Bath Voice February 2021

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February 2021 No. 12

FREE EVERY MONTH in Bear Flat, Combe Down, Oldfield Park and Widcombe

Covid-19 jabs get underway at the RUH

INSIDE

Green Ellie interviewed Page 4

and businesses to donate cash to keep it open once the pandemic abates.

In a statement addressing the Government’s coronavirus restrictions the farm’s Claire Newman said: “Sadly, the farm will be closed to most people, with a few exceptions.

“We will continue to work with our supported volunteers on Mondays and Wednesdays.

By Harry Mottram. Last month the operation to vaccinate everyone in Bath got underway beginning with staff at the Royal United Hospital.

The NHS Foundation Trust were given the Pfizer BioNtech Covid-19 vaccine in order to protect front line staff and those most vulnerable to the virus.

Cara Charles-Barks of the Trust said: “Our aim is to vaccinate all our staff by the spring and you will all be contacted when it’s your turn to receive the jab. Everyone matters at the RUH and we are all working extremely hard to make sure that we can vaccinate you all.”

One of the first staff to receive a jab was Sheena Brown, a Staff Nurse and former ward Sister who has worked in the NHS for 48 years.

She said: “It feels great to have had the vaccine. I’m a vaccinator as well, so I’ve been here since 8am today helping to vaccinate staff.

“I think it’s very important that people get the jab when they are offered it. The country is going through such a difficult time and this will help save lives and stop the NHS getting overwhelmed.

Continued on page 3

Continued on page 3

Ex-soldier’s eye on crime job Page 8 The farm is unable to generate income from its cafe and shop due to Covid.

For news about sheep arriving at Bath City Farm see page 8

Why Bill Bailey won Strictly Page 11 Blue badge investigation Page 12 Airport plans Page 20

City farm’s battle for its survival

By Harry Mottram. In its long history Bath City Farm has faced more than one crisis but the current Covid-19 emergency is more serious than anything it has suffered in the past.

With the winter lockdown stretching into February the farm is starved of visitors and income.

Resources have always been tight but the popular attraction for families is battling to survive by launching an appeal to the public

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February 2021

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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 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

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

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

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

COMPLAINTS 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 procedure. 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.

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February 2021

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n NEWS Bath City Farm is appealing for financial help during lockdowns Continued from page 1 “If you are an existing volunteer a member of staff will be in touch soon.

“Local people, who live within walking distance, can access the farm on Tuesday, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays for exercise.

“However, the toilets, car park, café, play park and animal areas will be closed off.”

She said that a reduced team of staff would be ensuring the animals are fed, watered and cared for everyday so there was no need to have concerns about their welfare.

With the closure of the cafe and shop the farm’s income has been seriously affected.

To run the farm and to keep it commercially viable it requires an income of £850 a day, a sum that is made up of grants, donations and income from the cafe, shop and courses that are

The Bath City Farm’s website gives details about how to donate and of its many activities and animals

run at the Kelston View site in Whiteway, south Bath.

Claire added: “While we remain closed we are unable to generate an income.

“If you can, please consider supporting our charity with a donation.

“Your generosity means we can continue to provide an essential community resource.

“Whether you decide to make a one-off donation or pledge a monthly gift, your money will go

directly back into the farm, helping our animals, the young people and adults we support.”

Founded over 25 years ago by residents Mike and Sue Walker the farm was registered as a charity on the 26th October 1995.

It’s enjoyed various highlights in the last quarter of a century including when the BBC’s Jonathan Dimbleby attended its first AGM and when a TV programme helped construct buildings on the farm.

In 1998 the first animals arrived (six soay sheep, thanks to Bath City Football Club) and a year later it employed a farm manager.

Talking to locals the farm has a great reputation in working with the community through its various courses and its toddler group Roots and Shoots, volunteering options for young people, team building days and the southside Farm Club.

Despite the lockdown people can stay in touch with life on the farm via the live animal feeding every Saturday morning on FaceBook live.

Claire said: “For 25 years, Bath City Farm, has been there for people in the community who need us. Since the beginning our vision has been to educate, improve wellbeing and transform lives. Help us be there for the next 25 years.”

To donate visit the website at http://bathcityfarm.org.uk/

Continued from page 1

RUH gets vaccinations underway “My message would be – please get the jab, for yourself, your family and the NHS.” The NHS is currently offering the Covid-19 to those most at risk from coronavirus first.

The vaccine is being offered at hundreds of local vaccination centres run by GPs and at larger vaccination centres in the UK. It’s being given to: people aged 80 and over, people who live or work in care homes, people with health conditions and health and social care workers at high risk.

The public will also need to be registered with a GP surgery in England. You can register with a GP if you do not have one.

The vaccine will be offered more widely as soon as possible.

The order in which people will be offered the vaccine is based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

The NHS will let you know when it’s your turn to have the vaccine. It’s important not to contact the NHS for a vaccination.

There’s no evidence the Covid-19 vaccine is unsafe if you’re pregnant and you can have the vaccine if you are breastfeeding.

Got a story for Bath Voice? Email Harry on news@bathvoice.co.uk

• Although incredibly busy, the NHS is still open, and it remains vitally important that any person with an existing healthcare appointment with a GP or at hospital, attends that appointment unless told otherwise.

Missing these appointments not only compromises an individual’s health and wellbeing, it can lead to a clinician’s valuable time being wasted when it could be used to care for another patient.

NHS 111, which is available online or by telephone, remains open 24/7 to provide advice and

The Covid-19 vaccinations began at the RUH with front line staff

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n PEOPLE

February 2021

n NEWS Council’s transport plans move ahead

View from Alexandra Park: Ellie Maher from Oldfield Park is the secretary of the Bath and NE Somerset Green Party

The green Oceanographer with her feet on dry land

By Harry Mottram. Oldfield Park is many miles from the Atlantic Ocean although with global warming and rising sea levels the distance may decrease in centuries to come.

Oceanographer Ellie Mayer, 32, studied environmental science in Plymouth and oceanography for a masters degree in the science.

Originally from Winchester she has lived in the Bath with her partner for a decade although in the last 18 months has become enthusiastic about environmental politics.

“I was quite disillusioned with the main political parties in the 2010 General Election which resulted in the Coalition Government as none of them seemed to represent my views,” she said. “I looked at the Green Party in detail and felt they reflected how I felt about the environment.”

Since that moment of epiphany she has joined the Bath and North East Somerset Green Party and become the secretary of the movement and as she said, ‘has never looked back.’

“Since then I have always voted green but with the first past the post system that is difficult,” she continued, “but I think you should always vote with your heart and your morals” The main issues in the city that need scrutiny are to do with pollution, transport and sustainability she said.

“The council are introducing the clean air zone which we are in support of,” she said, “but we would like it to go further.

“There is concern that traffic will be pushed out to the outskirts where some of the roads are smaller and local communities will get polluted.

“Bath is a small city and wasn’t designed for the traffic we have now so we need to look at investing in public transport, the park and rise systems and cycle lanes and routes.

“Trams could also suit Bath.”

Another concern is over recycling as she feels the Council should publish exact figures of what is being recycled and the percentages of items such as food waste, plastics, glass, paper and metals.

“I think there is more work to be done in recycling especially around household recycling, “ she said, “with more household recycling checks.”

She said because of the way the Covid-19 crisis has hit small shops, residents should try to support local businesses in part because it lowers their carbon footprint by shopping locally.

One issue that Bath does have a problem with is how to insulate the Georgian buildings as replacement double glazing is something of a no-no due to regulations.

“A lot of people rent in Bath and one problem is getting landlords to install proper insulation,” she said.”Guidance on insulating rented homes could be as simple as investing in decent heavy curtains.”

Outside of her job for Eco Marine Consultants Ellie has become an advocate of embroidery during lock down - a skill she finds therapeutic.

A keen jogger and runner she has taken part in the Bath Half Marathon and enjoys yoga in order to keep fit.

To advertise, contact Erica on erica@bathvoice.co.uk or call 07402 441485

A major transport consultation and invitations for expressions of interest on liveable neighbourhoods has been launched as part of the Council’s next steps to tackle congestion, improve health and support more walking and cycling in Bath and North East Somerset.

Residents have got until the end of this month to chip in what they think about future plans for the city’s transport system over the next decade.

The Bath Transport Delivery Action Plan includes ‘liveable neighbourhoods’, residents’ parking zones and electric vehicle parking.

The aim of the plan is to identify ‘deliverable transport solutions’ to improve the quality of live for Bathonians.

It will focus on three key areas: delivering sustainable transport; improving connections; and improving transport.

The Council said they are currently working on a raft of transport related strategies and policies from active travel schemes to improving city centre security.

In a statement they said: “To make it simpler and easier for people to take part in these transport related consultations, all the information is now contained on one dedicated webpage (link). This enables viewers to see how the strategies and policies link together.”

For more information on the Transport Delivery Action Plan and to take part in the online consultation visit https://beta. bathnes.gov.uk/travel-andtransport-consultations.

All responses must be received by Monday 1 March.

There is also a webinar about the schemes on February 1.

Details on the Council’s website.

Entry Hill is part of the scheme to improve the quality of life

February 2021

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n NEWS

Former hotel to have £1m upgrade for homeless

By LD Reporter. A historic Bath building is set to get a £1million revamp so it can provide “muchneeded” supported accommodation for former rough sleepers.

Number 23 Grosvenor House was recently handed back to Bath and North East Somerset Council in a controversial deal that will see the social housing provider walk away with a £450,000 payout.

The Grade I-listed former hotel’s 20 self-contained flats are currently occupied by people who were on the streets until the government ordered local authorities to get “everyone in” at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. A notice for a decision due to be signed off by council leader Dine Romero and cabinet member Tim Ball after January 16 says: “This was an ideal response to Everybody In and ensured former rough sleepers were able to quickly and safely self-isolate in small flats, with food delivered daily.

“Support for the occupants and management of the building was and continues to be undertaken by

Julian House, with additional mental health and substance misuse support coming from AWP and DHI respectively.”

Following the “everyone in” directive, in July the government launched its £266million Next Steps accommodation programme to prevent those people who were helped returning to the streets.

B&NES Council secured £2.1million.

Its plans for 23 Grosvenor Place – which is valued at £1.6million and it had intended to sell – are “significantly different” to the current use.

The decision notice says: “The property will transition from the current provision, emergency accommodation for people coming in off the streets during the pandemic, to supported housing, where people with a history of rough sleeping are able to continue their development of independent living skills following a period of recovery in Manvers Street Hostel.

“Their complexity of needs will be reduced, and the focus will be on

rebuilding their lives and moving on into fully-independent accommodation.

23 Grosvenor Place had been managed by Guinness Partnership but it approached the council to surrender the lease 39 years early, saying the former hotel did not lend itself to good quality affordable housing. In a deal blasted as “not justifiable” by critics, the authority agreed to hand over a £450,000 “reverse premium”.

The decision notice says that payment “remains the case and is allowed for in the business case with the acquisition financing costings, borrowing costs being supported from long-term revenue rentals”. The council is set to spend £1million to bring 23 Grosvenor Place up to standard and “push the boundary” of what can be achieved in a Grade I-listed property, potentially including solar panels, secondary glazing and modern electric heating.

Setting up the supported housing scheme is expected to cost

£220,000. The council is also set to use £633,000 in Next Steps funding and £317,000 from an affordable housing grant to buy two fourbedroom properties on the open market to house former rough sleepers.

The residents will have access to support to improve their health and wellbeing, develop the skills to hold a tenancy, and start to look at employment and long-term housing options.

Again, allocations will be overseen by a multi-agency panel.

The Next Steps programme also provided £255,000 in revenue funding to allow support for rough sleepers housed through “everyone in” to continue until the end of March.

Councillor Romero said: “We have received this detailed report and will consider it carefully before making our decision. We need to support our most vulnerable and this report sets out the next steps that we could take to help to move people off the streets, and with support, onto better futures.”

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n NEWS

February 2021

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Plans for housing, flats and offices at Bath Press

By Local Democracy Reporter.

Fresh plans have been unveiled for a former printworks in Bath with 40 more homes than previously proposed – but none would be affordable.

Aberdeen Standard Investments’ last vision for the former Bath Press site was to build 244 homes that would have been available on the open market, plus some office space.

Work was due to be finished by the summer of 2019, but stalled due to viability issues.

A new application submitted this week proposes build-to-rent 256 flats and 30 houses and commercial floorspace with a wide range of potential uses.

Bath and North East Somerset Council expects of 30 per cent new homes in such scheme to be affordable – but none of the proposed properties would be. Aberdeen Standards Investments said other approved schemes had “set a precedent for non-delivery where it has been proven not viable to do so”.

It added: “Whilst the applicant regrets not being able to provide affordable housing on site … their focus is to actually deliver the development on a site that has seen schemes stall for viability reasons previously.

“It is important to highlight that all previously approved schemes that proposed affordable housing haven’t been delivered and therefore have failed to deliver any housing at all.”

The Bath Press building dates back to the 1880s. It has been vacant since 2007.

Demolition work got underway in 2017, leaving a large

The former Bath Press buildings are a reminder of the manufacturing history of the city as the original Pitman Press was founded there in the 19th century by Sir Isaac Pitman. Artists impression of the new plans pile of rubble, but the facade of the Bath Press building is being retained.

The new proposals say an historic chimney will have to be removed.

There are no changes to the built footprint, overarching design principles, or scale and massing from the previous scheme, although the underground car park has been removed. There would be parking for 115 cars – again less than the council expects – and 520 bikes.

The previous scheme proposed nearly 1,500 square metres of office space.

The applicant is taking advantage of new planning rules, proposing 1,200 square metres of commercial space that could be used as a shop, café, restaurant, office or for healthcare uses.

The change will “ensure the space is attractive to all potential occupiers, rather than just those seeking office space, reducing the

chance of vacancy”, and create up to 54 jobs.

The plans say: “The proposed scheme would deliver the significant benefits of providing a deliverable mixed-use scheme that would meet market demands on an under-utilised brownfield

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Bristol Road. Between 1919 and 1926, to designs by the Bristol based architects’ firm Oatley and Lawrence, changes included a barrel vaulted glazed roof, known amongst workers as ‘The Ballroom’.

By the late 20th century the name changed to Bath Press but with the decline in printing due to the rise of the internet and websites sadly the site became redundant. Now it is set for a new lease of life.

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From shorthand to the age of the internet The former Bath Press building incorporated fragments of the printing works built by Sir Isaac Pitman (1813-1897) in 1889, deviser of a system of shorthand writing who by 1874 had established himself as an editor, printer and publisher on an industrial scale.

As the Pitman Press grew so did the building with extentions added in 1901, and in 1913 with a four bay wide façade in stripped classical style along the Lower

site.

“It proposes an appropriate mix of new, high-quality housing, together with flexible commercial floor space.”

Bath and North East Somerset Council will decide the fate of the application.

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To advertise, contact Erica on erica@bathvoice.co.uk or call 07402 441485

February 2021

n NEWS

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Bath’s clean air zone will begin on March 15 - are you ready?

By Local Democracy Reporter.

Businesses and individuals across the south west are being asked to check whether they will need to pay to drive their vehicles in Bath’s Clean Air Zone ahead of its launch on 15 March.

The introduction of Bath’s Class C Charging Clean Air Zone means that drivers of most pre-euro 6 diesel and pre-euro 4 petrol vehicles will have to pay to drive in the centre of the city.

Private cars and motorbikes will not have to pay to drive in the zone, but daily charges will apply to higher emission buses, coaches, HGVs and motorhomes (£100 a day); and to higher emission minibuses, taxis, private hire vehicles, LGVs and vans, including private pick-ups and campers (£9 a day). Charges apply 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Businesses and individuals can check whether they will need to pay a charge to drive in a clean air zone using GOV.UK’s vehicle checker at www.gov.uk/check-

clean-air-zone-charge.

This service now includes business accounts that enable users to check compliance of multiple UK-registered vehicles at once.

Councillor Sarah Warren, Joint Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Neighbourhood Services says: “We’re urging businesses and individuals to check whether they need to pay to drive in Bath’s CAZ, well in advance of its launch, using GOV. UK’s vehicle checker.”

“If you know that charges will apply to your vehicles, you can then plan what to do. Rather than pay the charge to drive in the zone, we ask that you look at options to upgrade non-compliant vehicles using the financial support on offer or look at reorganizing larger regional or national fleets, so that noncompliant vehicles avoid Bath.

“There are also local exemptions available for hard-to-replace vehicles, vehicles that support vulnerable groups,

and also to support businesses such as taxis and small businesses that might be struggling, due to Covid-19, to secure the grants and interestfree finance included in our support package.”

Bath & North East Somerset Council wants businesses to understand how charging will work. Unlike London’s congestion charge, autopay will not be available in any clean air zone, including Bath’s. This means that owners of noncompliant vehicles will need to carefully manage payments if they are not planning to upgrade or reorganize fleets.

A charging clean air zone works by drivers of noncompliant vehicles declaring their journey and paying online at GOV.UK’s ‘Drive in a clean air zone’ service within a 13-day payment window.

Payment can be made up to 6 days in advance, on the day the vehicle is driven in the zone, or in the 6 days after. No reminders

are sent. It’s up to the driver or business account user to pay the daily charge within the payment window using a debit or credit card or saved bank details.

Otherwise, they could receive a penalty charge notice.

Bath’s zone will be the first charging clean air zone to launch outside of London, with other cities, including Bristol and Birmingham, planning similar schemes. The intention is to urgently drive down high levels of harmful nitrogen dioxide pollution in the city, mainly caused by vehicle emissions.

High levels of this type of pollution are associated with worsening lung and heart conditions, such as asthma.

While private cars and motorbikes are not charged in Bath’s zone, they may well be charged in other zones, and the council is appealing to everyone to consider the way they get around. The message is, if you can, please walk, cycle or take public transport.

e

Monday am Hillside Hall, Oldfield Park Call Sarah on 07881 758292

Wednesday am Leafy Lane, Corsham Call Jane on 07857 147093

Thursday pm The Parish Hall, Weston Call Sarah on 07881 758292

Friday am The Rugby Club, Combe Down Call Cher on 07824 336925

Tuesday pm St Mark’s School, Larkhall Call Jan on 07746 098307

Wednesday pm Percy Community Centre Bath City Centre Call Jane on 07857 147093

Thursday pm The Methodist Church Southdown Call Jane on 07857 147093

Saturday am Odd Down Sports Ground Call Emma on 07886 629496

Wednesday pm Saltford Hall, Saltford Call Cher on 07824 336925

Friday am The Methodist Church Southdown Call Jane on 07857 147093

Tuesday pm St Michael’s school, Twerton Call Sarah on 07881 758292

Got a story for Bath Voice? Email Harry on news@bathvoice.co.uk

February 2021

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n PEOPLE n NEWS IN BRIEF

Former soldier who has eyes on top crime job He’s tramped the streets and tracks of Afghanistan, Iraq, Northern Ireland and Borneo but after 32 years in the British Army, ex-soldier Mark Shelford, 59, chose Bear Flat in Bath to live. Or rather his wife Sally did.

“It was at my retirement when my wife said Bath was where we were going to live following our life moving around the world,” he said, “she is not from Bath but loved the city even though America, Germany and Australia where her sister lives were options. And it was Bear Flat we moved to and it is wonderful.”

Despite his globetotting the vicar’s son was brought up not far from Bath in Grittleton in Wiltshire and saw the city one suspects as the place to buy comics, catapults and sweets on family shopping trips. Now he’s set his eys on becoming the next Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) in the May elections.

Following his time in the armed forces he set up a company to facilitate training and simulate - shorthand for improving the skills for security groups. And reently founded a local firm in helping companies negotiate Governmental regulations.

Outside of work he describes himself as an OK wicket keeper playing for local ‘church teams.’

During this post military life the family man moved to Bath and stood for election for the city council. He eventually became the Conservative Deputy Leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council and sat on the Police and Crime Panel and represented Lyncombe as a councillor before losing his seat at the last local

election to the Liberal Democrat Winston Duguid.

He believes his skills at setting strategic objectives, man management and his previous experience in local government make him an ideal candidate for the PCC. As a resident of Bear Flat Mark is part of the team who have brought an end to nuisance and antisocial behaviour in Alexandra Park by preventing cars from entering the circular hill top green space at nights. He cites cracking down on drug related crime, anti-social behaviour and minor burglary and car crime as issues in the city and pledges as the official Conservative candidate that he will see a return to a 24/7 ‘blue light’ presence in Bath if elected.

• For the record there are two other candidates for the job of the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner which will be decided in a public vote scheduled on May 6, 2021, although it has already been put back a year due to the Coronavirus crisis.

They are: Kerry Barker for Labour and John Smith who is standing as an independent.

Kerry Barker is a qualified barrister with 50 years of experience in criminal law. He was runner up to Sue Mountstevens in the last election.

Sue Mountstevens is standing down after two terms in office.

John Smith is the current Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner at Avon & Somerset Police & Crime Commissioner. Previously he has worked as a lawyer and for the PCC for the last few years.

Harry Mottram

city. Their Cook and Collect takeaway service is every Wednesday between 7.30-8.30pm at the Nexus Methodist Church, Nelson Place, BA1 5DA. When arriving to collect your meals, please queue at the front of the church, in the garden. The meals are free and nutricious. FoodCycle Bath is only made possible with the volunteers giving their time, enthusiasm and energy. To volunteer or request a meal email Sheep flock to Bath: There are new bath@foodcycle.org.uk for more wooly residents in the city who have information or visit https://www. made their home at Bath City Farm foodcycle.org.uk/location/bath/ at Kelston View. The farm has taken Most wanted: Police have issued a delivery of 12 sheep from the Adam photo of a man wanted in Henson Cotswold Farm Park. They connection to their investigations include Cotswold sheep, after a taxi was damaged in Bath. It characterised by their long wool happened between 11pm on coats and Castlemilk Moorits, Saturday 5 December and 12am on created as a decorative breed in the Sunday 6 December in Lower 1900s with their reddish/brown Bristol Road. The taxi driver had two coats. Some of the sheep are in lamb fares in the vehicle and was driving and are due to give birth in the along the road at the time. A man spring. Covid-19 opening times: Tue, punched and kicked at the car, Thu, Fri and Sat only 10am-3pm. damaging the offside wing mirror Free, entry but donations welcome. and bodywork of the black Vauxhall Covid-19 exercise reminder: Insignia. They said: “We’re keen to Residents in Bath are being identify the man pictured, filmed reminded they can exercise but not on dashcam in the area at the time. socialise in parks and open spaces He’s a white man with dark hair, under government rules on bare-chested and wearing lockdown. And skateboarders are dark-coloured trousers.” If you know being told not to use Royal Victoria him call 101 quoting reference Park’s skate park which is closed to 5220273776. prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Skaters should not use Alice Park either.

Covid-19 vaccination centres: Ashton Gate football ground in Bristol and the Bath and West Showground near Shepton Mallet are two of the new Covid-19 vaccination centres opened this year. Ashton Gate is the home of the Bristol Bears rugby team and Bristol City FC. Cook and collect: the charity Food Cycle are currently offering free meals for the most vulnerable in the Wanted man: a taxi was damaged

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February 2021

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n NEWS Tree people of Bath’s green space If there has been a sense of gloom in Bath due to the lockdowns and Covid-19 in the last few months, writes Harry Mottram, there is one bright spot that has happened. Or rather a green spot.

Namely the renovation as a nature reserve of the sloping Lyncombe Hill Fields below Alexandra Park.

A Friends group was set up last year to take on the task of making the former pasture lands owned by the Council a green lung in the city and a place for citizens to enjoy nature.

Socially distanced and Covid secure working parties of volunteers have set about clearing brambles, stones and roots, ahead of their plans to plant what they have dubbed a Tiny Forest.

Anita Breeze of the Friends explained: “Our forest will contain 17 native species of trees.

There will be 600 saplings

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planted in an area no bigger than a typical lawn tennis court.

“The idea is to produce fast growing trees that not only compete with each other for light, but make subterranean connections through their root systems.

“This approach was pioneered

by Akira Miyawaki in Japan and used across much of Asia since the 1970s, it has become increasingly popular in Europe in the last 20 years or so.

“We believe this is the first (but hopefully not the last) of its kind in Bath.

“Our thanks for the support of BANES, and our local councillors, Alison Born and Winston Duguid. We must mention The Conservation Volunteers, who provided the saplings, cane supports and tree guards.”

Previously the five sloping fields had been at various times been used for farming and the

The fields can be seen from this view from afar running around the slopes below Alexandra Park and above Greenway Lane

grazing of livestock including horses in more recent years.

There are plans afoot to record all aspects of the wildlife in the fields and to encourage more flora and fauna to thrive there.

The Friends of Lyncombe Hill Fields is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company (FLHF CIC) and is linked to a number of local community groups who have helped to

establish the organisation.

The plans include improving acces for pushchairs and wheelchair users, attracting more wildlife and creating wildflower meadows. Any money created will be put back into the fields, while a management plan will be undertaken to show the council what the plans are.

For details of the Friends visit www.friendsoflyncombehillfields. co.uk

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February 2021

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10

n LOCAL HISTORY

Pandemics: we’ve been here before Parallels are frequently drawn in the media with the Spanish flu outbreak in 2018 and the current Covid-19 pandemic.

The main similarity is how the virus swept around the world in part due to enhanced modes of travel but there the similarity ends.

Rather than Spain being the origin of the outbreak or the H1N1 influenza A virus it is now believed to have begun in Kansas in the USA earlier than 1918 and was likely transferred to humans from pigs although this is still in doubt.

Censorship caused by World War One allowed it to ‘go under the radar’ for a long time as USA troops transferred it to France and from there around the globe by land, sea and air. It continued until 1920 killing up to 60 million people and infecting countless more.

Unlike Covid-19 Spanish flu affected all ages and all levels of society from the King of Spain to the lowliest soldier in the trenches.

The Bath Medical Museum has plenty of information on the pandemics of yesteryear with an article by their sage Dr. Roger Rolls.

He writes: “In 1806, the Bath Chronicle reported that ‘a kind of influenza that spares no one at present prevails in Spain.

Fortunately, it is seldom fatal. The whole of the Royal Family have been attacked by it. At Barcelona where

this malady commenced, 28,300 persons were ill of it at once.’ This is not the Spanish Flu we talk of now but an epidemic which occurred over a hundred years earlier.”

He writes that pandemics of acute respiratory infections have occurred regularly over the past few centuries.

The good doctor said: “The best known and most devastating occurred at the end of the First World War leading to an estimated mortality of sixty million people worldwide.

“In 1917 no one had ever seen a virus as they were too small to be viewed with an optical microscope.

Few people then had any idea of what was causing it.”

Back to Bath and the current outbreak of the virus. The numbers of people dying are not in the millions or even the thousands in the city but they are still at worryingly high levels.

This time the virus is affecting the elderly and those with health conditions disproportionately. In contrast the museum charts how in one month in1918, there were121 deaths from influenza and 26 from pneumonia. Almost half of the deaths were in those aged 15 to 35.

For more on the museum and its recording of illness visit https:// The Spanish Flu orginated in America but came to Bath and killed bathmedicalmuseum.org/ Harry Mottram more than 100 people in one month in 1918. Pic: Northern Echo

Plague brought death to Bath (like Covid it came from animals) In an article for the Bath Medical Museum Dr Roger Rolls writes at length about a disease that affected not only Bath but the world.

He explained that the

Bubonic plague of the 16th and 17th centuries was caused by black rats who transmitted the disease by fleas.

Since Bathonians were not the most hygienic people (as indeed was true of all citizens of Britain) the transfer of the infection to humans from fleas via rats was literally just a hop away.

The ghastly disease known as Yersinia Pestis, was characterised by swollen lymph glands in the groin and armpits, fever, prostration, and skin haemorrhages.

Dr. Roger Rolls said: “There is a popular misconception both now and in the 17th century that plague swept the country like wildfire. If there was a countrywide epidemic, we should also expect to

see increased mortality in 1563, 1578, 1593 all of which were years of plague in London.

“There were no Bath epidemics in these years. However, there was possibly some correlation with London plague years in 1582, 1603 and 1625, the Bath outbreaks being a year later except for 1625.

“The Bath council was aware of the danger of allowing visitors into the city who had come from places where plague was active.

“For instance, the Chamberlain’s account for 1583 records paying two sentries to turn away visitors from Paulton where there was a plague outbreak.”

The Bubonic play was to return time and time again with the authorities seemingly mystified of how it occurred. In the 17th

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century an outbreak in London was charted in all its horror by Samuel Pepys in his diaries.

Dr. Roger Rolls said: “The Bath authorities appear to have feared the spread of plague from London in 1665 because no person was allowed into the city from the capital without special permission of the mayor and justices, and nobody at all was allowed in between 10pm and 5am.

“Sentries were posted on the routes into town to police these regulations. Any Bath citizens who received guests coming from London was fined £10.

“This strategy may have been successful because there was no evidence of increased mortality in that year.”

A strategy still in place today.

February 2021

bathvoice

n PEOPLE

Bathonian Bill who danced away with the Strictly glitter ball It wasn’t just female fans of the BBC TV show Strictly Come Dancing who cheered when actor, musician and comedian Bill Bailey won the coveted Glitter Ball trophy in December - but men of a certain age as well.

For Bill Bailey not only looks like a large section of the Great British blokedom with his shapeless sweat shirts, thinning hair and pot belly, but at 55 was almost a mirror image of how many chaps at that age look. Me being one of them.

And of course he proved all the critics wrong, failing to be the first to be eliminated from the show and going on to improve as a dancer, lose weight and bring a zest to the competition that showed up some of the younger contestants.

So what of his Bathonian credentials? Well Mark Robert Bailey (that’s his real name) was born in the city in 1965 to medical parents - his dad a GP and his mum a nurse.

He spent most of his childhood in Keynsham (which we can call West Bath for this article) and was educated at King Edward’s School an independent school in Bath.

There he honed his performance

skills as a musician in a school rock band called Behind Closed Doors, as well as providing entertainment on the coach trips to rugby matches by singing songs one of which was Won’t You Come Home Bill Bailey which led to his nickname of Bill - or so the story goes.

He studied music in London after leaving school becoming a classically trained musician. Acting came next with a part in The Printers, which also featured Vanessa Redgrave and Frances de la Tour.

A comedy tour with Mark Lamarr in 1984 earned him a reputation as a versatile stand-up and after runs at the Edinburgh Festival he moved to television where his reputation grew.

However, we all know that his success - especially in Strictly with his partner Oti Mabusi (pictured) - was created on the streets of Bath where the natural rhythm of the city made him a fine dancer.

Bill describes himself as a feminist, campaigns against cruelty to animals, is an advocate in highlighting research into prostate cancer in men and is a supporter of the Labour Party.

Harry Mottram

11

nNEWS IN BRIEF Market success: The annual Widcombe Christmas Market went ahead in December despite the Covid restrictions with a host of artists and craftsmen and craftswomen exhibiting in the confines of the social club.

Organisers thanked all those who attended, supported the stalls and the volunteers that helped to steward it. MP Wera Hobhouse attended and she told Bath Voice it was a triumph over the problems of the virus and looked forward to the one in 2021 when hopefully masks will not be required to be worn.

Vaccination news: The sites run by the Bath, Wiltshire and Swindon CCG, opened in January offering the newly-approved vaccine developed at Oxford University as well as the Pfizer jab. Combe Down Surgery is being used as is the Batheaston Medical Centre, alongside the Somer Centre in Midsomer Norton.

Englishcombe Lane: The Green Party of Bath and North East Somerset have issued a strongly worded criticism of plans to build homes on a field off Englishcombe Lane after contractors were alleged to have destroyed slow worms.

Widcombe Christmas Market They said: “The granting of the planning permission on this site despite objections from the consulting ecologists is in direct contravention of the ecological emergency declared by the council.”

Their criticism was answered by the Council who said it takes allegations of harm to wildlife very seriously but, despite investigations, cannot find evidence of deliberate or accidental harm to the animals.

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n NEWS

February 2021

bathvoice

BBC investigation exposes ‘shocking disparity’ in between non-sighted disabled and physical disabled blue badge parking applications to councils By a Local Democracy Reporter The blue badge permit scheme was extended a year ago to include people with non-visible disabilities such as autism, dementia and anxiety.

But a BBC Shared Data Unit investigation using requests under the Freedom of Information Act reveals a “shocking disparity” between the approval rates of people with non-visible disabilities and those of people with physical disabilities.

In fact, scores of local authorities had lower approval rates for blue badge parking permits from non-visible disabilities applicants.

For ten councils the difference was so stark, it was more than 50 percentage points between the two types of application.

The Department for Transport(DfT) said it would review the impact of the new criteria.

Reaction The National Autistic Society said our analysis revealed how important it was for councils to improve staff training to ensure they understood when people should be entitled to a “lifeline” blue badge parking permit.

Tim Nicholls, from the National Autistic Society, said a blue badge could facilitate journeys with a carer for someone with autism who may not be able to understand or react to the dangers of the road.

The permit could also help someone with autism overcome their anxiety over not finding a parking space or things going wrong on a trip, which could stop them from leaving the house entirely, he said.

People who had applied online also told us of the “trauma” of having to produce evidence of their disabilities to be scrutinised, and the difficulty of completing the form. In addition, they spoke of their reluctance to send original personal identity documents such as birth certificates in the post.

The removal of accessible parking bays next to shops and amenities “overnight, without any

consultation” to allow for social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic had also had a “massive impact” on disabled people, Scope said.

The investigation asked about the number of parking bays they had designated for disabled people and how many blue badge applications each council had approved, directly refused or refused due an incomplete request from applicants for physical impairments and for applicants who applied under the non-visible disability criteria introduced in England in August 2019, over the 12-month period since.

The investigators then calculated the approval rates for the two different types of application as percentages and compared them.

People with non-visible disabilities, including anxiety disorders or a brain injury, were allowed to apply for a blue badge parking permit for the first time from 30 August 2019.

The Department for Transport said at the time of the change, this was “the biggest change to the scheme in nearly 50 years”.

About 2.3 million disabled people in England currently have a blue badge, according to latest data.

The scheme was first introduced in 1970 to make access easier for disabled people.

It allows holders to park for free in pay-and-display spaces across

People with non-visible disabilities like autism are less likely to be allowed a blu badge

the UK and for up to three hours on yellow lines.

Bath and North East Somerset Council Information You can apply for a Blue Badge by using the online application. Allow for 6-12 weeks to allow for the complete process. It’s essential that an existing badge holder re-applies for their badge well in advance of its expiry due to the length of time required to assess and complete the application process.

Applying for a Blue Badge is free of charge, but if your application is successful you will be required to pay £10 to cover the cost of the badge itself.

Some companies have begun offering to apply for a Blue Badge on a customer’s behalf and are charging a large fee for this. We advise all customers to contact us directly if they have any questions about an After World War II the Government created invalid carriages for disabled servicemen. Hundreds were created based on motorcycle engines and were for solo drivers.

Eventually they become used by anyone with a physical disability. Scrapped over safety fears they had already been succeeded by conventional cars with adaptations in 1978 by the Motability Scheme

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application or require any assistance before paying for any services of this type.

To qualify for a Blue Badge you will need to meet a number of criteria which is set out in the Depart for Transport Blue Badge Scheme Local Authority Guidance (England). In order to assess eligibility for a badge you may be asked to attend a health clinic for a mobility assessment.

Help available If you require assistance completing the form or have any other questions about a blue badge application please call 01225 477133 or visit a Council One Stop Shop.

Appeal If your application is unsuccessful and you can appeal the decision.

Where You Can Park Free parking with no time limit in on street parking in Pay and Display zones where time is restricted for non Blue Badge holders; Advisory disabled persons parking bays; Resident and business permitted parking zones; Charlotte Street car park - disabled persons bays located within the Charlotte Street entrance area only.; Bath Park and Ride car parks Free parking but time limited: Single and double yellow lines where no loading ban applies (maximum stay of 3 hours) Locations where parking charges apply: All Bath city car parks, except those listed above

February 2021

n NEWS

bathvoice

13

‘Unproven health effects’ of 5G mast are not relevant to the application say planning By a Local Democracy Reporter.

Plans for a 5G mast in Bath 60 metres from a green belt site where the technology was branded “inappropriate” are set to be considered by councillors.

Telecom giants EE and Three saw their application to upgrade an existing mast in Charlcombe Lane thrown out after hundreds of residents voiced concerns about the potential health impact.

Vodafone is now waiting to learn the fate of its bid to erect a mast with a total height of 23.4 metres, 3.4 metres taller than the previous bid for Larkhall Sports Club’s playing fields.

A total of 131 people have objected, with many again raising health concerns.

One said: “To build a mast like this in such close proximity to schools, recreational spaces for children, houses, and beautiful countryside, when the long-term effects on health are still not known, is short-sighted, callous and driven by greed.”

Another objector claimed after a 5G mast was installed in Bathampton Down, a neighbouring farmer’s “cows have cancer and the bees in his hives have died”.

Senior councillors and Bath MP Wera Hobhouse were among the objectors to EE and 3’s application to upgrade a 15-metre mast that has been in place since 2006.

Mrs Hobhouse said in her objection to it: “I am concerned about the height and visual impact of the mast in a World Heritage Site.”

“Furthermore, I am concerned about the threat to human health, to tree health and to wildlife and biodiversity.”

She said given the “widespread

The current mast concern” it may be worth applying a “precautionary principle”.

Cabinet member Sarah Warren, the ward member for Bathavon North, said residents did not want to be “used as guinea pigs in a global experiment”.

She told December’s planning committee meeting: “We don’t need 5G. The only people benefiting from this development are the big technology companies. Please put our residents’ health first.”

Cllr Warren has also asked for Vodafone’s application to be considered by the planning committee, saying the mast would be visually intrusive and that concerns remain about the “unknown health impacts of 5G technology”.

She said: “If locating masts in this field in unavoidable, surely it must be possible to combine the masts onto one pole, so as to reduce intrusion.”

Three people supported the application, with one criticising the “baseless hysteria” surrounding the rollout of 5G technology.

The government insists that the technology is safe, and when councillors considered the EE and 3’s plans, they were warned against “flying in the face of” that guidance.

The planning committee agreed

The proposed mast that the issue of unproven health effects caused by the technology was not relevant to the application.

Instead the firms’ upgraded mast – which would have stood five metres taller than the existing one at nearly 20 metres tall – was refused because of its visual impact.

Councillors said it would have been inappropriate in the green belt.

Assessing Vodafone’s plans, council officers said the antennae “would not be a visually prominent feature and would tend to blend into the backdrop”.

They said the development would be inappropriate in the green belt but there are “very special circumstances” to allow it – because it would prevent a mast being erected in a less suitable green belt site, and allow a temporary mast in

Colliers Lane to be removed.

The officers said it was not possible to meet Vodafone, EE and 3’s requirements on one mast without replacing it with a more substantial structure standing up to eight metres taller.

Planning committee chairman Matt McCabe initially agreed with officers, saying that the design of the mast was “sensitive to its location” and that the visual impact was not likely to be significant, so he was content to delegate the decision on the application back to officers.

But he later reviewed that position, writing: “Having regard to my declaration of interest to the December meeting of the planning committee and the level of public interest in this planning application, this decision should be made by the vice chair.”

Cllr Sally Davis, the vice chair, recognised that the application was “clearly controversial” and there was a need for a consistent approach, so it should be considered by the planning committee.

Its next meeting is on February 10.

Wera Hobhouse MP

A Vodafone mast

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bathvoice

14

n NEWS

Inspector overturns council decision over more student homes

By Local Democracy Reporter: A new block of student accommodation in Bath has been allowed on appeal after a government official identified a “substantial shortfall”.

Planning inspector John Woolcock overruled Bath and North East Somerset Council’s decision to reject Summix LRB Developments’ proposals for the Plumb Center in Locksbrook Road.

It is set to be demolished and replaced with a three-storey building housing 80 student rooms, a larger Genesis Centre gym and light industrial uses.

Refusing permission in August 2019 ahead of revisions to the plans, the council voiced concerns about concentrating too many students in the area.

But Mr Woolcock said: “B&NES Council’s views about an overconcentration of student

February 2021

accommodation are not convincing.

It seems to me that the acknowledged demand for student accommodation would either be met in purpose-built student accommodation or in houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs). In the absence of the appeal scheme, the likelihood would be that more of the private rented sector housing would be occupied by students, thereby adding to any overconcentration of HMOs. “If, as some submissions suggest, students are associated with anti-social behaviour and parking congestion, it would be preferable to accommodate them in a limited number of sites rather than in HMOs dispersed throughout residential areas.”

Summix said the scheme could free up 20 homes in the private rented sector. Mr Woolcock said it was difficult to predict what impact

How the development at Plumb Center in Locksbrook Road may look in the future

Covid-19 might have on student numbers but it was reasonable to assume demand would increase, adding: “Even if student numbers in Bath remain at the present level there is evidence of a substantial shortfall in available purpose-built student bed spaces and a heavy reliance on the private rented sector.”

The council also raised concerns about flooding and for delivery of the enterprise zone. Mr Woolcock said the development would offer “modern flexible premises suitable for high tech or advanced manufacturing” that could provide significantly more jobs than the current use – 28 compared to the five at the existing industrial site.

He said meeting the demand for purpose-built student accommodation and providing improved employment space outweighed any clash with flooding policy, adding that the developers could create a safe escape route to higher ground.

The scheme will provide 18 car parking spaces and 76 for bikes, which the inspector ruled would be adequate.

Summix had originally proposed more than 100 student rooms on the site.

The approved scheme will deliver 52 studios and 28 en-suite rooms, plus 1,354 m2 of floor space for light industrial use and 364m2 for the new gym.

University’s plans to free up space for new housing

By Local Democracy Reporter.

Bath Spa University’s plans to reshape its estate could free up sites around the city for muchneeded housing.

Currently occupying multiple locations across Bath, its focus is set to shift onto Newton Park and its new campus area in Locksbrook Road, with a sustainable travel link between the two.

The proposals are revealed in consultation run by Bath and North East Somerset Council, which is partially updating its Local Plan.

It says the geographic spread of the university’s buildings “gives rise to some inefficiencies in timetabling, travelling, staffing and maintenance” but the new approach “would enable the university to release currently occupied sites within the city for alternative uses such as the Sion Hill site for residential”.

Sion Hill, which currently houses fashion and textile studios and workshops, could accommodate some 60 flats. The consultation does not say what

other sites could be released for alternative uses and the university has not responded with a comment.

Its main campus, at Newton Park near Newton St Loe, boasts “everything you’d expect from a modern university, as well as a castle and a lake”.

The consultation says: “The schools/facilities with high space per student requirements would be accommodated at Locksbrook campus which is close to much purpose built student accommodation, with other academic, administrative and management space and student accommodation being retained and expanded at Newton Park.”

Locksbrook is a new state-ofthe-art campus next to the River Avon, home to the Bath School of Art and Design. The council has protected the surrounding buildings for industrial use.

According to the consultation: “The university proposes that new space would not only be used for teaching spaces, but also used for innovative studio spaces for start-

up business, shared study space for use with other students, academics and researchers and shared community space with local residents.

“This would contribute to creative industries/sectors and bring wider economic benefits to

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the district.”

The council’s consultation is open until February 18.

Visit https://beta.bathnes. gov.uk/local-plan-partialupdate-options-consultation to respond. Bath Spa University was approached for comment.

February 2021

n NEWS

bathvoice

15

Beware of Covid scammers trying to fleece you Residents across Bath and North East Somerset are being warned to beware of a coronavirus text message scam.

Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Trading Standards Team have received complaints of fraudsters taking advantage of the Covid-19 vaccine rollout by sending convincing text messages to scam people out of financial information.

The text messages claim to be from the NHS and state recipients are eligible to receive the vaccine.

Included in the message is a hyper-link to a fake application form which asks for personal information and a credit card number.

The hyper-link address is application-ukform.com In the UK, coronavirus vaccines will only be available via the National Health Services of England, Northern Ireland, Wales

and Scotland. You can be contacted by the NHS, your employer, a GP surgery or pharmacy local to you, to receive your vaccine. Remember, the vaccine is free of charge. At no point will you be asked to pay.

- The NHS will never ask you for your bank account or card details.

- The NHS will never ask you for your PIN or banking password.

- The NHS will never arrive unannounced at your home to administer the vaccine.

- The NHS will never ask you to prove your identity by sending copies of personal documents such as your passport, driving licence, bills or pay slips.

If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up. If you are suspicious about an email you have received, forward it to report@ phishing.gov.uk. Suspicious text messages should be forwarded to the number 7726 which is free of

charge. If you believe you are the victim of a fraud, please report this to Action Fraud as soon as possible by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting

www.actionfraud.police.uk.

More information at https:// www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/ trading-standards

Bath sports news in brief Netball news: Team Bath Netball’s players have been in training in the build-up to the 2021 Vitality Superleague season assuming it goes ahead. The Blue & Gold team includes several members of the England squad members including Serena Guthrie, who won her 100th England cap during last October’s tour of New Zealand. Sadly the 2020 season was scotched by Covid-19 and there is doubt if the 2021 can start this month due to the restrictions.

Team Bath play in blue and gold Bath Rugby: The team are sceduled to play Harlequins at The Recreationg Ground on Saturday, 6th February, at 2.15pm, in the Gallagher Premiership. There is doubt over the fixture due to the virus as are future matches including their other home game

against Gloucester on February 19th. Bath are in the bottom half of the league and so wins against Quins and the Cherries would push them to safety and a possible run at the title if Exeter and Bristol wobble.

Bath City FC: The Romans take on Ebbsfleet United on Saturday, 6th at Twerton Park. Again the games are subject to Covid as the National League South’s season was suspended in January for two weeks. The team need points if they are to escape relegation this season.

More home fixtures include the 13th against Chelmsford and Hampton and Richmond Borough on the 27th - if the league restarts.

Bath and District Football League: The season has been suspended due to the Covid-19 crisis because players ae not permitted to travel across boundaries between Tiers. The Sunday league includes Bear Flat who were in mid table of Division 3 when the suspension happened last year.

Bath Cricket Club: the team would normally be looking forward to the 2021 season now but so far everything is on hold until Covid-19 rules are relaxed for sport. However the captains have been announced: Sam Mount - 1st XI, Kester Moseley - 2nd XI, Ben Copp - 3rd XI, Matt Kerr - 4th XI, Emma Godman - Bath Wanderers.

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February 2021

bathvoice

16

n WHAT’S ON

Covid-19 regulations cut down on events but some survive Venues are beginning to get to grips with the restrictions put in place by the Covid-19 crisis with social distancing and high levels of hygiene.

However it all depends on the Government’s plans for February as to whether venues can open - so always check first with the organisers Mon, 1 Feb. Holburne Museum.

Venice by Canaletto (1697 – 1768) continues to May 5, 2021. Classic views of the Grand Canal and the Piazza S. Marco but also some of the city’s less well-known nooks and crannies. Book tickets online.

Sat, 6 Feb. Chapel Arts Centre.

John Lennon UK presents ‘Lennon Retrospective’. Tribute show for the former Liverpool pop star. 7:30pm.

Sat, 6 Feb. Bath Rugby. Bath Rugby V Harlequins. Gallagher Premiership.

Kick Off 2.15pm. Go Bath go!

Sat, 6 Feb. Football. Bath City FC V Ebbsfleet United. The Romans welcome the visitors from Kent to Twerton Park - assuming the Fri, 19 Feb. Bath Rugby. Bath Rugby V Gloucester. Gallagher Premiership.

KO 7.45pm. The two West Country rivals once dominated the game but today battle it out for local bragging rights lower down the league table.

Sat, 13 Feb. Football. Bath City FC V Chelmsford City. The Romans welcome the visitors to Twerton Park for a must win game. Games are live streamed. See the website.

Sat, 27 Feb. Football. Bath City FC V Hampton and Richmond Borough. The Romans take on the

team from residential area by the River Thames west of London.

Wed, 10 Mar. Theatre Royal Bath. Office Suite. Two plays by Alan Bennett on a double bill with A Visit From Miss Protheroe and Green Forms. Nightly 7.30pm.

Matinees Thursday & Saturday 2.30pm. A comic picture of office life from the pre-internet era when filing and form-filling were a significant part of the working day.

Continues to Sat 27 Mar. Sat, 6 Mar. Football. Bath City FC V Eastbourne Borough. Getting back into their stride the team need a win to stay in touch in the league.

Sun, 14 Mar: Bath Contemporary Artists Fair. Green Park Station.

10am - 5pm. The best of contemporary art from the city including fine art, photography, sculpture, textiles and much more.

Tue, 16 Mar. Football. Bath City FC V Oxford City. The Romans take on their ecclesiastical rivals in a must win fixture to stave of fears of relegation.

Sat, 27 Mar. Football. Bath City FC V Dartford. Can the field of dreams deliver three points to the black and white stripes?

Two comedy plays by Alan Bennett are coming to Bath in March Mon, 5 Apr. Football. Bath City FC V Slough Town. Come freindly ball and drop into the Slough goal as the poet almost said.

Sat, 10 Apr. Football. Bath City FC V Dorking Wanderers. As the season spins out these home games are vital for the team to pick up points.

Thu, 15 Apr, 7.30pm. Chapel Arts. Miranda Sykes. Doors 7pm. The acclaimed singer and bassist with ‘Show of Hands’, is returning to her roots. She will be touring as she started out: one woman, one bass, and one guitar.

With her sensational voice, and accompanying herself, this show is powerful and hard-hitting but also poignant & beautiful, giving us all a chance to reflect & maybe even empower us. If this event needs to be cancelled you will be refunded.

Face masks need to be worn whilst Field of dreams: Twerton Park is the home of Bath City FC - matches are planned but may not go ahead due to Covid and large crowds will be excluded. In January the North/South Divisions were suspended for a two-week period, but at the time of going to press the halt was still in place - but Bath Rugby’s fixtures were set to continue

To advertise, contact Erica on erica@bathvoice.co.uk or call 07402 441485

moving around the venue, but not whilst seated at your table.

Fri, 16 Apr. Chapel Arts. Tankus the Henge. 7.30pm. Their funkfuelled repertoire is wildly eclectic, ranging from New Orleans inspired swing to heavy rock riffs, and since their beginnings in the ratty alleyways of London’s Soho, the band has evolved into a wild groove machine. This event has now changed to be seated cabaret with reduced capacity of 48.

Sat 24 Ap. Football. Bath City V Concord Rangers. Another cruch game for the City/ Groups and societies: Girl Guides. Visit https:// girlguidingbath.org.uk/ to find your local group.

Boy Scouts. Visit http://www. bathscouts.org/ to discover your local group.

Womens’ Institute. To discover your local group visit https:// thebathwi.com/ Cycling group in Bath. https:// thebathwi.com/ Bear Flat Association: http:// bearflat.org.uk/ Widcombe Association: http:// www.widcombeassociation.org. uk/ Moorfield Road. See the Facebook group Moorfield Road is Amazing1

February 2021

bathvoice

17

n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC

We’re closer to beating the virus, so please don’t flout the lockdown

S

HORTLY after the New Year, we all received the news we would be entering a third national lockdown.

Although unsurprising, I know it was not how we wanted to enter 2021 but, as I’m sure you will agree, the restrictions were and continue to be needed to avoid further harm in our community.

With cases rising to new heights, I welcome the Government’s decision to implement this lockdown to slow the transmission and ensure the NHS can cope. I urge you all to continue to stay at home to protect yourself and your loved ones from this fatal virus.

For those of you who might be frustrated with another lockdown and are tempted to flout the rules, please don’t. We

all know how lockdown works, and irresponsible and reckless behaviour will not be tolerated.

Avon and Somerset Police and their dedicated COVID-19 team have my full support in responding to breaches of the emergency regulations by engaging, explaining, encouraging and enforcing the law.

We might feel disheartened at the current situation but it is only temporary. With every vaccine administered, we are changing the odds against the virus and are one step closer to beating it. For this reason, please be responsible during the winter months and follow regulations.

For some of you, I know, home is not always a safe place, and as a community we all have a part to play in ensuring our

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February 2021

bathvoice

18

n NEWS IN BRIEF

Hotel’s ‘unreasonable noise’ investigated By a Local Democracy Reporter: A Bath hotel has kept its licence despite a “difficult” neighbour’s attempt to have it stripped away.

Arthur Dyer complained of constant noise, disruption and intimidation from hundreds of people congregating at The Bird, metres from his Pulteney Road home, where he has self-catering accommodation.

Representatives branded his call for the licence to be revoked “plainly disproportionate” and offered to speak to him to address his concerns in private.

They said The Bird is no longer being marketed as a party venue and instead will pitch itself as a boutique destination hotel offering fine dining.

Mr Dyer told Bath and North East Somerset Council’s licensing subcommittee on December 22: “The noise is at such an unreasonable volume the noise

can be heard throughout my residence and is almost constant.

“It can be heard late into the night and throughout the day from 10am, which is clearly unreasonable by any objective test.”

He added: “I’ve lived at number 17 almost continuously since 1995 and did not come to the nuisance.

The owners of The Bird have deliberately brought the problems of nuisance and other intentional violations of property rights.

“Unfortunately I find it hard to see The Bird will stop their actions on their own, especially given the location and source of the nuisance.”

Mr Dyer told the hearing he had initially tried to engage with The Bird’s new managers and owners but they “kept ignoring me”.

He said the issues were “really problematic” and directly affected the usability of his property, adding: “People don’t want to

The Bird Hotel in Bath sleep in a room where you can hear people screaming and throwing parties.

“It’s not possible for me to sleep there because I’m being woken up by people playing music directly outside or even talking. Up to 500 people sat on the other side of the wall no less than a couple of metres, that’s incredibly disruptive.

“The only reason all this is there is because The Bird wants to make a higher, more concentrated opportunity for them to create revenue and money.”

In a written statement to the hearing, Mr Dyer said The Bird’s year-round use as a “party venue” was “intimidating and has made my garden non-functioning in any private manner”.

His neighbour, Reverend Neil Cocking, said it had been a respectable residential area until The Bird’s current owners took over, “trying to make it more like a nightclub”.

Representing the hotel, barrister Leo Charalambides said it is a “well loved, well established and well run licensed premises”.

He said the neighbours’ concerns may be legitimate but a licensing hearing was not the place to consider a “classic” private nuisance complaint.

“Noise may be intrusive, but the fact you can hear it doesn’t make it a statutory or public nuisance,” said Mr Charalambides.

“I find it of great concern that having made the effort twice that Mr Dyer hasn’t engaged with us.

He is a very difficult and somewhat sensitive neighbour. Be that as it may, we will continue to work with

To advertise, contact Erica on erica@bathvoice.co.uk or call 07402 441485

Mr Dyer and our invitation to talk to him remains open.

“The request for revocation is plainly disproportionate.

“We’re continuing to develop as a boutique hotel, a destination hotel. The focus is moving to fine dining, being able to drink and rest in good quality rooms. The focus on the party advertising under the previous general manager is being slowly moved away.”

He said the review “starts a conversation” between The Bird and Mr Dyer.

In correspondence shared ahead of the hearing, Jonathan Walker, The Bird’s new manager, said the outside speakers had been removed, guests would not be able to use the hot tub after 11pm and immediate action would be taken if disturbances were reported.

The licensing subcommittee decided to take no further action against The Bird.

• You can ask your local council for help if the neighbour dispute involves an activity that is damaging to health or a nuisance. This is known as a ‘statutory nuisance’.

This could include: • noise (including loud music and barking dogs) • artificial light (except street lamps) • dust, steam, smell or insects from business premises • smoke, fumes or gases • a build-up of rubbish that could harm health Your council has a duty to investigate any statutory nuisance.

You should always try and solve the problem by talking to your neighbour or through mediation before contacting the council.

February 2021

bathvoice

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

19

n HEALTH AND FITNESS

Type 2 diabetes symptoms Many people have type 2 diabetes without realising it.

This is because symptoms do not necessarily make you feel unwell.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include: peeing more than usual, particularly at night; feeling thirsty all the time; feeling very tired; losing weight without trying to; itching around your penis or vagina, or repeatedly getting thrush; cuts or wounds taking longer to heal; and blurred vision.

You’re more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes if you: are over 40 (or 25 for south Asian people); have a close relative with diabetes (such as a parent, brother or sister); are overweight or obese; are of Asian, African-Caribbean or black African origin (even if you

were born in the UK).

Type 2 diabetes is often diagnosed following blood or urine tests for something else.

However, you should see a GP straight away if you have any symptoms of diabetes.

The GP will check your urine and arrange a blood test to check your blood sugar levels.

It usually takes about 1 to 2 days for the results to come back.

If you have diabetes, the GP will explain the test results and what diabetes is including what high blood sugar means for your health.

Also whether you need to take medicine; adjust your diet and take more exercise; change your lifestyle – for example cutting down on alcohol and giving up smoking.

Before and after: Kate Hobbs has lost over 8 stone

Kate’s inspiring weight loss Losing weight isn’t always easy but with the help of Sarah Carter and Slimming World in Twerton one local resident has shown it can be down.

When Kate Hobbs, 41, tipped the scales at more than 20 stone her GP suggested attending a weight loss class to improve her health.

Kate said: “I decided I needed help in the spring of 2018, as I had got to the point where I lacked self confidence and was ashamed of my appearances.

“It had begun to impact on different aspects of my life and I was very uncomfortable. A friend of mine was a member of Slimming World and recommended it so I asked my GP for support. “ I was eligible for a 12 week voucher and started SW in March 2018. I didn’t believe at first that it would be possible to eat unlimited amounts of food like potato and pasta and still lose weight.

“It took me a few weeks to get into the routine and building new habits but I quickly enjoyed seeing the positive results and found my group really motivating and supportive.

“I’m so lucky that I have the support of my family and we all enjoy food-optimised meals, although I’m not always very

successful at cooking them!

“The biggest challenge for me has been learning about moderation and that using savvy signs or being flexible doesn’t mean that I can’t have a good week. I’ve learnt to plan for those times so I can enjoy them and still see a weight loss.

“As I saw the numbers going down on the scales my confidence improved and I’ve reached a point with my journey where I’m below target, managing a new long term plan.

“I can’t recommend Slimming World enough, as it has taught me that weight loss can be more than a short term fix and deprivation.

“My top tips are to trust the plan and be honest with yourself - and you can’t go wrong.”

Kate went from 20st 6lbs to 12st 8lbs meaning she lost around eight stone in a few months.

The Slimming World group is run

by Sarah at St Michael’s school in Twerton every Tuesday at 5.30pm and 7.30pm which is run by myself.

Sarah summed up Kate’s weight loss as an inspiration to anyone who decides they want to change their life, gain in confidence and improve their-self esteem.

For details call Sarah on 07881 758292.

The Bath Skyline route is one place to go for a jog. Picture: National Trust

Walk, run, jog or cycle but get out and exercise To stay healthy, adults should try to be active every day and aim to achieve at least 150 minutes of physical activity over a week through a variety of activities.

For most people, the easiest way to get moving is to make activity part of everyday life, like walking or cycling instead of using the car to get around. However, the more you do, the better, and taking part in activities such as sports and exercise will make you even healthier.

For any type of activity to benefit your health, you need to be moving quick enough to raise your heart rate, breath faster and feel warmer. This level of effort is called

Got a story for Bath Voice? Email Harry on news@bathvoice.co.uk

moderate intensity activity. If you’re working at a moderate intensity you should still be able to talk but you won’t be able to sing the words to a song.

An activity where you have to work even harder is called vigorous intensity activity. There is substantial evidence that vigorous activity can bring health benefits over and above that of moderate activity.

You can tell when it’s vigorous activity because you’re breathing hard and fast, and your heart rate has gone up quite a bit. If you’re working at this level, you won’t be able to say more than a few words without pausing for a breath.

20

bathvoice

February 2021

n NEWS

July showdown over plans to expand airport By a Local Democracy Reporter. Top legal minds are already preparing the groundwork for a fight over the expansion of Bristol Airport next summer.

North Somerset Council has promised a “robust defence” of its decision to reject the scheme to boost annual passenger numbers to 12million due to the impact on the environment and neighbouring communities.

The fate of the plans will now be decided at a national level. For many, the story is not new. A decade ago campaigners launched an ultimately unsuccessful challenge against an increase to the current cap of 10million passengers per year.

Unlike last time, the appeal will be considered at a four-week public inquiry due to start in July – allowing campaigners to bolster the council’s position – and the environment is firmly on the agenda.

Bristol Green councillor Stephen Clarke from the Bristol Airport Action Network, one of the organisations that will speak at the hearing, said: “There are currently over 20 regional airports thinking about expanding. Bristol Airport is the first to go to a planning appeal.

That makes it really important as a precedent.

“There are quite a lot of international organisations that are helping us.

“We have the money we need to pay for a barrister and we have various experts. We’re putting

together our case.”

That case will focus on the environmental arguments against the expansion.

Bristol Airport said sustainable development has always been at the centre of its plans.

It plans to become carbon neutral for direct emissions by 2025 and a net zero airport by 2050, and said it had proposed a “comprehensive package of measures” to minimise the adverse environmental impacts of an additional two million passengers per annum.

Cllr Clarke said the aviation industry was relying on technological advances like electric or hydrogen power that may eventually improve fuel efficiency but will not be able to offset the extra 23,000 flights per year.

“We aren’t trying to close the airport or even reduce the capacity. We’re saying it’s big enough,” he said. “As a regional airport it shouldn’t be any bigger.”

Cllr Clarke said the people of North Somerset were “completely against” the expansion – out of more than 11,500 comments on the application, some 8,900 were objections.

Bath and North East Somerset Council voted last year to oppose the expansion.

So now has Bristol City Council, after mayor Marvin Rees had publicly given his support, hailing the “huge benefits” the airport’s growth would bring to

An artists impression of how part of the new develpment might look Bristol and the West of England.

Both councils said the expansion was “incompatible” with the climate emergency.

North Somerset Council has made the same declaration, pledging to be carbon neutral by 2030.

As well as more passengers on more flights, many overnight, the plans also propose extending the seasonal silver zone car park with more than 2,700 spaces for year-round use and the construction of a multi-storey car park.

North Somerset Council refused planning permission by 18 votes to seven following a motion from Wrington ward member Cllr Steve Hogg.

He told the special planning and regulatory committee meeting on February 10: “We must weigh the benefits – which flow towards the airport, its shareholders, pension funds and those seeking a cheap holiday in the Med – against the unbearable burdens that will fall on the local community and the environment.”

Recommending approval, planning officers said local authorities have little control over emissions linked to aviation.

But Cllr Hogg said: “We have direct control over the future emissions – we do that by turning down this application.”

Seconder Cllr John LeyMorgan added: “How can we achieve our ambition for carbon neutrality by 2030 if we approve this decision?”

Bristol Airport chief executive Dave Lees said at the time the refusal risked “putting the brakes” on the future growth of the region when other areas are forging ahead.

Leader Don Davies said this month North Somerset Council had assembled a team of specialist consultants to mount a “robust defence” of the authority’s position, with a senior QC at the helm.

Cllr Clarke said: “Councillors gave a clear democratic message they don’t want this to happen.

The airport has ignored that. I think we’ll be successful at appeal.”

Bear Flat Association set to discuss its vision on Zoom The Bear Flat Association has published a vision for improving Bear Flat Centre over the next five years. The intention is to stimulate debate and spark more ideas – and to get everyone working together to make a better centre.

To further the debate the association are holding a discussion on Zoom this month.

Their ideas centre around improving the main shopping area betwixt Hayes Place and Bloomfield Green as a place to shop and to visit, and particularly

at ways to lessen the impact of traffic and improve the environment.

The plans include: • Reconfigure the Wellsway carriageway to yield more space for walking and cycling • Provide more landscaping to green the Centre • Redesign Hayes Place as a real place for people.

Cllr Winston Duguid said in the document: “The BFA’s vision and its campaigns .. will safeguard and enhance the future of a great and

highly desirable part of Bath.”

BFA is now preparing to embark on ways to make the Vision a reality, not only by pressing the Council and others to act but also by its own initiatives.

The Zoom discussion takes place on Wednesday, 10 February, from 7.30pm.

The association will circulate the Zoom details nearer the time email them to take part - but they welcome comments and suggestions arising from the Vision by email at planning@bearflat.org

To advertise, contact Erica on erica@bathvoice.co.uk or call 07402 441485

The group has plans for Bear Flat

February 2021

bathvoice

21

n PUZZLES FOR ALL Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the row, column or square.

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Got a story for Bath Voice? Email Harry on news@bathvoice.co.uk

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10

The FIEND

bathvoice

22

February 2021

n BATH LIBRARY BOOK REVIEWS AND NEWS Adult Non-Fiction

Adult Fiction

A Lighter Way to Bake – Lorraine Pascale’s A delightful book to take into the New Year. The well-known celebrity chef, Lorraine Pascale, has come up with some great ideas of all things sweet but with a lighter side to them.

She has been helped with a team of dietitians and has given some great alternatives to sugar and butter – such as ground almonds, dried fruit and sugar alternatives such as Stevia.

From a lighter version of Victoria Sponge; to a mouth-watering butternut, squash and onion quiche; to everyone’s favourite blooming chocolate brownies. All the recipes are clearly laid out with great pictures.

North & South – Elizabeth Gaskell A classic story but the Victorian author, Elizabeth Gaskell who was a great friend of one of the other great 19th Century authors, Charlotte Bronte. Margaret Hale has to reluctant leave her idyllic Hampshire home when her father leaves the church on a matter of “conscience”. They move to the industrial town of Milton.

At once Margaret is repulsed by the ugliness of the town but soon becomes friends with one of the mill workers and develops of a strong sense of social justice. He father begins to teach literature to one of the mill-owners, John Thornton, and so begins one of the great romantic relationships.

Margaret initially despises John Thornton for his welfare of his workers and being in “trade” but with all great stories there are many twists and turns before the end.

This story highlighted great social concerns of the age and moving from the countryside to the new industrial cities of the 19th Century – the heart of the industrial revolution.

A Game of Thrones – George R.R. Martin If you fancy immersing yourself in some great Science Fiction during the lockdown then try this series by George Martin and the saga called A Song of Ice and Fire or the books that have been serialised in the very popular TV series The Game of Thrones.

These are complex novels , following in the footsteps of a Norse saga with many characters and family members. But do not let this put you off. It is a sprawling tale and well written. Set between four lands and follows the political intrigues of a number of families. There are battles, dragons, fabulous creatures and heroes. The series of books can be read without watching the TV series but they are also an excellent accompaniment.

Children’s Fiction Across the risen sea – Bren Macdibble Published last year and from the award winning Australian author of

The Dog Runner- comes a special tale set in a post climate change world, where we meet Neoma and Jag. They live in a gentle place, on high ground surrounded by the rising sea. However, one day two strangers from the Valley of the Sun come to the village and the two friends are drawn in a world of secrets and danger.

It takes brave Neoma sets of on a mission, across the wild sea to rescue her best friend and save the village. A real adventure tale.

Library News Are you ready to be revitalised this January?! Enter our ‘Revitalised’ recycled book competition!

All you need to do is upcycle an old book into something marvellous then photograph your creation and tag us on social media using either: #RevitalisedBooksAdults or #RevitalisedBooksKids, depending on which category you are entering.

There are prizes for the winners and runners up!

The Bath and North East Somerset ‘Virtual Library’ is still offering something for everyone. We are sharing facts, Baby Bounce and Rhyme, competitions, Storytime and crafts for children in the mornings and information, support, news and recommended reads for adults in the afternoon. There is also the App RB Digital where you can download newspapers and magazines.

Never miss a thing by following us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ bathneslibraries1, Instagram www. instagram.com/bathnes_libraries , and Twitter www.twitter.com/thnes

Gender, books and Zoom The Bath WI Book Club is open to members of the Bath Women’s Institute.

They meet on the third Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm at the Blathwayt Arms - although at the moment all meetings are on Zoom. The group welcome new members and say that joining the book club does not commit you to reading every book or coming to every meeting; it is fine to drop in as and when a book appeals to you.

Sometimes they also watch a DVD when a book has been

To advertise, contact Erica on erica@bathvoice.co.uk or call 07402 441485

made into a film, to compare notes.

The range of books the group read and compare are vast, ranging from classics of the past to new works by contemporary authors with themes of gender, race and religion. Joining a book club is all about reading novels that you might not normally choose - and thus broadening the mind.

If you’d like more information about the Bath WI Book Club or to join the Bath WI please email thebathwi@gmail.com

February 2021

bathvoice

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SERVICES To advertise contact Erica on 07402441485. Prices start from £18.33 + VAT per month

Specialists in lead and slate tiling Facias and guttering Maintenance & repairs Contact:

01225 632417 07881 903188

www.scroofing.co.uk TAXIS

Shower faulty Electric showers repaired,sold & fitted competitive rates fast service Tel Paul at pj Home Electrical 07774747834 or 0117 2302010 approved

Keynsham based

website: bathshowersbristol

Got a story for Bath Voice? Email Harry on news@bathvoice.co.uk

No Call out Charge

Professional and pet friendly local taxi service Fully vetted drivers Book online bathspataxi.com Facebook Messenger 01225 313131

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24

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To advertise, contact Erica on erica@bathvoice.co.uk or call 07402 441485