bathvoice December 2020 No. 10
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INSIDE
Plans for The Gore’s spring Page 4
RUH is open for non-Covid care Page 5 Improving Bear Flat appeal Page 8 Kiss Mrs WhiteChristmas Page 9 What’s on Page 19
Traders in Widcombe hoping for a busy Christmas and a better 2021, from left, Aaron Walker of Larkhall Butchers, Lucy Smolarek of Luca & Fig, and Simon and Amanda Brown of Flamingo in Widcombe Parade
Traders hoping for the all clear this Christmas By Harry Mottram for Bath Voice From Moorland Road to Bear Flat and from Widcombe Parade to Holloway, shops and businesses are hoping for a busy build up to Christmas if the authorities allow the lock down to end. Widcombe Traders form part of the community’s association and champion in particular the businesses along Widcombe
Parade and the surrounding streets. Amanda Brown of Flamingo in Widcombe said she was hopeful that locals would flood back to the Parade once the Covid-19 lock down ended. “Like many businesses we are operating online and taking orders that way,” she said, “we Continued on page 3
Bath’s golden girl Harmonie-Rosie Allen, 7, has won top prize in a global competition for gymnasts on November 21. She came out on top in the United Through Sports, World Virtual Youth Festival Finals for the International Paralympic Committee held in Thailand. From 138 applicants, across all regions in the world, she won the top prize in the under 12s category in the inclusive sports. As the only British finalist she Continued on page 3
Harmonie-Rosie Allen,
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December 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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December 2020
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Traders hoping for a busy Christmas
Continued from page 1 have lots of stocking fillers, gifts, cards and artworks which we manufacture and produce here so everything is unique.” Bear Flat is also one of South Bristol’s popular shopping streets famed for the Bear Hotel, The Good Bear Cafe and of course the fish and chip shop in Holloway. An advocate of shopping local this Christmas are Joanne and Matthew Swanson who run the Floral Touch florist on Wellsway in Bear Flat. They said there were so many really good independent stores in Bear Flat and nearby that needed the support of residents after a difficult year. “You can do all your shopping in Bear Flat,” said Joanne, “including buying plants and flowers for Christmas. “We’ve been busy taking orders online with lots of deliveries so we hope it will be even better in December.” Over in another retail hotspot
known for its independent shops is the favourite store for our four legged friends. “Amazing Moorland Road has so many really good shops,” said Tony Duce of Park Pets in Oldfield Park, “we would encourage locals to shop local this Christmas rather than head into the city centre with all the crowds.” Simon Brown of the Widcombe Traders agreed. He said there had been a change in shopping habits due to Covid 19 with many shoppers staying local rather than ‘risking the virus’ in town. Two businesses that have opened this year in Widcombe in a year known for its trading difficulties - that have made a success on 2020. Aaron Walker of Larkhall Butchers and Lucy Smolarek of Luca & Fig both agreed the community had been very welcoming. Lucy said: “If you can make a success of a business in a recession then things can only
improve and develop. “I’m looking forward to next year when things get back to normal but so far it’s been very good with a lot of positive comments and support.” Larkhall Butchers have opened their new shop over the road from Lucy’s gift store bringing almost 100% occupancy rate to the road - something unheard of in most high streets. “We’ve been busy since we opened this autumn, “said Aaron, “especially at the weekends with roasts very popular. Online orders have been coming in thick and fast for Christmas so it’s been a great success.” Hopefully the lockdown will be lifted in time for the Widcombe Christmas Market on the weekend of December 12-13, at Widcombe Social Club, when local artists will be selling crafts, paintings and gifts . Meanwhile everyone in Bath are keeping their fingers crossed that the traditional Christmas dash to the shops still happens.
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
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Golden Harmonie Continued from page 1 performed a gymnastic routine online, filmed at Bath’s Baskervilles Gym and then gave a speech to express her passion for the sport to a team of international judges. Her mother Freya said: “Having survived the worst effects of meningococcal septicaemia, Harmonie-Rose shows the world what an extraordinary person she is going to be!” Harmonie-Rose contracted Meningitis B when she was only 10-months-old and later developed septicaemia, which led to both her arms and legs being amputated. Congratulations have flooded in from friends, family and supporters. Writing on the Facebook site Hope 4 Harmonie, Granpops wrote: “What a super star you are. Mummy and Daddy better get started on some sturdy shelves because it looks like it will get pretty full very soon with all your trophies.”
December 2020
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n NEWS
number of utility boxes for telephones and other cabling which rather spoil the space although we hope that the large one behind the fountain will be removed.” “The green once had a wall running around it but only a small section is left by the fountain. “The fountain is becoming eroded and it has been pushed
A view of the green looking down towards Bear Flat
back off its base,” he said. “The idea is to restore it back to its former glory. “Wessex Water who own the huge box behind the fountain will remove it at some point as we understand it is redundant. “Unfortunately the other green boxes owned by British Telecom are still in use and would be too expensive to move.” The group of residents have tasked themselves with improving the green space and they will work with the conservation officer for the council with ideas. “We have worked for some years on the project but only now we are ramping up the work,” he continued, “the next step is to set up a charitable organisation so we can raise funds to improve The Gore and maintain the site.” Local architect Nigel Spragg has drawn up designs for the green on a pro bono basis explained Mr Somerset . In Middle English the word gore is the word for a triangular strip of
Specialist Will writers
Gareth Somerset at the Victorian fountain at The Gore in Bear Flat land and also for a spear point. The Gore was previously part of the gardens of Elm Place opposite the green. Wellsway runs on one side of the green and Bloomfield Road on the other - which is part of the old Roman road known as the Fosse Way.
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Away in a YouTube: sing carols at home with Bath’s Good Afternoon Choir
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Fountain of hope at The Gore By Harry Mottram. Plans are afoot to restore a Victorian drinking fountain in Bear Flat and to enhance the green space known as The Gore behind it. Gareth Somerset of the Bear Flat Association said: “The rather wonderful drinking fountain was installed to mark the Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1891. “The green behind it has a
December 2020
By editorial staff for Bath Voice SINGERS from across Bath will be taking part in a very special online Christmas Carol Celebration. The Bath Good Afternoon Choir was started by music-man Grenville Jones, 11 years ago. Ten more Good Afternoon Choirs were then added and following Lockdown, Grenville launched a regular Wednesday mid-day online choir rehearsal, shared with Ben England and Matt Finch, conductors of his other Good Afternoon Choir across the region. “On Wednesday December 23rd, we will be broadcasting online a very special Christmas Carol Celebration, which ANYONE can access on YouTube. The online choir from across England and with members from afar afield as Australia, America and Canada, will be joining in and there will be carols for EVERYONE with on screen words, as well as a special performance by the talented Finch Family” Matt Finch of course is best known in Bath as MD to the Bath Light Operatic Group and earlier this year, together with his wife Bella and Children Jess (19) and Oli (17) performed together as a quartet on one of Matt’s Wednesday Good Afternoon Choir rehearsals. “We had a fantastic response to the performance of the brilliant Finch Family and they will be one of our special groups taking part in the online Christmas Celebration on Wednesday December 23rd. “The good thing is, that because
Above the Bath Good Afternoon Choir during a performance and below the Finch family in full voice it is on YouTube, anyone can watch it over the Christmas period and have their own Christmas Carol Celebration in their own homes.” You can watch the online carol concert by visiting YouTube and searching for GoodAfternoonChoir/online. A new online rehearsal Season will start in January with Grenville, Matt and Ben. For full details see www. goodafternoonchoir.org/ online.html.
RUH remains open for non-Covid-19 care and all treatments Patients are being reassured that the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust (RUH) remains open for those needing care, and that measures are in place to support COVID and non-COVID patients safely throughout the winter months. As the second national lockdown begins, the message is that people in Bath should not be put off from accessing any NHS care and treatment. Unlike the first lockdown much more of the NHS will remain open, such as diagnostic services, including scans and blood tests, some pre-planned surgery
and ongoing cancer care. Dr Ruth Grabham said: “While the rest of the country goes back into lockdown, the NHS, just like the first time around, will remain open for those who need it. “GP appointments will be available and, although most will be happening in a virtual format in order to comply with social distancing, face-to-face consultations remain available if your doctor or nurse feels it is required in order to make a fuller assessment. “This goes for appointments at hospital too, and I would like to offer the reassurance that the hospitals in our
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region are safe places to be, and no person should put off attending their appointments, especially if it relates to a serious condition, such as cancer.” People with more minor health conditions are advised to seek help elsewhere from services such as NHS 111, which is available online and over the phone, and from local pharmacies. The hospital’s Respiratory Assessment Unit (RAU), which will again act as a front door for suspected COVID-positive patients. It is an appointment-only service for patients who are directed there via NHS 111 or their GP.
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Future for former hotel could be as community hub By BBC LDRS staff for Bath Voice. Plans to turn a vacant Oldfield Park pub into a nursery and community facility have been welcomed by residents who fought to save. Following their campaign to stop it being converted for housing, the Victoria Hotel was listed as an asset of community value. Now Arena Global Management has new plans for the Millmead Road venue in the community. Its proposals say the building will be shared by dance studio Scala Studios, which needs to relocate due to the redevelopment of the Scala building, and Green Shoots nursery, with the community allowed to use the site at certain times. “The owner of the building has no plans to use the ground floor for any other purpose and will be giving the applicant a 15-year lease to support this and give comfort to the owner in
The Victoria Hotel in Oldfield Park is set to have a new lease of life security of tenure,” the plans say. Some 150 residents came together to list the pub as an asset of community value, which would have given them the option to buy it if it came on the market.
Their main aim was to “press the pause button” on the plans and show what the building meant to the community. Arena Global Management’s plans said residents looked at
turning the Victoria into a community pub, co-working venue and cafe “but have had no local interest and have now concluded that these are not viable options”. “Despite being heavily marketed, there has been little interest from the wider market place in renting the property as a drinking establishment. Those that have had a look have concluded that the site is not economically viable – especially within the current Covid climate.” Iqbal Hamiduddin and Liz Alvey, who led the campaign to save the pub, said: “This proposal appears to be consistent with the asset of community value listing recently placed on the ground floor of the Victoria, and could provide a great step forward for the old pub. “We encourage all local residents to look at the application and support it if they are happy with what is being proposed.”
There are a number of children and young people in Bath and North East Somerset who are not able to live with their families; they need the support and encouragement of foster carers.
n SCIENCE
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n BOOKS Family secrets in local writer’s life as she looked back to the 1960s Memoir
University on neutrons A Bath University lecturer has studied a massive explosion in space when two neutron stars crashed into each other. The light from the flash reached Earth and was detected by NASA and explained by Bath University’s Dr Tanmoy Laskar from the Department of Physics. He said: “By quickly capturing light from the event at radio to X-ray wavelengths and combining that data with physics, we found new evidence for what
happens when two neutron stars collide. “We once thought these mergers produced black holes, but now it appears this may not always be the case.” He said a neutron star is so dense that on Earth, one teaspoonful would weigh a billion tons. They are thought to be a main source of the universe’s heavy elements, including gold and uranium.
Always In the Dark. By Diane Harding. A retired local school secretary unearths family secrets in Diane Harding’s newly published memoir. Always in the Dark is described as ‘one woman’s search for answers from a family shrouded in secrets’. Diane, who lives near Bath, starts her story in Cape Town, where she was born, then moves to England when she is fourteen, after her father secures a transfer with Cadbury’s. In 1966 the family settles in Saltford but two years and later relocated to Sea Mills in Bristol. As a young child it was obvious to Diane that her home life is unusual, but it is only after her mother’s death, decades later, that the scandal is revealed. The search for the truth sends
her on numerous missions to talk to many people only to discover that she is the last to know the reason for her dysfunctional family life. Diane Harding Published by BLKDOG Publishing, the book is available from The Oldfield Park Bookshop, Amazon and the Book Depository.
Adult Fiction When Bombs Fell on Bath by Maggie Rayner Local writer Maggie Rayner has penned a novel. 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. An engrossing story of each family’s struggle to find peace in wartime.
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December 2020
The residents making Bear Flat area even better It’s a fabulous place to live and we’re going to make it even better was the message from the AGM of the Bear Flat Association in October. “Despite the traffic it is a lovely place,” said the association’s membership secretary Helen Cooke. “We help to build community spirit in Bear Flat and to let people know what’s going on.” In an exclusive interview with Bath Voice Helen appealed to residents to join the association as ‘it benefits everyone.’ “In better times we have a lot of events and activities,” she said, “but because of Covid it’s been reduced with things online instead. “There’s the community market and other fund raising events normally but since the lock downs it’s become more used by people as it is a way of staying in touch.” To find out more about what the association does visit http:// bearflat.org.uk
Socially distanced Bear Flat Association members, from left, Clyde Hunter, Helen Cooke, Timothy Cantell, Judith Eversley and Maurice Somerset at The Gore on the junction of Bloomfield Road and Wellsway
Monday am Hillside Hall, Oldfield Park Call Sarah on 07881 758292 Tuesday pm St Mark’s School, Larkhall Call Jan on 07746 098307 Tuesday pm St Michael’s School, Twerton Call Sarah on 07881 758292
Wednesday am Leafy Lane, Corsham Call Jane on 07857 147093 Wednesday pm Percy Community Centre, Bath City Centre Call Jane on 07857 147093 Wednesday pm Saltford Hall, Saltford Call Cher on 07824 336925 Thursday pm The Parish Hall, Weston Call Sarah on 07881 758292 Thursday pm The Methodist Church, Southdown Call Jane on 07857 147093
Friday am The Methodist Church, Southdown Call Jane on 07857 147093 Friday am The Rugby Club, Combe Down Call Cher on 07824 336925
December 2020
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n NEWS IN BRIEF Alexandra Park: At the AGM of the Bear Flat Association last month members heard that the Friends of Alexandra Park had continued to close the park at night to vehicles to prevent anti-social behaviour. To gain a mandate for the community action the Friends together with Cllr Winston Duguid had a petition endorsed by 80% of 150 local residents for the closure. Covid-19 Helpline: The Bear Flat helpline is for residents who need assistance during the crisis as they are self-isolating. Volunteers have helped around 30 people so far with shopping for essentials, collecting prescriptions and medicines as well as carrying out small tasks and also providing comfort to those who feel alone.To use the help-line, you can either email covid@bearflat.org.uk or telephone: 07593 876127. Piano donation: Moorlands School have taken delivery of a piano donated by the Carroll family. The musical instrument has been positioned in the Octagon playground under cover so children and staff can play it outside. Speed limit: The Widcombe
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Association has reported that the Council is proposing to extend the 20mph limits on Widcombe Hill and Prior Park Road/Ralph Allen Drive. The necessary Orders have been subject to public last month. The Widcombe Association said they had indicated its support as the proposals reflect ‘what we had advocated at the time of the Rossiter Road project’. Hospital Christmas Appeal: The RUH are holding a Keep It Cosy fundraising day on Wednesday 16 December. They have three different activities based on the theme of being cosy to raise cash for the hospital. For details of how to take part for the charity Forever Friends to support the hospital visit https:// www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk/ christmas-appeal/keep-it-cosy Covid-19 fines: HM Court Service has issued fines of more than £100,000 to people who have failed to pay a fixed penalty notice for breaches of COVID-19 legislation in the Avon and Somerset Police area. So far, a total of 61 people who received FPNs up until the end of June with more since said the police force for the area.
You may now kiss Mrs White-Christmas Bath experienced a white Christmas in November when Mr White married Miss Christmas at the Roman Baths. The Dorset couple had planned to tie the knot in July but were forced to postpone the wedding due to the Covid-19 restrictions. The couple met while at school and because of their surnames they felt it was too good an opportunity to miss and so combined the names becoming Mr and Mrs WhiteChristmas. The BBC reported that business student Mrs White-Christmas said: “It took us time to twig that our surnames came together as White-Christmas. We first realised at our secondary school prom when our friend uploaded pictures to social media using #WhiteChristmas.”
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n NEWS
Clyde Hunter at Bloomfield Green
Widcombe Mummers hope to take to the streets of the community on New Year’s Day with a colourful drama
From saving lives to poppies and cross country - and a bridge over the Avon Cardiac arrest: So far the defibulator based outside the fitness centre in Bear Flat at Space Gym Bath has not been used said Maurice Somerset of the community association. ”I check it every few days and thankfully nobody has had a heart attack so far,” he explained. The emergency device is in place to treat heart attacks by delivering a dose of electric current to the heart and was installed this autumn. Outdoor fun: Children at Oldfield Park Pre-School enjoyed a session of outdoors last month using mirrors to look at the sky, the trees and ourselves. On another day they took a walk to see the trains go by living up to the school’s motto of preparing for life-long learning through fun and
play. Oldfield Park Pre-School is a registered charity, which is run by a committee of volunteers. Cross country: Oldfield Junior school ‘s boys in Year 4 have scorred a major success by coming in second in annual Bath and North East Somerset cross country trials. Year 4 girls completed a successful day out by coming in third in their section on November 5. Poppy tribute: On Monday, November 6, children in Years 3
The defibulator at Space Gym Bath
and 6 at Widcombe Junior School collaborated on a tribute to be displayed outside the school. The beautifully decorated poppies, along which those completed at home, were cut out to form a giant remembrance wreath which will be on display for a couple of weeks on Pulteney Road. Bridge over the Avon: The 140-tonne Bath Quays Bridge is in place at last. Fabricated in Belgium the structure over the River Avon was lifted into position by a giant 600-tonne crawler crane. Pedestrians and cyclists can use it as an alternative crossing point to Midland Bridge and Churchill Bridge to the west and east respectively. The bridge design was selected via an international design competition, commissioned by B&NES Council in 2015.
More news in brief including Bath’s Strictly star Strictly Bill Bailey: One of Bath’s favourite sons has excelled himself on the BBC1 light entertainment show Strictly Come Dancing. Mark Robert Bailey - or rather Bill Bailey as he is known - together with his professional dance partner Oti Mabuse has managed to survive the opening weeks of the show achieving unexpected success. Bill was born in the city, attended King Edward’s School where apart from a being keen sportsman he was an accomplished musician.
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Launch of clean air zones could see higher costs for motorists
Bloomfield Green’s future By Harry Mottram for Bath Voice. An event on Bloomfield Green in Bear Flat to mark the opening of The Two Tunnels cycle and walk way in 2013 was the inspiration to create The Friends of Bloomfield Green. Clyde Hunter of the Friends said: “We thought if they can do that then so can the residents to celebrate the green.” Originally called Bloomfield open space and owned by the Council the Friends set about changing the name to Bloomfield Green and applying for a grant to improve the park. “We wanted to have village fetes here and make it more than just a large space as it’s very important to the local people,” he said, “Having more children’s activities, more trees and to enhance the park is the aim as we’ve lots of ideas.” He said it was important for more locals including young people to get involved with the Friends through the Bear Flat Association. “That way Bloomfield Green will become the place people want and not just an open space,” he said.
December 2020
School holidays: A reminder that state funded schools break up for Christmas on Friday, December 17, before returning on Tuesday 4 January. They break for half term on Friday 18 February before returning for study on Monday 28 February. Amazing Moorland Road: There are a number of community FaceBook sites in Bath with one of the best run being Moorland Road is Amazing. It features news and views of the area including a thank you to all those who helped
to put up the street’s Christmas lights from Sarah Killen who said her granddaughter was thrilled with the festive look. Street crime: City centre users are being asked for their views on proposals to permanently strengthen and improve on-street security within Bath’s busiest streets and spaces by 2021. The council and police, have been working together to ensure Bath city centre is safe, secure and welcoming for the people who live, work and visit here. You will be able to view the proposed
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city security improvements and provide feedback online until 15 January 2021 at www.bathnes. gov.uk/citycentresecurity Your feedback will be used to inform potential refinements to the draft proposals, before the Council formally advertises the traffic regulation orders. Information about this is available on request in other languages, audio, Braille, large print or other formats. To request another format please contact us by email citycentresecurity@bathnes.gov. uk or on 01225 39 40 41.
By a Local Democracy Reporter for Bath Voice. Residents who drive diesel cars could have to pay up to five times as much to park in Bath as those with the cleanest vehicles under new proposals. Bath and North East Somerset Council transport bosses are looking at introducing a sliding scale of charges for parking permits based on carbon dioxide emissions. They are also considering higher prices for long-stay parking and new Sunday charges to discourage people from driving or even owning cars unless they have to. Under the proposals, the baseline fee for a residents’ permit would be £100, which would be cut to £50 for the lowest
emission vehicles. Vehicles from before 2001 with a three-litre engine or bigger would be charged double the baseline amount, plus another £50 if they run on diesel in a bid to cut nitrogen dioxide levels. The same multiplier effect would apply to residents with a second vehicle, but with a baseline fee of £160. The fees would apply across Bath and North East Somerset and could earn the council an extra £135,000 a year. They are being proposed ahead of the March 2021 launch of Bath’s clean air zone, which will charge the worst polluting vehicles, but not privately owned cars. The free on-street parking on Sundays could also come to an
Bath is known for its congestion and traffic problems
end as the hourly charges are raised over the next three years. The proposals say the council does not want to undermine the park and ride services that previously only operated Monday to Saturday. The charges, which would only apply when the park and ride buses are running, are expected to bring in an additional £85,000 in the first year. The council wants to end the abuse of permits issued to hotels – which can reportedly earn up to £2,600 a year on an £80 permit by charging guests daily to use them – and medics, who use theirs for cheap commuter
parking. Paper permits would be swapped for digital alternatives to tighten the controls. Over the next three years, the cost of permits that residents can give to visitors are also set to double to £2 per day, with half-day paper permits introduced for vulnerable residents, while the 10 per cent discount residents get for using MiPermit will be removed. If backed by councillors Neil Butters and Joanna Wright, the joint cabinet members for transport, the changes to the charges would be subject to a full consultation.
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December 2020
Merry Christmas Wishing all our customers a Happy & Healthy Christmas, and thank you for your support over this year.
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Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all our carers, clients and their families.’
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13
Hotel plan for Royal Mineral Water Hospital thrown out due to its impact on neighbours By BBC LDRS staff for Bath Voice . Controversial plans to turn Bath’s historic Royal Mineral Water Hospital into a 167-bedroom lifestyle hotel have been thrown out. Planning chiefs voted to overturn officer advice – despite developer Fragrance Group’s promise to invest £35million to preserve the grade II*-listed building. The decision came after social housing tenant Helen Wilmot spoke passionately about the impact a proposed extension would have on her and her neighbours’ wellbeing. She told Bath and North East Somerset Council’s planning committee: “We’re going to lose our privacy, natural light, our view of the sky. It’s a massive thing. “I’m really angry and upset about how I’ve been treated. I’m at a loss. I’m gutted. To lose the greenery is disgraceful.” Representing Fragrance Group, Sandra Tuck said the Singaporean firm – which bought the former hospital in 2018 for £21.5million – would invest £35million to secure the restoration, repair and conversion of the building. Its plans included a health spa and restaurant and were modified in response to consultation feedback. They were met with 187 objections, many criticising the proposed 3.5-storey extension. Planning officers said securing an “optimum viable use” for the building outweighed the impact on neighbours, who would still have “appropriate living conditions in this city centre location”. Proposing refusal, Councillor
Sue Craig said: “I commend the applicants for the compromises to minimise the impact on the building, its setting and neighbours. However, I do have a problem with the size and mass of the extension.” She said it would be many years before the habitat recovers and the Fragrance Group’s use of “every inch” of land for the extension would be overbearing for Parsonage Lane residents. Cllr Manda Rigby said the extension would make life in the neighbouring properties “almost untenable”, adding: “For some of the flats on the lower floors, you’d almost have to stick your head out the window and turn it around to see any sky whatsoever. “That’s not something we should be in favour of. It damages the residential amenity to such an extent it’s not counterbalanced by keeping the building in public use.” Cllr Hal MacFie suggested that most of the issues for residents would be addressed if one storey was removed from the extension, resulting in the loss of just six rooms, but planning officer Tessa Hampden said that may mean the development is unviable. Cllr Sally Davis was in a minority of members who sided with officers in arguing that the benefit of securing a viable use for the listed building outweighed the harm. The committee voted to reject the application. A spokesperson for Fragrance Group said: “We are very disappointed with the planning committee’s decision and will be reviewing their comments and considering our next steps.”
The historic grade II listed Royal Mineral Water Hospital was completed in 1742
An artist’s impression of the plans for the building by the Fragrance Group
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December 2020
n NEWS
Plans yet to be decided By BBC LDRS staff for Bath Voice Bath’s recycling centre is set to move six miles out of the city so the site can be redeveloped with nearly 180 riverside homes. Bath and North East Somerset Council is in early talks about consolidating the activities at Midland Road to Pixash Lane in Keynsham, where the recycling centre will be redeveloped to meet demand for the next 40 years. The authority’s development company, Aequus, has already submitted plans to repurpose the Bath site with 176 flats as part of the 2,281-home Western Riverside masterplan. The “extremely compact” Midland Road depot, which has been in use since the early 1980s, is open to the public and is the destination for trucks collecting waste and recycling from across the city. Its closure has been on the cards since the masterplan was approved in 2010 but this is the first time the council has revealed where it could move to.
Its facilities – 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. Before the council submits formal proposals it has requested a scoping opinion so see what needs to be included in the application. Documents submitted with the request say the Midland Road site is extremely compact and demand is growing, with traffic queuing onto the main road. The council cited the same issue as a reason when it was working out how to safely reopen the waste depot after the coronavirus lockdown. The nearby Destructor Bridge has opened to northbound traffic seven years after it closed. The request says: “The council operates collection services for household refuse and recycling from all its households (nearly 84,000) and has a duty of care for the transfer and
How the old site at Midland Road might look in the future
disposal of household waste. “To carry that out the service efficiently, safely and to a consistently high standard, the council needs operational depots that are well-designed and maintained to accommodate the necessary infrastructure.” As well as the issues at Midland Road, it says traffic regularly queues down Pixash Lane to reach Keynsham’s recycling centre and its compact nature does not allow for a quick turnaround. The creation of a purpose-built facility will meet demand for the next 40 years. It facility 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”. Aequus’s planning application,
December 2020
yet to be decided, says: “Should planning permission be granted, the construction of the proposed residential development will begin once the site is vacated. “Aequus’s objective is to deliver a high quality, high density development which will deliver a housing mix of predominantly smaller open market dwellings, typically of one and two bedrooms, with a view to meeting the identified demand for more affordable homes for the city’s economically active population.” The flats, a quarter of which would be affordable, would be built in eight buildings up to five storeys high. The plans also propose a shop and parking for 128 cars and 214 bikes. B&NES Council will decide the fate of both applications.
e p a h s Help RE
U N T U F THE R REGIO OF OU
For a paper copy or information in an alternative format, contact 0117 428 6210 or planning@westofengland-ca.gov.uk.
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15
E-scooters make their debut in Bath with mixed reactions to the new mode of transport By Harry Mottram. Imagine spending just a couple of quid to hire an e-scooter from the city centre to go to somewhere like Englishcombe Lane rather than waiting for a taxi or walking up all those hills. It’s no longer a dream as the Bath & North East Somerset Council, have teamed up with Swedish scooter operator Voi Technology to start a pilot scheme similar to the ‘Boris Bikes’ in London and other cities. Cllr Joanna Wright said: “ There will be 100 scooters based in the city centre which you can rent for 20p a minute. They are not just for tourists to get about but for eveyone. “The idea is to reduce the amount of traffic in Bath with alternative forms of transport as 42% of journeys in the city are less than 3km. “Walking, cycling, public transport and now scooters will help ease congestion.” The e-scooters are aimed at short journeys for commuting, shopping and socialising and are available on a trial basis for 12 months. Voi are operating more scooters in Bristol and say it will create more than 60 jobs in the two cities. To use one you must have a
provisional driving licence and be 18 years old. You unlock the scooter with £1 and then each minute is 20p with subscriptions for students, key workers and people on low incomes. There is a Voi app that can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Cllr Wright said it was about changing behaviour and offering an alternative. Bath Voice asked the councillor whether some scooters might end up in the River Avon after being misused by late night revellers. She said the authorities had fished out all sorts of things from the river including cars in the past. “Hopefully people will use them for the purpose they were designed for, which is for short, round the city journeys,” she said. However residents have taken to social media to complain about the scooters being left where the rider decided to stop rather than at key locations in the city with some blaming students. And the dumping of the scooters on pavements has been criticised by visually impaired residents. Voi said they work with the police to prevent non-compliance of the scooter rules.
Above left, the scooters ready to hire in Southgate, while right is the West of England Mayor Tim Bowles at the launch of the initiative
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Bath news in brief
We’re developing a Spatial Development Strategy to create a greener, more connected and inclusive place to live and work. Have your say to make sure new homes, employment spaces and transport are planned in the right places at www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/future-of-the-region
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Melanie Hall appeal: Avon and Somerset Police have released details about a possible sighting of Melanie Hall arguing with a man outside Cadillacs nightclub in Bath. They released the image of the man (pictured) fitting the discription. The RUH clerical worker was last seen alive on Sunday, 9 June, 1996, at the nightclub at1.45am. Her remains
were found by the side of the M5 in South Gloucestershire in 2009. There is a £60,000 reward for information provided to the police which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for Melanie’s murder. Contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 with any information. Police Covid team: Avon and Somerset Police have established a dedicated COVID-19 team to attend reports of breaches of the emergency regulations. It has been created with £680,000 extra funding provided by the Government. Since lockdown was introduced in March, Avon and Somerset Police have issuedmore than 450 fixed penalty notices for breaches of the restrictions.
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December 2020
n NEWS IN BRIEF
n NEWS
Taking Lyncombe Hill Fields to the next stage with ambitious plans Ancient fields that once were grazed by livestock below Alexandra Park are returning to their natural state with the help of the Friends of Lyncombe Hill Fields. Following a meeting of the Friends last month they have drawn up ambitious plans for the fields that include sowing meadow flowers, attracting wild birds and making the paths more accessible for those in wheel chairs or pushing prams. Maurice Tennenhaus of the community group said: “We are looking for volunteers to come forward to help make the various ideas happen. “It’s a very exciting time for one of the most beautiful natural sites in Bath. There’s wild plants, shrubs and trees with animals, insects, butterflies and birdlife
that need to be charted.” He said one of the action groups that had been set up so far was a survey team to create a written and photographic survey of the site and its hedge and walled boundaries. Maintenance is a major job although some of it is provided by the Council who own the fields, but there is basic pruning of hedgerows and invasive plants. Help is needed in fund raising, administration, media and footpath maintenance. The Friends of Lyncombe Hill Fields is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company (FLHF CIC) and is linked to a number of local community groups who have helped to establish it. To register interest email lyncombehillfields@gmail.com
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Revolution ends: The George in George Street closed permanently following the lock downs. Creditors of the firm’s subsidiary company, Revolution Bars Limited accepted a deal last month to allow the parent company to close some of their businesses in the UK after sales fell to under 50% of those of 2019. Health firm collapses: A healthcare firm with a site in Bath’s Monmouth Street has gone into administration. The Medical is part of The Medical Healthcare Centres that has a number of businesses across the UK including Midsomer Norton and Bristol. The firm registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) provided treatments including physiotherapy, podiatry, osteopathy and acupuncture. Radio Bath: A new community radio station went on air last month broadcasting to more than 415,000 homes on DAB, smart-speaker and online. Run by volunteers, Radio Bath is in the process of becoming a charity, has social purpose at its core, and intends to return any surpluses from income to community projects. Interested groups or organisations across
bathvoice Bath and West Wiltshire with news items can get in touch with the station at: news@radiobath. com Carol concert: Members of the City of Bath Male Choir will be performing as part of an online carol service which will be broadcast on Sunday, December 20. Grenville Jones of the choir said: “The choir will sing a beautiful piece ‘There is Faint Music’. This, incidentally, was a piece that the choir heard first on their concert tour to Japan six years ago.” The online Christmas Concert is produced by Bath’s Matt Finch. Liveable neighbourhoods: More than 1,600 residents have responded to the council’s consultation on its proposals for liveable neighbourhoods. The plans include cutting pollution and traffic calming, as well as increasing residential parking. Residents were asked for their views on low traffic neighbourhoods and on-street electric vehicle charging points. The council will now decide on the plans. Communities will be able to put forward a request for the introduction of a liveable neighbourhood in their area. For more details of the scheme visit bathnesliveablestreets
On air. The people behind the launch of Radio Bath, are from left: Steve Fountain, Loraine Morgan-Brinkhurst MBE, and Simon McNeill-Ritchie. Loraine is an entrepreneur, Steve Fountain is a former one-time GWR Bath presenter and Simon is a former British diplomat
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Shuttercraft Somerset_Wells Voice_Dec 2020.indd 1 Got a story for Bath Voice? Email Harry on news@bathvoice.co.uk
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December 2020
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claims of hypocrisy. Mr Godfrey said: “The merits, or otherwise, of the planning approval have not been considered. The only issue at hand here is whether there is substantive evidence to demonstrate that the ecological work conducted on site was responsible for the death of two slowworms. “My conclusion is there is no evidence to suggest that the ecological mitigation works have caused the death of the two slowworms.” Three weeks passed between the alleged incident and the photos being shared. Mr Godfrey said: “If the motivation of the complaint was to ensure no continuing damage to the ecology I would have expected the photos to be sent much earlier.” The plans were approved after promises to relocate the field’s tufa springs – a rare habitat of countylevel importance – to a separate site in Pennyquick.
Engine Lane being mowed
The council’s ecologist was not certain the habitats could be recreated but a university professor was “comfortable the strategy should work”. Opponents said the approval was an “embarrassment” when the council had declared an ecological emergency and urged leader Dine Romero to revoke planning permission to prevent an “ecological crime”. In an open letter to residents this week, she said she had asked Mr Godfrey to investigate because she was “extremely concerned” about the allegations. She said: “I am satisfied that this
draws a line under these specific allegations, but I should emphasise that I will always be committed to ensuring that works at these and other development sites take place in full compliance of the rules. “This planning permission for this development was granted subject to the developer meeting clear ecological requirements. This includes offsetting the impact of the development on wildlife by creating new habitats at a larger site in Pennyquick Lane.” Cllr Romero said in a statement there is a “fine balance between the need to provide new homes and ecology”.
Hovis is a people dog Hovis is a playful three-year-old Staffie cross who came into the care of Bath Cats and Dogs Home when he was taken in as a stray. He can live with children over the age of eight but he cannot be rehomed with other animals. Hovis is a typical Staffie and is very people orientated and loves a cuddle - and is an energetic lad who is not shy when it comes to leaping onto laps! If you think you might be able to offer Hovis a loving forever home, then do get in contact with the team. rehomersoffice@bcdh. org.uk Hovis is just one of the many animals in the care of the Home. It has been a tough year for BCDH with the pandemic forcing them to cancel many of their usual
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Comedy nights and a Christmas lunch Venues are beginning to get to grips with the restrictions put in place by the Covid-19 crisis with social distancing and high levels of hygiene. However it all depends on the Government’s plans for December as to whether venues can open - so always check first with the organisers Tue, 1 Dec. Holburne Museum. Grayson Perry exhibition. Continues to 3 Jan, 2021. Grayson Perry: The PreTherapy Years. Thu, 3 Dec. Ustinov Studio. Oleannia. Drama set on a USA University campus. Runs to 22 Dec. Fri, 4 Dec. Widcombe Social Club. Live music. Tony Gunner & The MP3s - Jazz & blues with a Latin flair. Bar open to all - free entry from 5.30pm - late. Free live music in the bar from 6pm to 8pm. Fri, 4 Dec. Chapel Arts Centre. Petty Criminals - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Tribute. 7.30pm. £16. Sat, 5 Dec. Chapel Arts Centre. Martyn Joseph. 7.30pm. £18. Sat, 5 Dec. The Forum. Lucy Spraggan. Live music. 7.30pm. £30-£25.
BA1 9BJ. The team play in the Bath And District Football Sunday League and currently lie in mid table following wins against Welton Rangers and Weir Town so hopes are high for this pre-Christmas fixture assuming the league are allowed to play following the lock down. Tue, 8 Dec. Bath Rotary. Lunch meeting at 12.50pm. Contact Rotary Club Secretary email: bathrotarysec@gmail. com or call 01225 422138 for details and how to join. Lansdown Golf Club, Bath. Fri, 11 Dec. Widcombe Social Club. Live music. : Steve Mathers & John Paul Gard - Top notch Blue Note organ and sax duo. Bar open to all - free entry from 5.30pm - late. Free live music in the bar from 6pm to 8pm.
Sun, 6 Dec: West Widcombe Christmas Lunch. 1pm. Mark’s Community Centre, St Mark’s Rd, Bath https:// widcombewest.uk/news/
Fri, 11 Dec: Widcombe Social Club Comedy Club with Catherine Bohart and James Dowdeswell. Tickets £12 or £10 for WSC members - for details and booking see the Bath Comedy web site at www.bathcomedy.com
Sun, 6 Dec. Chapel Arts Centre. Nigel Price Jazz Quartet. 7.30pm. £15.
Fri, 11 Dec. Chapel Arts Centre. Gabriel Latchin Trio. 7.30pm. £15.
Sun, 6 Dec. Football. Bear Flat FC away to Puckle Vale FC. KO 10.30pm. Venue: Puckle Vale FC Lansdown PF, Bath,
Fri, 11 Dec. Street Theatre. Christmas Shows Without a Theatre at Milsom Street to Stall Street with The Natural
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Passamezzo play in Bath on December 19th Theatre Company who present wandering Christmas characters on Bath’s streets during the day to cheer up shoppers. Sat, 12 Dec. Chapel Arts Centre. Peter Gill & The Good Time Charlies Present a Swinging & Rockin Christmas Evening. 7.30pm.£17.50. Sat, 12 Dec. Widcombe Christmas Market with the artists and artisans of Widcombe. 10.30am-5pm and tomorrow. Widcombe Social Club, at the bottom of Widcombe Hill. 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.
Thu, 17 Dec. Egg Theatre. A Christmas Carol. Age 7+. A cast of three give Dickens’ novel a seasonal performance. Runs to Sun 20 Dec. Fri, 18 Dec: Widcombe Social Club. Live music. Christmas Special with Tea & Biscuits - Our popular and prolific house band. Fri, 18 Dec. Chapel Arts Centre. Folksy Theatre Present: A Christmas Carol. 7.30pm. £14. Fri, 18 Dec. Carols by Candlelight at The Assembly Rooms. £15-£10. 12noon, 5pm, 8pm. Sat, 19 Dec. Chapel Arts Centre. It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. 7.30pm. £17.50. Sat, 19 Dec. Carols by Candlelight at The Assembly Rooms. £15-£10. 12noon, 5pm, 8pm.
Sun, 13 Dec. Widcombe Christmas Market with the artists and artisans of Widcombe. 10.30am-4pm. Widcombe Social Club, at the bottom of Widcombe Hill.
Sat, 19 Dec. St Michael’s Without. Passamezzo – Old Christmas Returned. 7:30pm. £22-£6. A seasonal programme following the calendar from Advent to Candlemas and showing how Christmas was celebrated, banned and restored in 17th Century England. Carols, ballads, consort music, lutesongs, dance melodies and readings. Includes music by Gibbons, Locke, Peerson and Purcell; readings by Breton, Herrick and Shakespeare. Performed in Period costume by Passamezzo.
Wed, 16 Dec. Komedia. Festive Drag Bingo with Charlie Hide. 7:30pm (Doors 6:00pm) Emma Rose’s The Secret Avenue. The Wellow based artist is exhibiting at the Bath Contemporary Artists Fair at Green Park Station on Sunday, 13, December which will feature her original artwork, limited edition giclée prints, booklets and cards. For more about Emma’s work visit www.emmaroseartworks.com
Expect a madcap comedy drama.
Sun, 13 Dec. Chapel of St Mary Magdalen, Holloway. Carol Service 6.30pm. Subject to Covid.
Tue, 15 Dec. Bath Rotary. Lunch meeting at 12.50pm. Contact Rotary Club Secretary email: bathrotarysec@ gmail.com or call 01225 422138 for details and how to join. Lansdown Golf Club, Bath.
All domestic plumbing and heating work carried out Landlord certificates Gas safety checks Boiler servicing Over 20 years’ experience Friendly no obligation quote fundraising activities and events. If you would like to support their new Winter Appeal, then you can do so by going to our website at www.bathcatsanddogshome.org. uk and giving what you can.
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n WHAT’S ON
Council: giant tractor ‘did not kill slow worms’ By BBC LDRS staff for Bath Voice An investigation has found no direct evidence that protected lizards were “slaughtered” on a controversial Bath and North East Somerset Council development site. Residents had claimed an “enormous tractor with a huge plough” had killed “most if not all of the slow worms” during preparation works in the field off Englishcombe Lane. Avon and Somerset Police did not proceed with the complaint and now BANES’s chief executive, Will Godfrey, has concluded his own in-house investigation. The council’s plans to build 37 homes in the field were approved on August 26 against the advice of the authority’s own ecologist, who was not certain the delicate habitat could be recreated on a separate site. The decision came just weeks after the council declared an ecological emergency, sparking
December 2020
Thu. 17 Dec. Theatre Royal Bath. The Play That Goes Wrong. Continues to Jan 16. Tue-Sat 7.30pm (not Christmas Eve or New Years’ Eve) Sun 6pm. Matinees 2pm Wed, Thu, Sat & Sun.
Got a story for Bath Voice? Email Harry on news@bathvoice.co.uk
Tue, 24 Dec. Chapel of St Mary Magdalen, Holloway. Early Midnight Mass & Carols for all the family. 7pm. Subject to Covid. Wed, 25 Dec. Chapel of St Mary Magdalen, Holloway. Sung Eucharist with Carols. 9am.
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December 2020
December 2020
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n PUZZLES FOR ALL
n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC
Let’s start the New Year with kindness and tolerance
I
’M sure many of us will be happy to see the end of 2020, which turned out to be an extraordinarily unusual year and a time that challenged us all. Our personal and professional lives changed beyond any of our expectations, and our communities and businesses have continued to adapt during the pandemic. It has also been a year where people across the country have lost loved ones as a result of this awful virus. My thoughts are with those families who will be having a very different Christmas and I wish them all the best for the New Year. This year has also been a time when we saw steps in the right direction for social change. In response to the horrific events in Minnesota that resulted in the death of George Floyd, we
witnessed powerful protests take place across the world and businesses realising the need to support and empower the BAME community. The global pandemic further highlighted the disparities and divides along racial and socio-economic lines and the disproportionate impact coronavirus has had on many communities. This year has served as a stark reminder that we still have so much to do, but such awareness puts us in a better position to start making these changes. On a positive note, during the global health emergency we have seen acts of kindness and wonderful stories of people and organisations coming together to support each other during these unprecedented times. The pandemic has proven the impor-
tance of working together and supporting each other. I’m sure there are still many challenges ahead, but I am reassured that we will face these together. It is undeniable that we will have a very different Christmas to the ones we usually have. However, there will still be officers, police staff, paramedics and other emergency colleagues who will be working during the festive period to keep us safe. Regardless of coronavirus, it is always an extremely busy time of year for those who work in our emergency services and I know they always go above and beyond to keep us safe. I want to say a massive thank you to those in the NHS, police and other emergency services, as well as those in voluntary and charity organisations, for their
With Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens hard work to support local communities during the festive period and for their efforts in protecting local people throughout this challenging year. Let’s start the New Year with kindness and tolerance towards one another, and continue to bring our communities together in 2021.
Information from Avon and Somerset Police force Alert on telephone fraudsters We’re urging people to be on the alert to a telephone fraud in which scammers claim to be from banks’ own fraud teams. Officers were called to a bank in Thornbury on Tuesday 15 September by staff concerned about a customer’s transaction. It transpired the man had been contacted by fraudsters through a phone call to an elderly relative whose money he manages. The conman told him the accounts were compromised following an online purchase and that he needed to transfer the money to a new account with another bank. The conman then told the man to go into his local branch to arrange a further transfer, claiming he would be watching on CCTV. The fraudster even said bank staff would tell him it was a scam but not to trust them. Thankfully the bank staff realised something wasn’t right and called the police – but the victim had already transferred a significant amount of money from
the bank accounts. We want you to warn your vulnerable elderly relatives and friends about this type of scam. These fraudsters can be very convincing but please don’t discuss your finances with anyone who calls you out of the blue, even if they say they’re a police officer or from your bank. Genuine callers will be happy to make an appointment for you to
visit them at a branch or police station. It’s important to remember that police and bank staff will never ask you to withdraw or transfer money or to hand over cash, your card or your PIN. If you get this sort of call should hang up immediately and report it, always allowing time for the line to clear before making another call.
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WARNING: don’t drink and drive Driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs can impair the ability to drive safely. You can anonymously report a suspected drink/drugs driver on the phone – call 101. If you believe someone is currently driving under the influence of drink or drugs, call 999. What happens if I am caught drink or drug driving? If you are caught drink or drug driving, you will be disqualified. You will also receive a minimum 12-month driving ban, a criminal record, and a fine of up to £5,000. If you are stopped on suspicion of drunk driving You will be asked to provide a sample of breath at the roadside. If you fail this test, you will be arrested and taken to the police station where you will need to provide two further breath samples. It is a criminal offence to refuse to provide a specimen of breath, blood or urine for the purposes of analysis.
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December 2020
n BATH LIBRARY BOOK REVIEWS AND NEWS Adult Fiction The Body in the Library - Agatha Christie, as reviewed by Debbie Bellingerm, Keynsham Library. This is a twisted tale of a body muddle and a body double! Body Number One… The body of a young woman appears in the Bantry’s library and Miss Jane Marple is called in to unravel the mystery. Arriving before the police she investigates the scene seeing the body of a young woman with bitten fingernails, dressed in a cheap satin evening gown. Neither of the Bantry’s know the woman so who is she and how did she end up strangled in their house? Body Number Two… A young woman’s body is found in a burnt out car close enough to the places of interest to attract the interest of the investigators. How is it connected to the body in the library and how on earth did she get involved? Miss Marple and Dolly Bantry set off to the hotel the young
woman worked in on the trail of the truth which when it comes is far worse than anyone, except Jane, expected. Agatha Christie captivates with her precisely formed plots, delicate clues and delightfully detailed characters. You can see them and hear them as clearly as if you were in the room with them! The Dry – Jane Harper, as reviewed by Debbie Bellingerm, Keynsham Library. This is one of my top twenty crime novels of recent years. Set in Australia it begins with a question – Who really killed the Hadler family? Tensions in a small town in Australia, outside of Melbourne are high, following the murder of three members of the Hadler family – everyone thinks it was the father Luke Hadler, who committed suicide after murdering his wife and young son. At the funeral, a Melbourne policeman, Aaron Falk reluctantly attends. He is a local boy, best friends with Luke
but left 20 years ago under a dark cloud. Araon is slowly drawn into investigating the murder which draws him back to the secret of why he had to leave town. As questions mount and suspicion spreads, Falk is forced to confront his past, one which Luke’s death threatens to unearth. Against this tension there is the unbearable drought that has hit the region. You can feel the heat and uncomfortableness of the weather as you read the story. The drought has affected the farming community severely and you can read the tension throughout the story. This is Jane Harper’s first novel and it makes it more interesting to be set in Australia instead of a dark scandi crime story. A highly recommended read.
Young Adult Fiction
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder – Holly Jackson Keynsham, Library Assistant This is the author’s debut crime thriller for young adults and it is a real gripping read. The main character is 17 year old Pippa Fitz-Amobi who has an interesting idea for her final project. Five years ago, Andie Bell was murdered. Sal Singh was arrested for the crime and everyone in the town knew he did it. Having grown up in a town that was consumed by the murder, Pippa was not so sure that the police had arrested the right person. So she chooses this case for her project and as she does she begins to uncover secrets, long hidden in the town - and if the real killer is out there, how much danger is Pip in? This is a well written story – with elements of social media and transcripts from police interviews. Look out for Book 2: Good Girl, Bad Blood.
Children’s Fiction
The Night I Met Father Christmas - Ben Miller, as reviewed by Kerri Brain, Keynsham Library Assistant From the actor/ comedian, Ben Miller, comes this super Christmas tale originally written for one of his children. Jackson is determined to meet Father Christmas and after pretending to be asleep, goes downstairs to lay in wait when he is
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sure his parents are sleeping. Catching Father Christmas in the act, he inadvertently makes him hurt his ankle. The only way this famous distributor of toys will finish in time is with Jackson’s help. As they speed around the world, Father Christmas answers all the questions that lots of children wonder about the famous man and his magic. Through the night, he tells Jackson the story of one mean spirited elf called Torvil, the one who led Father Christmas to take up the challenge of making sure every child gets a Christmas morning surprise. A funny story with lovely oldfashioned illustrations. It’s like a child friendly version of Dicken’s “Christmas Carol”. A perfect book to snuggle down and share this time of year. Each chapter, although short in pages, leaves you wanting to read that little bit more and all too soon, you get to the last few pages and you don’t want it to end. Murder Most Fowl – Jed Lynch With a hint towards the festive season – we meet Seamus – he is no ordinary private detective, well to start with he is a turkey! But if you need a mystery solves, write a postcard to Seamus with all the details. However he has already solved the case of the Rampaging Rhinoceros but it did not go well. Now he meets Ms Ermine, a cat, with loads of money and a problem or not really a problem at the Blue Chameleon, the club she works at. This proves a tricky case which involves sinister snakes and a unusual meerkat called Elvis. A great children’s read.
December 2020
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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. Visit: Facebook www.facebook. com/bathneslibraries1, Instagramwww.instagram.com/ bathnes_libraries , and Twitter www.twitter.com/BathnesL
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