ECHO
Your free local newspaper for the city of Bath
Tuesday, 15th October 2019
Thousands of copies available across Bath every fortnight
www.bathecho.co.uk | Issue No. 006 | FREE
Plans to transform and extend the Min into 169bed hotel revealed P5
£1bn needed to make homes across B&NES energy efficient
Public consultation planned on Homebase redevelopment P6
Wind turbines, tree planting and cutting car use will be needed to meet targets Stephen Sumner
Local Democracy Reporter
IT could cost £1billion to stop Bath and North East Somerset’s old houses wasting energy. The council declared a climate emergency in May but councillor Richard Samuel said the “monumental” challenge could not be tackled without major investment from central
government. Opposition members criticised the lack of detail in a six-month update report but were accused by the Liberal Democrat administration of failing to understand the systemic change that was necessary. The paper says 28 wind turbines, 116 football pitches worth of solar panels, mass tree planting and cutting car use by a quarter will all be needed for the district
to be carbon neutral by 2030. Introducing the report, cabinet member for climate change councillor Sarah Warren: “The three key areas for action include a massive investment in retrofitting our existing homes to make them more energy efficient, whilst ensuring new buildings are built to the highest standards of energy efficiency. “We need to reduce the number of miles we travel by private car
and van; “We need to decarbonise our electricity supply, with local renewables coming to the fore at last. “What this means is that our journeys to work and school will be less stressful; our travel will be healthier; our air will be cleaner; our homes will be warmer and cheaper to run; our energy will come from renewable sources.” Continued on page 2
Police release new information in Melanie Hall murder inquiry P8 Get the latest news for Bath 24/7 on our website www.bathecho.co.uk
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In this issue... Top stories Education
P2-9 P10
'Pete the Street' paintings and drawings to go on show at Bath's Victoria Art Gallery
Health P12 What's On
P14
Community
P16
Business P19 Politics
P20
Puzzles P22 In Other News
P23
Sport
P24
Useful Information The Bath Echo newspaper is produced fortnightly. Thousands of copies are distributed across the Bath area via our dedicated distribution points and at various cafes, venues, waiting rooms and local libraries.
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George Street, Rain by artist Peter Brown
AN exhibition of more than 100 new oil paintings and drawings by the popular Bath-based artist Peter Brown, also known as ‘Pete the Street’, will go on display at the Victoria Art Gallery later this year. Running from 30th November 2019 to 2nd February 2020, ‘Peter Brown: Bath Is It’ will celebrate the streets and green places of Bath, along with views of Glas-
tonbury Festival, and more farflung places painted by the artist on his travels, including New York, Havana and Hôi An. Humorous diary entries will provide an insight into the working processes of an artist who is widely acclaimed as one of Britain’s best Plein air painters. Peter insists on using the street as his studio and often incorporates passers-by into his work.
The show will include scenes of well-loved Bath locations such as Widcombe, Hedgemead Park, Lansdown and Milsom Street, alongside lesser-known but equally beautiful corners of the city. These atmospheric views are captured in different states: quiet and bustling, and in all weathers, even rain and snow. Councillor Dine Romero, Leader
of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “Peter Brown has held several successful exhibitions at the Victoria Art Gallery and we are delighted to welcome him back for what is sure to be another popular show. “Local residents will be able to enjoy his wonderful paintings of Bath and further afield free of charge with a Discovery Card.” Despite being in demand globally, Peter continues to paint his home city. He came to Bath in 1986 to study for a foundation course in art, and then trained in Manchester and Greenwich before returning to Bath in 1993. Peter Brown said: “I have been painting and drawing this city since 1993 and I confess to getting a bit ‘Bath’d out’ every now and then. “But I have grown to love Bath for what it is: An absolute jewel, unique in its incredible architecture and stone of ever changing colour – creamy, honey or leaden set in the dark green bowl of its rolling hills. “It is stunning and unique not only in this country but in the world. It has a warmth and a charm of its own. I paint it up close in the streets and from afar in the hills. “I am still surprised by it and I never tire of its beauty. I love to travel to find new things to paint and I love to return. It is literally lush here.” A fully illustrated catalogue will be available and most works will be for sale.
Plans for 2030 carbon neutral goal taking shape Continued from page 1 The report also recommends finding ways to increase carbon absorption by the natural environment. The council will work with farmers and landowners to promote tree planting, boosting local food production and biodiversity, and increasing flood defences as the climate changes. Cllr Samuel, cabinet member for resources, said: “A major cultural and behavioural change is required by everybody. We have to adapt to a zero-carbon world. “The challenge facing Bath and North East Somerset is monumental. “The University of Nottingham has estimated it will cost £17,000 per dwelling to bring all older housing up to acceptable energy conservation standard. For Bath and North East Somerset that represents a £1billion bill. “That can’t possibly be met by this council, and it’s clear a national grant programme is necessary, funded by central government. “All our communities will have to engage in a discussion in how solar powered farms, wind generation and possibly water generation schemes can be sited. “In the past these have attracted
considerable levels of opposition and I’m afraid people are going to have to engage more seriously than they have done to date.” Conservative group leader councillor Paul Myers said it was disappointing the council had spent six months and £49,000 on some ideas he “could have googled”. He said: “There’s not a single measure on how residents will be encouraged to improve insulation. We need a major shift to mass transport, walking and cycling, but no real measures as to how we’re going to achieve that. Not a clue on what the council can do to achieve the target of 116 football pitches of solar panels. “I’m bitterly disappointed that there’s so little about action and targets.” Councillor Vic Clarke, also a Tory, said the demand for food was growing and he was “horrified” by the idea of covering 116 football pitches’ worth of land with solar panels. “I urge us all to meet the challenge of climate change without covering the land with concrete and plastic,” he added. Councillor Lisa O’Brien, another Conservative, said the council
should be collecting Christmas trees and encouraging residents not to light up their houses for the festive season, and could change its licensing conditions to stop eateries issuing singleuse plastics. Ms Warren said it would be easy to rush in with ideas but the council was basing its approach on evidence. “The scale of the transition is bigger than any we’ve lived through in our lifetimes,” she said. “The discussion about plastic cups and Christmas trees is important but misses the point. “I’m aware of the dilemma about land use but the report doesn’t specify using arable land [for solar panels].” Bath MP Wera Hobhouse said: “There will be big costs for this council, but the costs of doing too little will be even greater. “You will need new resources and big investment from central government. Do not be shy to make this point again and again.”
Cllr Joanna Wright, joint cabinet member for transport, said: “Our children and their children and future generations will ask the question, what did you do when you knew? What actions did you take? What kept you awake at night? Did you change your behaviour and make a difference? “We can no longer conduct business as usual. We’re making a commitment to the climate emergency about a major system change. “Practical measures will include low traffic neighbourhoods, residential parking zones, electric vehicles and on and off-street parking. We are objecting to the airport expansion. “We have to make bold decisions to make a sustainable future. “None of these decisions will be easy but they will be necessary.” Pictured: Cllr Sarah Warren, Lib Dem cabinet member for climate emergency and neighbourhood services.
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Peace of mind on the way for local Curo tenants BATH-based housing association Curo has announced plans to convert its 680 fixed-term tenancies to lifetime contracts, following customer feedback. With the majority of tenants in Curo’s 13,000 homes already benefiting from the security of a lifetime tenancy, the landlord has now decided to convert all of its fixed-term tenancies. Curo Chief Executive Victor da Cunha said: “We’ve listened to our customers who have fixedterm tenancies with us. “We’ve heard how important having a long-term tenancy is to feel safe, secure and be able to put down roots in the local community. "In direct response to this feedback, we’re moving all our social tenants who currently have fixedterm tenancies onto Assured lifetime tenancies. “As a responsible social landlord, we try hard to really listen to and act on the feedback our tenants and other residents give us. “Moving all our social tenants to lifetime tenancies is just one example of how customer feedback leads to changes for the better.” With no end date, Assured Tenancies are sometimes called ‘lifetime tenancies’ and give tenants the stability and peace of mind of knowing that they have a home for as long as they need it. Feedback from residents has been very positive, with a tenant
News in Brief 25-year-old charged with dwelling burglary 25-year-old Daniel Mulholland has been charged with a dwelling burglary in Bath. Mulholland, of Haycombe Drive in Southdown, appeared at Bath Magistrates Court on Friday 11th October charged with dwelling burglary. He was arrested on Thursday 10th October and has been charged in connection with an incident on 28th September in which a property on Victoria Road in Oldfield, Bath, was burgled. Numerous items including cash, electrical equipment, bank cards, a smart watch and identification documentation were taken. Mulholland did not enter a plea, and has been remanded in custody. He will appear at Bristol Crown Court on a date yet to be set.
Dash cam appeal
Curo Chief Executive Victor da Cunha
in Bath commenting: “Now I’ll be moving onto a lifetime tenancy I’ve got the security of knowing that if my circumstances changes, I’ll always have a roof over my head.
“A lifetime tenancy means no more uncertainty for me, as it will for many other people too.” Curo is writing to all tenants on fixed-term tenancies, usually renewed every six years, with the
news that when their current tenancy term ends, they will be moved onto a lifetime tenancy. This will be subject to Curo’s standard tenancy conditions having been met.
Police have launched an appeal for dash cam footage following a serious collision near Bath. The two-vehicle collision happened on the A376 at Dunkerton Hill at around 10.50am on Wednesday 2nd October. Investigators are keen to hear from anyone in the area at the time of the collision. Anyone able to help is asked to call 101, quoting 5219227735.
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Work gets underway to roll out free Motorists set to be refunded after timing WiFi for residents and visitors problem at bus gate
WORK to install free public access WiFi across the centre of Bath is underway as part of a drive to allow a better experience for residents and visitors, wherever they are. At present, the network is being installed across the city and small black WiFi boxes are being fitted to street furniture, street lights and signage. It is hoped that people will be able to use the first phase of the city’s first free public access system in time for the city’s popular Christmas Market. Contractors working for Bath & North East Somerset Council are
installing the system, which the council is keen to stress is for the WiFi network and not for a 5G mobile phone network. Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for Planning, Housing and Economic Development, said: “The first phase of this work, to give residents and visitors access to free public WiFi wherever they are in the city centre, is well underway. “It is great news that we are helping people connect as part of our programme to support the on-going vibrancy of our city centre. “I want to be clear, however, that the infrastructure which is going
in, is for the council’s public free access WiFi and not part of any 5G rollout. These access points cannot be upgraded to 5G.” Funding for the WiFi programme has come from the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership through the Local Growth Fund, administered by the West of England Combined Authority. Councillor Ball added: “The ultimate aim is to develop a useful app for residents and visitors to use so they can quickly log on and find out for free useful information, city events, offers, and news to both help business and connect people.”
USERS of the bus gate in the centre of Bath who incorrectly received a penalty ticket due to a timing error in the system will have them cancelled and receive refunds, B&NES Council has confirmed. Motorists who went through the New Bond Street and High Street bus gate shortly after 6pm on Thursday 19th September were incorrectly issued penalty notices due to a timing error in the software used to manage the system. Local resident Harriet Oldridge said her husband received two tickets for driving through the bus gate on the evening of 19th September. Mrs Oldridge said: “It has caused a lot of stress and anger. I want to make sure everyone who has paid the fine gets reimbursed; they all get apologies and we are told how it happened and how Parking Services will reduce the chance of this happening again.” A number of people took to Facebook to warn others about the issue and said it looked as if the timing on the system was an hour out. Councillor Joanna Wright,
joint cabinet member for Transport Services, said: “We tested our systems after we had a high number of calls from motorists on 19 September about bus gate tickets, and as part of our standard procedures, we invited anyone who believed they had been incorrectly issued with a charge to submit an appeal to us. “We also asked our software supplier to investigate the issue. They have told us that an unforeseen software error within the operating system caused some incorrect timings. “Changes to the system have now been made so that this cannot happen again and checks have been undertaken to ensure there were no other instances. “Anyone affected by this issue has had their ticket cancelled. We will contact those affected by post this week to confirm this. “All payments will be refunded as soon as possible.We would like to apologise for any distress or inconvenience caused by the software error.” The bus gate on the High Street and at the bottom of New Bond Street is operational between 10am – 6pm every day.
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News in Brief Abbey appoints first female choristers Bath Abbey has announced the appointment of Sian Jones and Amy Seyers to the Bath Abbey Choir as Lay-Clerks. Sian and Amy will be singing alto for the Abbey on a job share basis. The pair have now become regular members of the choir's ‘back row’.
20-year-old man suffers fractured skull A 20-year-old man suffered a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain after being stamped on during an unprovoked assault in Bath earlier this month. The victim was on the Bristol to Bath cycle path, by the bridge near to the Lidl store, when he was assaulted by another man at around 4.45pm on Wednesday 2nd October. The offender is described as white, 6ft, of stocky build, with short dark hair, and he was with a woman, also white and wearing a padded jacket. The victim said the woman appeared to be upset prior to the assault taking place. After the assault, both the man and woman ran off towards the city centre. The cycle path was busy at the time and officers are appealing for any cyclists or pedestrians who saw any part of the incident, or who saw a couple matching the descriptions given, in the area at the time. Police would particularly like to identify any cyclists with headcam footage which could help their investigation. If you can help, call Investigations on 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5219228099.
Additional 137 police officers to be recruited AVON and Somerset Police will get an additional 137 new officers next year as part of the Home Office drive to recruit 20,000 nationally by 2022. The Home Secretary announced earlier this week that every police force in England and Wales has been set recruitment targets as part of the first stage in the uplift, which will see the government supporting forces to recruit up to 6,000 additional officers by the end of 2020-21. In Avon and Somerset, the constabulary will be building on the 100 officers recruited over the last year as part of Operation Remedy. Remedy, which was funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner asking for an increase in the policing part of the council tax precept last year, focuses on tackling burglary, drugs and knife crime. Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said: “I am delighted to confirm that Avon and Somerset Constabulary will be recruiting an additional 137 officers next year as part of the government’s aim to strengthen police forces across the country. “Local people have been very clear; they want to see more police officers on their streets tackling the issues that matter most to the community. “We are in a great position in that we have been busy this year recruiting officers for Op Remedy and we recently launched the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship with UWE. “The Chief and I are looking forward to getting the 137 new officers on board, enrolled onto the apprenticeship and out on the ground keeping local people safe.”
Avon and Somerset PCC Sue Mountstevens
Mark Shelford, the Conservative candidate to be Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner in the May 2020 elections, said: “I am delighted with the announcement that Avon and Somerset is due to get another 137 extra officers as part of the 6,000 target in year one and I am encouraging the Chief Constable, Andy Marsh, to go further and recruit over and above this announcement. “We need officers spread throughout the constabulary to tackle rural crime as well as that
centred on major metropolitan areas. The public want the police to start properly gripping knife crime associated with county lines, anti-social behaviour, speeding and dangerous driving. “This will definitely improve the situation but more is to be done and today I am calling on the present PCC, Sue Mountstevens, to be clear with the residents of Avon and Somerset on what her plans are for these extra officers and how they will address residents’ priorities, particularly in rural communities.”
Annabel Tall, the Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Bath, said: “We are fortunate in Bath to have very low rates of crime – we live in a very safe place. “However, Bath residents are concerned that they do not see local police on the street as much as they used to, so I am delighted that we will be seeing an additional 137 police officers in the Avon and Somerset area recruited in 2020/21 and an additional 20,000 officers keeping us safe nationally over the next three years.”
Families relocate to allow housing association to make flats safe Stephen Sumner
Local Democracy Reporter
FAMILIES are being given top priority to relocate as soon as possible as a social housing provider addresses the fire risk in 32 Radstock flats. Curo is moving residents out on a temporary or permanent basis so it can understand the full extent of work needed to refurbish Walnut Buildings. There is cladding on the building but Avon Fire and Rescue Service said it is not the same as the system used on Grenfell Tower. The 113 occupants have been put at the top of Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Homesearch list, ahead of some 5,000 other households waiting for social housing. A Curo spokeswoman said: “As part of a programme of major refurbishment and improvements we have carried out a number of detailed surveys and inspections to understand the condition of each of the blocks. “This included a detailed fire
safety survey which identified works that are recommended to maximise fire safety in the building and bring it up to modern fire standards. “This detailed fire safety survey was in addition to routine fire risk assessments carried out on all four blocks at Walnut Buildings between October 2018 and February 2019 which showed that the fire risk in all blocks was low. “To continue with the programme of improvements we now need to carry out structural investigations to understand in detail the full extent of work needed to refurbish Walnut Buildings. “This will require complete access to every part of the estate, which will be disruptive and doing it while residents are living in the building will not be possible. “This means that we will be helping each household in Walnut
Buildings to find a temporary or permanent home to move to while this work happens. “Residents will be able to move back to Walnut Buildings once the work is complete if they choose to do so. “We appreciate that this will be a significant upheaval for some residents and we are having one-to-one meetings with every household to explain the arrangements. “We have put extensive support in place to help every resident move to a new permanent or temporary home that meets their needs.” Karl Venn, technical fire safety station manager for Avon Fire and Rescue Service, said there is cladding on the Walnut Buildings but is not the same as the system used on Grenfell Tower. He said: “As soon as they were aware of the issue, Curo worked hard to put in place control meas-
ures to minimise the risk to a level as low as reasonably practicable in line with the Government’s advice note’s following the Grenfell tragedy, and continued to seek our guidance as to whether they could reasonably do any more. “Some of the measures included patching up any exposed cladding with fire retardant materials, ensuring combustible materials were moved away from the buildings and upgrading the fire detection and alarms systems within each dwelling to a standard higher than required. “As an organisation, we are fully committed to working closely with all of our key housing partners in relation to any fire safety concerns which are brought to our attention, as well as providing advice and guidance where required.” Homesearch is the council’s housing register and allocation scheme for social housing in Bath and North East Somerset. There are currently 5,396 households on the waiting list, six per cent of whom have a “very urgent” need. The residents of Walnut Buildings
have been put in this category. The council said it would take 12 months to relocate them if they were given a lower priority, which “did not reflect the urgency of the repairs/risk”. The only properties in Radstock are available for mutual exchange so the 32 households may have to relocate outside the town.Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for housing, planning and economic development, said: “We have given all affected residents in the social housing scheme at Walnut Buildings the highest priority under our Homesearch scheme and we are working to relocate those residents to suitable accommodation as soon as possible. The landlord has advised us that this will be a temporary move, but as with any application to Homesearch, people can express an interest in any advertised property that meets their needs and applicants with the highest priority are considered first.” There is also a terrace of houses with the Walnut Buildings address but they are not affected by the refurbishment works.
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Developer reveals plans to create 169-bed lifestyle hotel Stephen Sumner
Local Democracy Reporter
WORK to transform Bath’s historic Royal Mineral Water Hospital into a 169-bed lifestyle hotel with a restaurant and spa could begin as early as next year. Singapore-based investor the Fragrance Group acquired the grade II*-listed buildings better known as The Min in 2018 and hopes to submit a planning application by the end of the year. Proposals on display this week showed 20th century additions being removed, Roman features protected and a modern new extension built. Martin Rogers of the Global Hotels & Leisure Consultancy, on behalf of the Fragrance Group, said: “This is going to be an upper scale hotel. It won’t be a budget hotel. “It’s going to breathe life into the city. This is going to be something special.” The Min was home to the Royal National Hospital For Rheumatic Diseases, whose staff are currently relocating to the main Royal United Hospital site. The hospital was put up for sale by the NHS trust in 2017 and all of the highest bidders wanted to turn it into a hotel.
It was bought by Winchester-based Versant Homes and Development, and then sold onto Fragrance Group for £21.5million in January last year. Mr Rogers said Fragrance Group founder and chief executive Koh Wee Meng was attracted to the UK by the exchange rate in 2017 and has since snapped up a number of properties, several of them listed. “He has fallen in love with parts of the UK,” said Mr Rogers. “I brought him to Bath two years ago. "He saw the Indigo and wanted it but it had already been bought. Then he found the Min. “He loves everything about Bath. You don’t see buildings like this in Singapore. “He isn’t doing it to sell. This is an investment for the future. “The NHS will move out before Christmas. Fragrance Group are keen to press ahead as soon as possible. “We hope to get planning permission by Easter. Work would start as soon as possible thereafter.” Fragrance Group has since been working with Bath and North East Somerset Council and Historic England to develop plans acceptable for a listed building in a World Heritage Site that retain features that date back hundreds of years.
Plans to transform the Min in Bath into a hotel | Image © Fragrance Group / Stride Treglown
John Colvin, the head of hotels and leisure at Bath-based architects Stride Treglown, said the proposals would increase public access to the historic building, with the main access from Milsom Street reopened and the creation of a restaurant that celebrates the original chapel. He said: “We’re trying to give this hotel the best chance of being a part of the Bath community and the hotel competition. “A lot of people are very passion-
Bath Recreation Ground
Bath
Fireworks Display Saturday 2nd November | Gates open at 5.30pm Fireworks Display starts at 7pm Tickets | Adult £7 | Child £4 (4-16 years old) Discounted advance tickets are available from either of the Bath Building Society Branches, the Bath Rugby Ticket Office, the Bath Box Office Ticket Agency (Bath Tourism Office) and Bath Rotary’s website www.rotary-bath.co.uk. Student tickets are only available from The University of Bath. No refunds available on tickets | Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult | Please leave sparklers at home | Surplus from this event will be distributed to charities supported by Rotary | Bath Rugby food & drink outlets accept card payments only. Other food outlets will take cash & card payments | No dogs except guide dogs | For security purposes, security personnel will perform random bag checks
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ate about the hospital. This is its sixth major extension.” Building of the Royal Mineral Water Hospital began in 1738 and extensions were added in 1793 and 1859. After part of the west wing was destroyed in the Blitz in 1942, major reconstruction work was carried out, and then considerable changes were made in the 1990s. Stride Treglown is now proposing a rear extension and internal
changes to transform the hospital into a hotel that reconnects to Bath’s mineral waters. The hospital’s history will be told and the old wards will be transformed into bedrooms and meeting rooms, while Roman mosaics will also be on display. Fragrance Group works with hotel operators including Accor but it is not yet clear which company would run the Min. The proposals can be viewed at theminexhibition.co.uk.
Nationwide Bath raising awareness of homelessness NATIONWIDE Building Society is Bath is looking for people within the local community to write a poem relating to "What does Christmas at home mean to me?" to raise awareness of homelessness over the festive period. Organisers will then pick their favourite poem on 31st October, which will then be displayed in the Branch window on Union Street throughout the Christmas Market and then over the Christmas period. Nationwide Bath are passionate about supporting homelessness in Bath and believe everyone should have a place fit to call home. Over the last two years, the branch has raised over £8,000 Rob and Daisy from Nationwide Bath with last year's poem for charities Julian House, Genesis Trust and DHI. Assistant Branch the community but will also encourage Manager Rob Burrows, Nationwide Bath, members of the public to think about what said: ‘Housing and homelessness is such they are grateful for over the Christmas an important issue and we want to do our period. "This time is often the most difficult for bit in making a difference. "The whole branch team have vulnerable men and women sleeping volunteered and fundraised throughout on our streets and so it’s brilliant to see the year and I would encourage everyone Nationwide, once again, finding a way to to visit our Branch to find out more about support and bring light to this in Bath." the local charities within Bath and ways All poems can be either emailed to Robert. burrows@nationwide.co.uk, sent to 21/22 they can help. "We are looking forward to reading Union Street Bath BA1 1RS or dropped through the poems written by our into any colleague within the Branch on Union Street. community." Jessica Gay, Community and Events Entries close 31st October and the winner Fundraiser at Julian House said: “It’s a will be announced on Monday 4th fantastic idea that will not only unite November.
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Work to repair Twerton Public invited to public consultation sluice gate could take on redevelopment of Homebase site ‘up to 3 months'
The Twerton Radial Gate in Bath | Photo © Environment Agency
THE Environment Agency has said that work to repair the mechanical faults at the Twerton Radial Gate in Bath could take up to three months to complete. A fault with the sluice gate in Twerton caused the water level in the River Avon through Bath to drop by nearly a metre on Friday 4th October. The level of the water dropped by around 800mm on Thursday 3rd October, with a further 100mm drop recorded on the Friday morning. The Environment Agency told the Bath Echo: “The Twerton Radial Gate in Bath experienced mechanical faults. “Between 4pm and midnight levels in the River Avon experienced a drop of 800mm. “Environment Agency monitoring equipment alerted us to the fault and at 8.30pm a team manually closed the gate to 95 per cent
shut. “From midnight until 7am, the level dropped a further 100mm, making the total drop in water level 900mm." The Environment Agency said the Twerton radial gate has been fixed in a closed position while repair work takes place. Levels along the river will be maintained by the remaining gate at the site on the Lower Bristol Road. The faulty gate will stay closed until it has been properly fixed. Sharing an update on social media, the Environment Agency team said: “It will take up to 3 months to repair the Twerton radial gate in Bath. “The River Avon water levels will be managed by the vertical gate. “If we need to operate the radial gate, we'll have a crane onsite and be closely monitoring the weather forecasts."
Proposals could see the Homebase site turned into a retirement community © Bath Echo
MEMBERS of the local community are being invited to a public exhibition to discuss the redevelopment of the Homebase site on Pines Way in Bath. Guild Living acquired the current Homebase site on Pines Way in 2018 with the intention of developing this land into a unique retirement community for the over 65s. If given the go-ahead, the development will provide much needed age-specific housing to help meet the demands of the local area. The plans are aspiring to deliver a unique retirement community on the site which would include nearly 300 apartments alongside
facilities including a restaurant, a physiotherapy gym and pool, consultant rooms for GP surgeries, a children’s nursery and retail space for local businesses – all of which will be open to the local community. The accommodation proposed will include assisted living apartments, co-living apartments and transitional care suites, the latter being a first for the city. The proposals will also provide key-worker accommodation. Proposals and designs will be available to view at an upcoming public exhibition on Tuesday 22nd October, 2 pm – 7.30 pm at The Guildhall, High Street, Bath. If brought forward, the scheme
has the potential to provide a significant number of later-living homes for Bath, supporting the needs of the city’s growing older population which is expected to increase by 24% by 2021. The proposed scheme will offer a unique approach to later-living and will include a nursery bringing together older and younger members of the community. This concept has been developed for Guild Living under the advisement of Professor Malcolm Johnson who was instrumental in the recent Channel 4 documentary ‘Old People’s Home for 4 year olds’, which saw pre-school children share their classroom with pensioners.
Conservation and restoration of Bath’s street signs wins award THE ongoing conservation and restoration of historic street signs across Bath has been recognised at the UK’s Georgian Group Architectural Awards 2019. Repairing and reinstating historic street signs in Bath began in 2010, and soon became an ongoing programme, organised and funded by the Bath World Heritage Enhancement Fund, a partnership between The City of Bath UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bath and North East Somerset Council and Bath Preservation Trust (BPT). By the end of 2018, the 50th anniversary of the Bath city-wide conservation area, fifty-two street signs had been completed; more are planned. The City’s World Heritage Chairman, Professor Barry Gilbertson explained: “Our project restores the chisel-marks of the architects and builders of the 18th Century who understood the importance of good signage. “The street signs are generally at first floor level – not so much for the Georgian pedestrians, but for carriage-drivers, sitting up at that
level, with horse reins in hand, who could see the signs clearly, even without the benefit of any street lighting on dull days and gloomy nights.” The work entails sensitive cleaning of the signs, carefully preserving the existing original letters, meticulously matching lime mortars and inserting new pieces of Bath stone for repair. Missing or worn letters are recarved and re-painted. Signs that are not incised but simply painted on to the wall are re-painted in the existing style, using Keim mineral paints to match the existing colours. Councillor Ruth Malloy said: “We restore a handful of street signs each year and every time the impact on our World Heritage Site city is remarkable, for residents and visitors alike. “For the project to have been recognised by The Georgian Group – arbiters of the best conservation work in the country – is fantastic. “The WHEF is one of those vital organisations which diligently organises conservation and improvements to pieces of Bath’s heritage, using a dedicated group
of volunteers and drawing on the expertise of specialists. “This sort of accolade makes our achievements all the more worthwhile and I urge anyone interested in supporting us, with time or money, to get in touch via the website. “Partnership contributions from residents make such a difference to the projects we take on.” BPT’s Ms Ainslie Ensom, Project Manager and Administrator for the World Heritage Enhancement Fund, added: “We’re so proud to have won this award, and proud that another project, financially supported (with seed funding and mould-making) by our City of Bath World Heritage Enhancement Fund, the restoration of the Great Pulteney Estate Overthrow Lighting, was also a winner. “Just like the restored street signs, beautifully brought back to life, the Fund is enjoying a moment in the spotlight again. “I can’t thank enough our expert craftsmen who work so carefully on these listed assets; Iain Cotton and Mark Holland who specialise in repairing and preserving the incised signs, and Brian Bentley
of the Bath branch of Cliveden Conservation who is a master at cleaning and repainting the painted signs. Thank you to the judges, too, for recognising the challenges encountered when working in a UNESCO World Heritage site, and to Bath Preservation Trust who support our
work in so many ways.” After reviewing both short-listed projects, the judges felt it was appropriate to celebrate two positive and innovative schemes that visually enhanced the Georgian aspects of the street-scene of the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath.
Tuesday, 15th October 2019
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Tension grows between homeowners and boaters in Saltford Stephen Sumner
Local Democracy Reporter
BOATERS and residents near Bath have accused each other of prejudice, threats and intimidation and a trial moorings scheme has been branded a “total failure.” Boaters say they have been called “scum” and fear that prejudice may drive them from moorings in Saltford. But residents near the moorings at Mead Lane say a trial scheme that gave boaters somewhere to stop for up to two weeks has failed. It is claimed they have faced years of threats and intimidation from people living on houseboats who are often unidentifiable. The animosity began in 2017 when Bath and North East Somerset Council began trialling a number of mooring points allowing boaters to stay for up to 48 hours or as long as two weeks, but critics said it was a “free for all”. After reports of antisocial behaviour against both sides and claims that boaters frequently outstay their welcome, the authority’s new administration is consulting on the future of the site. Saltford Parish Council wants Mead Lane to become a nature reserve and is calling for mooring to be banned, but those living on houseboats say the move could leave people facing homelessness. Pamela Smith from the Kennet and Avon Boating Community said: “Our community know that everything we do in Mead Lane is being closely scrutinised. We’re really careful not to upset anybody. “Anything slightly wrong is seized on. It stems from prejudice and a sense of entitlement. “They are doing everything they can to stop boats mooring there. I don’t see why they can’t share it with everyone. They need to have some sort of anti-prejudice education.” Ms Smith said homeowners deny liveaboard boaters’ right to be on the water – but countered by saying boaters had been allowed to use the waterways since “time immemorial”, long before there were houses in Mead Lane. A man living in one of those houses, who asked not to be identified for fear his family would be intimidated, said: “About three years ago the council approached us about a mooring trial. Naively, we agreed. “It’s been absolute chaos. The
The moorings at Mead Lane | Photo © Stephen Sumner
council had no control. There was no monitoring. It was a free for all. “The council just threw us to the lions. No one came down. No one did anything. We’ve monitored it and reported it. “Residents have been intimidated, threatened. “There has been a catalogue of issues over the last three years. “The previous administration wanted to solve a problem of where to put live-aboard boaters. They needed somewhere for 14day moorings. “We were naive enough to say we’d give it a go. The council has turned a blind eye. “This summer was horrific. The trial has been a total failure.” Boater numbers on the waterway have risen since 2015, when the Canal and River Trust changed its terms for liveaboard boaters who do not have a home mooring. Continuous cruisers are now expected to move on every 14 days, but they can get permission to stay longer in certain circumstances, for example if they are ill or their boat breaks down. To address the increased need, B&NES Council trialled a number of 48-hour mooring points in Mead Lane and others that allow boaters to stay for up to 14 days. The homeowner claimed he had submitted Freedom of Information requests that showed the council had not tried to move on a single boater, and when he submitted a 200-name petition highlighting concerns it “disappeared”. He said some 300 boaters moored in Mead Lane over the summer and two in five had stayed longer than they should have. “If someone’s here for five weeks, where is their waste going? There aren’t any facilities,” he added.
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“It’s a terrible thing that’s been done here. We hope the new administration at the council will make a difference.” The man said there are plenty of other places along the waterway where boats could moor, but Mead Lane has features that are unique on the River Avon. Boater Laura Darling said the stretch has some of the only safe moorings on the river and their removal would leave many boaters at risk of breaching the terms of their licence – and facing homelessness. Children are not allowed in Saltford marina so when Ms Darling fell pregnant she started continuously cruising. She said she had her first run-in with a Mead Lane homeowner before her son was even born. “I think it’s unreasonable to say all boaters should be removed based on a minority,” said Ms Darling. “You wouldn’t evict a whole street if someone was misbehaving. We should be working together.” The Mead Lane moorings are quieter now than they were in the warmer months. Malcolm Pemberton, who has lived on his boat for three years, is only a recent arrival but said the stretch of river was “nicely busy” when he walked past over the summer. “Most of us are quite normal, civilised people. There’s always an exception, but the bad eggs are few and far between. “What I would like to see here is what residents don’t want – im-
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proved facilities including more water points and chemical toilet emptying points. “I would be content with allowing the present situation to continue. “Living on a boat has been my dream all my life. I will never live in a house again. I will die on this boat.” In its response to B&NES Council’s consultation, Saltford Parish Council acknowledged that the issues were caused by a minority of boaters but said the trial had “exacerbated the problems of non-compliance with mooring limits, anti-social behaviour and heavy littering”. “The trial has clearly demonstrated that Mead Lane, as a hitherto unspoilt beauty spot in the green belt and in close proximity to residential housing, is unsuitable and impracticable for moorings which require continual management,” it said. “In order to protect the riverbank for the majority of visitors, most of whom would not be aware or in a position to respond to this consultation, and residents who all value this important and iconic location, a mooring ban should be implemented without delay, commencing with an immediate winter mooring ban.” The parish council endorsed the Saltford Environment Group’s bid for the site to become a local nature reserve to protect features that are unique on the River Avon. The group blamed “heavy, often bow-to-stern long-stay unregulated and unmanaged mooring” and overzealous cutting for damaging the wildlife. But it said the threats are readily manageable “at no significant inconvenience to legitimate residents and leisure users”, but mooring would be banned. It said: “Mead Lane could very rapidly become a local nature reserve that provides the additional benefit of easy access for observing and learning about riverside wildlife habitat whilst remaining a local beauty spot and area for
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leisure.” Writing online, the Saltford Environment Group said: “This is not about stigmatising boaters, the majority do of course operate and moor their boats within the law, but rescuing Saltford’s riverbank at Mead Lane from abuse by a minority and protecting the wildlife and this iconic location for the benefit of the majority.” Rebecca Sarll, a boater who teaches sustainable living, said the bid to create a nature reserve was an “underhand tactic” and the attempt to remove moorings was “like social cleansing”. She said boaters are often “dehumanised” by residents calling them “scum” or “you people”, and she is now nervous of mooring at Mead Lane. Ms Sarll said she was brought to tears by someone who screamed at her after she overstayed in one of the 48hour moorings because her mum just died, but the homeowners have no consideration of boaters’ personal circumstances. Councillor Duncan Hounsell, who represents Saltford on B&NES Council, said the mooring trial began without clear criteria to assess the outcomes, so it is important that everyone can have their say in the consultation. The consultation, which is independent of the council, will run until 31st October. It asks if the mix of mooring points should change, if there should be fewer moorings or none at all. Council leader Dine Romero said: “Following issues raised by the community when there were no limitations to moorings on Mead Lane, the council began a trial. “Shortly after taking office, the council’s new administration commissioned a formal review of the mooring trial and this is currently out to consultation. “So far we have received more than 470 responses from residents, boaters and our partners. “All feedback will be carefully considered before the council makes a decision on the future of the moorings, by the end of the year.”Visit https://www.bathnes. gov.uk/services/environment/ river-and-canal/mead-lane-saltford-mooring-trial to respond to the consultation.
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New information released in Melanie Hall murder inquiry TEN years on from the discovery of Melanie Hall’s remains in undergrowth off a motorway slip road, police are issuing new information to help find the person or people responsible for her murder. Melanie, who was a 25-year-old clerical worker at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, was last seen at 1.10am on Sunday 9th June 1996, sitting on a stool at the edge of the dancefloor in Cadillacs nightclub, now Walcot House, in Walcot Street, Bath, following a night out with friends. This is the last confirmed sighting of Melanie alive. Her remains were found next to the junction 14 northbound slip road of the M5 near Thornbury by a workman on 5th October 2009. Two rewards remain in place for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for Melanie’s murder. Her parents are offering a reward of £50,000, while a £10,000 reward is also available from Crimestoppers. Senior Investigating Officer Det Chief Insp James Riccio, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “As part of a nationwide appeal issued on the 20th anniversary of her disappearance, we confirmed we’d recovered DNA on an item found at the site where Melanie’s body was found. “We’re confirming the DNA traces were found on a length of blue polypropylene rope which was wrapped around thin black bin
liners which had contained her body. “We recovered a 13-metre length of 4mm rope from the scene, made up from four separate lengths knotted together. In addition to the three knots joining the ropes, there were four other knots on the rope – a total of seven knots. “It’s commercially manufactured rope and commonly used on building sites and for drawing electrical cable through trunking. Do you know someone who was in possession of blue polypropylene rope which went missing in the summer of 1996? It’s possible their behaviour or demeanour may have changed since this date. Did you have this type of rope which inexplicably went missing in the summer of 1996? Det Chief Insp James Riccio continued: “We believe the choice of deposition site is key. Whoever left Melanie’s body in the undergrowth off the northbound slip road of junction 14 of the M5 would have done so in haste. “It would have happened on the morning of 9th June, 1996, or within a few days of this date. “It’s likely this person would have then driven onto the northbound M5 and either onto the next junction, or they may have turned off at the Michaelwood Services, where they could have used the local road network, including a slip road behind the services, to head back in a southerly direction.
Melanie went missing from the Cadillacs nightclub in Bath in 1996 | Image via Avon & Somerset Police
“We believe it’s highly likely the person who left Melanie’s body at this location was familiar with this area. “The person who deposited the body may not be the person who killed Melanie. "If this is the case, I’m directly appealing to this person to come forward and provide us with in-
formation for the sake of Melanie’s family. “You’ve been living with a dark secret for years but your guilt and fear is nothing compared to the enduring pain felt by Melanie’s family. “I want to be clear – our primary focus is on identifying the person or persons who killed Melanie.
“A small or seemingly insignificant piece of information could be the key to solving this case. Please read our appeal points relating to the rope and the key dates and locations which feature in this case and call our investigation team if you can help. “You may feel able to speak to us now when you couldn’t before.”
Do you have information which could help the police with their inquiry? • Did you own a length, or lengths, of blue polypropylene rope which went missing around June 1996, or do you know someone who possessed rope of this kind, whose behaviour or demeanour may have changed since the summer of 1996? • Were you involved in the aftermath of this crime in any way? Maybe you assisted with the deposition of Melanie’s body but were not involved in the murder. Officers want to hear from you now. • Did you see Melanie after 1.10am on Sunday 9th June? Did you see her leave the Cadillacs nightclub, or go elsewhere within the nightclub other than sitting by the dancefloor, or see who she was with, at any time after this? • Were you in Cadillacs nightclub that night? It was the evening where England drew 1-1 with Switzerland in the opening game of the football Euro 96 Championships. If you were there and haven’t spoken to police, please call them.
• Did you see any suspicious activity or a vehicle parked on the northbound J14 slip road of the M5 at Thornbury in the early hours of Sunday 9th June 1996 or the days immediately afterwards? • Are you concerned about the change in behaviour of a friend or relative, or anyone showing a particular interest in this inquiry? • Do you have information on where Melanie’s clothing or belongings may be? They’ve never been found. They include a pale blue silk dress with a round neck, black suede mule shoes with straps across the front and an open toe, size 5 or 6, a cream single-breasted, longsleeved jacket and a black satchel-type handbag. • In Melanie’s handbag were cosmetics and a Midland cheque book and bank card. Also missing are items of jewellery including a Next watch with expanding bracelet and silver drop earrings. Where are these items? Have you ever seen them?
The scene where Melanie’s remains were discovered in 2009 | Image via Avon & Somerset Police
You can call the Operation Denmark Incident Room on 01278 648934 or give information online through the Major Incident Public Portal via https://mipp.police.uk/operation/5201020103A06-PO1. Alternatively you can 101 and ask for the Operation Denmark team. Melanie’s parents have reinstated a £50,000 reward for information provided to the police which leads to the arrest and conviction
of the person or people responsible for Melanie’s murder. The independent charity Crimestoppers is also reinstating a reward of up to £10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Melanie Hall. You will only qualify for this reward if the information is passed to Crimestoppers direct. The charity can be contacted on
0800 555 111. Information can be provided anonymously and they cannot trace your call. For more information, visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org. Throughout the investigation, Avon and Somerset Police have received 1,751 calls from the public about the case, completed 5,857 tasks/investigative actions and taken 1,668 statements. There have been 11 arrests, but no one has ever been charged.
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Renewed call for Consultant Cher set to share Advertorial families to join Rainbow her successful slimming secrets Resource SEN scheme FAMILIES of children and young people who have additional needs are being encouraged to apply for a free card that allows their youngster to enjoy discounted entry to a range of local attractions. The council’s Rainbow Resource scheme provides children and young people between the ages of 0-25 with a special educational need or disability (SEND) with a free card that allows them concessions in place of carrying their confidential Disability Living Allowance letter. The wallet-sized card also gives the cardholder and their companions a way to discreetly alert staff at the venue that they have particular needs in case they need support. Rainbow Resource is a website managed by Bath & North East Somerset Council that provides local information and signposting for families with a child or young person with additional needs. It also has a packed calendar of activities. Councillor Kevin Guy, cabinet member for Children’s Services, said: “Since we relaunched the Rainbow Resource information and signposting site last year, there has been a big increase in the number of parents and carers applying for a Rainbow Resource card. “There are now 1,000 members and this is growing every week, but I encourage more young people and their families to join the scheme and make use of the Rainbow Resource website.
“Getting out and about can be challenging for people with special needs or disabilities and this scheme aims to make a day out a more enjoyable process.” The Rainbow Resource card enables concessions on entry to attractions including Avon Valley Adventure Park in Keynsham, The Egg Theatre in Bath and Bristol Zoo, to name a few. The participant venues have agreed to accept the card as confirmation that a child or young person has an additional need and to give them any discounts that may be on offer. Rachel, a parent carer from Chew Valley, said: “I have used my Rainbow Resource card to get a concession entry at several places across B&NES and Bristol. “It’s great to know that with the concessional entry, we are able to stay as long or as short a time as my daughter needs. It’s also reassuring to know that the venue is more understanding of the needs of my family.” Applications for a Rainbow Resource card can be made online via the website www.rainbowresource.org.uk.
A SLIMMER who transformed her life by losing weight is using her success to shape a whole new career helping other people change their lives and achieve their weight loss dreams. Cher Hulin joined Nikki Merrick’s Friday Slimming World group at Combe Down in Bath 18 months ago and dropped 6 stone - changing her health and happiness for the better. Now, she has trained as a Consultant for Slimming World, the UK’s largest group-based weight loss organisation, at their national training academy in Derbyshire. Members at the group in Saltford are getting ready to welcome Cher as their new Consultant when she takes over on 30th October. She said: “Obesity is becoming such a huge issue across the UK. When I first joined Slimming World as a member, I never dreamed that I would end up helping other people to lose weight but now I just can’t wait to get started. “After losing 6st and completing my training, it’s a privilege for me to be able to pass on the experience, insight and understanding that helped me, so that I can give my members the support they need to get to target. “Support is really the most important thing. It all starts with feeling that you’re not alone. "I couldn’t have lost 6 stone without the weekly help, encouragement and understanding of my own Consultant and group. “As someone who has lost weight myself I know the challenges people can face, which is why,
delicious! bewith Slimming World MONDAY Odd Down St Philips & St James BA2 2QF 10.00am Tel Christine: 07976 709203
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NEW CONSULTANT Saltford Saltford Association Hall BS31 3BY, 7.30pm Tel Cher: 07824 336925
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THURSDAY Weston The Parish Hall BA1 4BU 7.00pm Tel Sarah: 07881 758292 Southdown The Methodist Church BA2 1JN 5.30pm & 7.30pm Tel Jane: 07857 147093
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along with the group, I will be there to support every one of my members all the way to their chosen target weight. “Setting targets, sharing recipes and other ideas, and working together as a group to overcome challenges and celebrate success is so important to a successful journey. That’s why, at my Slimming World group, there’ll be tons of support, encouragement and fun. “Like a lot of slimmers, I had tried to lose weight so many times before by following numerous diets but they were never sustainable because I’d always get tired of restricting what I ate. “I thought I was destined to struggle with my weight for the rest of my life, but when I came to Slimming World it was different. I never felt like I was on a diet. “The eating plan encourages you to eat lots of tasty, filling foods like pasta, rice, potatoes and lean meat and fish, you are never hungry and no foods are banned so there’s no deprivation. I couldn’t believe I’d found a way to lose weight without starving myself. “Slimming World isn’t just about changing what you eat. Becoming more active is important too. Our Body Magic programme takes the threat out of activity by showing people, many of whom have unpleasant memories of being forced to take part in save activity at school, how up to they can build activity ask in group for into their daily routine more details FRIDAY without having to take Combe Down up traditional forms Rugby Club BA2 5DE of exercise like going 9.30am to the gym or fitness Tel Nikki: 07538 975125 classes. Everything Southdown counts from walking to The Methodist Church gardening to washing BA2 1JN, 9.30am the car. Tel Jane: 07857 147093 “I love running and taking part in lots of outdoor activities to get my Body Magic! As a Consultant it’s my role to create that
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warm, supportive atmosphere to get people sharing their ideas and experiences to help others it’s going to be great fun!” Like Cher, Slimming World Consultants are all former members who have lost weight at their local group themselves, and groups are set up as micro businesses in the heart of local communities. There are currently around 4,000 Slimming World Consultants across the UK and Ireland, running 15,000 groups. Consultants receive training in Slimming World’s healthy eating and physical activity programmes and learn how to use the power of group support to empower members to take control of their own weight loss journey. As self-employed micro-entrepreneurs, Consultants also learn how to build a successful community-based business. Cher says she can’t wait for the new challenges running her own business will bring. “For me becoming a self-employed franchisee was a great option. I wanted a job that was well paid, flexible and could fit around my busy family life, so launching my own Slimming World group was an ideal option – I feel like I’ve got a brand new career and I can’t wait for my new groups to run now!" Sarah Carter who runs Slimming World’s Twerton & Weston groups and manages the Bath team as a Team Developer, said: “Slimming World Consultants are chosen for their positive outlook and because they genuinely care about the health and happiness of others. “With Cher’s experience of being a successful Slimming World member and her kind and warm personality and great sense of humour I just know that she’ll be an amazing support to members, cheering them all the way to their target weight.” Cher’s Slimming World group will be held at the Saltford Association Hall every Wednesday at 7.30pm from 30th October. For more information, or to join Cher’s group, either pop along on 30th October or call her on 07824336925. Alternatively, visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk or call 0344 897 8000.
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Tuesday, 15th October 2019
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Education Bath schools energy project set to be expanded nationwide AN education programme trialled by schools across Bath & North East Somerset to teach young people about energy and how to make their schools more energy efficient is being rolled out nationwide. The Energy Sparks project for primary and secondary school pupils shows pupils, teachers, school management and the wider school community how to save money and benefit the environment. Due to the success of Energy Sparks in the 17 schools across Bath & North East Somerset that are using the programme, the scheme has secured £500,000 from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to make improvements to the programme and roll it out to schools across the country. Bath & North East Somerset Council has backed the project, which was developed by Transition Bath, a local charity working to reduce carbon emissions and climate change, in collaboration with Bath: Hacked, a local community interest company whose aim is to promote the use of open data. Councillor Sarah Warren, joint cabinet member for Climate Emergency, said: “Addressing the climate emergency is an issue that young people really care about and the Energy Sparks
programme enables pupils to take real action to reduce their school’s carbon footprint. “I’m delighted that young people across Bath & North East Somerset have been the first to benefit from Energy Sparks and would encourage other schools across the country to get on board with this excellent project.” Warrick Barton, headteacher at Pensford Primary School, said: “The children are motivated by the competitive element as well as the desire to save money and energy. “For example, having devised a system to ensure our old electric water heaters are turned off, the children have been able to calculate the resulting savings using the website. “They have been really pleased to discover that we could save £600 per year from this change!” Schools participating in Energy Sparks have been able to demonstrate real energy savings in a short period of time. Pupils at Freshford Church School used Energy Sparks to identify energy wastage of £740 per year from an inefficient freezer. They wrote to school management to recommend a more efficient replacement freezer. The electricity savings paid for the investment within 4 months, and over the 10-year life of the freez-
er will save the school around £7000. Alfie Parkin, a year 6 pupil at Freshford Church School, said: “I enjoy the feeling that you are doing your bit to save the planet, and you know you are helping your school.”
Claudia Towner, Energy Sparks Project Manager, said: “Pupils can act as strong advocates for change in schools. Energy Sparks’ educational activities can also provide pupils with skills in understanding energy and greater awareness of its environmental
impact. “This extends the impact of the programme to their homes and families and can be applied in their future lives.” The Energy Sparks website can be found at https://energysparks. uk.
Sixth form student wins Council invests £7.5m to provide hundreds of additional school places prestigious Author of Tomorrow Award A YEAR 12 student at King Edward’s School in Bath, Meg Lintern, has won a prestigious Author of Tomorrow Award for her short story, An Adventure at Sea. The story journals a young refugee’s near-fatal attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea with her younger brother. The Author of Tomorrow Award is designed to find the adventure writers of the future. Part of the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize, it is an annual competition open to young people, aged 21 and under, who have completed a short piece of adventure writing in English. Meg’s story won the 1621 yrs category and will feature in the Wilbur & Niso Smith Foundation’s 2019 anthology, Survival, Spirits and Submarines. Ten Tales of Remarkable Adventures. It is the third time this year that Meg’s writing has attracted criti-
cal acclaim. Earlier this year her piece entitled Lest we Forget was one of 10 Highly Commended entries in the UK-wide Young Walter Scott Prize for writers interested in history and writing. Following this, Meg won a Keats-Shelley Young Romantics Prize for her essay on Manfred: Glory and Ruination. “Meg is so incredibly talented, and it has been wonderful to see her developing as a writer over the years, expanding her range, exploring different forms and really finding her ‘voice,’” said Mrs Bruton from the English Department at KES. “She is a fantastic role model for many of our younger writers in the School, so many of whom come along to Creative Writing Society and enter our annual poetry and short story competitions.
BATH & North East Somerset Council has invested £7.5m expanding three primary schools across the area to provide hundreds of additional places for pupils. Extra places are needed due to an increase in local housing development and general population growth. Councillor Kevin Guy, cabinet member for Children’s Services, said: “As our communities evolve and grow, we need to invest in our schools to ensure they meet the demand for places. “We’ve built fantastic modern facilities which will serve their local communities for many years to come. “Providing additional places in areas that are growing will also help us tackle the climate emergency as pupils will be able to walk, cycle or use public transport to get to school reducing car journey’s and carbon emissions.” Among the schools to benefit was St Nicholas CoE Primary School in Radstock, where a new £2.4m teaching block was officially opened on Friday 5th October. The school now has four new light and airy classrooms and a
large activity/tech room as well as staff and group space. The existing school buildings have also been improved with the reception area remodelled and re f u r b i s h e d and the school kitchens enlarged to cater for the additional number of children. As a result of the expansion, St Nicholas can now accommodate an extra 140 pupils bringing its capacity to 420. The new building was designed by BBA Architects of Bath and the main contractor was Bath’s H Mealing and Sons. An additional 210 places have been created with the expansion of Castle Primary School in Keynsham. A new teaching block, incorporating four new classrooms and a hall has been constructed, existing school buildings substantial-
ly remodelled and classrooms and facilities refurbished. Outside areas have been redesigned with new and enlarged playground areas, natural habitats and playing fields. The new building, designed by BBA Architects of Bath, has won a Building Control Award for Building and Design Quality. The main contractor was H Mealing and Sons of Bath. Whitchurch Primary has also benefitted from significant investment, with the construction of four new classrooms in a new teaching block. The expansion means the school will be able to take an additional 105 pupils. The energy-efficient building was designed with the latest guidance on ventilation in schools to provide the best indoor environment for teaching and learning.
Tuesday, 15th October 2019
Parents being urged to use all five school place preferences PARENTS and carers of children in Bath & North East Somerset who are currently in Year 6 are being strongly recommended to use all five preferences when applying for secondary school place for September 2020. The deadline for applying for a place is fast approaching and applications must be received by Thursday 31 October. Late applications will not be considered until the second round of allocations next May Councillor Kevin Guy, cabinet member for Children’s Services, said: “I cannot stress strongly enough how important it is for parents to use all five preferences to ensure their child has the best chance of attending a school that is reasonably local to where they live. "Demand for places is high and using all the preferences available will help to avoid a child being offered a place at a school some distance away from home.” This year 88% of parents across Bath and North East Somerset obtained their first preference
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school, with 97.2% offered one of their first five preferences. Applications must be made to the local authority in which you live even if you are wishing to be considered for a place at a school situated within a different local authority area. Each preference is considered equally against the school’s admissions criteria regardless of whether it is listed as the first, second, third, fourth or fifth preference. The highest preference school is always given first consideration. Offers of places will be made on 2nd March 2020. Applications can be made via the Admissions Online link on the council’s website http://www. bathnes.gov.uk/admissions
Agricultural Mechanics students return for 50-year college reunion NINE former students of Norton Radstock College recently returned to what is now the Somer Valley Campus of Bath College to have a special 50year reunion. They studied Agricultural Mechanics from 1967-69 and decided to meet up to catch up with each other, share memories and see if the course itself led to the paths they took with their careers. The alumni had a tour of Somer Valley Campus in Radstock, where they spoke to lecturers from a range of disciplines including carpentry & joinery, bricklaying, refrigeration, electrical, plumbing, animal care, stonemasonry, engineering and motor vehicle. Stuart King, Head of English & Maths at Bath College, led the tour and gave the group a brief overview of how it has changed since they left. He said: “It’s been fantastic having the alumni with us. Hearing their stories of 50 years ago and how successful they have gone on to be is really heart-warming.” The former students enjoyed a tour of the college before heading off to a reunion lunch at a local pub. Steve Crowe said: “Years ago when we studied here it was far more
based on mechanical and handskills. Now I get the impression it’s much more diverse focusing on many different skills. “I’ve been so impressed, especially with the stonemasonry workshop which is a real unique selling point.” Mike Church said: “Coming back to the College has shown an incredible change. Like everything, including all the
people here today, everything has moved on. “I have been very impressed seeing the broad curriculum that is taught here, it has really opened my eyes.” Nick Dee Shapland, who organised the reunion added: “We couldn’t have asked for more this morning, what an enterprising college! Each lecturer has really given us an insight.”
College secures FA Growth Funding to create new futsal team
Youngsters with learning disabilities start year-long council internship
BATH College has been selected as one of thirty colleges to receive English Colleges FA Growth Funding to support the formation of a new women’s futsal team. The college was chosen out of 100 applicants to receive the funding, which will help establish a sustainable futsal team over the next 3 years, allowing new and existing students to participate and therefore creating a more inclusive extra-curricular offer. The money will help provide qualified and licensed coaches, referees and kit to help the futsal team improve their skills and
TEN young people with learning disabilities have started a year-long internship with Bath & North East Somerset Council, as part of the Project SEARCH initiative. It’s the 11th year the council has welcomed interns from Project SEARCH, an initiative led by the council in partnership with Bath College and Virgin Care. The aim of the scheme is to support young adults with learning disabilities into work. Over the next twelve months, the interns will work in three placements across the council. The aim is to enable the interns
abilities, and give them a positive and enjoyable experience of futsal whilst studying at college. Bath College is working to ensure their students are able to join a sporting community to keep them physically active and positively impact their mental wellbeing. Shaun Mullen, who will be head of futsal provision, is a UEFA B licence futsal coach and FA Tutor. He said: “This will give students an opportunity in potentially a new sport to learn core values and skills and create a new social group within a team environment.”
to develop skills, gain experience and grow in confidence and independence. Councillor Dine Romero, council leader, said: “I’m delighted to welcome our new Project SEARCH interns to the council. “The average employment rate for adults with a learning disability in the UK has dropped to just six per cent. “We need to address that and increase the opportunities available to young people with learning disabilities. “Project SEARCH enables the interns to develop the skills they need to find sustainable employ-
ment. Over the years we’ve had huge success with our graduates finding employment through the programme. I’m sure this year’s cohort will benefit enormously from their time with us.” During their time at the council, the interns receive on-site tutoring from Bath College and Job Coach support from Virgin Care. The partners also work with local organisations to help interns find vacancies and apply for jobs. Following the successful completion of their internships next June, all graduates will be presented with certificates at a special ceremony at the Guildhall.
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Health £150k of donations to support refurbishment of Critical Care Unit STAFF at the RUH’s Critical Care Unit are celebrating over £150,000 of generous charity donations that will help support its major refurbishment project and modernise and further improve patient care. The hospital’s League of Friends has donated £150,000 to the Critical Care Unit to install new electronic equipment, called patient service columns, beside each patient’s bed. The £150,000 target was set by the hospital’s charity, The Forever Friends Appeal, and has been exceeded thanks to the League of Friends, local Rotary Clubs and individual donors. Musician and BBC radio presenter Tom Robinson also raised more than £10,000 from a concert in memory of his band’s guitarist, Danny Kustow, who died in the Unit earlier this year. The Critical Care team delivers lifesaving treatment to the most unwell and most vulnerable 2% of the RUH patient population.
Around 850 patients are treated in the Unit every year, with 87% being discharged to an appropriate ward for continuing care. A special celebration event was held at the RUH to thank supporters of the Unit, including patients and their families. Stan Barker, Chair of the RUH League of Friends said: “We decided to donate the full £150,000 after seeing the incredible work the staff do in the unit and the real need for new equipment like the patient service columns. “I would like to thank all of our staff, our volunteers and the public for helping to raise the money, which is mostly through our cafe and hospital shop, as well as from donations and legacies.” Andy Georgiou, Critical Care Lead Consultant said: “Thank you to The Forever Friends Appeal, the League of Friends and all of the supporters for helping to raise the money needed for the refurbishment of our unit.“This is going to revolutionise patient
care here in the RUH through the installation of patient service columns. These columns will house a new clinical information system at the bedside and provide medical equipment, electrical power and gasses from a single convenient point. “This means we will have im-
proved access to the patient for emergency or special procedures right when we need it. “Electronic data also means we’ll be able to offer much more nursing time to care for our patients.” Tom Robinson said: “The care my friend Danny received at the RUH was exemplary over a num-
ber of years and particularly so in Critical Care in the last days of his life. "Staff were so welcoming and personal. "Huge thanks to everyone in Critical Care – you deserve all the support you get and more power to your elbow.”
Council announces support for NHS’ first national ‘Every Mind Matters’ mental health campaign
Sixteen businesses join brand new £20 fundraising challenge
BATH & North East Somerset Council is supporting the first national NHS mental health campaign, ‘Every Mind Matters’, which encourages adults to be more aware of their mental health and wellbeing. Every Mind Matters offers a range of useful resources to help spot the signs of common mental health concerns. It provides practical self-care tips, guidance and, importantly, explains when to seek further support. There are also links to local sources of support for issues that can impact on our mental health such as relationships and family life, money worries, housing and employment. Bath & North East Somerset Council is supporting the campaign by providing access on its website to a free NHS-approved online tool, designed to help residents build an action plan to deal with stress and anxiety, boost their mood, improve their sleep and advice on habits to practice regularly for good mental health. The council has also signed the ‘Time to Change’ employers health pledge, a campaign to end stigma and discrimination about mental health.
SIXTEEN companies from Bath, Somerset and Wiltshire gathered to celebrate the launch of a brand new fundraising challenge which will help raise funds for the Royal United Hospital in Bath. They are all taking part in The Forever Friends Appeal’s Make it Grow Corporate Challenge, which is running until 31st January 2020. Patsy Gould, Corporate Officer, The Forever Friends Appeal said: “We are delighted to have so many businesses on board and there is still time for companies to sign up and take part. “The concept of our challenge is simple – every company which has signed up will receive a starter fund of £20. The aim is to make that amount grow more than any other company taking part in the challenge. “We are really excited to hear about their fundraising plans and throughout the next four months, we’ll track their progress on our fundraising leaderboard to see who’s leading the competition.” At the end of the Make it Grow challenge, the companies will be able to choose whether their funds go to a specific area in the hospital which they have a
Councillor Rob Appleyard, cabinet member for Adult Services, said: “Mental health directly affects our overall health and wellbeing, and can impact on our quality of life as well as on our ability to work. “We don’t need to wait until we are struggling with our mental health; there are lots of things we can do to protect ourselves and prevent problems escalating, just as we do with our physical health. “Mental illness costs communities and businesses an estimated £105 billion annually. The government review, ‘Thriving at work: a review of mental health and employers’, recommended that as well as providing good jobs, employers should ensure their employees have the knowledge, tools and confidence to look after their own mental health and those around them. “I’d urge all businesses in every sector to follow this recommendation and sign the ‘Time to Change’ pledge and promote the
use of the Every Mind Matters online tool.” Kate Morton, from Bath Mind, said: ‘‘All of us at some point in our lives will experience mental illhealth. Therefore, it is imperative to equip people with information and guidance to enable them to take proactive steps in improving their own physical and mental wellbeing. “We all have mental health and we all have periods where this can fluctuate, yet 9 out of 10 people with mental health problems say they face stigma and discrimination as a result. “The new Every Mind Matters tool will help people maintain their own mental health and support those around them – at work, at home and in the community.’ To learn more about how to look after your mental health and create your own action plan, visit: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/ services/public-health/one-you/ every-mind-matters
special connection with or if they would like it to support one of the charity’s fundraising campaigns such as the Breast Unit Special Appeal or RUH Cancer Care Campaign. Rob Burrows, Assistant Branch Manager, Nationwide Building Society Bath said: “We are looking forward to taking on the Make it Grow Corporate Challenge 2019. “Nationwide Bath supports our local community in various ways so after recently volunteering at the Movie by Moonlight it was clear to see what a difference the Forever Friends Appeal makes to people’s lives. “We want to continue working with the Appeal because we are passionate about helping the community which we live in and using our voice to make a positive change.” Businesses that would like to take part in the challenge should sign up on The Forever Friends Appeal’s website. All participants will receive a free fundraising pack which is full of tools, tips and ideas on how to make their starter fund grow. For information about the Make it Grow Corporate Challenge, visit: www.foreverfriendsappeal. co.uk.
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Woman to take on series Mineral Water Hospital’s historic of races to raise funds paintings given new home at RUH for Children's Ward A DEVIZES woman is taking on a series of challenges to raise money for the Children’s Ward at the RUH in gratitude for the invaluable care and support for Rafe, the three-year-old son of her friend. 33-year-old Emily Eagle has raised £2,330 so far in support of friends Amy and Sam whose son, Rafe, has been treated for leukemia at the RUH throughout 2019. She said: “Rafe's parents are going through an impossibly tough time as he has undergone chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. “Rafe spent a lot of time at the RUH before moving to Bristol, so when I asked Amy about fundraising she suggested we raise money for the Children's Ward at the RUH as they have been so supportive and wonderful towards their whole family while Rafe was so poorly. “He is an incredibly brave little boy, so I decided to run for Rafe and joined the Devizes Running Club’s sofa to 5K course in January. I am planning to run
in a number of events over the next six months and I’m looking forward to having Rafe's Auntie Lisa and his brother, Max, along with some more of his loved ones, join me in some of the events as we run for Rafe.” Emily has so far signed up for six races, including the Devizes 10k, Wiltshire 10 Mile and will finish with her first half marathon – the Bath Half in March 2020. Maddy Jones, Senior Events Fundraiser, The Forever Friends Appeal said: “We’re proud to have such inspiring people as part of our Bath Half team, like Emily, Lisa and Max who are running for Rafe. If you have your own reason to run – maybe you have received treatment at the RUH or would like to thank staff for the care of a loved one – we’d love you to sign up today and join our team to raise funds for the RUH. “Registration costs £35 and we ask that our runners pledge to raise a minimum of £175 for a ward or department close to their heart at the hospital,” This year’s Bath Half Marathon raised over £34,000 for The Forever Friends Appeal.
HISTORIC paintings from the Mineral Water Hospital in Bath have been rehung and given pride of place in their new home, the recently-opened RNHRD and Brownsword Therapies Centre at the RUH. They include one of the RUH Trust’s best-known and treasured paintings, by the artist W.T. Hoare, titled ‘Dr Oliver and Mr Pierce examining patients with Paralysis, Rheumatism and leprosy’. It is among five 18th-century paintings from the Mineral Water Hospital, locally known as the Min, that have undergone expert conservation and restoration before being transferred to their new home. Hetty Dupays, RUH Art and Design Manager, said: “The paintings are hugely important historically and aesthetically. Their restoration has been done wonderfully and they now look magnificent and perfectly in place in the new Centre.” The conservation treatment involved cleaning the oil paint and canvas, repairing the frames and fitting the paintings with a museum-grade UV acrylic glazing. The glazing will protect them
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from UV light and pollutants, allowing them to be safely installed in the new Centre where patients, visitors and staff can continue to experience and enjoy the rich cultural heritage of our city’s medical past. The Dr Oliver painting now hangs in the new rheumatology reception area of the Centre. The others are displayed in prominent positions on the main stairway and the seminar room of the building. They are: • Portrait of Henry Wright by William Hoare
• Mr John Morris, first apothecary, by English School 18th century • Hygeia, by William Hoare • Sir William Cockburn, attributed to Thomas Barker of Bath. The historic paintings join artworks that have been specially commissioned, including a geographical timeline tracing the route of Bath’s hot springs, decorated glass panels depicting local landscapes and hydrotherapy designs, heritage wallpaper and contemporary images interpreting present-day practice.
RUH dementia team in the running for top award THE Dementia Coordinator team at the Royal United Hospital in Bath is celebrating being named a finalist in the prestigious National Dementia Care Awards 2019. The Dementia Coordinators are finalists in the Best Dementia Team category, but will have to wait until November to find out if they’ve won, when they attend a gala awards evening at Doncaster Racecourse. The team provides a seven-day service to support the RUH in caring for patients with dementia. They support staff, patients and their family or carer during their stay in hospital through to discharge. The team promotes the support available at the RUH for people with dementia, work closely with local mental health services and the local community and carry out Trust-wide dementia training. The four members of staff that make up the RUH’s team are Dee Scruton, Maggie Depledge, Astrid Siddorn and Theresa Hegarty. Dee said: “We’re delighted to be a finalist for such a prestigious national award – we couldn’t believe it when we found out and we’re very proud to have made it this far. “The RUH is committed to becoming an even more dementia-friendly hospital and this award nomination is recognition of the hard work taking place across the hospital to provide compassionate, patient-centred care.” At the RUH, around 75% of their patients are over 65 and of that patient group, around 30% suffer from dementia – but may be in hospital for other treatment.
Earlier this year, the RUH launched its ground-breaking audiobooks for dementia patients initiative, which has proved so successful it is being copied throughout the country. Patients with dementia now have the chance to listen to audiobooks, plays and TV and radio shows during their stay at the RUH. The aim of the initiative is to keep patients stimulated and engaged, while helping to relieve some of the boredom of being in hospital. The RUH’s Combe ward is a dedicated older persons’ unit (OPU) and many of the patients treated on the ward have some form of dementia or cognitive impairment. Nursing stations are placed in each of the bays on the ward, so that staff can observe patients and they can be reassured by their presence. Brightly-coloured flooring marks out the different areas of the ward and signs have both text and pictures. The lighting on the ward is soft and even, and changes gradually throughout the day to give patients a sense of the passing of time. Recent improvements to the hospital’s Medical Assessment Unit have seen larger, dementia-friendly signs installed around the unit, to help patients navigate their way around. The National Dementia Care Awards is an annual event organised by The Journal of Dementia Care, a multidisciplinary journal for all professional staff working with people with dementia, in hospitals, nursing and residential care homes, day units and the community. The awards were created to recognise the very best people in the dementia care sector.
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What's On English Touring Opera set for annual visit with performances of The Seraglio and The Silver Lake ENGLISH Touring Opera’s annual visit to the Theatre Royal Bath will include a period production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s hugely popular opera The Seraglio on Monday 21st October, followed on Tuesday 22nd October by Kurt Weill’s rarely performed masterpiece The Silver Lake – A Winter’s Tale (Der Silbersee). The company’s singspiel double bill in Bath will be presented across two consecutive nights. The singspiel form enabled both Mozart and Weill to make nuanced and powerful social commentary when their operas were written, thanks to its populist appeal and equal weighting of drama and music. In extraordinary political times, ETO returns to singspiel’s accessible form as they stage one of its greatest examples in Mozart’s The Seraglio and present ETO’s first Kurt Weill production - and the first UK production of The Silver Lake in over 20 years as Weill specialist James Holmes conducts and a community choir performs with ETO at each venue. Bath’s performance of The Silver Lake will feature the Wiltshire Music Centre Chorus. Appearing on Monday 21st October, The Seraglio was Mozart’s first commercial success. An irresistibly light comedy with emotional truth, it was a triumph from its first performance and Mozart’s most popular work in his lifetime. The youthful genius was conscious of his Viennese audience’s fascination with all things eastern. The harem, or Seraglio, was its centre, surrounded by well-worn walls. Within, a young girl is clearly fascinated by a Pasha who rules by reason – he, of course, never sings, unlike his bumptious young rival, the boy from Seville.
Matthew Stiff and John-Colyn Gyeantey in The Seraglio | Photo © Jane Hobson
A charming confection with a beating heart, this exposition of the need for tolerance and understanding between different cultures, celebrates the power of both mind and heart to control and conquer the passions of lust and revenge. Receiving its premiere in 1782 at the Vienna Burgtheater, The Seraglio provided the young composer with his much needed commercial breakthrough. Mozart transformed the singspiel model to create a form of opera that retained its popular appeal whilst incorporating all forms of contemporary composition to examine all of society. This period production sees Stephen Medcalf return to ETO to direct his first production since his time as the company’s Director of Productions (19911997) as he collaborates with conductor John Andrews, whose recent credits include ETO’s acclaimed production of Rossini’s Elizabeth I (2019) and a celebrated recording of Sir Arthur Sullivan’s incidental music with the BBC Concert Orchestra and Singers. The cast features Lucy Hall as Konstanze, John-Colyn Gyeantey
as Belmonte, Nazan Fikret as Blonde, Richard Pinkstone as Pedrillo, Matthew Stiff as Osmin and Alexander Andreou as Pasha. The Seraglio will be sung in English with English surtitles. Through Weill’s teacher Busoni, Mozart’s singspiels became a model for Kurt Weill’s work in the 20th century. On Tuesday 22nd October, English Touring Opera turns to Kurt Weill’s poetic and uplifting The Silver Lake – A Winter’s Tale (Der Silbersee). Considered by many to be his masterpiece, The Silver Lake features some of Weill’s finest arias, complemented by some of the most unusual and moving choruses written by any composer in the twentieth century. An emotional story with a sharp satirical edge; at its heart are three rich characters: the thief, the policeman and a girl called Fennimore. Around them is a bizarre gallery of opportunists, thugs and aristocrats. Somehow the three lovable characters survive a “winter’s tale” that could not be more apposite to modern Britain – and Fennimore’s song leads the two new friends to a new life, across a frozen lake.
Written in the early 1930s, during economic collapse and the rise of the far-right, this compelling opera satirises the social situation in Germany at the time. Weill’s last work in Germany and a collaboration with the poetic playwright Georg Kaiser, the opera was first produced in Leipzig in 1933, but it was quickly branded “Entartete Musik” by the Nazi party, who closed it down and banned the opera. After writing The Silver Lake, Weill and librettist Georg Kaiser were forced to flee Germany. Weill’s collaboration with Kaiser allowed the composer to throw off the shackles of a restrictive relationship with Bertolt Brecht. After adventures in South America, then destitution and imprisonment in Germany as a young man, Kaiser achieved huge success as a playwright in the 1920s and 30s. His work was at the forefront of the expressionist movement and he was one of the most produced playwrights in the country. This rarely staged opera is directed by ETO Artistic Director James Conway and conducted by James Holmes, an authority on the composer’s work. The cast includes Ronald Samm as Olim, David Webb as Severin, Luci Briginshaw as Fennimore and Clarissa Meek as Frau Luber, Bernadette Iglich as Narrator and the Wiltshire Music Centre Chorus. The Silver Lake is sung in German and narrated in English with English surtitles. ETO will host a Pre-Show Talk before both performances at Bath’s Theatre Royal at 6.30pm. Tickets for the Pre-Show Talks, which are free of charge, can be booked via the Box Office.the Theatre Royal Bath. Tickets for the performances are available from the Box Office on 01225 448844 and online at www. theatreroyal.org.uk
News in Brief Festive countdown is on
Work to erect Bath and North East Somerset’s Christmas Lights gets underway this week. Bath & North East Somerset Council’s contractors will be installing the lights in Bath City Centre, Combe Down, Larkhall, Weston, Keynsham, Midsomer Norton and Radstock between Monday 14th and Friday 18th October. Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for Housing, Planning and Economic Development, said: “The run up to Christmas is an important time for local traders and we need to ensure the lights are put up in good time so the work doesn’t impact other events, such as Bath’s Christmas Market. “Our contractors need to schedule the work alongside other communities across the country, but will be keeping disruption to a minimum by working in the evenings.” Blachere Illuminations UK Ltd, the world’s largest festive lighting company, will use hundreds of metres of cable and tens of thousands of power-saving LED lights on lamp columns and cross-street displays to illuminate the district. This year the festive illuminations in Bath have been extended to include displays on lampcolumns in Moorland Road.
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Bath Mozartfest to return to city for 29th annual celebration THIS year’s Bath Mozartfest will mark the 29th annual festival - an autumnal celebration of classical music with the works of W A Mozart. The Mozartfest will bring some of the world’s leading musicians to Bath for a nine day feast of fine music making. Amelia Freedman is the festival’s Artistic Director and her muchpraised programming allows audiences to venture well beyond Mr Mozart. This year its range stretches from operatic arias of the Baroque period to the 20th century songs of Gerald Finzi. The festival will open with a
Mozart String Quintet from The Nash Ensemble, the group founded by Amelia Freedman more than fifty years ago, and now considered to be one of the world’s premier chamber ensembles. Firm favourites with Bath audiences, their opening concert is certain to sell out. London Winds are another returning favourite – this year in a large-ensemble formation with piano, cello and double base, to offer the first of the two alwayspopular Saturday morning, 11am ‘coffee concerts’. The Belcea Quartet have an international reputation and fan
base, and their all-Beethoven concert will take the audience on a journey through the composer’s early, middle and late quartets. Making their first appearance at the festival is the Barcelonabased Cuarteto Casals. Having won golden reviews across Europe, their Bath debut, with pianist Alexander Melnikov, is hotly anticipated. Bath Mozartfest will also present Imogen Cooper, one of the leading pianists of our time, in her seventieth birthday year. Here she will play Schubert’s final three sonatas – the crowning glory of the composer’s output
for the keyboard. Two names well-known to classical music lovers, Alina Ibragimova (violin) and Cédric Tiberghien (piano), will form a Mozartfest ‘dream team’, with a delightful Mozart and Mendelssohn programme. La Nuova Musica, the acclaimed period instrument ensemble, offers a programme of operatic arias from Handel and Mozart, with the starry soprano, Lucy Crowe – who is currently enjoying much acclaim at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Young talent is celebrated with a showcase for members of BBC
Radio 3’s New Generation Artists scheme. The Aris String Quartet will be joined by the Norwegian viola player Eivind Ringstad and Alec Frank-Gemmill, principal horn of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, in a Haydn and Mozart afternoon concert. To draw the festival to a close the BBC National Orchestra of Wales will cross the Severn Bridge from its Cardiff base in the company of the Norwegian / American conductor, Joseph Swensen. The full Bath Mozartfest 2019 programme / tickets are available at www.bathmozartfest.org.uk
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Review | Shrek The Musical
Half term activities on offer at Dyrham Park
Theatre Royal Bath
Photo © National Trust Images - Trevor Hart
Photos © Nick Feierabend
Bath Light Operatic Group appear at the Theatre Royal Bath with the family favourite Shrek. Based on the hugely successful film of the bad-tempered ogre, Shrek lives a solitary life in his swamp, overrun with fairy tale folk. He is sent on a seemingly impossible task to rescue Princess Fiona from her tower, which is guarded by a dragon, and return her to Lord Farquaad to be married. Even in this crazy world, the course of true love does not run smoothly and alongside a talking donkey, Shrek sets out on his quest.
The storyline and characters follow the path of the film. There are a couple of stand out numbers but the show feels over long with act 2 padded largely by songs. None of this is clearly the responsibility of BLOG, who create a mad cap world full of colour and fun. The costumes are excellent. George Miles in the titular role is strong and vocally excellent. Lizzie Andrews is a suitably unlikely princess full of dreams whilst in reality hiding her own secret. The leading trio is then completed by Ryan Hughes as
Donkey, a comedy dream role. Geoff White is the vertically challenged Farquaad and all leading roles are covered with ease. The large company is well utilised by this largely technical production. Once the slow scene changes, sound balance and volume is resolved then it will no doubt settle into a good run. There is a lot of energy within this talented group and the lively band under the direction of Matt Finch are clearly relishing the job.
Petra Schofield
LOCAL families are being invited along to Dyrham Park near Bath this coming half term to enjoy bug trails, 17th-century storytellers and nature crafts. Running daily from Thursday 24th October to Sunday 3rd November, the trail looks at insects from the late 1600s when Dyrham Park was in its heyday, and when scientists first started using microscopes to see the detail of the tiny creatures. The trail, which is a £1 a go, takes you all around the 270-acre site and will run from 10am to 3pm. There will be crafts on certain days at Old Lodge including making bug hotels, leaf wishes and creating wild art. You could even make a leaf crown and be part of a play based on a traditional mummer's production. Costumed storytellers will be re-enacting bits of these 17thcentury plays and they'd love to have your help. The storytellers, dressed as 17thcentury servants, will be walking around the site on certain days, talking to people and explaining myths and legends of the time. They’ll also be in the stables telling stories. Please check the website for times and dates. Nature trails for children will also run on Tuesday 29th and Thursday 31st October at 11am
Coming up this week in Bath Big Charity Brunch
Green Park Station 16th October, 8am - 12pm In celebration of World Food Day, residents and visitors are being invited to discover the quality and diversity of Bath’s food and drink culture, while raising money for the Genesis Trust.
My Brave Face
from Visitor Reception. As well as the trail and the crafts there will be all the regular fun - daily deer park walks, the Old Lodge play area and plenty of wide, open space and autumn colour to explore. The church, stables and reception area will be decorated with autumnal displays, including some freshly-picked Dyrham gourds, and if you want to warm up in the tea-room there will be plenty of warming soups, stews and hot drinks on offer. Visitor Experience Officer Liz Marshall said: “Autumn is a magical time at Dyrham Park and we’re running some events aimed at children to tie in with half term. “It’s interesting and slightly gruesome to see what bugs look like under the microscope and it must have been terrifying to people back in the 17th century who hadn’t seen that amount of detail before. “Come and have a go or there are lots of crafts, storytelling and chances to connect with nature and appreciate the great outdoors before the cold winter weather kicks in." Dyrham Park is situated just off junction 18 of the M4 – 8 miles north of Bath. The park is open daily from 10am-5pm (last entry one hour before close).
On the way in Bath next week
Racing Season Finale
Lucy Spraggan
Rambert
Bath Racecourse 16th October, gates open at 12pm To round off the 2019 season, come racing and help Bath Racecourse celebrate the last of this year's racing at their season finale. Children under 18 go free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Komedia 23rd October,7.30pm Lucy Spraggan is in a good place and wants to share it with you. She is happy in love, life and music: three things that are reflected in the anthemic, upbeat, and infectious sound of her new album.
Theatre Royal Bath 24th- 26th October Fans of Wayne McGregor, Marion Motin and Hofesh Shechter know them as great, distinctive choreographers. Rambert’s new show brings together their moments of breakthrough.
The Rondo Theatre 16th & 17th October, 8pm You’re suddenly, unexpectedly single. Can you try to move on? What on earth do you do to get a date when you’re middle-aged, confused and confronted with a world full of websites and apps?
Chapel Arts Centre 18th October, 8pm An evening with award-winning Radio 2 playlisted artist Jo Harman and friends. Widely regarded as one of Europe’s finest ever soul/blues voices. Tickets cost £15 and are available on the door.
Jo Harman Trio
Lisa Stansfield
Halloween Trick or Treat Trail
Touch
Macbeth
Fashion from Nature - Trail
Halloween Trail - Prior Park
The egg theatre 18th - 21st October An improvised and interactive danceshow performed by four dancers and a DJ. Adults and children are offered the chance to watch, play and dance as the performers move to live mixed music.
The Mission Theatre 18th & 19th October, 7.30pm One of Shakespeare's most popular and well-known tragedies, Macbeth paints a nightmarish picture of what can happen when the mind is corrupted by greed and ambition. Suitable for ages 10+.
The Forum 25th October, doors at 7pm On its 30th anniversary, the album 'Affection' will be celebrated, with Lisa and her prodigious band performing popular hits, alongside favourites and classics from Lisa’s subsequent solo records. The Fashion Museum 26th October - 3rd November Patterns from nature are popular in fashion. Find the patterns from the outside world on outfits during the museum trail. Choose your favourite pattern and create a new design for a t-shirt.
The American Museum 26th Oct - 3rd Nov, 10am-3pm Trick or treat, which one will you receive when you try to solve the family Halloween trail? There are some truly ghoulish clues awaiting you in the garden. Tickets cost £2.50. Normal admission applies. National Trust - Prior Park 26th Oct - 3rd Nov, 10am-3pm A fright of ghosts has settled in the garden for this spooky Halloween week. Follow the trail around the garden, keeping your eyes peeled for frights and clues along the way. £2 per trail.
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Community Bath Carnival to retain use of vacant More childminders Twerton shop for creative projects needed across Bath BATH Carnival has retained the use of a vacant shop on Twerton High Street after their team of artists transformed it into a functioning studio space earlier in the year. The empty unit became the creative hub of the organisations after the landlords, Greenacre Capital and Bath City Football Club, agreed to provide it free of charge, with artists creating costumes and preparing community workshops over the summer period. Following the success of the carnival in July, the landlords agreed to Bath Carnival continuing to occupy the space to prepare for more creative projects. Local carnival artists have spent the past month preparing for Bath Carnival’s latest project, the Di?a de los Muertos event in partnership with SouthGate Bath. Shona Hernon, Greenacre Capital, said: “We were pleased to be able to offer Bath Carnival free use of the premises in Twerton High Street to help them with
their planning and operations for this fantastic event. “The passion and drive of a small volunteer force who are solely reliant on fundraising is a prime example of what can be done when a community comes together. “We at Greenacre and Bath City Football Club are delighted to have been able to provide the opportunity for Bath Carnival to broaden support and participation from the community “We look forward to continuing to support Bath Carnival in their future endeavours.” The project has been supported by Bath & North East Somerset Council, as part of the regional ‘Love our High Streets’ pilot with the West of England Combined Authority, which seeks to re-
Photo © Nick Cole
vitalise and re-think the way we use local high streets. Stu Matson, Bath Carnival Organiser, said: “It is vitally important that our artists have a dedicated space to work from throughout the year, so we are extremely grateful to all parties involved in providing this space. “As well as designing our autumn projects here, we have already used the premises to make a start on preparing the new costume designs for next year’s community outreach programme and Bath Carnival 2020 event.”
A DROP in the number of childminders across Bath and North East Somerset is prompting calls for more people to consider it as a career. The number of registered childminders across the authority has dropped over the past four years reflecting the national trend which has seen the number of registered childminders across the country drop by a fifth over the past four years. Childminding, which is crucial to the local economy, provides direct employment and enables people to work or study while their children are cared for in a safe environment. More registered childminders are needed right across Bath and North East Somerset, but there is a particular need in Bath, Chew Valley and Radstock. Councillor Kevin Guy, cabinet member for Children’s Services, said: “Childminders make a huge contribution to the local economy providing quality, flexible childcare without which many parents and carers would not be
able to work, train or study. It can also be an extremely rewarding career offering the opportunity to become self-employed and earn a living by caring for other people’s children while caring for your own children in your own home. There are also the added benefits of being your own boss and choosing your own working hours.” Childminders provide a safe, fun, nurturing environment for children to learn and develop skills for life. They run their own business and are registered by Ofsted to care for up to six children under the age of eight in their own home. Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Early Years Service offers a package of support to newly registering childminders. To find out more or talk to a member of the Childminding Team, email Early_years@bathnes.gov.uk. Information on local childminders can be found in the local family information directory by visiting: www.bathnes1bd.org. uk
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Universities and council join forces to launch 2019 Good Neighbour Campaign
Hunt is on for budding young crime writers
BATH'S two universities, Students’ Unions and Bath and North East Somerset Council have joined forces to launch this year’s Good Neighbour campaign. Representatives from the University of Bath, Bath Spa University and Bath and North-East Somerset Council spent a day meeting residents to launch this year’s Good Neighbour Campaign, which aims to foster good relationships between student residents and Bath locals. The Student Community Partnership (SCP) team knocked on over 500 doors in the Oldfield Park and Westmoreland areas to offer advice on waste, recycling and bin collection days among other issues, with the aim of encouraging neighbourliness and considerate behaviour within the community. The University of Bath’s Pro-Vice Chancellor for Learning and Teaching, Professor Peter Lambert, and Bath Spa University’s Pro-Vice Chancellor for Student Experience, Dr Rebecca Schaaf, took part in the engagement exercise alongside Oldfield Park Ward Councillor Shaun Stephenson-McGall. It was the first of the SCP’s activities this year, with further door knocking sessions planned throughout October. Student residents were also given tips on living in Bath, such as how to make best use of public transport services and how to get involved in volunteering locally. The SCP is a collaboration between Bath and North-East Somerset Council, the University of
Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Libraries Service is once again on the hunt for the next Agatha Christie or Robin Stevens, thanks to the launch of the annual Young Crime Writers competition. The competition is open to residents of Bath and North East Somerset under the age of 17 until Monday 10th February. There is no minimum age and the age of the author will be taken into consideration during judging. Councillor Kevin Guy, cabinet member for Children’s Services, said: “We want to nurture future writing talent and this is a fantastic opportunity for budding young writers to let their imagination run wild and create a story committing the perfect crime. “Our judges will be looking for originality, imagination and creativity; characterisation; inventiveness of plot, in particular how clues are laid for the reader and the plot resolved and above all the writer’s ability to tell a story, capture the reader and hold their attention.” Stories should be 1,000 words or less and have a crime story theme. Entries must be received no later than Monday 10th February 2020. Shortlisted authors will be invited to a special awards ceremony during the Easter holidays. Prizes include books and book tokens. The competition is being sponsored by Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights. For more information, advice and entry forms pop into your local library or visit: www.bathnes. gov.uk/youngwriterscomp.
Bath, Bath Spa University, Bath College and their respective Students’ Unions to promote neighbourly relations, safety, sustainability and other aspects of community awareness. One of the partnership’s current campaigns focuses on highlighting River & Night-time Safety in the city. Prof Peter Lambert, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Learning and Teaching at the University of Bath, said: “We are proud to be a part of the Student Community Partnership and to support its work in promoting good neighbourly relations locally. “I am very happy to launch this year’s campaign, and to meet with local residents today to understand their experiences and
any concerns they may have. Projects like this are designed to address the concerns and questions of both students and local residents, and make sure students are equipped with useful information about how to be an asset to their local area.” Dr Rebecca Schaaf, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Student Experience at Bath Spa University, added: “It has been wonderful to be part of the Good Neighbour Campaign this year, meeting residents and understanding their experiences and sense of community. “We encourage our students to make the most of their time here and to get involved in the local area, and it’s extremely important to us that they establish good relations between themselves and
their neighbours. We are proud to be part of the Student Community Partnership.” Councillor Shaun Stephenson-McGall said: “Oldfield Park is home to a diverse range of residents, many of whom are students. It’s important that new neighbours introduce themselves to each other and have a good understanding of issues such as how bin collections work, who is responsible for the upkeep of their gardens and how to be a considerate neighbour, especially when residents’ lifestyles and hours can be so different. “Getting to know your neighbours is so important and the SCP is helping to build communities, encouraging volunteering and sustainability.”
News in Brief
Plans for 100,000 trees to be planted over the next four years THE number of trees in Bath & North East Somerset could be doubled as part of the council’s commitment to tackle the climate emergency, with an ambition of planting 100,000 trees by May 2023. The council aims to deliver on ambitions published by the West of England Nature Partnership to double woodland across the district by 2060 and is currently carrying out surveys on current canopy coverage. Councillor Dave Wood, joint cabinet member for Climate Emergency and Neighbourhood Services, said: “These are ambitious plans to tackle the climate emergency that shows Bath and North East Somerset Council is leading the way nationally on tree planting. “Following the local elections we said we would show real leadership on tackling the Climate Emergency and this is just one example of what we are doing. “Knowing the positive contribution that trees make to reducing pollution, mental health, averting flooding, producing vital oxygen and absorbing carbon diox-
ide, I am committed to increased tree planting. “However, reforestation and re-wilding needs to be considered properly alongside the diversity of habitats. “Our Parks team replants up to eight trees for every one felled by development and is already investing £65,000 in tree planting in parks over the next five to 10 years. “The Bathscape project is working with landowners on better managed woodlands, grasslands and planting trees in the right places to prevent loss of wildlife-rich habitats.” A detailed Tree and Woodland Plan will be produced showing where the trees could go and how the planting will be resourced in partnership with communities, volunteers and landowners. Ross Kennerley, South West Regional Director at Woodland Trust, said: “The Woodland Trust fully supports this leadership by Bath & North East Somerset Council in response to the climate emergency. “Not only are trees excellent at capturing carbon, they are vital to
healthy, resilient and wildlife-rich places – both in our cities and the countryside. “We look forward to working with the council and the wider West of England area through the West of England Nature Partnership to get the right trees in the right place, for people and wildlife.” More than 2,000 trees have already been planted in Bath & North East Somerset this year, through the Cllr Dave Wood planting a lime tree with Ian Critchley from the Friends of Henrietta Park council working with community groups and to pledge to plant a tree during a climatefightback partners and funded by contri- special day of mass tree planting A West of England Tree and Woodland Strategy will be debutions from new developments on 30th November. In Bath & North East Somerset, veloped with the Department for within the district. The plans lead up to the Wood- the Woodland Trust will be plant- Environment and Rural Affairs, Forestry Commission, Woodland land Trust’s Big Climate Fight- ing 5,000 trees this winter. back in November which aims to To pledge to plant a tree visit: Trust, National Trust and other get more than a million people www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/big- unitary authorities..
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£1000 grant to benefit Peasedown St Off the Record charity John Residents’ Association launches first wellbeing café for under 25s
A COMMUNITY initiative in Peasedown St John has continued with its fundraising success thanks to a £1,000 grant from the Quartet Community Foundation. Peasedown St John Residents’ Association, set up in 2013 to run and facilitate projects for people in the village, is soon to be opening the village’s first community library. The Quartet Community Foundation awards grants on behalf of its fundholders to good causes in line with its mission to help give everyone across the West of England a fair chance of a good life. They awarded a grant to the Association in response to their application. The grant will be used to purchase new outside tables and chairs and recreational equipment. Cllr Sarah Bevan (Independent, Peasedown St John) said: “We’re grateful to Quartet for their sup-
port. These tables and chairs will come in handy when visitors to the library want to sit outside and read a good book, a copy of the local newspaper, or just to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee. “This funding from Quartet enables Peasedown St John Residents’ Association to continue to be able to purchase brand new equipment, making sure our residents have the very best services available to them.” The Association has seen a lot of success in fundraising for projects, with almost £10,000 secured in grants since September 2017. Nathan Hartley has led the fundraising campaign for the association, which has led to all the money being invested in projects that benefit people living in Peasedown St John. Nathan said: “The funding we’ve received has enabled us to host events; build a community garden; provide free wifi for visitors
to Peasedown Community Library; purchase new tables and chairs; buy equipment, insurance and commodities for the village’s new library; and hire play services so local children and families can take part in free recreational events. “The Association currently runs two projects in the community – a volunteer-led library and a dementia-friendly community garden. Anyone wanting to get involved with either is welcome to get in touch.” Claire Wynne Hughes from Quartet Community Foundation added: “We’re delighted to support the Residents’ Association and the projects it runs for people in the village. Our Vital Signs report highlights the importance of community hubs like this which encourage people to stay and chat, reducing the sense of isolation felt by many people of all ages.”
LOCAL young people’s charity Off the Record is launching the first wellbeing café for under 25’s in Bath, aimed at helping youngsters who are struggling with their mental health. The café aims to be a safe space for young people, aged 13-25, who are struggling with their mental health, providing opportunities for them to meet up, relax, make new friends, share experiences and develop new ways of talking and coping. The café will offer reasonably priced hot/cold drinks and snacks and is open to any young person who needs support with their mental wellbeing. The café will be staffed by Off the Record qualified counsellors, listening support workers, youth workers and volunteers. A range of activities will be on offer each week and young people will have the opportunity to shape the development of the café. The sessions will run on Fridays weekly from 4pm-6.30pm in The Open House café Manvers Street Baptist church. The sessions have been initially funded by the donation of the venue from Manvers Street Baptist Church, and a start-up fund from Altus consulting as well as
a grant from the Quartet Community Foundation. Phil Walters, Director of Off the Record said: “OTR has 25 years experience of improving the emotional health and wellbeing of young people. “We are delighted that this new venture enables us to continue our work giving those under 25 across BANES the opportunity to drop in and get the support they need in a relaxed and accessible environment. “Last year OTR supported over 2,500 young people to increase their confidence and resilience – this year we hope to reach and support even more young people.” Alison Collier, Consulting Operations Manager at Altus said: “As OTR was our chosen charity this year, we’ve spent time working with them on their future strategy and business plan. We are impressed with all they are trying to achieve and the work they put into supporting the young people of BANES, but also the enormous effort it takes to secure funding to continue the vital work they do. “When they spoke about the potential café that the young people were asking for, and the challenge of securing the funds we didn’t hesitate in providing the stepping stone to kick the new project off."
Nominations still open for this year's Community Awards PEOPLE across Bath and North East Somerset are being reminded that nominations are still open for this year’s Community Awards. The awards recognise and celebrate volunteers, charities, carers, community leaders, staff and businesses that make an exceptional contribution to the community. New for this year are awards for Charity of the Year, Foster Carer of the Year and Green Business of the Year. The Volunteer Leader of the Year Award has been renamed ‘The Beryl Dixon Community Leader of the Year Award’, in honour of Beryl Dixon, a well-respected advocate for the BME community who sadly died in 2017. Councillor Dine Romero, council leader said: “From those who
work to protect and care for the most vulnerable in our community to those helping the council address the climate emergency, there are many people and organisations right across Bath and North East Somerset who work tirelessly for the benefit of
the community. We want to hear about these unsung heroes so we can recognise the valuable contribution they make to the lives of our residents. We’ve already had a good response, but I’m sure there are many other individuals and organisations across the dis-
trict worthy of nomination and we’d love to hear about them.” Last year’s winners included Volunteer Team of the Year The Training at the Trough team at Bath City Farm. The project provides work experience tailored to meet the needs of adults living with learning disabilities. The team help run the community cafe, and achieve personal goals, as well as the opportunity to gain professional qualifications. They were praised for being dedicated, inspiring and enthusiastic. Residents, staff, councillors, businesses, organisations and groups, teachers, and volunteers from Bath and North East Somerset can nominate people or organisations for an award. Nomination forms must be returned by no later than 20th December. People can nominate online by
visiting: www.bathnes.gov.uk/ communityawards The forms can also be downloaded and posted, clearly marked ‘The Community Awards 2019/2020’, to: The Community Awards 2019/20, c/o Chief Executive Office, Partnerships and Corporate Services, Bath & North East Somerset Council, The Guildhall, High Street, Bath, BA1 5AW Everyone nominated for an award will be presented with a certificate in recognition of their contribution and invited along to the Awards in the Assembly Rooms in Bath on 25th February 2020. The winners of each category will receive a certificate and will be presented with a personalised Bath Aqua Glass Award at the event.
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Business Time running out to apply The Locksbrook Inn raises over £1000 for Green Business Grants for Newbridge Primary School TIME is running out for local small and medium-sized businesses to apply for a Green Business Grant from the West of England Combined Authority (WECA). The £1m fund from WECA aims to help businesses improve their energy efficiency – reducing their energy bills and protecting them from future energy price rises. The deadline to apply for a Green Business Grant is Friday 1st November 2019. Green Business Grants are open to eligible applicants across Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. Cashback grants of £1,000£15,000 are available for: • Improvements to the energy efficiency of buildings – this could include insulation, heating and lighting • And/or purchases to improve business operations, such as electric vehicles and more efficient production or
refrigeration equipment. The grant pays for 40% of eligible costs and is paid in arrears at the end of the project. Regional Mayor, Tim Bowles, said: “I would urge small and medium-sized businesses to apply for a Green Business Grant before the 1 November deadline. “This fund will help businesses make their buildings and activities more energy efficient. It will help protect the climate and environment upon which we and future generations depend.” Green Business Grants are part of the West of England Combined Authority’s Low Carbon Challenge Fund, which is supported with £1.7m from the European Regional Development Fund. For more information on the West of England Green Business Grants, including eligibility criteria, grant guidance and application forms, visit www. westofengland-ca.gov.uk/greenbusiness-grants/.
THE Locksbrook Inn in Bath has donated over £1000 to Newbridge Primary School thanks to a special fundraising initiative. For the last six months, the pub has donated 50p from the sale of every children’s meal to charity. The team pick a different charity every six months, and this time around they collected an impressive £1,165 to donate to the school. Head teacher Gill Kennaugh invited Joe Cussens, Managing Director of the Bath Pub Co, and some of The Locksbrook staff to attend the children’s afternoon assembly. The assembly focussed on how donations to the school really help make a difference to the children’s education – with money raised going towards replacing windows, painting walls and equipment. Gill was thrilled to receive the donation from the local pub. She said: “Thank you, sincerely, to the Bath Pub Company
who generously donated £1,165 to Newbridge Primary School on Monday 23rd September. “Our school and wider community are very important to us, and through our school values we promote collaboration and citizenship.” “The funds donated Joe Cussens with head teacher Gill Kennaugh will support our plans to enhance customers who have helped us to our school site,” continued Gill. make this happen. “We want to make areas of it more “We believe that a good pub accessible, whilst promoting a should be more than just about healthy lifestyle and supporting serving great food and drink – everyone’s wellbeing. it should be at the heart of the “Thank you to everyone community and look for ways to concerned within the company; support that community, just as this donation will make a our customers support us. difference to everyone.” “Presenting this cheque to the “We’re delighted that we’ve been school was a real thrill – it was able to support our local primary lovely to meet all the children school,” added Joe Cussens, and hear how our contribution “and would like to thank all our will help the school.”
Bath's Stone King recognised as leading law firm
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BATH-based law firm Stone King has once again been recognised as a top-tier law firm by independent directory Legal 500, holding top rankings for its expertise in education law and the charity sector. The firm continues to rank highly for its expertise in education law and the charity and social enterprise sector, with strong rankings across other practice areas and for outstanding lawyers. Stone King’s leading team of education lawyers are described as “a first port of call for both state-funded and independent schools, as well as the key national education agencies and intermediaries”. The publication also comments on the team’s ability to advise on “niche matters” and highlights that the practice is “particularly noted for its further education expertise” at a regional and national level, led by Tom Morrison. Among numerous lawyers highlighted for their expertise are sector head Roger Inman and Partner Graham Burns, who are ranked as leading individuals. The firm’s Charity and Social Enterprise Team is “well-regarded for its work with educational charities and charities that work with young people”, with expertise in working with “military charities, heritage, arts and museums, as well as increasingly livery companies and City corporations.”
Stone King Managing Partner Steven Greenwood
Sector head Tim Rutherford is highlighted as a leading individual with “particular expertise in working with faith organisations”, alongside Julian Blake and Robert Meakin, with decades of experience between them. Stone King chairman Ann Phillips and Consultant Jonathan Burchfield remain in the publication’s Hall of Fame for receiving “constant praise” from clients, with Reema Mathur, Hannah Kubie and Alexandra Steffensen also singled out. Managing Partner Steven Greenwood said: “I’m delighted with the recognition we continue to receive both for our dedication to clients and our expertise. It is testament to the experience and professionalism of our outstanding lawyers.”
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Politics Councillor suggests Campaigner calls for additional cap B&NES Council sets up on HMO bedroom numbers energy company Stephen Sumner
Local Democracy Reporter
Stephen Sumner
Local Democracy Reporter
A BATH councillor has suggested that the local authority should borrow funds to set up an energy company, despite facing “absolutely enormous” financial challenges. Liberal Democrat councillor Manda Rigby made the suggestion at a meeting to consider the financial and business affairs of Bath and North East Somerset Council. The Lib Dem-led authority needs to save £36million by 2024/25. In neighbouring Bristol, the city council’s controversial energy company, Bristol Energy, has posted losses totalling nearly £30 million in its first three years of trading. Deputy leader of the council in Bath, Richard Samuel, told its corporate policy development and scrutiny panel last month the authority had to start reducing its borrowing to ease the financial pressure it was under. But the suggestion was opposed by councillors who said that, while interest rates were low, the council should borrow to invest in profit-making schemes. Cllr Rigby went further, saying the council should borrow to invest in schemes to tackle the climate emergency, even if they do not make any money for the council. “As a general rule, when borrowing is cheap, I don’t think we should be paying it down,” she said. “I think we should be investing, and not only to get a good financial return. “If we can keep borrowing at a very advantageous level anyway, is there an argument to say that we should be carrying on investing in things that may be mitigating against a climate emergency, even if they aren’t necessarily the sort of thing that
gives us a financial return? “I’m thinking about setting up an energy company, or something, with borrowing.” Cllr Samuels, who is the cabinet member for resources, said he agreed with Cllr Rigby’s suggestion in principle but that the challenge facing the council was “absolutely enormous”. “We are going to have to do this ourselves, we will get no help from anybody else,” he said. “Savings that departments are required to generate themselves have run their course. “The council runs quite a high capital programme for the size of the authority and it is largely funded from borrowing. Borrowing creates a revenue pressure because borrowing has to be repaid and I would like to bring down some of that pressure if it is possible to do so. “There are not many other places to go, that’s the truth of the matter in terms of the council budget.” Liberal Democrat councillor and vice chair of the council, Andy Furse, pointed out most of the council’s capital borrowing was at a “very low” rate set by the Public Works and Loans Board. He said there was “good advantage” to borrowing at that rate especially if it was spent in line with the council’s “invest to save” mantra. Cllr Samuels said: “You’re quite right, where there is a strong business case that shows a capital investment proves an income or return then of course we would pursue that. “But as a general principle, we should be looking to minimise borrowing where we can, unless it is strongly linked to investment and the investment produces income.” Bristol Energy reported a loss of £10.1million last financial year, and does not expect to turn a profit for another five years.
A CAMPAIGNER is calling for new powers to prevent the “crass abuse of housing stock” that represents a new threat to Oldfield Park in Bath. Bath and North East Somerset Council has capped the number of shared houses, technically known as houses in multiple occupation or HMOs, in a given area but Johnny Branston said it was “too little, too late” for his neighbourhood. And he said landlords are now trying to make more profit out of their properties by squeezing in more tenants – and there is little the authority can do about it. Mr Branston told October 10’s full council meeting: “Oldfield Park has borne the greatest loss of family homes to HMO conversions over the years. “The [cap] was a useful step to prevent other parts of the city going the same way as Oldfield Park, even though for us it was too little, too late. “At least we had reason to believe a high water mark had been reached and there would be no further expansion of the HMO sector in our area. “But now the latest craze among landlords is expanding existing HMOs into six, seven or even eight-bed properties.” HMOs are houses with three or more people from two or more families living together in a residence. Numbers grew at a rapid rate until 2017, when B&NES Council adopted powers to control the conversion of family homes into HMOs that limit the number in a given area. But Mr Branston said there is nothing to stop existing HMOs expanding: “There is a total lack of policy to stop this crass abuse of housing stock. “Individual decision notices
Plans to expand this student house in Twerton were recently rejected
reveal how case officers’ hands are tied and there is nothing to stop many HMOs from doubling their capacity. “In August, the planning committee did at least apply common sense and an understanding of the public concern when it refused an application to squeeze seven bedrooms into what was once a three-bedroom home.” Residents had feared the property would become “a hostel or mini halls of residence” in a residential neighbourhood, but officers warned members they would be heading into “dangerous territory” if they refused the application. Southdown ward member Councillor Paul Crossley said at the time: “This is effectively doubling the size of the HMO. We will get applications across the area. This will set a big precedent. “As Southdown fills up, these applications will be coming to a street near you, whether you’re in Saltford or Keynsham. “HMOs are growing across the district. It’s not healthy.” Mr Branston told councillors
this week: “Council officers were apparently aghast at the maverick decision making and the prospect of an unfavourable appeal process, which we now at least know will not materialise. “It’s time that officers and the planning committee are given the necessary powers to stop the ongoing exploitation of our community by HMO landlords.” He said a developer was eyeing a key site in Oldfield Park to house 100 students, adding: “We need to stop the further rampingup of the narrow demographic that’s already massively overrepresented. “We’re asking you to develop some water-tight policies to protect the remnants of our communities.” Cllr Tim Ball, cabinet member for housing, said the Local Plan that could include those policies was being held up by delays to the higher-level joint spatial plan. Inspectors have advised the four West of England council to go back to the drawing board. Mr Branston agreed to meet Cllr Ball to discuss the issue.
Record number of schools become sustainable travel stars A RECORD number of schools in Bath & North East Somerset have become sustainable travel stars and clinched top awards for reducing the number of cars being used on the school run and encouraging healthy lifestyles. Modeshift STARS recognises and rewards schools that have shown excellence in promoting walking, cycling and other forms of travelling sustainably. Bathampton Primary School became the first school in the area to be presented with a gold
award. Since 2017, 22 schools across the district have achieved bronze, silver or gold Modeshift STARS Awards with seven more being awarded this summer. Councillor Joanna Wright, joint cabinet member for Transport Services, said: “I am delighted that so many schools have already been able to achieve Modeshift STARS awards this year, including a rare gold for Bathampton Primary. Any schools not currently taking part in Modeshift STARS but who would like to gain recognition for supporting sustainable
travel should get in touch with our School Travel Plan Officer.” Roundhill Primary became the
third school in Bath & North East Somerset to be recognised with a silver award this year and other schools in the district achieved their first bronze award, including Mulberry Park Educate Together Primary, Widcombe Infants, Westfield Primary, Chandag Infants, Chew Stoke Primary, St Andrews Primary and Swainswick Primary. Councillor Sarah Warren, cabinet member for Climate Emergency, said: “The Climate Emergency needs a wide ranging approach to tackle the problems that we
face. Parents and school staff are leading the way in changing behaviour and the way that we travel, and the growing number of schools achieving awards is evidence of their commitment to a healthier future.” Some of the inspiring initiatives carried out by schools this year include parents and staff at Widcombe Infants and Combe Down Primary working with the council on a walking bus. As a result, the council has put together a comprehensive toolkit which can help other schools to do the same.
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Division between council leaders over Bristol Airport expansion Adam Postans
Local Democracy Reporter
A DEBATE on climate change has exposed divisions between the leaders of three of the region’s councils over Bristol Airport’s proposed expansion. Both Bristol city and South Gloucestershire local authorities support the plans to increase the number of passengers by a fifth to 12 million a year by 2025. But Bath & North East Somerset Council has lodged a formal objection. The difference in opinion reared its head at the West of England Combined Authority (Weca) committee, which is made up of Bristol mayor Marvin Rees, South Gloucestershire Council leader Toby Savage and B&NES Council leader Dine Romero, along with metro mayor Tim Bowles. Weca itself has also backed the expansion in its consultation response to the plans lodged with North Somerset Council, which is not part of the regional authority. Campaigners fighting the development pleaded with committee members to oppose the proposals during the meeting’s public forum on Friday, October 4, Prof John Adams, of Stop Bristol Airport Expansion, said: There is overwhelming evidence the Bristol Airport expansion cannot be justified. “We need to move in the direction of a sustainable airport and that means an airport tied to the health and wellbeing of the communities and also tied to technology. “Weca assumes economic benefits to the West of England, whereas there is mounting evidence that there will be very few economic benefits but there will be massive harm to local communities if expansion goes
ahead.” Cllr Romero said: “There is a bit of a conundrum here because B&NES Council has expressed an objection to the airport expansion. “I do not know whether the other authorities in Weca have responded similarly but how does that square then for Weca? “I wonder how we need to address that particular issue.” Mr Rees said the unitary authorities should pool their resources and do more research to identify common environmental issues. He said: “As a combined authority, let’s put down the various scenarios, including the impact of the airport, and put some real numbers against them, the various risks that come into play and likely outcomes of those risks if those numbers come to fruition. “One of the big determinants of our impact on climate will be how do we build homes and where do we put them? “The question I constantly ask people to work through is what risks and dynamics come into play if the numbers of people flying in the future go up and we have not expanded a regional airport to prepare for it. “If the numbers of people are going down then we have got some numbers that come out that inform us. “There are risks either way. “I know there is a report saying the number of people flying will go down, but you could also pull up a report that says air travel is going to double in 20 years. “So we have to have a sense of what is the world going to be, not the way we want it to be but what is the world going to be, and how do we best manage the world in the way it will be to minimise the harm to the planet of the inevitable growth in global, urban
An Easyjet plane landing at Bristol Airport | Photo: ColinPeachey / Shutterstock.com
and international population. “We need to have a common understanding of what the drivers are on the impact on our climate so we can agree on the priority actions that are needed. “We need to follow the numbers.” Cllr Savage said: “I’m very conscious that, when we talk about the future of aviation, just how many tens of thousands of jobs that people in South Gloucestershire are reliant upon working within that industry. “What’s particularly exciting with Airbus and Rolls Royce is the progress they’re making towards introducing electric engines into our aircraft of the future. “So not only do we need to support and protect that industry, we also need to support it to move towards a lower carbon future while protecting existing jobs and generating additional
jobs.” Local Enterprise Partnership chairman Prof Steve West said: “It’s a global challenge and we need to be acting locally to support the endeavour. “But it’s about putting pressure on governments across the globe to engage with this agenda and balance how we can best move forward as a whole, and use the evidence base that is available to us. “We know our current housing stock and future housing stock would have a huge impact. “It’s not just about picking off one or two areas, it’s about looking holistically about how we best manage our carbon footprint going forward. “We’ve got a lot of work to do and it’s not going to be easy. “Inevitably there are going to be
some difficult moments where we have to trade off and make compromises because we do have to make sure we have jobs for the future.” Bristol Airport’s planning application, yet to be determined by North Somerset Council, includes surface-level car parking, a new canopy at the front of the building, an additional multi-storey car park and changes to the on-site road layout. It would also extend the terminal building to include a bigger baggage-handling area and a new immigration zone. Weca, its three unitary authorities and North Somerset Council have all declared a climate emergency, which means they will put environmental considerations at the heart of their decisionmaking.
Viability of reopening Saltford railway station to be assessed Stephen Sumner
Local Democracy Reporter
THE long-awaited reopening of Saltford’s railway station could be back on track. Despite claims the project had been put “on ice”, Liberal Democrats say they will honour their election pledge to make the station a reality. The costs of the line and reinstating Saltford station are being considered as part of a Government study on rail in the Greater Bristol area. If it proves viable, Bath and North East Somerset Council will press the West of England Combined Authority to take the project forward, and consider how it might be funded. Questioning the administration’s commitment to the project, Conservative councillor Brian Simmons told the October 10 full council meeting: “During the last
election, Saltford was flooded with Lib Dems leaflets promising they would work to reopen the railway station at Salford. “Residents were told the station would be a reality, not just an aspiration. “We’re looking to hold the administration to account for their election promise and are longing to know how this will be delivered. “The funds are there. There’s £250,000 earmarked in the budget to make the project go on to the next stage. “Will the administration carry out a report? “It’s essential to consider the climate emergency. “Saltford station reopening is going nowhere unless you actually do something about coming up with an implementation of some action.” His colleague, councillor Lisa O’Brien, added: “Far from driving forward with this project,
there suddenly is a degree of reluctance. “I went back through the parish council’s minutes and saw councillor Hounsell consistently arguing for this. “On June 4 this year he was able to announce he’d arranged a meeting with councillors Romero, Samuel and Butters to get a clear timeframe for moving the project forward. Since then there was nothing. “Apparently now it’s been put on ice.” Councillor Alastair Singleton said the Lib Dems had long supported the reopening of Saltford station. Studies the group commissioned found the station could have 140 parking spaces and generate £770,000 in revenue. Mr Singleton said his party had earmarked £250,000 in 2015 to take the project forward – but that money was not spent by the last Conservative administration, which dropped it from this
year’s budget without telling campaigners or the parish council. He added: “A reopened station is not only about providing Saltford’s commuters a gateway to the half-hourly MetroWest services, but playing a part in reducing traffic and pollution in Bath and helping to address the climate emergency by reducing car use. “There’s a strong case for the station being championed by Weca. "The majority of residents in Saltford and the surrounding area want the station. “The Tory motion combines token support, lack of knowledge and a general cynicism which is quite remarkable.” Councillor Neil Butters, the Lib Dem joint cabinet member for transport, said: “I’m impressed at the newfound enthusiasm from the Conservatives for this project. “Hopefully they will use their
influence with Government to help make the reopening a reality, plus of course completion of the electrification. “I would ask all members to support this motion, and you can be sure we will be pursuing this at the West of England Combined Authority transport board with full vigour.” Saltford station was originally opened in 1840 and closed in 1970. Mr Butters said a timetable from 1962 showed a train could get to Bath in nine minutes, or to Bristol Temple Meads in 15 minutes, and the times would be shorter nowadays. He said the Government’s Department for Transport was drafting a Greater Bristol Rail Feasibility Study that was due for imminent release. If it proves viable the council will consider how to take Saltford station forward through Network Rail’s planning process.
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Puzzles
Solutions will be shared in our next issue - out on 29/10/19
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28 Volume for preliminary artistic studies (10)
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29 Steam locomotive (4,5) 30 One of these means almost cloudless (5)
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In Other News.... Widespread failures recorded at “inadequate" care home Stephen Sumner
Local Democracy Reporter
A RADSTOCK care home for young adults with learning disabilities suffers from “widespread and systemic” failures a year after it was found to be good. The Care Quality Commission said Bedborough House was not safe, effective, caring, responsive or well-led and rated it “inadequate” across the board. Relatives told the inspectors at their unannounced visit: “Standards have dropped like a stone in the last seven, eight months. Everyone we knew and trusted seemed to be leaving or left.” Bosses say they are confident they can reverse the home’s
fortunes now a new management team has been put in place. The CQC found the six residents of Bedborough House were at risk of avoidable harm, they were not helped to live independently and the under-resourced staff failed to report neglect. The inspectors reported “widespread and systemic failings”, saying: “The failures to meet standards were compounded by a lack of effective leadership “There were examples of where people had sustained injuries, inflicted injuries on staff, and damaged the service property. The provider had not ensured appropriate measures were in place to reduce these risks following the incidents. “Following one serious incident when a staff member was injured,
emergency first aid training for staff was reported as being one of the required actions. This did not take place until six months after the incident. There was consistent feedback from people, staff, and relatives that there were not enough familiar staff. “Staff comments included: “Staffing is awful at the moment… sometimes it can run on two [two staff ]… rotas won’t reflect there were only two people [staff ], always seems to be covered up”.” A relative of one of the residents told the inspectors: “Some [staff ] very definitely are [caring], we have ones that are really brilliant and compassionate and caring. Some really specifically aren’t and are really offensive in the way they talk about [person].” The home is for up to eight children with autism and
other learning disabilities but inspectors found that staff did not have the necessary training for those needs. One person had not received their medication because it was out of stock, while another was receiving a higher dose than had been recommended. Some residents had to sleep on worn or soiled mattresses, and the bathrooms were unclean. People had kitchenettes in their flats to support them with their independence but they were not used, and the main kitchen was locked unless a staff member was present. “This did not present as a service that was enabling people to be independent,” the inspectors said. Staff said certain people received more attention and support to access the community
as they would ‘shout all day’ until someone took them out. This meant the quieter people received less support.” The home is part of the Priory group. A spokesman said: “We have changed the management team for the home and significant steps have already been taken to ensure there is much greater focus on a person-centred and inclusive service culture as required by the Registering the Right Support best practice and guidelines. “We are also making considerable further investment in staff training and recruitment and improvements to the environment. We are entirely confident that with new leadership and investment, the home will return to its previous CQC rating of ‘good’.”
affordability issues; building new housing will provide hundreds of local families with secure, long term homes. We very much welcome the government’s provision of grant funding through the Strategic Partnership scheme; it recognises Housing Associations’ key role in
addressing the country’s housing crisis and allows us to accelerate our investment and build programme.” Tim Bowles, West of England Mayor, said: “This partnership is responding to our need for more affordable homes, by committing to major development in our region. “We need more homes for our residents to buy and rent. We need homes in the right places and at prices people can afford. The West of England Combined Authority is proud to support this partnership, and I am confident that it will deliver successful places where people will aspire to be.”
More affordable homes on the way 340 NEW affordable homes will be built in the West of England thanks to a commitment from local housing association Curo to invest £25m of government funding in the region. A Strategic Partnership agreement between Homes England and Bath-based Curo has been agreed, with support from the West of England Combined Authority, which is working with partners to build more much-needed affordable homes, more quickly. Curo and the West of England Combined Authority have been
working together to enable a commitment that the funding will deliver homes in the West of England. As part of this Strategic Partnership, secured in collaboration with Essex-based Swan Housing, Curo has agreed to earmark £25m to deliver more than 340 new affordable homes within the region over the next five years. The scheme has been made possible by a government grant from Homes England, the government body sponsored by The Ministry of Housing, Communities and
Local Government (MHCLG), whose purpose is to accelerate the delivery of new homes. This will begin with proposals to build up to 47 new affordable homes at Broadbury Road in Filwood, Bristol, and a planning application is currently being prepared. Victor da Cunha, CEO of Curo, said: “We’re very pleased to be working with the West of England Combined Authority, Homes England and councils in our region to deliver these new homes. We work in an area which experiences acute housing
Last issue's puzzle solutions Crossword Across: 9 Shampoo, 10 Rubella, 11 Prattle, 12 Worried, 13 Italicize, 15 Amaze, 16 Respectable, 20 Nehru, 22 Sun Yat-Sen, 24 Beanbag, 26 Unequal, 27 Destroy, 28 Steamer. Down: 1 Aseptic, 2 Sahara, 3 Upstairs, 4 Loneliness, 5 Brew, 6 Iberia, 7 Ultimate, 8 Waddled, 14 Extinguish, 16 Rehearse, 17 Bracelet, 18 Anybody, 19 Anglers, 21 Unborn, 23 Slummy, 25 Guys.
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Sport
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Free rugby at The Rec as Team Bath New partnership to support health and face Cardiff in Anniversary game sports at university
TEAM Bath players and coaches are encouraging people to come and enjoy some free rugby at The Rec on Wednesday 16th October, as the annual student showpiece match returns to the iconic city-centre home of Bath Rugby. This year’s edition of the Rengen-sponsored Anniversary Game will see the University of Bath men’s 1st XV take on Welsh rivals Cardiff University in a crunch BUCS Super Rugby contest. Entry is free. It is the fourth successive year that The Rec has hosted the big match, with the previous instalments seeing thousands of spectators turn out to enjoy the biggest night of the Bath student sports calendar. Last year they roared Team Bath to a thrilling last-minute 29-27 victory over Leeds Beckett and co-captain Ed Rimmer, a try scorer that night, is hoping to hear plenty of noise once again. “The crowd here last year was such a big influence on our win
and it would be great to have them behind us again,” said the scrum-half. “It’s always a massive privilege to play at The Rec, I’ve been coming here with my family since about the age of seven and my old man is a season-ticket holder.” Also looking forward to running out at The Rec in front of family and friends is flanker Chris Barry, who is all set to appear in his third Anniversary Game. “I have six or seven of my family coming over from Ireland for the game, it is a massive occasion for them and definitely a date marked in the calendar every year,” he said. “My standout memories of the other Anniversary Games are the great crowds we’ve had. We won the game in the last minute against Leeds last year and the crowd had a massive impact on that.” Watching from the stands that night was co-captain Jordan Martin and the second-row forward is eagerly awaiting his Rec debut.
“I missed out on last year’s match through injury, so I’m really looking forward to my first time playing at The Rec,” he said. “It will be great to have that big home support and the crowd right behind us.” Head of Rugby Aaron James believes that the Anniversary Game, and the support received both from students and the public, continues to strengthen the student club’s already healthy links with the wider rugby community. “We are involved with the Bath Combination and have strong links with Bath Rugby, so our roots are very much in the city and we are really proud of that,” he said. “The Anniversary Game is a big occasion for the University and the people that support us. We play an exciting brand of rugby and we want to put on a spectacle for the spectators. We always appreciate the support we receive.” People can register for free tickets for the Anniversary Game by visiting rugby.teambath.com.
UoB Director of Sport Stephen Baddeley and Rengen CEO Iestyn Lewis
TEAM Bath and Rengen, whose CEO Iestyn Lewis is a University of Bath alumnus, have announced an exciting partnership designed to support health and sports activities at the University. The new arrangement under the Rengen brand comes in addition to the support already given to the University’s annual rugby Anniversary Game and the recent endowment of a sports scholarship by Lewis, a former University rugby coach. Funds from this corporate partnership will be used to support Team Bath Netball’s performances in the 2020 Vitality Netball Superleague and the University’s rugby team in the national BUCS Super Rugby league. The University is also working with Lewis, who previously played for Bath Rugby, and his team to look at applying the new backing on offer across its dynamic portfolio of activities in support of recreational and per-
Bath City FC launch refugee season ticket scheme BATH City FC has announced the launch of a new scheme to enable refugee families settling in the city to regularly attend the matches at Twerton Park. Working together with Bath Welcomes Refugees (BWR), the club is inviting local businesses or individuals to buy season tickets which are then given to BWR to pass on to local refugee families so that those families have the opportunity to come and enjoy the football along with others in
the community. The idea originated with City supporter, David Kongialis. David said: “I was really impressed by the impact of Bath City’s previous refugee inclusion initiatives with Amnesty Football Welcomes and thought it would be amazing to expand that impact across the
season.” The club is offering the tickets at a reduced rate, and has donated one itself using proceeds from the Bath City / Bath Ales Community Fund. Bath City FC Community Director Joy Saunders said: “Here at Bath City we know that football is a really powerful form of ‘social glue’,
an international language which enables everyone, regardless of where they are from, to immediately be on the same side and support a common interest. “We hope this scheme will help promote community cohesion in our city.” Amanda Stone of BWR added: “We are so grateful to Bath City, to David and to The Mint Room who have been involved to enable this idea to get off the ground.
Keep an eye out for the next issue of the Bath Echo - due out on Tuesday 29th October 2019
formance sport. Director of Sport Stephen Baddeley said: “We are energised by this new partnership as we open a fresh, academic sporting year. It is fantastic to link up with a successful local company that is so active within the City and the region. “Iestyn, as CEO of Rengen, understands our DNA and what is needed to help young people stay healthy and thrive in their sporting careers as well as balancing their work, studies and sport, and we are grateful for Rengen’s support.” Iestyn Lewis, CEO, Rengen, said: “The depth and calibre of activities at Team Bath is breathtaking. They are facilitating a fantastic environment for everything from Olympic athletes and Bath Rugby Academy players right through to children taking their first steps in sport and the general public who want to get or stay fit. “We, as a company, are excited to support not only such a wellknown sports body but also all those students who are studying at a world-class institution whilst striving to be the best they can be in their chosen sport.”
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