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bathvoice February 2024 No. 47

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INSIDE More LTNs planned Page 5 Greville awarded Page 6

What’s On: Pages 14-15 News Page 12 Sports News Page 13

Campaign to save Combe Down Allotments Thousands of people have signed the petition to save the allotments. See page 4 for more.

New police station for 2025 By John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporter: A new police station will open in Bath next year — ten years after the city’s old station closed. Work will start later this year to turn Plymouth House, a disused office block on Monmouth Street,

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into a new centralised location for the city’s police force. It is scheduled to open as the city’s new police station in 2025. Avon and Somerset police and crime commissioner Mark Shelford, formerly a local councillor in Bath, said: “I’m very pleased to be able

to announce this for Bath. It’s vital that policing is visible in all our communities and Bath as a key city in our region which also attracts over six million visitors each year needs to maintain a strong and robust local community policing Continued on page 3

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BANES Councillors Oldfield Park: Ian Halsall 07575 922200 ian_halsall@bathnes.gov.uk Widcombe & Lyncombe: Alison Born 01225 319188 Alison_born@bathnes.gov.uk Deborah Joan Collins Deborah_Collins@bathnes.gov.uk 01225 395954

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

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Dine Romero 07900 276613 dine_romero@bathnes.gov.uk Combe Down: Onkar Saini 07429 149782 Onkar_Saini@bathnes.gov.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

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team who are easily accessible to the public. “This new station will provide reassurance to residents and businesses in the area as part of our commitment to delivering an efficient and effective police force for everyone in Avon and Somerset. I’m looking forward to its opening next year.” Since the Manvers Street police station closed in 2015, Bath’s police have been based across two sites: Lewis House across the road from the old station — which they share with Bath and North East Somerset Council — and Redbridge House on the Lower Bristol Road. But there have long been calls for the city to have a proper police station again. In 2022, Lewis House was refurbished and reopened as Bath Police Station but now police from both sites will be relocated to Plymouth House. Chief constable of Avon and Somerset Police, Sarah Crew, said: “This is a move our staff and our community have been asking for, and I’m delighted to be

delivering it for them. The feedback we’ve received is that our teams work most effectively when they are together day to day and under one roof. “Plymouth House will allow the Bath neighbourhood policing and response teams to work together and be joined by some of our specialist teams such as intel. We will also have opportunities at this new base for cross agency working, which will include working with Bath and North East Somerset Council and the violence reduction units. “I know that the community also want a visible policing presence in the heart of the city. Plymouth House will be designed sustainably, with quality facilities suitable for modern and future ways of working, and staff wellbeing at the core of the plans.” Justifying the closure of the Manvers Street police station when speaking in 2018, then police and crime commissioner Sue Mountstevens argued: “It was far too big. We were only using several floors and it cost £200,000 a year

Colin Blackburn 07796 807157 Colin_Blackburn@bathnes.gov.uk

Police www.avonandsomersetpolice.co.uk General inquiries: 101 Emergency 999 Fire www.avonfire.co.uk Inquiries: 0117 926 2061 Emergency: 999 Anti-social behaviour team asb@bathnes.gov.uk 01225 842462 Well Aware Health and social care information www.wellaware.org.uk (Freephone) 0808 808 5252

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. Bath Voice News & Media Ltd

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

n NEWS

Chief Constable Sarah Crew (left) and Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford (right) outside Plymouth House, the soonto-be Bath police station (Image: Avon and Somerset Police)

to keep it maintained. By selling it, I was able to protect 140 police officers’ jobs.” More news on crime from the BBC: Last year there were three fatal stabbings in Bath - and within days of the beginning of this year there was a double stabbing in the city - thankfully not fatal. A 17-year-old was arrested on Monday, January 15, 2024, on suspicion of attempted murder after two men were stabbed in the Royal Avenue and Queen’s Parade

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

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on Sunday at 9pm. An 18-year-old man suffered potentially life-changing injuries, while a 20-year-old man sustained injuries to his face and arm. Seperately, last year a teenager was found guilty of fatally stabbing Ben Moncrieff, 18, in Southgate Street in May. Ben died of his injuries at the scene, despite efforts of people in the area and medics to save his life. In June 2023 16-year-old Mikey Roynon, from Kingswood was fatally stabbed at a house party in Weston in the city. Two teenage boys were charged with his murder. A third fatal stabbing also took place in Bath last year when a man died from his wounds in Bath. The shocking events prompted a task force to be set up by councillors on Bath and North East Somerset Council’s scrutiny panel on children, adults, health and wellbeing. It had been proposed by the panel’s chair — and current Mayor of Bath — Dine Romero - and it will work with police, schools, colleges, youth groups and the public.

February 2024

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n NEWS

given the financial constraints that BANES is experiencing although the Jacky Wilkinson of the Bath Allotments Association said they will press for this option. The next best bet would be for the Council to include the allotments on the Local Plan as a designated Local Green Space (LGS) - something that is currently under consideration. There are two other private sites in Bath with protection in the Local Plan, so that is not a barrier. LGS status could potentially support a future bid to have the site designated as an Asset of Community Value. “It’s not a silver bullet,” said allotment holder Jacqueline Burrows, “but it’s the step towards protection. It has previously had LGS before but it was taken out before the plan was finalised due to a misunderstanding by the officer who withdrew it.” With an online petition,

From left: Jacqueline, Sophie and Sue who are campaigning to save the allotments

newspaper articles, BBC coverage, support from local councillors Bharat Pankhania and Onkar Saini plus support from the Bath MP Wera Hobhouse, posters and messages on social media it can’t be said the allotment holders are doing nothing. I caught up with three of the allotment holders one afternoon in January to be given a tour of the land under threat. Located between a quarry, Monkton Prep School and St Winifred’s Drive like all allotments there is a mix of huts, sheds, fruit cages, compost heaps

and vegetable patches. Sue Burt and Sophie Hampton both pointed out the importance of the allotments for the mental health of gardeners, and the fact it has been allotments since 1895 with some having grown fruit and veg for decades. With the council announcing a Climate Emergency and with 600 people on the waiting list for an allotment in Bath the allotment holders feel they have a good case to keep gardening for another 130 years.

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Health News: Bath schoolgirl Niamh Dixon, 8, of Oldfield Park has been recognised with a national award from Cancer Research UK for her bravery in dealing with lymphoblastic leukemia. The St John’s Primary school pupil, (pictured with her sister) has received a Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Award, in partnership with TK Maxx, for her spirit in undergoing treatment for eight months in 2023. Cancer Research UK has been at the forefront of research and treatment of cancer and thanks to some of its breakthroughs, children’s cancer survival in the UK has more than doubled since the 1970s. But the Star Awards, and stories like Niamh’s shine a light on the unique challenges still faced by children like her. Every child nominated receives the Star Award accolade, which is backed by a host of famous faces, including celebrity chef JeanChristophe Novelli, TV personality Dr Ranj and children’s TV favourite Mister Maker.

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There is no judging panel because the charity believes every child diagnosed with cancer deserves special recognition. The awards are open to all children under 18 who live in the UK and have been treated for the disease within the past five years. As well as a star shaped trophy, Niamh also received a £50 TK Maxx gift card, t-shirt and a certificate signed by the celebrities. Her sister Daisy, aged 11, received a certificate too. Niamh’s mum, Julie, said: “Niamh has spent some of the Christmas holidays at Bristol Children’s Hospital having chemotherapy and came out on 5 January, so she is looking forward to a New Year and a new start at her school. “She will be in maintenance treatment until June 2025 and she will continue as an outpatient in Bath’s RUH. She hasn’t complained at all and every trip back to hospital has been met with resilience, so she is a real trooper. “She does use a wheelchair for long distances as her mobility is

affected and having cerebral palsy as well means her balance and vision are affected to.” Around 120 children are diagnosed with cancer in the region every year, but research is helping to save more lives. The charity’s Alison Birkett, said: “Niamh is a real star who has been through so much at such a young age. It has been an absolute

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privilege to be able to celebrate her courage with a Star Award.” Train Strike: A fresh series of strikes has been unveiled by the main train drivers’ union, Aslef, in its longrunning pay dispute with 16 train companies. The stoppages between Tuesday 30 January and Monday 5 February will affect Great Western on Monday 5 February but the is also an overtime ban from Monday 29 January until Tuesday 6 February. RUH News: Researchers at the RUH were visited by Prof Ruth Endacott from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). She met members of the nursing and midwifery team who showed her the range of initiatives to support research across the organisation and to allow clinical staff to use the best evidence and research in their daily work. These include a bimonthly Research Network meeting, an annual research and development abstract competition and a research café to support those with research ideas. She also saw a vaccine clinical trial in action before meeting with research staff from across the Trust.

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n NEWS

Campaign grows to save Combe Down allotments By Harry Mottram: In Liverpool the landlord of Combe Down allotments has signalled the end of the lease meaning next year the 64 gardeners of the plots will have to quit. It is likely that the land will be developed for housing bringing to an end 130 years of the propagation of fruit, vegetables, flowers and herbs - and a lifeline to those who value growing their own. A petition to put pressure on the landowner to reverse his decision and to urge the Council to use its powers to protect the allotments has so far reached some 5,000 plus signatures. In an ideal world Bath and North East Somerset Council would use Compulsory Purchase Powers under the Town and Country Planning Act, 1990, thus keeping the allotments inperpetuity. However that is highly unlikely

February 2024

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

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Greville Jones presented with award

Music News: On 3rd January Wera Hobhouse MP presented Grenville Jones with the Points of Light award (pictured). Points of Light are outstanding individual volunteers – people who are making a change in their community. Grenville Jones, from Bath, is a choir leader who set up ‘GoldenOldies’, a music charity that connects older people at risk of social isolation through daytime ‘singalongs’ of classic hits from the ‘60s and beyond. Also known as ‘Goldies’, Grenville established the first group in 2008, having seen the positive impact that singing together can have. The group’s focus is on bringing

together those who may be feeling isolated, providing a chance to socialise and make new friends, while enjoying singing. Grenville has grown the charity from a small collective in Bath to a charity now with over 50 session leaders, hosting over 200 monthly singalong sessions in community spaces, libraries, and church halls in England and Wales. The charity has a shop in Keynsham, and Grenville hopes to open a second charity shop in Cardiff in the future. The charity also works with Primary Schools through their ‘BIG SING’ events and has just launched their new ‘Goldies Cymru inter-generational’ primary schools programme. Grenville is now looking to expand the charity further with more choirs in the region. Wera Hobhouse, Grenville’s local MP for Bath, said: “I’m delighted to present this Points of Light ward to Grenville and so pleased that his terrific work in setting up ‘The Golden-Oldies’ charity has been

recognised in this way. Music is so essential for our wellbeing and keeping us connected with one another, especially as we get older. Grenville Jones has created something very special with his charity, brightening up the lives of so many with a song and a smile. Congratulations Grenville!” Grenville said: “On behalf of the Golden-Oldies Charity and the hundreds of older people whose lives are brightened by Songs & Smiles, I wish to send a huge message of thanks to you for recognising the value of our work.” Bear Flat News: The following Bear Flat Community Markets at the Community Hall, Bruton Avenue will be held on Sat 17 Feb and Sat 16 Mar. The market runs from 9:30am to12:30pm. Wedding Fair News: The Guildhall, the home the Council on the High Street is staging a Wedding Showcase event on Sunday 18th February 2024 from 10:30am – 2:30pm. The rooms at the venue are also available for weddings.

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

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Advertorial Brunel’s SS Great Britain: tickets that last a year, memories that last a lifetime Value for money is more important than ever this year, especially for families. At Brunel’s SS Great Britain, buy tickets once and visit as many times as you like for a whole year. With two interactive museums and a Victorian steamship to explore, there’s more to experience than you think. There are hundreds of sights, sounds and smells to discover along with new activities for each school holiday, meaning no two days out are the same. This year’s theme of botany explores the vital role of steamships like the SS Great Britain in the global migration of plants in the Victorian era and the lasting impact on our world today. It kicks off in February half term with Victorian paper flower-making and bookmark-making, with many more family activities to come throughout 2024.

North gone south former carpenter leads the Labour opposition on the council By Harry Mottram: There’s definitely a feeling of confidence in the admittedly compact Labour party camp in Bath and North East Somerset. After becoming the official opposition to the Liberal Democrats at last year’s local elections with five councillors and the prospect that Kier Starmer could become only the seventh Labour Prime Ministers this year moral is high. I caught up with Robin Moss, the leader of the Labour group on the Council last month. Originally a carpenter from North Yorkshire, the councillor for Westfield (in Radstock) took work in London before an industrial injury forced a change of career. “I moved into the not for profit sector,” he said, “setting up advice centres before setting up and managing advice centres for services to young people. “I am married to Angie, a teacher and we have four children between us, our youngest is 28, so they have all grown up.” On the Council Robin is chair of the Corporate Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel, is an observer for the Health and Wellbeing Board and is on the Licensing Committee amongst other posts. Despite their small numbers the Labour group have been able to get cross party support for highlighting the plight of (mainly female) night time workers and their safety. “As a group, and one of the smaller groups, we have been traditionally good at cross party working,” he explained, “as it is about getting things done. I think

there’s a lot more consensus in local government as opposed to national government. Certainly compared to the last Conservative administration as there was a lot we disagreed with. “That said I think the current administration has done well in welcoming Ukrainians with the work built on by the previous Conservative administration in building a safe refuge for Syrian refugees.” The forthcoming budget he said was ‘a step up’ for Labour as they have access to the officers in its preparation, but also means they will prepare an alternative budget. “Our main point of difference with the current administration is that some of the decisions taken by the Council have been taken too quickly,” he said, “which could have consequences such as a loss of income and creating budget pressures further down stream.” Although the General Election could be next January it is likely to be some time this year. Are Labour ready for Government I asked? “I think the big difference to where we were in 1996 before the election then is the state of the economy,” he reflected, “in 1997 it was in a relatively good position but now the economy is at best flat-lining. “If you look at the economic figures for areas outside of London and the growth is really low so there’s a lot more to be done.” Cllr Robin Moss was elected to Westfield by some 240 votes ahead of his Conservative opponent.

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n THEATRE REVIEW Sleeping Beauty: Weird I know. I wanted to see the last night of the Theatre Royal Bath’s pantomime Sleeping Beauty directed by Jill Williams from the Gods. That’s the back row of the Grand Circle which in layman’s’ terms is about half a mile from the stage – thank goodness for binoculars. For just over £10 a ticket the back row of the Theatre Royal Bath means an oxygen mask is essential, as by the time you have ascended the millions of flights of stairs you may not only be short of breath but suffering a nose bleed. But like ascending the highest peak in Bath at Alexandra Park you have splendid views of all the rows of seats in front – and there in the distance is the stage. Even without a show it’s a fabulous sight. Below are the boxes and expensive seats with a variety of heads to inspect, the impossibly steep stairs, the balcony and curves of the seating – which to be fair give generous space for those of us with long legs – so unlike a certain auditorium up the road in Bristol. Mentioning no names. It’s a symphony in velvet

and crimson and gold. Theatre Royal Bath’s production of Sleeping Beauty was excellent – I’m not saying five stars – but the late Chris Harris would have approved of it. I’ve seen better pantos there and I’ve seen worse elsewhere, but the last night seen from the Gods was life affirming with its message of good overcoming evil in such a jolly frightfully nice sort of way. First and foremost were the supporting troupe of dancers who gave the production star quality. How can anyone resist the charms of The Dorothy Coleburn School of Dance members who danced the way into our hearts as they took charge of scene after scene, filling the stage with happiness. Principal dancers Mercedes Brown, Elizabeth Lundy, Mathew Michaels, Kitty O’Gara, Megan Reidy and Liam Wetherell occupied the stage with grace, energy, high kicks and Strictly Come Dancing style. Worth the tenner ticket money on its own. Sleeping Beauty herself was played by Maisie Sellwood who held the show together with her

stage presence and strong voice as she failed to listen to the audience and allowed herself to be pricked by the spindle operated by badass Carabosse (Emma Noman) who threated to take over the show with her charismatic panto baddie persona. I was unconvinced by Princess Rose’s love interest Prince Vincent (Eastenders’s Neil McDermott) who must have been a decade or more older than she and who despite his credentials – tight breeches, a good voice and a handsome face – may have had one eye on the 10.35pm train back to London. Love, they kept pronouncing, trumps all but perhaps not quite in this case – although they would have looked good on a dating app. Fairy Snowfall played by the sparkling pavlova with a cleavage Sarah Jane Buckley sprinkled plenty of good will as she flew into the stage on wires. Brimming with happiness and a willingness to fight the evils of Carabosse with fairy dust she was what every pantomime needs. A world class ambassador of goodness.

February 2024

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n NEWS Jon Monie as Lester the Jester and son of the panto dame Nanny Nora (Nick Wilton) kept the audience onside and asked four youngsters onto the stage ‘what was their favourite Christmas present’? Fortunately, he didn’t get any left field answers but rather items which I and many adults had no idea what they were – it’s all Greek to us oldies. A football or a doll would have done for us back in the day. Nick Wilton with his or her succession of outfits filled the role of dame with professionalism while his opposite number of David Pendlebury as The King also ruled the stage with authority and a voice that said I know what I’m doing – and they both did it very well. From where I was sitting some miles from the stage, the voices were clear and concise, the jokes brilliantly terrible, and the lights, sound, music and action just right. Yes, there’s a lot to be said for sitting in the cheap seats. Harry Mottram

This is a shorter version of the review the full one is on our website.

Liveable Neighbourhood News: The Council has published the results of three Liveable Neighbourhood experimental trials. The research on Southlands (Weston), Queen Charlton Lane (Whitchurch) and Church Street (Widcombe) has been published on the Council’s website. They came under experimental traffic regulation orders (ETROs) in November 2022 under the Liveable Neighbourhoods programme aimed at ending rat runs and short cuts, while allowing residents to park near their homes, and to create a safer route for walking and cycling. The Council reported: “After the trial in all cases, the number of vehicles entering the streets for access from either end of the restrictions also dropped significantly, in addition to through traffic being cut to zero. “The monitoring reports note that no significant traffic impacts were recorded on the primary alternative routes as a direct result of the trials and, most commonly, there were air quality

improvements within and outside the trial area. In all cases, the NO2 readings are well below the government legal limit and also within the council’s own stricter targets.” Green Group Councillor Saskia Heijltjes said: “The decisions are already set as single-member decisions. Why discuss Liveable Neighbourhoods in this scrutiny panel if the decisions are predetermined and will be made by a single member?” She said the Liveable Neighbourhood plans should be subject to examination by a scrutiny panel, and she said the Council had failed to secure funding in the Active Travel scheme. Book News: Unsung Women of Somerset by Helen Pugh: Unsung Women in Somerset uncovers littleknown information about women who lived in Somerset in years gone by, women with courage, kindness, innovation and even some who smashed the rules! Released on last year, the book charts the lives of real-life and

legendary women who inhabited Somerset from pre-Roman to modern times. We meet most women through a short story, followed by historical notes about the woman and a chapter bibliography that shows the research that has gone into the book. Most chapters also include a tribute section that briefly mentions other interesting women from the same century. This book is not a conventional narrative of Somerset’s history in that it focuses on women and celebrates the diversity of Somerset’s past as well. For instance, readers will meet a Barbadian lady and a disabled artist, both of whom survived and thrived despite the odds. Particularly relevant to readers of Bath Voice include the chapters about a Roman slave turned wife in Aquae Sulis, a legendary Huguenot baker on Lilliput Alley and a deaf African princess studying at Walcot Parade. The A–Z index outlines every Somerset place name mentioned in the book. There are over 160 in total.

Unsung Women in Somerset is available as a paperback, hardback and ebook from: https:// books2read.com/unsung A first-generation ‘Somersetonian’, the author, Helen Pugh, grew up in Chilcompton. She went to secondary school in Bath, then attended the University of Bristol. After more than eight years living abroad, she returned to Somerset in 2018 and lived in Shepton Mallet with her family for four years before moving to Midsomer Norton. Helen is currently working on a Junior Edition of this book and has already published books about South America, including Jungletastic Tales and Inca-tastic Tales. Music News: Bath-based Voices for Life, that gets hundreds of children to sing has released their debut album, “Extraordinary!” by local writers Jools Scott and Sue Curtis. Featuring the voices of children from nine schools across Bath, northeast Somerset, and Wiltshire the CD is available from February 9, from their website.

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February 2024

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n THEATRE REVIEW Wendy: A Peter Pan Story at The Egg Theatre: The Egg Theatre in Bath has seen so many superb shows for children and young people but sadly Wendy: A Peter Pan Story is not one of them. Excellent in places, stunning and entertaining at times it was also lumpy, shouty, unsubtle and with dialogue that was at times incoherent with the cast unnecessarily mic-ed up. Thank goodness for electronic captions projected above the stage. The cast however injected plenty of enthusiasm and movement – which was one of the best parts of the show – with some strong musical set pieces by Jack Drewry with fine choreography by Deepra Singh. Liana Cottrill as Wendy was brilliant, combining a sense of youthful adventure with her more serious home life side sorting out the family’s groceries and her mum’s prescription. Peter Pan was given a more muscular persona by the vibrant Joseph Tweedale while Alice Lamb in charge of the coiled puppet Tinkerbell gave the fairy an aggressive and bullying persona. Captain Hook lost some of the pirate’s wicked wit as comedy villain with Rozelle Gemma, but her

portrayal of Mum was just right. And JoAnne Haines as Jon Michael was the essential tantrum enthused boy. Reinvented as a sort of computer game, it meant much of the charm and magic of JM Barrie’s original 1904 play of Peter Pan was lost by a combination of James Baldwin’s playground inspired script and Jenny Davies’ uneven direction that tried to do too much. However, the mainly school age children in the audience remained transfixed with nods of recognition in some of the bullying scenes and vocalisation of the teenage insecurities. Production values were high with captivating graphics, strong sound and evocative lighting and the set by Anisha Fields was perfect with its fridge freezer and to-do list on the door. Plus, we did get some traditional sword fighting between lost boy Tootles, Peter Pan, Wendy and Hook. But so much was jettisoned for the 21st century computer game version such as flying children and real mermaids that the overall feel was a show stuck on the ground rather than flying off to Neverland. Harry Mottram

n NEWS Bridging the gap between drug misuse and being homeless By Harry Mottram: It’s in the name - Developing Health and Independence (DHI) - or as Rosie Phillips of the charity says, ‘we are a social inclusion charity bridging the gap between substance misuse services and housing.’ “We originally came out of a housing association that had a lot of their tenants who were failing their tenancies as they had complex needs and were very often misusing drugs and alcohol,” she said. Originally from Sutton Colefield Rosie attended a Catholic girls school before reading politics at Durham University with a job in PR in London after graduation. However she was drawn to volunteering for a homeless charity in Cricklewood but felt they were only ‘propping people up’ and not helping them to move on. She left her PR job and began fundraising for the charity and doing some advice work. When a job came up in Bath after seven years for the

drugs and homeless initiative to run a dry house she jumped at it. Having got the job she began to expand her role to raise cash for the project. That was back in 1996 when she became the sole member of staff of The DHI set up by Bath Self Help Housing Association. “Basically you need to address the problems of people who misuse drugs and alcohol,” she explained,” and housing is key to that. We work the health authorities, housing, the police, Julian House and the schools and colleges, with education about drugs and alcohol.” For more see www.dhi-online.org. uk/

February 2024

bathvoice

n NEWS

Planning News by local democracy reporter John Wimperis: Plans for Bath’s former gasworks could see 962 homes built in the city, as part of the Bath Riverside development. St William are hoping to get planning permission for 611 homes across nine blocks on the site. After fears that the “excessive height” of some of the buildings could threaten Bath’s UNESCO status, St William reduced the planned height of some of the buildings. A spokesperson said: “The revised proposals include 611 high quality new homes, a children’s nursery, restaurant, café, cycle hub, a new ecological riverside park, sustainable transport route, net biodiversity gain and many other public benefits.” Meanwhile, Bath and North East Somerset Council itself is planning to build 351 homes across four apartment blocks on the remainder of the site. 800 homes have already been built in the first phase of the Bath Riverside development by developers Crest Nicholson. You can view St William’s plans for 611 homes here: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/ webforms/planning/details.

html?refval=22%2F03224%2FEFUL You can view Bath and North East Somerset Council’s plans for 351 homes on the council website along with all applications. Rugby Stadium for Bath. Long awaited and much debated plans to build a stadium for Bath Rugby on the Recreation Ground could finally be decided in 2024. The 18,000 seater “Stadium for Bath” will be a major new landmark in the centre of the city. The plans

to build a permanent stadium on the Recreation Ground have been controversial, but Bath Rugby CEO Tarquin McDonald said it would secure the club’s future. Mr McDonald said: “If everything went well we would love it to be building through the 25/26 seasons […] and welcoming 18,000 people in from the start of 26/27 season.” An alternative design, which proposed a Roman colosseumstyle stadium, was drawn up by a

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Bath-based group of architects in the summer. Mark Wilson Jones of Apollodorus Architecture said: “This is an idealistic vision put forward really just to shake things up and get people to think in those kinds of ways.” Although the plans captured the public imagination in the city, Mr McDonald said they were “unaffordable” and a “non-starter” and opted to stick with Bath Rugby’s plan.

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February 2024

n NEWS Low Traffic Neighbourhood News by John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporter: Major changes could soon hit Bath drivers as the council’s latest plans for more traffic calming measures will hit several key city centre roads. The hectic corner where George Street meets Gay Street and the route along Sydney Road to dodge the Bathwick Street junction are among the roads which could be overhauled with new measures to block drivers and reduce traffic. Liveable neighbourhoods — also called low traffic neighbourhoods or LTNs for short — are a flagship policy of Bath and North East Somerset Council ’s Liberal Democrat administration. There are three liveable neighbourhoods currently in place in the district as part of an 18 month trial, at the end of which they will be either removed or made permanent. In September, a top councillor said they were looking at bringing in another five traffic restrictions on a trial basis by spring 2024. Now the schemes are set to be scrutinised as a report goes before the council’s climate emergency and sustainability scrutiny panel on Thursday January 11. The schemes were chosen because of their ability to tackle traffic and strong community support, the report said. The council has written to the communities affected with more information about the schemes. The decision to implement the trial traffic restrictions will be made as a single member decisions by council cabinet member for highways Manda Rigby and cabinet member for council priorities and delivery David Wood. Ms Rigby said: “ A key priority for the council is to increase travel choices whilst making communities safer and healthier places, and our liveable neighbourhoods programme is helping to achieve this. The report sets out very clearly what we have achieved to date, including the extensive co-design work undertaken with residents, the decisions which have been taken and our future plans.” The five proposed new measures which could be launched as trials in Bath are: Gay Street: Under the plans, the upper end of Gay Street, between the junction with George Street and the Circus will become only accessible from the Circus. There

will be no entry for northbound traffic heading up the road, but the road will remain two-way, with space for vehicles heading down the road from the Circus to turn around. There will also be a left-turn only onto George Street. The council would brief emergency vehicles that they should access the road from the Circus. The new measures would not block cyclists, and a new cycle lane would be installed for cyclists turning into the upper section of Gay Street from George Street. An “informal crossing” will also be installed on Gay Street. The traffic calming measure is one of three which would form the “Lower Lansdown and the Circus Area Liveable Neighbourhood.” Catharine Place: Another measure proposed in the planned liveable neighbourhood is to install collapsible bollards on Catherine Place between the Margaret’s Buildings and River Street Mews. This is planned as a modal filter to block motor vehicles but not pedestrians, bikes, and mobility aids. Council plans state that emergency vehicles would be able to collapse the bollards if required. Winifred’s Lane: The third measure proposed in the liveable neighbourhood is to prevent through-traffic using a section of Winifred’s lane. Two sets of collapsible bollards would be installed at each end of the steep section of the hill, which is already a one-way road. One set of the bollards would be installed south of the junction with Somerset Lane at the top of the steep road, with another at the bottom just above the entrance to Holywell House. Sydney Road: On the other side of the city centre, the “New Sydney Place and Sydney Road Liveable Neighbourhood” aims to prevent people using Sydney Road as a rat run to dodge the Bathwick Street junction on the A36. A traffic restriction — which could be another set of collapsible bollards — would be installed here at the junction between Sydney Road and Sydney Place, preventing motor vehicles from travelling this way around Sydney Gardens but allowing pedestrians, bikes, and mobility aids through. Turning circles would be provided on each side of the traffic restriction. The dedicated left turn lane into Sydney Lane from Warminster Road would also be removed.

February 2024

bathvoice

n SPORTS INFORMATION AND NEWS Charmouth Road: In order to reduce congestion on the residential roads around Newbridge School, three roads could be made one way to create a loop as the “Lyme Road and Charmouth Road Liveable Neighbourhood.” Charmouth Road would be made one-way up to the junction with Lyme Street, with Lyme Street and Lyme Gardens also made one-way to keep traffic moving in a loop back on to Newbridge Road. The short sections of Charmouth Road and Lyme Gardens north of Lyme Road would remain two-way for access. The roads will remain two-way for cyclists, with short sections of cycle lane to support them and signage to warn drivers they may be there. Five parking spaces would be removed to improve visibility. Ms Rigby added: “Looking to the future we will continue to work with councillors and communities in each of the liveable neighbourhood areas to further understand local priorities and issues, and which interventions would address these based on their affordability, feasibility and benefit in line with West of England Combined Authority funding criteria.” The council’s wider plan for more liveable neighbourhoods is budgeted to cost £7.2m, of which £2.5m will be put up by the council and £4.7m will come from the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) if the council’s business case is successful. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said last year said he will review council’s low traffic neighbourhoods, as he stated: “I’m slamming the brakes on the war on motorists.” But WECA head of capital delivery Malcolm Parsons has said the combined authority will “crack on” with ones currently planned in the region as the Prime Minister’s review only affected future funding and not that which the combined authority has already been given to fund council’s schemes. Register now for £20 and raise £100 for the RUH (or £8 for children with a reduced fundraising target of £50). Local Government News: Liberal Democrats on Bath and North East Somerset Council have branded the governments latest funding announcement for local government a ‘slap in the face’ and said it leaves them less well off than expected writes local democracy reporter John Wimperis.

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

Michael Gove, the secretary of state for levelling up, housing, and communities, announced a £64bn funding package for councils in the next financial year on Monday December 18, a 6.5% increase on last year. Minister for Local Government Simon Hoare said: “It is good news for our local government sector that we are presenting an above-inflation increase in funding. “We are, and will, continue to work alongside councils to ensure quality and reliable services are provided to those who need and use them, while also keeping a weather eye on ensuring value for the taxpayer.” But — in a furious statement — the Liberal Democrat group who run Bath and North East Somerset Council said that the announcement had left them £187k worse off than they had expected to be. Council leader Kevin Guy said: “There is no new money in funding announced by Michael Gove […]. These were funds that were already allocated.” He added: “Central government has starved local authorities of funding for many years now. This chronic lack of funding, compounded by severe cost and demand pressures, means that local authorities up and down the country are facing severe financial difficulties.” The council is already identifying cuts, savings, and new charges to fill the £24.5m black hole in its budget for the next year that it already has, including cuts to its non-statutory social care provision and the opening hours of recycling centres, as well as a council tax increase of the maximum 4.99% and an end to free parking in Midsomer Norton and Radstock. Local government makes money from several streams, such as council tax, parking and traffic fines, rent from properties it owns and — in Bath — tickets to council-owned attractions such as the Roman Baths. But funding from central government also remains a major source of income. Council cabinet member for resources Mark Elliott branded the announcement “a slap in the face.” He said: “I am bitterly disappointed that the government has not provided urgently-needed, substantial new funding for local services in 2024/25 despite the fact that like every other council we are having to dig deep to meet this challenge.”

MP visits Bath City FC Foundation By Harry Mottram: Bath City FC Foundation, the independent registered charity based at Twerton Park the home of Bath City FC works closely with the club running programmes across the Bath and North East Somerset area. Football has a unique power to connect to a wide range of people within Bath allowing the Foundation to engage with a wide cross section of people and make a positive impact on thousands of people’s physical and mental well-being each year. On 13th January, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath Wera Hobhouse, paid a visit to Twerton Park to watch the FA Trophy Fourth Round tie between City and Coalville Town which sadly saw City go out on a penalty shoot out. On weekdays the stadium is

home to several community and commercial organisations, among them Forget Me Not dementia club, Roman Boxing Gym, and webuyanycar.com - as well as Bath City FC Foundation. With a successful women’s team, and associated youth teams providing regular recreational and competitive playing opportunities to around 550 children (with around 120 of those girls), the club is a thriving community hub. James Carlin of the Foundation said: “Bath City FC Foundation worked with 3,500 people across B&NES last year, from ages 4-98, delivering a wide variety of football-related activities in our target communities of Twerton, Whiteway and Southdown plus the wider Bath and North East Somerset area, including walking football, disability football, Man

January Fixtures: For results visit the website. Teams listed n Alphabetical Order. Email reports, results and fixtures to harryfmottram@gmail.com American Football: Bath Killer Bees: The Bath Killer Bees are members of the British Universities American Football League (BUAFL)’s South Western Atlantic Conference. 04/02/24 - Bournemouth University Bobcats (H) Athletics: Bath Half Marathon. Sunday 17 March 2024 Visit https:// bathhalf.co.uk/ Football: Bath City FC. Bath play in the National League South, the sixth tier of the football pyramid. • Sat 3 Feb. VNLS. Home V Eastbourne Borough. • Sat 10 Feb. VNLS. Away V Hampton and Richmond. • Tue 13 Feb. Cup. Home V Weston-super-Mare.

• Sat 17 Feb. VNLS. Home V St Albans • Tue 20 Feb. VNLS. Home V Truro. • Sat 24 Feb. VNLS. Away V Havant & Waterlooville • Tue 27 Feb. VNLS. Home V Braintree. • Sat 2 Mar. VNLS Away v Slough. Football: Bath City Women The Bath City Women Development Team play in the Somerset County Women’s League in Division 2 North. • Sun 28 Jan. Away v Stockwood. •Sun 18 Feb. Away V Frome. • Sun 25 Feb. Away V Royal Wootton Bassett. Football: Larkhall Athletic FC. Founded in 1914 the Larks play in the Southern League Division One South (SLD1S) and are based at the Securitas Stadium, Plain Ham. With a development team, a youth team and a women’s team the Larks are one of the leading outfits in the city. They are part of Larkhall Sports Club. Visit https://larkhallathletic.com/

vs Fat.” The Foundation also runs a Schools Programme working with 15 schools in B&NES to provide affordable after-school football sessions and holiday camps, as well as a Refugee Programme working with Julian House to provide an inclusive football session for people that have recently arrived in Bath as refugees.

Wera Hobhouse said: “I love my visits to Bath City. “There is nothing like sport, and football in particular, to bring people from all backgrounds and ages together on a Saturday afternoon, and when that is coupled with incredible community impact as delivered by the Bath City FC Foundation, everyone is a winner.”

• Sat 3 Feb. Home V Willand. • Sat 17 Feb. Home V Evesham. • Sat 24 Feb. Away V Exmouth. • Sat 2 Mar. Home V Yate. Football: Odd Down FC. They are currently members of the Western League Division One (WLD1) and play at the Lew Hill Memorial Ground. • Sat 3 Feb. Away V Cadbury Heath. • Sat 10 Feb. WDL1 Away V Shirehampton • Sat 17 Feb 24 WDL Home V Bitton • Sat 24 Feb 24 WDL Away V Cribbs • Sat 9 Mar 24 WDL Home V Portishead Netball: Team Bath Netball. Team Bath Netball play in the Vitality Netball Super League which begins in March. Details at https:// netball.teambath.com/ Home games in 2024, 7.30pm unless stated: • Fri 1 Mar. Home V Severn Stars. • Fri 8 Mar. Home V London Pulse.

• Fri 15 Mar. Home V Saracens Mavs • Fri 5 Apr. Home V Leeds Rhinos • Fri 12 Apr. Home V Cardiff Dragons • Sat 4 May. Home V S. Storm. 4pm. • Fri 10 May. Home V Loughborough • Fri 24 May. Home V Manchester • Fri 31 May. Home V S. Sirens. Rugby: Bath Rugby Union Club Men The Blue Black and Whites (BB&Ws) playin the top flight of the English pyramid structure - The Gallapher Premiership.l Details at https://www.bathrugby. com/ • The Six Nations start on February 2nd, 2024. • Sun 24 Mar. GP. Away V Sale. • Sat 30 Mar. GP. Away V Harlequins. • Sat 20 Apr. GP. Away V Exeter. • Fri 26 Apr. GP. Home V Saracens. • Sat 11 May. GP. Away V Newcastle. • Sat 18 May. GP. Home V Northampton

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n WHAT’S ON

Wellbeing, opera - and a comedy for new parents

Theatre Picks In Bath Egg Theatre Sun 11-Tue 13 Feb. Breathe. Discover bizarre, larger-than-life fungi, connecting tree roots, and majestic guardians watching over a delicate cycle as you join three storytellers. Main House Theatre Royal Mon 12-Sat 17 Feb. Sleuth. The prince from last month’s panto Neil McDermott returns to Bath in Anthony’ Shaffer’s mystery story. Mission Theatre Thu 15-Fri 16 Feb. Alice in Wonderland. Folksy Theatre perform Lewis Carroll’s fantasy in a version for children and families. Rondo Theatre Wed 14-Sat 17 Feb. Carrie the Musical. Based on Stephen King’s horror novel about a teenage girl bent on revenge on her tormentors. Ustinov Studio Fri 16 Feb-Sat 16 Mar. A View From The Bridge. Arthur Miller’s classic drama about bridging life

The Victoria Art Gallery features an exhibtion of artwork of the Ladybird Books

between Italy and New York as seen by Alfieri. Theatre Picks Outside Bath Bristol Old Vic: Mon 12-Sat 17 Feb. Black is the Colour of My Voice. Inspired by the life of Nina Simone, and featuring many of her most iconic songs performed live. Salisbury Playhouse: Thu 15-Sat 9 Mar. One Last Push. Comedy drama where a planned home birth

is disrupted by intrusive family, nosy neighbours, uninvited guests and unwelcome surprises. Pick of Diary Events in Bath Thu 25 Jan-Sun 18 Feb. ReBalance Bath Festival of Wellbeing. A celebration of feelgood activities, mindfulness and motivation, exclusive hotel and spa packages, taster sessions and family fun. See the website for the events.

Fri 2 Feb. Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institute. Talk on Johannes Kepler. By Nicolas Pallett. Johannes Kepler (15711630) – astronomer, mathematician, visionary, dreamer, explorer, astrologer – is best known for his laws of planetary motion, providing one of the foundations for Isaac Newton’s theory of universal gravitation. 7.30pm. Wed 14 Feb. Widcombe Association. Garden tour. Planted by Jenny Pym and later Norma Reid a garden where you can see camellias and hellebores. Galanthus ‘Atkinsii’, Galanthus ‘Nivalis’ (common snowdrop). Wed 14 Feb. Bath Forum. Bath Philharmonia and Lara Melda. Includes: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Overture to The Marriage of Figaro; Florence Price, Adoration; Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Piano Concerto No. 21 (Elvira Madigan), Movement II; Gustav Mahler, Adagietto (Symphony No. 5, Movement IV); Guiseppe Verdi, Prelude Act 1 La Traviata; Frédéric Continued on page 15

February 2024

bathvoice

n WHAT’S ON Continued from page 14

Chopin, Piano Concerto No. 2. Thu 15-Sat 17 Feb. Roper Theatre. Bath Opera perform Handel’s Semele. With Hannah Drury in the title role. Fri 16-Sat 17 Feb. Widcombe Social Club. Beer and Cider Festival. See the club’s website for more information. Tue 20 Feb. Burdall’s Yard. After mirth. 11am. Comedy Club for new parents compered by Angie Free Talk by BWCE on Solving the Maze: Retrofitting Your Home. Go Green Widcombe at Widcombe Social Club on Wed 21 February at 7pm (doors open at 6.30pm) With Cathy crozier-Cole and Jonathan Logsdon from Bath and West Community Energy on making your home warmer, insulation, funding grants, negotiating conservation restrictions and moving towards net zero with the best advice. Please book at https://widcombeassociation.whitefuse.net/events/ retrofitting-your-home-energyefficient-measures

PLANT- BASED COOKING WITH NUTRITIONIST REBECCA O’REILLY Join Bath-based, holistic nutritionist and naturopath, Rebecca O’Reilly, to learn simple and delicious ways to optimise your health through plantbased cooking. Gluten Free, Vegan Sweet Treats, Tue 27 Feb. 6.30-9pm. The Pasta Laboratory, Richmond Arms. 7 Richmond Place, Bath, BA1 5PZ ‘Spring to Life’ - lighter plant-based foods that help with detoxification and energy. Tue 26 March, 6.30-9pm. The Pasta Laboratory, Richmond Arms. 7 Richmond Place, Bath, BA1 5PZ. £75 per class. Book now: http://bit.ly/ plant-based-health

Walk of Life 2024 Saturday 11 May! The annual sponsored walk, organised by RUHX, official charity of the Royal United Hospitals Bath, is the chance for people across Bath, Somerset and Wiltshire to step out and show their support for patients, families, and hospital staff. Choose to walk a whopping 10 miles or a marathon 26.2 miles from Wiltshire to Bath, along the Kennet & Avon canal, with a celebration finish line at the Holburne Museum. Register now for £20 and raise £100 for the RUH (or £8 for children with a reduced fundraising target of £50). ruhx.org.uk/events/walk-of-life/

Belcher. The journey of parenthood is a magical and maddening one so what better way to cope with it than through stand up comedy. Each week there will be three comedians joking about being a new parent. Babies under 12 months are welcome, but please don’t bring older toddlers because they tend to heckle. Wed 21 Feb. Bath Forum. Opera. Ellen Kent: Madama Butterfly featuring the Ukrainian Opera &

Ballet Theatre Kyiv. The story of the beautiful young Japanese girl who falls in love with an American naval lieutenant. Wed 21 Feb. Widcombe Social Club Go Green Widcombe. Talk at 7pm on how to make your home more energy efficient. Wed 28 Feb. The Forum. An Audience with Lucy Worsley on Agatha Christie. Illustrated talk by the TV presenter. Fri 1 Mar. Bath Abbey. An Evening

Sat 9th March. The Forum, Bath Reach for the Stars The Planets (by Holst) and music from the Star Wars and Star Trek films, performed by Bath Symphony Orchestra with Bath Abbey Girls’ Choir and Hayesfield Girls’ School Choir. Further information at bathsymphony.org.uk, Tickets £20/£10. 7.30pm www.bathboxoffice.org.uk. with Matt Walters aka Reductio. His unique combination of classical and contemporary on both the organ and his productions has gained him a fast-growing online following. Sat 2 Mar. Bath Bach Choir. Prior Park Chapel. Sacred Bruckner. Aequale I and II; Requiem in D minor; Motets including Locus iste; Ave Maria WAB 6; Ave Maria WAB 7; Psalm 114. Southern Sinfonia Continued on page 16

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February 2024

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February 2024

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n BATH LIBRARY BOOK REVIEWS AND NEWS

n WHAT’S ON Continued from page 15

trombones. Marcus Sealy organ. Benedict Collins Rice conductor. 7.30pm. See bathbachchoir.org.uk for more details. Sat 9 Mar. The Forum. Bath Symphony Orchestra 2024. Holst – The Planets; Horner - Star Trek: Wrath of Khan; Giacchino - Star Trek: Into Darkness; Williams - Star Wars Suite for Orchestra. Sun 10 Mar. Christ Church, Bath. Cardiff Opera: Cosi fan tutte. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s romantic comedy of “fiancée swapping”. Two young men place a bet on the fidelity of their girlfriends after being encouraged by the cynical Don Alfonso. Pick of Diary Events out of Bath Fri 2-sun 4 Feb. WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre. World Wetlands Days. From making your own nature journal to slow-looking, guided wellbeing walks to poetry prompts. Exhibition Picks in Bath American Museum, Bath. Claverton. American Road Trip. 9 Mar-31, Dec, 2024. Images, sounds and sets allowing you to experience

Jann Haworth & Liberty Blake: Work In Progress at the Holburne Museum (detail)

a trip across the USA. Burdall’s Yard. Art exhibition. Charlotte Moore - Panel Paintings. A series of panel paintings, all with historical references. Formerly resident in Australia, Charlotte Moore has lived in and near Bath for the last 20 years, a member of Bath Society of Artists, over these years she has exhibited in Bath, London, and other open exhibitions. She studied at Chelsea School of Art and Falmouth College of Art. Free. Until February 3, 2024. Herschel Museum of Astronomy. It is located in a town house that was formerly the home of William

Herschel and his sister Caroline. Holburne Museum. The heart of the present day collection was formed by Sir Thomas William Holburne (1793-1874). It was eventually bequeathed to the people of Bath. Current shows include Jann Haworth & Liberty Blake: Work In Progressto 30 April, the art of Lubaina Himid: Lost Threads to April 21 and the art of Gwen John until 14 April. Museum of Bath at Work. Julian Rd, Bath BA1 2RH. Enter the world of working Bath through a series of authentically reconstructed workplaces, workshops and display galleries. Exhibition: All Day Long: The Workers of Bath in Fifty Portrait Photographs. Museum of East Asian Art. MEAA’s collections consist of some 2,000 objects. The majority of these are of Chinese origin, spanning from 5,000 BC to the present. Victoria Art Gallery. Exhibitions include Catherine Ducker: Emotion in Colour. 9 Jan to 14 April. From Jan 19 to April 14: The Wonderful World of Ladybird Book Artists. This colourful, family-friendly exhibition includes rare books,

original artwork and artefacts, and reveals how illustrators played such an enormous role in Ladybird’s extraordinary success. Tracing the interconnected work of these artists, the company’s story is recounted over Ladybird’s ‘golden years’ – 1940 to 1975. Visually rich and varied, the exhibition will evoke many memories of childhood. Hundreds of Ladybird books are available for visitors to browse through and share in our themed retro reading areas. There’s lots for children to enjoy, with a free exhibition ‘I Spy’ trail and a quirky ‘Coco the Caravan’ reading den. Find out more on our Thursday lunchtime tours, 1.30 – 2.00pm every week, free with an exhibition ticket. Exhibition Picks outside Bath Bristol Museum & Art Gallery. Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023. To 1 Apr 2024. Chippenham Museum. Spotlight On 3: Modern and Contemporary Art. To February 24. Taunton. Museum of Somerset. Until March 9th Journeys in Art by Alexander Hollweg.

Adult Fiction Any Human Heart – William Boyd Written in 2009 and in the style of a journal, this is a beautifully written book. The journal is written by Logan Mountstuart and covers most of the early 21st Century. Logan is a complicated character and at times unlikeable but soon wins you round again. He is born in South America in 1900s and his life is at times ordinary and extraordinary. He goes to Oxford, becomes a writer, a spy and an artdealer. Throughout his career some of the most famous people of the century cross his path from Virginia Woolf, Hemmingway, Ian Fleming and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. However, as a friend, father and husband he makes many mistakes, but it is a journey deep into a “very human heart”. I loved this book, and it was very easy to read as it is in a journal format. William Boyd is an excellent writer and

at times who can forget it is a fiction book. Heartbreak at Blackberry Farm – Rosie Clarke How about getting swept away by a saga – Libraries label books Sagas that are historical, romantic novels. They are usually set in Wartime and revolve around women. This book is set in Cambridgeshire in 1941 and is a gripping read. It centres around the Talbot family who live at Blackberry Farm. Both sons are at war but before John left, he promised to marry Faith, then Faith finds she is about to have baby which causes problems at home. She turns to Lizzie for support at Blackberry Farm. However, a horrible tragedy occurs, and the Talbot family must rally around and unite while still under the shadow of War.

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Wild Swans – three daughters – Jung Chang To coincide with Chinese New Year, here is a modern classic. Wild Swans explores the stories of three generations of women against the background of key events in China’s history. So, the book begins with the author’s grandmother who from the age of two, had bound feet and was “given” to a high ranking warlord in her late teens. On his death, when she was 24, she was eventually freed to marry a local Doctor. Then the story moves to the author’s mother and life under the Communist Party of China and Mao Zedong’s Red Army. The last section is about the author herself. Chang was a teenager when the Cultural Revolution started, and her father was persecuted, and Chang was sent to the countryside for education and thought reform. During this time Chang began to have doubts about the regime. This is an extraordinary book. A moving account of family life in China from 1909 to 1991 and the tumultuous events which shaped the nation but also one which is uplifting and full of bravery by the three generations of women.

Children’s Fiction

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Fergal in a fix – Robert Starling 2024 is the Chinese Year of the Dragon and here we meet Fergal the little dragon. He is a happy chap but today he is off to Dragon Camp. He is worried – what if doesn’t meet any friends? Will he be any good at all the wonderful activities? If he tries his best perhaps that may help. So, he tries fire breathing; liar building and cookery but still he could not make any friends. Find out what wise advice the camp leader gave Fergal to get him out of his fix! The Cloak of Feathers – Nigel Quinlan This delightful book is for all of us who love a good Festival. Every hundred years, the magical town of Knowmealldown, fairies known as the Good Folk join the villagers for the Great Festival. A time of merriment, enchantment and joyous time – well it is supposed to be! The organisation is

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down to Brian Nolan and he is facing a run of bad luck! To add to his woes, the Folk Princess has been stolen. Can he rescue her in time so as not to incur the anger of the Folk King and Queen? This is a fun book, full of humour and organisational chaos with a hint of magic!

Library News

Storytime: Thursday at 11am is Storytime at Keynsham Library – term time only and for 0-4 years. Come along, with a cushion and listen to some fantastic new stories. As here’s always so much going on in all our libraries, and it’s all free, so drop in and see what’s on offer. For families with children, sing along at Baby Bounce and Rhyme, or get comfy whilst listening to stories at our everpopular Storytime. For adults, we’ve got book clubs, writing classes, and much more throughout the year. Joining the library costs nothing, so pop in or visit www.librarieswest.org.uk to also access thousands of eBooks, eMagazines, Audiobooks, and a wealth of other resources! Our ‘Virtual Library’ has loads going on, including the latest library news, competitions, book reviews and, all our digital offers. Search ‘Bath and North East Somerset Libraries’ on social media or visit bathneslibraries.wordpress.com

Moorland Road Community Library Tues 10-4pm, Thurs & Fri 10-1pm and Sat 10-1pm. Email for more info at Moorlandroadcommunitylibrary@ gmail.com And visit https://www. moorlandroadcommunitylibrary. com/ to find out how to volunteer and much more. The library is seeking more volunteers to help keep it open for longer.

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n NEWS

Planning News by local democracy reporter John Wimperis. Tufa Field. Plans to build 16 homes on a field in Bath that features a rare natural phenomenon are set to advance in 2024. Site surveys have been going on through the winter months on the “tufa field” off Englishcombe Lane as Bath and North East Somerset Council prepares to submit a planning application to build 16 homes as supported housing. Councillor Deborah Collins, the council’s cabinet project lead for leader, built environment and sustainable development, said: “The Englishcombe Supported Housing Scheme will provide high quality accommodation for vulnerable residents who will be able to live as independently as possible within the district close to family and friends – and will work sympathetically with the existing site ecology.” Plans to build 37 homes on the field were significantly scaled back after opposition from the local community. The field features a rare natural

phenomenon of tufa flushes — where water from limestone springs creates a lime deposit called tufa. Now 16 homes are planned to cover part of the site. New Lidl in Bath plan: Plans to build a Lidl on a “wildlife haven” on the eastern edge of Bath saw almost a thousand people lodge objections on the council’s planning portal. Lidl stated it had “searched exhaustively” for suitable sites, and that the site off London Road next to Bath Rugby’s Lambridge training ground was the most suitable, accessible, and convenient. The discount supermarket company say the new shop will give people access to affordable food and bring 40 jobs to the area. They say their plans will increase biodiversity on the site by 40% through new tree, hedge, and wildflower planting, a seasonal wetland, green roof, bird baths, bat boxes, and bee towers. The woodland by the river would also be retained. 295 people lodged comments in support of the plans — but

945 people voiced their opposition. Joanna Wright, the councillor for the area on Bath and North East Somerset Council, was at a protest against the plans when Lidl held a consultation event on them. She said: “This is a green entrance to the city that the Georgians put in place hundreds of years ago […] We should not be building on it. We should be protecting it.” South Bath: Major plans could see 290 homes built on fields that mark the rural southern edge of Bath. 171 homes have already been built in the first phase of the development of the plateau at the city’s edge. The Hignett Family Trust are seeking planning permission to build more in phases two and three of the plans. But locals — organised as the South of Bath Alliance — have slammed the plans as “utter madness.” The plans came before the council’s planning committee in November but councillors voted to defer their decision, stating they needed more information from the developers about what the impact would be on traffic and whether

February 2024

there still were the exceptional circumstances needed to allow the development in the area of outstanding natural beauty. Wells Road flats. Developer Kosy Living is hoping to meet the needs of “generation rent” with a block of 77 studio flats in the centre of the city. The developer hopes to get planning permission to knock down a row of single storey commercial units off the bottom of Wells Road near Churchill Bridge Roundabout, and build the flats above a new co-working space and with a gym and rooftop terrace. The studio apartments would each have a fold-down bed and kitchenette, but would also share three larger kitchen-dining rooms. In a statement submitted with the application, Kosy Living said: “This co-living/co-working scheme would be the first of its kind in Bath, providing a much needed and positive addition to the type and availability of rented residential accommodation within the city.

n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC

Make this the year you volunteer ARE you looking for a new opportunity - and a challenge? Why not make this the year you get involved in supporting community safety? There are many opportunities to volunteer through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office, including several roles we are currently recruiting for. All are crucial in helping me to effectively hold the police to account and support improvement of the service they deliver to local people. I am looking for people from a range of backgrounds, professions and experience who are passionate about ensuring the police are efficient and effective to become members of our joint audit committee (JAC). The roles are voluntary but do attract an annual payment of £2,000, plus expenses. The JAC is independent, and

advises on good governance and providing assurance on the effectiveness of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office. It assesses risks to the organisation, undertakes compliance checks and ensures good financial practices are in place and followed. You can apply for the role online here: tinyurl.com/yc2emtyc. I am also currently recruiting for independent custody visitors, who carry out unannounced inspections of police custody centres to ensure people being held in custody are aware of their rights and what they are entitled to for their well-being while detained. Volunteers sign up to do one visit per month to one of three custody centres located in Keynsham, Patchway and Bridgwater. Being arrested and taken into custody will be a moment of stress,

and when people are at their lowest ebb. These roles are part of my legal responsibility to scrutinise the work of the police, and my custody visitor volunteers are members of the public who ensure the police provide the level of care and respect we expect. You can apply directly for this role online here: tinyurl. com/38ky3pex. February 6 is Safer Internet Day, a campaign designed to remind and empower people to use the internet safely. As the national lead for Economic and Cyber Crime at the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), I want to echo these sentiments and encourage everyone to practice secure internet usage, taking back control from cybercriminals. If there’s one action anyone can take, it’s using strong and unique

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With Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford passwords for each online account, a simple step that can keep you protected. If you’ve fallen victim to a scam, know that there’s no shame in seeking support. Contact your bank immediately, and then report the scam to Action Fraud at 0300 123 2040 or online through actionfraud.police.uk.

February 2024

n NEWS This is an amended article that was run in the last issue under the byline of John Wimperis - which was an error as it was from a press release from Labour - the following version is updated and was edited by Harry Mottram. Apologies for the incorrect attribute. Night workers: Labour councillors won unanimous support for their campaign to get the Council to improve night worker safety when they’re travelling home. The latest ONS data shows that a very large number – 42% – of Bath and North East Somerset’s workers work at night (20% of B&NES’ whole population) – a figure that’s been steady for the last ten years said the Labour Party. At the 30 Nov meeting of full Council, Labour’s Lesley Mansell (Radstock) called on the Lib Dem administration to consider staff’s safe travel home when they’re looking at licensing decisions, improve street lighting and bus stop safety, and improve the nighttime frequency and range of public transport. Another of her proposals – to call on the area’s MPs, Wera Hobhouse and Jacob Rees-Mogg, to work in Parliament for minimum private hire and taxi standards – was also supported by all parties Domestic incident: On January 4, what police described as a domestic incident took place in the Odd Down area of Bath in which some media reports included notes on ‘blood stains on a wall’ Bath Voice requested a statement from the police. The Police said this: “Emergency services were called to a report of a domestic incident at an address in Banwell Road, Bath, just before 9pm on Wednesday, 4 January. “A man in his forties was arrested in the Moorlands area on suspicion of aggravated burglary and assault, after a search supported by the National Police Air Service helicopter. He has since been released on police bail. “A woman went to hospital for treatment to head injuries including a cut and bruising. “A juvenile arrested on suspicion of wounding a man was released on police bail pending further enquiries. No one suffered life-threatening or life-changing injuries. “Residents may see an increased police presence in the area while enquiries continue. If you have any information about what happened and have yet to speak to officers,

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without any disagreement. People Safe reported that the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) found that more than half of violent incidents (54%) occurred in the evening or during the night, in this case ranging from 6pm-6am. Although all types of crime have higher rates during the night, it is advisable that employees are made aware of the times that they are most at risk within their own role, for example as crimes within shops are most likely to occur in the early evening from 3pm-6pm, while 59% of sexual assaults occur at night time, putting employees who travel alone at a particularly high risk. Speaking in the Guildhall’s chamber, Cllr Mansell said how proud she was to bring this Unite union campaign to Bath and North East Somerset. She stressed that a vast number of people – women in particular – work late at night, not only in hospitality but in healthcare, local government, transport and other sectors. These workers are also, she said, often society’s lowest paid. They frequently suffer sexual and verbal harassment as well as physical attacks when they’re going to and

please call 101 and give the reference 5224002438.”. Driver killed: Police reported that a man from Bath in his 50s died during Storm Henk when a tree fell on his car on the A433 Tetbury Road on January 2. Avon and Somerset Police said in a statement: “Emergency services, including an air ambulance, attended the location which is between Tetbury and Cirencester. Despite the efforts of those at the scene a man aged in his 50s and from the Bath area died. His next of kin and the coroner have been informed.” Boat sinks: A man and his dog were rescued by Avon Fire and Rescue Service last month. On January

from work at night. “Women and girls feel particularly vulnerable,” she said, “waiting at bus stops in the dark, walking home at night or parking in isolated spots. “A recent Government survey said 57% of women don’t feel safe on public transport and 84% feel unsafe waiting for a bus.” She said, “the night-time economy often does not feel like a safe place to be,” and drew attention to B&NES’s 31% increase in recorded violent crimes and sexual assaults last year (ONS, Jan 2023). The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that a nightshift worker is “someone who works outside of standard daytime hours, commonly for a period of between 7pm – 7am”, while the UK government defines night workers as those who regularly work at least 3 hours during this ‘night period. Various studies have shown that night shift workers are at a higher than average risk of both illness and injury, meaning it is important to understand the additional risks associated with working during the night time. Labour’s Leader Robin Moss (Westfield) said the Lib

5, there was a report that a boat containing a man and dog began to sink during the high levels of flood water near Bath Spa railway station. Two other boats also capsized during the flooding which also affected the cycle path. Claverton Pumping Station: Last month the Grade I listed building was badly flooded damaging the interior timbers and equipment. The station dates back to 1813 is located on a mill stream, separated from the River Avon by a field. Run by a Trust the pumping station is open to the public on specific days - the next one is Saturday 8th April. Train service news: Great Western Railway is planning to run direct services between Bristol Temple

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Dem council will have to make a concerted effort to do what it agreed to at the meeting, but that the motion had been checked both for legal compliance, and that it was achievable. He said, “politics is the art of the possible – just like community leadership,” acknowledging that protecting night workers will require the council to demonstrate its community leadership and commitment to residents’ safety. “At a time when news about local government is all financial doom and gloom, it’s positive that we can emphasise what can be done, and how local councils can provide positive leadership. “This initiative will not be easy, needing the council to work with a wide range of agencies and businesses, but it is vitally important that night-time workers are safe getting home from work. Many people who work in Bath live outside it, in North East Somerset, and getting back home isn’t easy.” How Labour expects this initiative to work out with constraints on finances will be of interest although the principle of increasing safety for night workers had cross party agreement. Meads and Oxford for the first time since 2003. The company plan to run two return Saturday services between the cities from September. Train news: More people are catching the train following the introduction of 30-minute train services between Bristol and Gloucester confirmed Great Western Railway with a year-onyear increase in passengers in September of 15.6%. Plus, there’s been a 14.4% jump in passengers between Bath and Westbury following the introduction of half-hour services on that line. Pictured is the metro mayor Dan Norris and GWR officials who are behind the increased services. Train robbery news: The Avon Valley Railway suffered a major theft of track materials over the Christmas period - mostly metal valued at around £4,000 or more. The Trust behind the heritage line that runs alongside the Bath cycle path at Bitton have mounted a fundraise to replace the cast iron track materials. To help with the funds see the website for details.

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consultants NHS workers and lawyers may well be in residence there these days, Library News: Moorland Road Community Library was set up to manage and run the library in response to hearing that Council funding for the library would cease in March 2019. To prevent closure volunteers came forward to run the library with the books supplied by Central Library. The library is a charity and is open from 10am to 4pm on Tuesdays and in the mornings Thursday to Saturday - and volunteers are need to keep it running - for details as at the library of visit the website at https://www. moorlandroadcommunitylibrary. com/ Mental Health News: Bath City FC Foundation are running workshops for men who need help with mental wellbeing. There are three sessions - 1st, 8th and 15th February and are run in partnership with Beyond Equality. To book onto these workshops contact Wellbeing Officer Chris on 07939010838 or email Chris@Bathcityfoundation. org

planet Uranus using a homemade telescope from his back garden on King Street — the first planet discovered by telescope. Prior Park College is a private day and boarding school in a grand Grade I-listed building designed by Bath architect John Wood, the Elder overlooking the Prior Park Landscape Garden. Granting permission for the plans, the council said that the planned observatory complied with the requirements around persevering the setting of the listed building, although the observatory would have to be a specific shade of pebble grey rather than the initially suggested “not supportable” colour white. Widcombe History News: Widcombe local history group have reported that in 1895 the main occupations of residents in Carlton Road were mason, labourer, policeman, carpenter, porter, gardener, coachman, tailor, dressmaker, laundress.. There may be the odd police officer and gardener now but we can be sure that coachmen are no longer head hunted by employment agencies while IT

Saskia Cycle Sprog: I caught up with Bath’s best known cycling Green Councillor Saski Heijtjes last month at Gay Street’s Daisy and Bean Cafe to hear about her background and of course bicycles. Married to lecturer Willem with two children and a cargo bicycle she explained how difficult it is to cycle when you have a family. “It’s easy for me to cycle on a busy road as I am a confident cyclist,” she said, “but I can see some people find it scary which I get as I get abuse on a daily basis when I’m cycling. it’s mostly shouting - but because i can’t hear them properly I don’t know if it’s nice or not!” Originally from a village in the Netherlands, after completing

Green Councillor Saski Heijtjes

her education she moved to Paris with Willem for work and then to Edinburgh where he did a Phd before settling in Bath where they both worked at the University Saskia holding a number of posts for eight years before taking her current role as content ediitor for Cycle Sprog. Last year she was elected as the Green Party Councillor for Lambridge - ousting the Lib Dem’s Rob Appleyard. She is passionate about preventing Lidl developing a green fields site off London Road, would like to see trams return to the city and has worked with other parties in the council passing the first ever Green Party Motion on Vision Zero. It’s a target set by the Council to end road deaths by essentially putting road safety on the agenda of every decision affecting roads by implmenting something called LTN1/20 which affects the way new roads, cyclepaths and pavements are built by working with all relevant agencies. Saskia works for the Cycle Sprog website which is all about cycling with children and families - seemingly the perfect fit for the city’s first Bicycle Mayor of Bath.

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Dome observatory would be just under three metres high, and would be located in the corner of the private school’s playing fields, a location assessed for the best astronomical position by Simon Holbeche of Bath Astronomers. In a letter submitted with the school’s planning application in February, estates director Tan Tootill and astronomy lead Andrew Watkinson-Trim said: “Our observatory will be a valuable resource for both the school and the wider community. We aim to operate the facility in conjunction with Bath Astronomers for a range of inclusive activities and crosscommunity events.” The letter said that the observatory would support the school’s science curriculum as Astronomical Society, and added: “There are a wider group of students (many of them boarders) whose casual interest in astronomy will be sparked into life by the opportunities for direct observation and imaging that this facility alone can supply.” Bath has played a key role in the history of astronomy. In 1781, William Herschel discovered the

February 2024

n NEWS

Bollard malfunctions: Ambulances were prevented from attending an incident in Bath city centre in December after a “moving” bollard installed by the council failed and blocked the road writes John Wimperis. A spokesperson for Bath and North East Somerset Council, who decided to install the bollards, said: “We are very concerned that the moving bollards in Cheap Street failed yesterday morning. We acted very quickly to get them back in working order. We are investigating why this happened to ensure this does not happen again. “Ambulance crews chose to go by foot as the best option for their response as they do during events or when accessing Southgate. The bollards are monitored at all times and we apologise for their failure yesterday.” Planning News: Plans to set up an observatory at a private school have been approved writes John Wimperis. The new facility to house Prior Park College’s large telescope was granted planning permission by Bath and North East Somerset Council in December. The Pulsar

February 2024

bathvoice

n NEWS

February 2024

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February 2024

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nLOCAL SERVICES AERIALS

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Planning News: Plans have been submitted to knock down a “subjectively” unattractive Bath office block to build a giant 152room hotel, writes local democracy reporter John Wimperis. The charity, An ‘environmentally challenged’ office block near the centre of Bath could soon be demolished to make way for a giant three star hotel (pictured). The 152-room hotel — which would be six storeys high with a restaurant and bar — would create 47 new jobs in the city and bring an anticipated £1.9m a year into the local economy, developers say. The building of the hotel would also support 127 construction jobs a year until it is completed. A presentation of the plans at a consultation event in October stated: “Bath attracts over 6 million visitors a year. Savills research team identified strong demand for a three- star hotel in this location.” Now an application to get planning permission for the development has been submitted to Bath and North East Somerset Council. Beazer House, a large but almost empty office block on the Lower Bristol Road would be demolished to make way for the hotel under the plans. After being marketed for two years, no office occupiers have expressed interest and the final company to rent a floor are planning to move out within the month. The presentation stated: “Beazer House was built as an office building in 1966. It is no longer fit for purpose, and at the end of its economic life. It has an EPC ‘E’ rating and is therefore environmentally challenged.” A design and access statement submitted with the application added: “Beazer House is subjectively considered one of Bath’s least attractive buildings.” If planning permission is approved, work could start in June and it is hoped the hotel could be

open and trading by December 2025. You can view and comment on the plans here: https://www. bathnes.gov.uk/webforms/ planning/details. River rescue: The fire and rescue service reported on the rescue of a man and his dog from a sinking boat on January 4 in Bath. Avon Fire and Rescue used specialist equipment to bring the man ans his pet to safety on a day when the river was over flowing its banks in places. Soul News: Seeking new friends? St Matthew’s and St Thomas à Becket’s churches run social Soul Groups offering companionship, a chance to meet new like minded folk through get togethers, walks, worship, discussion and prayer, with encouragement and support. Each group has its own unique style, but each aims to share and ‘do life’ with each other. Visit the website at https://widcombe. church/life-hubs/for details or contact the Church Office. Warm Space News: During the winter months, St Andrews Community Church is providing a Warm Space for anyone who needs it. Have a chat, read, and do craft activities in a warm friendly environment and have a free hot meal and a cuppa every Wednesday from 10am-4pm at Hawthorn Grove. There are a number of similar schemes listed by the churches - for a list see https://www. bathandwells.org.uk/faith/mission/ warm-spaces/ Other warm spaces includes Bath Housing, Welfare and Advice Service at Manvers Street, Bath Ethnic Minority Senior Citizens Association at Fairfield House, Bath Abbey and Youth Connect South West at Southside Youth Hubin Whiteway. A full list is available at the library and at https://livewell. bathnes.gov.uk/warm-places-list

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