Bath Voice Monthly News Magazine October 2021

bathvoice October 2021 No. 20

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

Big day at The Hub as over 1,000 people attend fun day

From Oz to Bear Flat with guitar Page 5 200 years up Page 9

Donkeys, dogs, bouncy castles and litter picking. It was a day to remember at The Hub Mulberry Park in Foxhill, the former MOD site at Combe Down in Bath. On Saturday, September 11th, the Hub and the Mulberry Park Residents’ Association organised a community day inviting local residents to discover some of the activities that take place there and to meet some of the area’s organisations.

When criminals were hanged Page 10 Sports news Page 14-15 What’s On Page 16-17

Full report on page 20

Plans afoot for a potential rise in the numbers of Covid-19 cases

By Harry Mottram. The RUH and the medical services in Bath are bracing themselves for the expected rise in Covid-19 cases this autumn after schools went back last month.

In Scotland where pupils return earlier than in England there was a rapid rise in the

school. numbers contracting the virus “The vaccine will be although since the initial increase administered by a member of numbers have levelled off.

Virgin Care’s Immunisation In Bath the NHS Clinical Service team, and both child and Commissioning Group said in a parent consent will be required statement: “All children aged before vaccination can take between 12 and 15-years-old will place. be offered the chance to have the coronavirus vaccine at their Continued on page 3

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Harry Mottram News Editor news@bathvoice.co.uk Erica Benson Publisher and sales 07402 441485 erica@bathvoice.co.uk

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Rich Coulter Sub Editor 07775 550607 George Benson Distribution 07970 767606 george@bathvoice.co.uk

Next issue’s deadline for editorial and advertising is Oct 21st

October 2021

on Facebook Bath Voice Bath Voice are members of:

My MP? Wera Hobhouse MP 26 Charles Street, Bath, BA1 1HU 01225 307024 office@werahobhouse.co.uk Jacob Rees-Mogg House of Commons Westminster London SW1A 0AA jacob.reesmogg.mp@parliament.uk My councillor?

Oldfield Park: Shaun Stephenson-McGall 07483 299240 Shaun_Mcgall@bathnes.gov.uk Widcombe & Lyncombe: Alison Born 01225 319188 Alison_born@bathnes.gov.uk Winston Duguid 07899 066440 Winston_Duguid@bathnes.gov.uk Moorlands: Jess David 07977 500804 Jess_david@bathnes.gov.uk Southdown: Paul Crossley 07718 632959 paul_crossley@bathnes.gov.uk Dine Romero 01225 477496 dine_romero@bathnes.gov.uk

Combe Down: Gerry Curan 01225 330349 / 07900684562 Gerry_curran@bathnes.go.uk Bharat Ramji Nathoo Pankhania Bharat_pankhania@bathnes.gov.uk 07464 867554 Odd Down: Joel Hirst 07792 869044 joel_hirst@bathnes.gov.uk Steve Hedges 07971270879 steve_hedges@bathnes.gov.uk Twerton: Sarah Moore 07807013635 Sarah_moore@bathnes.gov.uk Tim Ball 01225 400834 / 07970461674 Tim_ball@bathnes.gov.uk Westmoreland: June Player 07967 920064 June_Player@bathnes.gov.uk Colin Blackburn 07796 807157 Colin_Blackburn@bathnes.gov.uk

USEFUL NUMBERS Bath & North East Somerset Council Guildhall, High Street, Bath, BA1 5AW Bath One Stop Shop 3-4 Manvers Street, Bath, BA1 1JQ Council Connect 01225 39 40 41 Email: council_connect@bathnes. gov.uk Bath & North East Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau 2 Edgar Buildings, George Street, Bath, BA1 2EE 0344 848 7919 NHS Urgent: 111 / Emergency: 999

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

COMPLAINTS Despite our best efforts, we sometimes get things wrong. We always try to resolve issues informally at first but we also have a formal complaints procedure. If you have a complaint about anything in the Bath Voice, contact the News Editor using the details below. We aspire to follow the the Code of Conduct of the NUJ (National Union of Journalists), nuj.org.uk/about/ nuj-code.

Further details of the complaints process can be found on our website or can be obtained by contacting the Editor by email: news@bathvoice.co.uk or by post: 1 Camerton Close, Saltford, Bristol, BS31 3BT or by phone: 07402 441485 All stories and pictures are © Bath Voice (unless otherwise stated) and may not be reproduced without permission.

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October 2021

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n NEWS ‘Plan B’ could see masks to be worn in shops and new lockdowns Residents can also collect test kits or get a supervised test from “Some children aged 12 to 15 the test and collect van, which is The RUH in now visiting different parts of the years old with underlying health Bath said conditions that put them at higher district until the end of October. they were risk of severe Covid-19 may have People can find out when the van very busy already received a Covid-19 is going to be in your area here: with a high https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/ vaccination.” number of coronavirus-covid-19-latestThe Government have made Covid-19 changes to the way schools have to information-and-advice/ cases last react if a pupil is found to have rapid-lateral-flow-testingmonth tested positive for the virus. everyone Their bubble system saw The government has released thousands of children sent home if its plan for the autumn. It states one child in the class tested “If the data suggests the NHS is about close contacts.

Meanwhile the asymptomatic positive leading to disruption to likely to come under Children named as close Covid-19 rapid test and collect lessons and the lives of children unsustainable pressure, the contacts will be asked to take a hub in Bath city centre has and their parents. government has prepared a Plan B polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) moved to a new site at 19 New Under the new rules all for England’’. swab test.

Bond Street. The site can be children in secondary education Measures would include But this term, unless they test found towards the bottom of will be asked to take two lateralintroducing mandatory vaccine positive themselves, they will not Milsom Street, on the way to the flow tests at school - three to five certification in specific settings, have to self-isolate. library. There are now more than bringing back the wearing of face days apart.

It’s hoped this will avoid 40 sites in B&NES where people The BBC reported that those coverings in some settings, and whole classes being sent home. can collect a test kit, including testing positive will be contacted advising people to work from Face coverings are no longer pharmacies and council one stop

by NHS Test and Trace and home if they are able to. advised for pupils, staff and shops, and people can find their instructed to isolate.

Lockdowns would be considered visitors either in classrooms or in nearest site here: https://maps.

The child - or their parents as “a last resort.” communal areas. test-and-trace.nhs.uk/.

- will be asked to provide details

Continued from page 1

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Fines for Covid-19 rule breakers

By Harry Mottram. Last month Bath Magistrates Court dealt with a long list of offences relating to people breaking the coronavirus regulations brought in during the pandemic.

Most of them related to events back in February at the height of the second wave and were related to people attending gatherings in Yeovil and Bristol Some of those involved were from this city including a gentleman from Edgeworth Road.

The news website Bath Live reported: “Wesley Simon Tompkinson, 28, of Edgeworth Road, Bath has been caught breaking regulations.

“On February 10, he was found taking part in a gathering in St Pauls, Bristol.

“For attending, he has been fined £1,760. He also has to pay £90 to the court in costs and £176 to the victims services.”

The news site also reported: “Dean Alan Margary, 31, of Dartmouth Avenue, Bath has been fined £1,760 for breaking regulations.

“The 31-year-old back on February 8 “without reasonable excuse” took part in an outdoor gathering which consisted of two or more people.

“On top of the fine, Margary

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

has to pay £90 to the court in costs and £176 to the victims services.”

Avon and Somerset Police’s Inspector Ruth Gawler said: “The vast majority of people have played their part by adhering to the lockdown rules at the start of the year and we’re thankful they are continuing to comply with the restrictions and advice currently in place.

“However, there is a small minority of people who are selfishly choosing to break the rules that are designed to help save lives.

“Our approach to dealing with such incidents remains the same – we will engage with the public, explain the rules and encourage them to comply. But enforcement through fines remains an option, especially for those responsible for the blatant and deliberate breaches we’ve been called out to deal with in recent days.

“We fully understand everyone is delighted by the easing of restrictions, but we continue to urge people to be cautious and follow the rules to limit the spread of COVID, which has already claimed thousands of lives across the country.”

October 2021

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n FEATURE

Cycling up Wiltshire’s very steep hills on a hang-over

By Harry Mottram: I had only cycled up the slope from the Rec into Great Pulteney Street when I thought I’d better stop for a rest.

Only 70 miles to go in a round trip cycle ride around the hilly hills of Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire.

I can do it I thought - but perhaps not on the back of another hang-over. There was an excuse: a friend had just turned 60 and you can’t go to a party and drink orange juice when it’s yards from your front door.

The organisers of Bike Bath held on August 22, had set out a day of short, medium and long marked rides with starts and finishes in Bath, Devizes and Frome.

Foolishly I was attracted to the 70 mile circuit as I had worked as a reporter for the Wiltshire Times recently and thought it would be nice to cycle down memory lane so to speak.

Unfortunately the organisers changed the route at the last

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minute so I didn’t reunite with some of the places I used to report on but instead discovered a whole new set of steep hills and villages of the county of chalk and cheese.

I wore my wife’s cycle helmet as this was one of the rules and opted to raise cash for the city’s Genesis Trust, the charity that supports the homeless and vulnerable in the city.

OK I’m a bit old school as I usually wear a trilby or a cap.

What amazed me was the huge organisation - arriving at the pit stops at Westbury and Devizes rugby clubs there was food, drinks and more importantly toilets.

It wasn’t long before my fellow 70 mile colleagues had passed me mostly on the spirit breaking Bathford Hill. Incredibly these other cyclists actually cycled up what was not so much a hill but a test to break your spirit. I got off and walked.

On the other side of course you go down the hill but personally I prefer a flattish course and I may be old fashioned but I shun e-bikes as they are cheating.

Cycling across the English countryside is a joy in the summer but what wasn’t a joy were fitter cyclists shooting past me and cheerily shouting encouragement when a gin would have been more helpful.

Still, I did it - arriving back at a deserted Rec in the gathering gloom - as everyone had gone home. Yes, I was last.

The highlights were the ascent of the White Horse Hill at Bratton Castle, the wonderful countryside

around Bowden Hill and The Hop Pole in Bath for a large glass of wine after I completed the ride.

By the way the city has a cycle club who welcome all ages and fitness levels with a video on YouTube for aged cyclists like me.

See https://www.bathcc.net/.

Also there’s an event at the Mission Theatre on Thursday , 21st October with Emily Chappell in conversation with former Procycling magazine writer, Duncan Steer.

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October 2021

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n PEOPLE

From Oz to Bear Flat with a guitar

By Harry Mottram. On the face of it Bath and Launceston don’t have much in common.

Not the former capital of Cornwall I might add with its castle and the execution of the Catholic priest Cuthbert Mayne in the town square in 1577.

No it’s the Australian city in Tasmania lying on the confluence of the Esk and Tamar rivers with its heritage of Georgian and Victorian buildings.

Scott O’Hara was brought up in the city where he made a name for himself as a blues guitarist.

He had met his English wife Paula out there but when their daughter Claudia approached post 16 education in age they decided to move to England so she could further her schooling.

“We chose Bath because of the creative vibe which in many ways is similar to Launceston,” said Scott, “it’s on a river, with hills around it and it has a lot of Georgian buildings which were from the original settlers in the early 19th century.

“And there are parks with plants and trees the early settlers brought with them.”

Yes it does sound like Victoria Park or Sidney gardens. Almost.

And so in 2018 they upped sticks and moved to the Bloomfield area of Bear Flat where the singer songwriter has set up a studio where he has been recording his debut solo album.

And he’s been collaborating with other musical Bathonians.

He said: “I play guitar with the mixed-ability BathTub Orchestra.

It was started in October 2018 when we moved here.

“It’s is a mixed ability orchestra of about 25 musicians of all ages and abilities that plays all kinds of music from pop songs, jazz, blues, film soundtracks and classical favourites.”

Back in Australia Scott cut his musical teeth at school with members of Devils in Heaven before forming Evolution and The Funky Phantom.

He’s travelled the world playing guitar in the United States

of America with Tate & The Million Dollar Band in Chicago and in this country as well as Europe, the Middle East and in Sydney.

And he has had stints as the guitarist for the Senegalese Afro-funksters BuBaca Diop, and in the acid jazz band Black Parade & Psycho Zydeco.

“I was interested in Delta Blues, a very traditional style kind of playing, because it was one of the few kinds that gave the authentic sound of the guitar on the record player with a nylon string,” he explained. “I gradually graduated to electric guitars and then became interested in a wider range of music.

“I was more interested in the roots of the blues where the British blues invasion got inspiration like John Mayall in finding out the music they were interested in.

“Furry Lewis, Charlie Patton, Howlin’ Wolf - those sort of guys.”

Another aspect of Scott’s life is that of director of the charity Seed

in Somerset.

Seed is the South West based Creative People and Places (CPP) – an Arts Council Funded initiative all about allowing more people to choose, create and take part in arts and cultural activity, and thus creates creative opportunities within Sedgemoor’s towns and parishes.

“I go down to Somerset a lot to see people, “he said, “but I must admit the pandemic has cut down the amount of commuting I do.”

Which of course gives Scott a bit more time to concentrate on his music.

To learn more about Bear Flat’s Tasmanian singer songwriter visit https:// scottoharamusic.com/home

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October 2021

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n NEWS

Conservative call to end ‘anti-motoring’ agenda

By Local Democracy Reporter.

The Transport Secretary is being urged to stop council leaders installing a ring of steel around Bath to “further their antimotoring agenda”.

Conservative group leader Vic Pritchard said £2.7million security measures approved in July would not prevent a terror attack but would lock disabled people out of the city centre.

The proposals include a 24/7 ban on food and parcel deliveries into the secure zone, with residents required to apply for permits for larger deliveries or scaffolding, and tradespeople forced to park outside and bring their kit in on trolleys.

Accessibility consultants Atkins warned that removing all parking would mean some disabled people “having to endure pain for longer and at higher levels” than some would be able to endure.

Following changes backed by Avon and Somerset Police, core streets around the Abbey will be open to traffic between 6pm and 10am daily, with York Street not reopening until 10pm to allow for the heavier anticipated footfall going to the Clore Centre when it opens.

Councillor Pritchard appealed to Grant Shapps MP to stop Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Liberal Democrat administration implementing the “senseless and destructive policy”, but cabinet measures said the measures were proportionate and necessary to keep people safe.

Cllr Pritchard said: “The ring of steel proposals are unfair and unnecessary and we are seeking help from the Government to try to get this administration to see sense and ditch these controversial plans.

“The Liberal Democrats are

it was last Christmas before it was reduced to “substantial” in February.

Council leader Kevin Guy said: “This is a police request and the council has to implement said request and we are doing that through the widest public consultation Cllr Pritchard is unhappy with the policy possible, however the police are right in saying that public safety using the threat of terrorism to is at the heart of these safety further their anti-motoring measures and it’s the job of the agenda and further demonise council to help the police drivers. implement them.”

“These proposals will not Councillor Manda Rigby, actually prevent terror attacks from taking place and will simply cabinet member for transport, said: “We have listened very marginalise members of our carefully to residents, businesses community who are not able to and blue badge holders and move around easily.” worked hard to ensure these are Cllr Pritchard said the policy proportionate preventative went against the spirit of the measures.

Equalities Act and warned it “The measures balance would give the council the right public protection with a vibrant to rescind all access for blue and accessible city centre and badge holders if the national terror threat level is “severe” – as are not designed to ‘lock people out’.”

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October 2021

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n NEWS

7

Report: air quality has improved since the introduction of the clean air zone

By Local Democracy Reporter.

New data shows air quality is improving both in Bath city centre and outside the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) following the introduction of the scheme.

A report to be considered by cabinet on Thursday 9 September reveals that nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels have dropped by more than 12% compared with the same quarter in 2019, but have the potential to exceed government limits at four locations within the zone.

The report, the first in a series which will regularly monitor the performance of the CAZ, reveals that the number of chargeable non-compliant vehicles entering the zone since its launch has dropped with the percentage of compliant vehicles in the chargeable categories, (i.e., taxis, vans LGV’s, buses, coaches and heavy goods vehicles HGV’s) increasing by an average of 49% over the same period.

All but three of the 220 buses

that operate on scheduled routes in the zone and more than 90% of HGVs and 90% of taxis travelling into the zone are now compliant with emission standards.

The report also confirms that more than one thousand non-compliant vehicles have so far been approved for the council’s financial assistance scheme, in addition to businesses and individuals upgrading vehicles using their own resources.

Councillor Sarah Warren, Deputy Leader and cabinet member for Climate and Sustainable Travel, said: “This is very encouraging news. The aim of the Clean Air Zone is to improve air quality and reduce pollution which can have a devastating impact on people’s health, triggering asthma attacks and making heart and lung conditions worse. So, I’m pleased that the early indications are that the Clean Air Zone is working.

“It is, however, early days and

more time is needed. Normal traffic volumes in the city have been affected by Covid and the closure of Cleveland Bridge has caused some temporary changes to traffic patterns. I am also concerned that despite significant progress in reducing NO2 levels, there are still four locations in the city – Cleveland Place East junction, Dorchester Street, Victoria Buildings and Wells Road near the Churchill Bridge gyratory – where NO2 levels have the potential to exceed the government target we are aiming for.

“We will therefore continue to closely monitor the impact of the CAZ and our progress in quarterly reports.

The Clean Air Zone was launched on 15 March 2021 to urgently tackle harmful levels of air pollution caused by the most polluting taxis, vans, buses and larger commercial vehicles regularly driving in the city.

It was the first charging CAZ

to be launched outside London and works to reduce pollution in Bath by levying a £9 or £100 a day charge on anyone driving a chargeable higher emission vehicle in the zone.

This excludes private cars and motorcycles which are not charged.

Grants and interest-free finance are available to encourage owners of non-compliant polluting vehicles to replace them with cleaner, compliant ones, not subject to charges.

Not everyone has been fans of the CAZ with residents on the edge of the zone finding their roads used as rat runs by vans seeking to avoid the charges.

And some commercial vehicle operators and those with work vans are bitterly opposed to the scheme with anecdotal reports of owners of some 4x4 domestic cars are classed as business vehicles and charged with the levy.

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October 2021

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October 2021

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n NEWS

Widcombe Baptist Church: 200 years of serving the community

By Poppy Evans. On 26th September, Widcombe Baptist Church celebrated their 200 year anniversary. Over the last two centuries, the church has served the Widcombe community, and continues to do so today.

Churches have always been an integral part of society, but it is easy to forget the support and comfort that can be found within your local church.

Widcombe Baptist, for example, hosts group gettogethers for all ages, to include: Toddler Mornings, Youth Groups, Twenties and Thirties, and Coffee Plus (for those over 50).

Everybody is welcome at these sessions and details for these can be found on the church’s website.

We are all aware of how isolating recent times have been and knowing there is a safe space to connect with the people within your community is a comfort to many.

The pandemic has affected us all and some people are really struggling. The church is open as

a place of refuge with plenty of friendly faces that are happy to talk and support. Furthermore, there is a ‘Prayer request’ section on the church’s website that is also open to everyone, and this can be done anonymously. Christians believe that it is their duty to God to show compassion and kindness to the people around, and helping their community is one of the many ways of doing this.

With this in mind, Widcombe Baptist are constantly looking for ways to serve and get to know their neighbours. Since the reopening of society, the church has been arranging community events that are open to all. On Saturday 21st August, they hosted

a BBQ in their car park, where approximately 140 guests attended. The day was filled with music, conversation and free food.

All meat was locally sourced from Larkhall Butchers. Their next event will be a campfire gettogether for the young people in our community on Friday 5th November - details of this will be released on the church’s website and social media pages.

On 28th November, they will be again celebrating their 200 year anniversary and also their recent renovations. The various local businesses, such as Mitchell Eley Gould Architects, that were involved in the building’s reconstruction are all invited, as well as the people of Widcombe. It will be a wonderful opportunity for the community to explore the building and the facilities that it has to offer.

In further celebration of Widcombe Baptist’s 200 year anniversary, the church is looking to carry out Acts of Service for

people and businesses within Widcombe. They hope to complete 200 kind deeds for the community, for each year the church has been open. This will be an act of gratitude for all God has done for Widcombe Baptist over these last 200 years. Suggestions for how they can do this have been greatly encouraged and these can be suggested through the church’s website. If you would like to be involved in these acts of kindness, please do contact the church too, they would love to hear from you.

Throughout history, during times of struggle and uncertainty, churches have often been a beacon of hope and comfort to many.

After the year we have had, community outreach and support is at the forefront of Widcombe Baptist and there is so much happening within this thriving hub of Widcombe. To keep up to date, follow their social media pages, read their noticeboard and visit their website at https:// beckythomas34.wixsite.com/ my-site/about/leadership-team/

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

Oct

October 2021

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n LOCAL HISTORY

When criminals were executed in the city’s prison

By Harry Mottram. It’s an uncomfortable truth but until 1868 convicted criminals could be executed by hanging in public.

The last man to die this way was Michael Barret, an Irish Republican who was hung outside Newgate Prison in London in front of around 2,000 people who taunted him with songs and insults as he died.

By then public opinion and those of many MPs had shifted in their attitude to the punishment believing public executions to be morally wrong and more pertinently did not deter offenders.

Barret had been convicted as part of a gang who carried out an explosion at Clerkenwell Prison.

It is now generally agreed that he was innocent as witnesses said he was in Scotland at the time, but he was convicted on the evidence of a known perjurer Patrick Mullany

who was promised a free passage to Australia if he pointed the finger at Barret.

In Bath a new prison was built in Twerton in 1842 but only remained in use until 1878 with the last part of the main gaol demolished in the 1990s.

Designed by the city’s architect George Phillips Manners following the 1835 Prisons Act which attempted to reform and improve conditions for prisoners it featured 122 cells plus a Governor’s House which is the last remaining building to survive.

After its closure the prison was used as a sweet factory and even an engineering business.

Its predecessor was in Grove Street, Bathwick, and was used from 1771 to 1842.

During that time there were growing concerns over the justice system with John Howard taking a leading role in making improvements.

His work continues today with the Howard League for

The Governor’s House in Twerton Penal Reform. It should be remembered that Howard was no do-gooder but as High Sheriff of Bedfordshire he had responsibility for Bedford County and was shocked by the way its prison was run.

His reports to parliament slowly changed minds and eventually led to changes in the law including The Penitentiary Act of 1779.

These initial changes included basic sanitation and a uniform set of conditions and treatments for convicts many of whom were debtors - people who couldn’t pay

their bills.

Back to the prison in Twerton and its location on Caledonian Road. The previous prison was near Pulteney Bridge and aside from reforming the institution the increased number of houses in the city meant for many residents the site of gaol so close to the centre was not what they desired.

Twerton was out in the countryside in the early 19th century and so was the ideal place to build a new prison. Various sites were discussed by the city authorities but in the end the site in East Twerton near the Lower Bristol Road was chosen.

Today the nearest prisons are in Bristol and Erlestoke in Wiltshire and convicted criminals are no longer executed with the death penalty abolished in 1964.

But as you wander down Grove Street or Caledonia Road in Bath on a dark winter’s night you may just hear the ghostly sounds of the poor souls who felt the rope around their neck before the long drop to oblivion.

Mystery of Elsie’s murder after her body was found two year’s later in a cave Victorian Murders by Jan finally discovered two years later in a Bondeson. cave near Hampton Downs.

In this gruesome book of It was established that she had been murders in the 19th century hit on the head with a heavy instrument. some 56 cases are1reviewed 20.qxp_Layout 11/09/2020 Incredibly 08:58 unlike Pageso 1many victims of including that of that Elsie crime in those days Elsie does have a Adeline Luke of Bath who was gravestone which you can visit in suspected of being killed by Bathampton churchyard.

Arthur Coombs - her former The wording is: boyfriend - although he was “Here lie the remains of ELSIE eventually cleared of any ADELINE LUKE aged 26. involvement.

“Who was cruelly murdered on The servant girl disappeared Hampton Down from her Bath lodgings in the “August 1891. summer of 1891 with her body “This replacement stone was funded by the estate of Lucy Barlow.”

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The book reviews the Victorian murders from the weekly penny journal the Illustrated Police News between 1867 and 1900.

Some of them are famous, like the Bravo Mystery of 1876, the Llangibby Massacre of 1878 and the Mrs Pearcey case of 1890; others are little-known, like the Acton Atrocity of 1880, the Ramsgate Mystery of 1893 and the Grafton Street Murder of 1894.

One thing is sure however, although Coombs was questioned by the police and was thought to have been involved in Elsie’s murder

there was no evidence to convict him. It meant of course he didn’t go to prison or face the ultimate penalty: the noose.

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October 2021

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11

nNEWS IN BRIEF Expensive parking: The BBC have reported on a parking space in Bath being sold for £115,000. The Beeb said the parking space is tucked away close to Circus Mews, in a secure underground garage with an electric gate and lighting.

Property agents Whiteley Helyar, who marketed the parking space, described it as “very rare”. But the price in Bath is not close to that of a parking space in Hong Kong, reported the BBC. That was sold for a record-breaking $1.3m in June.

Expensive flop: Bath Reggae Festival organisers have promised ticket holders an “unforgettable rescheduled event” if they do not ask for a refund. It’s a PR blunder as VIP Productions were also criticised for postponing the event in August with less than a day’s notice. Maxi Priest, Aswad, Big Mountain and Wayne Wonder were on the bill at Kensington Meadows. Tickets cost up to £143. VIP’s Mr Peterkin said they pulled the event as toilets that were expect to be delivered didn’t arrive as the firm became insolvent.

More criticism has been heaped on the firm with ticket holders demanding their money back.

Expensive house: Those with deep

pockets may be interested in buying Avonstone House in Bathampton (pictured). Built 1818 the former home of the Royal Navy in the city is on the market for a mere £4m. Yes, four million. The property has six bathrooms, six bedrooms and half an acre of gardens. The new owner may opt for an e-bike rather than a push bike as it is located on the steep hill that is Bathampton Lane.

Expensive mirror: The Facebook site Moorland Road is Amazing has everyday stories of life in the road and surrounding streets. One posted by Donna Miles will ring true with many in the city. That most irritating of drivers - the tailgater - clipped her daughter’s car while overtaking her near The Oval. It’s expensive to replace a mirror on a car these days - we hope the idiot who did it can be traced and made to pay.

Airport motion: Bath’s council leader Kevin Guy has joined other council leaders in the region in signing a motion opposing the expansion of Bristol Airport. The motion, tabled by metro mayor Dan Norris, was backed by West of England Combined Authority (Weca) members.

The airport is the closest to Bath and wants to expand its terminal and transport facilities so that up to 12 million passengers can use it - a 30% rise on the 8.5 million people a year who currently do. North Somerset Council refused planning permission for the expansion last year and is currently defending that decision at a public inquiry.

Planners however will have the final say it is thought.

Lyncombe Hill Fields: Work continues on the slopes below Alexandra Park as the volunteers give the nature reserve more TLC. In their latest newsletter the Friends have charted some of nature’s autumnal fruits and listed the wildlife now in residence. And they held a celebration picnic on the hill to mark the first anniversary of the fields under community control.

Wild birds spotted recently include

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a buzzard, wood pigeons, dunnocks, goldfinches, herring gulls, nuthatches, sparrowhawks, crows, magpies, robins, wrens and coal tits. They have also listed the abundance of plant life such as blackberries, Mirabelle cherry plums, wild apple, sloe berries on the blackthorn, Multiflora rose hips, hazelnuts, dogwood berries, ash seeds, common lime seeds and Guelder-Rose berries. To join the Friends of Lyncombe Hill Fields and help with the ‘hilltop paradise’ visit friendsoflyncombehillfields.co.uk or email lyncombehillfields@gmail. com. Volunteers gather on Wednesdays and Sunday mornings.

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n RECENT SOCIAL HISTORY

When the Beat Generation’s Alan Ginsberg read poetry in the park, pranksters embarrassed the Duke of Gloucester and Bath was a city of manufacturing

By Harry Mottram. They were the best of times and the worst of times (with apologies to Charles Dickens) when a group of young people decided to change (if not the world) then Bath with a flowering of creative activity and social enterprises known as the Bath Arts Workshop.

Two of the people behind the movement that began in 1969 were Victoria Forbes Adam (known as Tory) and Phil Shepherd.

“I decided to move to Bath to try and do something like the Drury Lane Arts Lab in London,” said Phil, “what happened was with a couple of friends we met people who were interested in the idea and over the course of that winter

of 1970 we hatched this plan to hold our first event.”

Victoria said one of the drivers was a plan to build a tunnel under Bath from Walcot Street to New King Street. It seems hard to credit it but planners announced the plans in the mid 1960s and began to buy up chunks of the city ready for demolition.

“Walcot Street and that area was blighted because there were a lot of buildings that were unoccupied that you could rent very cheaply or squat in,” said Victoria, “I squatted in number one Broad Street which was a beautiful house with an Art Deco staircase.

“The whole of the Walcot area was blighted by the proposed

Buchanan Tunnel which was supposed to take the London to Bristol traffic under the city.”

The history of Walcot website explains: “With the announcement of the plan to demolish much of Walcot Street, property prices in the area plummeted - there are stories of old houses changing hands for less than fifty pounds in the 1970s.... ....cottages at Nelson Terrace and Cleveland Cottages show signs of their once doomed future. At Chatham Row, the end three houses nearest the river were bought up and boarded up for demolition.”

The Bath Arts Workshop was set for ten years to create street theatre, poetry events, parties, festivals, concerts and a wealth of artistic and socially innovative projects across the city.

And not surprisingly there were some wonderful stories that emerged in the slightly chaotic counterculture of the time as they sort to upend the establishment that seemed to say that the arts were only for the well heeled.

“The Duke of Gloucester was to open the Theatre Royal Bath, to commemorate the refurbishment,” said Victoria, “Brian Popay and Ralph Oswick both dressed up in dinner suits, two female friends put on ball gowns and tiaras and they hired a limo.”

The pranksters were keen to show up the Royal guest in order to prove a point: the arts and theatre were for all - not just the wealthy.

“They drove to the entrance of the theatre, just before the Duke was to arrive,” she said, “Brian got out a red carpet from the boot and rolled it out and they stepped out and entered the theatre saying they had forgotten their tickets.”

They were rumbled of course and refused entrance but the Bath Chronicle reported the story and the chief of police charged with the security of the event said he realised they were not genuine VIPs as they bought their own red carpet.

On another occasion they had organised an event in one of Bath’s parks under their home made dome in which a magician was due to perform. A large group of

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

children had turned up and had begun to grow restless with some saying if the magic man didn’t show up they would pull down the dome. By chance the American beat poet Allen Ginsberg had just arrived in the city and hearing of the uproar made his way to the park and immediately began to perform.

“The children were suddenly transfixed by this guy from another planet,” said Phil, “I climbed up on the roof of the dome as the wind was getting up ahead of a storm to repair it and looking down through a gap in the material I could see Allen reciting his poetry to the audience. A surreal moment.”

A surreal moment which in some ways crystallized that heady period.

A time when it seemed anything was possible and in a way since then Bath grew up and realised motorway tunnels under the city were not the answer but instead giving voice to the city’s creative forces was more important - not just socially but economically as well. And it can be argued that the Bath Arts Workshop is part of the social history of the place.

The inheritors are the groups like Widcombe Community Association, The Comedy Festival, Walcot’s Nation Day, the various arts trails and a host of ongoing events set in train by those folk back in the day when Bath was a manufacturing and print industry centre covered in soot with chunks left in ruins by the Baedeker raids of 1942.

I was in conversation with Phil and ‘Tory’.

Bath Arts Workshop: Counterculture In The 1970s is out now from all good bookshops in paperback and from Tangent Books.

The authors tell the story, from its birth in a Georgian basement in 1969, to the end of the next decade. The book takes the reader behind the scenes of an organisation that had a significant impact at the time, describing how it worked, the extraordinary range and scale of its activities, and how many of its ideas still resonate today.

October 2021

n NEWS

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13

Career and job opportunities in a growth industry

By Harry Mottram. The pandemic has devastated many businesses and services from shops forced to close and buses with no passengers.

The knock-on effect has left many out of work but there are however some sectors that are struggling to recruit workers due to the effects of Brexit and Covid combined.

One area is that of care work with a new campaign in Bath called Proud to Care with a mission to recruit new carers into the profession due to a huge shortfall in numbers. Harriet Fews of the city is a care worker at The Orchard in Rockhall Lane in Combe Down and is an Extra Care Shift Leader at the centre.

The Orchard provides Extra Care Housing for older people

who have some care needs, living in self-contained flats.

Harriet said: “There’s a huge variety of jobs in the health and social care sector including caring, hospitality, maintenance, housekeeping and catering as well as administrative and leadership roles.

“Even within caring there are different types of roles for example in care homes, respite, nursing, dementia care and supporting people to live independently in their own homes. Carers also support people with learning disabilities in a variety of different settings including day centre, supported living and respite facilities.”

The campaign is aimed at anyone considering changing careers, looking for a first job or a

n NEWS IN BRIEF Crime in Bloomfield: The chic little summerhouse café (Arty Bakes) in Bloomfield Green was vandalised last month. The vandals broke off the shutters and smashed the glass shop front behind them. The entire shop front was destroyed and huge shards of glass were left all over the interior of the café and the park.

Suspicion has fallen on people who partied in the park on September 1.

If you have any info or CCTV coverage contact the police on 101 and give the crime reference number: 5221202645. Arty Blakes was forced to close as a result reported Emma Trenchard who said she was heart-broken by the crime.

Crime on TV: Bath Voice understands that there is a new series of the crime drama that viewers love to hate. Filming has taken place for a second series of McDonald & Dodds starring Tala Gouveia and Jason Watkins as the

mismatched detectives. Some viewers love the show for its off-beat style and a backdrop of Bath, while others find it patronising with locals sometimes portrayed as being a bit dim.

Green crime: Travellers moved on to Bloomfield Green at the beginning of last month fuelling a debate on social media of whether they should be allowed to ‘live and

new role. And the benefits include salaries on the rise with for instance a homecare provider earning around £20k, plus their travel costs on top.

Other benefits include: full training and support provided; apprenticeships available; and perhaps the best one as this is a secure, fulfilling job with opportunities for career progression - in an industry which one day many of us will rely on.

For more information or to

search for health and social care jobs across Bath and North East Somerset visit: proudtocare. bathnes.gov.uk To find out more visit the YouTube Channel and watch the Proud to Care films. Proud to Care Bath and North East Somerset is part of Proud to Care South West - a partnership of 16 local authorities and Health Education England working together at a regional level to raise the profile of a career in care and health.

let live’ or be evicted. Many people defended them as being good people while others pointed out that they had expensive cars and caravans and should pay to stay at a caravan park like everyone else.

For the record the Bath’s bye laws forbid unauthorised cars and other vehicles from entering the parks and green spaces as they damage the land and prevent others from using the space provided for relaxation.

Car hits mum and child: Police have reported on a road traffic accident in Newton Road, Twerton last month. A police spokesman said today (Wednesday, September 22): “We were called at 3.32pm to attend Newton Road in Bath following an incident in which a car was in collision with two pedestrians – a woman and a child.

The woman attended hospital for treatment to an ankle injury. The

injuries are not life-threatening or life-changing.” Newton Road was closed between Redland Park Road and St Michael’s Junior Church School for three hours.

Crossley cross: Cllr Paul Crossley has criticised plans for a new housing development of nine homes off Lansdown View in Twerton. Over 40 people have objected to the proposals on road safety grounds and the loss another piece of green land.

Cleveland Bridge: The reopening of the bridge has been pushed back by four weeks and possibly longer into November due to concerns over its structure discovered during the work to make it safe. When it opens cars, cyclists and pedestrians will be able to cross in what is described as a ‘staged re-opening.’ Further re-enforcements to the bridge’s structure are to be put in place.

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n CROQUET NEWS

Breaking croquet news: the 2024 Olympics must include the sport

By Woody Mallet: That Bathonian with a heavy mallet in one hand and a metal hoop in another Lynne Passfield has updated Bath Voice readers with more news from the Rec. She said: “I thought this month you may like to make your readers aware of our support given to Cleveland Pools Trust.

“Bath Croquet were delighted to offer support to Rob Massey and his team in their quest to raise funds for Cleveland Pools Trust and to facilitate a mini Olympic event of croquet. The team took inspiration from the recent Tokyo Olympics and the wonderfully eccentric Captain W Evans, former patron of the Cleveland Pools circa 1867.

“Having arrived wearing period costume the group received some fast moving expert tuition from Hester (our club coach) before splitting into their teams ready for

the competition to begin.

“The eight players all showed improving skills as they moved from hoop to hoop and the points scored for each hoop run were competed fiercely in true Olympic style.

Some of the finest chaps in Bath posed for this photo for the sport of croquet “With the croquet points collated and combined with those claimed for the first event of punting, Action in Bath: everyone retired to the Clubhouse, “So they left where Gill was waiting to provide the subject refreshments to our competitors. and played “A moment was taken to relax croquet, which and for the winners to receive the is a very good team prize before moving on to their game for next event, Boules.” people who Bath Voice opinion: Croquet was are annoyed featured in the 1900 Olympics in with one Paris with the French team cleaning another, up the medals. More importantly it giving many was innovative as women could opportunities compete against men for the first for venting time and we demand France restores rancor.” this event in 2024 in the Paris Olympiad. Agreed?!

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October 2021

bathvoice

n SPORTS NEWS

132 years of sticks and balls

By Harry Mottram: Football and rugby are often cited as the main winter games but there’s another which pre-dates their invention: that of hockey.

In Bath there are several teams with perhaps the most high profile one being Team Bath Buccaneers Hockey Club. Founded in 1955 it is based at Bath University (and partnered with the collage since 1999) and as such has the pick of the students who come from across the country including international players.

The club has male and female squads and play against the likes of Taunton Vale and Exeter University in regional leagues as part of the West Hockey Association. Pre-dating the Buc’s as they are known is the City of Bath Hockey Club who are based on Lansdown. They can trace they origins to 1889 when Bath Hockey Club was formed. Around 1900 the Phillippians Hockey Club was founded in the city and the two clubs kept the puck and stick game alive throughout the 20th century.

Other clubs were formed

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during the course of the last century in the city but the 21st century has seen changes to field hockey.

With the emergence of Team Bath at the university and the injection of talent into the Bucs Bath Hockey Club and the Phillippians Hockey Club merged to form the City of Bath Hockey Club in 2000 in order to strengthen the sport played in the city by those not associated with the university.

City of Bath Hockey Club and its foundation clubs has had a history that charts the 20th century itself.

The Luftwaffe were responsible for destroying most of the club records in a 1942 raid on the city.

And all hockey was stopped during both World Wars. In 1931 the playwright and actor Arnold Ridley was the vice president of the club. Paul Keen instigated the youth teams in the early 1980s while the club now had five teams, vets teams and also play indoor hockey. Yes, the original winter game is alive and hitting small balls in Bath.

Bath sports news in brief Bath Rugby’s October home fixtures: October sees Bath take on Saracens and the Wasps at the Rec in the Gallagher Premiership. Saracens return to the top flight after being relegated and fined for infringements of the salary cap. The Hendon based club will be tough opponents for Bath on 17th October as Saracens have had the better of the two in recent years and they have got off to a solid start this season. Let’s hope it’s like the equivalent game in 2017 when Bath ran out 31-21 winners. As for Wasps Bath have a better record so will look to take the spoils on October 30th.

Crunch month for Bath City FC: It’s been an uneven start to the season but come November a pattern will have emerged for the Romans. Two home games in the team’s campaign in the Vanarama National League South come this month when they play Hampton and Richmond Borough on the 16th and a week later they entertain St Albans City on the 23rd at Twerton Park. St Albans share the heritage of Roman city status but apart from that Bath have the edge with more wins over the

Hertfordshire saints. However Hampton and Richmond Borough and Bath are fairly evenly matched so if they can overcome the Beavers from the Cleo Saul Beveree Stadium in Hampton and clinch the points against St Albans then a push for promotion is a possibility.

Bath’s netball star: Summer Artman who plays for the national team is in her second spell with Team Bath having returned for the 2019 season, five years after gaining her first Superleague experience with the Blue & Gold. A former pupil at King Edward’s School in Bath, Summer came through the Team Bath Talent Development Centre before breaking into the Superleague squad in 2014 at the age of just 16. Off court, she is currently remotely studying for a Masters degree at Queen Mary University of London and doing assistant psychology work with pupils at Aspire Academy in Bath.

Lacross: Bath Lacross Club founded in 1983 are keen to recruit new players of all ages with a large junior section. The club is based at Odd Down playing fields. Visit bathlacrosse.com/wp/ for details.

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bathvoice

October 2021

n WHAT’S ON

Hopefully all will take place - unless there’s another outbreak It’s almost back to normal with theatre, music venues and comedy clubs open - but we are all holding our breath in case there’s another lockdown.

The Rondo and Mission are two of the city’s most enjoyable theatres to visit - and the Theatre Royal’s Egg Theatre is also back. Hurrah!

Fri 1 Oct. Rondo Theatre Larkhall.

Waiting For Hamlet. Comedy based on Shakespeare’s play.

Fri 1 Oct. Bath Festival: Patti Smith and Band. The Forum.

Fri 1-Sat 2 Oct. Magic Show. Bath Ale House, York Street. No rabbits appearing from top hats – instead, some of the world’s top magicians will perform astonishing tricks making you laugh, cry and wanting more.

Fri 1-31 Oct. Holburne Museum. To accompany its major new exhibition of Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s portraits, the Holburne Museum is proud to announce a display of photographs by Sunil Gupta that explore the legacy of the Pre-Raphaelites and their influence on contemporary art.

Sat 2 Oct. Rondo Theatre Larkhall.

Sara Barron. Stand up comedy night with top stars.

Sat 2 Oct. Green Park Station. Bath Farmers’ Market. Bath Farmers’ Market was the first farmers’ market in the UK. At Bath Farmers’ Market, you will find quality, fresh, seasonal produce at a fair price. The goods are sold directly by the people who produce them and everything usually comes from within a 40-mile radius of Bath.

Sat 2 Oct-20 Nov. Victoria Art Gallery. Bath Society of Artists’ 116th exhibition showcases the best of the

region’s artistic talent. Bath Society of Artists was founded in 1904 with 26 members. It has grown over the years to a membership of about 120 diverse artists. Many distinguished 20th-century painters have exhibited with the Society, including Walter Sickert, John Singer Sargent, Philip Wilson Steer, Gilbert Spencer, Patrick Heron, Mary Fedden, William Scott and Howard Hodgkin.

Tue, 5 Oct. Bath Flea Market. Green Park Station. Bath’s great undercover antique and collectors market held on the first Sunday of every month.

Wed 6 - Sat 9 Oct. Mission Theatre.

Relatively Speaking by Alan Ayckbourn. Comedy drama from the master of the art. Presented by Bath Operatic and Dramatic Society Thu 7 Oct. Chapel Arts. Glymjack.

Glymjack is one of the most exciting emerging artists in UK folk music.

Featuring Show of Hands legends Phil Beer and Steve Knightley.

Thu 7-16 Oct. Theatre Royal Bath.

The Good Life. Play based on the TV series but with a different cast.

Fri 8-Sat 9 Oct. Rondo Theatre Larkhall. The Bean Spillers. Musical comedy based on gossip and tittletattle.

Sat 9 Oct. Chapel Arts. Pop up Bowie. Paul Anthony was voted the UK’s No 1 David Bowie Tribute Act at

Ode to Joyce - The songs and monologues of Joyce Grenfell by Cheryl Knight is at the Mission Theatre this month on October 16

Maniac is a one woman comedy show about social media at The Rondo Theatre on October 15

the National Tribute Awards 2016.

Sat 9-Sun 21 Nov. Magic Goes Wrong. Theatre Royal Bath. Comedy drama from the company that produced The Play That Goes Wrong.

Sat 9 Oct. The Island’s Mine. Egg Theatre. Set in the extraordinary world of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Roustabout (creators of Luna & One Small Step) present a playful and daring exploration of the place we choose to call home. Filled with magic, music and mayhem, this show encourages young people to ask: Where do I belong? Where is my home? Is it truly mine?

Mon 11-Tue 12 Oct. Mission Theatre. Hamlet Act VI by William Shakespeare and Dennis Harkness.

An amusing update on the Danish Regicide tragedy.

Tue 12 Oct. Paloma Faith at The Forum. Popular female singer comes to Bath.

Wed 13-Thu 14 Oct. Submission, Rondo Theatre. When a woman wakes up in a cold, dark basement, unaware of how she got there, she quickly

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realises she is not alone; there are two others that share her fate.

Thu 14-Fri 15 Oct. Mission Theatre.

Dracula by Cully Morgan. As the cool autumn nights draw in, Downpour Theatre Company will be treating you to a little Gothic horror, with a brand new adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

Thu 14-Sat 16 Oct. Meet Me A Tree.

The Egg Theatre. Meet Me A Tree is an interactive first opera for 0-2 year olds and their carers with music by Schumann, Delibes and Handel as well as words and music created by the company. HurlyBurly invites you and your baby on a multi-sensory journey through a year in the life of a tree: singing with blackbirds, marching through fallen leaves, smelling new blossom and feeling the wind on your cheeks.

Fri 15 Oct. Rondo Theatre. Rachel Fairburn: Maniac. Rachel Fairburn’s take on social media and much else.

Sat 16 Oct. Mission Theatre. Ode to Joyce - The songs and monologues of Joyce Grenfell. Cheryl Knight’s one woman show recreates the world of one of the greats of comedy.

October 2021

bathvoice

Mon18-Sat 23 Oct. Looking Good Dead. Theatre Royal Bath. No good deed goes unpunished…hours after picking up a USB memory stick, left behind on a train seat, to try to return it to its owner, Tom Bryce (Adam Woodyatt) inadvertently becomes a witness to a vicious murder. Reporting the crime to the police has disastrous consequences, placing him and his family in grave danger. When Detective Superintendent Roy Grace becomes involved, he has his own demons to contend with, while he tries to crack the case in time to save the Bryce family’s lives.

Thu 21 – Sat 23 Oct, Ding! Rondo Theatre. Presented by Flipside Productions of Bath. The monologues were created by an ensemble of Bath’s best emerging writers, directors and performers. Expect biting comedy and edge-of-seat drama, inspired by our increasingly digital world, and ask yourself: is this a new reality, or virtual insanity?

Fri 22 Oct. Theatre Royal Bath.

Roman Bath. To coincide with the publication of his latest book on Roman Bath, Peter Davenport will bring us up to date with the remarkable finds discovered during ‘the 300 Year Dig’ of this World Heritage City.

Peter Davenport was a professional archaeologist for 46 years, 25 of those as Senior Archaeologist of The Bath Archaeology Trust. He has been involved in most of the work in Bath since 1980 and he will recount how exciting some of these finds have been and how attitudes have changed over the years towards these discoveries.

Sat 23-Sun 31 Oct. American Museum.

Halloween celebration at the American Museum & Gardens throughout halfterm week. Dress up for an American style fancy dress parade (at 11am or 3pm on Saturdays 23&30 and Sundays 24&31). The most fantastic costume will win a prize!

Sun 24 Oct. Chapel Arts. Tannahill Weavers. Scotland’s Tannahill Weavers are one of the world’s premier Celtic bands. Their diverse repertoire spans the centuries with fire-driven instrumentals, topical songs, and original ballads and lullabies.

Thu 28 Oct - Sat 6 Nov. Private Lives.

Theatre Royal Bath. A new production of Private Lives, the inaugural show from Nigel Havers’ new theatre company which will be touring the country with a line-up of theatrical gems. Launching the company, Coward’s dazzling comic masterpiece

17

The Egg Theatre sees a production about the life of Josephine Baker. 5-8 Nov. is both a scintillatingly witty and scathingly vitriolic study of the rich and reckless in love. Nigel Havers, ever suave and thoroughly charming, plays Elyot, the role taken by Noël Coward himself in the original production in 1930.

Fri 29 Oct. Chapel Arts. Noble Jacks.

With the fiddle leading the charge, Noble Jacks are out to take no prisoners with their high-energy footstompin’ rhythms, which have taken crowds by storm across the UK. Fri 5-Mon 8 Nov. Egg Theatre.

Josephine. An energetic story about Josephine Baker the dancer and entertainer who broke down racial barriers with incredible performances.

Wed 10 Nov. Combe Down Heritage

talk. Combe Down Primary School Hall.

7.30pm. A talk by Dr. Roger Rolls on The History of infectious diseases in Bath. If you think the pandemic was bad wait until you hear the good medic on the horrors of the past.

Sun 12 Dec. Lyncombe. Christmas Lunch. 12.30-4pm. St Mark’s Community Centre, St Mark’s Rd, Bath.

This is a ‘bring and share’ lunch with mulled wine and Christmas Carols. See https://widcombewest.uk/news/ Thu 16 Dec-Sun 9 Jan. Cinderella.

Theatre Royal Bath. John Monie returns as Buttons in a classic seasonal pantomime and is joined by mum-to-be Dani Harmer as the Fairy Godmother.

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

October 2021

bathvoice

18

n MUSIC NEWS

You don’t have to be musical to join orchestra Founded in October 2018, the Bathtub Orchestra is a mixed ability orchestra that plays all kinds of music from pop songs, jazz, blues, film soundtracks and classical favourites.

The Bathtub Orchestra has had to quickly adapt to the reality of the lockdown during the Coronavirus pandemic.

The orchestra’s website reports: “We already had to make a heartbreaking decision early on to cancel a gig that was going to be on Bath Half Marathon Sunday.

“At that point the government was not advising anything other than washing your hands regularly, but we needed to take a further decision on whether to continue rehearsals which are inevitably very interactive!

“With a number of members being in high risk groups we decided the prudent decision would be to suspend rehearsals

until further notice.

“Roll on a few days later and the government announced social distancing, followed soon after by the closure of schools.

“We felt somewhat vindicated in making a decision which was ahead of the curve, but it did not take the pain away from having to suspend all rehearsals for an undetermined period.

“Some might say ‘so what, rehearsals will start back up again at some point?’

“But the Bathtub Orchestra is more than just a fun activity to do each week; since its founding just over a year ago, the orchestra has grown into a twenty plus strong community of like-minded people coming together each week to play music and enjoy the process of learning.

“Friendships have been made and the absence of rehearsals have made everyone realise what

Another Christmas concert is planned - details to be announced they were really missing from the orchestra apart from the music.

“But music cannot be halted by anything, let alone a virus. Music always finds a way to continue.

“Deafness was not enough of a hurdle to stop Beethoven in his life long quest for musical perfection.

“Unlike Beethoven, we now have a wealth of technology at our fingertips to create and share music!

And so the Bathtub Orchestra has now embarked on a new, temporary chapter in its story.

“Each member is in the process of recording some of our repertoire in isolation, sending the tracks to me to arrange into a full scale studio recording!”

To join or for more info visit: https://bathtuborchestra.com/

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October 2021

n NEWS

bathvoice

n NEWS IN BRIEF

The artist on a mission to improve Twerton with some TLC

By Harry Mottram. Diana Ahmed has been described by some as a free spirit as there is no hiding her passion to see Twerton High Street improved.

Anyone who lives in the area will have witnessed the decline of the community’s number one shopping street as stores such as the Co-operative shop have been boarded up.

Residents have increasingly shopped online or headed down to Lidl and the M&S Foodhall off the Lower Bristol Road.

“Within the last six years the street has gone downhill,” she said, “my daughter used to work in the Co-op but when it closed it took the heart out of the High Street.

“So I thought I would do something about it and so I reached out to the Hub at Rose Cottage, Bath City FC, the local schools and the MP Wera Hobhouse.

“Everyone seemed to be up for it and I wanted to do something that was positive such as painting murals on the boarded up shops and putting up hanging baskets.”

Diana Ahmed She contacted the schools and talked about the industrial heritage of the area explaining how in the past you could tell if someone came from Twerton as they would have blue hands from their work and how the area was known for growing flowers for sale.

Diana lives on the Lower Bristol Road and is a full time artist and has a gofundme page to raise cash for materials to paint the murals and give Twerton a little bit of TLC.

Sarah Moore and Tim Ball are councillors representing Twerton and they are keen to see the improvements to the High Street

Public asked for views on High Street Improvements are planned for Twerton High Street by Bath and North East Somerset Council.

The project will be funded by West of England Combined Authority’s Love Our High Streets programme.

These improvements could include planting, shop front improvements, cleaning, pop up shops, signage and art installations.

19

Local people are wanted to shape these projects and their views were welcomed by the Council with Bath City Farm and Bose Cottage in Twerton chosen as contact points last month register opinions. #loveourhighstreets has been used on social media to highlight the plans which Cllrs Tim Ball and Sarah Moore are keen to see taken forward in 2022.

Anniversary: Bath Foodbank is ten years old. It is part of the Trussell Trust network of foodbanks in the UK and is one of the projects of Genesis Trust Bath. They first opened in September 2011 at the Baptist Church Open House Centre in Manvers Street followed by distribution centres at Rose Cottage in Twerton, St Barnabas Church in Southdown and The Hub at Mulberry Park.

USA tour: Rehearsals for Bath Male Choir take place at Beechen Cliff Methodist Church in Bear Flat, Bath, where new potential members are welcome on a Tuesday evening from 7.30pm onwards. The group have announced they will be going to the USA to perform in Nashville next year. For full details email choirs@grenvillemusic.co.uk ​or call 01761 47246 or visit www. bathmalechoir.org

Cats killed: The Linear Park residents have asked for support for their application for a Liverable Neighbourhood status following a number of incidents including the deaths of three cats in the surrounding streets due fast moving traffic. There has also been damage to parked cars this summer and the destruction of part of a garden wall adjoining a property on the corner of Lyndhurst and Millmead Roads by an HGV negotiating the turn. For more details visit their Facebook site.

Frome House: The owners Crossman Limited want to change the use of the building on Lower Bristol Road from offices to student accommodation. Somerset Live reported that the revamped building would stand up to five storeys high, with a new four-storey block facing Jews Lane.

The Jazz Factory at the Wiltshire Music Centre

Ten years a jazzer at ‘the factory’

By Andrew Gaulter: When making house-hunting trips to the Bath area from Surrey in late 2010, I regularly noticed road signs in Bradford-on-Avon for the Wiltshire Music Centre (WMC).

Intrigued, I looked up their website, which showed a thriving mecca for all genres of music.

There was also a link to the “Jazz Factory”, a club for amateur musicians.

I have played guitar for more years than I would care to say, though more on the pop/folk side than jazz.

Anyway, after we moved into the area in spring 2011, I plucked up courage and took my guitar along to WMC for one of Jazz Factory’s Monday evening sessions.

I was placed in one of their musical ensembles and spent a term in learning Duke Ellington standards, with a smattering of musical theory.

I was nervous before the end-of-term concert and was surprised when a member of the audience complimented my

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

rhythm guitar playing.

Since then, I have attended Jazz Factory almost every term – as guitarist, then banjo player, and most recently as electric bassist (my true calling!).

I have learned an immense amount from their enthusiastic and knowledgeable tutors and now really enjoy playing and listening to jazz in its many forms, from trad to bee bop and bossa nova.

The club even kept going throughout the pandemic with lessons via Zoom, resuming face-to-face in May and holding our concert once again at WMC on 5th July.

If you are an aspiring musician of any age, ability or instrument – we have even accommodated a concertina! – do take the plunge into jazz and come along to WMC any Monday evening during term time.

For further details, see jazzfactory.co.uk, or look up our fun performances on Youtube or Facebook.

October 2021

bathvoice

20

n NEWS

Bringing community together at The Hub

By Valentina Warren. A community celebration organised

by The Hub at Mulberry Park on Saturday 11 September, with help from local residents, businesses and organisations, was attended by more than 1,000 local people.

Scores of families flocked to The Hub, the community building at the heart of Curo’s 700-home development in Bath, Mulberry Park, to enjoy the activities on offer.

It’s the first time The Hub has hosted a community event since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Visitors took part in a variety of activities, from bouncy castles, donkey rides, face painting and arts and crafts for kids to various taster sessions such as yoga and ballet classes for adults.

Hub Manager, Lizzie Irvine, says: “We wanted to celebrate the amazing communities of Mulberry Park, Foxhill and

Combe Down and bring everyone together to have some fun after the difficulties of the pandemic.

“We estimate that more than 1,000 people joined us on the day, not just from Combe Down but also the wider Bath community.”

The event was opened by The Mayor of Bath, Councillor June Player, who also led a litter pick session at the end of the day.

The Mayor says: “I thoroughly enjoyed talking with the stall holders and learning about what they do, including the Crisp Packet Project, a Community Interest Company, a most innovative recycling scheme as it so very much fits in with my Mayoral Theme which includes recycling.”

Foxhill residents Alice Dunn and her 8-year-old son were among the many people taking part in the festivities. Alice says: “We really enjoyed the event on

The event was opened by The Mayor of Bath, Councillor June Player, who also led a litter pick session at the end of the day. Plus donkey rides were popular Saturday. There was a great wonderful to see so many local community feel, with a real buzz residents and visitors from about the place. My son elsewhere in Bath and it showed particularly loved the police dog just how valued the Hub is as a demo, having his face painted community resource.” and the hands-on science session.

The taster sessions were Thanks to The Hub for all their offered by local businesses who work and we hope to come along regularly hire the spaces at The to more events in the future.”

Hub: The Singing Tree Wiltshire, Ian Gadd, Chair of the Beats Dance Bath, Sheralie Mulberry Park Residents’ Margenout, Twinkles and YS Association, says: “We were Enquiring. delighted to partner with the Hub The event was opened by The to support Saturday’s Celebrating Mayor of Bath, Councillor June Combe Down event. It was Player.

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October 2021

bathvoice

21

n PUZZLES FOR ALL

The FIEND 5

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For younger readers

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bathvoice

22

October 2021

n BATH LIBRARY BOOK REVIEWS AND NEWS Adult Fiction The Architect’s Apprentice – Elif Shafak I saw this book as part of the Duchess of Cornwall’s Book Club and can see how it has been so recommended.

Set in sixteenthcentury Istanbul we meet a young boy, Jahan who appears to have travelled from a far away land with a white elephant called Chota – who will be given as a gift to the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire.

They are sent to the palace’s very large menagerie and their adventures begin. Jahan’s life within the palace walls revolves around scheming animal tamers, gypsies, courtiers and the everdemanding whims of the Sultan.

He meets Princess Mihrimah and so begins a very dangerous

friendship.

One day Chota & Jahan are ordered to join the army and face battle, and from this they see a bridge being built by the famous royal architect, Sinan. So begins another chapter in Jahan’s life as he joins Sinan as an apprentice architect.

This is a magical tale and a very absorbing read. The author depicts life in the Ottoman Empire really well, with great descriptions of the sights and smells of the city.

I thoroughly enjoyed following Jahan’s life from the palace to the building of fabulous mosques and aqueducts, and throughout is the ever presence of Chota, the elephant. Highly recommended.

Carrie – Stephen King

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Carrie is not very popular at school.

She lives with her very pious mother and after a particularly traumatic incident after a PE lesson, one of her adversaries is suspended and not allowed to go to the Prom. So, out of sympathy the popular Tommy Ross is persuaded to take Carrie to the Prom. However, events take a very deadly and macabre turn during the evening, and Carrie has a terrible and lethal “gift” which she exercises on the town that mocks her. A great introduction the world of Stephen King.

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very well and then something unusual/weird is always hiding underneath. This is one of his early stories and perhaps the most famous with a couple of film adaptions as well.

A perfect Halloween movie that starts so “normal” and then descends into something all together very different. Chris, a young AfricanAmerican man, visits his white girlfriend’s family and all seems very pleasant. In fact, the family seem to be going overboard in making him feel welcome, which Chris thinks may be about their nervousness around their daughter’s inter racial relationship.

However, as the weekend progress things start to become very disturbing, and Chris learns the truth and it is not at all what he imagined. Written and directed

by Jordan Peele, this is a brilliant, uncomfortable horror movie with an excellent twist.

Children’s Fiction Some suggestions for Halloween!!!

The Ghost Library – David Melling With a splendid glow in the dark cover, the story revolves round Bo and her new spooky friends.

She is quietly reading her favourite book

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one night when suddenly a clammy hand tries to grab the book away from her. She holds on to it tightly and is whisked off to the Ghost Library. Here a selection of funny ghosts hide out, borrow books from children as they don’t have any of their own but return them once they have read them. Can Bo help them out? Of course, read her magical story and meet all her new friends.

Winnie the Witch – Valerie Thomas & Korky Paul Follow the adventures of a special witch – Winnie. She lives in a black house, has black chairs and black stairs, black floors and black doors.

However, her cat Wilbur is also black and after sitting on him and tripping over him, she decides to turn Wilbur green. Then he goes out into the long grass! Winnie is going to need a little magic to make sure she can see Wilbur all the time. Crazy magic follows. This is the first of the Winnie the Witch series – enjoy and look out for more in the series!

Library News Always remember the two super free apps: Libby and BorrowBox where you can download newspapers, magazines, ebooks 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.

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

Moorland Road Community Library

Check out our opening hours - Tues, Thurs, Fri 10 - 12, and Sat 10 - 1pm.

Email us for more info at Moorlandroadcommunitylibrary@ gmail.com

October 2021

bathvoice

23

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