Bath Voice October 2022

Tufa Field: its fate rests on a £320K report

By Harry Mottram. Pressure is mounting on the Council to abandon its plans to build on a greenfield site in Bath.

Tufa Field off Englishcombe Lane has been the subject of

planning applications for years with each one eventually dropped.

A recent one was apparently abandoned by the new Council Leader Cllr Kevin Guy, although soon after the Council performed a

U-turn and put forward revised plans for Tufa Field.

Those new plans for a smaller development for social housing will now be considered by Bath & North

Contacts

Harry Mottram News Editor news@bathvoice.co.uk

Erica Benson Publisher and sales 07402 441485 erica@bathvoice.co.uk

George Benson Distribution 07970 767606 george@bathvoice.co.uk

Next issue’s deadline for editorial and advertising is 20th October

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HOW DO I GET IN TOUCH WITH ...

My MP?

Wera Hobhouse MP 26 Charles Street, Bath, BA1 1HU 01225 307024 office@werahobhouse.co.uk

Jacob Rees-Mogg House of Commons Westminster London SW1A 0AA jacob.reesmogg.mp@parliament.uk

My councillor?

Oldfield Park: Shaun Stephenson-McGall 07483 299240

Shaun_Mcgall@bathnes.gov.uk

on

Widcombe & Lyncombe: Alison Born 01225 319188 Alison_born@bathnes.gov.uk

Winston Duguid 07899 066440

Winston_Duguid@bathnes.gov.uk

Moorlands: Jess David 07977 500804

Jess_david@bathnes.gov.uk

Southdown: Paul Crossley 07718 632959 paul_crossley@bathnes.gov.uk

Dine Romero 01225 477496 dine_romero@bathnes.gov.uk

USEFUL NUMBERS

Bath & North East Somerset Council

Guildhall, High Street, Bath, BA1 5AW

Bath One Stop Shop 3-4 Manvers Street, Bath, BA1 1JQ Council Connect 01225 39 40 41 Email: council_connect@bathnes. gov.uk

Bath & North East Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau 2 Edgar Buildings, George Street, Bath, BA1 2EE 0344 848 7919 NHS Urgent: 111 / Emergency: 999

COMPLAINTS

Combe Down:

Gerry Curan 01225 330349 / 07900684562

Gerry_curran@bathnes.go.uk

Bharat Ramji Nathoo Pankhania Bharat_pankhania@bathnes.gov.uk 07464 867554

Odd Down: Joel Hirst 07792 869044

joel_hirst@bathnes.gov.uk

Steve Hedges 07971270879 steve_hedges@bathnes.gov.uk

Twerton: Sarah Moore 07807013635

Sarah_moore@bathnes.gov.uk

Tim Ball 01225 400834 / 07970461674

Tim_ball@bathnes.gov.uk

Westmoreland: June Player 07967 920064

June_Player@bathnes.gov.uk

Colin Blackburn 07796 807157

Colin_Blackburn@bathnes.gov.uk

Police

www.avonandsomersetpolice.co.uk

General inquiries: 101 Emergency 999 Fire www.avonfire.co.uk Inquiries: 0117 926 2061 Emergency: 999 Anti-social behaviour team asb@bathnes.gov.uk 01225 842462

Well Aware Health and social care information www.wellaware.org.uk (Freephone) 0808 808 5252

Despite our best efforts, we sometimes get things wrong. We always try to resolve issues informally at first but we also have a formal complaints pro cedure. If you have a complaint about anything in the Bath Voice, contact the News Editor using the details below. We aspire to follow the the Code of Conduct of the NUJ (National Union of Journalists), nuj.org.uk/about/ nuj-code.

Further details of the complaints process can be found on our website or can be obtained by contacting the Editor by email: news@bathvoice.co.uk or by post: 1 Camerton Close, Saltford, Bristol, BS31 3BT or by phone: 07402 441485

All stories and pictures are © Bath Voice (unless otherwise stated) and may not be reproduced without permission. Bath Voice News & Media Ltd

Residents unhappy at Cllr Guy’s U-turn over the Tufa Field development

Continued from page 1 beyond. Deer, badgers, foxes, slow worms, birds of prey are either residents or visitors.

East Somerset Council’s cabinet this autumn, after the meeting to decide the fate of the field and de facto nature reserve was postponed due to the death of the Queen.

The ward councillor Cllr Jess David has come out against the plans if the project work ahead of development finds the plans inappropriate on financial or environmental grounds.

Residents were dismayed by the council’s U-turn having thought they had won the argument that Tufa Field with its steep sloping aspect, subsidence and flooding problems was not the place for a building site.

The Friends of Tufa Field have charted the site’s wildlife with images of the flora and fauna posted on their website.

As part of a green corridor or green lung into the city it links up with Corston View Park, Rush Hill Open Space and the woodlands that stretch up to Odd Down and

Bath Voice understands from one resident that some the UK’s rarest bats are frequently seen there.

Resident Danny Groves said: “The previous regime’s approach was far from transparent when it came to liaising with residents over reckless plans to destroy this ecologically sensitive space by building 37 houses on it whilst declaring a climate emergency for Bath at the same time.

“What we hope for going forward is far more openness from the council. We are pleased that they have engaged with residents on this current plan and that they are taking the ecological importance of the tufa field seriously.

“Residents have also always been concerned about flood risk and landslip issues connected with any attempt to develop the land.

“No detailed, independent expert analysis was undertaken in

the past even though water runs under it and it is prone to waterlogging.

“What we have asked for all along is that the aspects concerning flood risk, landslip and the tufa itself are subject to independent expert surveys, and that the results are shared with residents before any development moves forward.

“We hope that will be the case this time around.’”

Cllr Jess David said: “I want to put on record that I and a number of my residents have very strong concerns over the appropriateness of this site for any development.

“We are concerned about the ecological features of the site (species and habits), the impact of any development on local springs, and the land stability. These are all features of the site before the specifics of any design or access arrangements are considered.”

A report to cabinet earlier in the summer recommended progressing a scheme to provide

accommodation for adults with learning difficulties and or autism with nine bungalows and seven apartments built on the site with measures to protect the ecology of the area.

The development will not cover the whole of the field partly due to the issues of land stability caused by the unusual geology of the site.

The Council approved £320k of capital funding to carry out further development work on the plans.

Cllr Kevin Guy said: “We have listened to residents and asked our officers to revise the original plans for the site and to deliver a smaller scheme providing essential support for vulnerable people, while ensuring the important local ecology is given greater protection.

“Cabinet will consider the report carefully before deciding whether to progress the proposals.”

The Council said it would be a low-density, small-scale, sensitive development providing a range of housing options to meet the needs of around 16 tenants.

n NEWS IN BRIEF

Eco group: Eco Together project launched last month was aimed at helping people cut energy bills. It is a simple project for small groups of friends or neighbours. The group gets together for five structured sessions that cover energy, transport, food and resources.

The groups explore the powers each person has to create change, through lifestyle, community, advocacy and communication. Eco Together provides a handbook developed by environmental professionals to help each person choose activities that suit them best.

Four successful pilot groups have run in Widcombe and Weston. Group members took a wide range of actions, from reducing plastic and energy use to contacting their councillors and raising climate change at work.

Eco Together is hosted by Transition Bath, an environmental charity. There will be four Eco Together information sessions at the Bath & North East Somerset Climate and Biodiversity Festival from the 24 September to 2 October. The website is www. ecotogether.info or contact hello@

ecotogether.info

Cyclists on pavement: A concerned reader has contacted Bath Voice to point out cyclists are breaking the Highway Code in Bath.

He said: “It’s common for people to cycle through the Claverton Street subway and on the pavement from there to Holloway.

“For the pathway from Holloway to St Mark’s Road, there is an explicit ‘no cycling’ sign at each end, but this restriction is more observed in the breach than in its observance.

“Those rules which contain ‘must’ or ‘must not’ in capitals are legal requirements. One existing rule (64) has ‘You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement.’ and this has the penalty set at £500.”

Scooters on pavement: There’s been a lot of comment on social media about the way the Voi e-scooters are left after a journey by a hirer.

Photos of them littered across pavements creating a menace for those who are visually impaired and anyone pushing a pram or in a mobility scooter have appeared on Facebook sites.

One suggestion is to have

designated parking areas for them a bit like a mini taxi rank.

Something needs to be done as the scheme has expanded to more areas of the city including East Twerton, Oldfield Park, Bear Flat, Bathampton, Southdown, Combe Down and Batheaston.

Refugees: Bath Welcomes Refugees is a volunteer-run organisation offering practical support for people fleeing war and other traumas.

They also campaign on a local and national level to further the interests of refugees and to push for more families and individuals to be brought to safety.

They support and assist agencies who are involved in settling refugees and as a Community Sponsorship Group they are able to take full responsibility for welcoming and resettling individual refugee families to the area.

Also importantly they offer language training, employment and educational support and recently helping with the Homes for Ukraine initiative and the Ukraine Family Scheme.

More details at https://www. bathwelcomesrefugees.org.uk/ St John’s: The St John’s Crisis

Programme provides funding support to individuals and families in Bath & North East Somerset who are struggling financially.

The programme provides funding for a wide range of items that meet the most essential needs, such as beds, white goods, furniture, carpets, counselling, debt support and basic employment skills and training.

Applications must be made through a professional referrer such as a registered charity, housing association, health visitor or any other organisation working to support individuals and families in crisis.

Grandfriends: To bridge the age gap GrandFriends need more volunteers in Bath.

They said: “We are looking for older people with regular or occasional time to spare, who’d like to give their company to younger people and make a difference. Perhaps you have a relation, or neighbour, or retired colleague, or perhaps this might appeal to you?”

Visit: doit.life/volunteering/ organisation/899802/ grandfriends+uk/page for more information on Bath’s GrandFriends.

n NEWS IN BRIEF

Liz Truss: The Conservative’s Parliamentary Spokesperson for Bath Matthew Heappey has congratulated the new Prime Minister of the UK Liz Truss on her victory in the election to become the leader of his party.

He said: “She will be excellent new leader of the Conservatives and Liz will be the third female Prime Minister in our nation’s history.”

For those who have an eye on politics in Somerset may have spotted that Matthew’s brother is the MP for Wells, James Heappey.

The Tetbury based Conservative works for Close Brothers Asset Management, and is married to Becky. They have a daughter called Milly and depending on boundary changes he may well be the MP Wera Hobhouse’s main opponent in the next election.

Discovery cards: The Discovery Card gives local residents access to council-owned locations, including the Roman Baths, Fashion Museum, Parade Gardens and Victoria Art Gallery, as well as discounts with local attractions and businesses.

Residents can register either a digital eCard which can be

displayed on a mobile device or a physical card made from recyclable plastic.

Locations where the card can be validated include the Roman Baths, Bath Housing, Welfare and Advice Service next to the new Police Station, at Keynsham Library, and Midsomer Norton Library and Information Service.

Residents who have had a Discovery card in the past are asked to register for their new card by applying online through the council’s website. When ordering the card, you will need to register

for an appointment so the card can be validated at one of the council’s collection locations. At one of these locations, a member of staff will check proof of ID and address and take a photo to go onto the card.

Those unable to book online can apply by calling Council Connect on 01225 394041 or apply in person at one of the council’s collection locations.

Cllr Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council and Bath MP Wera Hobhouse said they were delighted with the cards. Bear Flat market: The Bear Flat community market is on the third Saturday of the month from 9.30am – 12.30pm, in the Methodist Church hall in Bruton Avenue with the next one scheduled for 15th October.

The aim is to promote local food and to provide space where the community can get together, share information. They welcome local artists and craftspeople, and offer a free table to other groups using the church hall. The café serves coffee, tea, hot chocolate and a range of cakes. They also do monthly teas provided in the Methodist Church Hall, at 2:30 pm on the first Thursday of each month.

Domestic abuse: The Bath social campaigner Joe Scofield has drawn attention to the followers of the Proud of Twerton, Whiteway and Southdown Facebook site to the issue of domestic abuse

He said: “Sky News reports that there’s a big increase in domestic abuse in the UK fuelled by the cost of living crisis.

“Things like financial pressures and job insecurity can act as triggers for someone with a bad temper and then they take it out on their partner.

“It’s important to speak up if you’re a victim of domestic abuse and not keep the problem hidden.”

Helplines are: 24-Hour National Domestic Violence Freephone Helpline: 0808 2000 247. The main aim of this helpline is to keep women and children safe.

Southside (not the youth service) telephone 01225 331243 Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Has an office in Twerton. Offers expert help to men and women.

Voices: Telephone 01225 420249 Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. A Bath-based charity founded by women who have experienced Domestic Abuse.

King Charles III, and Royal visits to Bath

By Harry Mottram: The proclamation of the new Sovereign, King Charles III, was read out by the Chair of Bath & North East Somerset Council, Councillor Shaun Stephenson-McGall, at 2pm on Sunday September 11.

He was joined by the Mayor of Bath, Councillor Rob Appleyard and other dignitaries. Members of the public were invited to listen.

It followed a regional proclamation from the High Sheriff of Somerset, Jennifer Duke, who is for all intents the King’s representative.

Flags were flown at half mast following the death of Queen Elizabeth II and books of condolence were opened at Bath Guildhall, Keynsham and Midsomer Norton Library. Floral tributes were also left at Parade Gardens in Bath, Keynsham Memorial Gardens and the Hollies Garden, Midsomer Norton and Haycombe Cemetery.

Whether King Charles will visit Bath soon is open to speculation (he owns land at Inglescombe and Newton Park) but his mother the Queen made a number of visits to the spa city.

In 1956 the newly crowned head of

state was accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh when she met the city’s dignitaries and was warmly welcomed by residents just 11 years after the end of WW2 in which her father played a crucial role in boosting moral.

The Queen of course (then Princess Elizabeth) was in uniform during the war as a member of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS). She began her service in 1942 as a second subaltern, eventually becoming a Junior Commander. She returned to Bath in 1973 and 1976 as well as nearby at the Bath and West Showground in1948, 1966 and 1985 as a keen supporter of field sports, agriculture and equestrian pursuits.

Charles I was caught up in what became known as the English Civil Wars - eventually losing out to the forces of Parliament and was subsequently found guilty of treason and executed. Hopefully Charles III will have a less eventual time on the throne and will shall we say - keep his head. The Royalist army of Charles I failed in an attempt to storm Bath during the conflict suffering what was effectively a score draw on Lansdown Hill with the Parliamentary army retaining the city after the battle.

However Charles’ wife Queen Henrietta did briefly visit the city on her way to exile in Paris stopping off on her way to Exeter and finally

Falmouth where a ship spirited her away to France.

With the increase in popularity of the hot baths of the city attracting visitors for health reasons towards the end of the 17th century it was no surprise that Charles II’s wife Catherine of Braganza immersed herself in the hot waters - in a failed attempt to get pregnant. Doctors will tell you that hot water alone is not enough to conceive.

Prince Charles of course has visited Bath having accompanied his mother previously and on his own as the Prince of Wales - and is the grand master of the Order of the Bath - a title for top military people - but nothing to do with Bath.

Lane,

Me Not

C o o l V e n t u r e s s h o w e d m e h o w t o

e v e l o p a m a r k e t i n g p l a n a n d l o n g e r t e r m s t r a t e g y f o r t h e b u s i n e s s T h e y h a v e a t e a m o f a s s o c i a t e b u s i n e s s c o a c h e s w h o e a c h h a v e d i f f e r e n t s k i l l s e t s , s o t h e r e ’ s h e a p s o f e x p e r i e n c e t h e r e t h a t y o u c a n t a p i n t o ' ' Nathan Fuller, Challenge Outdoors

The Proclamation in Bath - the formal method of publicising the accession of the new king

Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Bath in 1973, credit Bath in Time

NEWS

St Luke’s Community Fair

By Jackie Albrow: St Luke’s Community Fair offers fun and games for all on Saturday 8 October 2022 2pm-5pm.

The days may be getting shorter but the Community Fair at St Luke’s Church on Saturday 8 October 2022, from 2.00pm to 4.30pm will lift your spirits.

Aimed at bringing people together after a tough couple of years, there’ll be free entertainment, refreshments and companionship for all ages.

Organised by the church, with input and contributions from local community groups, businesses and voluntary organisations, it is free to attend and join in.

Jackie Albrow, one of the organisers from St Luke’s says: “Many people are finding life difficult at the moment and we could all do with a bit of extra love.

“The Community Fair will give everyone a chance to have a break, and meet their neighbours, with an afternoon of fun and games, with quizzes, demonstrations and challenges to keep children - and adults - busy.

“Additionally, we’ll be offering

somewhere quiet to sit and chat, or for people just to be still and enjoy the peace of their parish church.”

The Fair will take place in St Luke’s Church on Wellsway, Bath in the Church, Church Centre and church grounds.

The programme is likely to include outdoor games, creative activities such as making cards or badges, toddle group, live music, dance demonstrations, story telling, face painting, bingo, Raffle, and a tombola.

All activities will be free. However, if you do hanker after some retail therapy then there will be a book stall, craft stall, and bric a brac sale (to raise money for Bath Food Bank.

The event will also be a chance to find out about everything that goes on at St Luke’s.

Of course, there’s regular Sunday worship but also community services such as the Chatterbox playgroup for toddlers, Open the book, Street Pastors, Youth group, and the Prime Time lunch club for seniors, plus an amazing range of activities offered by local groups in the Church Centre.

For more visit http://www. stlukesbath.com/

Letter: Moorland Road Library exhibition on memory loss

Many people nowadays know someone with memory loss. It may be a parent, grandparent, relative, or friend.

Moorland Road Community Library currently has a display of books and information that we hope will help.

For adults, our display includes factual information in book form, and in information leaflets from the Alzheimer’s Society; examples of books written by people who are themselves living with memory loss; and also, fiction containing a central character with memory loss.

Children too may know someone who they love who is starting to behave differently and be frightened and upset by this. Our display features both picture books and books for older children with storylines that can help children understand what is happening. Both adults and children can be nervous of visiting someone in a care home setting, especially if that person has

memory loss, so we have included books which cover this situation. There are also some books with beautiful illustrations and very short text perfect for sharing with someone who has memory problems.

I have also included copies of my own book The Memory Detectives. I wrote this to help children to communicate with someone with memory loss. Woven into the story are examples of how to reawaken memories, and also a little of what to expect, both good and not-so-good! I am no longer marketing the book but if anyone would like a copy, they are welcome to have it for free or, if they prefer, give a small donation to Moorland Road Library.

Julia Amos

See page 15 for more

We are a charity which sells pre-loved, quality furniture through our online shop.

All sales help to fund new beginnings and better futures for homeless and vulnerable people.

Quality Donations Needed

genesistrust.org.uk

n SCHOOL NEWS

By Harry Mottram: It has been a summer of success for schools in Bath with some impressive results in GCSEs and A-Levels.

The 2022 Year 11 cohort at Oldfield School have achieved excellent GCSE results and they exceeded expectations with results that have bucked the national trend and have improved from those in 2020 and 2021.

There were many outstanding individual achievements across the cohort and 14 students achieved a clean sweep of grade 7 to 9, particular mention should go to Freya Keyford

who achieved eight grade 9s, Conal Little, Bronwen Williams and Becky Weldon who gained seven grade 9s and Aidan Matthews with six grade 9s.

As with students across the country, Oldfield School’s Year 13 cohort have had a difficult couple of years. Head of Sixth Form, Graham Nash said “Once again, we are enormously proud of our Year 13 students and their success in their final examinations. We were particularly pleased that the number of A* to A grades has continued to rise, with 30% of all grades being A* or A and 63% of

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St Michael’s School, Twerton Sarah - 07881 758292

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Percy Community Centre Bath City Centre Jane - 07857 147093

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Saltford Hall, Saltford Cher - 07824 336925

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The Parish Hall, Weston Sarah - 07881 758292

Thursday pm Methodist Church, Southdown

Jane - 07857 147093

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The Methodist Church, Southdown Jane - 07857 147093

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Rugby Club, Combe Down Cher - 07824 336925

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Odd Down Sports Ground Emma - 07886 629496.

Beechen Cliff students have celebrated a strong set of A Level and GCSE results this summer.

Continued on page 9

Oldfield School have achieved excellent results

October 2022 To advertise, contact Erica on erica@bathvoice.co.uk or call 07402 441485 bathvoice8 slimmingworld.co.uk Ralph Allen School had a good summer for exam results

n SCHOOL NEWS

Continued from page 8

all grades were B or above.”

There was also celebrations at Beechen Cliff where one third of A-Level students achieved A*/A grades and 66% of grades were at A*-B, above the national average this year.

Students studying the vocational courses also achieved great results with an average grade of a Distinction.

Around 140 students are now going to take up places at university with three quarters of students securing their first choice. Of these, seven students are off to Oxbridge or to study medicine. Other students are moving onto apprenticeships, college, employment or a gap year.

Beechen Cliff were also pleased with the GCSE results with over 80% of grades achieved were grades 9-4 and over 40% were grades 9-7, well above the national average this year.

Plus 82% of students achieved a grade 4 or above in both English and Maths and 78% of students achieve at least 5 grades of that standard or above including English and Maths.

Hayesfield Girls’ School also recorded some fine results. Nearly 50% of all grades achieved were Grades 7-9, 40% achieved an incredible five or

more grades at that standard. 90% of students achieved a minimum of Grade 4 in both English and Maths, setting strong foundations to enable them to achieve their ambitions.

Hayesfield Mixed Sixth Form recorded a third of all grades at A* or A and almost two thirds at B and above with 87% at C and above which is an impressive achievement far in excess of national averages. Over a third of students achieved 3 grades at B or higher.

Lucy Back will be studying Biology at Oxford University. Five students, Olive Keech, Hannah Grendon, Francesca Booker, Harriet Stephens and Head Student, Bella Heenan, will be studying medicine.

Eleven students will also be pursuing their artistic talents through art foundation courses at local colleges.

Elleze Francis has achieved a prestigious degree apprenticeship in Law with Osborne Clarke and Madison Tombs will be undertaking an exciting degree apprenticeship in aeronautical engineering with Airbus.

Owen Boyce and Henrietta Wigley Ganan will be studying professional policing at university.

Moreover, three students, Charlotte Champion, Iommi Burrows and Evie Goold will be moving on to the prestigious Norland College and Matilda Evans is undertaking a Hospitality apprenticeship at Babington House.

Ralph Allen School’s 2022 A level results exemplify a high achieving culture with many students receiving impressive results across all of their chosen subjects.

48% of all grades were A*-A. 75% of all grades were A*-B and 91% of grades were A*-C. 89% students achieved A*- C

grades in 3 or more subjects. 24% of students achieved A*-A grades in 3 or more subjects.

While at GCSE the school achieved 35% of grades were 9, 8 or 7. 31% of students achieving 5 or more top grades. 9% were grade 9.

Dr Jo Saxton, Chief Regulator, of the Government’s Ofqual said: “The results are higher than those of 2019, and – as we have always said – lower than in 2021, when there was a different method of assessment. It makes sense to compare this year’s results with those of 2019 when exams were last sat.”

Students at Hayesfield Girls’ School with their results this summer

n NEWS IN BRIEF

Defections: The current Liberal Democrat run Bath and North East Somerset Council has acquired a new councillor after one of the Conservative councillors defected.

Cllr Paul May of Publow with Whitchurch has left the Conservative Party and joined the Liberal Democrats.

He was accepted into the Lib Dem Group at a special meeting held in Keynsham on 22 September.

Cllr Dr Yukteshwar Kumar left the Liberal Democrats and sat as an Independent councillor in 2021. He joined the Conservative group in July.

At the 2019 elections the Liberal Democrats had 37 councillors, the Conservatives had 11, there were six Independents and five Labour members.

Cllr Joanna Wright defected from the Lib Dems to the Green Party last year.

Business job: The MP for North East Somerset Jacob Rees-Mogg has been given a new role in the cabinet of Liz Truss.

He will be the core cabinet member as secretary of state

for business and energy, with responsibility for meeting the UK’s legally binding target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The MP for 12 years has been a prominent Brexiter, leader of the House of Commons and most recently minister for Brexit opportunities and a strong supported of the outgoing prime minister Boris Johnson.

In the 2019 general election Jacob Ree-Mogg had a 14,729 majority.

Bus fares: The Bath Labour Party have reported on the Metro Mayor’s announcement of cheaper single and return fares across the West of England.

Labour’s Dan Norris said all single tickets in Bristol and Bath will be reduced to £2 for adults and returns will cost £3.50 from later this autumn.

The BBC reported that day rider tickets in Bristol will increase from £5.30 to £6 from last month but children will pay a £1 flat rate across the whole West of England.

Mr Norris, who leads the West of England Combined Authority

(Weca), covering Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire, said the new fare package delivers on his pledge for simpler and cheaper bus fares.

The scheme is a joint initiative from Weca, North Somerset Council and the bus operators, including FirstBus and Stagecoast West. Speed watch: Writing in the Bloomfield Community FaceBook site Julie Ingerfield reported on the Bloomfield Community Speed Watch (CSW) team who had conducted more than a dozen sessions each month in the area.

She noted: “These sessions resulted in almost 1,000 Police interventions; more than any other unit in the entire force area. Why do we do it? Because we are passionate about road safety.

“CSW is an educational program; there are no fines or points involved. Interventions range from a friendly advisory letter right up to a home visit from the Police.

“For more information about Community SpeedWatch please contact a member of your Neighbourhood Policing Team. To

join the Bloomfield SpeedWatch team please write to us at bloomfieldbathra@gmail.com.”

A survey carried out by a fellow resident in Englishcombe Lane (as reported by Bath Voice) showed that a substantial number of drivers in the lane broke the recommended speed limit - with some driving at 50mph or more.

Geoffrey Chaucer: at Bath Voice we appreciate references to past scribes and this one really touched the ink pot.

This is part of a match report from the Bear Flat Cricket Club which reported on a large win for ‘The Bears’ down in Somerset.

The team at the autumnal end of the season won by 226 runs against Mark. John Heywood of the Bear’s remarked: “For better than never is late; never to succeed would be too long a period.”

Which as all literature students will know is from Geoffrey Chaucer’s, The Yeoman’s Tale

We understand that Chaucer may have been an opening bat for Canterbury in 1400.

n NEWS IN BRIEF

A new and greener chapter in the Dolemeads

By Rachel Meyrick: When you’re on the London train, arriving into Bath, you might have spotted some unusual Bath architecture. There’s an enclave of Victorian red-brick terraces. Made from Brunel’s engineering brick in 1901, this is the historic city centre village known as The Dolemeads.

These homes are on a site which has been a key part of Widcombe for hundreds of years. Always densely populated, these homes were Bath City Corporation’s first social housing, and inhabited by artisan workers. Today, it’s a vibrant and united hive of people: teachers, health workers, artists, families, key workers, Curo tenants and home owners.

If your train slows down enough, peer to the left. There, beneath you as you cross Brunel’s viaduct, is the Dolemeads Community Garden: a Bath-stone coloured golden triangle, surrounded by herbs, sunflowers, poppies, apples, pears and sweetcorn…

At the end of August, residents

invited local councillors, businesses and volunteers who had all contributed to transforming an unloved and neglected children’s playground into this communityenhancing oasis. After successfully winning a National Lottery Community Fund, residents were able to buy plants, trees, paint and ground finishing to transform a sad patch of land into a wonderful place to sit, grow food, and enjoy nature. Local support came from from Widcombe Association, Cllr Alison Born, Helen Peters, Beverly Wallis, Bath Labour, Curo, Goodgym, Prior Park Garden Centre, Newmans Joinery, Rhys Meyrick, Goodgym, Sydenhams, and Jewsons and Maggie the local sign-writer.

The party was the garden’s official opening, encouraging residents to get involved. It was a very jolly atmosphere where people were able to plant their own bulbs and take collective ownership of the space. Already plans are being made for an autumn barbecue and a weekly coffee meet

up in the garden for home workers.

There is no doubt that the residents have succeeded in meeting the goals that they came up with, when they first asked each other - “what do we really want from this space?” Now, the garden is fully functioning, a space for people to relax, meet, enjoy and

cultivate the wildlife, relaxation, exercise, socialising and growing food to share to enrich the community.

If you’re passing, pop in and take a seat, wave at the trains passing overhead and enjoy your moment here in one of Bath’s most vibrant neighbourhoods.

How it looked before - a place of weeds and occasional rubbish

It just needed some TLC - local residents Dan and Creina enjoying watering the plants

Looking ahead to 2023 with the planting of bulbs for next spring

School Open Day, Little Farmers, and bang the gong n NEWS IN BRIEF

Open Day: On Friday 7th and Saturday 8th October, Oldfield Park Infant School will hold open days for parents and their children to view the school ahead of enrolling their very young students in the 2023 cohort.

The Palladian Academy Trust phrontistery asks parents to book a place by contacting the school in advance.

Bang a gong: This is from the Mayor’s Office about a new tradition of banging a gong on August 31: “A huge historic brass gong in Bath’s Guildhall has been ceremoniously struck for the first time, marking the beginning of a new tradition in the city.

“The 30inch/75cm diameter brass instrument, which hangs from a heavy iron frame, was commissioned by the city of Alkmaar in the Netherlands in 1946. It was presented to the city of Bath in 1947 and marked the formalising of friendship between the two cities at the end of the Second World War, after Bath residents raised funds and hosted 50 children from Alkmaar in 1945.

“Former Mayor Hon. Alderman Will Sandry was given the honour of striking the gong, in recognition of the key role he played in reviving interest in the history of the link between the two cities.”

Little Farmers: Bath City Farm in Whiteway, Bath, is launching the next round of “Little Farmers” at the Farm, a club especially for under 5’s and their parents, following receipt of funding from BBC Children in Need.

The club is free for participants who qualify and live in Southdown, Whiteway or Twerton areas of Bath, the children having been affected by

Will Sandry strikes the gong in the Guildhall marking the link with the Netherlands’ city of Alkmaar forged in 1947. It will be struck on August 31 annually

Founded in 2015, the organisation has taken on its first part-time paid worker whose role is to coordinate the volunteers.

And on that note the charity seeks more volunteers - from people with language skills to hands-on support of befrienders, teachers, assistants at social events and helpers at the weekly crèche.

the pandemic in some way whether that be isolation or difficulties with eating a healthy diet

Activities vary each week and include feeding the farm animals, growing and watering plants, crafts and songs.

For further information about Little Farmers and to request an application form please email sadie at sadie@bathcityfarm.org.uk or call 01225 481269.

Refugees helped: Bath Welcomes Refugees is a charity the believes people forced to flee their countries need a safe home.

n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC

Queen’s passing is a huge personal loss to many

OUR great nation was shaken to its very core following the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

I recognise that, of course, there are varying views on the monarchy but no one can deny the Queen’s positive contribution through her support to a vast number of charities, shining a light on the hard work of numerous organisations who make a difference to people’s lives.

Her Majesty the Queen has lived by her oath to spend every day of her life in service to her people. As an inspirational leader, she has been a great example to us all and nobody could have done more to serve this country and the Commonwealth.

I know many of our communities felt a huge personal

loss when the sad news of her death was announced on September 8.

For most, she is all we have ever known and, after speaking to colleagues, officers and residents, I think most people were surprised at the intensity of their grief.

The week between the announcement of the Queen’s passing and her funeral was a very sombre and solemn time and, over those ten days, I was determined to visit as many police stations as possible. So many of our police officers’ working life is born out of duty to the Crown and I know that they felt this loss acutely.

I have sworn allegiance to the Queen twice: firstly when I was Scout at the age of 11 and then,

as a young soldier of 19, I swore allegiance to the Queen and her family, to protect this country. Similarly, our police officers also swear an oath to the Queen and her death has had a huge impact on them.

I want to take a moment to thank and recognise the police officers, police staff and PCSOs across Avon and Somerset and the country for their work to help facilitate the numerous memorial events, proclamation ceremonies and the funeral of the Queen itself; their work and support has kept the public safe while they paid their respects.

I deeply share the sorrow that our united nation continues to feel at the passing of our Commander in Chief.

In many of our lifetimes, we

For details visit their website at www.bathwelcomesrefugees.org.uk/ Autumn splash: Bath’s Cleveland Pools, (Britain’s oldest lido dating back over 200 years) opened for outdoor swimming last month.

The organisation behind reopening the pools raised more than £8M towards their renovation.

After a 17 year campaign to save the Pools a National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) £6.1 million grant was awarded to help bring the community pool back to life.

Day-to-day operation of the pools is by Fusion Lifestyle which operates a large number of lidos and pools throughout the country.

will never see a monarch reign for the length Queen Elizabeth II did, and to do so with grace, generosity and selflessness is astonishing.

Things will never be the same again but, having known King Charles III for over 30 years, I know he too will be a respected and dedicated monarch.

With Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford

Join the award-winning Bath home care company that’s changing how Carers are treated.

• Our Carers average over £11.75 an hour paid for every minute of their shift.

• That’s over £24,000 a year for a full time Carer.

• Earn an additional day of holiday allowance each year up to 33 days a year.

• Be part of a small local team with visible support from our Community Support Managers.

• Our profit share scheme ensures you benefit from the success you help to make possible.

• We respect your availability. No demands for unreasonable hours.

• We offer a range of full and part time roles to suit your lifestyle.

• With Senior Carer and Community Support Managers created all the time, we believe in promoting from within.

• Over 75% of our managers started as Carers with us.

• We offer Full Private Medical Insurance for you with the option to add your family.

“I always felt like I was fighting a losing battle with my previous employer but it’s the complete opposite here. I’m so happy with the way I’m treated and the level of respect I feel.”

“I’ve gone from feeling like I was taken advantage of at the last care company I worked at to feeling cherished and valued. You are making a huge difference to my soul and mental health.”

Fairfield House: The wartime residence of the Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie is in need of more volunteers to help keep the property open for visitors on a Sunday.

If you are interested email fairfieldhousebath1@gmail.com with your name, where you are based and how often you might be able to volunteer.

Fairfield House Bath CIC is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company founded to protect and preserve the legacy of the former Emperor of Ethiopia ‘s home in Kelston Road, Bath.

For a time it was used as a care home and is currently used as a day centre for a number of groups as well as being a property with an unusual past linked to the Second World War and the Italian invasion of the African nation in 1935.

Selassie lived in Bath while in exile until the British forces liberated Ethiopia during WW2. Changes to RUH parking This month there is a new contractor taking on the task of collecting car park money at the hospital.

All the pay stations will be replaced with new, easier to use machines say the RUH.

Up until now the first 20 minutes are free with charges mounting from £2 there after. Now Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras will log the time a vehicle has entered the car park but before you leave you will need to enter your car registration number into a payment machine.

Parking for blue badge holders will remain free along with those patient groups who make frequent visits to the RUH.

It is £2 for the first hour, two hours costs £3.30 and £4.80 for three hours meaning the prices have risen.

There’s a free 20 minute period for pick-ups and drop-offs.

The RUH said that anyone parking over four hours will have to pay hefty charges partly to deter long stayers abusing the car park.

Twinning error: Apologies to the Bath Twinning Association over some added copy from a different story that accidentely ended up in

a report on their activities.

So here is the correct article minus the erroneous wording relating to Tesco. These things happen - we have also repeated the rather jolly photo as well for good measure.

Twinning News: Martin Guest of the Bath-Braunschweig Twinning Association has reported on the Bristol-Hannover Council who are currently celebrating the 75th anniversary of their twinning link with a wide range of events and civic visits.

He reported: “One of the more unusual activities was the sailing of a small cutter  from Hanover to Bristol, bearing a large barrel of gin.

“This cutter, the “Spirit of Niedersachsen”, was registered in Braunschweig (Bath’s twin city in Lower Saxony).

“As the “Spirit” passed through Bath, members of BathBraunschweig Twinning Association were invited on board for a short cruise on the canal and the chance to sample some of the Hannover gin, which we can heartily recommend.

“The barrel must be returned to Hanover, but the contents will be bottled and sold to raise funds for two charities:  the Invictus Games and the German War Graves Commission.”

To join the twinning society visit http://www.bathbraunschweigtwinningassociation. co.uk/ Moorland Road Library: There is a new display featuring books on Alzheimer’s Disease and other types of memory loss at Moorland Road Library.

The display was established in September and runs until 15th October.

Julia Amos of the library said:

“We have a range of leaflets offering advice and helpful information, provided by the Alzheimer Society.”

Moorland Road Community Library was set up to manage and run the library in response to

hearing that Council funding for the library would cease in March 2019.

To prevent closure of the library volunteer local resident have taken on the running of the bibliothèque.

It opens Tuesdays from10am to 4pm, and from Thursday to Saturday from 10am to 1pm.

See a letter on page 7. Residents’ Parking: The Council have given dates and times for ‘drop-in’ events over the new residents’ parking zones (RPZs) in the city.

A consultation was held in May to get feedback over the plans. They are now seeking views of residents on the revised plans. The proposed RPZ drop in events are: Walcot, Snow Hill and Claremont Road area, Tuesday 4 October, 4-8pm, Riverside Youth Centre, York Mews; Entry Hill area: Wednesday 5 October, 4-8pm at St Luke’s Church, Hatfield Rd; Chelsea Rd and Foxcombe Road area: Tuesday 11 October, 4-8pm at Weston Methodist Church, Newbridge Hill; Lyme Gardens and Charmouth Road area: Tuesday 11 October, 4-8pm at Weston Methodist Church, Newbridge Hill; St John’s Rd, St Michael’s Rd and Hungerford Rd area: Wednesday 12 October, 4-8pm, Grace Church, St Johns Church, Upper Bristol Road; Sion Hill and Summerhill Road area: Thursday 13 October, 4-8pm, Bath Spa University, Sion Hill; Beacon Hill Area: Friday 14 October, 4-8pm at St Stephens Church, Lansdown Rd, BA1 5SX.

Big fire: Crews from Bath, Hicks Gate, Kingswood, Temple, Radstock, Weston-Super-Mare and Avonmouth were called in the early hours of the 21 September to a fire in Grove Street, Bath.

The firefighters used multiple high pressure hose reels and jets, plus two turntable ladders as water towers, to extinguish the blaze. The occupants were safely evacuated from the building and there were no casualties.

The cause of the fire is thought to have been accidental ignition.

As the “Spirit” passed through Bath, members of Bath-Braunschweig Twinning Association were invited on board for a short cruise on the canal

n SPORTS NEWS IN BRIEF

Football: Bath City FC play in the Vanarama League South, the sixth tier of the English league system.

This month they play Hungerford at home on the 8th, Cheshunt on the 22nd and Dover Athletic on the 29th of October.

Away days are with Concord Rangers on the 15th, Havant and Waterlooville on the 26th and Tonbridge on the 8th November.

The Romans began the season with a 0-2 defeat by Dartford at Twerton Park in August but then had impressive wins against Eastbourne, Braintree and Slough picking up early points.

Early days in the campaign but the squad are settled and in good shape.

Bear Flat FC: The Bears look to consolidate their position in the third division of the Bath and District Sunday League with an away game at Lansdown against Team Nathan AFC Reserves this month.

More Football: Other local teams include Bath United FC who have a number of youth internationals in their squad, Larkhall Athletic; and Bath Arsenal Juniors. We would like to hear from these clubs and their junior and female sides - drop us a

line with an email so we can keep up with your news.

Blue, Black and Whites: Bath Rugby play at The Rec in the Gallagher Premiership finishing in bottom place in the league of 13 teams. Fortunately there was no relegation and the same applies this season as the league wants the premiership to increase to 14 teams but to gain promotion from the championship teams such as Ealing and Doncaster need to reach set standards for their grounds which so far have not been reached.

Clearly Bath do not want to end this season in last place as it led to bitter recriminations.

The Gallagher Premiership awards 4 point for a win, 2 points for a draw, plus1 point will be awarded to a team that loses a match by 7 points or less and to a team scoring 4 tries or more in a match.

The team are away to London Irish on October 1, and again on the 15th to Saracens with another away day on the 29th to Worcester. Home games are October 8th against Gloucester, and finally they play Northampton on the 22nd. In the Premiership Rugby Cup they take on Bristol on the 19th - that’s an evening game at the Rec - so that

surely will be a sell-out. C’mon Bath! Saracens Rugby: Bath Saracens are an amateur rugby club competing in the Dorset & Wilts 2 North. Formed on 13th March 1947, Bath Saracens are still going strong 70 years on.

Bath Saracens play Sherborne on the 1st October and Warminster on the 29th at their Lambridge Ground.

They are away on October 15th in Trowbridge and play Combe down on the 22nd - so only a short trip to the other side of Bath. Combe Down Rugby: Combe Down Rugby Union Football Club was established back in 1896.

The club has mini, senior and junior sides and welcomes new players.

The Club have paid tribute to the late Brian Smith with this obituary posted on their website in August:

“Brian joined Combe Down in

season 68/69 working his way up from the seconds to become an integral part of the 1st XV during the 70’s and early 80’s!

“A very good plumber/builder by trade, he could have just as easily been a comedian along with his fellow player and friend Jasper Justice. They used to entertain us after games and on our many coach trips to away matches you just couldn’t help but laugh at the pair of them.

“Though mainly a winger Brian also played in the centre when needed, and Ollie Strickland can recall a rejigged 3Q line with myself at 10, Kelvin 12 Brian 13 against Stroud Nomads. We smashed them obviously. But Brian’s best performance back on the wing he scored a try against Cilfynydd down Continued

in Wales for us to record a double against them. It’s up there with one of our best performances over the years, including cup final wins, especially as the week before they’d beaten Bath United!

“Brian played rugby with whole hearted commitment but always with a smile on his face, great times.

“Condolences to Brian’s family from all at Combe Down Rugby to Ollie Strickland and Wyn Bailey.”

For more details of the club and to join or watch the team play visit http://combedownrfc.rfu.club/ More Rugby: There are more clubs in Bath including Walcot RFC; Old Culverhaysians RFC; Old Sulians RFC; Oldfield Old Boys RFC and Bath Old Edwardians RFC. Send you news to Bath Voice - email below.

American Football: for fans of the sport Bath has its own team in the Killer Bees based at the University.

The Killer Bees (pictured) have been a University club for 25 years with many former players going on to play for senior American Football teams across the UK and even the GB American Football team.

Home fixtures this season are Plymouth Blitz on Nov 6th; Aberystwyth Tarannau on Dec 11;

Worcester Royals on Jan 29th with local derbies against UWE Bullets 2 on Feb 5th; and another cruncher against Bath Spa Bulldogs on Feb 12 at Bath Spa.

For details of how to join the team or simply to watch the games visit www.thesubath.com/

AmericanFootball

Hockey 1: City of Bath Hockey Club were formed from a merger between Bath & Phillipians Hockey Club’s at the turn on the millennium. The club field 4 Men’s & 2 Ladies’ teams and have a thriving junior section. The men’s 1st XI competes in the West Hockey League Championship North.

Hockey 2: Team Bath Buccaneers Hockey Club are based at The University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY. See www. teambathbuccaneers.co.uk

Bath Lacrosse: The club enters one Men’s squad at senior level into the South of England Men’s Lacrosse Association competitions and one Women’s squad into the South West Women’s Lacrosse Association Competitions.

Their home games are at Odd Down Playing fields, Chelwood Drive, Off Bloomfield Road, Bath, BA2 2 PR. The club has a strong links to the University of Bath.

Play bowls indoors or outdoors

It’s a sport you can play all year round since bowls is both an indoor and an outdoor game.

Outdoor clubs include the one at Weston and Bloomfield plus the Bath Bowling Club was founded in 1907, at the Rec in central Bath.

During WW2 members raised cash for The Red Cross - and in 1995 they also founded a separate Ladies Bowling Club.

The green is also in one of the most favoured places in the city to play.

For details visit https://www.

bathbowlingclub.com/

Bloomfield Bowls Club has excellent facilities and like all clubs stresses it’s a game for all ages. For details visit bloomfieldbc.com/

The short mat version is literally played on special mats in halls and sports halls.

Wellsway Short Mat Bowling Club play at the Sports Centre, Wellsway School, Chandag Road in Keynsham and also at the Scout Hut, Ashton Way,Keynsham.

Details at: dave.sawyer@live. co.uk

Our Monthly Talks

Monthly Talks are usually held on the first Thursday in the month (except in August) 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. If you join U3A in Bath at the meeting then your admission fee is refunded.

Talks take place at :

The Pavilion, North Parade Road, Bath BA2 4EU

Upcoming Talks

6th October 2022

DIGITAL MEDIA AND THE FUTURE OF THE NOVEL by Kate Pullinger

3rd November 2022

THE REGENCY LIFE IN GEORGIAN BATH by Dr Robert Morrison

1st December 2022

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY by David Bailey

The Wellsway Bowls Club welcomes new members

Plans to give Twerton’s High Street a face lift

By Harry Mottram: Residents around Twerton and district gave their views to the Council over plans to make street improvements to the High Street Mount Road last month.

Twerton High Street and Mount Road are among four high streets in the city to have been awarded a £488,000 funding boost announced in June by Bath & North East Somerset Council.

Concept designs including street furniture, cycle storage, art installations, planting and pop-up uses in vacant shops were drawn up with suggested improvements to give them a face lift.

The consultation online also included drop-in events at Bath City Football Club, Rose Cottage in Twerton, and Southdown Methodist Church Centre, The Hollow.

The other two local centres receiving funding as part of the Bath Local Centres High Street Improvement Scheme were Moorland Road and Weston High Street. The concept designs for

these locations will be consulted on next summer.

Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for Transport, said: “Our high streets are the lifeblood of our communities and it’s vital that we protect and enhance them.

The council secured £295,000 from the West of England Combined Authority’s ‘Love our High Streets’ grant programme for the project.

A further £193,000 will be contributed from other funding sources, including £145,000 from the Community Infrastructure Levy and an additional £35,000 linked funding from the West of England Combined Authority Vacant Unit Action Project.

The improvements to the four high streets will be tailored to the needs of each area. An initial round of community engagement took place in autumn and winter 2021.

A walk up Twerton High Street can be a little underwhelming these days as so many of the shops that once thronged the road have gone.

Part of the presentation of ideas for Twerton’s High Street plans across the main road at Weston Lock is a Marks and Spencer Food Hall - where some of the trade has migrated.

There is still a convenience store, a Boots the Chemist and several other shops and businesses including a charity shop and Time Bank Plus.

However since the Co-operative super market went along with the Post Office the High street has lost much of its trade.

Further down the road and

n LETTER

A number of people have campaigned to improve the High Street including Cllrs Tim Ball and Sarah Moore, but finally something positive may be about to take place for the Bath suburb.

A view on Twerton’s High Street face lift

Letter from social commentator and campaigner Joe Schofield of Combe Down.

Dear Editor

On the one hand, the funding for improvements to Twerton High Street will be welcome news to the many residents who feel depressed by the declining appearance of the street.

high street and football ground in 2019. It is my view that Greenacre Capital have let these properties get into a shocking state, with cracked rendering, broken windows and muck streaking down walls, to pressure the community into accepting any future development plans.

The council can do little about this.

Saltford branch: 01225 873535

Frome branch: 01373 463888

On the other hand, the problems run deeper than a superficial facelift can resolve. Many residents express their dismay that the High Street in Twerton is now used by street drinkers with associated drunken behaviour.

Although some residents take a more compassionate view of the street drinkers, the issue does get a lot of people down and undermines their confidence in their area. The street drinking is a policing matter and can only be resolved when the police have the will and resources to tackle it.

Another issue is the deteriorating state of the shop fronts and flats forming the lower part of Twerton High Street. These properties are owned by Greenacre Capital which was Bath City Football Club’s development partner in the club’s failed bid to redevelop the

I do hope the community will come together to devise ways to brighten up the street as this will definitely have some value.

The other positive news is that the Twerton councillors are holding talks with Bath City Football Club on ways to redevelop the football ground that can be accepted by the council – and those talks are a more significant step towards improving the high street into the future.

Joe Schofield

An alternative view that is fast becoming mainstream: Elena Maher chats through some of the Green issues facing Bath

By Harry Mottram: New mother to seven month old Ted, Larkhall resident, and a Senior Marine Consultant for a firm in Timsbury with a Degree in Environmental Science Elena Maher is more than qualified as a member of the Green Party to discuss some of the issues facing Bath - not least of all the bus crisis.

“Following consultation with First Bus it has been announced that several bus routes in Bath and North East Somerset could be cancelled with timetables stripped back,” she said, “obviously there are huge issues with funding and finding enough drivers at the moment, but it is something we can’t compromise on.

“It’s not just the economy that is affected but also the environment and buses are lifelines for people who need to get to work.

“They are vital for people who don’t have or can’t afford cars and for people who have made the decision to not to use cars for environmental reasons.”

She said the result was to force

more people to use their cars creating increased congestion and pollution.

“Bath wasn’t designed for today’s traffic,” she continued, “but it is really complex as people do need access if they have mobility problems.

“But we do need to move away from the idea that everywhere is accessible for everyone by car.

“Recently in the Netherlands there was a big football match where every spectator arrived by foot, bus or bike.

“That’s where we need to go and have a more holistic view.

“If you walk down London Road as I do with my child it is not nice.

“The pollution from all those vehicles is not good as air quality is very poor.”

Petitions and community campaigns have paid off with the reversal by First Bus of the scrapping of plans to axe the 173 service between Wells and Bath.

An online petition is currently gathering signatures to oppose the scrapping of the Number 2 bus and the 22 service connecting the city

centre and Combe Down while there is concern about the D2 bus service to Frome which could end this autumn.

Another key issue for Bath and the whole country is that of energy and energy conservation.

Elena has a fairly basic and economical plan which would cut energy bills overnight and doesn’t involve building more power plants.

“We really need to insulate our homes properly,” she said, “all new properties should be insulated and have solar panels fitted.

“The same should be for all council properties as it shouldn’t take the current cost of living crisis for us to reduce our gas and electric bills.

“We saw the Government’s Green Grants that were introduced but then cancelled meaning many people didn’t get a chance to apply for them.”

Ella is also keen on the introduction of a Green Energy Hub in Bath to showcase all the ways residents can cut their energy use and bills with alternative ideas which are fast becoming mainstream.

From a heavy curtain over a front door to cut draughts to recycling rainwater from gutters into garden tubs for watering plants.

Funding for insulation she said is the key along with free advice.

National Champions Bath

Bath are National Champions

Congratulations to our U13’s who today have become National Champions. They travelled to Rugby school to take part in the National Finals and were victorious in their semi final against Whitburn CC from the North East of England.

Skipper Fred Stappard and middle order batsman Sam Simmons both reached 30 and dutifully retired as Bath were bowled out for 96.

In reply Whitburn struggled against some good bowling with the wickets shared evenly they bowled out for 42.

In the Semi Final Bath were 96 all out (Fred Stappard 30*, Sam Simmons 30*)

Whitburn were 42 all out. Bath Won by 54 runs

In the final Bath faced Sonning CC from near to Reading and amassed 132 for 3 with all five batsman reaching 20+ and Jamie Gearing top scoring with 31*. This proved too much for Sonning CC who were bowled out for 66 with Jamie Gearing also starring with the ball picking up 4-11.

Bath 132 for 3 (Jamie Gearing 31*)

Sonning 66 all out (Jamie Gearing 4-11) Won by 66 runs

A special mention to Coach Mark Watts who has developed a fine group of players.

Elena Maher of the Green Party

Bitter sweet story of Mack and Mabel

Bath Light Operatic Group return to the Theatre Royal Bath stage after an absence of three years, bringing the classic musical Mack & Mabel to life from Tuesday 18th – Saturday 22nd October.

Mack & Mabel received no fewer than eight Tony Award nominations, including Best New Musical, when it premiered in New York in 1974. The gorgeously melodic score, which includes such numbers as I Won’t Send Roses, Time Heals Everything and Tap Your Troubles Away, is widely recognised to be one of Broadway’s greatest.

Set in 1920s Hollywood, Mack & Mabel is based on the doomed true love story of legendary director Mack Sennett, ‘The King of Comedy’ and creator of the Keystone Cops, and his greatest star, comedienne Mabel Normand. Mack himself takes the audience through the thrilling drama of the triumphs, glamour, romance and regrets of his life.

The Overture to Mack & Mabel was used by Torvill and Dean as the soundtrack to their gold medal-

winning performance in the 1982 World Figure Skating Championships.

Filled with magnificent showstoppers and thrilling tap dancing, this is a chance for the acclaimed Bath Light Operatic Group to showcase their song and dance virtuosity, following recent critical successes with 42nd Street, Shrek, the Musical and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

David Baxter returns as Director and Choreographer, teaming up with legendary Musical Director Matthew Finch who will be conducting a live 19 piece orchestra, to piece together this feel good show that will leave audiences humming tunes as they leave, even if unfamiliar as they enter.

Bath fan favourite Geoff White leads the show as Mack Sennett, and he says; “Who’d have thought when BLOG had just performed Shrek in October 2019, it would be 3 years until we’d be treading these famous boards again. Having been

in each production since 1980, there was a real possibility that performing here may have been a very happy memory!

“It is very exciting, if not a bit daunting, to be back again. I’m delighted to be returning to the famous stage in such an iconic role”.

Grace Macdonald follows on from her dazzling performance as Evita earlier this year by playing the comedienne Mabel Normand : ‘ I am looking forward to performing for the first time on the historic Theatre Royal Bath stage’.

Returning to the company after

ten years is Sophie Baxter who will be playing the all singing, all dancing role of Lottie Ames:

“It feels like coming home to Bath Light Operatic Group. I can’t wait to perform once again to such a large audience after so long away.”

George Miles, who was last seen on the Theatre Stage playing the iconic role of Shrek, returns as writer Frank Wyman ‘ Frank wyman has been a delight to play and interesting to discover his life! It will be an honour to portray him in Mack and Mabel’

Bath Light Operatic Group have been rehearsing for the past 5 months, boasting a cast of 35 who’s ages range from 19 to 60.

This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Limited.

Tickets from £16.

To order online please visit: www.theatreroyal.org.uk/event/ mack-and-mabel/

To order by phone, please contact: 01225 448844. Group discounts and concessions may be available. Matinees 2:30pm Wednesday and Saturday Evening performances 7:30pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

THEATRE REVIEW

A gripping production of The Beauty Queen of Leenane

Step into Mag’s parlour where a badly tuned radio crackles in the background, a pot of porridge congeals on the range and there’s a strong smell of urine in the Belfast sink. It’s a sad and depressing space recreated in the theatre in the round at the Mission Theatre in Bath in Next Stage’s production of Martin McDonagh’s 1996 black comedy The Beauty Queen of Leenane

It’s a universal story of a mother and daughter relationship that’s gone wrong. Both despise the other to the point of hatred although both in a way need each other. With her bad back and bad hand seventy-year-old Mag relies on her daughter Maureen to fetch and carry as the frail grand dame sits in her rocking chair. Angered by her mother’s self-pitying behaviour Maureen’s role as carer is exacerbated by the effect it has on her compromised love life.

Jane Lawson as Mag was so affective as cantankerous old Mag

that it was hard to have any sympathy for her as she belittled her daughter with emotional blackmail. With a quivering lip, a wagging finger and an ability to flip from pleading to condemning in an instance Lawson as the protagonist dominated her parlour until the brutal and climactic ending.

Maureen played with a cold cynicism by Liz Wilson gave a strong performance as the put-upon daughter seemingly enjoying her role as both carer and

sadistic guardian in the claustrophobic psychodrama. Whether it was forcing Complan down her mother’s throat or refusing her a favourite biscuit these small tortures heightened the broken relationship.

Enter into the parlour two versions of the forgotten men of far flung Leenane in Ireland. There’s Maureen’s love interest construction worker Pato (Richard Matthews) who leaves the town to better himself and there’s his brother Ray (Harry Mason) who stays in Leenane content with Australian soap operas on TV and the odd game of swing ball.

Pato’s monologue as he writes to Maureen in England encapsulates the broken dreams and high aspirations of the Irish diaspora while Ray’s disjointed conversations symbolise the left behind frustrations of the under employed. Two exceptional and pivotal performances in a production where the cast maintained believable West of Ireland accents throughout aided by accent coach Patrick McGuire

– always a tough ask for any actor.

Directed by Claire Rumball, the intensity of the domestic drama could have been lost in the broad space but the attention to detail of the set from its pictures of the Kennedys, damp washing hanging up, ironing board and biscuit tin on the kitchen table coupled with atmospheric lighting (Simon Lawson) kept the audience’s focus on the minutia of the relationship.

The themes in The Beauty Queen of Leenane seem so familiar as almost all families have a form of broken relationship in them. It’s one explored in the 1981 movie Mommy Dearest, and the father-son version in the television sitcom Steptoe and Son, and even in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? – the 1962 film featuring the bitter relationship of two sisters. In this excellent production of Martin McDonagh’s play those themes are played out to their violent conclusion with a fine cast who didn’t overplay the Irishness of the setting but concentrated on the bleakness of the comedy.

Harry Mottram

Theatre Review: The Mission Theatre’s production of The Beauty Queen of Leenane

n WHAT’S ON

Mack & Mabel, Henry Purcell, Impromptu Shakespeare and The Children’s Lit Fest - plus opera at the Ustinov Studio

Regular events

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 for details.

Widcombe. St Matt’s Widcombe. Coffee morning at 10.30am. Come down and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee.

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.

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. The goods are sold directly by the people who produce them and everything usually comes from within a 40 mile radius of Bath – if we cannot source locally we sometimes extend beyond the 40 mile radius.

Theatre Picks

Thu 22 Sep-Sat 1 Oct. Theatre

Royal Bath. Noises Off. 7.30pm, 2.30pm matinees. Michael Frayn’s comedy follows the antics of a touring theatre company as they stumble their way through the fictional farce, Nothing On. With Felicity Kendal, Jonathan Coy, Matthew Kelly and Lindsay Posner. Wed 5-Sat 8 Oct. Rondo. Bath Drama present How I Learned to Drive by Paula Vogel. The adult Li’l Bit tells us through flashbacks the story of her younger self in 1960s Maryland; a precocious teen frustrated with small-town life, her juvenile friends, and her overbearing family. The only person who really appreciates and supports her is her Uncle Peck. But Peck has also groomed her sexually from when she was eleven years old. Told with theatricality, humour and heartbreak, through the driving lessons that Peck gives Li’l Bit throughout her adolescence, the play explores a disturbing relationship between a young girl and an older man. This shattering and provocative story delves into the darker realms of sexuality, love,

Coffee Plus

Monday October 24th at Walcot Methodist Chapel, Nelson Place, Walcot. Are you interested in an evening out with entertainment, coffee, cake, and chat?

Then why not come along to ‘Coffee Plus’ and learn about Bath City Farm. We meet monthly, usually the 4th Monday of the month, at 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start. A warm welcome awaits you.

and family life, as Li’l Bit navigates a narrow path between loyalty, family, and her own sense of right and wrong.

Sat-Sun, 8-9 Oct. Egg Theatre. Atom and Luna.11.30am and 3pm. age 7+. Murray Lachlan Young’s latest epic tale for families.

Fri 14 Oct. Rondo Theatre. Impromptu Shakespeare. 7:30pm. Packed with priceless wit, lyrical smarts, romance, and a dash of double-crossing, this leading ensemble do the Bard proud with a brand new one-act hit every time, inspired by audience suggestions.

Fri 14 Oct-Tue 1 Nov. Ustinov Theatre. Dido and Aeneas. By Henry Purcell. 7.30pm, 2.30pm matinees. The opera tells the story of Dido, the widowed Queen of Carthage, and her lover the Trojan prince, Aeneas, shipwrecked on his way to Italy, where he will found a new Troy.

Mon-Tue, 17-18 Oct. Mission Theatre. Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare. Presented by The HandleBards. 7.30pm. Duke Orsino

is in love with Lady Olivia, but she won’t have anything to do with suitors. Viola is shipwrecked and believes her twin brother Sebastian to be dead. Meanwhile, a bunch of Olivia’s servants plot to make a fool out of her pompous butler, Malvolio. There’s drunkenness, frivolity and cross-dressing aplenty.

Tue 18 – Fri 21 Oct . Rondo Theatre. Assassins. Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Assassins lays bare the lives of nine individuals who assassinated or tried to assassinate the President of the United States. 7:30pm.

Tue-Sat, 18-22 Oct. Theatre Royal Main House. Mack and Mabel. 7.30pm. Matinees Weds & Sat 2.30pm. A loving recreation of the silent film era, Mack and Mabel is the story of legendary director Mack Sennett and his greatest star, the adorable Mabel Normand. Bath Light Operatic Group.

Wed-Thu, 19-20 Oct. Mission Theatre. Comedy Of Errors by William Shakespeare. 8pm. Shakespeare’s sparkling farce is a roller coaster of wit, romance, physical comedy and mistaken identities as two sets of twins cause mayhem in ancient Ephesus when their lives and loves become almost inextricably tangled.

Wed 26 – Sat 29 Oct . Rondo Theatre. Female Transport. 7.30pm. A drama about female convicts sent to Australia and how they bond during the voyage.

Tue-Sat, 25-29 Oct. Theatre Royal Main House. The Two Popes. 7.30pm. Matinees Weds & Sat 2.30pm. Directed by James Dacre with original music by Anne Dudley and Anton Lesser and Nicholas Woodeson as the titular characters. The story about why Pope Benedict XVI quit nine years ago.

Sat-Sun, 29-30 Oct. Egg Theatre. Babble. 9.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm. Age 3-5. Babble is an intimate, playful and surreal sound adventure with participation at its heart.

Theatre Picks Outside Bath

Thu 22 Sep-Sat 8 Oct. Tobacco Factory Bristol. Revealed. 2pm matinees, 7.30pm nightly. Protests and riots are erupting outside. A recent incident in police custody has stunned the nation. 16 year-old Luther, his father Malcolm and his grandfather Sidney are thrown together for the night, taking refuge at the family’s Caribbean restaurant. As the three men navigate the chaos

Continued on page 25

Impromptu Shakespeare appear at the Rondo this month

n WHAT’S ON

on their doorstep, their different feelings come to the surface – on racism, masculinity, sexuality, parenting and love. Secrets emerge from deep within their family, and they start to see one another – and themselves – in a new light.

Tue-Sat, 11-15 Oct. Stroud. Cotswold Playhouse. The Welkin. Rural Suffolk. 1759. A young woman has been found guilty of a horrible murder, and sentenced to hang. When she claims to be pregnant, 12 women are plucked from the community to decide whether she is telling the truth or just trying to escape the noose, while a crowd outside bays for her execution.

Written in 2019 by Lucy Kirkwood.

Tue 18 Oct-Sat 5 Nov. Salisbury. Playhouse Theatre. Goodluck Studio. Comedy set in a TV studio where everything goes wrong.

Thu 13 Oct – Sat 12 Nov. Bristol Old Vic. Hamlet. Various performance times. Billy Howle appears as the troubled Dane in Shakespeare’s tragedy.

Diary Events

Sat 1 Oct. Bath Children’s Literature Festival. Includes You Need to Chill Storytime with Juno Dawson at Bath Cricket Club; The Ministry of Unladylike Activity with Robin Stevens at The Forum; Pages & Co. with Anna James at the Guildhall; Small’s Big Dream with Manjeet Mann and Amanda Quartey at the Libary; Heartstopper: Alice Oseman in conversation with Lauren James at The Guildhall; Everything You Know About Dinosaurs is Wrong! with Dr Nick Crumpton at St Swithin’s Church; Draw with Rob! Monsters and Magic with Rob Biddulph at the Forum; Heartstopper: Alice Oseman in conversation with Lauren James at The Guildhall; Joseph Coelho’s Perfect Poems with Matt Goodfellow and Alex Wharton; Story Time and Live Drawing with Duncan Beedie at the Library; Twitch and the Magnificent World of Birds with M. G. Leonard at the Guildhall; The Amazing Edie Eckhart with Rosie Jones at The Guildhall; Journey to the Dragon Realm with Katie and Kevin Tsang at The Guildhall; Big Dream with Manjeet Mann and Amanda Quartey at the Library. See the website for details at https:// bathfestivals.org.uk/childrensliterature/whats-on/

Sun 2 Oct. Children’s Literature Festival. Includes: Richard Ayoade and Tor Freeman: The Book That

No One Wanted to Read; India, Incredible India with Jasbinder Bilan and Nina Chakrabarti The Guildhall; The Drama Llama: A Story about Soothing Anxiety with Rachel Morrisroe;The Perfect Present and the Other Stories with Petr Horáček; Tyger with SF Said and Dave McKean at The Guildhall; Create Your Own Comic Guide to Life with Sue Cheung; Richard Ayoade and Tor Freeman: The Book That No One Wanted to Read; Spellbinding Eco Adventures with Emma Carroll and Hannah Gold; Tyger with SF Said and Dave McKean; Create Your Own Comic Guide to Life with Sue Cheung; The Life of One Tree, Adoette: Storytime and Craft with Lydia Monks; The Drama Llama: A Story about Soothing Anxiety with Rachel Morrisroe. See the website for details at https://bathfestivals.org. uk/childrens-literature/whats-on/

Sun 2 Oct. Widcombe Social Club. Scottish Folk Music. 7.30pm. AOTA FARA. A mixture of self-penned and traditional Orkney tunes and stunning vocals.

Mon 3 Oct. St Swithin’s Church.

IMS Prussia Cove. 7.30pm. Mozart Piano Trio in C major K 548; Janáček String Quartet No.1 ‘The Kreutzer Sonata’; Watkins Piano Quartet; Schumann Piano Trio No. 2 in F major, Op.80.

Wed 5 Oct. Christ Church. Phantom with David Briggs. 7.30pm.

Thu 6 Oct. The Pavillion. U3A. Talk on digital media and the future of the novel by Kate Pullinger. To join call 01225 318438 or complete the online form on their website

Thu 6 Oct. Walcot House. Simon Day - In Character. 7.30pm. Character comic Simon Day (BBC’s The Fast Show, The Simon Day Show, Brian Pern and King Gary) performs some of his much loved Fast Show characters including Billy Bleach, Dave Angel Eco Warrior and Tony Beckton.

Fri 7 Oct. Chapel Arts. Year of the Dog. The fresh brasshouse-soul sound from Cardiff was born at the Royal Welsh College of Music from where they recently graduated.

Sat 8 Oct. St Michaels Church Broad St Bath. City of Bath Brass

Band Centenary Concert and Prom. The band formally The Bath Spa Band were formed in 1921 as the St James Mission band was established at St James church in the centre of the city. Today the band plays at many functions in and around the city. The concert and prom celebrates it’s 100 year history in Bath . Tickets on the door or from bathboxoffice.org.uk

Sat 8 Oct. Chapel Arts. Rosalie Cunningham. The Queen of Psychedelic Prog and her superb band are back out on the road!

Sat 8 Oct. St. Luke’s. Community Fair. Wellsway, Bath. Fun and games for all 2pm-4.30pm. Free entertainment, refreshments, games, craft making, a toddle group, live music, stalls, dance demonstrations, story telling, face painting, bric a brac, bingo, a raffle, and a tombola and companionship for all ages. Organised by the church, with input and contributions from local community groups, businesses and voluntary organisations. Meet your neighbours, with an afternoon of fun and games, with quizzes, demonstrations and challenges to keep children - and adults - busy. Additionally, we’ll be offering somewhere quiet to sit and chat, or for people just to be still and enjoy the peace of their parish church.

Wed 12 Oct. The Forum. Adam Kay. 7.30pm. Comedy show.

Wed 12 Oct. Bath Racecourse. Last meeting of the season. 12noon to 6pm.

Fri 14 Oct. The Forum. Howard Jones Acoustic Trio. 7.30pm. The acoustic shows will highlight a fresh take on Howard’s best-known hits and will provide a rare and intimate opportunity for the audience to hear first-hand about the inspiration behind Howard’s beloved material, plus fascinating recollections from his international touring career.

Sat 15 Oct. Bear Flat community market 9.30am – 12.30pm, in the Methodist Church hall in Bruton Avenue.

Sun 16 Oct. Bath Half Marathon. Join 15,000 runners on this fast and flat 13.1 miles that takes you on two laps both sides of the River Avon, starting and finishing in Great Pulteney Street. Spaces still available for charity runners.

Wed 19 Oct. Forum Coffee House. Chris Arnold & Martin Talbot - The PowerPoint Boys. Comedy evening. Thu 20 Oct. Central United

Bath Children’s Literature Festival continues with Jasbinder Bilan on the 2nd October

Bath Rqcecourse has a meeting this month

n LOCAL HISTORY

Punts, skiffs and messing about on the river: a brief history of the Bath Boating Station

By Harry Mottram: They fell out over tin openers, clashed with steam powered cruisers and together with their dog, Montmorency, George, Harris and ‘J’ embarked on a rowing expedition up the River Thames to Oxford that encapsulates to this day the joys and sogginess of rowing for pleasure on a river.

Published in 1889 Jerome K. Jerome’s Three Men in a Boat still reads well today with its jokes and misadventures and continues to be dramatised on stage, screen and audio.

One of the reasons it was a best seller from the first print run was that it captured a new found enthusiasm for boating amongst the public in a Victorian age that was seeing greater leisure time.

In Terry Hardick’s excellent book the Illustrated History of the Bath Boating Station we see photographs of Victorian and Edwardian gents in waistcoats and straw hats posing by the Bath Boating Station looking like bit characters in Three Men in a

Boat.

The Bath Boating Station continues to hire out punts, skiffs and rowing boats as well as offering accommodation in the riverside amenity.

From the boathouse there’s roughly two or more miles of the River Avon from Cleveland Bridge to

The boat house came about following the construction of the Bathwick Bridge in 1827 (later the Cleveland Bridge) which ended the ferry service across the river.

The boating station was established soon after and by 1841 was known as Aust’s Tea and

pleasure Gardens run by the Austs but by later in the century the Maynards and Fisher families who were in control of the now growing boat house in size.

By the late 19th century the Bath Amateurs’ rowing club had been formed in 1861 with the Avon County Rowing Club formed later and the Bath Ladies Rowing Club established in 1911.

By 1888 the boating house had expanded to include all mod cons including lockers, showers and a bar and with regular regattas on the river it was the hey day of the station.

The First World War of 1914-18 was to see large numbers of troops arrive in the area with not too much to do - so hiring a boat from the boathouse became very popular.

The same was to happen in World war 2 with many Americans enjoying the same recreation including swimming in the River Avon. And the station is still there so pop along and mess about on the river.

Road trod by Romans - but you need oxygen to ascend it

By Harry Mottram: On a bicycle it takes about 39 seconds to descend but on foot to go up Holloway carrying shopping and possibly pushing a pram - allow up to 30 minutes.

Holloway connecting Bear Flat with St Mark’s Road and in previous times the bridge over the Avon where the bus station is not for the faint hearted.

The heart attack inducing Holloway is one of the most ancient routes into Bath flanking Beechen Cliff and commanding views of the city - and is usually ascribed to the Romans as part of the Fosse Way or the Via di Aqua Sulia as I prefer to call it.

In Rosemarie Sutcliffe’s novel The Eagle of the Ninth the Roman soldiers trudge their way along the Empire’s trunk road and must have shuddered at the 1 in 3 steepness of Holloway (to use old money).

It is generally thought that the name ‘Holloway’ derives from the way the road became hollowed out by rain and traffic which sounds likely.

Whether it was derived from the ‘Holy Way’ relating to the pilgrimage route to Glastonbury, or ‘Haul Way’ as used by John Wood the elder, well these seem like later inventions.

Apparently until the 1950s the Holloway was referred to as ‘The Fosse’ or ‘Fosse Way’, - so I rest my case.

Historians believe that the

Fosse Way split at Odd Down, one road heading down to a ford at Twerton, (or two fords) the other down to a bridge in Bathwick.

Old photos show houses lining the road on either side - and it was once the place to live in pre-Georgian times as it was away from the old city and its smells and on a popular road where business with passing traffic was

advertise, contact Erica on erica@bathvoice.co.uk or call

possible.

You can still see the once well appointed buildings of old in the shape of the Chapel of Saint Mary Magdalen and the adjoining Magdalen House and Paradise House with its Venetian-style windows built in1735.

Holloway Turnpike was established at Bear Flat in the mid-1770s at the summit of the newly constructed Wells Road, nearby the Bear Inn and Holloway Brewery. In 1793 the trustees of the Bath Turnpike Roads called a meeting to consider an extra toll for wagons carrying quarried stone that were causing excessive damage to the road surfaces.

Half way up there is (or rather was) a horse trough placed there to quench the thirsts of our four legged friends.

And there was an annual fair on Bear Flat that continued into the 19th century.

Now that’s something that should be restored in Bear Flatalong with oxygen canisters at the top to help weary shoppers.

The tribute to thirsty and desperate horses on a hill to leave anyone gasping: Holloway

The Bath Boating Station pictured on the cover of Terry Hardick’s book on the station Bathampton to navigate.

n TRIBUTES TO THE QUEEN

By Harry Mottram: Last month the nation said goodbye to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II when she died at the age of 96 at her home in Balmoral in Scotland.

Her son Charles is now King Charles III and has taken over as the head of state of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and monarch to a number of nations from Australia to St Lucia.

In Bath many people and groups wished to pay their respects to the late Queen. Apart from the great and good, the council, the MP and other political leaders many in the city expressed their thoughts at this poignant time.

The Palladian Academy Trust which is in charge of Oldfield Park Infants and Junior Schools tweeted: “It’s with great sadness that we hear of the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II and we send our deepest condolences to The Royal Family and our new King who loved her so dearly.

“A much admired lady who lived a life of service to our country. May she rest in peace.”

Bath Rugby tweeted: “Bath Rugby mourns with the nation. The thoughts of everyone at the club are with the Royal Family.”

Bath City FC tweeted: “The thoughts of everyone at Bath City are with the Royal Family.”

Bear Flat Cricket Club posted on FaceBook: “Members of Bear Flat Cricket Club are saddened by the death of The Queen and they send heartfelt condolences to King Charles III and to members of the Royal Family.”

The RUH also tweeted a message: “Message from Alison Ryan, Chair, and Cara Charles-Barks, Chief Executive: On behalf of all at the RUH, we are grateful to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for her dedicated years of public service and our thoughts are with her family at this time.”

And the police also paid tribute with the Chief Constable Sarah Crew saying: “We are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her devotion and extraordinary public service have been a continual source of pride and inspiration to us all.

“On behalf of our officers, police

staff and volunteers, we offer our heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family, as well as to the public we serve at this time of national mourning.

“Now is the time for communities to come together for a period of remembrance and reflection, as we pay our respects to a monarch who has faithfully and stoically served us during her historic reign.”

Writing on the Bath and Proud Facebook site Tracey Elizabeth posted a poem with the last two lines: “How steadfast and strong a woman you were and we love you for all you gave,

“As Paddington Bear sits alone tonight with his bread and marmalade

The Union Flag flew at half-mast at the Bath Guildhall, Keynsham Memorial Gardens and Midsomer Norton Library and Information Service as a mark of respect.

Cllr Shaun Stephenson-McGall, Chair of the Council, said: “As well as being a respected figurehead locally, nationwide and worldwide, we must remember that at heart, HM Queen Elizabeth II was a much-loved wife, mother, grandmother and greatgrandmother.

“And it is with her family that our thoughts lie at this difficult time. We hope and pray that they will find comfort and strength in each other and through our own words of respect and remembrance.”

A book of condolence was opened in the Guildhall.

The MP Wera Hobhouse said: “The Queen represented duty and courage, as well as warmth and compassion. She was a living reminder of our collective past, of the greatest generation and their sacrifices for our freedom.”

Voices for Life, the Bath and district not for profit group inspiring children to be happy and confident through music said: “Our thoughts are with her family. In her memory, we share our song of hope, We are Every Child, written by Francis Faux and Jamila Gavin for the Jubilee.”

Bath Conservatives, the Bath Green Party and the local Labour Party all expressed their sadness at the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

Princess Elizabeth at the Royal Bath & West Show in Cardiff, 1948 - Credit: The Royal Bath & West Show

n RESTAURANT REVIEW

Italian - just like madre used to cook - well maybe

By Harry Mottram: Just a few steps from Bath’s busy Milsom Street is Bosco Pizzeria - which is where we stopped for lunch one September afternoon.

We took a table outside although there was plenty of space indoors and ordered - what else - pizzas.

However I also ordered a starter in the form of arancini - Italian risotto rice balls infused with cheese - which came piping hot coated with breadcrumbs and deep fried, and filled with rice.

Actually I had no idea what they would be so as always in all matters of cuisine I deferred to my wife Linda who being half Italian and an excellent cook of all things from the land of Fiats and Vespas is the expert.

Apparently they originated from the far south of Italy or so I understand - but they were fabulous. Hot, crispy but also so soft inside with its mix of cheesy rice.

Which meant of course they were quickly devoured although Linda

insisted on tasting them and she gave them the thumbs up in true Imperial style.

She chose a mushroom pizza (funghi, cremini mushrooms, porcini, fior di latte mozzarella, mascarpone, white truffle oil and parmesan) which was superb - well that was my verdict having taken a slice of Linda’s pizza.

Again she gave it full marks - they cook their pizzas in Bosco Pizzeria in a pizza oven - a thin base with a thick border which is slightly singed from the fire.

I wish I had gone for the mushroom one as I opted for pizza bosco (fior di latte mozzarella, parmesan, tomato & basil) for what was essentially a margherita pizzaand all I will say it wasn’t as good as Linda’s home made pizzas. Slightly too much tomato and a bit bland.

However Linda was quite happy with the service and food and sitting in the courtyard on a sunny day was very pleasant - particularly as you could eavesdrop on the conversations

all around you. Plus it was her birthday so I was paying so all seemed OK at £30.70 including a Coke and a lemonade. And there was a steady stream of people popping in on the off chance of a table but were turned away due to being fully booked apparently.

The next day was our 40th wedding anniversary so I said we’d try another Italian restaurant. This time it was down the River Avon to Avonmouth, turn left and arrive at La Marina in Portishead - which sits on the harbour edge overlooking the lock gates to the marina and the Bristol Channel.

Of course we didn’t paddle down the river in a canoe but parked by the cricket pitch and walked through the woods by Battery Point to the restaurant.

La Marina was very busy but we secured a table outside - excellent for people watching - and ordered a pot of tea.

It should have been wine but I was driving and Linda rarely drinks. I chose pasta and Linda chose fish. Sea bass with risotto rice, vegetables and potatoes while I had penne pasta with spicy sausage.

At £35.86 including the tea, it was a Ruby Wedding well spent.

October 2022 To advertise, contact Erica on erica@bathvoice.co.uk or call 07402 441485 bathvoice28 A little unconventional I know at La Marina - tea and pasta, fish and potatoes and rice - plus vegetables - all tap quality - definitely go there againmaybe for the golden wedding

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Continued from page 25

Reform Church. Bath good Afternoon Choir. 2pm. Conducted by Grenville and the talented accompanist is Sandie Middleton.

Thu 20 Oct. The Pavillion. U3A Open Day. Find out about the group who have talks, social events and visits. To join call 01225 318438 or complete the online form on their website. 10.30am12.30pm.

Fri 21 Oct. Walcot House. Comedy Unleashed. With Chris McGlade, Philip Simon, Adam Flood, Adele Cliff & Sam Hawkins (MC). 7.30pm.

Sun 30 Oct. Revolution. Bath Comedy Club - With Chris McGlade, Philip Simon, Adam Flood, Adele Cliff & Sam Hawkins (MC). 7.30pm show.

Thu 3 Nov. The Pavillion. U3A. Talk on The Regency Life in Georgian Bath. To join call 01225 318438 or complete the form on their website.

Thu 24 Nov, 7.30pm. St Luke’s Church, Wellsway. The Argyle String Orchestra. Winter ConcertMusic of Europe through the Ages. You’ll enjoy beautiful Baroque masterpieces including Concerto Grosso No.12 by Handel and Double Violin Concerto in A minor by Vivaldi to rare treats from lesser-known composers such as Hans Rott, Asger Hamerik and Ukrainian composer Mykola Kolessa. Tickets £10 on the door or online at www. ticketsource.co.uk/argyle-string-orchestra. www. facebook.com/ArgyleStringOrchestra

Thu 1 Dec. The Pavillion. U3A. Talk on Wildlife Photography. To join call 01225 318438 or complete the online form on their website

Sat 3 Dec. Bear Flat Artists. Christmas Art Fair & Market. 10am to 5pm, Free Entry. Methodist Church Hall, off Wellsway, Bruton Ave, Bear Flat BA2 4QJ www.bearflatartists.co.uk

Diary Events outside of Bath

Pumpkin Patch at Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park. There are a number of family friendly events at the park featuring seasonal pumpkins and entertainments this month.

Fri 21 Oct. The Neeld, Chippenham. LDN wrestling. 7pm. Expect to see edge of your seat, death defying moves as the stars of Wrestling take part in action packed matches for the whole family to enjoy Exhibition Picks

American Museum, Bath. Hatching The Past An exhibition about American Dinosaur Explorers. Until 31 December.

Victoria Art Gallery. Mary Fedden exhibition until 16 Oct. Over 110 paintings and works on paper are featured, covering all periods of Fedden’s career.

Herschel Museum of Astronomy. Commemorating 200 years since the death of William Herschel. The museum will be exhibiting some artefacts on loan from the Royal Astronomical Society and Herschel Family Archive which will showcase William’s achievements. The exhibition will also acknowledge the important contributions of those working with William, including his sister Caroline Herschel. Until Dec 31.

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.