Bath Voice November 2020

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November 2020 No. 9

FREE EVERY MONTH in Bear Flat, Oldfield Park and Widcombe

More deaths as RUH gears up for winter

INSIDE

Bath City Farm 25 years on Page 8

The signatories say they are “angry and disappointed” at recent works on the Englishcombe Lane field that “slaughtered” slow worms, a

Bath’s Royal United Hospital is working through a backlog of non-urgent treatments as it prepares for a second wave of Covid-19 this winter.

The hospital has seen a low number of cases – 266 Covid-19 cases and 59 deaths as of last week – but is learning from worse-hit areas in case that picture changes.

It is rolling out home testing to boost capacity in diagnostics, looking at where best to target rapid testing, working with independent hospitals for urgent and cancer procedures and increasing outpatient activity with ‘virtual’ appointments by phone or video.

Rhiannon Hills, interim chief operations officer, told the trust’s board of directors this week that the hospital’s initial emergency response to the Covid-19 pandemic had a significant impact on routine waiting times as non-urgent outpatient, elective and diagnostic activity was paused.

The second phase two of the response, after the outbreak peaked back in April, saw the

Continued on page 3

Continued on page 3

Local doctor’s Covid-19 advice Page 4 Friends take on nature project Page 5 Cricket club caught out Page 10 Cafe reopens Page 11

Residents are angry by the way the green space has been damaged including the destruction of wildlife by developers

Protest pauses development

By BBC LDRS staff for Bath Voice Dozens of residents have signed an open letter urging the leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council to withdraw development plans and prevent an “ecological crime”.

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November 2020

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

on Facebook Bath Voice 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

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

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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

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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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November 2020

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n NEWS

Slow worms were ‘slaughtered’ in green field Continued from page 1 protected species – an “embarrassment” when the authority has declared an ecological emergency.

They urge Councillor Dine Romero to “be true to your word” and pause or revoke the planning permission for 37 homes.

The council leader responded by confirming that the development had been put on hold while investigations are carried out.

The open letter says: “The development and subsequent destruction makes no sense when set against the council’s own declarations of both climate, and more recently ecological emergencies for Bath.

“The continuation with this development is illogical, and is hugely embarrassing for the council as a whole.”

Ahead of August’s planning committee meeting, councillors

Englishcombe Lane in Bath were told that tufa flushes, a rare geological phenomenon, are a vulnerable and increasingly rare habitat, formed from springwater passing through limestone.

Those present in Englishcombe Lane are of county-level importance, home to numerous species.

The council’s housing plans proposed creating new tufa

springs in Pennyquick Lane by controlling the water flow from a stream.

Councillors were told the council’s ecologist was not certain the habitats could be recreated but a university professor was “comfortable the strategy should work”. They approved the application after being told biodiversity would be boosted overall.

Weeks later, photos showed the field being ploughed.

Residents alleged “most if not all of the slow worms” on the site were “slaughtered” in the process.

The open letter continues: “The approval is hugely out of step with current thinking on ecology, including the thinking of B&NES Council.

“You have publicly stated that ‘We want to be seen to make a difference in how the council is dealing with the climate emergency’.

“There is a golden opportunity here to do some good, to restore credibility and restore habitats for future generations and the health of the planet.

“You have the power to halt this development and be true to your word.

“The council can pause or revoke the approval. Such an act takes courage but would be in keeping with the council’s declared ecological emergency and be hugely popular.

“We urge you to use that power as a force for good, not to be part of an ecological crime.”

In response, Cllr Romero said: “This development has been paused while investigations are being carried out. A further statement will follow when that is concluded.”

Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that officers are investigating “following a report from a member of the public about destruction of a protected species”.

“Officers are currently liaising with B&NES Council and consulting specialist ecologists as part of their enquiries,” the spokesperson said.

The RUH has been busy getting ready for the flu season

More deaths as RUH gears up for winter Continued from page 1 hospital focus on increasing non-Covid-19 urgent services, as well as routine non-urgent elective care.

Ms Hills said: “We are now in phase three, where we are looking to build on the work already done and to concentrate on maximising elective care activity ahead of winter.

“Waiting list backlogs remain a key challenge but we have plans in place to reduce numbers, while managing increasing demand for

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

our full range of patient care services.”

Figures shared with the trust board showed that, as of September 25, the hospital had seen 266 Covid-19 cases and 59 deaths. There was only one confirmed case at that time.

There has not been a Covid-related death at the RUH since early June.

Ms Hills said it was learning lessons from regions that had been hit harder by the pandemic.

November 2020

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n NEWS

‘Try not to mix with too many people’ Bath’s public health chief is asking residents to limit how much they mix with other people “before we are forced to”.

Dr Bruce Laurence said it would be foolish to think the district could not go the way of Liverpool, which is under the tightest local lockdown controls, or close-behind Manchester.

The current rate of cases in Bath and North East Somerset is just above 100 per 100,000 – and until recently that would have put the council on the government’s watch list, risking pushing the area into Tier 2.

Dr Laurence said in his weekly email to residents: “Now, because levels throughout the country are so high, this may not have the significance it did before, but it is still a point to note and we need to redouble our efforts.

“We are at a point now where unless we all impose a sort of ‘partial lockdown’ on ourselves, we are very likely to face a more complete lockdown being imposed

Dr Bruce Laurence by the government as we lose control of cases going deeper into the winter.

“For many of us, there is much that we do that cannot be considered as essential or can be scaled back without any great hardship and harm.”

Dr Laurence asked residents to question if they need to mix with other people, if it is safe, and if the benefits are worth the risk, adding: “I would ask you to really limit how much you mix in your and other people’s homes outside your

household or household bubble.

“The next stage of restrictions if our numbers get too high will be a ban on mixing of households, but it seems to make sense to me that we start reducing this high-risk activity now before we are forced to.”

He also urged people to go home promptly when the 10pm curfew forces pubs and restaurants to close.

The number of coronavirus cases locally and regionally have consistently been below the national average, although the figures are creeping up.

“We could be slightly reassured that the virus will rage less fiercely in Bath and North East Somerset and the South West, than in those parts of the country worst hit in this second wave, as it was in the first,” added Dr Laurence.

“But with rates climbing quickly here and across the region it would be foolish to rely on that hope, or to think that we couldn’t go the way of Liverpool and Manchester if we do nothing to prevent it.”

The main symptoms are: q A high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature) q A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual) q A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal What to do if you have symptoms If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus: q Get a test to check if you have coronavirus as soon as possible.

Stay at home and do not have visitors until you get your test result – only leave your home to have a test. q Anyone you live with, and anyone in your support bubble, must also stay at home until you get your result.

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November 2020

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n NEWS

Community group takes charge of the Lyncombe Hill fields as nature reserve

By Harry Mottram for Bath Voice When a notice appeared on the entrance to Lyncombe Hill Fields in 2018 seeking a tenant to rent the land below Alexandra Park and above Greenway Lane a number of residents took an interest.

Former teacher Maurice Tennenhaus who lives by the park explained what happened next.

“A number of us who live by the fields called a meeting of local community organisations to suggest the community could take it over,” he said. “A sum of money was guaranteed by local groups which was sufficient for us to make a bid to turn keep it as a wild part of Bath.”

He said the newly formed Friends of Lyncombe Hill Fields, a not-for-profit Community Interest Company (FLHF CIC) put in a management plan to the Bath and North East Council who owned the land to enhance the fields and keep it as a green space for the city.

Previously the five sloping fields had been at various times been used for farming and the grazing of livestock including horses in more recent times.

“We want to encourage the flora and fauna in the ten or so acres and to have a light touch maintenance programme,” he said, “And to enhance the public access and educational aspects.”

Footpaths criss-cross the steep slopes but they are not friendly for those in wheelchairs or pushing prams. Schools could also use the fields in the future as part of nature lessons and workshops he said.

Maurice Tennenhaus explained how the group hope to keep Lyncombe Hill Fields as a green space In September the FLHF CIC took on the fields so Mr Tennenhaus said it was early days but the first task was to keep excessive growth of bushes and brambles from encroaching too much on the footpaths and meadows.

The company do not have to maintain the mature trees or the stone boundary walls as those will continue to be the responsibility of the council.

Members of the company

welcome ideas from the public such as creating a pond, bird houses and sowing windflowers.

“This year is the year of discovery,” he said, “so once we’ve cleared some of the overgrown areas we can see what we’ve got.

“We’ll carry out a photographic survey and a tree survey. Next summer the Friends will also survey the flora.”

The FLHF CIC has three directors, five member organisations although it is not a membership organisation.

Any money created will be put back into the fields, while a management plan now under way will be undertaken to show the council what their plans are.

More details of the fields can be found at http://www. widcombeassociation.org.uk/ project/flhfcic/

Walking bus aims to reduce the school run traffic

Jess David is behind the scheme

Because of the heavy traffic outside Widcombe primary and infant schools in the rush hour a group of parents have formed a walking bus to cut down on congestion.

“The school is right on the road and it is so congested in the mornings,” said Jess David, “I have three children and my eldest daughter started at Widcombe in 2018 and I didn’t want to sit in traffic.

“I found out there had been a walking bus before and so tried to

get it restarted. It took time as there was insurance to sort out but the council was supportive and gave us hi-vis bibs.”

Once the details were agreed the walking bus proceeds down Bear Flat to Widcombe with around a dozen children plus the parent volunteers.

“We did a pilot last summer to see if it works and since September we do it five days a week,” she said, “it’s good for the children and it frees up time for the adults.”

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

Off to school we go in Widcombe

November 2020

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n WIDCOMBE NEWS

Midland Road recycling centre to be redeveloped

By BBC LDRS staff for Bath Voice.

Council bosses have assured Bath residents they will not be left without a recycling centre when the current “unfit for purpose” site in the city closes.

Its development company, Aequus, has submitted plans to redevelop the Midland Road with 176 flats as part of the 2,281home Western Riverside masterplan.

Documents emerged this week reveal that Bath and North East Somerset Council is in early talks about consolidating facilities in Midland Road with other council units at a redeveloped site at Pixash Lane in Keynsham.

But the council confirmed today (October 16) that sites are being investigated to build one or more replacement recycling centres in Bath.

Councillor David Wood, the joint cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said: “Bath residents will not be left without at least one, and possibly

more, centres for household waste and recycling in the city.”

But the council has not yet indicated where the new facilities might be or what progress has been made with identifying sites.

Before it submits formal proposals for Pixash Lane it has requested a scoping opinion so see what needs to be included in the application.

It says the compact facilities at Midland Road – along with the vehicle depot at Ashmead Road in Keynsham and the public MOT garage in Locksbrook Road in Bath – could be consolidated onto a single site in Pixash Lane,

which is already home to the town’s recycling centre but will expand to four hectares.

The purpose-built recycling centre could be in place by the end of 2022, allowing the space at Midland Road to be released to meet “the much needed demand for new housing”, a quarter of which would be affordable.

The site sits within the Western Riverside masterplan, which was approved in 2010.

A council spokesperson said: “The decision to progress the relocation of the waste, recycling and transfer station operations from Midland Road was made in

January 2019, following an announcement by the council that the site was “unfit for purpose” the previous year.

“Plans to relocate the operational services to Pixash Lane have also been developed over many years.

“Submitting an environmental impact assessment scoping report for consideration by the council’s planning department and external consultees is the first stage of the EIA process, prior to a detailed report going before the planning committee.”

On social media there has been a strong reaction with some residents complaining of the longer journey they will need to take in future to process their waste products.

Bath Voice heard from several residents who said that Keynsham is quite a long way to go which increased their carbon footprint.

Other points were not everyone had a car and it would lead to an increase in fly tipping.

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November 2020

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n ADVERTISING FEATURE Charity’s ethical facemasks Bath-based charity The Paul Hodges Trust is taking innovative steps to tackle the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic in West Africa this autumn.

Bear Flats local and trust founder Jenny Carlen is partnering with grassroots tailoring cooperatives in Ghana and Sierra Leone to produce vibrant, ethical facemasks for the Trust’s non-profit shop, alongside unique handmade Christmas decorations from Uganda.

“The main focus of the Trust is advancing women’s empowerment and protecting the environment.

Covid led us in a more entrepreneurial direction,” Carlen explained. “I noticed disposable masks littering my area, impacting the local environment, and I put two and two together.”

Trust infographics demonstrate that each mask sale provides one school uniform.

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n NEWS

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November 2020

City Farm’s 25 years One of Bath’s best kept secrets has celebrated a quarter of a century in existence.

It started as a dream but 25 years ago, on the 26th October 1995, a new City Farm was born in Bath following years of hard work and campaigning by a passionate group of local residents. More than two decades on and the charity, Bath City Farm, has helped to educate, improve well-being and transform the lives of thousands of people from across the city.

Last month the charity held a socially distanced birthday party for their animals, with cake, singing and games.

Helen Fisher, Farm Manager said: “I have been working at Bath City Farm since 2002 and these past few months have been extremely difficult for the farm, with periods of uncertainty caused by the financial impact of having to close. However, this week, thanks to the generosity of hundreds of supporters, we have reached the £50,000 shortfall we needed to keep the farm open.”

Last year, Bath City Farm transformed 950 people’s lives through a range of targeted projects in animal care, horticulture and catering. Seven per cent of these people went on to find employment, 25% re-engaged with training or education and 35% reduced their clinical mental health support or medication.

Some of the charity’s highlights over the past 25 years: 1991 – 1995 Local residents Mike and Sue Walker registered the farm as a charity on the 26th October 1995.

1995 Jonathan Dimbleby attends the charity’s AGM and becomes the farm’s first Patron.

1998 The first animals arrive

Pictured above the view from the farm, and above from left: the farm thanks the public for donations that have kept the farm open; how it looked in 1995; and scenes from the farm today. Below the early arrivals - Six Soay sheep, thanks to Bath City Football Club with goats arriving five years later.

1999 The charity employs their first member of staff, Kathy Jordan, to run courses and a children’s club.

2005 TV show DIY SOS spends a week at the farm transforming the buildings.

2006 Pigs Molly and Maggie arrive. Author Dick King-Smith comes to the cut the ribbon at the opening and read from his latest book, the Sheep Pig, which was made into a film Babe.

2007 Toddler group Roots and Shoots opens and the charity’s first Animal Care and Horticulture courses start.

2010 The farm starts rearing its own chickens and guinea fowls.

2011 The café, The Trough, opens.

2012 The charity successfully applies for a large funding bid with the Lottery. This money was used to build a volunteer cabin and to recruit a Visitor and Volunteer Coordinator.

2020 The farm closes due to the outbreak of Covid-19, however supporters of the farm help the charity to raise £50,000 to keep the farm open. Staff at the farm cook and deliver thousands of meals to vulnerable members of the local community during lockdown and kept supporters and visitors in touch with life on the Farm via live animal feeding every Saturday morning on FB live.

More details of the farm’s activities and opening times at http://bathcityfarm.org.uk/

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

November 2020

bathvoice

n NEWS IN BRIEF Queen’s Birthday Honour: Former University of Bath Deputy Director of Sport Ali Oliver says she is “truly honoured and humbled” after being awarded an MBE for services to sport in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

River tragedy: Police confirmed in September the missing University student found in the river was Martin Bowers. In a statement they said: “We do not consider the circumstances to be suspicious and we’ll carry out further enquiries on behalf of the Coroner’s office.”

Green Flag Park: Five of Bath & North East Somerset Council’s parks have been recognised in this year’s Green Flag awards for meeting the highest quality standards used as an international benchmark. Alexandra Park, Bloomfield Green, Hedgemead Park, Henrietta Park and Royal Victoria Park have all won the international mark of quality for being well-managed.

Widcombe butcher: Larkhall Butchers are opening a new shop

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on Widcombe Parade this month.

The traders are represented by Simon and Amanda Brown at Flamingos. Amanda said it meant the street had 100% occupancy which showed that local people had rediscovered local shopping.

She said having the Larkhall Butcher open a store endorsed the community as a vibrant centre.

Medals recovered: A collection of war medals stolen from a house in Bath nearly five years ago have been returned to their owner Leslie Waldron’ s daughter after they were recovered by police last month. Mr Waldron passed away late last year aged 82. They were eventually tracked down through auction records in Surrey.

Oldfield Park pub’s refit: The Moorfields pub in Oldfield Park has reopened following £500,000 investment from Stonegate Pub Company and The Bath Pub Company. The pub serves food so hopefully remain open should the covid restrictions tighten. The manager is Paul Newson and the chef is Jack Scarterfield.

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n NEWS

November 2020

The club carried out works to redevelop its site and build flats - an artist’s impression is shown above and below of the proposed buildings

Freedom of information request revealed potential £200,000 claim against cricket club’s tree damage

By BBC LDRS staff for Bath Voice.

The Council decided not to pursue compensation of up to £200,000 after Bath Cricket Club contractors damaged trees on a bank that it owned.

Following a Freedom of Information request, Bath and North East Somerset Council released emails showing officers calling for enforcement action or a civil suit to claim damages for the harm to the trees.

Despite officers pressing for action the council did not pursue either option, and has said a civil claim was not needed and was not in the public interest.

The 11 trees in North Parade Road were on land owned by the authority, which had not given consent, but its orders for the engineering work to stop in February 2019 were ignored, the documents show.

Some have since been cut back to stop them falling after severe damage to their roots.

The cricket club secured planning permission in March 2018 to redevelop its car park and build 136 student flats, an indoor cricket school and a new teaching and learning space.

Following the engineering works, B&NES Council commissioned aboricultural consultants to carry out a survey that valued the damage caused at £200,000.

They used a calculation “designed to assist local authorities in achieving an appropriate level of compensation where publicly

owned trees are damaged or removed without consent”.

The report said: “There is relatively little that can be done to remediate or rectify the impact of this level of root damage.

“The extensive root damage caused by this engineering work has potentially significant short term implications for one lime tree as well as long term impacts on the health of all but four semi-mature limes.

“The impacts are not just the increased risk of tree failure or decline but also significant loss in public amenity value.”

In an email to colleagues, tree manager Denise Hart warned that the council would be found negligent if it failed to act and one of the trees fell.

Richard Long, the head of planning, said the council had enough evidence to sue the club for £200,000 for damaging the trees, plus costs.

Senior estates surveyor Hayley Ponsford pressed for legal action.

She said the trees were protected and the council had not given consent or granted planning permission for the work.

She said in an email dated May 2019: “We appear to have sufficient evidence to pursue this matter further. As landowner, we will need to take action and appoint solicitors. We are limited to a sixmonth period to pursue this, which began in February.”

In September 2019, after that deadline had passed, planning and enforcement officer Robert Warren

said the trees were not damaged enough to be destroyed so it would be a less serious offence.

He said the council’s best option to pursue the issue was as a civil matter to “recover the loss of the trees and the land, plus any consequential risks to the stability of the adjoining land”.

But in November the advice changed and Mr Long said the council had decided not to make a civil claim against the cricket club.

In a statement this week, Councillor Tim Ball, the cabinet member for housing, planning and economic development, said: “The council takes swift action against any incorrect practices when appropriate and in the public interest to do so.

“As soon as we became aware of the works by Bath Cricket Club, we raised the issue with them about the requirement to give proper notice.

“Following tests showing that

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

the trees were not sufficiently damaged to amount to them having been destroyed, we sought legal advice which informed us it was not in the public interest to pursue a claim against Bath Cricket Club.

“As legally there was no actual loss to the council, a civil claim was not needed as we cannot recover a cost we have not suffered.”

The trees were on a councilowned embankment in North Parade Road that the cricket club needed to cross to access its development site.

In January this year the authority agreed to sell the “ransom strip” for £150,000 – a sum described as “less than best consideration” – after being told the community benefits would be worth £2million. That same month the club felled a tree on the council’s land without its consent.

Bath Cricket Club was approached for comment.

November 2020

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n ADVERTISING FEATURE

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November 2020

bathvoice

n NEWS

13

Bath’s clean air zone praised for ‘prioritising health’ and the council for not doing a u-turn

By BBC LDRS staff for Bath Voice Environmentalists have praised Bath for forging ahead with its clean air zone proposals when other cities are holding off or u-turning on their commitments.

Legal action from Client Earth forced the government to commit to improve air quality, the largest known environmental risk to public health in the UK. The court cases prompted a ministerial directive to Bath and North East Somerset Council and 62 other authorities to cut nitrogen dioxide levels as soon as possible and by 2021 at the latest.

Bath’s clean air zone is set to be the first outside London when it launches early next year.

Katie Nield, UK clean air lawyer at ClientEarth, said: “Clean air zones are the key to quickly reducing illegal and harmful levels of air pollution in our towns and cities – this is what research by central government and local authorities shows.

“They need to be paired with the relevant help and support for people and businesses to move to cleaner forms of transport. But some councils are holding off or u-turning on commitments to put these much-needed zones in place.

“This is incredibly short-sighted and we can already see traffic and pollution levels back on the rise in many towns and cities.

“People cannot opt out of exposure to pollution, and further delaying what we know to be the most effective measures to clean up illegally dirty air is a reprehensible risk to respiratory health as we grapple with the virus.”

Cities including Bristol and Leeds may rethink their clean air zone proposals, claiming they could lock in changes in lifestyle, work and travel patterns brought about by the pandemic that have improved air quality.

Birmingham’s zone was delayed by issues with the Government’s vehicle checker and then in March the council appealed for more time so it could deal with the pandemic.

It will not start charging until the summer of 2021.

Derby, Nottingham, Southampton, and Cardiff have scrapped their clean air zone plans

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altogether. They claim they can cut nitrogen dioxide levels through traffic management and by making public transport cleaner.

Ms Nield added: “Whilst authorities in Leeds, Bristol and Sheffield seem to be moving in the wrong direction, it is great to see that Bath is going ahead with its clean air zone and showing itself as an example of a council that is prioritising people’s health.”

Councillor Sarah Warren, cabinet member for Climate Emergency, said: “Air quality is a massive health risk for residents of Bath and North East Somerset and we remain

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committed to working together with central government to protect people’s health, by bringing nitrogen dioxide levels back within legal limits in the shortest possible time.

“Whilst traffic levels fell during lockdown they are now approaching normal levels and in Bath nitrogen dioxide levels are back up to where we would expect them to be.”

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14

n NEWS

City centre 20mph plan

By BBC LDRS staff for Bath Voice Busy roads through Bath could be limited to 20mph under proposals by transport bosses to encourage more people to walk, cycle or scooter.

Bath and North East Somerset Council wants to reduce the existing 30mph speed limit along London Road and extend the restriction along the Paragon, Cleveland Place, Bathwick Street, Sydney Place, Darlington Street, Beckford Road, North Road, Bathwick Hill, Widcombe Hill, Copseland, Prior Park Road and Ralph Allen Drive, Bath.

It also wants new 20mph restrictions on the roads from the city centre towards the University of Bath.

The council said in a draft traffic regulation order for the new limits: “Reduced vehicle speeds can be an influential factor in encouraging people to walk and cycle more often and can give them greater confidence to do so.

“Whilst vehicle speeds in London Road can sometimes

be relatively low due to general activity and congestion, there are times during the day when vehicle speeds can be detrimental to the use of the road by pedestrians and cyclists.

“Aside from the potential benefits for pedestrians, cyclists and air quality, this course of action [the new speed limit] would also help to reduce street clutter, as the speed limit would then be contiguous with the existing 20mph speed limit on the side roads joining these main roads.”

Much of the city is already covered by 20mph limits but this will be the first time the council has introduced them on busier roads that mainly carry through traffic.

Cllr Joanna Wright, joint cabinet member for transport services, said: “Pedestrians are less likely to suffer serious or fatal injuries if hit by a vehicle travelling at 20mph compared to a vehicle travelling only 10mph faster. The roads where we want to reduce vehicle speeds are ones that are well-used by pedestrians and cyclists.

Councillor Joanna Wright, joint cabinet member for transport services, cycles in Bath, wants the city to be less congested by encouraging more cycling and walking

“We want to reduce the dominance of vehicles in built-up areas to encourage more walking and cycling as well as improve air quality and health across the district. These proposed 20mph limits that extend outside the city centre will support our overall aim.”

Chief constable Andy Marsh has shared Avon and Somerset Police’s stance on introducing speed limits with the council.

He said: “Local speed limits should not be set in isolation. They should be part of a package with other measures to manage speeds,

which include engineering, visible interventions and landscaping standards that respect the needs of all road users and raise the driver’s awareness of their environment, together with education, driver information, training and publicity.”

Chief constable Marsh said the police will enforce 20mph speed limits if there is deliberate offending, but they will not be routinely enforced if the limits are unclear. Residents can comment on the proposed TRO until November 5 before a final decision is made by the council.

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November 2020

n NEWS

bathvoice

15

Funding concerns over Culverhay Leisure Centre as it reopens - but the swimming pool is closed

By BBC LDRS staff for Bath Voice Council bosses are urging the government to do more to help gyms and leisure centres and the thousands of jobs they support.

Bath and North East Somerset Council has handed operator GLL £565,000 to cover its losses but finding more funding will be “extremely difficult” if lockdown restrictions tighten.

Some facilities have already reopened but others are proving more challenging.

Some services at Culverhay Leisure Centre has reopened but the loss-making swimming pool will remain closed.

Councillor Paul Crossley, the cabinet member for community services, told the cabinet meeting on October 8: “We’re looking at the proposed next steps to ensure that we have a sustainable leisure service for the future.

“Leisure isn’t a statutory service but it’s absolutely important to people, to families, to community and to the way we live our lives “We want more sports played by more people in more ways at more locations more often.

“We’re improving the Chew Valley Leisure Centre by working in partnership with Lighthouse School Partnership, we’re starting to reopen Culverhay, and we’re

looking to greatly improve the facilities at the Odd Down Sport Ground.”

Gyms and leisure centres across the country were forced to close in March as the country went into lockdown – but their costs continued to mount up.

Cllr Richard Samuel, the cabinet member for resources, said the council had already handed GLL £565,000 from its government grant to cover its losses due to Covid-19.

GLL, a social enterprise, operates 394 facilities across the country.

Before the pandemic its portfolio in Bath and North East Somerset – Bath Leisure Centre, Keynsham Leisure Centre, The Pavilion, Chew Valley Leisure Centre, Culverhay Leisure Centre and the Odd Down Sports Centre – had more than 6,000 members and more than a million visits a year.

Bath Sports and Leisure Centre and Keynsham Leisure Centre reopened on July 25, with Odd Down Sports Ground following in August.

Cabinet members agreed to a number of changes to support its leisure services.

The facilities at Culverhay Leisure Centre, which serves a deprived part of the city, are in poor condition and the pool is not

well used, contributing in large part to the significant loss made by the centre.

It sits within the Bath Community Academy site, whose future is currently being reviewed.

The cabinet agreed to reopen the leisure centre but not the swimming pool, until the infection risk can be reduced.

Cllr Crossley said the swimming pools at the leisure centres in Bath

and Keynsham were working well, and if demand keeps rising the council may be able to reopen the pool at Culverhay ahead of the revamp.

The “busy and valued” Odd Down Sports Centre makes a £70,000 annual loss, mainly due to the cost of its grass pitches, but the council wants it to turn a profit.

Officers will look at investment opportunities.

The pool at Culverhay Leisure Centre remains closed

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Bath news in brief Chemistry University winner: Dr Asel Sartbaeva a researcher from the University of Bath has won the ‘Emerging Technologies’ competition run by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), in recognition of her work making vaccines safer for children around the globe.

Annual Exhibition goes online: The Bath Society of Artists Annual Exhibition will be displayed online instead of the Victoria Art Gallery, which is currently closed due to Covid-19.

The exhibition will be online from Monday 2 November 2020 to Sunday 3 January 2021 at www.victoriagal.org.uk/ bathsociety2020.

Park’s night closure: Alexandra Park’s night closure to vehicles is

under review. It was closed to cars in October from 6pm-9am due to anti-social motorists misusing the circular park’s road at night. A community group said they are monitoring the situation on a daily basis ahead of a reopening.

Work starts on gardens: Work has started to revive Bath’s Sydney Gardens following funding boost from The National Lottery. Improvements will include a new large play area for all ages, improved tennis courts and a new Community Pavilion.

Student removed: A student has been removed from Beechen Cliff School after an “inappropriate” and “prejudicial” video was shared on social media last month using Snapchat.

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bathvoice

16

November 2020

n WHAT’S ON

Christmas market, jazz and a rom-com Despite the Covid-19 Crisis there are still a number of events on in Bath which shows a willingness of organisers to extol the virtue of Keep Calm and Carry On. From Christmas markets to comedy nights and of course the return of drama at Bath Theatre Royal.

Mon, 2 Nov. Schools return for the Christmas term or term 2 – subject to lockdowns.

Hepburn. Bar open, free entry from 6pm. 7pm. The Wharf Room.

Widcombe Hill. Tel: 01225 460 456.

Mon, 2 Nov. Sydney Gardens Hobby Horse Workshop. Make and create for Bath Home Educators.

10:00 – 11:30. Make your own hobby horse from a kit and bring it to life with artists Aimee Corbett and Tessa Bide for young people aged 7 - 12 years. Book via eventbrite.co.uk

Sat 7 Nov: Bath Abbey.

Remembrance Concert. 7pm. £10—£6

Wed, 4 Nov. Lecture on Zoom: The Building a Healthier City project.

1.10pm. Contact Bath Record Office to book a place: archives@bathnes. gov.uk / 01225 477421.

Wed, 4 Nov: Theatre Royal Bath.

Copenhagen by Michael Frayn with Haydn Gwynne, Michael Gould and Philip Arditti. Set in Nazi-occupied Copenhagen, in 1941, a clandestine encounter between two friends who find themselves on opposite sides of the divide. Runs to 21st November.

Fri, 6 Nov: Widcombe Social Club.

Live music. Doors open 6pm.

Bar open to all - free entry from 5.30pm - late. Free live music. Jools Scott, solo piano from Pump Room to Punk.

Sat, 7 Nov: Widcombe Social Club.

Film Night: Charade. 1963 Rom com mystery directed by Stanley Donen with Cary Grant and Audrey

Sun, 8 Nov: 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.

Sun, 8 Nov. Remembrance Sunday. Service of Remembrance at the War Memorial, St Thomas, Widcombe.10.30am Wed, 11 Nov. Lecture on Zoom: 250 years of Bath’s water supply, from the Georgian era to modern day. 1.10pm-1.45pm. Contact Bath Record Office to book a place: archives@bathnes.gov.uk / 01225 477421.

Thu, 12 Nov. Early Bird Christmas Shopping day. Entertainment and festive activities in the city centre.

Fri, 13 Nov: Widcombe Social Club.

Live music. Doors open 6pm. Bar open to all - free entry from 5.30pm - late. Free live music. Chaser Duo - Guitar-led jazz with Andrew Murphy.

Fri, 13 Nov: Widcombe Social Club. Bath Comedy Club with John Moloney and Harriet Braine. £12 or

Bath Contemporary Arts Fair is back, Alice Harfield ‘I can see for miles’ £10 WSC members - for details and booking see www.bathcomedy. com Sat, 14 Nov: Widcombe Christmas Market. 10.30am-5pm. The artists and artisans of Widcombe at Widcombe Social Club and The Natural Theatre Company, opposite.

Sun, 15 Nov: Widcombe Christmas Market. 10.30am-4pm. The artists and artisans of Widcombe at Widcombe Social Club and The Natural Theatre Company, opposite.

Wed, 18 Nov. Lecture on Zoom: Filthy, verminous and unfit for habitation. 1.10pm-1.45pm.

Contact Bath Record Office to book a place: archives@bathnes.gov.uk / 01225 477421.

Wed, 18 Nov: Council planning virtual meeting on Zoom. 2pm.

Public Access via YouTube https:// www.youtube.com/bathnescouncil.

Details on how to attend: Marie Todd 01225 394414 Thu, 19 Nov. Early Bird Christmas Shopping day. Entertainment and festive activities in the city centre.

Widcombe Social Club’s Nick Steel has organised a number of November events

Thu, 19 Nov. Classical Music. MF6 Gould Piano Trio. Assembly Rooms. £36-£16. 8.15-9.45pm (no interval) (This concert is also on at 5.30pm here) Gould Piano Trio with Lucy Gould violin, Richard Lester cello and Benjamin Frith piano. Mozart – Piano Trio in G major K 564; Fauré – Piano Trio in D minor Op 120; Schubert – Notturno in E flat major D 897; Brahms – Piano Trio No 2 in C

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Thu, 19 Nov. Chapel Arts Centre. Jon Boden. £20 (exc. fees). 7:30 pm – 9:45 pm (Doors: 7pm). Due to reduced capacity minimum of 2 tickets. Jon Boden is best known as the lead singer of Bellowhead.

Fri, 20 Nov: Widcombe Social Club.

Live music. Doors open 6pm. Bar open to all - free entry from 5.30pm - late. Free live music. Tea & Biscuits.

Our house band - acoustic finger picking duo.

Fri, 20 Nov: Widcombe Social Club.

Live Jazz. 7pm Jazz at 7.30pm. Pee Wee Ellis and Jason Rebello Duo. £15/£12 WSC members.

Wed, 25 Nov: Bath Theatre Royal.

David Mamet’s Oleanna. Until December 12.

Fri, 27 Nov: Widcombe Social Club.

Bath Comedy Club with the Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre and Archie Maddocks. £12 or £10 WSC members - for details and booking see www.bathcomedy.com Sun, 29 Nov. Bath Theatre Royal. Al Murray: Landlord of Hope and Glory Sun, 6 Dec: West Widcombe Christmas Lunch. 1pm. Mark’s Community Centre, St Mark’s Rd, Bath https://widcombewest.uk/news/ Sun, 13 Dec: 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.

November 2020

bathvoice

17

n NEWS IN BRIEF Moorlands PTA’s quiz night: The Big PTA Quiz is on Zoom on Thursday, 19th November.

The school’s PTA are teaming up with Parentkind, the national PTA charity, to take part in their Big PTA Quiz for 2020, raising funds for Moorlands PTA. And a reminder more members of the PTA are needed specifically a secretary, and at least two more committee members.

Email Julie at moorlandsschoolPTA@gmail. com Tennis winner: Ralph Allen School’s Grace Piper who won the prestigious tennis British Tour event in Taunton last weekend. The British Tour 2020 provides a circuit of tournaments designed to give up and coming players the opportunity to gain experience in their quest to become professional tennis players.

More good news from the school Toby Osgood has got selected for the County Badminton team.

New superstructure: The next milestone in the creation of the first new crossing point to be installed across the River Avon in Bath for a century will be completed next month. The

superstructure of Bath Quays Bridge, a 60m long steel bridge which will link Bath Quays North and South and provide a new route for pedestrians and cyclists, will be in place early this month.

Cameras to catch cars: Cameras for the temporary bus gate at the junction of Milsom Street and George Street in Bath have been switched on. The vehicle restriction allows only buses to travel along the one-way Milsom Street up to the junction with Quiet Street 10am and 6pm.

Bridge repair in 2021: Work to repair Bath’s historic Cleveland Bridge is set to start in the spring/summer of 2021 following the approval of listed building consent by councillors. While the bridge has been routinely maintained over the years, a survey has shown it needs major repairs including the replacement of some of the major structural elements. The council applied for financial assistance from the Government through the Highways Maintenance Challenge Fund. The Department for Transport is contributing £3.5m to the repairs.

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness: a view from Alexandra Park looking down through the allotments towards Widcombe Hill and beyond. Next to the allotments are the Lyncombe Hill Fields. There is more about the future of the popular green space in the city on page 5.

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bathvoice

18

n NEWS

Anger over plans for former Hartwell site

By BBC LDRS staff for Bath Voice Bath Campaigners are urging residents to make their voices once again ahead of an appeal on controversial plans to build 186 student bedrooms and 104 flats in Bath.

Alan Champneys from the No to Hartwells Student Build group accused the Oakhill Group’s appeal as “cynical” when Bath and North East Somerset Council gave clear reasons for refusal. The developer has refuted the claim and said there is “nothing unusual” in exercising its right to appeal.

Some 274 people opposed its proposals for Hartwell Garage, saying they were “unwanted and fundamentally flawed”.

But Professor Champneys said the planning inspector may not assume those objections still stand, so asked residents to reiterate their concerns.

The University of Bristol lecturer said: “This is a cynical attempt by an extremely rich developer. They

don’t care about wasting council taxpayers’ money post-pandemic.

“They don’t care about what the local community want. This is two fingers up to the people of Bath.”

Rejecting the proposals in March, planning committee members said the site was only allocated for 100 homes, and what was proposed was inappropriate and failed to provide an appropriate mix of housing.

The council expected 40 per cent of the homes on the site affordable but the developer said only 12.5 per cent would be viable.

Newbridge ward member Michelle O’Doherty said: “I want to encourage people to comment. It seems the developer is going to use as much muscle as it can.

“This development was universally unwanted. Residents would be happy to see the site redeveloped but not to see 400 people shoehorned in with little space. It seems like a cynical ploy by the developer who will be able

Demonstrators have made their feelings known to the council

to pay for QCs the council won’t be able to afford. That’s their best opportunity to get the decision overturned.

“We will be doing what we can to make sure the inspector listens to residents.”

A spokesperson for the Oakhill Group said the application followed 11 months of detailed scrutiny by council officers, who had recommended it for approval.

Councillors went against that recommendation.

“After careful consideration Oakhill have exercised their legal right to appeal the decision of the council, and the appeal will be heard by an independent inspector appointed by the secretary of state,” the spokesperson said.

“The council gave six reasons for refusing the Oakhill proposals, but those reasons were not

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supported by council officers. A public inquiry which is scheduled to take place in February 2021 will test the arguments from both sides in a fair and transparent way.

“The Hartwell car dealership on the site closed down in February 2019 and it is necessary to find a new long-term use for the site that is viable and compliant with the council’s development plan.

“The Oakhill proposals do that by providing over 100 apartments for rent, purpose built accommodation for 186 students, and a small retail unit, and will deliver the missing elements of the Bath sustainable transport route.”

The deadline for comments is October 14. They can be submitted by visiting /acp. planninginspectorate.gov.uk and searching for case number 3258121.

November 2020

bathvoice

n REVIEW

19

n PREVIEW

An argumentative start to the New Year as couples fallout

Pinter’s 1978 play about adultery and betrayal brings back live theatre to Bath Review Betrayal at Theatre Royal Bath Pinter’s Betrayal is a neatly constructed drama of tangled relationships (all based on his affair with Joan Bakewell) and is boozy and blokish – and is a welcome return of live theatre in Bath Blokish and boozy, Harold Pinter’s 1978 story of tangled relationships seems at once dated and yet convincing in the selfishness of Jerry and Emma.

Set in the late 1960s and early 1970s the ménage à trois features Jerry’s affair with Emma, who is married to his best friend Robert.

Famously played out in reverse chronology meaning the play begins at the end and ends at the beginning, Jonathan Church’s production remains faithful to the period setting of Ercol furniture and plastic settees.

Nancy Carroll as Emma with her sweep of blonde hair and 1970s wedge heels was the believably beautiful lover of two men at the same time. Despite the snogging and declarations of love, in retrospect, neither Jerry (Edward Bennett) or Robert (Joseph Millson) seemed up to the sexual chemistry required to adore Emma.

Not because of their acting but because the misogynistic tone and out of date sexism that jars with a

contemporary audience. In short it was hard to see the attraction other than their power and privilege in the wealthy literati London scene of Pinter’s world.

Alex Eales’ rotating set allowed for swift changes from bedroom to pub, from restaurant to living room with an economy of movement and maximum of period detail.

Coupled with Joshua Carr’s lighting and Jon Nicholls’ sound and music the production was a joy to behold in its style and setting.

Whether the actors wanted to get to the Garrick’s Head next door as quickly as possible for some real drinks rather than the pretend booze they knocked back on stage is hard to tell. As Pinter’s famous theatrical pauses between conversations were generally shorter than usual meaning the production knocked five minutes off the running time.

A masked up audience – only about a third of the normal capacity – appreciated the play with lengthy applause at the final curtain – the first in the Theatre Royal Bath’s Welcome Back Season.

For theatre goers denied for so long live performances due to Covid-19 rules it was just so good to be back.

Harry Mottram Four Stars

Following an acclaimed run as part of the Theatre Royal’s Summer Season 2018, God of Carnage returns to Bath prior to a West End run. Elizabeth McGovern, fresh from starring in the celebrated Downton Abbey film, reprises her dazzling performance as Veronica, with Nigel Lindsay back as her bluff husband, Michael.

Samantha Spiro plays Annette and Simon Paisley Day is Alan.

When eleven-year-old Ferdinand hits eleven-year-old Bruno with a stick in a playground punch-up and knocks out two of his teeth, the combatants’ enlightened parents decide to meet to talk things over civilly. But once the niceties are done with and the drink starts flowing, it is the parents who turn into spoiled brats.

Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play and the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, the play returns to the Theatre Royal Bath from January 20-25, 2021.

Below is a review of the 2018 production in Bath - although the cast has changed for this new outing prior to a West End run assuming Covid-19 doesn’t get in the way.

The knives (or rather the sharpened spears) are out in Yasmina Reza’s savage black comedy which sets two sets of parents at each other’s throats. An assembly of spears hangs above the stylish round lounge designed by Peter McKintosh in Lindsay Posner’s production of Reza’s God of Carnage. The four characters continue to plunge their savage verbal spears into each other over their petty disputes which widen into politics and beyond as the insults fly. Husband against husband, wife against wife, couple against couple.

The 80 minute clash begins when Alan (Ralph Little) and Annette (Amanda Abbington) visit the home of Veronica (Elizabeth McGovern) and Michael (Nigel Lindsay) to discuss how to deal with a violent dispute between their respective 11-year-old sons. And the fall-out never really ends although Reza moves it to the point of concluding at times only for an ill chosen parting shot to restart the arguments.

Reza constructs the play so that each of the four parents becomes the protagonist as they round on one or all of the others taking it in turns to trigger another round of arguments, accusations and tirades.

Vomit, violence and too much rum follows as a range of issues spill out from the adults as they resort to

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

childlike insults and clichés. From racism to homophobia and from misogyny to feminism and from moral choices over dodgy medicine to how to bring up your children Reza slips in big topics to reveal the flimsiness of society’s superficial views.

The cast convinced from the opening moment when the cracks begin to show between businessman Michael and his left leaning wife Veronica while Annette was clearly irritated by Alan’s addiction to his mobile phone. First class performances in a play that uses the awkward silences as well as the physical clashes and those throw away lines that have devastating consequences. It’s at times excruciating, shocking and surprising with so much fun derived from our recognition of the naked truth of how we all behave.

So much is packed into the tightly constructed living room bust up with shocking incidents and many a home truth that the 80 minutes races through to perhaps an inconclusive finale leaving the questions raised unanswered.

Unless, you agree with Alan’s analysis of life and his belief in, the God of Carnage.

Harry Mottram Five stars Reviewed at the Saturday matinee, September 15th, 2018.

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bathvoice

November 2020

n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC

Stopping the virus is our personal responsibility IT has been over six months since coronavirus restrictions were introduced and I’m sure many of us are just as frustrated and concerned as we were back in March.

It is important that we do not let our guard down. We all need to continue to play our part and follow the Government’s three tier regulations to prevent the virus transmission increasing any further in our area. We have seen how certain parts of the country are now facing increased restrictions and we must do all we can to avoid this from happening across Avon and Somerset.

I know local people are concerned what will happen if a national lockdown is enforced, and how this will impact our lives, local businesses, workplaces and schools. Let’s hope it does not reach this stage and, if it does, it is not for as long as the lockdown in the spring.

Please continue to follow the rules and guidance to keep you and your family safe as well as protecting the most vulnerable in our communities.

As I’ve said many times over the last six months, please take personal responsibility; you might not feel you are vulnerable to the virus but other people’s loved ones will be. We know that the transmission of this virus can be rapid, so we have to work as a collective to stop coronavirus and put an end to its disruptive nature.

Last month, we marked National Hate Crime Awareness Week and it was an ideal opportunity to talk about the impact this crime has on many people’s lives.

This year, the global conversation has shone a light on the grave injustices experienced by black people, people of colour, disabled people and many other communities as a result of coronavirus,

the national lockdown and the criminal justice system.

A brave victim of hate crime wrote about their experience, which was published on the PCC website.

Despite living and working in the UK for 15 years, they were told they “didn’t belong here” as “this is England for English people” and was called a “foreigner”.

The victim explained how the experience affected their well-being and why they believe others should report similar hate crime incidents to the police or services.

Being targeted because of your age, race, sexual orientation, religion or any other reason is unacceptable.

We must stand together united against hate crime. We need to reach out to victims of this awful crime and remind them they are not alone: there are organisations, services and individuals who are

With Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens out there who can offer support, including SWAN (www.swanadvocacy.org.uk) and SARI (www. sariweb.org.uk).

I want to reassure victims that if you report hate incidents to the police, you will be taken seriously.

I know many survivors feel like they will be wasting police time if they report but this is not the case: you will be listened to and supported.

Women swindled out of cash by cads and con men A true story from Avon and Somerset Police: “The pressure I was under was immense. I can’t tell you how awful I felt at the time. I feel I have been violated, sick to the stomach with the enormity of what has happened.

You just can’t get out of it.”

Those are the words of Anna* who was conned out of hundreds of thousands of pounds in a sophisticated romance fraud case earlier this year, spanning not only the West Country and Suffolk, but several different continents.

Here she talks about her own experience and warns people who find themselves in a similar position to contact the police or Action Fraud.

Anna’s story Anna, who is in her 50s and from Suffolk, lost her husband to an illness last year; with lockdown looming in March she found herself alone, isolated and looking for companionship.

She said: “I coped quite well initially after my husband’s death, but after Christmas and then with the COVID-19 pandemic, I went into a bit of a decline.”

Anna had met her husband via a dating website and felt it was initially a good way of connecting with people at a time when normal life was changing and face-to-face contact not possible. She was approached by Tim* from Windsor – a civil engineer. Or so he claimed.

Tim told Anna he was going abroad for work as he was project managing a transportation scheme in Eastern Romania. He claimed he was chartering a private plane to get all his equipment over there for the job. He even sent a picture, supposedly of himself at the site, to Anna, convincing her he was telling the truth.

But he soon claimed things were not going according to plan – and he needed Anna’s help.

Anna initially did not offer to help financially.

Tim asked Anna to buy Amazon vouchers online which amounted to approximately £3,500 over several weeks, which she thought were covering his day-to-day expenses of accommodation and food.

The demands kept coming and eventually Anna gave £320,000 to Tim, a man she had known for 10 weeks – inheritance money she had only just received from her parents. Due to Anna’s initial reluctance to give money to Tim for fear of it being a scam, she was instead instructed to transfer it to a UK account he claimed was held by his translator.

The account owner, Harriet, lived in Bath and North East Somerset and so the case was passed over to Avon and Somerset Police to investigate.

However, detectives discovered Harriet was no criminal – she was also a victim of romance fraud.

Harriet, who is in her 60s, had met Toby* online and the pair had been in a relationship for eight months.

Toby discussed a

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cryptocurrency investment scheme with Harriet and promised he would transfer some money to her via his bank teller – called Anna. He asked Harriet to pass the money on to the investment scheme once she received it, which she did.

But what Harriet did not know was the money belonged to Anna, a fellow romance fraud victim, rather than a bank teller.

Toby also persuaded Harriet to use some of her own money, including from her retirement fund, in the scheme. In total Harriet lost approximately £10,000.

Anna contacted Action Fraud and they informed police back in Suffolk and Avon and Somerset.

An investigation was launched.

The money Harriet had transferred had gone through Australia to a money laundering enterprise in the Far East, at which point the trail went cold.

DS Louise Sinclair said: “We hope Anna and Harriet’s experiences encourage people to tell police and Action Fraud when they are targeted in a scam.” * Not their real names.

November 2020

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n PUZZLES FOR ALL

The FIEND 5 4

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For example: 2 could be A, B or C ... and 5678 could be LOST

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

6

T: 0117 9860062 E: sales@applejoinery.co.uk www.applejoinery.co.uk Unit 1 & 2 Lays Farm Trading Estate, Charlton Road, Keynsham, Bristol, BS31 2SE

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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.

bathvoice

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November 2020

n BATH LIBRARY BOOK REVIEWS AND NEWS Adult Non-Fiction Mary Berry Everyday – Mary Berry Following on from Mary Berry’s current television programme is her “Everyday” book from 2017.

As with all Mary Berry’s cookery books there is a wide selection of delicious recipes (120) for all occasions. It begins with helpful suggestions on meal planning and express entraining. Then there are very scrummy family suppers and great food for sharing.

Some of these include: spicy Mexican samosas; potato, leek and cheese pie; a very colourful three beetroot salad with mozzarella and basil and everyone’s favourite sticky toffee pudding. A great book for trying something different in the kitchen.

Adult Fiction The Emerald Comb by Kathleen McGurl, as reviewed by Kerri

Brian, Keynsham Library Assistant Katie is happily married with children and likes nothing more than tracing her ancestors in her spare time.

When by chance an ancestors home comes up for sale, she persuades her husband to buy it.

As the story swaps from an ancestor’s letter confessing to a crime to Katie’s family settling into their new home, a mystery is solved and a ghost laid to rest, but who is the victim of the crime and where are the remains? An enjoyable read despite the topic.

The Girl Behind the Gates - Brenda Davies, as reviewed

by Kerri Brain, Keynsham Library Assistant It’s 1939 and Nora Jennings is 17 and loving life. She is

loved by her family and her future is bright. However, she finds herself pregnant and immediately her life turns upside down.

Taken to an institution, she is seemingly forgotten by friends and family. Her treatment for being deemed a ‘moral defective’ was incarceration within Hillinghurst Hospital and Institution until the baby is born (better than imprisonment for her attempt to abort the baby with medicines of the era). With only a few staff being nice to her, life is a miserable existence.

In 1981, Janet Humphreys takes on a job as a medical practitioner.

She discovers the severely institutionalised Nora and makes it her mission to make Nora’s life as full and independent as she can.

Nora is finally able to go back out through the gates, 47 years and 4 months since the day she entered.

A fascinating, albeit shocking novel based on a true event written by the practitioner who helped the true life ‘Nora’ adapt.

Children’s Fiction The Taylor Turbochaser – David Baddiel I heard David Baddiel being interviewed recently about his latest children’s book and so I wondered if there are any more of his books in Keynsham Library – and there is! The main character is Amy Taylor – who absolutely loves cars – and hopes one day to be a driver. However there is a slight problem – her old wheelchair is slow and knackered! Then one day Amy gets a brand new electric one

– this is cool but still is not right.

Then her great friend Rahul comes to the rescue. He is a genius inventor. He creates the Turbochaser!! A real supercar and with this Amy learns to drive and the real adventures begin. This is a great modern story with relatable characters and great illustrations. A fun filled packed read!

When Martha’s Away – Bruce Ingman Have you ever wondered what your pet gets up to when you’re out of the house all day? Meet Lionel and his friends and read all about their antics when Lionel’s owner Martha, goes out to work.

The tongue-incheek humour of this wonderful picture book really is a treat for children and adults alike. It’s a firm favourite of several of the library staff.

Library News Many local Libraries are very slowly re opening, however 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 facebook.com/ bathneslibraries1; Instagram www. instagram.com/bathnes_libraries; and Twitter www.twitter.com/ BathnesL

Love during the war - set in Bath Adult Fiction When Bombs Fell on Bath by Maggie Rayner It is 1939. Anthony Roberts is just a schoolboy when his parents welcome the Blumfeldts, a Jewish couple and their young daughter, refugees from Germany, into their home in Bath. But Anthony has to grow up fast as the Nazis bring the war to their very doorstep and his elder brother Henry joins up to fight.

Serving in war-ravaged Italy, Anthony falls in love with the

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beautiful Isabella Fortuno, but their dreams are shattered when tragedy strikes. In the years that follow, secrets connecting the families are gradually uncovered, revealing a tale of love, jealousy and betrayal.

The search for truth extends across Europe, but one thing becomes clear: all roads lead back to Bath and those terrible nights when the bombs fell.

This engrossing story of each family’s struggle to find answers, peace and love will grip you to the very last page.

November 2020

bathvoice

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