Keynsham Voice February 2023

HEAVY rains caused widespread flooding in the Keynsham and Saltford area, leaving motorists and boaters stranded and sports pitches under water.

Then temperatures fell, covering roads with ice and prompting police in Avon and Somerset to warn against non-essential travel.

The two extremes were captured in these photos by Chris Cardwell. One is of what he described as “Somerdale island” surrounded by water, while the other shows ice forming as the cold snap started.

Those affected by the flooding included a community of boaters, who say they were forced to

Aimee’s royal

Buses face axe

Bus passengers in Keynsham and Salford are among those who will be affected as about 40 West of England services face the axe.

PAGE 5

Protect our land

Now is the crucial time to protect Saltford’s rural setting from future development, says the parish council.

PAGE 6

Golf course shuts

Local golfers have been left saddened by the closure of Somerdale Pavilion golf course.

PAGE 11

Care apology

A leading councillor has apologised after a Keynsham nursing home was branded inadequate by inspectors.

PAGE 17

Businesses go

Keynsham High Street is losing two businesses with the closure of a greengrocer and a bank.

PAGE 20

Trapped boaters

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n From Page 1 cut through a metal fence after becoming trapped.

Jo Taylor, one of about 40 people living at Phoenix Marine, said the fence was erected a few years ago by a farmer along the boundary between his field and the site.

She said: “This fence has cut the boating community in half, but has also cut off our access to a safe route out in the event of a flood.

“It used to be that when things got bad down here, we could canoe or wade out along the higher end of the field, but the fortified fence has effectively trapped us in.

“We have an elderly neighbour undergoing chemo who needs to get to hospital, someone who needs insulin, and many of us who need food and supplies.”

The usual access via Broadmead Lane was also flooded, and Jo said the current

A SUNKEN boat moored in Mead Lane, Saltford, has started to break up in the River Avon.

It first became partially unmoored in November, ending up at right angles to the riverbank, before it was re-tethered.

was too strong for a canoe. So the boaters decided to cut through the fence with angle grinders so they could cross the field to shop for supplies and get their neighbour to hospital.

Phoenix Marine used to link up with the adjoining Keynsham Waterfront marina. But as well as the erection of the metal fence, a section of the pontoon between the two marinas was removed.

Jo said this divided what had been a close-knit and supportive community for more than a decade.

She said: “It was so demoralising and heart-breaking. It ended our community of sharing such things as child care and stopped us seeing our friends.”

Jo said local councillors have been sympathetic to their plight but “everyone seems powerless to prevent this fence being there.”

She said: “We’re a community of hard-working

Then fluctuating river levels left it caught on the rock armour before it tilted, taking on water and spilling fuel. The boat was then tied to two trees to stop it sinking completely before it began to fall apart, shedding pieces that floated away and became lodged near the lock gates.

A village resident, who took this photo, said: “Hopefully the owners will be able to get it out of the water soon before any more pieces break away, although now that the flood waters have subsided it’s not looking very good at all.”

To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 9082121 or 07715770448 Email Emma@keynshamvoice.co.uk

cut through fence as floods strike

builders, plumbers, teachers, psychologists, parents and retirees. We’ve written nicely to the farmer requesting a gate for emergencies, which we would pay for, but he doesn’t even reply.”

The Voice approached Mr Bendall for comment but was unable to get a response.

In separate incident during the flooding, fire and rescue crews were called when a boat

became wedged against a bridge next to the Lock Keeper pub in Keynsham. By the time they arrived, those on board the 38foot vessel had escaped, and the rescuers managed to secure the boat safely.

The pub itself was forced to close to repair damage caused by the flooding, stating on its Facebook page that it hoped to reopen on January 26. Rescuers were also called to

the flooded Old Bristol Road in Keynsham after three vehicles became stranded. They helped two people to safety.

The River Chew burst its banks in Keynsham Memorial Park, while the River Avon spilled into parts of Mead Lane in Saltford. Thrill-seekers took advantage of the floods at Keynsham Rugby Club’s ground

by paddle-boarding and kayaking on the water.

Keynsham Town Football Club also saw home fixtures wiped out after its pitch was left submerged, with club secretary Jules French saying that without fans coming through the turnstiles, the club’s finances would suffer.

l More photos: Pages 22 and 23

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Residents of Phoenix Marine, left, in front of the gap they cut in the metal fence. Above, the swollen waters of the River Avon

The flooding that trapped residents of Phoenix Marine

Honour is tribute to our team, says Lucy

COMMUNITY garden worker Lucy Mitchell says she will accept her New Year’s Honour – as a tribute to the volunteers who work with her.

Lucy, who lives in Keynsham and runs Golden Hill Community Garden in Horfield, was awarded a British Empire Medal, despite being an anti-royalist.

The project worker says at first she wasn’t sure whether to accept it.

She said: “To start with when they rang I said I’d think about it. I think the honours system is ridiculous and didn’t like the sound of a British Empire Medal. I’m an anti-monarchist.”

“I’m paid to do this – it’s my job, so it seemed strange to pick out one paid person when there are so many volunteers. But when I thought about it and talked to people, I realised it’s a nice way for the garden to be recognised.”

The community garden started when members of Horfield and District Allotment Association decided they wanted to make better use of a derelict area of the existing allotments in Monk Road.

After four years of fund raising, they got a grant from the Big Lottery Fund and Green Capital, and in 2011 work started clearing the site.

Lucy was taken on as a community project worker and oversaw turning the plot the size of 12 allotments into workable gardens.

The community garden is now open to the public every Wednesday – and part of Lucy’s job is organising regular groups of up to 30 volunteers to look after the garden, and carry out maintenance work.

She also runs sessions for toddlers, after-school clubs, young people with special educational needs, adults with learning difficulties and community groups.

Lucy says the honour is a tribute to all of them and their hard work.

“I always imagined these things were something rich people and celebs get but it seems someone with dirty boots can get one too,” she said.

“I think it’s a fun thing we can all talk about – and it would be great to wear a medal while working here, cleaning out the compost toilets!”

But it won’t be a visit to Buckingham Palace for Lucy. She says that when she told officials that would be a step too far, they said she wasn’t invited anyway, as the honour will be presented by Bristol Lord Lieutenant Peaches Golding.

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Knitter Margaret’s appeal

A KEYNSHAM knitter who has raised thousands of pounds for charity is appealing for help in continuing her good work.

Margaret Thompson is a regular attendee at craft workshops held in Compton Dando village hall. She has raised more than £16,000 for Children’s Hospice South West over the past few years by selling Christmas booties containing chocolate and

knitted Easter chicks with Crème Eggs inside.

Margaret says she would love to have help with delivering and collecting the knitted items, which she is now finding difficult to do. All money raised in excess of the costs of the eggs goes to the hospice.

If you can help, or know of someone who can, please ring Margaret on 07804 894678.

Subsidised bus services facing the axe

BUS passengers in Keynsham and Salford are among those who will be affected as about 40 West of England services face the axe.

Due to a funding row, from April these publicly subsidised services will no longer be funded and most likely withdrawn.

The services facing withdrawal include:

l 636 Whitchurch-Keynsham

l 640 Bishop Sutton-Keynsham

l 683 Keynsham-Wells

l 663 Somerdale-Chandag Road

l 664 Keynsham-Saltford

l 665 Somerdale-Longmeadow Road

l 684 Wick-Keynsham

The cuts were signed off by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), with the axed routes forming a 60% chunk of the region’s 69 subsidised services.

During the meeting, West of England metro mayor Dan Norris blamed the three council leaders — in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset — for paying WECA too small a transport levy.

Mr Norris said this year’s increase to the levy was less than inflation, so cuts had to be made.

The new West Link minibus service will operate in these green areas, including Keynsham

He said: “I’ve basically been given lists by the unitary authorities of what bus services they’re going to support. With inflation and the same budget being frozen, that inevitably leads to cuts.”

He said the region’s transport levy of about £20 a head per year compared to £60 a head in some other parts of the country.

“There are huge reserves in some of our council areas that could perhaps be used in a way

that deals with exactly these concerns, and that’s a political choice.”

Also from April, passengers in the Keynsham area and other parts of the region will be able to catch new dial-a-ride West Link minibus services, which will act almost like a shared Uber.

But Mr Norris denied that these were replacing the subsidised services, despite West Link kicking in at the same time as existing routes are withdrawn.

A quirk in government funding rules means that the West of England has tens of millions to spend on buses, but only in “new and innovative” ways.

Mr Norris added: “This is not a substitute for proper bus services, it’s a way of linking up people in more remote areas. I’ve asked the government if it’s possible to use the money I’ve received to maybe support bus services that are under threat, and it was very clear that the answer from them was ‘no’.”

Responding to claims that the councils could spend more on the transport levy, South Gloucestershire Council leader Toby Savage criticised the West of England’s spending on new offices and temporary staff.

He added many of the council’s reserves are for specific areas and can’t be spent on saving subsidised bus routes.

Cllr Savage said: “Other combined authorities around the country are different. Some have trams or tubes, which therefore does inflate their levy. I don’t think it’s a fair comparison.”

Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

l Metro Mayor news: Page 27

Margaret Thompson knitting a couple of twiddle muffs, to be donated to children with special needs

Crafting at Compton Dando are (from left) Mary Burnard, of Keynsham, Tricia Beazley of Saltford, and Margaret Barns of Whitchurch Photos: Ros Anstey

We must protect this natural wonder

NOW is the crucial time to protect Saltford’s rural setting from future development, says the parish council.

It wants to secure the future of the wooded and landscape area that the parish council (SPC) recognises as ‘Saltford South’.

SPC has agreed to ask Bath and North East Somerset Council to formally designate Salford South, which sits outside the housing boundary, as an ‘Area of Great Landscape Value’ (AGLV) or a ‘Local Green Space’ (LGS).

The request has been made to coincide with consultations on B&NES Council’s new Local Plan, which will guide change in the area until 2042, including planning applications for new development.

SPC says its case for AGLV or LGS status “highlights the benefits of protecting Saltford’s rural setting, including the preservation of a wide range of flora and fauna in the Saltford South area.”

It says that Saltford is classified as a Rural Area RA1 village in the B&NES Placemaking Plan 2017, meaning that development is deemed acceptable within and adjoining the housing development boundary on land outside the green belt.

“However, the RA1 designation does not in itself place a specific value on Saltford’s longstanding and outstandingly attractive landscape setting that makes Saltford such a unique rural village in the Avon Valley and between the cities of Bath and Bristol.

“An AGLV (the preferred

choice of Saltford Parish Council) or LGS designation would create a greater awareness to planners and developers of this landscape’s high quality and value to the community at large.”

It says such designation

would reassure “the community of Saltford and neighbouring parishes that the Local Planning Authority, i.e. B&NES Council, values this landscape as much as the community it seeks to represent and will protect it

from development that would otherwise reduce or destroy the openness, unspoilt rural character and wildlife habitat and ecological assets provided by Saltford South.”

SPC continues: “In addition to the Cotswold AONB located to the north and north east of Saltford, the principal area outside the housing boundary that contributes to the historic value of the landscape setting of Saltford comprises the two long-standing woodland areas of woodland, namely Folly Wood, to the east of Saltford golf course and designated by Natural England as an Ancient Woodland and classified as a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI), Saltford golf course itself, and Longwood, the long-established woodland to the west of the golf course alongside Longwood Lane.

“Folly Wood and Longwood are the only mature woodlands in Saltford and thus greatly valued by the local community.”

The parish council wants to safeguard ‘Saltford South’ (the area shaded blue below) for future generations Main photo: Phil Harding

Royal honour for caring Aimee, 9

NINE-year-old Aimee Phillips, from Saltford, was among the guests at the Royal Christmas Carol Service at Westminster.

She received her invitation from Catherine, the Princess of Wales, who hosted the event.

Aimee, who has raised money for several charities, said: “I was so excited and honoured. It was an unforgettable experience.”

The service was held in tribute to the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth, who died in September.

It included readings, songs and performances, and was attended by servicemen and women, charity representatives and community heroes, in addition to members of the Royal Family.

Among those appearing were Paddington star Hugh Bonneville and singer Melanie C.

The event, attended by about 1,800 people, was filmed for a Christmas Eve broadcast on ITV.

Aimee attended the carol service with her mum Sonia, who said: “The experience was amazing and we felt very humbled, honoured, blessed and grateful to have been in the same church, Westminster Abbey, as some of the country’s most wonderful, inspiring people that have actively gone out to make a difference to their communities, whether it be fundraising, meaningful campaigns or raising cause awareness.”

“We know Aimee’s fundraising has inspired others. We are so very proud of Aimee.”

In October, Aimee received a

British Citizen Youth Award for her commitment to charity work.

The Saltford School pupil has raised money for good causes such as Save the Children, NHS Charities Together and Wildlife Trusts. Her aim is to support one charity per month throughout 2023.

Her good cause for February is the Little Princess Trust. Her JustGiving page can be found at www.justgiving.com/page/ aimee-phillips-fundraisinglittle-princess-trust

Aimee Phillips with Faye Knight, of NHS Charities Together, who nominated Aimee to receive one of the invitations to the Royal Christmas Carol Service. Left, the manger at Westminster Abbey

Temple Street’s new look

WORK to improve Temple Street in Keynsham town centre has got under way.

Bath & North East Somerset Council says its project aims to make the street better for everyone who lives in, works in or visits the area.

It has notified residents and businesses that there will be no parking on either side of the road from number 30 to number 52 during the scheme, except on an ad-hoc basis as works allow. Parking is available at the nearby Civic Centre, Ashton Way and Bath Hill East car parks.

Traffic will be able to pass through in both directions along Temple Street, with one carriageway lane open and temporary traffic lights in place to filter traffic through.

The works are expected to be completed in May 2023 subject to findings, drainage repairs, material delivery times and area dependent on the weather, including temperatures required for materials to be laid and set.

New cycle parking, planters and temporary “parklets” will be installed on the Riverside development side of the street.

The refurbishment of No. 2 River Terrace, to bring it back into use as a community arts and local business space, was due to be completed by the end of January.

To support local businesses, a new Keynsham Town Centre Business Directory will be launched alongside a marketing campaign to promote the town centre.

But some local businesses are worried about how the planned improvements will affect their trade.

Karen McGregor, a partner at Vapour Generation, a vape shop on the street, said: “For the last couple of years, Keynsham seems to have been dug up from one end to the other.”

Nine months of work was carried out on Keynsham High Street, finishing in March 2021, to improve the street and install a segregated cycle lane, which has since become a hotspot for people falling due to its “optical illusion” kerb. No segregated cycle lane is planned for Temple Street.

Ms McGregor said: “It’s got to the stage where people are maybe skipping Keynsham now because it’s a nightmare to park.”

But she added: “On a positive note, I do feel that once it’s done it will be lovely - or I hope it will be.”

Assistant manager of lingerie store Perfect Fit, Jackie Baker, said: “We do think it’s going to impact on our trading.”

She added: “It just seems to never end.”

Across the street at Number 1 Turkish

is taking shape

How one of Temple Street’s temporary “parklets” would look

Barbers, owner Zring Mustafa said: “I don’t know what to do about it. I am not happy taking all the parking because otherwise Temple Street is going to be dead.”

Not all parking will be removed and, following a public consultation last year, more parking will be retained than originally proposed.

Mark Roper, cabinet member for economic development, regeneration and growth on Bath and North East Somerset Council, said: “We are grateful to the many people who took the time to respond to our

consultation last year. We have listened to the feedback and acted on it to change the final design, which means keeping more car parking spaces and providing more greenery.

“We apologise for any disruption during the works and we are working with our contractor to keep this to a minimum.”

Andy Wait, chair of Keynsham Town Council, added: “It is an impossible task to satisfy all requirements. We have had many serious discussions and are confident that we are close as we can be to the best compromise. I believe that most people will

Cones in place so work could begin

enjoy the extra facilities and freedoms the new space will offer and look forward to seeing the plan reach fruition.”

The seating and greenery are being installed on a trial basis before the council decides whether to make them permanent.

People with questions or comments can contact KeynshamHSHAZ@Bathnes.gov.uk or write to Keynsham HS HAZ Project Team at the Keynsham Town Council Office, 15-17 Temple Street, Keynsham, BS31 1HA.

John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporting Service

ON the last Friday of every month at 1pm, Trio Paradis (Jacquelyn Bevan, piano; Lisa Betteridge, violin; and Linda Stocks, cello) give a café concert at St John’s Church in Keynsham.

It’s an informal, friendly music event with a pop-up café serving tea, coffee and home-made cakes, open half an hour before the concert, where you can meet up with friends and make new ones.

Entrance is free, with donations invited, and there’s no need to book. February’s concert is in the church hall, returning to the church on March 31. Spring 2023 dates are as follows:

February 24: Daughters of the Muse March 31: The Sea (family concert - children especially welcome) April 28: Fantasies, Serenades & Scherzos

For more information visit http://www.trioparadis.com and Trio Paradis’ Facebook page @trioparadisbath.

Energy-saving success

TWO projects in Keynsham have played key roles in Bath and North East Somerset Council’s actions to reduce carbon emissions, restore nature and create new and improved green infrastructure.

Councillors were given an update on the implementation of the council’s climate strategy over the past year and its plans for the future, at a meeting of the climate emergency & sustainability policy development & scrutiny panel.

The Climate Progress Report outlines the council’s key achievements in 2022-23, and the panel heard about work to improve the energy efficiency of the council’s own buildings, including:

l Two Rivers C of E Primary School in Keynsham, which produces its own energy from photovoltaic panels on the roof. The building also benefits from triple glazing, two electric air-source heat pumps and a mechanical ventilation system incorporating heat recovery.

l The new Keynsham Recycling Hub, whose solar panels will provide much of the power needed for operations.

A pilot scheme saw more than 300 B&NES homeowners invest in solar panels and 20 battery storage systems.

Person pulled from river dies

A PERSON has been pronounced dead after being pulled from the river at Keynsham Memorial Park.

A member of public called the police just before noon on Tuesday January 3 to report they had seen someone in the water.

A police spokesperson said: “Emergency services attended the scene, and the fire service brought the person to shore. Sadly, the person was pronounced deceased at the scene.The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time, and officers will carry out any further enquiries on behalf of the Coroner’s Office.”

Photo: Martin Veal FROMEDIA

Blow as low-cost golf course shuts

LOCAL golfers have been left saddened by the closure of Somerdale Pavilion golf course in Keynsham.

Fry Golf Club members say they are “devastated and bitterly disappointed” at the loss of the last remaining low-cost golf membership venue in the Bath and North East Somerset area, which had been their home for 35 years.

Member Nigel Edgell, speaking on the club’s behalf, told the Voice: “The Somerdale Pavilion Trust (SPT), who manage the playing fields at Somerdale, cite an unbridgeable gap between maintenance costs and revenues received from golf membership fees, due the small number of fee-paying members remaining, as the reason for closure.

“This follows a very large hike in membership fees in 2021 which resulted in the exodus of over half the members, many of whom are OAPs.

“At a meeting with the Fry Golf Club, representatives of the SPT refused to reverse their closure decision and dismissed a number of positive proposals which, in the club’s view, could have boosted future membership and bolstered the golf course finances, if pursued.

“During the meeting it emerged that the SPT had already earmarked areas taken up by the golf greens for alternative use by what were described as better-supported sporting activities, the inference being, in the view of the Fry Golf Club, that golf at Somerdale had been effectively competed out.

“The golf course, which is predominantly flat, is especially suitable for older players and those with minor mobility impairments and also ideal for novices learning the game. It has a lovely backdrop with the river and trees behind it.”

Mr Edgell added: “Closure will especially impact older members of the Fry Golf Club, some of whom, at their recent emergency general meeting, identified being able to play at Somerdale as crucial to them in maintaining their physical and mental wellbeing.

“Several will reluctantly give

up the sport, feeling unable cope with the topography of alternative venues, the extra travelling involved or being unwilling to pay the significantly higher fees charged at some courses.”

Club members thanked local councillors, including Alex Beaumont, George Lucas and Andy Wait, for their support, as well as local MP Jacob ReesMogg.

Mr Edgell also thanked the Voice for publishing his letter last July promoting the golf course as a “hidden gem” that deserved to be more widely used.

He added: “I and the other members still can’t quite believe that it is gone for good.

“When the sun came out this afternoon the impulse would normally be to put the clubs in the back of the car and nip down to Somerdale to hit a few balls.

“You could literally do this with no prior arrangement. Alas, that joy won’t be possible any more.

“For the Fry Golf Club members and those who have used the course regularly on a pay-as-you-play basis, the loss means a very great deal to us, particularly those older members who will be giving up the sport as a consequence.”

A spokesperson for the Somerdale Pavilion Trust said: “Following a period of consultation between the members of the Fry Golf Club and the Somerdale Pavilion Trust in August, the difficult decision was made to close the nine-hole golf course at the end of the year.

“Sadly, due to its dwindling membership, the Fry Golf Club has been operating at a substantial loss for a number of years and it was felt that the fields occupied by the golf course could be repurposed to provide greater value for the local community.

“We would like to thank the members of the Fry Golf Club for their contribution to the Somerdale community and we wish them all the very best for the future.”

The course closed on December 31. Membership was £250 per year on weekdays, or players could pay £12 a visit.

The risk from flying golf balls is no more, following the closure of the course at Somervale Pavilion

KEYNSHAM MEMORIES with Keynsham & Saltford Local History Society

MANY residents of the modern development at Somerdale will not recognise this picture of the former gatehouse at the entrance to the factory site from Station Road. This was no ordinary gatehouse building. It incorporated a small museum in which artefacts from the excavation of the Roman Villa discovered during the factory construction in 1922 were displayed; these were accessible to the public.

On the right of the picture is the statue of Peter Pan presented by the employees to the Fry family on the occasion of the firm’s bicentenary in 1928this was later moved and it can be seen today near the factory war memorial.

‘Elegant’ bridge to span river in park

PLANS have been submitted for an ‘elegant’ new footbridge over the River Chew in Keynsham Memorial Park.

The existing bridge was closed in October 2019 on safety grounds after engineers confirmed that its old timber beams and rotten bearings were beyond repair.

Bath and North East Somerset Council plans to have the new bridge built off site. It would be made of fibre-reinforced polymer to withstand the damp river environment.

The abutments at each end would be retained but the central pier would be removed, enabling the new bridge to be

single span. This would improve the flow of the river, reducing flood risk. The bridge is proposed to have no external lighting, on the advice of the council’s ecologist.

The council says the river’s ecology can be protected during construction and that there will be no significant effect on bats, with demolition of the existing bridge taking place outside the bat hibernation season.

A council report states: “The proposal will reinstate an important walking route through the Memorial Park.”

It adds: “The single span replacement bridge is a more elegant design than

the existing bridge and will enhance the appearance of this part of the Keynsham conservation area.”

Two people who commented on the plan were concerned that having no lighting on the bridge would pose a safety risk.

One said: “I feel that lighting would be required in this area as it is a dark part of the park at night and I would not feel safe in walking across it in the dark.”

Keynsham Town Council says it supports the planning application. A separate application to demolish the existing bridge is currently being considered by the council.

The proposed replacement for the existing bridge

A waste of energy

Dear Boots the Chemist, who keeps leaving all the lights on inside your Keynsham High Street branch every Sunday?

Most Sunday afternoons myself and my wife frequent the Grounded cafe opposite Boots and during the average period of one to two hours we sit and talk, often at a table next to the window, allowing glimpses of the hustle and bustle of Keynsham’s vibrant street life.

Now the most common excitement of the viewing time is how many people walk up to and try the doors of the fully illuminated Boots store.

It truly is quite a spectator sport, as some will just turn and walk away while others will try the door then try it again. And maybe - just maybe - there is the walk along the shop front to see if anyone is in the “it must be open because all the lights are on” shop.

Now that the country is being hit by cost-of-living rises, including gas and electric, please can you turn the lights off if the store is shut.

Theodore North Editor’s note: A Boots spokesperson told us: “The lights in our Keynsham High Street store are controlled centrally, and were on in error while the store was closed on a Sunday. We have reported it to our team internally and the issue has been rectified.”

Acts of kindness

WHILE sitting on my “wheelie” for a short break at the top of the steep Fox and Hounds Lane in Keynsham recently, I was surprised when a young lady stopped her car, got out and came to enquire if I was okay.

I assured her that I was just taking a break and thanked her for her concern which was much appreciated.

There have been other occasions when pedestrians have also enquired if I needed any help, and I find it heartwarming that there is so much care around.

The news in the media generally is rather negative but I, as a 94-year-old, believe that there is much goodness and we in Keynsham are especially fortunate.

Morris Powe

Lessons to learn

I HOPE that BANES Council has learned lessons from all of the problems with the refurbishment of Keynsham High Street in time to apply them to the revamp of Temple Street. It would be much more reassuring if the council were to admit how badly the High Street project was administered and to say how things will differ in future.

Edmund Cannon

Safer and more peaceful roads

THANK you to Keynsham Voice for reporting in your December edition the closure of Queen Charlton Lane to through traffic. Now that this experimental scheme has been in operation for a couple of months, we can give your readers our early experience.

It is a delight to see the section of the lane from Queen Charlton village towards Whitchurch being used increasingly by walkers, runners, cyclists, and horses, all enjoying the countryside setting.

Local villagers are volunteering to maintain the planters that are in place. The lane has no pavements and this scheme to prevent rat-running has meant that the village itself is

FOLLOWING my letter to the Voice last month, I have received more information about why the ginkgo biloba (maidenhair) tree in Keynsham Memorial Park suddenly lost its leaves and why the bark at the bottom of the trunk was a different colour.

In my letter, I mentioned that I emailed Westonbirt Arboretum, who replied: “Generally, trees will drop their leaves gradually over a few weeks, but if they drop them over a short period of time there’s normally a weather event that causes it - heavy wind, heavy rain, a sudden cold snap.

“Bark varies in colour across a tree and lots of things affect it - whether it sees much sunlight, how old the tree is, animal damage, and weather conditions. Lichen/algae/moss can grow on bark which affects

now safer for pedestrians and has returned to being a tranquil rural community.

The Queen Charlton scheme is one of a number of measures introduced by the Lib Dem run B&NES Council that calm or reduce traffic across the Saltford ward area.

The speed limit has been reduced from 50mph to 40mph from The Globe roundabout towards Newton St Loe, on the A39 into Corston, and the A4 into Saltford.

The village of Chewton Keynsham is in the process of having its speed limit reduced from 30mph to 20mph, a change long called for by residents living

there. This speed limit change should be in place in a few months.

Compton Dando has just had its 20mph road markings and signage made consistent and clear. Woollard, which is partly in the Saltford ward, has also had its speed limit reduced to 20mph. These measures across the ward show what can be achieved to promote safer roads and active travel when residents, parish councils, and ward councillors work together.

Cllr Duncan Hounsell, B&NES Council Saltford ward, Lib Dem Alison Streatfeild-James, Queen Charlton resident, prospective Lib Dem

different plants. The fruits have a foul smell when ripe, so I’m glad the tree near me is male! The leaves were a lovely yellow this autumn.”

And Liz said: “The ginkgos in the Bristol Botanic Gardens always lose all their leaves in one go, and this is considered normal for that particular type of tree.

the colour and is more obvious in winter.”

But two stalwarts of the Keynsham branch of Avon Wildlife Trust tell me they think this is too generalised a view.

Rita said: “There is a ginkgo on the border outside my house, and it does tend to lose its leaves quite quickly. It is a primitive tree and dioecious - separate male and female flowers on

“We have one male and one female, with a notice to visitors not to touch the fallen fruit. I think that the Westonbirt response was a generalised one for most deciduous trees.

“There is (well, before lockdown anyway) a mature female tree in the garden of a big house next to Bristol Durdham Downs, and schoolboys used to ask girls to smell the fruit! I think that ours in Keynsham is a male.”

Andrew Harrison

Hang your heads in shame Be thankful on the bus

BATH and North East Somerset Council need to hang their heads in shame at the Care Quality Commission’s rating of Charlton House Community Resource Centre as inadequate for the residents and relatives (Keynsham Voice December issue) when the issues are highlighted are very basic with regards to room temperatures, providing heat, food and emergency medical support.

It is an indictment of the sloppy care by B&NES Council and the wellbeing of residents as a whole.

The other issue for Keynsham residents is the lack of parking. As a disabled badge holder, I was unable to get a disabled parking space in Ashton Way on Wednesday November 30 at 12pm. This resulted in my using a space in the car park, so taking up a space which could have been used by someone else. Therefore, taking away parking spaces in Temple Street is a backward step and should be a non-starter.

Keynsham is already suffering from a great lack of individual shops and these actions will stop friends, visitors and shoppers coming.

J Lynch, Keynsham

I HAVE been following press reports about a shortage of bus drivers in the Bristol region since Brexit. As a regular user of the X39 from Keynsham to Bristol, I decided to try to make their job a little more enjoyable and rewarding by saying ‘thank you’ to the driver each time I get off.

Recently this bus, along with all the cars, was held up by the burst water main at Eagle Road. The driver made the effort to tell us on both decks we would have to divert and remained cheerful throughout. When we re-joined the route after avoiding the congested or flooded part of the road, the occupants cheered!

This bus service is good on the whole from Ellsbridge House near Waitrose and only costs £2. Every 20 minutes, it whizzes down the bus lane overtaking the queue of cars.

So a very small New Year Resolution idea: be a little bit greener in your transport choices and say thank you to a bus driver.

Ruth and Robert Cole, Keynsham

Pupils hop on board for transport lesson

CHILDREN from Castle Primary School in Keynsham enjoyed getting on board their very own First West of England bus.

The four and five-year-olds, some of whom had never been on a bus before, had lots of fun learning about buses as part of their school transport project.

Before they set off, First West of England driver supervisor Ian Street and manager Chris Tanner chatted to the children about bus travel.

Once on the bus, each child handed a ticket that they had made to Ian. They then took turns sitting in the driver’s seat and pretended to drive the stationary vehicle while Ian explained that travelling by bus is a fun and easy way to get around.

Then it was off around Keynsham for a whistle-stop tour, with Ian at the wheel. The children enjoyed spotting familiar sights from the windows. The journey ended with the children ringing the bell for their school stop.

Ian said: “We take buses into local schools to encourage children and their families to use the bus network and to show children how to use buses safely and easily. The children were lovely and it was great to hear their excitement all the way, from sitting behind the wheel to up on the top deck looking out the windows.”

Reception class teacher Gemma Rowlands said: “This was a great way for the children to learn outside of the classroom,

while having a lot of fun. We are doing a literacy topic based on the book Naughty Bus and the trip was a great way to inspire the children and provide a stimulus for discussion. I’d like to say a big thank-you to Ian and First West of England for taking us out on such a special trip.”

The children loved the morning and here are some of their comments.

Oscar: “I liked being on the top floor, having a great view and looking out of the window at Puddleducks [Castle primary’s pre-school] and the trees.”

Elliot: “It was fun because I sat on the driver’s seat.”

Alma: “The best bit was when it was moving. I saw the toy shop and the park.”

A Castle Primary School pupil takes a practice turn at the wheel. Right, the children with driver supervisor Ian Street

Can you help us improve policing for all?

We start the new year with a new sergeant in the office.

Richard Newman has been appointed sergeant for both our Keynsham and the Chew Valley beat areas. He comes with lots of experience of neighbourhood policing, having previously worked in Bristol.

The neighbourhood pages of the Avon and Somerset Police website have been updated so you can see the whole team there.

We also have a new beat manager, Sarah Birth, who will be working alongside me covering the Keynsham beat area. Sarah is new to beat work but already thriving in the challenges that it provides.

I have been asked to bring to your attention, and seek some volunteers, to the Independent Advisory Groups. These groupsknown as IAGs - are made up of members of the public who meet quarterly to advise and offer ideas to the police on a wide range of activities relating to local policing.

The main role of an IAG is to act

with PC James Evans

as a ‘critical friend’ to the police. Unlike other more formal groups that advise the police (such as scrutiny panels), IAGs do not offer expert or specialist advice, but exist simply to reflect the viewpoints of its members. IAGs are not, therefore, made up of councillors, magistrates, politicians or other interested parties, but by ordinary members of the public.

What do IAGs talk about?

IAG members constructively advise and challenge police in Bath and North East Somerset on policies, procedures and practices, and advise the force on how to do better. Specific tasks might

involve a critical assessment of an operation, policy or incident. The aim is always to identify ways to make policing better for all.

IAGs were created to challenge conventional thinking, to give an independent perspective on issues and to work as genuine partners with the police to improve policing. As a member of an IAG, your input

would help us to be more effective, to engage better with our public, and respond better to the needs of the community.

What do I need to know? You don’t need any expertise or special interests to join the IAG - you just need to be prepared to share your views in a polite and thoughtful manner.

IAG members will often visit local police facilities and receive presentations from police staff on particular areas of interest. We regularly rdiscuss crime figures and recent incidents. We can also arrange ‘ride along’ sessions for individuals to experience real policing - for example, with the response teams or call handlers.

Join us! If you have a keen interest in policing, we want to hear from you. We’re open to constructive criticism and ideas on how we can do things better. If this is something you feel you could get involved in, then please email strategiciag@avonandsomerset. police.uk

Apology over failings at care home

A LEADING councillor has apologised after a Keynsham nursing home was branded inadequate by inspectors.

Bath and North East Somerset Council took over Charlton House in 2020 after owner Sirona said it could no longer run it.

But a Care Quality Commission report published last November found that the quality of care had deteriorated.

One person had been left sitting in urine overnight, another had an “unexplained bruise” to their chest, and staff did not call for medical assistance for seven hours after one person had suffered a stroke.

Alison Born, B&NES cabinet member for adult services, told a council scrutiny panel on January 17: “We are extremely sorry that we have let people down and have not provided the consistently high quality of care that residents and their families expect and deserve. We make no excuses for this.”

The council issued an apology to Charlton House residents and their families when the report was published.

Vic Pritchard, Conservative chair of the council’s children, adults, health, and wellbeing scrutiny panel, said: “Some of

Come in and get warm!

A WARM Welcome space has opened in Compton Dando so that people who cannot afford to pay for heating have somewhere to go.

St Mary’s Church in Compton Dando is hosting the space in the village hall each Thursday from 12.30pm to 2pm.

Rev Denise Calverley said: “This is initially for four weeks from January 12. Hopefully it will be for longer if people are enjoying coming together.

“Warm Welcome spaces are open nationwide to offer free spaces of warmth, welcome, food, refreshment and company this winter.”

The recent floods meant the first session was not as well attended as it might have been, but those who came had a good time.

what has been reported in the press has been really abhorrent, and amounts in my mind to torture.”

After the meeting, he stressed he did not think this was done proactively but that what some residents had experienced was of a comparable level.

Mr Pritchard had previously called for Ms Born and council leader Kevin Guy to resign over the issue.

Ms Born said the council was working hard to improve services at Charlton House but said this would not happen overnight.

She said a national shortage of care staff meant the care home was reliant on agency staff and was not able to cover all shifts. During Covid, Charlton House

also took in people discharged from Bath’s Royal United Hospital to free up beds.

Ms Born said: “With hindsight, this was not a good move because the service lacked resilience, but it was made in good faith to try to support our partners in the local health and social care system at a time of crisis.”

Since issues were raised, the care home has been at half capacity to reduce the staffing pressure, with just 14 people staying in the 30-bed facility.

Suzanne Westhead, the council’s director of adult services, said it was her team that alerted the CQC to the concerns highlighted in its inspectors’ report.

But councillor Liz Hardman said: “I would have been really disappointed if they hadn’t done that. That’s part of their job.

“There are tipping points all the way along in what happened to Charlton House and what I would like to challenge is why weren’t they picked up.”

Ms Hardman said: “Because people were discharged from the RUH, their needs were more complex and under the wider system, Charlton House was unable to respond to service user needs. So this should have been picked up fairly quickly.”

She added that another “tipping point” was the lack of senior staff at the care home, with key positions filled by agency staff.

She said: “This is a care home which, over a relatively short period of time, deteriorated into one which was deemed inadequate by CQC.”

Ms Westhead said new staff brought in included a senior nurse from the RUH and a new registered manager.

They were also building up their own nursing staff so the care home would not be dependent on agency nurses again.

John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Free films for youngsters

A NEW cinema club in Keynsham is showing free films for children on Saturday mornings this winter.

The screenings take place at 10.30am at the Charlton Cinema in The Chocolate Quarter and are hosted by pizza restaurant and cafe B Block.

Upcoming showings are as follows:

January 28: Charlotte’s Web

February 4: A Series of Unfortunate Events

February 11: Peter Rabbit 2

Rev Calverley said: “ We did have 11 people in total, both helpers and visitors, and they enjoyed having home-made vegetable soup with warm bread, biscuits, panettone, tea and coffee. All who came were very cheerful and chatty.”

Everyone is welcome to come along – just arrive any time between 12.30pm and 2pm.

l Pictured, helpers and guests (left to right) Lynn Watson, one of the two church wardens, Neil Borer, the Rev Denise Calverley, Ron Coombs and Alison Coombs.

February 18: The Gruffalo’s Child

February 25: Coco

March 4: Sing 2

March 11: Luca

March 18: E.T.

March 25: Encanto.

To book free places, email info@b-blockpizza.co.uk

Charlton House care home was taken over by B&NES Council in 2020

n KEYNSHAM WALKERS ARE WELCOME

Making tracks to railway station

Forthcoming walks - all start at 10am unless otherwise stated:

n Sunday February 19 (provisional): Meeting at the Fox & Hounds car park, we catch the Dial-a-Ride minibus to Crews Hole and walk the six miles back along the River Avon to Keynsham. Because of conditions underfoot, this walk will be reviewed nearer the time. Please visit the Keynsham Walkers are Welcome website for updates.

DESPITE the torrential rain and severe flooding, Keynsham Walkers are Welcome met at the Memorial Park gates for the first walk of the new year.

We welcomed a new walker to the group, and the organisers were well pleased with the 27 people that turned up, as rain was forecast for the start of the walk.

The original walk along the banks of the River Avon had to be severely amended as large sections were under water, so the leader, Derek Butler, had to change the route to include some road walking, which is what the group try to avoid.

We were all in good spirits, despite the early-morning rain, as we headed to Willsbridge Reserve along the Keynsham Road, where we could see at first hand the

extent of the flooding. The track through the reserve, along the old dramway, was very muddy, but we reached the pavement of the far side without mishap.

We continued to the Bath/Bristol cycle path, where we turned sharply right and headed to our refreshment stop at the Bitton Station, where the friendly staff catered for our needs.

Once again, because of the flooding, we had to change the route back, walking through the industrial estate opposite the station, joining the Keynsham Road again and heading back home.

Our thanks go to Derek and his wife Vanessa who, because of the conditions, had to recce the walk twice. A thoroughly enjoyable walk was had by all.

n Sunday March 12: Catching the bus to Saltford for a five-mile circular walk to the Kelston Cheese Shop, or alternatively you can meet us in Saltford. There will be a refreshment stop near the end of the walk. Full details of times etc will be on our website.

n Sunday April 16: Meet at the Memorial Park gates for a seven-mile circular walk to Burnett Bluebell Woods. A refreshment stop will be included.

n 1st KEYNSHAM SCOUTS

When you think of Scouts, you think of camping, sunny weather and long days. January is wet, cold and dark, but that did not stop some of our scouting members from having a play on the flooded fields at Somerdale.

Kayaks and paddleboards out, proper buoyancy aids and skills, and the knowledge of what to do … could that be you?

As one of the most successful Scouts groups in the country, sitting in the heart of our community, we welcome even more adults with that sense of adventure, leading young people and reducing our waiting lists, which with our expanding community continue to grow.

1st Keynsham Scouts have numerous roles for adults to fill, and here are just three examples: l A uniformed leader on an evening with the Beavers/Cubs/Scouts or Explorers.

l An instructor for activities such as climbing, kayaking, shooting and more.

l Help with organising fund-raising events such as clay shoots and our auction.

If you are over 18 years old (there is no upper age limit) and want to know more, please email scouts@1stkeynshamscouts.org.uk. We will be more than happy to share plans and talk about how you can get involved.

Everyone has skills they can share, to provide fun, adventure and friendship for yourself, while giving life skills to the next generation. Make a difference in your community - come and talk to us.

Like the man in the kayak said: “I first learnt to kayak in Scouts when I was younger.”

Greengrocer and bank shutting in High St

KEYNSHAM High Street is losing two more businesses.

Greengrocer WF Buss was due to close its doors for the last time on January 28, while the TSB branch is scheduled to shut in May.

WF Buss had been running in the High Street for more than 60 years, but a spokesperson said it was no longer viable.

They said: “It’s not a decision we’ve taken

Be

lightly but we could no longer afford to keep going.”

The spokesperson said they did not know what would happen to the premises.

The Keynsham branch of the TSB will shut on May 2. It is one of nine sites that the bank is closing throughout the UK.

The bank advises customers that the nearest alternative branch is in Bedminster

and that the nearest free cash machines are at the Halifax in High Street and Tesco. The TSB says that more than 90% of customer transactions are now made digitally.

The latest departures from the High Street follow the closure of Church’s newsagents in September last year after more than 90 years of traders. The premises have since become a shop run by the PDSA, the pets charity.

PROGRESSIVE Sports exists to engage and encourage children to be physically active.

We work in partnership with many schools in the local area and deliver sports and activities to over 1,000 children every week.

If you are a parent, we deliver fun and exciting Active Camps at a venue near you during the school holidays. We can provide you with a childcare solution while also helping your child to socialise and feel included in a safe and secure environment.

If you are a teacher, we can help you to raise the profile and standard of PE within your school. We can increase engagement and the variety of your extra-curricular activities and also support you with the allocation of your sports premium budget.

If you’d like to know more, please contact us at j.mctiernan@progressivesports.co.uk, find us on Facebook or visit our booking site at https:// progressive-sports-bath.class4kids.co.uk

When law and order finally found a home

A Somerset police constable in 1860 - it was not until 1875 that the top hat

replaced by a helmet.

Left, the old Keynsham police Station on Bath Hill East, which was demolished in 1972

REDEVELOPMENT of the site of the former Keynsham Police Station is almost complete and there are new residents living on Bath Hill East.

The site had been used as a car park since demolition of the original building in 1972. Here, we look at the old police station and the world of policing when it was built.

For hundreds of years before 1800, law enforcement had been somewhat haphazard, with unpaid constables in the field and justices of the peace holding courts (sessions).

Policing as we know it developed through several Acts of Parliament in the 19th century, with police forces required to be established in county areas such as Somerset after 1856.

During the first half of 1857, land was purchased for new police stations throughout the county. Keynsham (with Saltford) was one of the 14 police districts and on 8th January, the justices agreed to purchase a quarter acre of land for a station at Keynsham for £75.25.

The designs for the different sites were almost identical and accommodation was provided for between one and three constables. Trouble was encountered in raising loans for building, but in July £30,000 was borrowed from

the West of England Insurance Company at 4%.

Most stations were ready for occupation in late 1858, but until they were, police business was carried on in private dwelling houses, with constables in lodgings.

In Keynsham, the old Court House on Bath Hill West was used as a police station until the new one was complete. In the first place the Keynsham station provide accommodation for one sergeant and one constable plus their families, together with prison cells.

At that time the life of a police constable was far removed from today’s. Uniform was a great coat, frock coat, cape and top hat with a truncheon and pair of handcuffs for equipment.

Transport was by shanks’ pony and emergency communication was by shouting, later supplemented by a rattle. It was not until 1875 that the top hat was replaced by a helmet. A sergeant was paid 23 shillings [£1.15] per week and a constable first class 19 shillings [95p].

In 1861, improvement plans were made for police stations. Petty sessions were held in Keynsham, so the station needed a magistrates’ room, a large assembly room, enclosed yard, stable and shed for a cart. It appears that an extension to provide these facilities was not

built until about 1880, so it is possible that a room in the Old Court House was used.

Crime was varied and sometimes violent. Cases of riotous behaviour, assault, stealing and the use of counterfeit shillings were the bread and butter of a constable’s life, although in 1864 there was an inquest into a case of manslaughter.

Four years later, the coroner held an inquest at the Talbot Inn into the death of Sergeant Webb, who had been Keynsham’s police sergeant since 1866.

He and his assistant Constable Fry had gone to Saltford to arrest one Thomas Jackson, but the latter struck Webb a severe blow over the left eye and threatened both men with a poker.

He was eventually secured with the assistance of two other men. The next day, Webb complained of pain in the front of his head and although attended by Mr Lodge, surgeon, he died three weeks later of a brain haemorrhage.

During the last quarter of the century, control of the police became more democratic, and communications and transport were slowly modernised, although constables weren’t given bicycles until 1906.

Richard Dyson

A big thank-you to Keynsham Voice readers for these photos of the recent floods - they are from Dan Oliver (top), Andrew Southard (below left), Julia Weaver (bottom left), Kade Beck (below right), Ella Gritsham (middle right) and Linette Zerk (bottom right)

The pictures on this page were taken by photographer Colin Rayner

Memory Lane Dementia Day Centre

Caring in the Community

Memory Lane is a new Dementia Service based at Caring Comes First in Kingswood. Our aim is to improve and maintain the wellbeing of those living with Dementia, through person centred activities and social opportunities.

Our goal is to offer enrichment to the lives of people living with Dementia, which has a positive effect and therefore increasing their wellbeing by engaging in stimulation and activity outside their normal routine.

We offer a fully engaging, interactive experience for all our clients, with activities including; Live Music & Singalongs | Music Therapy | Crafts | Flower Arranging | Gardening | Aromatherapy | Animal Therapy | Reminiscing Sessions | Tabletop Games | Armchair Yoga

Sessions are available Monday-Friday 9am - 12.30pm | 1pm - 4.30pm (Drinks & snacks included)

We are now taking referrals for private and funded clients, to find out more about our services please call

Stirrings of spring to spread a warm glow

February is the month of hope, that the cold winter will soon be over as the days start to lengthen. As we progress into spring, birdsong is increasing, heralding the breeding season that will soon be upon us. Under our feet the ground is also stirring as the first of the spring flowers and plants emerge.

We see lesser celandine opening in the sunshine, carpeting the woodland floor with gold. Daisies, or “day’s eyes” as they used to be known, open every sunny morning and close up in the evening, so it must be nearly time to start making daisy-chains!

By the river, butterbur, with its thick leaves and stems, has many pink flower-heads; personally I think that it is a flower only its parents could love. Ground-ivy creeps beneath hedgerows, showing off its pretty violet-like flowers, rooting as it goes. It used to be grown for flavouring bitter beer, as well as for medicinal use.

Of course, hairy bittercress will be flowering in every warm spell; it is an ephemeral annual, taking advantage of any situation to quickly flower and explosively hurl its seeds in all directions. This may be fine in a park, but not appreciated in your garden!

Another ephemeral to look out for is groundsel, its small yellow flowers turning to silky parachutes which carry the tiny fruits far and wide. I used to love these for the pretty striped caterpillars they supported. Shepherd’s purse also flowers at any time of year; look out for the “purses” on the stems.

The leaves have been used medicinally in the past, and are still found in some medications. Common speedwell has sky-blue and white flowers - they look very pretty beneath old walls.

Look out for red dead-nettle;

this doesn’t sting but the roots were formerly used as pig-food, with the flowers crystallised in a sugar solution and eaten as sweets. I’ve never been brave enough to try this!

You may be lucky and find some delicate pale yellow wild primroses which will have been flowering since December, not to be confused with their sturdy, cultivated relatives in garish shades of cream, pink and red.

This is a good month for flowering trees and shrubs too, with top marks going to the flowering cherry plum (Prunus cerasifera) whose clusters of white flowers appear before the leaves.

Male hazel catkins are now full of pollen, hoping that the wind will blow their way and reach the small red female flowers - otherwise there will be no hazelnuts for the squirrels this year!

There are flowers on the yew trees too this month. The yellow, mimosa-scented males are on one tree, with the green female flowers on a different tree as these plants are dioecious, having one sex only on each tree.

As with the hazel, the male flowers are the more showy of the two, but the females go on to fruit so are definitely the best (I may be biased here of course).

Finally, look out for the stickybuds on horse chestnut trees. This is the month they start swelling and become extremely sticky, prior to bursting into leaf in the next couple of months. So go out and see how many of these February delights you can find.

OUR February talk with Ray Barnett, Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society, looks at the important ecological changes happening around us and in particular in our gardens.

It’s called Reading the Signswhat the bug life in YOUR garden reveals about our changing world From his extensive experience of studying local insect fauna in and

around Bristol and Bath, Ray will explore the changes and suggest ways to contribute to a healthier ecosystem.

The talk is on Friday February 10 at 7.30pm, Keynsham Baptist Church Hall BS31 1DS. All welcome. Entrance £3 for Avon Wildlife Trust members/£4 for non-members. No booking is required.

Common Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) Wiki Creative Commons

Flowering Cherry Plum

Photo: Kathy Farrell

Common Groundsel (Senecio vulgarise), left, and Red Dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum) Wiki Creative Commons

KEYNSHAM IN BLOOM

Can you help new show spring into life?

ONCE again another gardening year starts and we have a busy time ahead.

Keynsham Town Council is introducing a spring show to be held at the Scout HQ on Saturday March 25, starting at 12pm.

This show will be such fun, and if you wish to get involved please email Dawn Drury at keynshaminbloom@icloud.com or myself at catherinemarywoodman@gmail.com.

Keynsham In Bloom has a stall and there will be a flower show, a cake stall, plus many other interesting things to see and enjoy.

At this time of year, our town’s gardens and flower containers are sleeping, but our volunteers have been busy at work ready for the warmer weather.

The old plants from the High Street have been removed and very soon the containers will be topped up with fresh compost and replanted with spring flowers. The flowerbeds at Keynsham Station are restocked with donated plants from lovely local people, and the containers are planted and looking healthy.

The Pocket Park has also had donated plants added, and when the weather is warmer it will spring into life. Queens Road containers have been planted with violas, polyanthus and bulbs.

The containers in Holmoak Road have had extra alpines added, together with crocus and tete-a-tete bulbs. And the Chandag Road shop

containers are filled with alpines and looking forward to bursting into flower.

Of course, we couldn’t achieve any of these projects without the support of our lovely volunteers, and l take this opportunity to thank

them for their hard work. If you would like to become a volunteer, please contact the email addresses above or pop into the council offices in Temple Street.

Mary Woodman

Volunteers Lin, Mary and Anne get a soaking in the High Street

Burn survivors’ charity appeals for volunteers

A CHARITY which supports children and their families after burn injuries is looking for people to help its work.

Frenchay After Burns children’s club (FAB) is run by volunteers, receiving no government support for its work to help young burn survivors make friends, build confidence and self-esteem through free activities - from days out, parties and pantomimes to international residential camps.

Any child aged under 18 with a burn injury can join and the charity aims to support.

Lizzie Evans is one of the founders of FAB, and her own personal experience inspired her.

She said: “I had a burn injury myself when I was eight, and when it happened there weren’t support groups.”

Lizzie was visiting family when her dress caught fire as she dried it in front of an open fire after playing out in the snow.

She suffered burns to her legs and was treated in Birmingham

Children’s Hospital, before going home and undergoing operations and skin grafts at Frenchay Hospital’s burns unit.

Lizzie went on to become a nurse and work on the same ward where she was treated at Frenchay, and it was while there in 2000 that she met Julie Scott, one of the charity’s other founders and current chair.

Although Frenchay Hospital has long since closed, Lizzie now works as a burns outreach nurse at Bristol Children’s Hospital.

FAB relies entirely on fundraising to meet its costs of about £25,000 a year.

Anyone who would like to find out more about volunteering for FAB is welcome to attend its annual meeting at Christ Church Hall in North Street, Downend, on February 7 at 7.30pm.

More information can be found at the charity’s Facebook page, website www.fabclub.org. uk, by emailing mail@fabclub. org.uk or by calling 07821 989845.

n NEWS FROM THE METRO MAYOR

n BRISTOL WOMEN’S

Play your part in day of unity and celebration

INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day will be bigger and better than ever this year.

Bristol Women’s Voice and a team of volunteers are working together on the programme for the event on March 8.

More than 100 contributors and partners will run workshops, performances, exhibitions, activities and talks in and around City Hall.

Topics include health, nurture, poetry, music, film and photography, dance and visual arts. We can provide support to get there via free public transport, a creche and translation services.

This year, the day-long event will also include an evening of entertainment, as well as a march through the city centre so women can show their support for one another and make their voices heard.

Bristol Women’s Voice is run on a tight budget by a staff team of five, all part-timers.

In building their vision of equality for women in Bristol, the

A new solution to our bus crisis

LAST year I held scores of mayor events across the West of England to meet thousands of local people face-to-face to discuss buses.

For me, this was all about listening. It quickly became clear the severe bus driver shortage nationally is impacting hard locally.

For the individuals and communities hit by route changes or cuts, this is a very big deal.

The old ways don’t work. It needs new and innovative solutions as soon as possible.

I am proud to announce that a fleet of green minibuses called WEST link will form a new ‘on-demand’ service within the West of England, starting this summer.

Passengers in designated zones will be able hail a ‘WEST link’ minibus by using an app on your smartphone, visiting a website or by phoning up.

Unlike traditional buses, WEST link will be unrestricted by a timetable. Instead, clever tech will use algorithms to link up

several people’s needs, combining them into one trip as efficiently as possible.

The 7am to 7pm Monday-Saturday service will cover much of North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and parts of Bristol including Windmill Hill, Knowle, Brislington and St Anne’s. Within this overall area, there will be local zones. Passengers will be able to use a WEST link minibus in their local zone to get to key transport corridors to then pick up another bus or train.

Vitally, using more minibuses will help address the acute bus driver shortage. How? Well, it’s easier and quicker to train to drive a smaller vehicle and for most people, it is far less daunting!

It also allows drivers already qualified to get behind the wheel of large double-deckers to focus on the busy routes. On demand minibuses also better meet the needs of our more remote or isolated communities.

You have been telling me the status quo hasn’t been working and that unrelia-

work they do includes working with transport companies and the council to lobby for urgentlyneeded improvements in women’s safety on public transport in Bristol.

Bristol Women’s Voice holds the police to account and acts as a critical friend via the Women’s Independent Advisory Group. They support and work with women’s organisations, members and other allies across the city to renew and strengthen their call for change.

In supporting part of the council’s answer to the cost-ofliving crisis, they hope to mobilise a team of volunteers to run women-only time slots within the 70 city-wide welcoming spaces. The charity is also putting together a directory of all the services for women across Bristol into one place.

If you’d like to find out more or become a member, visit bristolwomensvoice.org.uk

If you’d like to volunteer for International Women’s Day, email VTcoordinator@bristolwomensvoice. org.uk

ble buses cannot be tolerated.

You have said things must improve to help you get to where you need to travel and to meet our vitally important and ambitious 2030 Net Zero targets.

I agree – so there will be changes.

Change is hard: it’s disruptive and takes time.

I, my staff, and the bus companies, will have to learn lessons as we work hard to put things right. Please play your part by trying WEST link, so we can grab this positive opportunity to shape our transport future for the better.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris writes for the Voice

Developer must pay after dropping appeal

THE developer behind a proposed biogas plant on the outskirts of Keynsham has been ordered to pay costs after it withdrew its planning appeal.

Bath and North East Somerset Council requested costs on the grounds that Resourceful Energy Anaerobic Limited (REAL) acted unreasonably in pulling out at a late stage, causing the council to incur unnecessary.

The Secretary of State has now awarded partial costs, concluding that REAL did not show a sufficiently good reason for withdrawing the appeal when it did.

Resourceful Energy Anaerobic Limited (REAL) had sought permission for an anaerobic digester facility on the site of the former Queen Charlton Quarry.

The plan for Charlton Field Lane attracted objections from more than 800 people concerned about increased noise, pollution, smells and traffic.

Protect Our Keynsham Environment (POKE) campaigned against the scheme.

And in March last year, Bath and North East Somerset Council planning committee members unanimously refused permission.

REAL then announced it would challenge the decision to block the scheme, which aimed to turn food waste into energy.

Its appeal was submitted on April 5 last

year and a 12-day planning enquiry was scheduled to start on October 11.

But on August 4, the developer’s agent wrote to the Planning Inspectorate asking that a case management conference due to be held on August 8 be postponed because REAL was considering dropping its appeal.

The inspector agreed and the agent confirmed on August 18 that the appeal had been withdrawn – four months after its submission.

After the appeal was initiated, REAL became aware that B&NES Council had awarded a waste contract to a syndicate of

other anaerobic digester plants, two of which were outside the council’s area.

Due to the potential impact of this on food waste available for the proposed plant, REAL engaged a consultant to carry out a ‘need’ analysis of the Queen Charlton scheme, which was completed in July.

This concluded that, despite the reduction in available waste due to the new contract, there would still be enough waste to feed the proposed plant.

This prompted REAL to propose a new commercial model using less feedstock per year than the original planning permission envisaged.

REAL sought legal advice on whether this new commercial model could be considered by the inspector as part of the appeal. But the advice was that this model was too different to support the appeal, and this prompted the decision to withdraw.

The Secretary of State ruled that REAL’s reasons for withdrawing amounted to a personal or commercial decision and had no bearing on the planning merits of the appeal, so a partial costs award – from June 8 – was justified.

The amount payable is to be resolved by the parties based on evidence of costs incurred, or failing that, by an application to the Senior Courts Costs Office.

The site of the former Queen Charlton Quarry, where plans for an anaerobic digester plant were refused

Delight as Martha strikes gold

SALTFORD District Guiding had another cause for celebration last month as they celebrated their first ever Ranger achieving gold award.

Martha Hamlen worked towards the award for three years in total, committing to badge work and Zoom meetings with her Ranger unit throughout Covid lockdowns and beyond.

Martha was amongst the first group of Guides to receive her Baden Powell in Saltford in 2018.

Her leader, Alison Cannon, praised Martha’s dedication and enthusiasm for Guiding when she presented her award at a special ceremony.

She said: “Martha has shown tremendous commitment, especially at a time when we were all forced to stay at home. Despite the circumstances, she has gone on to achieve fantastically.

“Martha is a very kind and dedicated person. There is no job to big or small and she is always ready to help.”

Martha has been a member of Guiding since joining as a Rainbow at five years old. She has

now decided to train as a Leader with 2nd Saltford Rainbows, where she helps weekly around her studies at Bath Spa University. Congratulations Martha, we are very proud of you!

If your daughter would like to join Guides in Saltford and is aged between 10 and 14, why not come along to our taster night, packed

Parish council tax increase

SALTFORD Parish Council has decided to increase its council tax precept for 2023/24 by 20.8%.

This means an average Band D property will pay £27.08 per year, a rise of £4.55. The total precept will rise from £41,005 in 2022/23 to £49,534.

Because Saltford’s tax base has increased for 2023/24, the increase translates to a rise of 20.2% per household.

The hike is due to the high cost of repairing the wall of St Mary’s churchyard after part of it started to collapse. The parish council had to dip into its reserves to pay the bill.

with all the exciting things we like to do as Guides, such as camp craft, cooking, fire lighting and more. One night only, Monday June 5 from 7pm-8.30pm.

To express your interest, please email saltforddistrictguides@ gmail.com and we look forward to welcoming them to join us on our adventures.

n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC

Don’t fall for romance fraud this Valentine’s Day

I WANT to start by thanking those who completed my precept survey last month. As ever, it was important that I heard from as many people as possible.

I understand how stretched finances are for many of us, so I need to carefully consider what the public has to say on any tax increases before I propose a finalised budget.

It is important to remind you it is also a difficult time for funding your police force; policing is not immune to the cost-of-living crisis, so the budget is being set against a challenging economic environment.

I will continue to update you regarding my precept decision in the coming weeks.

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, I urge online

daters to stay alert to potential scammers and to not fall victim to romance fraud. Romance fraud is much more common than many of us realise, with fraudsters taking advantage of those trying to find a connection or relationship.

Romance fraud involves fraudsters masquerading as romantic partners and, after laying the groundwork for a ‘relationship’ with a victim, the scammer will ask for ‘favours’, like sending them money, providing personal and financial information, or purchasing items for them.

It isn’t hearts these fraudsters want to steal: it’s bank account balances.

This is an awful, heartbreaking crime; victims invest

time into someone and think they have a genuine personal connection. I know many victims feel ashamed when they realise romance fraudsters have scammed them.

Please know support is available from the police and the Action Fraud website.

If you think a family member or friend is a victim of this terrible crime, please make them aware of the signs and encourage them to report it to Action Fraud.

I would also like to bring to your attention our next Performance and Accountability Board (PAB), which will take place on Tuesday, February 7.

I was elected to be the voice of local people in policing. I will be questioning Chief Constable Sarah Crew to ensure she delivers

Saltford Parish Council levies one of the lowest precepts in the Bath and North East Somerset Council area.

B&NES Council will decide on its element of the council tax for 2023/24 in due course.

The total figure for a Band D property in Saltford – including parish, police and fire precept - was set at £1,926.98 for 2022/23.

With Police and Crime Commissioner Mark

Shelford

an efficient, effective, and legitimate police service for our communities.

I will ask questions about police performance and priorities in Avon and Somerset.

If you have any concerns or questions you would like included in the live broadcast, you can contact me and the OPCC via our website.

Adult Fiction

Malibu Rising

Taylor Jenkins Reid

This proved a summer hit last year, but it’s a great escapist read just right for cold February days. It is set in 1983 at one of the glittering mansions that hug the coastline of Malibu, where Nina Riva is about to host her summer party.

Nina and her siblings are the talk of Malibu - Nina an accomplished surfer and supermodel; brothers Jay and Hud, one a surfer and the other a photographer; and their baby sister Kit. They are all the children of famous musician Mick Riva.

To add to the gossip, Nina has just been very publicly abandoned by her tennis pro husband, Brandon. This all adds to the anticipation of the party.

By midnight the party is out of control. And by the early hours Malibu is alight, and the Riva mansion is consumed by the flames. Long-lost secrets will come bubbling to the surface and the privileged family will never be the same again - but remember that from the ashes a phoenix can rise!

Island in the East

Jenny Ashcroft

For fans of Victoria Hislop and Dinah Jefferies, this book is beautifully written and very evocative. It begins in Singapore in

1897, where the arrival of twins

Harriet and Mae Grafton causes a stir in the British community. For the twins, it means being flung into a new world, with a wealthy benefactor and new friends including the mysterious Alex Blake.

The story then flips to London in 1941, where Ivy Harcourt is recovering from injuries both mental and physical from the Blitz. As she can speak Japanese, she finds herself posted to Singapore, arriving just before the Japanese invasion. There she meets strangers from her grandmother’s past, which includes an unstoppable love affair and a shattering secret.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I particular liked the character of Ivy – quite a tough cookie. The author describes the Far East very well – you can feel the heat from the page. An emotional and absorbing read.

Adult Non-Fiction

As the winter chill continues, there are many enjoyable travel books here in Keynsham Library to tempt you to new places in Britain and further afield, such as:

Pocket Rough Guide to Pembrokeshire

This beautiful part of the United Kingdom is only a few hours away across the bridge, for a day trip or longer. There is the delight of Tenby – a real seaside town with a

with Judith Thomas from Keynsham Library

dinosaur park and castle; then slightly further afield the magnificent Cardigan Bay and Laugharne, home of the poet Dylan Thomas. As with all the Rough Guides, it has great sections of food and drink, activities and handy local maps.

DK Family Guide: Rome

This guide is perfect for any families wishing to visit Rome, with some great recommendations and practical information to get the best out of your visit. There is a useful guide to eating out, particularly on a budget; sections on famous sights such as the Pantheon and the Colosseum; and a handy Kids’ Corner on each page with interesting facts and tips, as well as clear maps of the city.

Children’s Fiction

Watership Down

Richard Adams

Watership Down is the emotive tale of a colony of rabbits forced to flee their warren. It follows the story of their journey, fraught with danger. However, more ominous than

the traumatic journey is the prospect of finding and digging a new home, and the task of finding more rabbits to fill it. This is an outstanding tale of determination, loyalty, friendship and territorial rivalry. Well worth the read, a classic everyone will enjoy.

Library news

Thursday at 11am is Storytime at Keynsham Library – term time only and for children up to four years old. Come along with a cushion and listen to some fantastic new stories.

There’s always so much going on in all our libraries, and it’s all free, so drop in and see what’s on offer.

For families with children, sing along at Baby Bounce and Rhyme, or get comfy whilst listening to stories at our ever-popular Storytime.

For adults, we’ve got book clubs, writing classes, and much more throughout the year. Joining the library costs nothing, so pop in or visit www.librarieswest.org.uk to also access thousands of e-books, e-magazines, audiobooks, and a wealth of other resources.

Our ‘virtual library’ has loads going on, including the latest library news, competitions, book reviews and all our digital offers. Search ‘Bath and North East Somerset Libraries’ on social media or visit bathneslibraries.wordpress. com

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

Stephen M’Caw Team Rector Keynsham Parish

Iwas asked the other day what a church minister did. A good question!

When it comes to ambulance drivers, school teachers and opticians, the role is obvious from both the name and visibility of the role; and if any of you reading this are ambulance drivers, school teachers or opticians, your contribution to the welfare of others is undeniable, and thank you from all of us.

Christian ministers do obvious things like leading services such as weddings and funerals, and leading worship on Sundays and other days too. Probably the most public role I have is to lead the town’s Act of Remembrance each year in November at the Memorial Gates.

Like other ministers in the town, we are involved with leading collective worship in some of the schools in the town (especially the church schools of St John’s and Two Rivers),

visiting people at home and in hospital, and lending our support to the many acts of goodwill and altruism which flourish in the town’s community groups and civic services. Loving and supporting others is the name of the game.

There are hidden aspects to the role toobeing part of the oversight of an organisation with an annual budget of over a third of a million pounds, several medieval buildings, eight part-time staff and many volunteers, is one of them.

Another is that alongside all people of faith, we pray for the good of the community and its people. That we pray to God, who is the beginning and end of all our existences, points to the most important part of the role for me as a Christian minister. Being God’s ambassador and emissary; or to use the analogy of a government minister, we church ministers are

God’s minister just as much as the PM is the King’s Prime Minister.

There are many better people than myself at being Christian or godly or being people of faith, and many people who live better lives (you reading this included), but perhaps there is something unique about being a church minister: it is having risked your whole life and career upon there being a God, who is worthy of our full love, attention and devotion. And since God is deeply honourable, he reciprocates, hiring such frail women and men such as myself to be his advocate and means of contact with the town.

So do ask the next church minster you meet, ‘What do you do?’ Whichever minister you ask, I suspect you may receive a slightly different answer, but they will all definitely refute the suggestion they only work on Sundays!

There is something unique about being a church minister: it is having risked your whole life and career upon there being a God, who is worthy of our full love, attention and devotion.

CHANGING FOR THE BETTER with Transition Keynsham

Weather or climate?

IT’S an established fact that we British love to talk about the weather. We grumble when it rains, it’s too hot or too windy.

I view talking about the weather as a shortcut to establishing social bonds. We may not see eye to eye on politics, the merits of the latest TV show or cats vs dogs, but we can all agree on the weather!

Recently, I’ve felt a shift in that cultural experience. Chatting with friends about the news that the UK will likely see summer temperatures exceeding last year’s record highs, our difference in views was stark.

Deep in a freezing mid-winter, my friends’ reactions was “hooray, can’t wait.” Mine was recollecting the last summer’s previously unthinkable 40C, and the 2,800 people who died as a direct result of that heatwave.

It frustrates me that the weather is viewed in isolation. Maybe it’s a condition of humanity that what’s in front of us today is most important. So, flooding is seen in the immediate context: it’s been pouring for days and the river’s burst its banks, and now my train’s been cancelled.

I think we need to talk about those extreme weather events in a different context. My train’s been cancelled due to flooding caused by levels of rainfall that used to be experienced once in a generation, but are now occurring much more frequently. And that’s because of climate change.

Scientists can detect the footprint of climate change in any particular weather event, by running computer models. The Met Office calculates that, without a human-influenced climate (i.e. excess CO2 in the atmosphere) it would be virtually impossible for the UK to reach 40C. But with levels of CO2 continuing to rise unchecked, we’ll top 40C every few years – which will be a death sentence for many vulnerable people.

We view weather as something we can’t change – an act of God. But this intensification of weather isn’t an act of God. It’s an act of humankind. It’s down to us that all those greenhouse gasses are being sent into the atmosphere, and it’s down to us to do something about it.

Liz Barling

Avenue of trees set to take root

TREES are to be planted in the Coronation Avenue area of Keynsham to improve the environment.

Stratton Road in Saltford will also benefit from the Bath & North East Somerset Council scheme.

More than 150 trees will be planted in Bath, Keynsham, Saltford, Peasedown St John, Paulton and Camerton by the end of 2023. The locations were chosen after a public consultation.

The project is funded by the government’s Trees for Climate programme and delivered by the Forest of Avon Trust. The grant will support care of the trees for two years after planting, after which the council will continue regular tree inspections and maintenance.

n WHAT'S ON

Friday February 10

n ‘Reading the Signs - what the bug life in your garden reveals about our changing world’ - talk with entomologist Ray Barnett, Keynsham Baptist Church Hall, 7.30pm. Entrance £3 Avon Wildlife Trust members/£4 non-members.

Sunday February 12

n Saltford Flea Market, Salford Hall, 10am-1pm, to raise funds for Saltford Community Association. Free entry, 40 stalls selling household items, garage and attic clearance, collectibles, preloved clothes, vintage and crafts. Community Cafe will be selling its popular bacon butties. For more details, call Angela on 07889 564944.

Friday February 24

n Trio Paradis café concert, St John’s Church Hall, Keynsham, 1pm. ‘Daughters of the Muse’music by women composers. Café from 12.30pm. Free entry, with donations invited.

REGULAR EVENTS

Mondays

n Key Voices Community Choir meets Mondays at 7.30pm at St. Dunstan’s Church Hall, BS31 2BQ (or third Monday of month at Royal British Legion). We sing a wide range of music, often in four-part harmony, with occasional performances and social events. We are a friendly non-auditioned choir, and all are welcome. First session free to newcomers.

n The Royal British Legion Women’s Section Keynsham Branch meets on the first Monday of each month upstairs at the RBL Club, Charlton Road, Keynsham, BS31 2JA, 7.30pm. Occasional speakers, social events and outings. We are a friendly group of ladies of mixed ages who welcome new members.

n Saltford Whist Club, Saltford Hall, Mondays (except last two weeks in August), 1.30pm-4pm. Contact Malcolm 01225 872555.

n Keynsham Bridge Club can now welcome new experienced players to our Monday evening sessions. If you would like to come along, please call either Pat 01275 835583 or Diane 0117 9861267.

n ASP Poetry Circle meets every third Monday of the month, 10am11am, in the upstairs balcony at Keynsham Library. Bring two or three of poems to share; your own or other poets’.

Mondays/Thursdays

n Yoga For Men

Monday 7-8pm, mixed ability Keynsham Baptist Church, BS31 1DS.

Thursday 7-8pm, mixed ability Saltford Hall, Wansdyke Room, BS31 3BY. Free first class, £8 thereafter.Book online at www. yogadad.co.uk

Mondays/Fridays

n Butterflies Haven, Keynshambased charity supporting families of children with autism, runs sessions Mondays 7pm-8pm for ages 11-18 and Fridays 5.45pm6.45pm or 7pm-8pm for ages 4-11, at St Francis Church, Warwick Road, Keynsham, BS31 2PW. A safe place for children to be themselves, supported by volunteers. Sessions must be booked in advance. For a free taster session, or more information, email info@butterflies-haven.com.

Tuesdays

n The Ship Inn Petanque Club meets every Tuesday morning (weather permitting) 10.30am12.30pm at the Ship Inn, Temple Street, Keynsham. Join us for an informal game or two of this increasingly popular sport which is suitable for all ages. You can borrow boules from the pub bar. Ring the club secretary on 01179407924 for more information.

n St Keyna Townswomen’s Guild meets at the Fear Hall, Keynsham, from 10am to 12pm on the second Tuesday of each month.

n Keynsham Sequence Dance Club, 7.30pm-10pm, Fear Hall, Keynsham, every Tuesday. Contact Brian and Jo, Keynsham Sequence Dance Club, on 0117 9868540, or just turn up. Everyone welcome.

n Badminton - friendly, beginners and improvers, mixed, adult (18 - 80!) group play every Tuesday 10am-12 noon at Keynsham Leisure Centre. Ring Clive 0117 9866793 or just turn up.

n Beginners Pilates for Backs for older adults

Tuesdays 9.30am. Do you find that after sitting down for most of the day that your back feels stiff and achy? Do you feel you should make an effort to move or do some type of exercise but never get around to it? Join Sandhya for this class at the Fear Hall, 30 High St, Keynsham, BS31 1DQ. To book, call Sandhya on 07565 976 129 or visit www.Sandhyacoyle.org

n NEW Seated Pilates class

Tuesdays at 11-11.45 am Saltford Hall - Avon Room, Wedmore Road, Saltford. This class is aimed at anyone who would benefit from an adapted pilates class with a qualified physiotherapist. This includes anyone with a longterm health condition (e.g MS or Parkinson’s), loss of confidence or those wanting to get fitter but have difficulty attending a floorbased session. Please book your place by contacting Kate 07518 522292 www.corerehab-physio.co.uk

n Relax, Stretch and Tone, a beginners’ introduction to getting the body moving. You don’t need to be flexible or young to do this. You will learn how to incorporate more movement and flexibility into your body. Most people are 50-70 in this class. Yoga, Pilates and meditation classes are also available every weekday in Keynsham. No masks required. Fear Hall, 30 High Street, Keynsham, Bristol, BS31 1DQ. Booking essential: Sandhya 07565 976 129 or visit my website www.Sandhyacoyle.org

Wednesdays

n Oldland Ukulele Club is a mixedability group who meet every Wednesday at 1.30pm at Oldland Common United Reformed Church (the blue church), High Street, Oldland Common, BS30 9QN. All abilities welcomed to this friendly club. Places are £4 each. For further details, call/text ‘Ukulele’ Ben on 07910 668258.

n Beginners Meditation in Keynsham

Wednesdays 10.50am. Do you feel foggy headed? Busy thoughts? Worrying too much? Have you considered trying meditation but think you can’t quieten your mind? If this is you, try this class to help you feel calm and peaceful. The Sanctuary at St Monica’s, Trajectus Way, Keynsham, BS31 2GL. Other classes available in pilates, yoga and monthly retreats. To book, call Sandhya on 07565 976 129 or visit www.Sandhyacoyle.org

Thursdays

n Keynsham & Saltford Dementia Action Alliance runs Music for the Mind sessions for people living with dementia and their carers at St Dunstan’s Church Hall, Keynsham, on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month, 10.30am-12.15pm. Hot and cold drinks, biscuits and cakes from 10.30 are followed by singing and gentle exercises from 11am. No charge. Visit www.keynshamdaa. co.uk, email ksdaa22@gmail.com or call 07392442966.

n Complete Beginners’ Yoga for the Inflexible Thursdays 7pm, Baptist Church, High Street, Keynsham, BS31 1DS (opposite Boots). Do you feel too stiff to do yoga? Nervous about joining a class? If you have been meaning to try yoga, now is your chance. Georgie and Sandhya have created these private, 1-2-1 classes. Gift vouchers available. Classes also offered in pilates, meditation and retreats. To book, call Sandhya on 07565 976 129 or visit www.Sandhyacoyle.org

Thursdays

n Longwell Green Orchestra

meet each Thursday evening at Longwell Green Community Centre, 7.30pm to 9.40pm. We have players of all abilities. Email Contact@ longwellgreenorchestra.org.uk or 07972 844073.

Please get in touch with us beforehand to tell us what instrument and what level.

n Physio-led Mat Pilates

Classes

Thurs 7-7.55pm (intermediate)

Thurs 8-8.55pm (beginners) St Francis Church, Warwick Rd, Keynsham.

6 week block of classes £54

1:1 sessions also available at my studio in Saltford.

Book online or by contacting Kate - 07518 522292 www.corerehab-physio.co.uk

Fridays

n Physio-led Mat Pilates

Classes

Fri 10-10.55am (mixed ability) St Francis Church, Warwick Rd, Keynsham.

6 week block of classes £54

Book online or by contacting Kate - 07518 522292 kate@corerehab-physio.co.uk

Saturdays

n Keynsham Repair Café, second Saturday of the month, 10am-12 noon. Volunteers will try to fix your broken household things, for free. Clean it, find the bits, bag it and wear a mask.

Keynsham Baptist Church, High Street, BS31 1DS.

Film festival to help save lives

KEYNSHAM Life Saving Club is to run its own adventure film festival to raise funds.

The life-savers train at Keynsham Leisure Centre, but rising energy costs have pushed up the cost of hiring the pool.

Club chairman, David “Blondie” Fielding, said: “We try to keep our membership fees as low as possible so that everyone has the chance to learn essential life-saving skills.

“When the opportunity came up to host our own adventure film festival, I thought it was a great way to raise money for the club. There are some really exciting films in this year’s selection - it’s going to be a great night!”

The film festival will feature a packed line-up of inspirational outdoor and adventure sports films, chosen from the London Mountain Film Festival programme.

Subjects will include mountaineering and water-sports and, for adrenaline junkies, probably base-jumping or mountain biking too.

All the money raised from ticket sales will help the club bring essential first-aid and water-safety skills to more people than ever before.

The festival will be held in The Space above Keynsham Library on Friday March 3 from 7pm. Full details and tickets are available at www.klsc.co.uk - use discount code KeynshamVoice for 10% off the ticket price.

Court threat to driver in parking fine battle

A DRIVER is facing court in his battle to overturn a fine for using a Keynsham residential car park.

Chris Davis was issued with a penalty after several home carers also fell foul of the rules at St Ann’s Court.

Mr Davis said he tried to get a permit from UK Car Park Management (CPM) but without success.

The company then issued him with a £100 fine after he sat in at his brother-in-law’s property to await a council safety check.

After he went online to appeal, he received a bill from Debt Recovery Plus for £170.

He has now been warned he faces potential court action, with the prospect of a total penalty of £235, if he does not meet the demand.

Mr Davis told the Voice he will continue to refuse to pay and is prepared to go to court if necessary.

As previously reported in the Voice, four home carers were fined after using the car park to visit an elderly resident at a Curo bungalow. They said that walking back and forth to collect the permit each time took valuable minutes from each 30-minute visit.

The life-savers train at Keynsham Leisure Centre

Robin Bridget Shane Eva

Lynne Tracey

Stacey Jamie Vicki

New instruction KEYNSHAM

£550,000

Located in the heart of the highly popular “Somerdale” development, this 4-bedroom detached home is only the second of the “Midford” style to have been resold since construction. The property sits within good-sized gardens and internally offers spacious accommodation well suited to upsizing families.

EPC B

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SALTFORD TENNIS CLUB

Tournament funds tennis gift to Uganda

WHEN members of Saltford Tennis Club are not playing on court, they can be found socialising at events arranged by the club’s enthusiastic fund-raising and social committee.

Social events have included the end-of-season summer league dinner hosted by the ladies’ club captain, Anne Lemoine, and her husband Michel, a visit to Bath on the Beach, and the Monday morning ladies Christmas lunch.

The fund-raising committee consisting of Joyce Pickard, Fliss Doyle-Crisp and Rachael Tonkin have organised events that have raised more than £2,000 so far this season.

In conjunction with Saltford Hall, they have put on sell-out quiz nights hosted by the club’s very own quizmaster, John Sweet. The next quiz night will be held at the hall on the Saturday March 4.

The club held a successful awards evening in November and more recently staged their inaugural skittles evening.

The money raised by these events will go towards the next phase of the club’s investment programme. This began in January and involves replacing some of the fencing, installing a new gate and starting preparations for a new smart-access gate.

Apart from raising money for the club, the committee held a tournament in November to raise funds to buy tennis equipment for their ladies’ singles champion, Milly Allen, to take to Uganda. Hopefully the club will have more information about Milly’s work in Uganda when she returns to England this month.

For more information about the club, please email sec. saltfordtennis@gmail.com.

Members flying the flag for Uganda and, left, winners of the inaugural skittles evening

AVON COUNTY ROWING CLUB

Grumpy beats Happy in boating battle

AVON County Rowing Club members rounded off 2022 with their annual ‘Christmas Pudding Head’ – which has nothing to do with Christmas puddings or heads – just before the Christmas break.

The race, run over the 1200m straight in Saltford, was a close-run thing with ‘Grumpy’ the octuple (eight people sculling, with two oars each) beating ‘Happy’ the eight (eight people rowing with one oar each) by 13 seconds.

The race is always held on the Sunday before Christmas and is a time trial or ‘head of the river race’ –hence the name.

Members of all the squads took park – women, men and juniors –with names being picked from an imaginary hat to form the crews. This resulted in a good mix of experience – from those who have been racing for years to those who had never raced before – in each crew.

The first race of the season in 2023 will be in Stourport on January 29, with all squads planning to send crews. The event is for all boat types, so club members will compete in single sculls, double sculls, quadruple sculls, coxless pairs and coxed fours as well as eights. They will race over the 4000m course on the picturesque River Severn.

The major head races for the squads are held in March, including the Women’s Head of the River Race and the Vesta Masters Head of The River Race (both held on the Thames in London) and the Junior Sculling Head (held on Dorney lake, Eton – the 2012 Olympic rowing

venue). The regatta season will start in April.

The club also now offers ‘dry rowing’ memberships as well as pay-as-you-go for people who want to get the benefits of rowing without the risk of getting wet!

KEYNSHAM BOWLING CLUB Party is a musical hit

MEMBERS of Keynsham Bowling Club let their hair down at their Christmas party. Entertainment was provided again by musical duo The Two of Clubs, who played songs from the 60s and 70s, with a break in the middle for festive food. As soon as the evening finished, the duo was booked for Christmas 2023.

Although at the time of writing it is bitterly cold, spring is just around the corner and plans are well in hand for the new bowling season. The Monday morning maintenance boys have been working hard on our buildings and the green surrounds, and most planned work has been completed.

As for the green itself, all of the winter work has been undertaken under the watchful eye of our greens manager, Derek Packer, and our contractors are now maintaining regular cutting.

Fixture secretary Tony Hunter is putting the final touches to the season’s schedule, and the fixture book will shortly go to the printers. We all await the start of a new season with anticipation!

Mike Barrow

Go Row Indoor is a new kind of exercise class that caters for people of all ages and levels of fitness and is run in the club’s gym at the Saltford Rowing Centre, just off the A4.

Similar to spin classes but using

rowing machines, indoor rowing is a total workout that is fun, simple to learn and low impact. Classes last 45 minutes and are run by indoor rowing trainers.

If you fancy having a go on the water, indoor sessions are a good way to start. The instructors use the same terminology as is used on the water and the basic movement is the same.

The club will run adult ‘learn to row’ courses for beginners starting in the spring. Provisional dates for taster days are Saturday March 11 and/or Sunday March 12, with the courses starting in April.

Taster sessions for junior beginners will be held on Friday afternoons after half term and around Easter time on Sunday mornings. More details can be found on the club’s website http:// avoncountyrowingclub.org.uk/

Keynsham Bowling Club members at their Christmas party

Rowers battle it out in the ‘Christmas Pudding Head’. Below, a Go Row Indoor exercise class

KEYNSHAM TOWN

Unexpected winter break for Town’s young guns

There have been many changes to the various teams’ fixture lists as a result of postponements, so here are the remaining games for both the men’s and ladies’ sections at Crown Fields until the end of the season in May:

Men’s first team

Tuesday February 28: Clevedon Town, 7.45pm

Saturday March 11: Saltash United, 3pm

Saturday March 18: Ilfracombe Town, 3pm

Friday April 7: Ashton & Backwell United, 3pm

Monday April 10: Torpoint Athletic, 3pm

Saturday April 15: Mousehole, 3pm

Saturday April 22: Helston Athletic, 3pm

Men’s reserves

Saturday January 28: Chard Town, 2pm

Saturday February 4: Middlezoy Rovers, 3pm

Saturday February 11: Ilminster Town, 3pm

Tuesday February 21: Wells City Reserves, 7.45pm

Saturday March 25: Mendip Broadwalk, 3pm

Saturday May 6: Watchet Town, 3pm

Ladies’ first team

Sunday February 12: Southampton Women, 2pm

Thursday February 23: Cardiff City, 7.45pm

Sunday February 26: Exeter City, 2pm

Sunday March 5: Maidenhead United, 2pm

Thursday March 16: Swindon Town, 7.45pm

Sunday March 26: AFC St Austell, 2pm

l In the meantime, you can keep up to date with the Ks’ fortunes plus any fixture changes via social media and next month’s Keynsham Voice.

WITH Keynsham Town’s first team only having played one game since the beginning of December, the elements decreed an unexpected winter break for their young guns.

Firstly the freezing weather sadly took a grip in mid-December, forcing the postponement of home games against Saltash United and Helston Athletic, plus an away game at Clevedon Town.

Club secretary Jules French said: “It was a massive disappointment to lose two home games to the freezing weather in December.

“I was with the match referee early on both Saturday mornings as he inspected our 3G pitch at 8am. The main problem we faced was that the 10 yards of the pitch closest to the car park gets no sunshine at that time of year, so it would have been unlikely that that part would have thawed (and remained thawed) once the game had started.

“We also had to bear in mind that we are in a division that frequently requires travel of three or four hours each way, so added into the mix was the fact that there was severe weather in South Devon on both occasions. It would have been unethical to expect either Saltash or Helston to travel the 260/390 mile round trip in conditions when the Highways Agency was advising essential road travel only.”

The first two games of 2023 also fell victim to the wonderful British climate, with the away game at Barnstaple Town being called

off because of a waterlogged pitch. Then followed the well-reported floods that hit the Keynsham flood plain in mid-January, causing the home game against Torpoint Athletic to be postponed.

With river levels close to the record highs of December 2013, Jules French even made the news on BBC Points West and Radio Bristol to discuss the impact of the rearranged games on the club’s financial position.

He stated: “Our rearranged fixtures have left us with six successive away games before our next first-team game at Crown Fields on February 28.

“We then have seven of our last eight league games at home. Whilst we obviously will still get income from the remaining home games, it has meant that the club has had to dig deep into our pockets to fund the players’ away travel to the next few games before we see any revenue coming in through the turnstiles.”

Keynsham Town Reserves did manage to get in three games over the Christmas and New Year break, maintaining their improvement in the Uhlsport Somerset County Premier Division with a 2-0 victory over Worle and a hard-fought 1-1 draw in the local derby with Fry Club.

The Ks Ladies have mirrored the men’s first team in being forced to put their feet up due to the weather.

February, 2023 46 keynshamvoice

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