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July 2021 No. 17
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INSIDE English star made in Bath Page 5 A twist in the Tufa Field story Page 7 Meet the guitar man Page 9 Widcombe Arts Trail August details Page 10 What’s on including horse racing Page 16
When prickly pineapples grew in Bath Page 20 Book reviews Page 22
Bath weddings are back as some Covid rules are lifted - more on page 5 Marta and David on their wedding day pictured by photographer Beata Cosgrove of Bear Flat
15 ‘easy wins’ as liveable areas are finally named By Stephen Sumner, local Democracy Reporter. Low traffic neighbourhoods are set to be a permanent feature in Bath and with residents’ help they will be successful, according to a top councillor. Richard Samuel, who holds the purse strings of Bath and North East Somerset Council, has promised funding for years to
come for the schemes aimed at reducing the dominance of cars in residential areas. Responding to fears about displaced traffic, Councillor Sarah Warren said new routines will bed in over “weeks or even months” and the administration will need to “hold our nerve”. The council is starting with 15 Continued on page 3
Female footie gets a dramatic Bear Flat boost By Harry Mottram. With the Euro Football competition under way and international women’s football also on the TV this month there’s been a boost for female football in Bath with the announcement of an injection of cash into the game. Bath City FC Community Sports Foundation has been awarded £8,000 from The National League Trust as part of a pilot programme funded by the Wembley National Stadium Trust. The charity is linking up with Bath College, Bath University, GLL, Hayesfield Girls School and Somerset FA to increase the number playing the game with female-only sessions to give women and girls aged 11 and over new opportunities to play football. And this month there’s a chance to see a play in Bear Flat which rolls back the years to an era when women’s football was bigger than the male game. Thousands turned out to watch the likes of Dick Kerr’s Ladies square up to St Helen’s in front of 53,000 at Goodison Park in 1920 as the men’s game had been decimated by the First World War Continued on page 3
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My MP? Wera Hobhouse MP 26 Charles Street, Bath, BA1 1HU 01225 307024 office@werahobhouse.co.uk Jacob Rees-Mogg House of Commons Westminster London SW1A 0AA jacob.reesmogg.mp@parliament.uk My councillor? Oldfield Park: Shaun Stephenson-McGall 07483 299240 Shaun_Mcgall@bathnes.gov.uk Widcombe & Lyncombe: Alison Born 01225 319188 Alison_born@bathnes.gov.uk Winston Duguid 07899 066440 Winston_Duguid@bathnes.gov.uk Moorlands: Jess David 07977 500804 Jess_david@bathnes.gov.uk Southdown: Paul Crossley 07718 632959 paul_crossley@bathnes.gov.uk Dine Romero 01225 477496 dine_romero@bathnes.gov.uk
Combe Down: Gerry Curan 01225 330349 / 07900684562 Gerry_curran@bathnes.go.uk Bharat Ramji Nathoo Pankhania Bharat_pankhania@bathnes.gov.uk 07464 867554 Odd Down: Joel Hirst 07792 869044 joel_hirst@bathnes.gov.uk Steve Hedges 07971270879 steve_hedges@bathnes.gov.uk Twerton: Sarah Moore 07807013635 Sarah_moore@bathnes.gov.uk Tim Ball 01225 400834 / 07970461674 Tim_ball@bathnes.gov.uk Westmoreland: June Player 07967 920064 June_Player@bathnes.gov.uk Colin Blackburn 07796 807157 Colin_Blackburn@bathnes.gov.uk
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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Liveable Neighbourhoods Continued from page 1 easy wins – 12 in Bath and three in North East Somerset – although some may “fall by the wayside” if they prove too complex for the first phase. Deputy council leader Cllr Samuel said: “Liveable neighbourhoods are here to stay. They will be funded, they will be delivered. By working closely with local residents they will be a success.” The council is set to spend £2.2million on the programme over the next two years and Cllr Samuel said he was prepared to commit further funding into 2023/24 – the year their success will be tested when Bath and North East Somerset residents next go to the polls. Following consultation and equalities impact assessments low traffic neighbourhoods will be introduced using experimental traffic orders, allowing them to be tested in a “live” situation – giving six months for formal
objections to be submitted. Public speaker Patrick Rotheram from the Vineyards Residents’ Association said: “It seems to be an article of faith that low traffic neighbourhoods will reduce traffic. Most drivers won’t give up their cars. Introducing low traffic neighbourhoods without a transport plan is like squeezing a balloon – reduce traffic in one area and it will pop out somewhere else.” Lynda Lloyd voiced concerns that low traffic neighbourhoods will create “bubbles” that make it difficult for outsiders to visit. She branded the council’s recent track record on consultations “woeful”, especially for disabled people, and asked how it will engage people outside the proposed areas. Cllr Dave Wood said the rollout was about giving power back to residents, who had helped the council identify problems in their areas and will help to design the solutions. Cllr Warren, the cabinet member for sustainable travel,
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Harry Mottram News Editor news@bathvoice.co.uk Erica Benson Publisher and sales 07402 441485 erica@bathvoice.co.uk
July 2021
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said there was “overwhelming” support for liveable neighbourhoods from the 1,500 people who responded to a consultation. “Several schemes will be installed by 2023 and designs completed on others so they can progress rapidly when funds and capacity permit,” she said. “Traffic displacement can be an issue in the first few days but over the weeks that follow a new pattern develops. We expect the overall amount of traffic will be reduced. We will monitor. I would emphasise the importance of patience. In some instances we will need to hold our nerve. Just as with the clean air zone, new routines take weeks or even months to develop and bed in.” Cllr Manda Rigby, the cabinet member for transport, says schemes elsewhere were removed because the councils did not engage with residents and tarnished the phrase “liveable neighbourhoods”. “We’ve learned from the experience from others,” she added. “If they aren’t supported, they won’t be imposed.” The 15 areas in the first phase of the low traffic neighbourhood rollout are: Morris Lane/ Bannerdown (Bathavon North; New Sydney Place (Bathwick); Great Pulteney Street/St Johns Road area (Bathwick); Circus/ Lower Lansdown/Marlborough Building/Royal Victoria Park/ Cork Street area (Kingsmead & Lansdown); Temple Cloud (Mendip); Edgerton Road/ Cotswold Road (Moorlands); Chelsea Road (Newbridge); Lyme Road/Charmouth Road (Newbridge); Oldfield Lane &
First/Second/Third Avenues (Oldfield Park); Whitchurch & Queen Charlton (Publow with Whitchurch and Saltford); Mount Road (Southdown); Church St & Prior Park Rd (Widcombe & Lyncombe); Entry Hill (Widcombe & Lyncombe); Walcot Phase 1: London Road, Snow Hill, Kensington Gardens and adjacent roads (Walcot); Southlands (Weston) Cllr Warren said they were selected using a scoring matrix that considered factors such as the number of affected households, severity of issues, level of through traffic, community deprivation and the impact on routes to school, but also factors to do with the logistics of implementation. More complex schemes will be rolled out when the council has learned from earlier projects. Conservative councillor Vic Pritchard has reiterated his group’s concerns: “We sympathise with the principle of low traffic neighbourhoods, and with the administration’s desire to reduce overall traffic levels in the area. But we know from the introduction of low traffic neighbourhood schemes in other parts of the country that, due to the displacement of traffic, they can lead to higher levels of pollution and congestion and can hamper emergency service vehicles. “We have urged the administration to keep in mind all the people who could be adversely affected by these schemes and to rethink their approach. Sadly, they haven’t listened, proving that when it comes to their transport policies, they are well and truly asleep at the wheel.”
Continued from page 1
Female football gets a cash injection with many teams struggling to restart having lost so many players. Sadly the Football Association banned women’s football the following year as they saw it as a threat and it was decades before it picked up again in the 1970s with the help of the 1975 Sex Discrimination Act. Atalanta Forever is the true story of a women’s football team (named after the Greek Goddess) who for two years were one of the best footballing outfits in the country. The Mikron Theatre production comes to Bear Flat at the Bloomfield Road Allotments
Got a story for Bath Voice? Email Harry on news@bathvoice.co.uk
this month with a cast of four on Sunday, 25 July. Back in 1920 Bath Ladies FC was formed and quickly built a reputation for playing the beautiful game with flare. They travelled by train to Marsden where they lost by just one goal to nil. A new generation of female footballers now grace the city’s parks and pitches and with the cash injection attracting new talent perhaps Bath’s girls and women can rival likes of Bristol City in the future. For more information on sessions contact the Foundation – info@bathcityfoundation.org
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Back-up plan for rugby stadium By Local Democracy Reporter. Bath Rugby says its backup plan will have an “entirely positive” impact on the city’s heritage if its dreams of a new 18,000-seater stadium are dashed. While legal battles over ownership of the Rec rumbled on, in 2016 the club secured permission to replace its “severely ageing” west stand on the bank of the River Avon. That approval is set to expire so it has filed a fresh application. If implemented, the new west stand would replicate the previous structure and seat 3,274 spectators, a reduction of 926 compared to the temporary stand erected in 2016, taking the stadium’s capacity back down to around 13,500. However, Bath Rugby said its 2016 application for a permanent west stand was “theoretical”, “never intended to be implemented” and “merely a means of securing clarity in relation to future redevelopment” so continued use of the Rec was not put at risk. It said then it remained “committed to a permanent solution for the redevelopment at the Rec”.
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The new plans say: “This application effectively resubmits a previously consented scheme which was approved on May 12, 2016. “This current application will similarly provide the club with a fallback position if the comprehensive redevelopment proposals do not come forward, for whatever reason, following the recent further delays caused by the global pandemic.” The move may give some hints about the dimensions of the new Stadium for Bath. Bath Rugby has not revealed what impact axing controversial plans for a 550-space car park under the pitch would have on the overall height of the Stadium for Bath, but proposals for the permanent west stand would see its roof height reduced by 2.97 metres compared to the interim structure. The plans say: “The proposed building will reuse the foundations, floor slab and rear wall of the original west stand and reinstate the original substructure that was
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Friends of the park with the notice board and Cllr Shaun StevensonMcGall and Cllr Jess David
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removed to facilitate the current interim stand. The reinstated permanent stand will provide seating for approximately 3,274 spectators, a reduction of 926 seats relative to the current interim stand. The height to the main roof of the reinstated stand will be 2.97 metres lower than the roof of the interim stand.” They go on to say: “The outward effect of the proposal is to replace the superstructure of a stadium stand with an essentially similar stand that is smaller. “Hence, in terms of heritage impact, whatever the effect of the current structure, the proposed replacement structure has correspondingly reduced impact – reduced visual impact (on the Conversation Area, World Heritage site and setting of listed buildings) and reduced impact on views across the site. “The heritage impact of the physical proposal itself is not only ‘less than substantial, it is entirely positive.”
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With its gentle brook, mature trees and play equipment Moorfields Sandpits on Monksdale Road is a favourite playground for many families and children. The Friends of Sandpits park now have a notice board to share news and information with the local community. The noticeboard was funded using ward councillor empowerment funding from Moorlands and Oldfield Park wards. Cllr Jess David said: ““We are delighted to use part of our local funding to support the Friends of Sandpits Park. “The friends group plays an important role in looking after this much loved play park and we hope the noticeboard will help them to help share information about their activities and get more people involved.”
To advertise, contact Erica on erica@bathvoice.co.uk or call 07402 441485
July 2021
n NEWS IN BRIEF Covid-19 rapid flow tests plus more news PCR Tests. The authorities have requested that anyone with Covid-19 symptoms should take a rapid flow test (PCR test). After the test you should then isolate until you receive your test result. Call 119 or visit www.gov.uk/ get-coronavirus-test to book a test. Around one in three people with Covid-19 have no symptoms. That’s why it’s important we all get into the habit of regular, twice-weekly rapid testing. Taking a rapid test is easy. There are more than 40 places in Bath and North East Somerset where you can collect a test kit, most are local pharmacies. You can also order a test kit for delivery to your home. You can also visit one of the rapid test and collect hubs in Bath, Keynsham or Midsomer Norton: 3 Burton Street, Bath, BA1 1BN; Ashton Way car park, Ashton Way Keynsham, BS31 2UF; South Road car park, South Road, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2DB. New Metro Mayor: The new West of England Mayor (known as the Metro Mayor) Labour’s Dan Norris has started work with the body that is designed to bring together local authority areas of Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and Bath and North East Somerset to attract investment in the region. Elected in May former MP Dan Norris previously worked across the area as an NSPCC trained child protection officer. Dan’s home is in Pensford. He has lived in St Paul’s, Hartcliffe, Knowle, Whitchurch, Winterbourne, Coalpit Heath and Bath but sadly supports Bristol City FC rather than Bath City FC. We can’t all be perfect. New PCC: The new Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), the Conservative’s Mark Shelford of Bear Flat was elected in May and has started work in the post. His key responsibilities are holding the police to account through the Chief Constable; being accountable to local people; setting the strategic direction and accountability for policing; setting policing priorities in consultation with communities and consulting, involving, and engaging with local people. His first job is to find a new Chief Constable after the resignation of Andy Marsh.
July 2021
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n NEWS Made in Bath: Tyrone Mings By Harry Mottram. Unless you don’t have a TV or radio it is hard not to notice there is the small matter of the European Football Championship taking place - and Bath has a distinguished footnote in the competition. Born in Bath in 1993 Tyrone Mings has played his part in the England team’s campaign with the opening win over Croatia. Brought up in nearby Chippenham Tyrone went on to play for the town’s team before being signed by Ipswich Town in December 2012 making his debut on the final day of the 2012–13 season. He has subsequently played for AFC Bournemouth in 2015 and Aston Villa before being selected for the England squad for the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament as a centre back. His dad Adie Mings was a striker and played for Bath City and remains in the game as a scout for Chelsea in London. Tyrone’s career is similar to many on the fringes of the professional game as at times he
Tyrone Mings almost dropped out of the sport working at a pub and as a mortgage advisor. However his talent was recognised and he attended Millfield school on a football scholarship which helped him find a place in Yate Town’s team. Now established within the elite players of the country he has remained ‘grounded’ to use the popular phrase. He spent Christmas in 2013 according to reporters helping a homeless charity and has opened a football academy in Birmingham for children - and his life all began in Bath.
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Tying the knot just got easier By Harry Mottram. Many will have asked the question why it is that thousands of mainly men can celebrate football matches with no social distancing and scant regard for the Covid-19 rules when wedding parties were restricted to just 30 guests. Finally the Government has eased restrictions meaning as long as there are social distancing measures in place more than 30 guests can attend. But rules on face coverings, table service, singing and dancing remain in place.
Bear Flat photographer Beata Cosgove (pictured) said the restrictions had led to couples postponing their nuptials several times as the pandemic played out. “One couple welcomed the smaller wedding as it left money to spend on a holiday,” she said, “but most want a big wedding with all their family and friends present.” Alastair and Alexandra enter a guard of bicycle wheels at their wedding at Homewood in Bath in 2018. Photo by Beata Cosgrove of Bear Flat
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July 2021
Multi-use games, walk to school and the pools By Harry Mottram. We begin with Cllr Sarah Moore of Twerton and Whiteway who with her fellow councillor Tim Ball have secured funding for a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) to be put into Rosewarn Park. They have been working closely with Curo and the order has now been placed. There is a pre-installation meeting at the beginning of July and the installation will take approximately three weeks. Curo will then be looking at the remainder of the park to see what residents would like to see there. There has also been news on
Cllr Kevin Guy and Cllr Richard Samuel at the Cleveland Pools to inspect the progress of the work
Walk to school in Widcombe the Twerton Mill Air BNB. Cllr Moore said: “We are pleased to confirm that the application to allow partial use of Twerton Mill Student Accommodation to be used for Air BNB accommodation has been refused. “After a number of objections, it was agreed that this application
should be refused.” Now to Cllr Jess David of Moorlands who has been running the walking bus to Widcombe Primary School for two years. She said last month: “Happy Walk to School Week from the Widcombe walking bus. Women holding hands now two years in, helps more families walk to school, it reduces car journeys and congestion around the school.” Donald Twaine on Twitter said he would like a similar scheme established at St John’s Primary School at Oldfield Park where he described the congestion around dropping off and picking up times as a disgrace. In reply Cllr David said: “The walking bus is a parent-led initiative. I’m happy to talk to anyone on how this was set up. We had support from the council’s sustainable school travel officer - working with lots of schools on transport planning.” Over in Combe Down Cllr and
Close to the Coop store in Pulteney Road (South) is the Widcombe Baptist Church which has been undergoing updates. The Church is part of the Baptist Union of Great Britain. The church traces its origins to Holland in 1607 and John Smyth and Thomas Helwy and the ‘Separatists’
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Dr Bharat Pankhania tweets regularly about medical matters and the issue of Covid-19 and vaccinations in particular. He wrote last month that: “The sooner UK starts immunising the younger age group the better. Protection from infection and potential long covid. Immunised people are less infectious. Potential cross protection from severe disease causing future variants.” The new council leader Kevin Guy posts on social media regularly. On June 3 he wrote: “Cllr Richard Samuel and I went to see the ongoing works to restore Cleveland Pools today, Britain’s oldest lido dating back over 200 years. “This is an amazing, historic community asset and feat of engineering, with heated water coming from heat pumps in the adjacent river. “When it reopens it’s sure to provide a great boost to the local area and economy.”
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With recent building work taking place the Widcombe Baptist Church has moved to explain what has been going on at its St Matthew’s Place site. Ross Evans of the Church said residents could not fail to notice the building site in their car park. He said: “There were several reasons for the church embarking on this project, the need for more space for Sunday School and Youth Groups, to make better use of available space by re-shaping various rooms and to make the building more attractive. “So far, reactions have been very favourable, and groups such as the Friday Youth Groups and Toddlers all seem very pleased. We
To advertise, contact Erica on erica@bathvoice.co.uk or call 07402 441485
are looking forward to other groups such as Craft Together and Coffee Plus starting before much longer, and have plans for other groups to start later in the year.” The church is part of the Baptist Union and is considered to be the fifth largest Christian denomination with 40 million worshippers world wide. Best known for their immersion practice of baptism the church is more than 400 years old being founded in the Post Reformation of the early 17th century. Initially known as dissenters for refusing to be part of the Church of England critics called them baptists which was an insult - but a name they eventually embraced.
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Another twist in the on-off plans to build on Tufa Field
Top: the field with deer grazing and below the Friends of Tufa Field
By Harry Mottram. After the new Council leader Kevin Guy said in May the development planned for Tufa Field off Englishcombe Lane would no longer be pursued there was relief for the campaigners. Now that relief seems short lived. Campaigners had hoped the plans to build a housing estate on the environmentally sensitive green field site had been shelved but they believe that a potential new planning application could be back on the table. Bath Voice understands that Cllr Kevin Guy has been forced to rethink his initial decision due to legal and financial commitments to the tune of £750,000 if a development doesn’t proceed, although the Aequus plans for 37 homes has been scratched completely. It is understood he has ordered planners to come back with a number of options which could mean a smaller limited development with a new planning
application or some other undisclosed future for the Tufa Field or indeed to leave it as a nature reserve. The Friends of Tufa Field describe the change as a ‘stunning u-turn, reinforcing the public’s view of politicians’ although Bath Voice understands the Friends will be part of consultations in future. A meeting took place in June between interested parties with Cllr Kevin Guy, local councillor Cllr Jess David and the Friends in which the ‘bombshell’ news was discussed and explained. The new leader of the Council has inherited a number of ‘hot potato’ issues from his predecessor Cllr Dine Romero who dramatically stepped down in what some sections of the media described as ‘infighting’ as a series of stories caused eruptions - from the future of the Approach Golf Course, to the implementation of the Clean Air Zone.
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July 2021
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n NEWS IN BRIEF
The Food Festival is off the menu Food Festival postponed: The great nosh up set to take place this month known as the Bath Food Festival at Bath Recreation Ground has been postponed until next summer. After months of planning with an impressive line-up of talented celebrity chefs, experts and stallholders attending, the organisers said due to the uncertainty of whether everything would be back to normal this month led to them hedging their bets and pulling the event until 2022. Traffic ban: Cleveland Bridge is now closed for up to three months to traffic as repairs and maintenance to the Grade II listed building takes place. Although the bridge is almost 200 years old, and was originally built for pedestrians and horsedrawn carriages, until its closure was carrying up to 17,000 vehicles a day, including coaches and heavy goods lorries weighing up to 44 tonnes. As part of the A36 it is a vital link for vehicles travelling across the area. The cost of the renovation will be just under £4m, with over £3.5m of this coming from the Department for Transport. Bath waters: Bath MP Wera Hobhouse, Member of Parliament has been elected vice chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Swimming. Bath is home to one of only two national performance centres for swimming in England, the other being Loughborough. Recently nine swimmers based out
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of Bath were selected for the upcoming Tokyo Olympic team. The swimming pools at Better, Bath Sports and Leisure Centre have recently undergone an £8 million update including the refurbishment of the main 25-metre pool hall, as well as a new teaching pool. There are also pools at Fitness First in James Street, Combe Grove, Thermae Bath Spa, Team Bath Sports Training Village, Garden Spa by L’Occitane, Culverhay Leisure Centre (currently unavailble) and of course the River Avon for wild swimming at Warleigh Weir and eventually Cleveland Pools when the renovations are complete next year. The North Somerset coast is the nearest seaside where swimming can take place at high tide although most head further west and south for a sea swim to resorts such as Seaton and Beer. Entry Hill: the hill’s community association has spelt out some red lines over development in the celebrated area following the future plans for the Entry Hill Golf Course. In a statement the association said: “BANES have selected a Bristolbased business called Pedal Progression, as their preferred bidder to operate the Entry Hill Golf Course site as a Mountain Bike park. Negotiation is underway between BANES and Pedal Progession on the details of a contract for the development and operation of the Bath Bike Park. The red lines include: supporting the Liveable Neighbourhood plans, opposing an increase in traffic levels in the area, keeping the golf course area an open access site for exercise and recreation and investment in a café as a community hub. Plus the preservation of the existing wildlife populations on the site; and improving biodiversity and proper regard for safety issues arising from contamination on site, as well as
adequate site security to ensure safety and comfort for neighbouring homes and finally a comprehensive engagement with the community and co-design of the site proposals. New top cop: The chief constable’s second-in-command is set to lead Avon and Somerset Police for six months when he leaves the force this month. The chief constable’s second-in-command deputy chief constable Sarah Crew will hold the top job for six months while a new
chief constable is recruited. Andy Marsh, who took the top job in 2016, will leave the post on July 1 after deciding not to renew his contract, saying it was the right time for a new challenge.Appointing his replacement is one of the first tasks of new police and crime commissioner Mark Shelford. Ms Crew joined Avon and Somerset Police in 1994 and was appointed deputy chief constable in June 2017.
Clean Air Zone equals thousands in cash By Local Democracy Reporter: Drivers are clocking up fines worth tens of thousands of pounds a day for entering Bath’s Clean Air Zone and not paying the charge. Figures shared with councillors reveal that more than 54,000 charges have been paid since the zone launched in March and 28,000 £120 fines have been issued. That means a third of drivers in noncompliant vehicles are failing to pay the daily charge within six days of entering the zone. For the first eight weeks Bath and North East Somerset Council employed “soft enforcement” and said it would only seek to recover the entry charge and not the fine on top. That period is now over and it has clocked up more than £560,000 in paid charges but only a fraction of the seven-figure sum it is owed in fines. There are early signs the zone – introduced on March 15 to tackle illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide in the city – is changing behaviours, with the number of non-compliant vehicles entering it reducing, although residents have raised concerns that the traffic is being displaced. Around a fifth of the fines have been issued to Bath and North East Somerset residents.
Around 40,000 vehicles drive into the clean air zone each day. Private cars are exempt but drivers of non-compliant vans, taxis and private hire vehicles face a £9 daily charge, while those behind the wheel of a bus, coach or HGV have to pay £100 a day. Anyone who fails to pay the charge within six days of entering the zone will be sent a £120 fine, a sum that is halved if paid within 14 days. The council has employed a firm to recover money it is owed from drivers from outside the UK. As of June 15 entry charges worth more than £564,000 had been paid, suggesting most were smaller vehicles liable to the £9 daily fee, while the fines brought in a further £117,000. If all 28,000 drivers paid within 14 days the fines would be worth nearly £1.7million. The city’s bus fleet is almost compliant but the pandemic has caused a shortage of retrofit components. The income from the scheme funds the running costs, while any surplus gets reinvested in the council’s transport policies. A report on the first three months of the zone will be published late in the summer.
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Former engineer and public spirited guitar man (and DJ)
By Harry Mottram. For 20 or more years musician Len Liechti was on the Bristol, Bath and the South West live music circuit playing guitar and bringing to life the chart hits of the day. Originally from Brighton Len studied engineering in Bath where he met his wife Sue and has stayed ever since. “I got a job at Rolls Royce after college and never went back to Brighton,” he said, “but I also worked as a musician back in the day when I was in a covers band. “Every Saturday night we played the music that the punters wanted, including the hits of Slade and the BeeGees. “I would sing all the Barry Gibb parts and I’d play other instruments as well - and I did that from the 1970s to the 1990s.” Before the pandemic hit Len was still playing in gigs, open mic nights and hitting the road with his last band Around the Block.
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Sadly they are no longer around as the members have split but it has given Len a chance to take a break. “I’ll take it a bit easier when the restrictions are over as I’m 72 now and so I’ll just do the open mic nights,” he explained, “I don’t have to make a living from it but some of my friends do and the pandemic has been difficult for musicians and I do feel for them.”
Len outside the Radio Station at RUH
Bath Radio’s Len Liechti where he plays all types of music on a Friday morning After working as an engineer Maddie and doing a bit of litter he moved into computing in the picking and keeping Bath tidy. insurance industry before finally And another outlet for his a spell at the RUH. talents if Bath Radio, formerly “I worked in medical Bath Hospital Radio. Two years pathology which is basically agon a fellow musician Chris testing fluid samples,” he said, “I Rogers asked Len if he fancied worked there for 12 years.” being a DJ. Father of three grown up “I thought why not,” he children with several recalled, “It’s something I’d never grandchildren he and Sue have done before, I also know a lot lived in their home in Newbridge about music, I’d worked at the Road since 1982. Like many RUH and it’s voluntary - a people he found the lockdown a charity.” strain but found an outlet in Catch Len’s music show every going for walks with his dog Friday morning on Bath Radio.
Monday am Hillside Hall, Oldfield Park Call Sarah on 07881 758292
Wednesday am Leafy Lane, Corsham Call Jane on 07857 147093
Thursday pm The Parish Hall, Weston Call Sarah on 07881 758292
Friday am The Rugby Club, Combe Down Call Cher on 07824 336925
Tuesday pm St Mark’s School, Larkhall Call Emma on 07886 629496
Wednesday pm Percy Community Centre Bath City Centre Call Jane on 07857 147093
Thursday pm The Methodist Church Southdown Call Jane on 07857 147093
Saturday am Odd Down Sports Ground Call Emma on 07886 629496
Wednesday pm Saltford Hall, Saltford Call Cher on 07824 336925
Friday am The Methodist Church Southdown Call Jane on 07857 147093
Tuesday pm St Michael’s School, Twerton Call Sarah on 07881 758292
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July 2021
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An amateur watercolour artist herself, Pippas said there will be artists in three venues – Widcombe Social Club, The Natural Theatre Company and St. Matthews Church. Visitor numbers will be controlled, one-way systems in place, masks worn indoors and hand sanitisers readily available. Pippa is a former architect who has lived in the city for 30 years, taking on the role that for years was held by Sarah Lewis and then Caroline Davis who has stood down. To take part you can apply online: https://form.jotform. com/210964208723354 Or email Pippa Wrigley on mandp@wrigleyrosebank.co.uk Arts Trail: painting by Catherine Beale featuring the canal in Bath for details.
The project that is battling the problem of ‘rampaging courgettes’ By Harry Mottram. This time of year can see gardens and allotments overwhelmed with courgettes, tomatoes and all manner of vegetables and fruit as nature’s gifts
Sam Rudd said the project helps to alleviate the problem of ‘rampaging courgettes’ on allotments in the summer as nature goes into overdrive
appear in abundance. They got together with Deborah So much of it potentially is wasted as Griffin, Fiona Bell and Joe Lavington there’s simply too much - until now. who have helped to put the project A group in Bath are ensuring that together. at least some of it goes to people who “They needed someone to join for whatever reason can’t access fresh the dots and coordinate it - so as a produce. volunteer that’s my role,” he said, Sam Rudd is the project co“This was back in 2020 in July so ordinator of CropDrop that is that’s when I joined in although I’d increasing the local supply of fruit and worked with Food Cycle before as I Willow Gardeners Oct 20.qxp_Layout 1 11/09/2020 vegetables to community projects and was free at the time.” organisations. Before getting involved Sam had “At the moment we are a been a chef after studying food and community group as we only started nutrition at Bath Spa University and last year,” he said, “there are four of us undertaking a masters degree in - I joined a bit later plus there’ s also Dr Exeter in food and sustainable Lyn Barham, Food Convenor of agriculture. Transition Bath and Milly Carmichael, “Food brings people together, who is the B&NES Food Poverty and I want people to share good Officer.” food,” he explained, “we all sit down
three times a day and good food is for everyone.” In 2020 CropDrop did 158 drops from 17 producers to 21 places of greatest need. He said the idea ‘had legs’ - as now there are five other cities copying their model in distributing fresh produce to those in need. In the Bath area these include 08:58 Page 1 Keynsham Children’s Centre, the Bath Area Play Project, Oasis Pantry, Bath vegan Food Bank, Southside Youth Hub, Threeways Special School and many more. Allotment holders arrange with the group for a pick up - a volunteer driver arrives and takes the food box to the recipient. For more info and to help visit https://www.cropdrop.org.uk/
Gardening, comedy and more news from the Widcombe community By Harry Mottram. Britain’s biggest and best (with deference to Moorland Road, Entry Hill, Bear Flat and any other nearby organisations) Widcombe Community Association last month discussed a number of topics with news of events and activities beginning to come Lazarus-like back to life. Talking Points included Bath in Bloom. The competition is not just for big gardens but also small plots, window boxes, allotments of community cultivated spaces and although the deadline has passed for entries it is hoped Widcombe will make a good showing. Bath is being judged in the Britain in Bloom Southwest competition on July 7th by judges Lesley Jellyman and Su Maddocks. Next up are the friends of Lyncombe Hill Fields who have been busy mowing, establishing a notice board and improving the community nature reserve. They have been mowing the meadows following advice from Avon Wildlife Trust, and are now in recruiting volunteers to help with the work. To take part contact the Friends lyncombehillfields@ gmail.com. They work during periods of dry weather on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays over the summer - mostly in the mornings but some evenings as well. Onto the Garden Club who organised a trip last month to gardens at Wingfield on the
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Arts trail all set for August this year By Harry Mottram. There’s a new organiser behind the Widcombe Arts Trail this year: meet Pippa Wrigley. “Because of the restrictions the trial will only be in public places not in the artists’ studio,” she said. “It will take place on 28th and 29th August in three venues in Widcombe creating an artists’ quarter for the weekend. “We are putting out a call for local artists to take part as we still have some vacancies and you don’t have to live in Widcombe to take part but anywhere in the wider area.” The Art Trail committee commissioned a report on Covid safety and are following its guidelines to ensure public safety.
July 2021
The Friends of Lyncombe Hill Fields continue their work to transform the once neglected pastures below Alexandra Park into a community resource and nature reserve with seating, paths and this rather neat notice board. Their efforts are paying off with a mass of wild flowers appearing in the meadows and an increase in birdlife.
invitation of Janet and Marc Berlin to explore their Wiltshire gardens that include a large duck pond, lawns, ericaceous beds, orchard, vegetable garden, spinney and wild area of grass, trees with many wildflowers. The Widcombe Association have produced their magazine for the community which is back in print and is available in local shops. While on the topic of subway artwork there is some good news from the association. The subway mural will be started on 2 August which will be a great improvement to that approach to Widcombe. The association wished to thank those who have donated to the project. So far they have raised £290 towards the target of £500 with money still coming in. For details of the association visit their website at www. widcombeassociation.org.uk Widcombe has the added bonus of a thriving (well once the Covid-19 crisis is completely over) social club. It is now getting back to normal with some adjustments for obvious virus reasons. Nick Steel of the club said: “We’re now open again for public events and private hires. Friday Night Social is back every week in the bar, and regular ticketed comedy, music and film shows upstairs.” One much anticipated event is the Bath Comedy Festival based at the social club which will run from Friday 16th to Saturday 31st July. Nick Steel said details would be published on the club’s website along with news of the films and music events. And not forgetting the spiritual side of life things are also returning to normal (with some restrictions) at the churches of St Thomas and St Matt’s. Events include a Retreat Walk on Saturday, 10 July from Wells to Bath. That’s a 26 mile pilgrimage - although there is a support minibus should you flop. See their website for details of the services and events - and do visit St Thomas a Becket in Church Street - it’s a historic gem build in 1498.
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nNEWS IN BRIEF RC Bees: St John The Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in South Parade has taken delivery of four bee hives on the bank of the river, near Our Lady’s Garden. The Church said it is an experiment to see if the colonies would settle there and they were far enough away from the public to cause any stinging issues. Bath BID: Summer Sundays, is a family-friendly programme of entertainment, events and activities. Every Sunday visitors to the city centre will be able to soak up the festive atmosphere with free entertainment and activities like pop-up performances, from Jane Austen dancers to Jamma de Samba. On some Sundays, there will be a balloon artist out and about in the city centre, and on other dates, there will be free face painting. The Bath BID will also be holding free family-friendly arts and crafts workshops at 15 Cheap Street on some Summer Sundays. Family trails: This summer, the charity Julian House has organised what they call the Big Summer Scavenger Hunt running from Saturday 24th July to Saturday 7th August. Two trails have been set
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out under the title of ‘Super Spies’ for families to follow with one two miles long and one six miles in distance following the Bathscape area. To take part and to work out the clues along the way will give those who take part a chance to win prizes. See their website for details. Divorce increase: Stowe Family Law, has opened an office in Bath, which it says is in part to cater for the increase in divorce rates. The charity Citizens Advice has signalled it has seen a rise in those seeking separation or divorce via its website during the lockdowns. Hard statistics are hard to come by as official figures lag behind by around three years but in 2017 there were more than 100,000 divorces. Christmas market: Bath’s Christmas market will go ahead to support retailers in the city centre. the Council decided that moving the market to Victoria Park would be the “death knell” for businesses and it should remain in the centre. It is set to run from November 25 to December 12 but could yet be scaled back or cancelled based on Government guidance.
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Cooking up fun with an outdoor lesson with Mr Parsonage in the Forest School with Year 5 students at OPJS forest area, a large sports ground and lots of space for outdoor lessons.” Football matches have been taking place which he said was important for the children while there will be a end of year performance, a leavers day and an
activities week when normal classes are swapped for all manner of events. “It’s bonkers,” he said, “but in a good way. We have the Fire and Rescue people coming in to give talks, there is Bath Rugby Foundation calling in to run
through some coaching, and we have our own Forest School” Inside there’s a pupils’ display of scenes from the Blitz and the Battle of Britain when Bath was badly damaged by enemy bombs - the last time the school saw a major crisis that disrupted the curriculum.
First Asian deputy mayor inspiring those from different backgrounds By a Local Democracy Reporter The Bath’s first Asian deputy mayor is proud to be inspiring others from diverse backgrounds to get active in the community. Yukteshwar Kumar, known to most as Dr Kumar, was the first person of Indian heritage to be elected to Bath and North East Somerset Council – less than half an hour before results came in confirming Dr Bharat Pankania as the second – and is the member advocate for black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) issues. He has spoken out passionately against institutional racism, which he said is prevalent in political parties including his own, the Liberal Democrats, and wants to boost diversity in the council as BAME communities are underrepresented in the workforce.
Councillor Dr Kumar said: “I’m the first person from Asian heritage to be the deputy mayor of Bath. I’m also the first from a non-white group, although I know it’s a pejorative term. “I’m very proud of that. In 2002 there was a councillor for Walcot from Bangladesh, Wahid Chowdhury, who was selected to be the deputy mayor but just 12 days before the mayor-making ceremony he unfortunately died. “I was the first councillor of Indian heritage to be elected in Bath, 25 minutes before Bharat Pankhania. There’s a man who fled from Pakistan because of religious persecution and now lives in Bath.” Dr Kumar said he was delighted that his first deputy mayoral engagement was to open the Lord Jagannatha temple, the first in Bath,
the UK and beyond. He said Hindus will remember the efforts of Ashish and Sushmita Rajhansh in setting up what will be a valuable resource, particularly for east Asians who do not drink alcohol or go to pubs to socialise so can be left feeling isolated. The temple is a rented temporary home at the former Bath Community Academy campus but Dr Kumar said Hindus in Bristol and Swindon had been handed permanent premises by the local authorities. “We have half a billion pounds worth of properties,” he said. “The council needs to do something for all the other communities. Temples can act as a conduit between various communities. It’s open to everybody.”
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Oldfield Park Juniors sizzle up lessons outside as they get back to normal after Covis-19 closures By Harry Mottram. There’s a level of energy and activity that only exists in a Junior School - and now the children are back at Oldfield Junior School that energy is even more intense. “It’s sort of back to normal,” said headteacher Dave Goucher, “it’s been good to get all the children back in and to some extent we are playing catch-up after the closures. “Home schooling went well but Year 6 were the class who have had it hardest with less school time.” Like all schools there has been an investment in outside sinks, cleaning materials and washing facilities to combat Covid-19 with teaching staff wearing face masks when social distantcing is not possible. Children do not need to wear masks in school but there is an emphasis said Dave Goucher on cleanliness and the washing of hands. One thing the school has increased is the amount of activity and lessons that take place outside in the fresh air. “We get them out and about with lots of park activities, sports and lessons in the school grounds,” he said, “we are very lucky as we have what we call our
July 2021
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New outlet for Bath Voice plus cash for a tour firm, and Rolfey’s goes into house clearance New home for Rolfey’s: One of Bear Flat’s most well known businesses in the past - Rolfey’s has moved to Oldfield Park. For 20 years Dave Rolfe ran his antique and curiosity shop at Haye’s Place which became something of an institution in the community. However the business continued behind the scenes following the closure of the Bear Flat shop and has now reopened at Workman’s Yard, Claude Avenue in Oldfield Park. The business covers house clearances, valuations and the sale of all manner of household items both ancient and nearly new. Tour firm: A growing Bath business is set to receive a cash injection from the West of England Combined Authority led by the Metro Mayor Dan Norris. The funding will help “Wild Swim Bike Run” to create more new jobs. The firm runs guided tours and sell equipment for cycling, paddle boarding, kayak, open water swimming and camping. The grant of £4,500 will fund the establishment of a cycle mechanic training centre. Bath Voice: The monthly magazine has a new outlet where readers can pick up a copy. The Hub Mulberry Park - the community building at the former MOD site at Foxhill in Combe Down - is the latest outlet for Bath Voice monthly news review magazine. The Hub has a shop, a takeaway, spaces for hire and a long list of
support and coach you. Details at http://www.bapp.org. uk/
Owl spot: the new outlet for Bath Voice at The Hub activities and training classes from yoga to dance. Bath Area Play Project: The project are looking for friendly and playful people to volunteer as part of teams supporting children aged 5+ years to have a fun time playing and socialising with their friends and families during the school holidays. If you’re 14 years + and have a positive attitude, then put in an application and you could gain experience with helping the local community. All positions require satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check where necessary. Various schemes are running during the main school holidays including from 22nd July to 18th August, either in holiday playschemes in Bath or community pop up play sessions across B&NES and you will be working with experienced playworkers who will
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coolventures.co.uk/fundedsupport/funded-support-banes/ or contact directly on info@ coolventures.co.uk or 08000 4182. P11D deadline: Robert Buckland who is behind the website Bath Business News has an article by Pearson May partner Matthew Rutter about benefits and expenses provided to employees. These in the year to April 5, 2021, must be reported to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and by way of the P11D process by July 6, 2021. He writes: “Where required, forms P11D ‘Expenses and Benefits’ have to be submitted to HMRC, together with the annual Employer Declaration form P11D(b), and all of these forms must be submitted to HMRC by July 6, 2021, to avoid late filing penalties. “A copy of the form P11D must also be passed to the employee in question by the same date. Payment of the Class 1A National Insurance liability arising on the business is payable by July 19 or 22, 2021.” The former shop window for Rolfey’s in Bear Flat. The business has moved to Oldfield Park. The Hayes Place property is now an estate agent
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July 2021
successful merger of BMI Healthcare Limited (“BMI”) and Circle Health Holdings Limited (“Circle Health”) Circle Health, was required by the Competition and Markets Authority to divest Circle Bath Hospital. The hospital will cater for outpatient, diagnostic, surgical and rehabilitation patients and will take private work as well. Around 500,000 people are potentially cared for by the RUH with patients in Bath and North East Somerset as well as Wiltshire and across county borders where appropriate. The RUH said: “We are keen to maintain the private patient service at Sulis Hospital Bath, offering choice for patients and providing income to support patient care. “ The RUH’s CEO Cara CharlesBanks said: “Acquiring Sulis Hospital Bath will allow us to increase the number of NHS patients we treat,
incredible first decade for our hospital. We are still a leading private healthcare facility offering outstanding care to patients in Bath and the surrounding areas and this will not change. With our new partner, we can grow and develop and our services and expand our region’s healthcare offering for all patients.” The Trust said the acquisition means that the Trust now owns 100% shares in Sulis Hospital Bath and that it is a subsidiary organisation of the RUH. Under the new ownership, any additional income earned from private healthcare will be reinvested in high quality services for all patients at the two hospital sites.
Mission Theatre sees bright new 99 year future By Harry Mottram: Following a meeting with the Council, the Mission Theatre has been saved despite the hole in the roof. And it’s all due to something called a Community Asset Transfer which means B&NES owns the Mission Theatre in Corn Street but following a debate in the Guildhall last month the Council agreed to extend the lease to the theatre for 99 years on the proviso that the space was opened up for more community activities. The theatre’s effective managing director and artistic director of the in-house theatre company - Next Stage - Ann Ellison said it meant they could now plan for the future. “We are looking to introduce Next Stage Dance, to expand Next Stage youth theatre and to open up where possible the theatre for day time and lunch time use for community activities,” she said, “along with an outreach programme to schools in B&NES, and we can improve the fabric of the building. “It means Bath will have a community theatre in the city centre saved from dereliction and
it will save us £15,500 a year which we pay to the council.” Following a scrutiny meeting with the council in which the request for a Community Asset Transfer had been called in by one of the councillors. That led to a long debate and presentation by Ann and three other supporters who managed to persuade the councillors that making the Mission Theatre more of a community venue would benefit more people rather than trying to find a new tenant when the current lease runs out in eight years. One of the clinchers may have been the roof - or rather the hole in the roof that lets water drip down into the former place of worship. The theatre has never lost money on a production and has raised more £38,000 towards the £110,000 needed to renovate the roof and the fact they have so far done so much to reach the target certainly swung some councillors. A new tenant would have to fork out a huge amount of cash just to take on the building. Ann explained: “We definitely
A bid has been put in for a National Lottery Heritage Grant and in the meantime the fundraising continues along with a new programmer of shows and music events. “We reopened as soon as we were allowed after the lockdown,” she said, “with The Memory of Water which is the most rehearsed play we’ve ever staged as it was originally cast and read through in 2019, but it was postponed in 2020 twice. “The drama was about to open last autumn when the next lockdown came in.” With the restrictions the theatre’s capacity has been forced to cut the Ann Ellison of the Mission Theatre number of seats available which need help with an injection of cash, doesn’t help the theatre’s finances. After each performance all the as my concern is if the appeal runs for months into the winter there’s a seats have to be unclipped and rearranged to create the new problem. bubbles for the following night. “Every time it rains it seeps in Ann and Andrew set up Next through the cracks, the slates are Stage Theatre in 1994 and got broken, the lead guttering is hitched 20 years later. Her daughter fractured in many places and the Alexa also takes a leading role roof timbers are rotten. behind the scenes. There is also “The longer it is left the more essential back up from Brian Howe, damage is done by the weather and the more expensive it will be to Alison Paine, David Gosling and Caroline Groom. repair it.”
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Looking forward to a new season at Twerton Park
The Sulis Hospital Bath has been acquired by the RUH for an undisclosed sum. Picture: BBC
whilst maintaining high quality care for both private and NHS patients,” she said. “With our local health partners, we are absolutely committed to minimising the amount of time our patients have to wait for planned operations.” The Trust said that patients ‘don’t need to do anything different as a result of this acquisition and can be assured that they will receive the same excellent care’ as the same staff who care for them in Peasedown St John will remain in post. Lesley Lock, Sulis Hospital Bath, Hospital Director, said: “The launch of Sulis Hospital Bath will be the second chapter to what has been an
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The RUH remains ‘tight lipped’ over cost of buying private hospital By Harry Mottram: The Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust has bought a private hospital for an undisclosed sum. Circle Bath (now known as Sulis Hospital Bath) located in Peasedown St John has been purchased using NHS funds said the RUH. They said: “The amount paid is confidential due to being commercially sensitive.” Despite this there will inevitably be speculation over how much the deal has cost the NHS. Back at the time of the Brexit referendum those campaigning for leaving the EU put a figure of £350 million to construct a new hospital while the reconstruction of Bart’s hospital in London cost £1.1bn although central London is obviously more expensive than Peasedown St John. The RUH said that following the
July 2021
By Harry Mottram: The Romans have announced their July pre-season tour with matches against Larkhall Athletic on Saturday, 3rd July, a tricky fixture against Frome Town on the 6th with an evening kick-off for that one, and finally they play local power house Keynsham Town on Friday 30th at 8pm. It’s been a tough few weeks for the club at Twerton Park with their season curtailed by Covid-19 after opposition teams contracted the virus. The league unfairly fined them and other clubs for failing to fulfill fixtures creating a financial crisis. Bath City Football Club are nothing without the community that backs the black and whites and so it came to pass that a fundraising effort helped to solve the immediate problems. The chairman Nick Blofeld said in an open letter to supporters: “I
just wanted to send a note out to say yet another huge thank you for your generosity and support for the recent Bath City Bounce Back Appeal. “This will go a long way towards helping get us fully open again, having dealt with the issues raised during the Safety Advisory Group on their visit to the ground earlier in the year, along with the pitch work and fines. “And another “shout out” to the volunteers who rolled up their sleeves and helped with the physical preparation that we could do ourselves, so that we only had to outsource the more technical elements that needed external, and costly, expertise.” With the new season only weeks ahead the club said that Dan Ball, Jack Batten, Ryan Clarke, Ryan Harley and Tom Richards are returning for the 2021/22 season. Meanwhile Will Henry and
Top girls: Bath Ladies Rugby squad. Bath Rugby are promoting the female game
Home and away: Bath City play in black and white stripes at home and flip to orange and black when on the road in the National League South Callum Evans will be leaving the Romans but the club has thanked them for their commitment to the
team in a difficult year. The team finished the incompleted season in mid table.
Care in your own home No need for an expensive care home
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Truely exciting of the Bath and District Football for having a brochure today times for the fast growing sport for SundayCall League finished mid Call for aCall brochure today today for a brochure 9860710 / Freephone: 0800 111 4885 / Freephone: women - helped in part by the BBC 0117 table in the disrupted 2020-2021 0117 9860710 0800a 111 4885 111 4885 Call for brochure today 0117 9860710 / Freephone: 0800 Callfeatherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk for a brochure today screening international matches. Email: seaon. featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk Email: Call for a brochure today Call for a brochure today Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk Cricket: The first XI of Bath Cricket Thewww.featherbedhomecare.co.uk Bears: Bear Flat Cricket Club’s 0117 9860710 / Freephone: 0800 111 4885 0117 9860710 / Freephone: 0800Call 111for 4885 a brochure today www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk 0117 9860710 / Freephone: 0800 111 4885 Club have three home fixtures at First XI take on Swindon on www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk 0117 9860710 / Freephone: 0800 111 4885 Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk North Parade this month in the Saturday, 3rd July; Burbage & Email: Email: Call for a brochure today Call fo Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk West of England Premier League. Easton Royal on the 17th, www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk 0117 9860710 / Freephone: 0800 111 4885 www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk 0117 9860710 / They are against Cheltenham on Bradford-On-Avon on the 18th and Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk Saturday 10th July, Taunton on the Marlborough on the 31st. Email: featherbed
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Robin Hood, comedy returns and a chance for a day at the races
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By day she’s a mum and at night Kate Bush
Finally things are beginning to look like normal with theatres, clubs, pubs and cinemas open as usual. There’s always the fear of the return of Covid-19 and more restrictions so always check the events are still on before you book or make a special journey. racing on the flat, first race at 4.30pm. Evening meeting. Thu 8 Jul. Widcombe Wobblers. Cycle ride to Wheelwrights pub at Monkton Combe. Meet at 6.30pm under the London Plain Tree. Details on Widcombe Association website. Thu 8 and Fri 9 Jul. Mission Theatre. Queen Margaret by Jeanie O’Hare. Downpour Theatre Company. Inspired by Shakespeare’s tetralogy (Henry VI Parts I, II & III, Richard III), Jeanie O’Hare uses original Shakespearean text alongside new dialogue to retell the Wars of the Roses through the eyes of Margaret of Anjou. Sat 10 Jul. Mission Theatre. Captain Breadbeard’s Bready Brilliant Comedy Cookbook. Presented by Captain Breadbeard Productions. 2pm and 5pm. Tue 13 Jul. Bath Racecourse. Lansdown. 12noon meeting. Horse racing on the Flat. Fri 16 to Sat 31 Jul. Bath Comedy Festival. Widcombe Social Club. Details to be announced. See https://www.bathcomedy.com/ Mon 12-Thu 24 Jul. Theatre Royal Bath. Charlie and Stan. Biopic of the great comedy double act. Wed 14 Jul. Rondo Theatre. The Curse of the Sapphire Blade. By Russell Eccleston. Presented by Black Dog Productions. Two
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n WHAT’S ON
Thu 1 Jul. Chapel Arts. Blair Dunlop. British singer-songwriter and guitarist. Fri 2 Jul. Rondo Theatre. Cut Bait. Written by Pippa Thornton and Performed by Maia Tassalini. Presented by Flipside Production - a comedy about Nina and her quest for love on dating sites. Mon 28 Jun-Sat 3 Jul. Theatre Royal Bath. A Splinter of Ice. Drama. Thu 1 Jul. The Forum. Jane McDonald – Let the Light In. The BAFTA award-winning star with her live band and backing singers. Sat 3 Jul. Rondo Theatre. Stiff and Kitsch: Bricking It. Comedy by Rhiannon Neads, Sally O’Leary and James Taylor. From the creators of hit show Adele Is Younger Than Us, Bricking It is a story of life’s favourite fears, told through one big night out and one miserable morning after. Sun, 4 Jul. Comedy. Frank Skinner. Theatre Royal Bath. 7.30pm. Following a run at the Garrick Theatre in London Frank brings his Shoxbiz show to Bath. Mon 5-Sat 10 Jul. Theatre Royal Bath. The Woman In Black. Spooky drama that will give you the shivers. Tue 6 – Fri 9 Jul. Rondo Theatre. 4000 Miles. By Amy Herzog Presented by Rondo Theatre Company. A bitter sweet drama of the clash between the generations. Wed 7 Jul. Bath Racecourse. Horse
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Atalanta Ladies play football: the drama comes to Bear Flat this month with the cast of Elizabeth Robin, Thomas Cotran, James McLean and Rachel Benson bounty hunters, a mercenary, a pixie and a living legend, what could possibly go wrong? Comedy drama. Thu 15 Jul. Olly Murs. The Royal Crescent. The singer will perform his biggest hits, including tracks from his album ‘Never Been Better’. Thu 15 & Fri 16 Jul. Rondo Theatre. Bath Opera perform Gioacchino Rossini’s The Barber of Seville. Figaro uses all his cunning and brains in a complex comedy of errors featuring the beautiful Rosina and a cast of eccentric characters. Fri 16 Jul. Widcombe Social Club. Comedy. Permission To Laugh. Bath Comedy will be presenting a two week Comedy Festival from today to Sat 31st July. Fri 16-Sat 17 Jul. Holburne Museum. Outdoor production of Robin Hood. 7pm. Three Inch Fools production with wildly-inventive story-telling, fast-paced drama, a host of musical instruments and many a quick costume change along the way! Sat 17 Jul. Bath Guildhall. Live performance of the King Solomon and Queen of Sheba Opera. Thu 22 Jul. Mission Theatre.
The public return to Bath’s Racecourse this month with an afternoon and an evening meeting at Lansdown
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Kate Bush Stripped! Presented by Moments of Pleasure: The Music of Kate Bush at 7.30pm. Fri 23-Sun 25 Jul. Shakespeare Undone! Outside the Assembly Rooms, Bath. Rondo Theatre and The Natural Theatre Company combine to put some humour into the streets of Bath and the Bard’s unknown play penned when he was a school boy - apparently.
Widcombe Social Club has a new season of events including comedy Sun 25 Jul. Bloomfield Allotments. Outdoor theatre. 1pm. Atalanta Forever. Cast of four from Mikron Theatre dramatise the story of women’s football in 1920. Fri 30 Jul. Bath Racecourse. Kaiser Chiefs. Rock concert. Sat 7 Aug. Widcombe Wobblers. Cycle ride to the Druids Arms at Stanton Drew. Meet at 10am under the London Plain Tree. Details on Widcombe Association website. Sat-Sun, 7-8 Aug. The Bath Festival Finale Weekend. The Rec. Music from McFly, Scouting for Girls, Billy Ocean and UB40. Also on the line-up are solo artists Hannah Grace and Casey Lowry, Wiltshire based indie trio Port Erin and grunge influenced Life in Mono fronted by Sarah Clayton and Bath band Luna Lake will take to the Big Top stage. Sun 22 Aug. Bike Bath. Bike Bath is a day of short, medium and long marked rides, taking in the best scenery of Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. www.bikebath.co.uk/
Facebook takes a lot of criticism for some of its policies but for putting the word out it’s become the go-to media. And that’s how Lisa-Marie, 39, from North Bristol became the voice of Kate Bush. Or rather she was able to put together a band who could celebrate the music and lyrics of the artist behind the hits of Wuthering Heights, The Man with the Child in His Eyes, Babooshka and Running Up That Hill. “People and friends have told me I sound like Kate Bush and I had always loved her music,” she said, “and so I put a call out on Facebook
to see if there were musicians who might be interested in forming a band - not to be a tribute group or to mirror her sound, voice and performance style - but to celebrate her music.” Although on stage fully made up and dressed like Kate Bush in the daytime Lisa-Maries is a mum of four and a make-up artist. The Kate Bush thing began when she went through her mum’s record collection - vinyl of course - from the 1970s and 1980s when she was 12. She said: “I was struck by this amazing woman! That voice! That otherworldly music that seemed to transport me somewhere else!
Always telling a different story!” After that semincal moment Lisa-Marie honed her voice by singing along to her records and performing Kate’s dance moves in front of a bedroom mirror. She studied musical theatre before embarking on a musical career with a number of bands including colaborating with her longtime friend The Mission Theatre is the venue for a and former musical theatre tutor night of music celebrating Kate Bush John Furlong. And then came the idea of Mark Fevan, the band Moments of performing a show that would Pleasure was born. emulate and celebrate Kate Bush and Lisa-Marie will perform her that FaceBook post. show Kate Bush Stripped: the Music With the addition of a Mark of Kate Bush, at the Mission Theatre Brown, Rob Miles, John Furlong and on July 22.
n THEATRE REVIEWS
Sisterly secrets flow out in The Memory of Water
All memories are false except for mine – your memories are wrong. So runs one of the themes in Shelagh Stephenson’s 1996 comedy The Memory of Water. A trio of sisters go through the belongings of their dead mother Vi ahead of her funeral prompting conflicting bitter-sweet memories of their collective and individual pasts. Directed by Ann Ellison in the round at Bath’s Mission Theatre, the Next Stage company’s production is a spirited and evocative interpretation of the play first performed at the Hampstead Theatre and subsequently adapted for the screen as the movie Before You Go in 2002. Vi reappears periodically under a ghostly light to haunt and taunt middle daughter Mary, the brains of the family and now a doctor, revealing her troubled teenage years. As the sisters Mary, Teresa and Catherine rummage through their mother’s vanity cases, cupboards, clothing and dressing table so the secrets emerge and the bickering
Female cast of The Memory of Water begins. Who really does accurately remember the past or do we simply recall events to fit our own view of ourselves and those around us? To complicate matters Mary’s married TV Doctor lover Mike appears chilled to the bone through a window and Teresa’s discontented husband Frank arrives equally frozen from a long train journey as the snow falls outside Vi’s pokey flat. Ever present (unlike Catherine’s Spanish boyfriend who never
appears) is Vi played with a sneering haughtiness by Jane Lawson who seems intent on doing down her daughters from beyond the grave. Richard Matthews as testosterone-fuelled Mike injected tension and passion into his confrontations with a defensive Mary (Hayley Fitton-Cook) with some brilliant moments of home truths as she reveals she’s pregnant. And it’s their final scene where Hayley Fitton-Cook is at her best as she comes to terms with her past and her present with Mike and herself. With her pink skirt and animal print top Georgi Bassil is every inch the angst filled youngest sister Catherine with her shopping bags and penchant for booze and joints. She does justice to her ‘I went to this counsellor’ monologue delightfully revealing she’s slept with 78 men – it’s the female friends she has a problem with she claims. Lively, attention seeking and with a character that is so
see-through we can all relate to, this was a highly enjoyable portrayal of the me-me-me sibling. Perhaps the hardest role was that of the middle sister Teresa played with a suitable resentment by Liz Wilson who tries to keep it all together aided by her herbal remedies and martyr complex. She’s not helped by ranting husband Frank (played with understated anger by Robert Edwards) who is intent on undoing everything she stands for. The duo represent so many middle aged married couples whose relationship has run its course with the aftermath of Vi’s death bringing their problems to the surface. This is a gripping and enjoyable production with the socially distanced audience close to the action with the feeling that you are in the room as the bickering breaks out into blazing rows over who’s memory is true or false. Harry Mottram The play ran for six nights in May and June at the Mission Theatre.
Why the Nazis didn’t win the race to split the atom Copenhagen. Theatre Royal Bath: Michael Frayn’s story of a meeting of two physicists in Denmark in 1941 is also a story of why the Nazis were unable to create a nuclear bomb before the Americans. The simple reason was many of the best scientists were Jews and they had fled the Third Reich for safety in the USA. Werner Heisenberg (Philip Arditti) is the Nazi apologist who
seeks information from his former friend (pictured) Niels Bohr (Malcolm Sinclair) who being a Danish patriot and half-Jewish is not minded to help. Observing the arguments is Niels’ wife Margrethe played with intense interest by Haydn Gwynne who requests her husband not to talk politics. It wasn’t going to happen as the split loyalties of the scientific duo burst out into the open in a series of
blistering arguments filled with complex detail about the mechanics of splitting the atom. It’s gripping but hardly exciting theatre with words and little action as the cast of three rearrange what little furniture there is on a circular rotating stage under a circular light. One for those interested in the build up to Hiroshima and of occupied Denmark in World War Two. Harry Mottram
Got a story for Bath Voice? Email Harry on news@bathvoice.co.uk
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n NEWS
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plans for Bath city centre since they were first tabled. “It’s now crystal clear just how much people will suffer if these measures go ahead, simply to appease the Lib Dems’ antimotoring impulses. “We are therefore calling on the administration to withdraw these plans immediately and apologise to the people of Bath for tabling, at great cost to the taxpayer, such ill-thought out proposals in the first place.” The proposals for some of Bath’s busiest streets were drawn up with counter terrorism security advisers when the threat level was higher, at “severe”, and attacks were considered highly likely. It has now been downgraded to “substantial”, meaning an attack is considered likely. If approved, the controls will apply 24-seven, blocking food and parcel deliveries and requiring permits for larger deliveries or scaffolding, while tradespeople will
be forced to park outside the secure zone and bring their kit in on a trolley. Parking for residents and blue badge holders will be removed. Atkins said parking further away would mean some disabled people “having to endure pain for longer and at higher levels” that some would be unable to endure. After the threat level reduced, it recommended removing the restrictions between 6pm and 10pm when the streets are quieter, and to allow blue badge holders into the secure zone at all times. Three in five people who responded to a consultation opposed the plans, casting doubt on their effectiveness and accusing the council of discrimination and pushing an anti-car agenda. Lib Dem council leader Kevin Guy has promised to listen to residents. The council is invited the public to comment on the consultation responses and the Atkins reports last month.
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n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC
Criticism of anti terror measures
By Local Democracy Reporter: ‘“Draconian” plans to ban most vehicles from a “ring of steel” around Bath city centre must be scrapped, opposition councillors have said. Anti-terrorism measures put forward by Bath and North East Somerset Council and Avon and Somerset Police would control access 24-seven, ban taxis and delivery drivers and remove all parking, including for blue badge holders. Accessibility consultants Atkins are calling for a rethink after the UK terror threat level dropped to ensure vulnerable people are not cut off. Conservatives are going further and are calling on the Liberal Democrat administration to scrap the “ill thought out” proposals and apologise. Councillor Karen Warrington said: “We’ve been warning the Liberal Democrat administration of the problems with these draconian
July 2021
New funding will help to support survivors Conservative Cllr Karen Warrington
Cllr Guy said: “We are a listening council. That means we need to give people time to properly look at what we have gathered from our consultation and the work of the independent advisor which many residents have contributed to. “So instead of just appending this important information to the June cabinet papers in the usual way we have taken the step of making it available openly and transparently well in advance of the meeting. “We take the safety and security of our 190,000 residents, and also of the millions of visitors we welcome to the area every year, extremely seriously.”
IT'S been a busy first few weeks in office and, as I’ve toured the patch, I feel honoured to have met some incredibly dedicated, diligent and caring officers, staff and teams doing some great work within our communities to keep people safe. A key role of the Police and Crime Commissioner is to be the voice of local people, and I want to understand your concerns, listen to your ideas and learn how best I can support. My initial focus has been to meet with police officers and staff, to understand the issues faced by our policing family and the communities they serve. As this continues, my engagement will expand to meet with residents, partners and MPs on a weekly basis, from July onwards. I am proud to be working on your behalf and am committed to delivering the pledges I set
out in my election manifesto. Your needs are central to my work, and hearing from you is very important. As a result, this summer I will be launching a consultation survey focusing on what you’d like from your police service, which will then inform our Police and Crime Plan. More information about this survey will be on our website in the coming weeks. My team and I have gathered much momentum and have set our early priority work areas that include the Police and Crime Plan, recruiting a new Chief Constable and other important roles, reviewing governance and scrutiny structures to improve openness and transparency in our police force and reviewing the effectiveness of police stations and buildings across the area. I will continue to update you as this work continues and
progresses. I’m also delighted to share with you that we’ve secured one of our largest funding achievements for victim services, with £1 million in funding to support survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence. This will fund 23 independent domestic violence advisor (IDVA) roles and eight independent sexual violence advisor (ISVA) specialist roles who will work alongside victim services, partners and local authorities. A number of these new IDVAs and ISVAs will be specialist roles to ensure everyone who is a victim of domestic abuse or violence receives the support they need. Such specialisms include working with black and minority ethnic victims, elderly victims, children and young people, victims in rural communities, victims of
With Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford economic abuse, victims with complex needs, male victims, LGBT+ victims and victims with mental health issues and illnesses. This is one of our largest funding achievements for victim services and I look forward to supporting the work of the new ISVAs and IDVAs.
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n PUZZLES FOR ALL
n LOCAL HISTORY
The FIEND
When pineapples were a dinner party must By Harry Mottram. I made a terrible faux pas last month when I asked my half Italian wife if I could have pineapple on my home-made pizza. Apparently pineapples shouldn’t feature on pizzas - a fact I contemplated from the shed that night at length following my immediate compulsory exile. However in a corner of Bath the spiky fruit was once the number one item on the menu of every top dinner party. The Bath and Counties Archaeological Society or rather the BACAS for short has published a report on how the fruit was grown in a tropical greenhouse in Prior Park. Written by Tim Lunt and David Stubbs, The Pineapple House, gives a huge amount of detail about the greenhouse which has long since disappeared. In the 18th century Ralph Allen, the Bath stone entrepreneur of Combe Down, built Prior Park Mansion in the 1730s and like many wealthy men of the time sought to grow pineapples in his garden said the report. BACAS are an active and friendly society for everyone interested in the archaeology of Bath and have a programme of excavations, lectures and investigations - including the one on pineapples. Sadly pineapples lost their appeal by the 19th century and the report charts how the
July 2021
pineapple house was dismantled and the stone used to build a sports pavilion that survives at Prior Park College. Why pineapples lost their appeal is open to question - but with the growth of the Empire and dramatic social changes with the emerging middle class perhaps there were rival fruits to feature on the dinner table. Back to the report on the pineapple house of Prior Park. In an introduction it read: “This rare and exotic fruit in Georgian times had become an essential feature of any proper dinner party and Allen took advice from Alexander Pope and others on the construction and operation of a Pinery at Prior Park. “Historical maps are conflicting over the location of this 18th century tropical greenhouse, showing it in slightly different places, but all close to the main house. “Mention is made in correspondence of smoke from the pinery chimney which may be why it was later re-purposed as a Bath house.” The report goes on to say that there was a survey in 2019 that attempted to locate the unusual arboretum dedicated to growing the tasty member of the Bromeliaceae family. Last summer test pits were dug and parts of the lost building were found with bits of stone from the walls and perhaps rubble from the untimely demolition such as mortar, glass,
salads mainly in the form of tinned fruit and often served in the past as a school dinner dessert with custard. Despite its loss as the star of Georgian dinner parties the humble fruit has had revivals in fortunes including in the 1960s and 1970s when it made a prickly return to social approval. Enter the Cheese and Pineapple Hedgehog - essentially half a grapefruit is covered in silver foil and then chunks of pineapple, sausage and cheese are speared on cocktail sticks. Handed around as finger food at parties with a background of the music of The Seekers, The Monkees or even Henry Mancini and you could roll back the years to a time before avocados relegated the pineapple to that tin at the back of the cupboard. A pity when you think that once in Bath a building was dedicated to the sweet tasting tropical fruit.
For younger readers
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Portrait of Ralph Allen (16931764), by John Faber (1684-1756). National Portrait Gallery, London
slate and nails. Such a sad end to the pineapple house. However, like many specialised buildings it had already been subject to a change of use. The report said: “A scale plan of the Bath House, which has been presumed to be a conversion of the Pineapple House, is shown on the Ralph Allen Survey map of 1761 described as a Cold Bath and comparison was made of the wall dimensions.” The report continues: “It is hoped to continue the excavations in 2021, subject to permissions and pandemic, to uncover more of the building and the possible carriageway.” Indigenous to South America the pineapple has been cultivated commercially since the 19th century when it went from a luxury fruit for Bathonians to a cheap and easy addition to fruit
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Exploring Bath’s uncomfortable dark past Richard White’s Walking The Tracks website takes a regular look at a side of Bath which isn’t usually highlighted in tourist guides. We’re talking paupers, orphans and workhouses - or rather the Bath Union Workhouse Burial Ground. In a field just off the Wellsway, lie 3,100 the bodies in unmarked graves of those who died of poverty in the Bath workhouse between 1858 and 1899. Despite the numbers the site is not marked on a map but in the low winter sun you can make out
the mounds and depressions of the burials. Richard White notes that a further 1,100 bodies of those who died between 1838 and 1858 lie in unmarked graves in a small triangle behind the old Workhouse Chapel on Frome Road, Bath. In April he organised a socially distanced walk to mark and acknolwledge this aspect of the city’s uncomfortable past. The event open to interested parties included the reading of the names at the field of those workhouse inmates as listed as
being buried in unmarked graves. Adding some much needed dignity to the last remains of hundreds of Bathonians who just happened to be poor or highly vulnerable. Floral tributes were also left to mark the historic site in a chapter of Bath’s past that isn’t all Jane Austen and Beau Nash. For more on the subject and of other aspects of Bath’s darker history including elements of the slave trade and its impact on the city visit http://www. walknowtracks.co.uk/
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n BATH LIBRARY BOOK REVIEWS AND NEWS Adult Fiction The Crooked Herring – L.C. Tyler L.C. Tyler is known for his historical crime novels, but he has also written a delightful crime series featuring Ethelred Tressider. Ethelred is a successful crime writer but not as famous as some of his compatriots. However, one day, the famous Henry Holiday turns up at his doorstep unexpectedly. Ethelred and Henry are old rivals but Ethelred is even more surprised when Henry confesses to a murder while drunk on New Years Eve. He has little recollection of the night but thinks he may have killed his drinking companion, a very popular crime author, Crispin Vynall. Henry asks Ethelred to
discretely investigate it but as far as Ethelred is concerned no one has reported Crispin missing or a murder being committed. With his very persistent literary agent, Elsie Thirkettle joining the task who knows what might crop up? These are a delightful, whimsical crime series. They are very funny, with great characters and also little digs at other crime books and authors – I am particularly looking forward to Ten Little Herrings set in a stamp collectors conference!!! Offeo – Richard Powers Longlisted for the Man Booker prize 2014, Richard Powers has created a beautiful story interwoven with a passion for classic music. It begins with Seventy-year old composer Peter Els opening his front door to find the police on his doorstep. His
amateur science lab and latest experiment has attracted the attraction of Homeland Security. His experiment – to extract music from the most surprising of places. Panicked by the raid, Peter flees and awaits evidence to help clear his name. However, an internetfuelled hysteria breaks out and Peter is labelled “Bioterrorist Bach”. This results in Peter embarking on a cross-country visit, one last time, before he is caught, to see those people he loves and those who shaped his musical journey.
generate millions of “likes”. However, all that Faith really wants is a quiet life away from the spotlight and no one seems to ask if Faith wants this life and she feels her family expectations are crushing her.
And through their help Peter finally comes up with a plan that will turn his problem with Homeland Security into a work that will reawaken a whole new audience to the wonderful sounds and symphonies.
Library News
Adult Non-Fiction Collins First Time Gardener - Kim Wilde This book is available as an E-book via the new app Libby or as a book you can get in your local Library. Kim Wilde’s ‘First Time Gardener’ (2008) is an accessible and informative guide to launch you into gardening. I especially like the inclusion of basics like planning, hard landscaping, and choosing plants as well as a chapter on assessing what is in your garden already - topics often overlooked as we dash into action in the garden for the first time. She studied horticulture and design at Capel Manor, a highly regarded and established horticulture college in London with beautiful gardens you can visit. Quite a career change but it shows gardens are for everyone!
Young Adult Fiction The Valentines: Far from Perfect – Holly Smale From the author who brought you Geek Girl, this is next in the series of The Valentines, the famous sisters and this is Faith’s story. Faith Valentine has it all – the fame, money and extraordinary beauty where a change of hairstyle can
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Perfection – what perfection!!! As with all of Holly Smale’s books this is very well written, and a really enjoyable summer read. Always remember the two super free apps: Libby and BorrowBox where you can download newspapers, magazines and audio books all with the use of your library card. 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.
July 2021
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Advertising on this page is very cost- effective. Call Erica on 07402 441485 CAR BODY REPAIRS
• Professional reliable service • Qualified engineers • Bench marked digital aerials • Friendly and efficient • Residential & Business • Fault finding (signal analysis) • Freesat & Freesat HD Installations • Sky, Sky+ & Sky HD Installations • Family run business • Integrated Reception Systems (IRS) • IRS Sky Q Upgrades
Cosmetic Damages • Smart Repairs Resprays • Paint Correction Custom Cars & Vans Light Accident Damage Alloy Wheel Refurbishment Classic & Sports Cars • Motorbikes For Free Estimate: 07795 423996
Unit 8, Durley Lane, Keynsham, BS31 2AJ ELECTRICAL SERVICES
PLUMBING SERVICES
Shower faulty
All domestic plumbing and heating work carried out Landlord certificates Gas safety checks Boiler servicing Over 20 years’ experience Friendly no obligation quote
Electric showers repaired,sold & fitted
Tel: 01761 462804 or Mob: 07890 700 932
competitive rates fast service Tel Paul at pj Home Electrical 07774747834 or 0117 2302010 Keynsham based
approved
website: bathshowersbristol
Never miss a thing by following us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ bathneslibraries1, Instagram www. instagram.com/bathnes_libraries , and Twitter www.twitter.com/ BathnesL
No Call out Charge
07958 934903
dixonsplumbingandheating@outlook.com TAXIS
Tiler • Mason • Painter
Moorland Road Community Library
Welcome back as we are open! Now is the time to return your books. We welcome back any LibrariesWest library books and of course our own Yellow Sticker Books to our quarantine Book Returns box. You will be able to come in and browse our shelves to choose a book. Please continue to wear a mask and use the hand sanitiser provided. Overdue books: DON’T PANIC! we just want the books back. Bring the books back and we’ll do our best to sort out any charges for lost books. Email us on moorlandroadcommunitylibrary@ gmail.com with your questions.
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mail@arjelectrical.co.uk
01225 459611 BLINDS AND CURTAINS
We Supply Curtains and all types of window blind. We offer a free no obligation home quote and full fitting service Visit our showroom:
499 Bath Road Saltford BS31 3HQ Open 10.00 until 4.00 Mon- Sat Or Phone us
01225 874411
Classic & Natural stone tiles Specialising in Italian showers Contemporary & Provençale kitchens Interior & Exterior Masonry PAINTING Interior & façade painting
High Quality Finish Free Quote Bristol & Surrounding Areas
Professional and pet friendly local taxi service Fully vetted drivers Book online bathspataxi.com Facebook Messenger 01225 313131 WASP REMOVAL
Kwik Care Renovation Painter Tiler Decorator
Builder & Interior Decorator
17 Years Experience Tiling Interior & Exterior Masonry E: dacriscobuilder3@gmail.com Interior Facade T: 0117 401 8568& / 07557 335 956 PaintingDacrisco Builder No Job Too Small Free Quote 17 Years Experience
T: 0117 382 7716 / 07557 335 956 E: dacriscobuilder9@gmail.com
Got a story for Bath Voice? Email Harry on news@bathvoice.co.uk
Pest Control
Wasp Removal Fully qualified Competitive prices Call now for a free quote
Jon 07483 826104 0117 9860642 www.kwik-care.co.uk
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bathvoice
July 2021
BRINGING
TO BATH
Call: 01225 874 676 Email: info@saltfordkitchens.com
Our kitchens are designed to be lived in. Whatever your style and taste, we have a unique collection of kitchen designs, and the variety of finishes gives you even more choice.
Showroom: 439 Bath Rd, Saltford, Bristol BS31 3AZ
We offer a complete service, from design, effortlessly through to build completion. Delivering your vision to the highest standards of quality and finish. Let us make your kitchen dreams a reality.
s a ltfo r d k itc h en s . c o m
sbsdesignandbuild.com To advertise, contact Erica on erica@bathvoice.co.uk or call 07402 441485