for violence. He pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and was sentenced to seven years and four months, comprising of four years and four months’ custody and three years’ extended licence. Traffic news: Motorway traffic heading south through Bath across Cleveland Bridge could soon be sent through Wiltshire instead reports John Wimperis.
Currently, A-roads take traffic from the M4 heading towards the Dorset coast through Bath and across the Georgian bridge, which has an 18-tonne weight limit in place.
But the Department for Transport is carrying out a study into how to improve the connection between the motorway and the coast.
This could potentially see the route be moved off the A46 and A36 in Bath, with traffic instead sent through Wiltshire on the A350.
A spokesperson for the Department of Transport said; “The study is approaching completion and work considering all corridors continues to be taken forward.
“We expect the findings of the study to be available in Spring 2023.”
By John Wimperis, Local
Saltford
Frome
Democracy
Reporter.The burning of a children’s playground in Bath has been slammed as “selfish and antisocial” by a local councillor.
The climbing frame in the playground between Widcome’s primary schools was set alight in the afternoon on Saturday January 25. The fire melted plastic parts of the play equipment and burnt through ropes.
Councillor Alison Born, who represents Widcombe and Lyncombe on Bath and North East Somerset Council, said: “It’s really unbelievable that anyone would be so selfish and antisocial as to deprive local children of the chance to play by deliberately setting a fire. This serious and senseless crime was witnessed by a local resident, so we hope that the perpetrators will be caught.
“Widcombe play park is adjacent to the Widcombe primary schools and is very well used by local children as well as those who attend the schools but live further afield.
“Unfortunately, the council has now had to cordon off the equipment damaged by this thoughtless act of arson.”
Ed Knolleys, who chairs Widcombe Schools PTA said: “This playground is a very important part of the local community, providing safe outside space for children to play and families to meet.
“It’s shocking to see the equipment destroyed like this and upsetting for the children. I hope it can be restored as soon as possible so everyone can get back to enjoying this valuable community space”
The climbing frame had only been in the park for about five years. Ms Born said that she would be looking at what the council could do to restore the equipment.
She said: “I have immediately contacted the Parks department about making the equipment safe and to ask what the Council can do to replace the climbing frame.
“There is only a small budget for play equipment, but I will also investigate all other potential funding avenues and continue talking to local families about what they would like to see on site.”
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: “At just before 4pm on Saturday 25 February, we were called by Avon Fire and Rescue Service
By Fi Isaacs, Bear Flat CC Secretary: Bear Flat Cricket Club (The Bears)
has always been proud of the strength of its ties with the local community.
In 2019 The Bears participated in the ECB All Stars cricket programme for 5-8 year olds. At this early stage the club decided to raise sponsorship to offer places to children who would not ordinarily be able to participate due to a lack of funding.
The club worked with heads of schools to identify those children it was thought would benefit most. Five schools were offered two places each and that has continued throughout the time we have been facilitating the All Stars programme.
Three years on, The Bear Cubs was launched. Bear Cubs is for 9-11 year olds and the programme consists of coaching, playing games and participating in youth tournaments across Somerset.
Never a club to rest on its laurels, The Bears considered what could be done to further enhance the cricketing experience of youngsters in the local community.
The brainchild of Mark Gunning,
Club Captain, and Schools coach, The Bears opted to fund a programme which would provide an introduction to cricket in local schools to give children the chance to experience the beautiful game of cricket. Mark is well known across Bath and has done much to promote the Bears in schools. “What we wanted to do was raise awareness that cricket is an inclusive sport open to all, and wanted to give children the opportunity to try cricket and hopefully fall in love with it”.
Enter stage right Ollie Cox; a Bears player and coach, with a passion for cricket and a desire to coach. Ollie started off coaching the All Stars as a volunteer in 2019, progressing to Assistant Coach in 2021.
Ollie is studying sports coaching and exercise science on a course run by Gloucester University.
When pressed as to why he chose that particular career, he thought for a while and said, “When I realised I couldn’t be a professional footballer, aged 12, I thought how next best I could be involved in sport. That’s when I decided to become a coach”.
Ollie now delivers regular sessions to Oldfield Park Infants, Combe Down Primary and St Philips schools, all free of charge.
Ollie works closely with class teachers with the aim that children learn the skills of a cricketer in curriculum time.
“I deliver a fun session, with warm up games, cricket practice, team games etc, but also teaching life skills such as good communication skills and team building.
“It would be great if some of the children decided to join us for the All Stars programme in May up at The Glasshouse”.
Reaction from teachers and pupils has been complementary, supportive and positive. If successful at the end of the trial period, it is likely this programme will become part of The Bears youth programme strategy going forwards.
Ollie is a qualified ECB coach, DBS certified, first aid qualified with safeguarding level 1, level 2 underway, prevent training and safe hands club child welfare.
If your child is interested in All
* Staying active, keep learning and having fun
* Meeting people and making new friends
* Access to online learning and training
* Free attendance to talks and learning events
* Meeting other members with similar interests
* Learning new things and sharing your skills
There are 450,000 of us in the UK and 1,300 in Bath. We are in “u3a in Bath” and our members are all retired or semi-retired. We take part in a range of educational or recreational activities. See the complete list of over 100 interest groups on our website u3ainbath uk
You can join us by going to our website www.u3ainbath.uk and completing the online application form or you can download the application form from the website and send it to Membership Secretary, u3a in Bath, PO Box 4040, Bath BA1 0EJ . You can also join in person at one of our monthly talks at The Pavilion. Membership fee is only £15 per person per year.
Stars cricket register here: https:// ecb.clubspark.uk/AllStars/ Course/408400bd-ec66-44c6-a93c279b45c088e5
There is more on the club at https://bearflatcc.org.uk/
Monthly Talks are usually held on the first Thursday in the month and start at 10.30 a.m.. Doors open at 9.45 a.m. for coffee. Admission is free for members but a donation of £2 for non-members.
Talks take place at:
The Pavilion, North Parade Road, Bath BA2 4EU
6 April 2023
FUTURE DIRECTIONS IN ARCHITECTURE by Chris Mackenzie RIBA
4 May 2023
DROPPING THE HABIT - A NUN’S STORY by Marion Dante
1 June 2023
THE HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE NORTH SOMERSET COAL FIELDS by Shane Gould
Royal award: An ex-Bath schoolgirl has been awarded an MBE by King Charles III for her work on climate change.
Camilla Born (pictured with the King) attended Hayesfield School in the city before reading Geography at Edinburgh University.
The daughter of Alison Born of Widcombe was awarded an MBE for her work on climate change in the Queen’s Jubilee honours, and received her award at Windsor Castle on St valentine’s Day.
Her work was recognised for her work with Alok Sharma the CoP 26 President and she continues to work in the field working on climate finance and investment. Camilla is also chair of an Oxford based charity, Climate Outreach.
Bus News: A bus company running a depot on an island artists want to take over will not be leaving “for a considerable time.,” writes local democracy reporter John Wimperis.
First Bus currently uses Weston Island in the River Avon in Bath as a bus depot but has said it is planning to move the facility.
There are plans, which have the support of local MP Wera Hobhouse and Bath and North East Somerset Council leader Kevin Guy to see the island transformed into an arts space when the bus depot moves.
Local group Bath Arts Depot urged the council to let the site be developed for arts, with hopes to set up a gallery, studio space, sculpture park, and education programme there.
But it is set to be some time before the island is free for the artists to take over. First still has not found a site to relocate the depot to, and the bus company is currently investing in new solar panels for the site.
A First spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we are installing PV panels on Weston Island depot.
“At some stage we will be looking
to relocate. However, at this stage we have not found a suitable location and, if we did move, this would not happen for a considerable time yet.”
The bus company is currently planning to install 99.2kW of solar panels across the roofs of the depot buildings.
When the island does become available, Bath and North East Somerset Council’s local plan partial update, which was passed in January, states that there may be opportunities for “public facing uses such as creative, arts-based activities” on the island.
Nicola Turner, director of Bath Art Depot, welcomed the inclusion in the local plan, saying: “This is an important stepping stone for our long-term vision for the island, and means that we can start building the funding needed to purchase the island, and create an exciting, innovative, relevant and transformative creative destination for the South West.”
The group’s vision for the island is inspired by the NDSM wharf in North Amsterdam, a former shipyard which now houses one of the Dutch city’s most vibrant and arty neighbourhoods.
Ambulance delays. The BBC reported on a Bath woman Emma Mogg who said ambulance delays led to her husband’s death.
Paul Barltrop and Dawn Limbu reported: “Last July, Garry Mogg, waited for an ambulance for 1 hour and 43 minutes at his home in Oldfield Park in Bath.” Emma Mogg said if the ambulance had arrived faster, her husband would still be alive. It comes as new figures show how bad delays with the region’s ambulance service got to their peak in December. South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) have apologised to the Mogg family and offered their sincere condolences.
Our spring pond is teeming with life. Find the differences between the pictures then colour them in
A Dangerous Business – Jane Smiley
From the author of the Pulitzer Prize winner
A Thousand Acres comes this murder mystery set in Gold Rush California.
The story is beautifully written and incredible evocative of the period. It is 1861, we met Eliza, recently widowed (her husband was killed in a bar fight) and she begins a profession that offers her some financial security in the growing town of Monterey. She also meets Jean, and inspired by their reading of Edgar Allen Poe’s detective Dupin, start an investigation into the disappearance of young women in the town. This is wild west America, there are no dedicated police and only a limited “Sheriff” role. But the women try to piece together the evidence to catch the killer. This book has many adult themes, but the characters are excellent, in
particular Eliza who displays real frontier courage in an ever-changing California where everyone is trying to make their fortunes or running away from something.
Fortune’s daughter – Dilly Court
Dilly Court makes the top ten of the Sunday Times bestsellers lists and has written over forty novels - a very popular author. This book is book 1 of a series called The Rockwood Chronicles. It begins with Rosalind Carey, the eldest daughter of the Carey family who, after her parents abandon them, has to care for her younger brothers and sister, as well as the dilapidated Rockwood castle.
Determined to provide for her family and keep the estate going she has to cope with one crisis after another. Then Piers Blanchard appears announcing that he is a distant cousin, and that Rockwood is his. Piers wants to clear Rockwood’s
debts and restore the estate. Can he be trusted? And will he allow the family to stay?
The Thrifty Gardener –Alys Fowler
As Spring approaches, all minds turn to our gardens. This is an excellent book, particularly for beginners and tries to save you money as well. First and important question is “where are you going to garden?” This could mean a front garden or a window ledge. The author has great tips on design, and for bargain hunting - which cheaper plants to look out for. She describes how to create a worm box from recycled materials; how to use bricks as planters and how to be a propagating genius.
The book ends with a great directory of top vegetables and herbs to grow and I really like the idea of re using yogurt pots as seed containers. Happy gardening!
Truly Happy Baby, it worked for me – Holly Willoughby
Young families are an integral part of Library
Life and in particular young parents are always looking for that extra bit of advice for their new babies. The parents & carers section of your local library always has some great books to look at including this one. The TV presenter has had three children and, in this book, she outlines, in clear chapters, subjects such as feeding, wellbeing and very importantly sleeping. Each chapter has some great ideas on feeding and sleeping routines, especially in the early weeks of a baby’s life. A great collection of ideas, tips and even shortcuts to manoeuvre that first, lovely year of your baby’s life.
The Tiger who came to tea – Judith Kerr
A real classic that was one of the highlights of a Storytime session at a local Library recently. Sophie was just about to sit done for her tea with her mummy when the doorbell rang? Who could it be?
Well, she did not expect a big, furry, and very stripy tiger. He asked, very politely
if he could stay for tea. I will not spoil this story anymore, but it is a very special story and beautifully illustrated. A real teatime treat!
Rosie the Honey Bear Fairy – Daisy Meadows
The Rainbow Magic Fairy books are immensely popular. There are so many fairy books to look at and read. This book we meet Kirsty and Rachel who are staying at Wild Woods Nature reserve. Their week is nearly over but before they leave, they have to help Rosie the Honey Bear Fairy get her special magical key ring back from the naughty goblin Jack Frost. If they cannot then Billy the bear cub gets whisked off to the Ice Lord’s zoo! Join them for their adventures.
Storytime: Thursday at 11am is Storytime at Keynsham Library – term time only and for 0-4 years. Come along, with a cushion and listen to some fantastic new stories. As here’s always so much going on in all our libraries, and it’s all free, so drop in and see what’s on offer. For families with children, sing along at Baby Bounce and Rhyme, or get comfy whilst listening to stories at our ever-popular Storytime. For adults, we’ve got book clubs, writing classes, and much more throughout the year. Joining the library costs nothing, so pop in or visit www.librarieswest.org. uk to also access thousands of eBooks, eMagazines, Audiobooks, and a wealth of other resources! Our ‘Virtual Library’ has loads going on, including the latest library news, competitions, book reviews and, all our digital offers. Search ‘Bath and North East Somerset Libraries’ on social media or visit bathneslibraries. wordpress.com
Tues 10-4pm, Thurs & Fri 10-1pm and Sat 10-1pm.
Email for more info at Moorlandroadcommunitylibrary@gmail. com
And visit https://www. moorlandroadcommunitylibrary.com/ to find out how to volunteer and much more.
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Mondays
Widcombe Choir. Widcombe Social Club. 7.15-9pm. For details see the Widcombe Association website.
Tuesdays
Central Library with Bath La Leche League. Meet the friendly breastfeeding support for mums. 10-11.30am. Details at Email: mara.rl.richards@gmail.com or call 01225 339023 (Mara) or 01225 317631 (Helen).
Old Theatre Royal Tours. Guided tours every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday of The Masonic Hall in Bath, also know as the Old Theatre Royal.
Wednesdays
Widcombe Wayfarers Walks. Meet on the 2nd Wednesday of every month, starting at 10am at the west end of Widcombe Parade. Walks last between 1-2 hours and are medium paced. Come dressed for the weather, with suitable footwear and be prepared for a few climbs. Walks are limited to 20 people and registration is now compulsory. The walks are free but if you would like to make a small donation to this event you can do so when you register. See the Widcombe Association website. Widcombe. St Matt’s Widcombe. Coffee morning at 10.30am. Come down and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee. Southdown Methodist Church. Warm Spaces. 1-4pm. Southdown Methodist Church Centre and Thursdays 104pm offering a warm space, refreshments and activities.
Thursdays
Story Time at Bath Library. 12noon to 12.30pm. Let’s share stories and books at the library! Perfect for families with children aged 0-5. No booking required.
Bath Good Afternoon Choir. They meet every Thursday at the Central United Reformed Church in Argyle Street Bath from 2pm to 4pm. The choir is led by Grenville Jones, where the accent is on social singing for people who have afternoons free.
Fridays
Bath Mosque – Al-Muzaffar. Friday prayers. Check website for various times. https://bathmosque.org.uk/
We Get It. Walcot House. Bath based charity offering support to anyone who has been diagnosed with any cancer or who is supporting someone with cancer. The friendly & informal Get Together at Walcot House, 90B Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5G between 10AM-11:30AM. You are very welcome to join us for a coffee and a chat .For more information see our website - wegetit.org.ukor email us at together@wegetit.org.uk
Saturdays
Bear Flat Community market and café. Third Saturday of every month, from 9:30am to 12:30 pm in the church hall on Bruton Avenue. To book a stall, email market@ bearflat.org.uk
Walcot Antique and Flea Market. The market is every Saturday from 7.30am to 4pm.
Bath Farmers’ Market. Green Park Station. Every Saturday at 9am-1.30pm. You will find quality, fresh, seasonal produce at a fair price.
Sundays
Magdalene Chapel, Holloway. Holy Eucharist – 10am at the Chapel
Church of Our Lady & St Alphege Mass 11am, 6pm. Oldfield Lane.
St Luke’s, Wellsway. 10am. Service of worship.
St Matthew’s, Widcombe. 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month 10:30am Contemporary Family service.
Bath Abbey. Holy Communion 8am using the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. This service includes a sermon, but no hymns, and lasts for 45 minutes.
Do you have an event you would like to be included in the next edition - email Erica at erica@bathvoice.co.uk or call her on 07402 441485.
