Bath Echo - Issue 013 - 04/02/2020

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Tuesday, 4th February 2020

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Lloyds Bank branch on Moorland Road set to close later this year P2

Queen Square closure for new CAZ preparation work

Work along the west side of the square will take up to 16 weeks to complete RESIDENTS are being warned about a temporary road closure in Queen Square to install two sets of traffic lights, and improve pedestrian and cycle safety, as part of Bath’s charging clean air zone (CAZ).

Bath and North East Somerset Council has already started the preparatory work necessary for the lights that will help to regulate flows of traffic into Gay Street – an area of high pollution.

From 17th February, this work will continue with the west side of the square closing for up to 16 weeks to the end of May. It will include widening the pavements between the junctions and installing the roadside cabinets for the lights and pedestrian crossings ahead of the 4th November CAZ switch on.

Traffic which would normally travel along this section of road

will be diverted along Monmouth Street to turn right at Charlotte Street. Signage and diversion routes will be put in place.

There will be no access to footways and parking on the south and west sides of the square during the works, and temporary footpaths will be created for pedestrians.

Bath’s CAZ will charge all higher emission vehicles except private cars to drive in the zone from the

end of 2020.

The initiative will help to urgently reduce harmful levels of nitrogen dioxide pollution (NO2) at all hot spots in the city by 2021 at the latest, both inside and outside the zone.

Councillor Sarah Warren, cabinet member for Climate Emergency and Neighbourhood Services said: “Regulating traffic flows through Queen Square on...

Continued on page 2

Planning application to redevelop Homebase site submitted P3 Four week car park closure planned for maintenance P5 First Anglo-Saxon buildings in Bath found during Abbey work P9 £1m refurbishment of former restaurant allowed on appeal P18 Get the latest news for Bath 24/7 on our website www.bathecho.co.uk

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Lloyds Bank branch on Moorland Road to close

In this issue...

Top stories Education

P2-9 P10

Health P12 What's On

P14

Community

P16

Business P18 Politics

P20

Puzzles P22 In Other News

P23

Sport

P24

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LLOYDS Bank has announced that following an “in-depth” review, their branch on Moorland Road in Bath will be closing at the end of August 2020.

The branch, which is one of two in the city, is due to close on 26th August, with customers being advised to use the Milsom Street branch in future.

The bank has said that the “difficult decision” to close the branch is due to customers using it less often, with the majority using alternative ways to conduct their banking.

Figures released by Lloyds Bank reveal that around 45% of users of the branch on Moorland Road are over the age of 55.

88% of all customers use the branch for personal accounts, and 12% for business banking. Of these, 75% are already using other Lloyds Bank branches, internet banking or telephone banking.

Around 365 people use the branch on a regular monthly basis.

The closure announcement comes as part of plans to shut 56 Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland sites across the country between April and October.

The nearest branch to Moorland Road for Lloyds Bank customers is on Milsom Street, which is around 1.5 miles away.

Customers have been reminded that they can use a Post Office for many everyday banking transactions.

A spokesperson at Lloyds Bank said: “We are committed to having the largest branch network in the UK and, in addition to our branches, all our customers can also use the Post Office to access their banking locally, alongside our mobile branches which visit many rural communities.”

“We have confirmed that a number of branches will close between April and October this year. This is in response to changing customer behaviours and the reduced number of transactions being made in branches.”

The Lloyds Bank branch on Moorland Road | Image © Bath Echo

Free advice offered on saving money on fuel bills FREE advice about how to save money on fuel bills and reduce carbon emissions at the same time is being offered at a series of drop-in sessions taking place across Bath & North East Somerset.

The Energy at Home Advice Service, run on the council’s behalf by the Centre for Sustainable Energy, is holding the sessions to give residents a better understanding of how to save energy through heating and insulation improvements as well as information on smart meters and lowering their fuel bills by switching energy suppliers.

The events in Bath, Keynsham and Midsomer Norton will give people the lowdown on improving energy efficiency and keeping their homes warmer and more comfortable.

Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for Housing, Planning

and Economic Development, said: “We all have a role to play in tackling the climate emergency by making sure that we improve households’ energy efficiency by making sure our homes are

insulated, draught proofed and heated in the most efficient way we can.

“Our Energy at Home Advice Service is holding these sessions to help people make the most of

energy-saving measures, as well as guidance on switching energy providers to lower cost tariffs or green tariffs.

“I’d encourage people who would like to find out more to go along for some free and friendly advice.”

The Energy at Home Advice Service advisors will hold sessions at the following locations and dates between 10.30am and 2.30pm: • Tuesday 25th February at Midsomer Norton library • Wednesday 26th February Bath Central Library • Wednesday 18th March at Keynsham Library • Wednesday 25th March Bath Central Library More information about Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Energy at Home Advice Service can be found at www.energyathome.org.uk or by calling the team on 0800 0385680.

Annual toad migration Queen Square closure THE annual closure of Charlcombe Lane in Bath will begin on Monday 17th February, allowing amphibians to migrate safely to their breeding site.

The toads, frogs and newts that have been living in the hills of northern Bath are gearing up for their perilous trek along ancient migration trails, across Charlcombe Lane, and on down to the lake at the bottom of Charlcombe valley.

Charlcombe Lane closes to through traffic to aid the migration. 2020 marks the 18th year of the closure. This year the closure will be in place until Sunday 29th March.

Helen Hobbs, the Patrol Manager for Charlcombe Toad Rescue Group said: “As the amphibians

make their way down the hill soon after dusk, from late January to April, they have to cross Charlcombe Lane, where high walls and hedges on the southern side of the lane impede their journey to the lake.

“This is when they can get killed or injured by passing traffic.

That’s why we patrol the lane and try and pick up as many as we can to give them a fighting chance of survival. This year once again the volunteers from Charlcombe Toad Rescue are ready and on stand by for the first signs of amphibian movement."

The Charlcombe Toad Rescue Group funds the Temporary Traffic Regulation Order thanks to a generous grant from ethical cosmetics company Lush.

Continued from page 1 a temporary basis is the only way we can reduce air pollution to acceptable levels in the timeframe set for us by the government.

“Without this initiative, the council would have to charge all higher emission private cars to travel in Bath’s clean air zone, which we know would hit local businesses and lower-income and disadvantaged families the hardest. The improvement in air quality that will be brought by the CAZ, not just in the zone but across the whole city, is good news for all those suffering from lung and heart problems, particularly asthma.

“I’d like to stress, however, that the CAZ is only the start of our work to tackle air pollution.”

The council is advising residents and local businesses to allow extra time if they’re driving through Queen Square over the next few months. Every effort will be made to keep disruption to a minimum.

Regular drop-in events are planned to keep residents informed of the street works required to install the CAZ, and to support those affected by charges with information on compliance, exemptions, and the financial support which will soon become available to help upgrade noncompliant vehicles regularly travelling in the zone.

The first drop-on event is on Saturday 15th February, 10am12pm at the Guildhall, Bath.

Everyone is welcome.

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Plans submitted for redevelopment of Bath Homebase site LEGAL & General’s urban retirement housing business, Guild Living, has submitted plans to redevelop the Homebase site in Bath to create a new type of retirement living development.

Guild Living will develop and then manage the mixed-use scheme that includes residential, health, wellbeing and leisure facilities.

The proposals are designed to help older people live better. The company is focussing on city centres in order to accommodate older people to live within the heart of their communities.

By living alongside families and being located above a nursery, gym and various dining and leisure facilities, residents are able to maintain their independence.

Guild Living’s plans, which have been submitted to Bath and North East Somerset Council, will create a mixed-use development overlooking the River Avon on the current Homebase site, blending 317 homes with tailored care options, supporting residents’ health needs.

The site will also combine multi-generational facilities including a nursery for young children.

Research from Harvard University has shown clear health benefits of interaction between young and old.

Other shared facilities include a fitness centre, community cafe, cinema, library and crafts space, alongside shops, and a multi-faith room.

Guild Living’s on-site staff will also curate social events and activities. The scheme’s design has

been shaped to encourage interaction between the different age groups and drive footfall in support of local businesses.

The ambition of the development is to support the NHS through the inclusion of transitional beds and step-down services, enabling hospital patients to go back into their homes – reducing the demands on the local health service.

Developers say their proposed plans have the potential to freeup much-needed family housing and contributing towards the local five-year housing supply.

The plans also fall in line with the council’s Placemaking Plan by creating an attractive new townscape and public realm which will enhance the relationship between the city and the river.

Eugene Marchese, co-founder and director at Guild Living said: “We cared for people differently in the past because we either lived together or lived around the corner, we used to be able to popin and engage with older people in the family.

“Nobody – no matter their age – wants to live in isolated villages or feel like they exist in a silo.

“There is a severe lack of quality housing for those entering what I would call the “third age”, so it comes as no surprise that so few people live in dedicated later living homes.

“By building these communities in vibrant, urban locations, creating facilities that everyone can use and providing the care and support when it is needed, we can drastically improve the quality of life for our elderly.”

How the proposed development could look | Image courtesy of Guild Living

“We would like to thank B&NES for its support and the local community for the feedback we have received which has formed an integral part of the proposals.

“If approved, we look forward to bringing new homes and new facilities to the area.”

Michael Eggington, co-founder and CEO of Guild Living added: “With an ageing population and

a growing social care crisis, it’s clear that the demand for later living will exponentially increase.

“But it isn’t simply about the strong economic case of preventing hospital stays and keeping people active – it’s about the social benefits to communities and the human cost of not doing this.

“Together with Legal & General, we are planning on creating real

mixed-use, intergenerational communities across the country where there is real demand from existing homeowners.

“Our ambition is to offer choices which can support the lifestyle and care needs of our residents.”

To comment on the planning application, search the B&NES planning portal using the application number 20/00259/FUL.

Residents find out more about low traffic neighbourhoods Stephen Sumner

Local Democracy Reporter

BATH could be transformed into a ‘mini-Holland’ if the city follows the example of a London borough which overhauled its transport system.

But transport chiefs will have to ignore trolls and naysayers if they are to make radical changes to the way we move around the city, according to a politician who led changes in the capital.

Clyde Loakes’ vote share shot up after he created a ‘low traffic neighbourhoods’ in the London borough of Waltham Forest – despite the warnings of a vocal minority.

The Liberal Democrats, who now have control of Bath and North East Somerset Council, want to follow his lead and made a manifesto pledge to introduce low traffic neighbourhoods in Bath.

These are groups of residential streets, bordered by main roads, where access to through traffic is restricted so cyclists and pedestrians can “reclaim the streets”.

Invited to the Guildhall on 28th January to share his expertise, Mr Loakes said: “This is pushing the boundaries. We’re turning the

“As soon as you start to debate on its head. make it more difficult, “The Conservatives, people start to change Lib Dems and Greens their behaviour.” all campaigned against Another area of mini-Holland, and even Waltham Forest that besome of my own Labour came a low traffic neighcolleagues. bourhood had been a “If I believed all that we dying shopping parade. would’ve been wiped Business owners had out. insisted more parking “My majority went was what they needed to through the roof. If you boost trade, ignoring the believe the angry trolls fact that most of their then you’re doomed.” customers did not come Mr Loakes said Prime Councillor Joanna Wright and Councillor Clyde Loakes by car.

Minister Boris Johnson New customers and came up with the term Some compared the street furnibusinesses flocked to the street “mini-Holland” when he was the ture to the Berlin Wall. mayor of London and a keen cy- But Mr Loakes said they were when walkers and cyclists were cling advocate. soon proved wrong: air quality prioritised and much of the parkHe made funding available for improved, the roads became saf- ing was removed.

Some 850 spaces have been retransport schemes that priorimoved across Waltham Forest, tised cycling and Waltham Forest er, footfall in shops increased.

“Now people say they wouldn’t and 800 new trees have been secured a share.

One of the first steps in creating go back to how things were,” said planted.

In 2013, 58,000 households were low traffic neighbourhoods was Mr Loakes. installing “modal filters” – essen- “There’s no rat running. The peo- exposed to illegal levels of nitrotially moveable bollards that let ple driving through are just the gen dioxide. Now that is down to pedestrians, cyclists and people people who live there. There’s no 6,000.

The council needs to tackle a on scooters or wheelchairs to speeding.” pass through freely, but that re- Restricting traffic in some areas similar issue in Bath and is introinevitably pushes it into others. ducing a clean air zone to do it, strict access for cars.

Cue hundreds of people demon- But he said vehicles were divert- but some claim just charging the strating on the streets claiming ed onto major trunk roads better worst polluting vehicles does not the changes would be the death designed to take them, reducing go far enough. of their community. traffic volumes overall, adding: Mr Loakes conceded Waltham

Forest, a small, largely residential area in northeast London, faces different challenges to Bath, and said it would be up to the council to work out the detail.

He advocated residents’ parking zones across the city, saying it needed to deter commuters from driving in.

Council leader Dine Romero said: “This has been a real call to arms. We need to work together.

We need you to add your voices in support.

“Our vision is to create a connected city for the future.”

Cabinet member for transport, Joanna Wright, said: “Low traffic neighbourhoods benefit not only the environment and health, but also social justice. 29 per cent of carbon emissions are transport related.

“43 per cent are for journeys of less than 3km. Those statistics are no longer acceptable.

“Our planet is burning. The climate emergency forces us all to do things differently.

“We will be implementing low traffic neighbourhoods across the city of Bath.”

Nothing has yet been decided but Ms Wright hopes the council will make progress over the next two years.

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Pedestrianisation of Kingsmead Square takes a step forward

Partnership to offer fresh tap water to Bath Half Marathon runners

Wessex Water Chief Executive Colin Skellett, runner Zsofia Rafael and Bath Half Race Director Andrew Taylor

A concept design for New Street | Image © Macgregor Smith

THE results of public and business consultations for making Bath’s Kingsmead Square carfree every day have been published by Bath & North East Somerset Council.

The council is proposing to make Kingsmead Square a pedestrian-friendly destination by restricting vehicles daily during the hours of 11am until midnight, to reduce air pollution and encourage café culture, walking and cycling. Feedback from the consultations carried out between September 2018 and September 2019 has been published on the council’s website, including views recorded at engagement sessions in September last year when council officers discussed the plans directly with the public.

Out of 50 views recorded at the engagement sessions, the vast majority were supportive of the Kingsmead Square pedestrianisation project, with some suggesting the council go further and make other parts of the city car-free.

The most popular subject of public comment was how best to use the ‘parklets’ – mini parks the size of a single car parking space that were temporarily installed in New Street and Avon Street to provide seating and planting during the public consultation.

Councillor Joanna Wright, cabinet member for Transport Services, said: “It is encouraging to have received such positive feedback on our proposals to make Kingsmead Square a cleaner and

greener destination within our city for pedestrians and cyclists.

“We’d like to thank the businesses and residents who took the time to have their say and helped the project to take another step forward.”

The council will now apply to the Secretary of State for Transport for permission to carry out the proposed vehicle restriction.

If this application is successful and the final plans are agreed by the council’s cabinet members and local stakeholders, the pedestrianisation could be put in place during Spring 2020.

Final plans will consider in detail the specific suggestions received about the proposals, including the provision of blue badge parking and cycle storage.

THE Bath Half Marathon and Wessex Water have joined forces to help banish plastic bottles from the famous race by offering fresh tap water all the way around the course.

In a landmark new partnership called Refill Not Landfill, Wessex Water will supply fresh tap water to runners all the way around the course, part of a mission to make the Bath Half totally free of single-use plastics by 2021.

Runners will be able to fill up their reusable bottles at Wessex Water’s HydroZones, with tap water stations also available to supply water in compostable cups during the race.

Andrew Taylor, Race Director of the Bath Half, said: “We’ve always been conscious of our environmental footprint, and last year we announced we were embarking on a new challenge to eliminate single-use plastics from the race

by 2021.

“That’s why this partnership with Wessex Water makes perfect sense, and we’re excited to launch the Refill Not Landfill partnership with them.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for runners on the day, with HydroZone refill points at various locations along the race route and biodegradable cups for those who prefer not to run with a bottle.”

Kirsty Scarlett, Wessex Water’s Head of Community Engagement, said: “We’re on a mission to reduce single-use plastics, installing water refill points across our region to encourage people to drink more tap water and avoid plastic bottles.

“So we’re proud to be keeping runners hydrated at this year’s Bath Half, becoming the first UK water company to partner with a road race of this scale.”

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Abseiling stonemasons Dorothy House Christmas tree check Bath Abbey collections raise over £40,000

Image courtesy of Helena Parfrey

A TEAM of specialist stonemasons have been abseiling down the west front of Bath Abbey to carry out a condition survey.

The stonemasons from SSHC (Sally Strachey Historic Conservation) have been examining the stonework including the Abbey’s famous ‘ladder of angels’ to check for any damage and to identify any potential health and safety concerns.

Any problems are photographed, checked for soundness and then removed if necessary.

Bath Abbey said the survey is part of routine maintenance and it only expected to find minor wear and tear.

Every five years, every church building must be inspected as part of a ‘Quinquennial inspection’ to ensure the building is kept in good repair.

The work is being done on ropes to avoid spending tens of thousands of pounds on scaffolding.

Alix Gilmer, Bath Abbey’s Footprint Project Director said “We have a responsibility to ensure the Abbey is regularly maintained and looked after, including those hard to reach areas like the top of the West front!

“We’re grateful to SSHC’s conservators for their expertise and hard work.”

James Preston, stonemason and SSHC (Sally Strachey Historic Conservation) director: ‘’We regularly inspect the Abbey and other prominent historic structures in the city in order to maintain its fantastic condition.

“Roped access allows us to do this quickly, efficiently and regularly, without the inconvenience and cost of fixed scaffolding.’’

THANKS to Dorothy House’s biggest ever annual Christmas Tree Collection fundraiser in partnership with the Justhelping charity, over £40,000 has been raised to fund hospice care.

Local people booked their used Christmas trees in for a charitable donation and Dorothy House supporters and volunteers picked up over 3,500 trees between 10th12th January 2020.

The collection ran in thirteen local postcodes including four new ones – BA3, BA4, SN14 and SN15.

In January 2019, the Hospice’s Christmas Tree Collection raised £26,000 so Dorothy House is delighted to raise over £40,000 this year before Gift Aid is added.

The Hospice has to raise £5 for every £1 it receives from the NHS to fund its palliative and end of life care for local people living with a life-limiting illness, their families and carers.

Dorothy House’s Christmas Tree Collection scheme is supported by many local businesses providing volunteers and vehicles including Wessex Water in Bath, Rygor in Westbury, Bath ASU in Corsham, Brett Hardy Landscapes, Go Self Drive, Islington Motors, Corsham patio and fencing, Autoguide and Geoghegan Builders.

Students from Lackham Agriculture College will be helping with tree chipping and Greenhill Tree Care also helped chip trees from the Bradford on Avon area to be used in the Hospice grounds.

Other supporters include paving company, Shaun May and White Horse Disposal in Westbury, SureSet in Warminster, Pearns

Wessex Water volunteers Matthew Coles and Simon Phillips Photo courtesy of Dorothy House

Tree Services and Inspired Joinery both from Frome and the Bradford on Avon Rotary Club.

While 90% of the money raised, after costs, will go to Dorothy House, 10% of funds raised will go to other local charities.

Jennifer Staton, community engagement coordinator at Wessex Water said: “Dorothy House is a local cause that means a great deal to our staff and we were so pleased to be able to support their Christmas tree collection again with our seven vehicles and twenty-one volunteers.

“I’d like to thank everyone who volunteered from Wessex Water – they were all fantastic and collected the trees in record time!”

Steph Cox, Community Fundraiser for Dorothy House Hospice Care added: “This is our fourth Christmas tree collection and we are thrilled to have raised £40k in vital funds to support local hospice care and to have collected a staggering 3,500 trees in total in-

cluding 1,100 trees in Bath alone.

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to all our volunteers and supporters for their generous help and to Bath and North East Somerset Council for their support in letting us use their recycling centre.”

Councillor Sarah Warren, joint cabinet member for Climate Emergency and Neighbourhood Services at Bath & North East Somerset Council said: “We’re so pleased to have supported the Dorothy House Christmas Tree Collection again this year by making our Bath recycling centre available and providing staff to run the centre during the collection weekend.

“It’s wonderful the collection raised so much money this year and that all the chipped trees from Bath will be turned into compost for local farmers.

“We wish the Hospice good luck for the year ahead and look forward to supporting them again next January.”

Repair work to close city centre car park BATH & North East Somerset Council has said it will be closing Manvers Street car park in Bath from Monday 17th February for four weeks, to allow for essential maintenance work to take place.

The key works taking place will be focussing on reducing surface water pooling and providing a water-resistant surface across the whole upper level parking area, the vehicle ramp to the lower level and stairways.

The works are needed to protect the car park for future use and prevent structural damage.

Councillor Joanna Wright, cabinet member for Transport Services, said: “Manvers Street car park is an important facility for people who need to drive into the centre of Bath so we are carrying out these essential works to protect the car

park and avoid unplanned closures in future.

“We apologise for any inconvenience while the works are being carried out.

“Although we encourage walking, cycling and public transport for residents and visitors travelling into Bath, where drivers do need to use their cars we hope these improvements will make this facility easier for people to use.”

Whilst the car park is closed, the council will be taking the opportunity to make a number of other minor improvements to minimise the risk of potential future closures to Manvers Street.

These will include: • Existing lower level lighting to be replaced with new LED lighting • Revised white lining on the upper level • Installation of a height restriction barrier to the ramp leading to the lower level.

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Revised transport proposals for the West of England unveiled Amanda Cameron

Local Democracy Reporter

TRANSPORT planners have released a revised version of ambitious proposals to transform how people move around the West of England.

Walking, cycling and public transport will become the “natural” way to travel around Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset under the Joint Local Transport Plan published on Tuesday 28th January.

The plan for a connected transport system across the region sets out an £8.9billion wish-list of projects for completion by 2036 including a £2.5billion “mass transit system” with sections of underground rail.

Due to be considered by the four local authorities affected over the coming months, the revised plan follows a public consultation in February and March of last year that drew around 4,200 responses.

Not a lot has changed since the last iteration of the plan, although it now includes a goal to ensure transport is carbon neutral by 2030, in line with the climate emergency recently declared by all four councils.

“To achieve carbon-neutral transport by 2030 requires a substantial modal shift away from cars to public transport, cycling and walking,” the plan states.

Achieving that goal means the introduction of road-user charges is now seen as “likely”, as are fuel tax increases, to discourage the use of privately owned vehicles.

The plan acknowledges private cars will remain “essential” for some, but envisages most of the vehicles remaining on the road by 2036 will not be fuelled by fossil fuels.

Some of the more interesting aspects of the plan – which includes changes to existing road, rail and bus networks – are set out below.

The Joint Local Transport Plan 4 (JLTP4) was led by the West of England Combined Authority (Weca), working with Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire councils.

Mass transit system The plan still envisages four major routes for a mass transit system branching out from central Bristol to the north, south and east of the city and Bath.

On-street tram and light rail are seen as preferable to going underground, which may be necessary for some sections but would push the estimated £2.5billion cost up further.

If approved, the system would make it possible to travel between Bristol city centre and popular destinations such as Bristol Airport and Cribbs Causeway in 15 to 20 minutes.

The routes to the airport and Bath would initially be served by metroBus extensions.

New stations and train lines Bristol Temple Meads is still set

to become a regional transport hub providing smooth connections to other forms of transport and new cycling and walking links.

New, high frequency “turn up and go” services will be complemented by new lines and new stations.

New stations at Ashley Down and Portway are planned, and the Portishead and Henbury lines are expected to reopen.

More metroBus routes The revised plan includes two more new metroBus routes, taking the total planned to nine.

The proposed new routes are: • Bristol city centre to Avonmouth and Severnside • Bromley Heath to Yate • Almondsbury to Thornbury • Bower Ashton to Nailsea and Clevedon • Bristol to Bath along the A4 corridor, with potentially a light rail system extending from Hicks Gate to Bristol in the longer term • Bristol Parkway via The Mall at Cribbs Causeway to Cribbs Patchway, serving Whitchurch and new Park and Ride sites at Whitchurch, Hicks Gate and the East Fringe • An orbital route connecting south Bristol to Emerson’s Green via the ring road • A network for Weston-super-Mare to link the new Weston Villages developments, the accompanying M5 Junction 21 Enterprise Area, and the proposed Park and Ride site east of the town • Bristol city centre to Bristol Airport.

New motorway junctions, Smart Motorway schemes and link roads Despite the emphasis on getting people out of their cars, roads are not ignored by the plan.

New motorway junctions, Smart Motorway schemes and link roads are proposed, including: • A new junction 21A on the M5 south of junction 21 for Weston-super-Mare • A new “multimodal transport corridor” linking the new junction and the A38, with a bypass for Banwell • A new junction 18A on the M4 connected to Yate via a new link road • Smart Motorway schemes on the M4 between junctions 18 and 19, and the M5 between Junctions 17 and new 21A • Winterbourne and Frampton Cotterell bypass • Coalpit Heath and Westerleigh bypass • Nailsea to Backwell A370 link More park and ride sites New and expanded Park and Ride sites will be focused on the main arterial routes into Bath, Bristol and Weston-super-Mare.

Sites under consideration in-

A summary of the major transport schemes proposed

clude: • The M32 • The east of Bath • The east of Weston-super-Mare, possibly near the A370/A371 junction • A38/A4174 south Bristol link • A4018 near Cribbs Causeway • A38 north between Junction 16 and Thornbury • A432 near Yate • A420 /Ring Road to connect to the East Fringe mass transit system • Whitchurch.

• The A4 Brislington park & ride may be relocated to Hicks Gate.

Road-user charges and a workplace parking levy Discouraging people from driving privately owned cars takes on even more weight in the revised plan due to its goal to make transport carbon neutral by 2030.

Possible strategies to achieve this include road user charges, reducing the number of car parking spaces available, and a workplace parking levy on employers who provide parking for their staff. Congestion charging and emissions charging are also mentioned, as are the clean air zone (CAZ) planned for Bath and the CAZ proposed for Bristol.

Delivery hubs for online retailers Providing local points for businesses such as Amazon and Ocado to drop off parcels and shopping purchased online would reduce the number of light goods vehicles on the roads.

Shoppers would collect their purchase from a local delivery hub, such a railway station or Park and Ride site, instead of having it delivered to their door.

The plan also mentions the possibility of businesses “pooling” deliveries into a centre for a small area, the advertising of “spare capacity in vans”, and “loan cargo bikes” for businesses to hire to make short deliveries across con-

gested areas.

How will the plan be funded?

The ambitious transport scheme will require an “unprecedented” level of funding, according to the plan.

Delivering all the proposed schemes would cost an estimated £8.9billion and there is a funding gap of at least £6billion.

The plan identifies ways to close the gap, which include a new charge for developers, raising council taxes and business rates, a new workplace parking levy on employers, road-user charges, such as congestion and emission charges, and public health funding.

Revenue raised from mass transit services as well as government assistance via the Clean Air Fund and CAZ Implementation Fund are also cited.

What happens next?

The JTLP4 will be discussed at the following meetings: • North Somerset Council’s executive on 5th February, and full council on 18th February • South Gloucestershire Council on 12th February • Bristol City Council’s cabinet on 3rd March • Bath and North East Somerset Council will make a single member decision.

The West of England Joint Committee, a joint decision-making body for Weca, the four local authorities and the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership, will decide whether to adopt the plan on 20th March.

Two more public consultations will be held later this year to look in more detail at bus services, walking and cycling.

Tim Bowles, West of England Mayor, said: “To keep our region’s economy moving, reduce our carbon emissions and improve air quality we need a better, reliable and sustainable transport network. While we’re mak-

ing progress, particularly on improving our railways, we still face challenges ahead.

“Thanks to the thousands of people who took the time to give us their views, our regional plan to meet our challenges will now be stronger.”

Councillor Joanna Wright, Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Joint Cabinet Member for Transport Services added: “Responding to the Climate Emergency requires action across all aspects of society. With transport accounting for 34% of all carbon emissions in Bath and North East Somerset, our biggest opportunity to transform the way people travel and address the very real climate emergency is to reallocate road space to sustainable transport modes.

“We are committed to and actively pursuing mass transit (buses, trams, light rail, light rapid transit, tram/train) from Bristol to Bath as one of our transformational infrastructure projects as well as a mass transit network within Bath city centre itself.

“The JLTP4 also includes low traffic neighbourhoods, and encourages more walking and cycling to transform the low carbon travel choices around our UNESCO World Heritage city, as well as public realm improvement schemes in Keynsham and Midsomer Norton.

“The JLTP4 includes a South East Bristol orbital corridor to address a lack of connectivity but it does not commit us to any particular scheme or alignments.

“Considerable further work in consultation with the communities on how we go about addressing this challenge will be essential to progressing this South East Bristol orbital corridor.

“While the JLTP4 addresses many issues it only takes us takes us so far and we now need to work towards the JLTP5.”

Tuesday, 4th February 2020

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Play equipment to be Free event set to offer residents “Midlife MOT” removed from parks HELP for a healthier and happier future is on offer for residents and businesses at a free event in Bath next month.

Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Achieve in B&NES service is offering people a review of their finances, career and wellbeing at the Midlife MOT event at the Apex Hotel on Thursday 27th February.

The event aims to help residents to reflect where they are personally and professionally as well as help businesses to pinpoint areas to improve, to make sure their future is as healthy and happy as possible. Employers will receive advice, guidance and tools on how to support, upskill and retain their workforce and individuals will be offered guidance to review their finances, career, health and wellbeing.

People attending will have the chance to hear from guest speakers including Bath College, Aviva, ACAS, Business in the Community and Mindflex, as well as take part in workshops on topics such as writing CVs and digital skills.

The event runs from 10am-4pm and entry and refreshments are free.

Councillor Rob Appleyard, cabinet member for Adult Services, said: “We all know that we need to preserve our health, finances

Stephen Sumner

Local Democracy Reporter

and job satisfaction as we get older, but many of us lead such busy lives that we forget to check if we’re doing the best for ourselves that we possibly can.

“As well as helping residents with finances, career and wellbeing, this great networking event will also be informative for businesses about the best way to support their staff’s health and career progression during middle age and beyond.”

Many local and national organisations will be running exhibition stands at Midlife MOT including Credit Union, Legal & General, Bath Royal United Hospital, Talking Therapies and the council’s own Future Bright and HR apprenticeships representatives.

Tickets are available through the link https://www.eventbrite. c o. u k / e / m i d l i f e - m o t - t i c kets-84001826725 or by emailing achieve@bathnes.gov.uk

PARENTS have saved the swings and slides at a children’s play area in Bath at the expense of another site nearby which “smells of wee”.

The play equipment in Burnt House Road will be retained, but the kit in Ridge Green Close will be taken away and replaced with “alternative play facilities”.

The changes are coming after Bath and North East Somerset Council reviewed nine of its 60 play parks in a bid to curb the annual maintenance costs of up to £400,000 a year.

It proposed swapping traditional play equipment for natural play features, or creating community gardens, wildflower meadows or allotments.

Parents reacted angrily to such plans for Burnt House Road, and told council officers at a consultation event there were less-used and worse cared for sites which should be considered first.

One resident said: “Ridge Green Close smells of wee. I can smell it 50 yards away.

“It hasn’t even got swings. The Burnt House Road one is used by families. This is good for kids. It is well used and well valued.

“Ridge Green Close is often used by teenagers late at night.”

Another said: “My kids come to the Burnt House Road park all the time. They’re very upset.

“They don’t feel as safe at the other park. This play area has a lot more in it than Ridge Green Close.”

An officer told parents 500 people visited the Burnt House Road play area over a two-week period in September, compared to nearly 1,200 at Ridge Green Close.

But a council report published this week says: “At Burnt House Road, there was very strong feedback from residents that the nearby play area at Ridge Green Close is poorly used and comparatively unpopular and would be better suited to repurposing.

“The parks team subsequently undertook a similar consultation event at Ridge Green Close.

“There was a very low attendance and those that did attend were unanimous in support of the proposal to retain existing provision at nearby Burnt House Road and repurpose the space at Ridge Green Close.”

The nine sites in the review were included because they were not in deprived areas and there were other facilities nearby.

The council will carry out further consultations on its plans.

Nationwide introduces smart window to support city's homeless A NEW 'smart poster' has been introduced in the window of Nationwide in Bath, offering passersby the option of using their contactless card to donate money to local charity Julian House.

The building society, on Union Street, has partnered with Julian House and the Bath Business Improvement District to offer the technology, which gives a donation of £3 to the homeless charity with every ‘tap'.

The initiative, which raised £400 in the first week, was launched to help the public overcome the concern that is often raised about giving money to people begging on the street.

Money raised through the ‘Good

Start Tap to Donate’ scheme will be held in a fund, made available to homeless people across Bath & North East Somerset via agency support staff.

Rob Burrows, assistant branch manager for Nationwide in Bath, said: “I believe contactless technology is the way forward.

“In Bath we all have the opportunity to support vulnerable people through the great services and charities available.

“This Good Start Tap to Donate point will allow more people within the local community to donate quickly and easily to make a real difference.”

Roanne Wootten, Operations Director for Julian House, said:

The special donation window at the branch on Union Street

“The public at large are really conflicted about what they should do when they see someone begging on the street. Their natural instinct is to help but they are also aware that any monies given might be used to fund the very issue which is keeping that person on the streets. The sort of things it could fund are welcome packs, which include toiletries and sanitary products in crisis

accommodation, new bedding and essentials when moving into supported housing, a birth certificate, a passport or a driving licence. Fundamentally it is about the person and what they need to help them to come off the streets – it will be different for everyone.

The Good Start Fund is open to other local agencies who are providing direct support to named individuals.”

This week, The Pig is mostly...

OBSESSED by the wholly authentic tacos, rice bowls and nachos (all at their very best when accompanied by a Classic Margarita, of course) at Dos Dedos, the brand new, super-vibrant Mexican cantina on Bartlett Street (www.dosdedos.co.uk) EAGERLY anticipating the unique Whisky and Craft Chocolate Tasting Experience at sophisticated private members' club The Drawing Rooms on Thursday 6th Feb, hosted by chocolate connoisseur Tracy Chapman (international Chocolate Awards judge & owner of Chocolate Voyage) and Callum Rixson, Whisky Specialist and manager of The Hideout Bar (£49pp; www.thedrawingrooms. co/events/fine-chocolate-whiskey-night-2/) BOOKING today to guarantee a ticket for A Taste of India at The Marlborough Tavern on Wednesday 26th Feb: five tantalising courses including exotic delights such as tandoori roast quail with mung bean dahl; Keralan monkfish with korma curry, coconut salad and liver pakora. This menu is guaranteed to change your perception of “a curry” forever! (£40pp; www.marlborough-tavern.com) PLANNING to step away from the hot dogs at Bath Racecourse, where Executive Head Chef Jonathan Williams has launched a new menu that encourages guests choosing to dine at the track’s Royal Crescent Restaurant to “experience something different...” (www.bath-racecourse. co.uk) GOING off-menu at Bath's longest-established Chinese restaurant The Peking (Kingsmead Square) by ordering the delectable Stuffed Aubergine in Black Bean Sauce, only available on request to “those in the know” and now you know too! (www.pekingrestaurantbath.co.uk) HUNKERING down to watch all the Six Nations games in the Garden Lodge at the Old Crown (Kelston). Planning on turning match day into a party? Grab five bottles of beer or cider for just £15 (www. oldcrownkelston.com) For more news, views and food-related chat, visit The Pig Guide at www. thepigguide.com and follow The Pig on Twitter @ThePigGuide.

Reserve this advertising space for your business or upcoming event Prices for this banner advertisement start at just £100* per issue!

With other advertising options starting at £20* per issue, we’re pleased to offer affordable solutions for businesses across Bath. To find out more, call 01225 589789

*Excluding VAT

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Tuesday, 4th February 2020

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Locals being invited to Bath Area Trams Conference

*

Bath to Radstock as well as the city centre's narrow streets, and they do not need overhead wires.

The conference on Saturday 8th February will feature speakers including Bath MP Wera Hobhouse and Dave Andrews, chair of Bath Area Trams Association.

Those interested in attending can register here: https://bit.ly/2RMUS4h. Tickets are available from £5, with a free

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installations have caused measureable and significant reduction in congestions and commercial regeneration. They also have a much higher capacity (36,000 passengers per hour) than either cars (1000/h) or buses (9,000/h). Modern trams can ascend all the hills in Bath and the gradients if the tram were placed on the main road from

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TRAMS BEAT JAMS!

Left: Trams in Lisbon can travel down narrow streets | Above: The tram system in Manchester

ov

and reduce vehicle emissions.

The Bath Area Trams Association (BATA) says evidence suggests that only trams linking Radstock, Midsomer Norton, Chippenham and connected to Bristol, with a network in Bath, integrated with buses for other rural areas and re-opening the line from Radstock to Frome via Westbury, will solve Bath's transport, congestion, pollution and commercial crises.

This is because they can operate economically at much higher frequencies than buses (every 2 - 6 minutes), car drivers will use them whereas they won't use buses, trams have around 1/12 the energy consumption of a bus, they do not produce road and tyre dust pollution, and being a permanent addition, they can attract development along the routes.

No bus-based solution has solved congestion in any British city, whereas all tram

No

PEOPLE across the local area are being invited to give their views at an upcoming conference in the city, focussed on the reintroduction of trams to Bath.

Being held at the Bath Literary and Scientific Institution in Queen Square on Saturday 8th February, attendees will be able to hear from industry experts and local politicians.

One of the highlights of the event will be a talk from French engineering giant EGIS, who, as well as reinstalling over 20 tramways in France to reduce traffic and revitalise towns, are working on the extension of the tramway in Birmingham.

A variety of light rail and tram systems are currently in service across the country, specifically in Croydon, London’s docklands, Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Newcastle, Nottingham and Blackpool. The conference will discuss the potential to reintroduce trams to the city of Bath, in a bid to reduce congestion, improve air quality

Advertising Feature

lunch provided. Doors open at 9am with presentations due to begin from 10am. Further information about light rail systems, trams, their history in the city, and the potential for the area can be found on the Bath Trams website at www.bathtrams.uk. Plans for a regional transport strategy will be decided upon by the West of England Combined Authority's Joint Committee on 20th March.

All are invited to make their views known at a 1 day conference on

Saturday 8th February 2020

at Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, 16-18 Queen Square, Bath BA1 2HN Admission £5 - £15 including tea / coffee / light lunch - just turn up or preferably book at www.bathtrams.uk or by email to tyningroad@gmail.com

and can provide pollution solutions in Bath, Radstock, Frome and Bristol Doors open 9am | Presentations from industry professionals and politicians from 10am - 4.30pm *integrated with buses. Buses emit much more greenhouse gas than trams

Tuesday, 4th February 2020

First Anglo-Saxon buildings found in Bath discovered during renovations SCIENTIFIC dating of two stone buildings uncovered by archaeologists working at Bath Abbey has confirmed the first Anglo-Saxon structures within the city of Bath.

Experts from Wessex Archaeology have used scientific techniques to date the remains of two stone buildings, discovered during renovation work at Bath Abbey, to the 8th – 10th century.

They are likely part of the Anglo-Saxon monastery where King Edgar was crowned as first King of England in 973 AD. The two structures were discovered during excavations below street level, south of the current Abbey church, as part of Bath Abbey’s Footprint project.

The team from Wessex Archaeology uncovered the apsidal (semi-circular) structures below an area where the cloisters of the 12th-century cathedral would have once stood and overlying earlier Romano-British deposits.

An internal plaster render on the southern-most apse contained fragments of charcoal from which two samples were sent for radiocarbon dating at Queen’s University, Belfast.

The dates came back as AD 780970 and AD 670-770, much to the delight of Wessex Archaeology Senior Project Officer Cai Mason, who said: “When you find something unusual, you have to think ‘what is the most mundane explanation for what we’ve found?’, and most of the time that will be the explanation, but sometimes that doesn’t work, which makes you wonder ‘have we found something genuinely unusual?’

“In a post-Roman context, the most likely place to find this type of structure is at the east end of an ecclesiastical building, such as a church or chapel, and given the fact that the excavated structures are surrounded by late Sax-

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on burials, this is the most likely explanation for their use.

“This, together with the late Saxon stonework and burials found at the Abbey, provides increasingly strong evidence that we have indeed found part of Bath’s lost Anglo-Saxon monastery.”

Wessex Archaeology Project ManThe site at Bath Abbey | Photo © Wessex Archaeology ager Bruce Eaton added: “Given “The excavations being carried that the potential date of these out as part of our Footprint prostructures spans some 200 years ject are essential to make major there are several possible con- improvements to the current Abtexts for their construction. bey church, and how we use it.

“One possibility would be the “A massive benefit has been reign of King Offa of Mercia, who working with Wessex Archaeolacquired the monastery in AD ogy who are making important 781 and is credited by William discoveries about the Abbey’s of Malmesbury for building the 1,000-year heritage all the time.” famous Church of St Peter, prob- The Anglo-Saxon structures are ably utilising the ready supply of among a series of exciting discovworked stone from the near-by eries made by Wessex Archaeolcollapsing Roman baths com- ogy during their excavations at plex. Extensive building work Bath Abbey. within this period is further at- In August 2018, the team uncovtested to by Offa’s successor Ecg- ered a vibrantly coloured 14th frith having the infrastructure in century tiled floor in what would place to hold court at the monas- have been the nave of the medietery in AD 796. val cathedral.

“This phase of energetic building They have excavated a Mesolithic activity does fit neatly with our land surface below the Victoriearliest possible date for the plas- an plant room, Roman buildings terwork, but it is certainly not our which would have once stood in only candidate.” the heart of the town of Aquae The Reverend Canon Guy Bridge- Sulis, an Anglo-Saxon cemetery water at Bath Abbey, said: “This is containing rare charcoal burials a really exciting find. While we’ve and the medieval cloister walk. always known there once was an More recent finds have includAnglo-Saxon monastery on this ed the coffin-plate of controversite, no trace of the building re- sial Georgian demographer Rev. mains above ground today, so it’s Thomas Malthus and recovered amazing that we now have an ac- painted fragments of the lost Jactual record of it and can get a real obean plaster ceiling of the cursense of it as it was. rent Abbey church.

Column | Bath City Farm Helen Fisher

A GOOD TIME FOR REFLECTION There is something so satisfying when I’m the first to arrive at the farm and enjoy a quiet cup of tea.

You get a real calmness before the start of another busy day with the sweet birdsong, the amazing view across our beautiful city and the busyness of the animals.

It’s a feeling that I never get tired of and I feel a deep personal connection with this special place which has become part of my DNA. As Bath City Farm celebrates its 25th anniversary as a charity this year it’s a good time for reflection. Life on the farm has changed beyond recognition in the 17 years I have been working here. What started out as a bold vision powered by the local community has grown from a single shipping container to a thriving place where communities coming together to do amazing things for the farm and each other.

It was thanks to the vision and passion of the local community that the Farm exists. This muchloved green space nestled between Southdown and Twerton means a lot to local people. It’s a place to bring your kids, somewhere to go for a walk or meet your friends for a coffee.

We now have a team of 16 staff and dozens of regular volunteers.

They are at the beating heart of the farm and keep the place going whether working in the polytunnels to grow food for use in the café, mucking out the animals or regularly litter picking around the 37 acres.

Whenever I spend time with the volunteers you get a real sense of the pride that they feel in caring for this place and how it’s

become somewhere so important in their life.

Connecting people with life on the farm to help improve wellbeing is the core focus of what we do but our work is so much more and we also provide free access to this important outdoor space.

It always makes me smile when I see one of our toddler groups feeding the hens or spending time with the goats, hearing the whoops of joy from the children.

Our Feathered Friends project is something I’m really proud of.

This weekly get together provides older people living on their own or in residential care with the opportunity to spend time with our hens – from feeding them to enjoying some time cuddling them.

Animal therapy maybe a relatively new concept but it works as the group sit in a circle each with a hen and broad grin chatting away to each other.

City Farms were originally set up to provide a link between people living in cities with food production as people moved away from a farming life.

However, as we head into the 2020s the network of City and Community Farms across the UK are increasingly becoming spaces to support and nourish the most vulnerable in society.

We rely on generous donations and grants to keep the place going and now run 10 targeted projects to help those most in need within our communities addressing complex issues such as social isolation, drug dependency, long-term unemployment and mental health issues.

Helen Fisher is the General Manager at Bath City Farm.

You can keep up to date with life on the farm via social media on Facebook and Instagram and support the work at the farm via https://www.bathcityfarm.org.uk/ (Photo © Jennifer Kelly)

£150k purchase of land by Bath Cricket Club being challenged Stephen Sumner

Local Democracy Reporter

BATH Cricket Club’s purchase of a piece of publicly owned land is being challenged.

Councillor Colin Blackburn said Bath and North East Somerset Council had not justified handing over the North Parade Road embankment for “less than best consideration”.

Leading a call-in of the decision, he also claimed it would be impossible to judge if the mooted community benefits of £2million had been delivered.

Cabinet member for resources Richard Samuel signed off the decision on 8th January to allow the cricket club to buy the land for £150,000.

It will pay the council a peppercorn rent so it can access the site and build 136 student flats.

The Local Government Act says authorities are generally expected to get the best possible price when they sell land, unless there are other objectives they “consider to be necessary or desirable”.

They must be accountable to local people.

As well as the student flats, the club is also building improved sports facilities that officers said would boost the health of the community – benefits valued at £2million, which a council report said “clearly suggests a community asset transfer is appropriate”.

The assessment of those benefits was not made public.

Giving his reasons for the call-in, Cllr Blackburn said: “The report was inadequate, lacked information and did not demonstrate how we came to this recommendation.

“The report gives insufficient justification as to why this council is

disposing of this land at less than best consideration.

“The report gives no clear way of measuring the supposed community benefits so it will be impossible to judge in the future whether these benefits have been delivered.”

The call-in has been backed by Cllr Blackburn’s fellow independent members, Doug Deacon and June Player, along with Conservatives Paul May, Alan Hale and Karen Warrington, and Labour councillors Eleanor Jackson, Grant Johnson and Liz Hardman.

Deputy council leader Cllr Samuel said: “Councillors are entitled to call in certain decisions for further scrutiny. I welcome the opportunity for councillors to review the background to this decision and make any recommendations they see fit.”

A date has not yet been set for the

decision to be scrutinised.

Bath Cricket Club was approached for comment.

In a previous statement, chairman Matthew Hankins said: “Bath Cricket Club are pleased to have reached a commercial agreement with B&NES Council over this grass embankment for its full commercial value.

“The club is making a single upfront payment of £150,000 as well committing to delivering £30,000 of community benefits annually, for 30 years.

“This will enable the club to deliver much-needed community benefits, including expanding the club’s community outreach programme, increasing participation

in cricket throughout the Bath and North East Somerset area and providing a larger fit-for-purpose indoor training facility for cricketers in Bath, community groups and local schools to use year-round.”

The call-in comes just weeks after a cross-party challenge to another decision signed off by Cllr Samuel – handing over £450,000 to a housing association that wanted to walk away from its lease on Bath building 39 years early.

Opponents attacked the lack of transparency and the loss of social housing.

That call-in was successful and the decision will be reviewed by cabinet members.

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Education New Head for the Royal Minister meets social workers in High School in Bath Bath & North East Somerset

Kate Reynolds, new Head at the Royal High School in Bath

THE Royal High School, an independent day and boarding school for girls in Bath, has welcomed Kate Reynolds as its new Head.

Mrs Reynolds moves from Leweston, where she has been Head since 2015 and was previously Head of International Boarding whilst teaching English and Drama.

Mrs Reynolds has a commercial background, having practised Law in London and Somerset and brings a breadth of experience to her role as Head at the Royal High School.

“There is so much to celebrate at Royal High School Bath,” Mrs Reynolds said. “Friendly, engaged and curious girls, supportive staff who go the extra mile because they care hugely about the school, and an exciting and challenging learning environment.

“The girls’ energy and determination yet down to earth groundedness makes for a very special school of which we should all be proud. I am humbled that I can be part of such a remarkable establishment.”

One of the key focuses for Mrs

Reynolds will be to continue to strengthen relationships locally.

Mrs Reynolds continued: “One of my guiding values is the importance of community.

“Bath is a special and unique place, full of heritage, thriving creative industries, and innovative businesses – schools are an integral part of this city.

“It is vital that we continue to work closely with, and build new partnerships with local businesses, community organisations and charities.

“I very much look forward to living and working in this inspirational city and fostering new relationships.”

The Royal High School is preparing to welcome girls and their families to their Open Days where visitors can explore the school, talk to staff and pupils and meet Mrs Reynolds and new Head of Prep School, Mrs Claire Lilley.

Open Days take place at the Senior School on Lansdown Road on Wednesday 4th March and Thursday 23rd April, and at the Prep School at Cranwell House on Thursday 27th February and Thursday 23rd April.

MICHELLE Donelan, the Minister for Children and Families, has spent a morning with charity Frontline and B&NES Council to learn about the support being given to vulnerable children and families.

During her visit on Friday 24th January, Michelle spoke to social workers and shadowed child protection teams to witness firsthand the impact social workers are having.

Frontline, which runs the largest social work training programme in the country, is partnering with Bath & North East Somerset Council for the first time, placing four trainee social workers to support the most vulnerable in the area.

To date, over 1,000 social workers have been trained nationwide through the Frontline programme across 48% of local authorities in England.

The visit gave Michelle, whose

ministerial role covers children’s social care, the opportunity to see the impactful results being delivered by social workers in the local area.

Children and Families Minister, Michelle Donelan said: “Social workers are the unsung heroes in our society, helping support the most vulnerable children in the country and I am continually struck by their commitment and dedication, including from those I have met today.

“While there are more social workers than ever, I want to keep attracting talented graduates and career changers to this profession, as well as creating opportunities for them to develop in their careers.

“Fast-track schemes like Frontline and Step Up to Social Work are helping to train the brightest and best social workers, giving them the tools they need to do their jobs.”

Councillor Kevin Guy, Bath & North East Somerset cabinet member for Children’s Services added: “We already have a strong track record of working closely with universities and training providers to train our social workers and so it made sense for us to be part of Frontline.

“It is rewarding to see that many students, who are on placement with us, end up working in our Children’s Services teams, including three of the most recent graduates through the Step Up programme.

“While our recent Ofsted inspection rated us as Good we are continuously looking to improve.

“This means investing in a diverse, skilled and competent workforce to meet the council’s core purpose which is to help improve people’s lives and in so doing, to get the best outcomes for our children, young people and their families.”

Graduate wins Costa Children’s Book Award with debut novel BATH Spa University graduate Jasbinder Bilan has received a 2019 Costa Children’s Book Award for her debut novel, Asha & the Spirit Bird.

Jasbinder, who gained her MA Writing for Young People in 2014, submitted her manuscript for and won the Times Chicken House Prize in 2017, which led to the book’s publication.

Speaking about the MA, she said: “The whole course was amazing and allowed me to explore my creativity in a nurturing, critical environment.

“It was wonderful to meet real

writers for the first time and to be part of a supportive writing community.”

Jasbinder based her story in the Himalayan foothills where she was born.

It follows Asha on her quest to find her missing father, with guidance from the spirit bird of her grandmother.

Reflecting both critical opinion and popular taste, The Costa Book Award is the only major UK book prize that is open solely to authors resident in the UK and Ireland. The award recognises the most enjoyable books across five

categories – First Novel, Novel, Biography, Poetry and Children’s Book – published in the last year.

Each of the category winners receives £5,000, and the overall winner receives a further £30,000.

Jasbinder joins a host of other prestigious Costa winners, including Philip Pullman, JK Rowling, and MA Writing for Young People Professor David Almond.

Several Bath Spa graduates and staff have received a Costa Award, including Nathan Filer, who received the First Novel Award and overall Book of the Year Award in 2013 with The Shock of the Fall.

Bath Spa University graduate Jasbinder Bilan | Photo © Ian Sharp

Tuesday, 4th February 2020

Executive headteacher appointed to new Keynsham primary school

Annie Smart, new executive headteacher at Two Rivers Primary School

WELLSWAY Multi Academy Trust has appointed an executive headteacher to oversee the launch of its new primary school in Keynsham.

Annie Smart will take on the leadership of Two Rivers Church of England Primary School alongside her current role of headteacher at Chandag Infant School.

Mrs Smart, a highly experienced and successful primary school leader, will be responsible for establishing the new school, which will open with one reception class in purpose-built temporary accommodation on the Wellsway School campus in September.

She will take up the post after Easter, working with the trust’s director of primary Dr Matthew Cottrell and colleagues on the pre-opening phase.

Mrs Smart will also oversee the

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school’s move to its new permanent building on the Hygge Park development as soon as it is completed, during the academic year 2021/22.

At that time, the trust will appoint a permanent headteacher for Two Rivers school to lead it in developing its own distinctive identity as a Church of England primary.

The new school, which is being opened to address a shortage of primary places in east Keynsham, will take in two reception classes – up to 60 children – a year from 2021 until it reaches its planned admission number of 420 pupils.

It will benefit from collaborating with other trust schools in the Keynsham and Saltford area and from the wealth of expertise and skills available across the trust, which runs 13 schools in Bath, Bristol and South Gloucester-

shire.

Mrs Smart said: “I am looking forward to the challenge of setting up Two Rivers primary and making sure that from Day One it delivers the high quality education that all children deserve.

“I am confident that with the backing of the trust and the Bath & Wells diocese, plus the strong roots we already have in our community, we can build an outstanding team of staff to work with parents and children and achieve great things.”

Dr Cottrell said: “I am looking forward to Two Rivers C of E Primary becoming part of Wellsway Multi Academy Trust’s family of schools.

“Mrs Smart is an excellent leader who knows the Keynsham community well and I am delighted that she is taking on this role as executive headteacher.”

Young people invited to attend Apprenticeships and Jobs Fair YOUNG people will be given the opportunity to meet potential apprenticeship providers and employers at Bath College’s annual upcoming Apprenticeships and Jobs Fair.

This year’s event, which will be more interactive than previous years, is taking place at the Assembly Rooms on 4th March between 11am and 4pm, giving local businesses the chance to showcase their vacancies to local people.

This year’s lead sponsors are B&NES, Curo, EDF Hinkley Point C and Persimmon Homes, all of whom will be found in the Octagon offering apprenticeship opportunities.

The fair will be categorised by the types of careers on offer and will include Agriculture, Environmental and Animal Care, Business and Administration, Care Services, Catering and Hospitality, Construction, Creative and Design, Digital, Education and Childcare, Engineering and Manufacturing, Hair and Beauty, Health and Science, Legal, Finance and Accounting and Sales, Marketing and Procurement.

Last year’s event was attended by over 1000 young people, with a number of these going on to secure positions at local companies after attending and making the most of networking opportuni-

ties.

The Apprenticeships and Jobs Fair is open to people of all ages as opportunities will vary in level.

Students from schools and colleges will be in attendance but adults looking for opportunities are encouraged to attend also.

Ellie Selway is currently doing a Level 3 Electrical Apprenticeship through Bath College.

She said: “Personally from my experience this is the best route to go down you get paid whilst you’re learning and get a variety of hands on work and theory, an apprenticeship offers a lot of opportunities for progression and as long as you have the right attitude and make the most of what is being offered it can take you far.”

Event organiser John Jefferies said: “The fair is a great opportunity to find out about local apprenticeships at Bath College and beyond ranging from Level 2 right up to degree level.

“The fair is growing year on year and we have lots of new employers joining us for what will be a more interactive event than ever before.” The event is taking place on 4th March 11am-4pm at the Assembly Rooms and is free to attend. Limited spaces are available to exhibit, contact john. jefferies@bathcollege.ac.uk for more information.

Scientists discover new way of recycling plant-based plastic SCIENTISTS at the University of Bath have developed new way to break down plant-based plastics into their original building blocks, potentially allowing products to be recycled repeatedly without a loss in the quality of the plastic.

Around 45% of plastic waste is recycled annually in the UK and is on the increase.

However one of the problems with current plastic recycling methods is that you end up with a lower quality plastic with worse properties than the original.

This means that plastic drinks bottles cannot simply be recycled into new drinks bottles continuously, but instead are used for other lower grade products such as water pipes, park benches and traffic cones.

Now scientists from the Universities of Bath and Birmingham have developed a new way of chemical recycling - converting plastics back into their constituent chemical molecules - so that they can be used to make new plastics of the same quality as the

original.

The team’s method, published in ChemSusChem, uses lower temperatures and more environmentally-friendly catalysts than previous methods.

Professor Matthew Jones, from the Centre for Sustainable & Circular Technologies at the University of Bath, said: “Most plastic is currently recycled using mechanical methods, where they are chipped into granules and melted down before being moulded into something new.

“The problem is, melting plastic changes its properties, and reduces the quality, which limits the range of products in which it can be used.

“Our method of chemical recycling overcomes this problem by breaking down plastic polymers into their chemical building blocks, so they can be used all over again to make virgin plastic without losing any properties.”

The researchers recycled plantbased PLA, which is made from starch or crop waste instead of petrochemicals, and is used in

“biodegradable” food packaging and disposable cutlery and cups. PLA isn’t currently recycled because it’s not used widely yet, however with growing awareness of plastic pollution, the demand from consumers for recyclable packaging is growing.

The team has also started trialling a similar process for recycling PET, which is used for drinks bottles.

First author of the paper, Dr Paul McKeown from the University of Bath, said: “PLA is being increasingly used as a sustainable alternative for single-use plastics.

Whilst it’s biodegradable under industrial conditions, it doesn’t biodegrade with home composting, and isn’t currently recycled, so at the moment it commonly ends up contributing to the tonnes of plastic waste in landfill and oceans.

“There is no single solution to the problem of plastic waste – the approach has to be a combination of reducing, reusing and recycling.

“Our method of chemical recy-

cling could allow carbon to be recycled indefinitely - creating a circular economy rather than digging more up from the ground in the form of fossil fuels, or releasing it into the atmosphere as a greenhouse gas.”

So far, the technology has only been demonstrated on a small scale, however collaborators at the University of Birmingham are now working to scale up the system to produce larger quantities of starting chemicals.

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Health New follow-up clinic to offer checks Generous patient funds on physical and mental health £7,500 bladder scanner PATIENTS who have spent time in the Critical Care unit at the Royal United Hospital now have the option of attending a new follow-up clinic which will check on their physical and mental health.

Launched last week, the clinic, one of the first of its kind in the south west, aims to identify any ongoing needs or concerns that patients may have following their stay in the unit.

Patients will be contacted one to two months after they have left Critical Care, to see if they may benefit from attending the clinic.

Appointments will then be offered to patients who have experienced negative effects linked to their admission, such as reduced mobility, loss of independence, changes in mood, nightmares or flashbacks.

Caroline Ficke, Physiotherapy Team Leader, said: “This clinic is all about identifying and meeting the needs of people who have left Critical Care but who still need

both physical and mental support.

“Being admitted to the unit can be a traumatic experience, so we make sure we focus on supporting a patient’s mental health as much as we do their physical rehabilitation.”

Dr Andy Georgiou, Lead Consultant for Critical Care, said: “We know that a lot of patients struggle when they leave the unit and the hospital. They don’t always have access to the support they need. This clinic brings the key support services likely to benefit the patient together in one clinic to support those people who need it the most.”

The clinic is one of the first of its kind in the south west and one of only a few to offer patients access to a consultant, nurse, physiotherapist and psychologist, all of whom specialise in intensive care medicine.

Former Critical Care patient Andrew Forster, 62, was one of the first patients to attend the new

clinic.

He said: “I was in Critical Care for about seven weeks last year.

I’m making good progress but I’m nowhere near back to normal yet and have been suffering with high levels of anxiety and have had trouble sleeping too.

“Visiting the follow-up clinic has been a great help to me.

“I was able to talk with a psychologist, which has been really helpful and had a very positive affect.

“I also met with Caroline and she gave me some exercises to take away with me to help with my rehabilitation – my aim is to get back to playing bowls again as soon as possible!

“People leaving Critical Care can have negative effects which are often compared to PTSD. “This clinic will be really important in helping people like me to recover physically and mentally from the experience.”

The clinic will be run at the RUH initially on a one-year trial.

PATIENTS on the Gastroenterology ward at the Royal United Hospital in Bath are benefitting from a new scanner, thanks to a generous former patient who funded the machine.

Bath resident Liz Daniel spent five weeks on Haygarth ward and wanted to give something back for the care she received.

After speaking to staff to find out what she could do to help benefit patients, she funded a bladder scanner which cost £7,500.

Liz, who suffers from LA Amyloidosis, a very rare and incurable condition said: “The RUH has been there for me on several occasions and my first admission was on to Haygarth ward back in 2000. My most recent stay was last summer. I am so thankful to the nurses on the ward for their wonderful care. I’m sure having

their own bladder scanner will make a huge difference to the staff and patients.”

The scanner, which cost £7,500, uses ultrasound to scan a patient’s bladder to determine its volume, and is a valuable diagnostic tool.

The procedure is painless for the patient and takes only a couple of minutes to complete.

Vanessa Barthez, Medical Nurse Practitioner on Haygarth ward said: “We are so grateful to Liz for this generous gift. Many of our patients need to have their bladders scanned to assess their need for catheter intervention.

“Having our own scanner means that we can get immediate results in a non-invasive way.”

The purchase of the bladder scanner was facilitated by the hospital’s charity, The Forever Friends Appeal.

Will-writing campaign raises over £30k for Forever Friends ACTOR, writer and theatre director Simon Callow has praised the 14 solicitor firms who waived their Will writing fees and donated collectively over £30,000 to the RUH’s charity, The Forever Friends Appeal.

The amount was generated from participation in the charity’s RUH Will Month campaign which Simon helped launch last year.

Simon Callow said: “What a terrific result. It’s so important for all of us to have an up-to-date Will.

“Well done to all those solicitors who gave their services free-of-charge and to the people who signed up to RUH Will Month.

-“The money raised will make a real difference to the care of patients across all wards and departments.”

The fourteen solicitor firms, seven of which are based in Bath, drew up professional Wills for the public at a reduced rate – £100 for a single standard Will and £150 for a standard Mirror Will or Joint Will.

Jan Witt, In Memory and Legacy Officer, The Forever Friends Appeal said: “I’m so grateful to Bath Wills, BLB, Burningham and Brown, Helen Starkie, Mowbray Woodwards, Mogers Drewett and Royds Withy King who participated in RUH Will Month 2019.

“By waiving their fees and passing them on to The Forever Friends Appeal, they have provided vital funds for a number

Prestige Nursing + Care has been providing home care and support to clients and their families since 1945 and is delighted to be able to offer services within the Bath area. of our appeals, including the refurbishment of the Breast Unit, to which it contributed £13,200.

“Thank you also to those members of the public who took part to make 2019 another really successful year.”

Dr Clare Marchand, RUH Respiratory Consultant, who signed up to the scheme said: “My husband and I had been meaning to sort out our Will for a while, as we knew how important it was to do, and taking part in the RUH Will Month finally made it happen!

“We feel much more reassured now we have a Will and we think the RUH Will Month is a fantastic idea and would very much recommend it to others who do not have a Will or their existing one needs updating.”

RUH Will Month will return for its sixth year in September 2020.

Now recruiting for Nurses, Care Assistants and Support Workers.

Offering many great benefits, including holiday pay, free uniforms and a discount scheme. We offer paid training, flexible working options, a local supportive office team and an employee assistance programme.

To find out more, pop in today or call us for more information.

Call us today on 01225 330 966 Prestige Nursing + Care Bath The House, Kelston Park, Kelston, Bath, BA1 9AE

e: bath@prestige-nursing.co.uk www.prestige-nursing.co.uk

Tuesday, 4th February 2020

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New service to allow parents to register their baby’s birth at RUH

Businesses support 2020 Walk of Life event

Carol Heneghan from MJ Church, Matthew Pegler from Savills and Danielle and Nina from Kier

Cindy Aze, County Registrar; Jasmine Bush with baby Chase; Aisling Seal, Interim Ward Manager

PARENTS in Bath and the surrounding area are now able to register their baby’s birth at the Royal United Hospital for the first time.

Staff from Bath & North East Somerset Council’s register office will be available at the RUH’s Mary Ward birth suite on Monday to Thursday mornings to register babies on-site, helping parents to avoid an extra journey at a later date and provide them with the birth certificate straight away.

Until now, only babies in intensive care have been able to be registered on-site, but now the service is open to all babies.

The registrations will be offered on Monday to Thursday mornings from 9.00am to 12.00pm.

Councillor Paul Crossley, cabinet

member for Community Services, said: “Registering a birth is a legal requirement that all parents need to ensure is done within 42 days of their baby’s birth, but often travelling to a register office can be an extra strain at an already tiring time “Our new service will make it easier for parents to get the paperwork done then and there, as well as reduce the number of journeys they have to make with a newborn in tow.

“I hope lots of residents will take advantage of the service and that it makes life easier for them.”

Anyone not wishing to register their baby at the RUH birth suite is still able to register a birth at the Guildhall in Bath or within the council’s Library and Infor-

mation Services at Midsomer Norton or Keynsham by making an appointment.

People who live outside Bath & North East Somerset but had their baby within the district should register their baby at their local register office and their certificate will be posted to them.

Birth certificates cost £11 each and are payable by card.

Contactless payments are not accepted.

RUH Maternity Matron Di Dorrington said: “Any parent with a newborn baby will tell you that making the birth registration process easier is a great idea.

“Being able to do it here and now at the RUH and avoiding tiring journeys into town can only be a benefit.”

THANKS to the continued support from two local businesses, Kier and MJ Church and new sponsors Savills, The Forever Friends Appeal’s Walk of Life event will be taking place again this year.

The event will be raising much-needed funds for the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

The Walk of Life takes place along the Kennet & Avon Canal towpath, with three distances to choose from.

The 26.2-mile walking marathon and 16 mile walks start in Bishops Cannings near Devizes.

The 10-mile walk starts Bradford on Avon (where the 16-mile walk finishes) and joins the marathon walkers all the way to the Holburne Museum in Bath.

Jo Common, Corporate Officer, The Forever Friends Appeal said: “We’re delighted to have the continued support from MJ Church and Kier as they have sponsored the event for several years and we are very pleased to welcome Savills as our new sponsor for 2020.

“The Walk of Life is our biggest fundraising event to organise. Up to 500 people take part and that’s why having sponsors is so important so we can ensure the day is

enjoyable for all of our walkers.

“As well as being our sponsors, these businesses are kindly supporting us with some of the logistics of the event and some of their staff will be volunteering on the day. We also look forward to seeing their own teams take part in our Walk of Life helping to raise more funds for our charity, so we really can’t thank them enough.

“We would love to see more teams sign up from our local business community and take part in our Walk of Life Team Challenge.

“This is a fun team building opportunity for colleagues, clients and suppliers to fundraise together. Places can be booked on our website.”

Last year an incredible £100,000 was raised benefitting a variety of wards and departments at the hospital.

Entry costs £25 per person and everyone who signs up will receive fundraising and training support, a 2020 Walk of Life t-shirt, refreshments along the route and a medal on completion.

For more information about the Walk of Life go to www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk or visit the charity’s Facebook page.

Prestigious award for Royal United Hospital's neonatal unit THE RUH’s Dyson Centre for Neonatal Care is celebrating being awarded Unicef’s prestigious Baby Friendly accreditation, one of only six neonatal units in England and Wales to achieve the accolade.

The accreditation was awarded to the unit in recognition of its work to protect, promote and support breastfeeding while strengthening mother-baby and family relationships.

Unicef’s assessors visited the hospital earlier this month to carry out a two-day inspection of the unit.

They said: “It was clear to the assessment team that parents with a baby on the neonatal unit receive a very high standard of care.

“Parents were overwhelmingly positive about the kind and compassionate care they have received whilst on the unit and the facilities that the Dyson Centre for Neonatal Care is able to provide.

“The staff have demonstrated that

they are creating a culture where the baby and the family are at the centre of everything they do.”

The assessment team also praised the work being done to improve the facilities for parents, including fold-down beds for use beside cots, adjustments to the furniture in the quiet room to make it more inviting for families, the creation of a ‘sitting room’, the provision of a privacy screen and motivational pictures and words from previous families.

Of the mums interviewed by the assessment team, 93% said they were ‘very happy’ with the care from the neonatal unit.

Sarah Goodwin, Quality and Education Neonatal Senior Sister, said: “We are thrilled to receive this accreditation, which reflects all the great work that staff on the unit have achieved.

“In what is the international Year of the Nurse and Midwife, being awarded Baby Friendly accreditation underlines our commitment to providing parents and

Staff from the unit at the RUH celebrating the award

their children with the very best care possible.”

Baby-Friendly Initiative Programme Director Sue Ashmore said: “We are delighted that the

RUH’s Dyson Centre for Neonatal Care has achieved full Baby Friendly status.

“Surveys show us that most mothers want to breastfeed but

don’t always get the support they need. Mothers at the Dyson Centre for Neonatal Care can be confident that staff will provide high standards of care.”

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What's On Full line-up for Bath Festival Finale Weekend is announced THE city of Bath is getting ready to party for two days in May, as an impressive line-up of stars prepare to entertain crowds at the popular Bath Festival Finale Weekend.

Bath Festivals and music promoters Orchard Live have announced that KT Tunstall, Fun Lovin’ Criminals and Seth Lakeman will be among the big names appearing alongside headliners McFly, Scouting for Girls, Billy Ocean and UB40 featuring Ali Campbell and Astro, on the Main Stage at the open-air festival on the Bath Recreation Ground over the bank holiday weekend of 23rd and 24th May. Chart-toppers McFly will top the bill on the Saturday night, having added Bath to their 2020 national tour dates and they will be supported by Scouting for Girls.

Joining them on the Saturday will be Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall, a favourite on the festival scene.

Also playing on Saturday are rising stars solo artists Lauran Hibberd and Josh Gray and a pair of London four-piece outfits Novacub and Childcare.

Dessie Magee with his band, winner of last year’s Bath Introduces competition, and Bath band Luna Lake will take to the Big Top stage.

On Sunday 24th May, legendary reggae band UB40 featuring Ali Campbell and Astro headline.

Ahead of them will be British soul singer Billy Ocean who will be performing some of his classics, such as Caribbean Queen and When the Going Gets Tough.

Acclaimed west-country folk musician Seth Lakeman, who last

played the Finale Weekend in 2018, will bring his band to the main stage for a high energy set.

Adding to the party atmosphere on the Sunday will be BLOCO B samba troupe from Bristol.

The musicians and dancers take part in St Paul Carnival in Bristol, Notting Hill Carnival and the Rio Carnival itself.

New York’s trio Fun Lovin’ Criminals, featuring frontman Huey Morgan, will bring their unique style and sense of fun to Bath Rec. Also on the line-up are solo artists Hannah Grace and Casey Lowry, Wiltshire based indie trio Port Erin and grunge influenced Life in Mono fronted by Sarah Clayton.

Huey Morgan of the Fun Lovin’ Criminals, who is also a BBC Radio 6 Music presenter, now lives in Bath with his family.

He said he is really looking forward to playing to the Bath crowd: “My new hometown gets my first new hometown show!

Can’t wait.”

The west country music scene will be well represented with some of the finest local acts appearing on the Main Stage and in The Big Top, which will feature a combination of local talent and rising stars from across the UK. For the first time at the Finale Weekend, attendees will hear from a young choir made up of students from schools across Bath.

The two-day Finale Weekend is the ideal introduction to the festival experience for the whole family.

The festival takes place over the May bank holiday weekend and at the start of half term and you

Above: The stage at the 2019 festival - Inset: McFly are performing on the Saturday | Photos courtesy of Bath Festivals

can buy tickets for one or two days.

There will also be the chance for solo acts and bands to enter Bath Festivals’ annual Bath Introduces talent competition.

Acts will battle it out in a series of heats to compete for slots playing the main stage during the Finale

Weekend, with the winner receiving the prize of a day’s professional recording at the Real World Studios.

Look out on social media (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @ TBFFinale) for more announcements of acts playing more festival stages and details of how to

enter Bath Introduces.

The Finale Weekend is being supported by sponsors Bath Ales, Novia, Bath BID and Agriframes.

Tickets can be purchased from the Bath Festivals website: www. thebathfestival.org.uk/finale-weekend or by calling Bath Box Office tel: 01225 463362.

Dial M For Murder tours to Bath's Theatre Royal DIAL M For Murder, the definitive seat-gripping drama, tours to the Theatre Royal Bath from Tuesday 11th February to Saturday 15th February in a brand new stage production.

When charismatic and manipulative Tony Wendice, a jaded ex-tennis pro, discovers his wife Margot has been unfaithful, his mind turns to revenge and the pursuit of the ‘perfect crime’.

A blueprint for the modern thriller, Dial M for Murder leaves viewers spellbound as Tony underestimates the power of human error and becomes more and more tangled in a web of his own making.

This brand new production stars TV and stage favourite Tom Chambers (Holby City, Casualty, Waterloo Road, Strictly Come Dancing series six champion) and Sally Bretton (Not Going Out, Death in Paradise, The Office, Green Wing).

Frederick Knott wrote the stage

Tom Chambers and Sally Bretton | Photo © Manuel Harlan

and screenplay for this genre-defining thriller, which was made world-famous by Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic 1954 film.

Now directed by Anthony Banks for a UK-wide tour in 2020, this intense and mesmeric drama is the ultimate masterclass in sus-

pense, guaranteed to leave audiences riveted with its spine-chilling twists and turns.

The cast also features Christopher Harper (Coronation Street, Endeavour) in the dual roles of Captain Lesgate and Inspector Hubbard and Michael Salami

(Hollyoaks, Just A Couple) as Max Halliday, Margot’s American lover.

Tom Chambers plays Tony Wendice. Well known to television viewers for his roles as Sam Strachan in Holby City and Casualty, Max Tyler in Waterloo Road, Clive in Emmerdale and Inspector Sullivan in Father Brown, Tom won the sixth series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2008. He also played DS Steve Moore in The Great Train Robbery and guest starred alongside Nigel Havers in Midsomer Murders this January. He has starred in the West End productions of White Christmas and Top Hat; the UK tour of Crazy For You and the UK tour of Private Lives, which visited the Theatre Royal Bath in 2016.

Sally Bretton, who plays Margot Wendice, is best known on television for her much-loved role as Lucy in BBC comedy series Not Going Out. Amongst her numerous television credits, she also

Tom Chambers as Tony Wendice Photo © Manuel Harlan

played Martha in Death in Paradise, Donna in Ricky Gervais’s The Office, Cat in the BBC series Absolute Power, Mary Hathaway in Blessed and Kim Alabaster in Green Wing. Sally starred as Lady Chiltern in An Ideal Husband in the West End and at the Theatre Royal Bath in 2018.

Dial M For Murder appears at the Theatre Royal from Tuesday 11th February to Saturday 15th February. To book tickets contact the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 or visit www.theatreroyal.org.uk

Tuesday, 4th February 2020

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Review | God of Carnage

Review | John-Luke Roberts: After Me Comes the Flood

Theatre Royal Bath

The Rondo Theatre, Bath

Photo © Natasha Pszenicki

Samantha Spiro as Annette, Elizabeth McGovern as Veronica, Nigel Lindsay as Michael and Simon Paisley Day as Alan in God of Carnage | Photo © Nobby Clark

Translated by Christopher Hampton from its original French, God of Carnage is a comedy considering the behaviour of middle-class parents and the decisions they make. When eleven-year-old Ferdinand hits eleven-year-old Bruno with a stick in a playground punch-up and knocks out two of his teeth, the combatants’ enlightened parents decide to meet to talk things over civilly.

But once the niceties are done

with and the drink starts flowing, it is the parents who turn into spoiled brats.

It is a play full of wit, satire and vitriol. The cast is excellent. Elizabeth McGovern (Veronica) starts out as the perfect hostess who alongside her husband Nigel Lindsay (Michael) has the furthest to fall.

Simon Paisley Day (Alan) and Samantha Spiro (Annette) are the invited parents whose child ap-

pears to be very much “on trial” for a major crime, and between them try to find a path through the chaos.

Much emphasis is placed on the perfection of parenting; it is hard to imagine a child can even exist in the clinically clean apartment.

The looming hanging African spears are foreboding as is the fragile façade of perfection.

Petra Schofield

Coming up this week in Bath Macbeth: The Musical

The Mission Theatre 4th and 6th February, 7.30pm Shakespeare's tragedy like never before - six actors deploy rewritten pop classics, silly comedy and highly questionable props to recount the rise and fall of Scotland's most murdery king.

Gill Hornby on Miss Austen

“After Me Comes the Flood (But in French) drip splosh splash drip BLUBBP BLUBBP…” is the title of the show. It gives some indication of what sort of anarchic chaos might ensue, and it does.

Well, no. Apparent anarchic chaos ensues. In fact, this is a highly-structured piece of what you might call Dadaist comedy.

If indeed there is any genre that John-Luke Roberts belongs to. He is very much a one-off.

In a rollicking show in which he changes character and talks to himself in different voices several times a minute; where he tells you the punchlines of jokes before the jokes, indeed has a screen display of said punchlines as a backdrop to the stage; where he has, for instance, a love-hate

relationship – no really a physical one, kisses tongues and all – with the Nietzschian abyss; well, you have to work hard to keep up.

But that work is worth it (Though it proves too much effort for two of tonight’s audience and they leave, noisily; about which Roberts seamlessly inserts much extra left-field improv, without malice toward the retirees).

For the rest, his mind-bending breadth of comic imagination and his relentless non-stop energy leaves an audience gasping for breath with laughter.

This is a unique trip to the farthest fringes of what comedy can do, and an exhilarating ride for those who are up for it.

Ground-breaking.

John Christopher Wood

On the way in Bath next week

The Realistic Joneses

Woyzeck

Rose for Valentines High Tea

Herschel Museum 6th February - 7th March The play begins in a suburban backyard one bucolic evening where Bob and Jennifer Jones and their new neighbours find they have more in common than their identical homes and last name.

The Rondo Theatre 12th - 15th February, 7.30pm This one act, unfinished play, was discovered after Buchner’s death. Completed by various authors, it is regarded as the first modern play with a working class man as its central character.

Avon Valley Railway 14th February, 2pm Treat that special someone to Afternoon High Tea . Enjoy a welcoming glass of Prosecco followed by a High Tea of finger sandwiches, scones with jam & cream and a selection of dainty cakes.

St Swithin's Church 6th February, 8pm Gill Hornby’s wonderfully original, and emotionally complex novel Miss Austen answers a question that has troubled readers and academics for centuries.

A Toppings Bookshop event.

The Forum 6th February, doors at 7pm Two of the world’s biggest bands Boyzone and Westlife come together, for the very first time, with a full band production show. Featuring Brian McFadden and Keith Duffy.

Boyzlife

Claudia Morris Trio

Half-Term Nature Trails

Beeswax Candle Making

Planet Gazing

Ceramics - Blue and White Pots

The Naughty Fox

Dyrham Park 8th - 9th February, 11am-2pm Create a 17th-century style glow by having a go at making candles, the main source of light in a 17th-century home.

You can learn how to create a candle using beeswax sheets and wicks.

The Herschel Museum 10th February, 5pm-7pm Early evening astronomy to observe the Planets Venus, Mercury, and Uranus at the Herschel Museum. Mercury will be at its Greatest Eastern Elongation.

Free with normal museum admission.

Chapel Arts Centre 15th February, 8pm From her early days as an actress in London, Claudia was spotted for her talent and went on to appear in a number of West End Musicals, subsequently developing a career as a Jazz singer.

The Holburne Museum 15th February, 10.30am Join award-winning artist Jo Taylor for a clay workshop inspired by Grayson Perry and the Holburne’s ceramic collection. Create your own pot, using specialist coiling and sprigging techniques.

Prior Park 15th - 23rd February Nature-themed trails and activities to keep little ones busy. Explore the garden during half term with activities sure to get you interacting with nature and learning about the dams project.

The egg theatre 15th - 17th February Snuggle up with comfy creatures: Honk, Splash and TaWit TaWoo as they teach The Naughty Fox a very important lesson: it’s better to share. A immersive, multisensory journey of friendship.

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Community Creative dance project set to support women affected by cancer

Organisations asked to share their activities

LEADING cancer charity, Penny Brohn UK has teamed up with creative dance project, Move Dance Feel to offer a free fun dance taster session in Bath for women affected by cancer.

The partnership has teamed up with Bath cancer support group, We Get It, to offer a taster session at Walcot House, Walcot Street on 1st March, 11am-1pm.

Move Dance Feel is designed for women with any type of cancer at any stage in their cancer experience – having been diagnosed, undergoing treatment or post-treatment.

Women caring for someone with cancer are also welcome to attend. The session will combine dynamic and creative movement activities with playful opportunities for interaction and quiet reflection; helping women to find freedom in their bodies and confidence in their abilities.

No previous dance experience is necessary as participants will be guided through different tasks

COMMUNITY organisations across Bath that are taking action to tackle the climate and nature emergency are being asked to share their activities in a new online survey.

The survey, which runs until 10th February, has been put together

by Bath & North East Somerset Council to map projects and initiatives that are taking place across the area to respond to the climate and ecological crisis.

The council wants people to tell them about their activities, which might include sustainable travel, education, renewable energy or local food projects.

The results of the survey will help the council to understand how they can help community organisations to collaborate, support each other and share skills.

In March 2019, the council declared a climate emergency and recognised its key leadership role in enabling the community to take action.

Councillor Sarah Warren, joint

and techniques, accessing the holistic benefits of dance.

Research shows that dancing has a number of physical and mental health benefits; including improving fitness levels, boosting confidence and reducing anxiety.

The project is being run by dance artist and Move Dance Feel founder, Emily Jenkins, who has worked within participatory dance for ten years and specialises in the area of Dance and Health. Emily said: “I set up Move Dance Feel to help women affected by cancer to reconnect with their bodies and access group support. The project is centred around artistic practice, where women come together to dance instead of talk about their cancer experience. I’m very excited to be partnering with Penny Brohn UK and We Get It to offer dance courses to women living in the South West. This national development enables Move Dance feel to expand outside of London, helping more women in need.”

Marian Naidoo, Services Director at Penny Brohn UK, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Move Dance Feel to offer creative dance for women affected by cancer. At Penny Brohn UK we recognise that people affected by cancer need more than medicine to live well and empower them to have more control over their health and wellbeing.

“Dancing has been shown to enhance wellbeing through positive emotion and self-expression as well as reducing feelings of isolation through peer support.”

Laura Philips, Founder of We Get It, added: “We Get It are delighted to be working in partnership with Emily Jenkins and Penny Brohn UK to provide a taster Move Dance Feel Workshop in Bath.

“This is a great opportunity to help our community and help people move through dance during or after cancer treatment.

Come along and join us on Sunday 1 March, 11am-1pm at Walcot House.”

cabinet member for Climate Emergency, said: “As a district, we are aiming to be carbon-neutral by 2030, but we cannot achieve this without continued action from our communities.

“Many local organisations are involved in tackling the climate and ecological crisis, either as their main mission or as an indirect result of their main activities.

“We want to capture these valuable contributions to our carbon neutral aim.

“We’re interested to hear from community groups, charities, social enterprises, parish and town councils and faith organisations about their initiatives.

“We want to support and understand what would help them thrive going forward so please fill in the survey.

The Bath & North East Somerset Council survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete and can be found at https://bit. ly/38YdgwX. It closes on 10th February.

Diabetes UK seeks residents for swimming challenge

Bridgemead is a local Christian charity offering residential and nursing care for 32 residents. We have been serving the local community for 27 years.

Needing a break from caring? We offer a Day Club facility Monday to Friday, a chance to socialise over good food and entertainment.

Places are available on request.

Needing a holiday? We offer a respite bed.

This can be booked up to a year in advance.

Currently we are recruiting for a Clinical Lead Nurse and Care Assistants for day and night duty, full and part time to join our friendly team.

Salaries dependant on experience.

There may also be opportunity for some flexible working.

We welcome Volunteers to join the team.

There are a number of ways to become involved, befriending residents, fund raising, making coffee/tea to name but a few.

DIABETES UK is on the lookout for people across Bath and the surrounding area to take on the swimming challenge of the year, Swim22, between 22nd February and 22nd May. Swim22 participants will cover an incredible 22 miles – the equivalent of crossing the English Channel.

People taking on the challenge can swim in their local pool alone or, better still, with family, friends or colleagues.

There are an estimated 4.7 million people living with diabetes in the UK, a condition where there is too much glucose in the blood because the body cannot use it properly.

If not managed well, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can lead to devastating complications, including sight loss,

amputation, kidney failure and stroke.

There is currently no known cure for any type of diabetes.

Phaedra Perry, Diabetes UK South West Regional Head, said: “Swimming is a fantastic way to help you get fit and healthy, have fun and set yourself a challenge.

“Whether you’re an absolute beginner or a seasoned swimmer, our team will be on hand to offer swimming tips and fundraising advice.

“Every length you complete and every pound you raise brings us closer to our vision of a world where diabetes can do no harm. So sign up and make a splash!”

To register, visit www.diabetes.org.uk/ swim22. There is no registration fee and no minimum sponsorship.

Please contact us for more details or an application form on: 01225 484904 or email: pam@bridgecare.org.uk

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Bath Women’s Fund launches grant programme LOCAL organisations are being invited to apply for a £10,000 grant to support work that improves the lives of disadvantaged women and girls living in Bath and North East Somerset.

The Bath Women’s Fund has launched its first grant programme thanks to the collective donations of the pioneering group of women who joined the giving circle in its first year.

The first grant-making theme of ‘Services for Women and Girls’ was chosen through a member vote following an assessment of local needs, informed by Quartet Community Foundation’s Vital Signs research.

Guidance for applicants is available on www.bathwomensfund. org.uk and Expressions of Interest applications are open until 28th February.

Shortlisted organisations will then be invited to submit a full application, which will be assessed to select the final three.

Three organisations will present their projects at a special event in June 2020 when Bath Women’s Fund members can vote for the organisation to be awarded the £10,000 grant.

The other two organisations will receive a £1,000 appreciation award.

Wera Hobhouse, MP for Bath,

Bath MP Wera Hobhouse | Photo © Bath Women’s Fund

said: “Bath Women’s fund is a unique way to give back to our community.

“As a founding member I care deeply about the work that fund does, which is so enriching both to the members of the fund, and the organisations they choose to

work with. Bath is a special place and so it is no surprise that we are leading the way in innovative approaches to giving back.

“This is such a great opportunity and I urge all eligible organisations to apply.”

Bath Women’s Fund is led by vol-

unteers and hosted by St John’s Foundation, so every pound donated by members will be awarded through the grant programmes.

All members who join the fund by the end of April will be able to vote on awarding the first grant.

Future of Peasedown St John's Youth Hub secured THE long-term future of Peasedown St John’s Youth Hub has been secured, with B&NES Council agreeing to lease the building to the Parochial Church Council of St John’s Church in the village.

The lease to the Parochial Church Council will be at a nominal rent for the next 30 years.

The decision will retain the Youth Hub as a community asset and ensure the continued provision of open access positive activities for young people in the village, whilst contributing towards a £500,000 saving from the Youth Connect budget.

The purpose-built facility in Bath Road will now re-open as The Hive Community Centre – run by a group of volunteers from local churches and the community.

Councillor Kevin Guy, cabinet member for Children’s Services, said: “I’m delighted we’ve been able secure the long-term future of this key service in Peasedown St John, which highly valued by the community.

“St John’s Church will continue to provide open access activities for young people, but also has exciting future plans for the building, which will benefit the entire community.

“The church has a very good track record of managing similar projects and the long lease will provide them with the best opportunity to attract funding from outside bodies, invest in the building and make it financially viable.”

Joy Fraser, who chairs the new

Cllr Karen Walker and Cllr Sarah Bevan at the Peasedown St John Youth Hub

steering group that runs The Hive, said: “Our vision is to be the centre for excellence for community activities and events in Peasedown St John and surrounding areas and to be the first choice for those planning activities, events, training and meetings.

“We want to provide a safe environment in which members of the community of Peasedown St John, of all ages, can be encouraged to realise their maximum potential.

“We are extremely grateful to the support we’ve received from across the village and from Bath & North East Somerset Council to help us get this far.”

Following the restructuring of Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Youth Connect Service in 2018, the council held a series of public meetings inviting or-

ganisations to take over the management and delivery of open access youth work in its three Youth Hubs, whilst providing activities for the wider community.

The Riverside Youth Hub has subsequently been leased to Mentoring Plus and the public service mutual Youth Connect has taken over responsibility for the Southside Youth Hub. Under the terms of the lease for the Peasedown St John Youth Hub, St John’s Church will ensure the delivery of accessible, ‘open access’ positive activities for young people aged 13-19, two evenings per week (two hours per evening, 44 weeks per year).

The activities will be designed in conjunction with young people to improve their well-being in line with the local Children and Young People’s plan.

The building will also be used to host a range of activities and events for residents of all ages.

Organisations that already make regular use of the premises will be allowed remain for at least 12 months from the date of the lease agreement and be given three months’ notice of any change in terms.

Peasedown St John Primary School will retain full use of the sports hall and the outside multi-use games area throughout the school day, Monday to Friday during term-time, until it has its own suitable facility.

St John’s Church has set up a dedicated committee to oversee all aspects of running the building, including fundraising, under the auspices of its Parochial Church Council which is a registered charity.

The new management committee is holding an open day at the centre on Saturday 8th February, 10am-1pm, for people to find out what will be on offer at The Hive.

Joy Fraser added: “We want to hear from community groups, businesses and hirers who’d be interested in using the building.

“We have a multitude of rooms and workspaces that meet a variety of needs, not to forget our Art Room, Sports Hall and Outside Sport’s Court.”

The Hive Project has received the backing of all the village’s churches, both ward councillors, the Chair of the Parish Council and a number of charitable trusts who have given financial backing to the new centre.

News in Brief Fire at block of flats deemed deliberate Investigators say the cause of a bin room fire which led to the evacuation of around 20 homes in Bath on Tuesday 21st January is thought to be deliberate.

The alarm was raised at about 11pm at Phoenix House on Northampton Street in Bath.

Firefighters from Bath, Hicks Gate and Kingswood fire stations were mobilised to the scene.

The fire affected the stairwell of the five-storey block of flats causing smoke damage to communal areas.

Fire crews used 10 breathing apparatus for safety, and two high-pressure hose reels and two 45mm jets to extinguish the fire.

Initial advice to residents from Avon Fire & Rescue Service’s Control was to seal doors and move to the window in their flats.

Crews later conducted a controlled evacuation of the building, following smoke logging and multiple calls to the fire service.

Firefighters in breathing apparatus led 25 people from the property, five of which were treated for smoke inhalation at the scene but none were conveyed to hospital. St Mary’s Catholic Church and the British Red Cross assisted by providing shelter to the displaced residents.

CHSW seeks volunteers for Moorland Road shop Children’s Hospice South West, which provides care for children with life-limiting conditions, is calling on people to make the most of their star qualities by volunteering in its Bath charity shop. The shop on Moorland Road in Oldfield Park will be throwing open its doors until 7th February and inviting people to go in and find out more about the different roles on offer, or even try a taster session.

Steph Robey, the charity’s Retail Volunteer Advisor, said: “Volunteering in our charity shops is one of the most popular ways to support the charity and there’s a role to suit everyone.

“There are lots of ways to get involved from creating shop displays and sorting stock, to serving and chatting to customers.”

Charity shop volunteers can choose their hours, gain skills to use for the future and meet likeminded people.

“You can also be part of a happy, friendly team and know that you’re making a difference,” added Steph.

Children’s Hospice South West has more than 30 charity shops across the South West, offering a wide and ever-changing range of goods, including clothes and accessories, household items and multimedia.

They raise money to help the charity support more than 500 children with life-limiting conditions and their families.

To find out more, pop into the charity shop during opening hours and talk to the team or visit www.chsw.org.uk/volunteer.

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Business £1m refurbishment of Garfunkels restaurant allowed on appeal Stephen Sumner

Local Democracy Reporter

THE £1 million revamp of a Bath restaurant has been allowed on appeal.

Council bosses rejected a bid to refurbish Garfunkels amid concerns the impact on the grade II-listed former Empire Hotel would outweigh the benefits.

The Orange Grove venue was set to reopen as a Brunning and Price pub but has been closed since last August after the plans were refused.

Residents living in the flats above the eatery, many of them elderly, had voiced fears the development would create a “mega-bar” and spark a spike in noise and disturbance from rowdy revellers.

Despite securing listed building consent this week, owner The Restaurant Group said Garfunkels would not reopen and it was “still assessing all options”.

The firm runs the Brunning and Price pub chain along with Frankie and Benny’s, Chiquito, Wagamama and others.

It had said in its application: “The refurbishment works are an essential part of the applicant’s strategy to attract custom, to ensure the economic viability of this existing commercial social and leisure facility, and form part of the applicant’s rebranding and refreshment of these premises.

“It is important that the site enhances, updates and improves upon its customer offer and attraction, otherwise the site will

continue to suffer serious detrimental effects on the ability to attract customers, thereby subsequently further affecting sales and viability to the detriment of the continued economic vitality of the unit.”

There are 43 age-restricted flats above Garfunkels, where the average age is reportedly 79.

Representatives from the Empire Owners Association objected to the proposals, saying residents would suffer and there would be no public benefit.

Professor Stan Kolaczkowski, its chairman, previously told councillors when he objected to a licensing application: “This is completely the wrong location to try to change the use from a restaurant into a pub.

“Imagine how you would feel if you were allowing a mega-bar under your home.”

There were seven other objections to the plans.

One said: “Surely the applicants expect more traffic and activity, otherwise why would they plan a £1million investment into an unsuccessful business?

“The proposal which will lead to increased drinkers, noise, disturbance and litter, which is not appropriate below apartments designated for elderly people.

“Given other pubs nearby, there will be a cumulative negative impact on the environment.”

Bath and North East Somerset Council’s decision to refuse planning permission centred on the “intrusive and harmful impact” the proposed bar would have on

The former Garfunkels restaurant in Orange Grove | Photo © Roger Utting / Shutterstock.com

the listed building that officers said would outweigh any benefits.

The Restaurant Group had warned that its appeal was very likely to succeed and would expose the “disproportionate nature of the council’s position”.

Giving his decision after an ap-

Bath Recreation charity to support popular Bath Festival for 2020 THE Bath Festival has said it is delighted to announce support for 2020 from Bath Recreation, the charity which owns the Bath Recreation Ground.

Bath Recreation, formerly known as Bath Recreation Ground Trust, has a long history which goes back to the 19th century.

The body owns and manages the Recreation Ground, the Glasshouse playing fields at Combe Down and Broadmoor Lane orchard and play area in Weston.

Its aim is to provide opportunities for the community to engage in sport and recreation.

In 2018 and 2019, the hugely successful Bath Festival Finale was held on the Recreation Ground, featuring stars including Robert Plant, Midge Ure, Van Morrison, Paloma Faith, Mabel and Clean Bandit.

Bath Recreation chief executive John Flinn, said: “Our relationship with Bath Festivals started two years ago and we are delight-

ed to be supporting their outreach programmes to introduce more people to the joy that the festivals and performing arts can bring to the community.”

Bath Recreation supports a number of other community events including Bike Bath, Bath Carnival, the Bath Half Marathon and the Rotary Club firework display.

Since 2014, it has worked on a sports project with local primary schools which has given more than 3,000 children activities on the Recreation Ground.

The sports programme is managed by Bath Recreation’s staff alongside Bath Cricket Club, AK15 Dance and Bath Rugby Community team.

At the end of each year, a weeklong recreation festival is held for schools.

Ian Stockley, chief executive of Bath Festivals, said: “We’ve had two years of staging The Bath Festival Finale Weekend on the Bath Rec and are now very ex-

cited about broadening our relationship with Bath Recreation in 2020, which involves planning our third weekend on the Rec over the bank holiday weekend 23rd and 24th May. “Their support will also help us grow our night of free music for the community with Party in the City on 15 May and allow us to continue to develop the platforms that give value to the voices of children and young people from Bath and the surrounding area, through our creative learning and outreach programmes.

“We’re very grateful to Bath Recreation for their support as we bring people of all ages together with our festivals and invaluable outreach programmes.”

Tickets for The Bath Festival Finale Weekend on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th May, with headline acts McFly, Scouting for Girls, Billy Ocean and UB40 featuring Ali Campbell and Astro, are on sale now.

peal hearing on 15th January, planning inspector Neil Pope said the bar could “erode the spacious character of the room” but its grand scale would remain.

“Proposed works would preserve the special architectural and historic interest of the former Empire Hotel,” he added.

Mr Pope said he was unable to consider concerns about noise as part of the hearing.

Following the decision, a spokesperson for The Restaurant Group said: “The Garfunkel’s will not be reopening and The Restaurant Group are still assessing all options for the site.”

Media training company relocating to Bath after management buyout AN industry-leading media training consultancy based in Bristol will be moving to Bath after being bought by its principal consultant.

Mentor Media Training has been acquired in a management buyout after 21 years in Upper Kingsdown, by lead consultant/trainer and former BBC and ITV journalist, Dave Mason.

The firm is the UK’s only provider of CPD accredited courses across media, crisis, presentation skills and social media simulation.

It runs courses in Bristol but also works across the UK and internationally for the private, public and charity sectors, as well as Government departments such as the Office for National Statistics.

Mr Mason, who’s been with the firm for five years and is now its Managing Director said: “It’s very

exciting to take ownership of the training arm of Mentor and develop long term partnerships with PR agencies, public and corporate organisations and crisis management firms around the country to bolster our high-quality courses and consultancy.

“Buying the business means that we can offer some exciting new digital training products to test business continuity and organisational resilience.”

Dave was a founder and launch voice of Somerset’s first commercial radio station, Orchard FM in 1989, going on to present and produce programmes at HTV West, BBC Radio 5 and Radio 1, ITV News, and Breakfast TV station, GMTV. More recently he returned as a reporter and producer at ITV News Westcountry in Bristol, before joining Mentor in 2014.

Tuesday, 4th February 2020

New chair appointed at Bath BID

Maeve England, David Hobdey and Allison Herbert, CEO of Bath BID

DAVID Hobdey, Chief Executive of St John’s Foundation, has taken on the role of Chair for the Bath Business Improvement District, the independent company working to help businesses in the city.

David said he is delighted to be taking on the role: “The Bath BID is a not for profit company managing a significant budget to support our city-centre businesses.

“We work closely with a wide cross-section of businesses and interests.

“We have made excellent progress over the last three years under Maeve’s expert chairmanship and I am pleased to be in the role at such an exciting time.”

Maeve England is stepping down as Chair after three years in the role, having overseen a period of

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rapid growth and change.

Maeve, a partner at Mogers Drewett Solicitors and Head of their Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department, remains on the board of the BID. She commented: “Mogers Drewett are excited to have recently relocated to modern offices in the new and developing business quarter of the city.

“Sadly for me, as we are now just outside the current Bath BID area, this has meant that I am stepping down as Chair of the BID. “I have loved my time as Chair and it has been an enormous privilege to have this role in our beautiful, vibrant city and to work with so many unique and interesting businesses.

“I am proud of the work accomplished by the BID team on be-

half of the businesses of Bath.

There has been a host of new initiatives, as well as a continuation of the core services delivering a cleaner, safer and more welcoming environment.”

“David will make a fantastic Chair and we are very lucky to have him.

“I wish him the all the very best and look forward to continuing to work with him and the BID.” The Bath Business Improvement District (BID) is an independent, not-for-profit business-led company working to enable businesses in Bath to succeed.

There are 18 Board Directors guiding the BID, who come from a cross-section of businesses across the city, including retail, hospitality, office, local authority and the leisure sector.

Brewery launches initiative to improve mental health awareness BUTCOMBE Brewery has launched a new initiative aimed at increasing awareness of mental health issues among its team members and customers.

The brewery and pub group, with sites in the south-west and Channel Islands, has joined forces with mental health charity MIND to offer team members the opportunity to complete a mental health awareness course.

The course will enable participants to recognise when team members and customers might be suffering from poor mental, so they can offer support and put them in contact with MIND. Alongside the mental health awareness course, Butcombe Brewery will be launching MIND Mondays – weekly coffee afternoons to encourage people to meet, talk more and enjoy a free coffee or tea every Monday from 3pm – 6pm.

The first event took place on Monday 20th January, to coincide with ‘Blue Monday’, and the initiative will run until the end of February 2020.

Jonathan Lawson, CEO, Liberation Group (Owners of Butcombe Brewery) said: “Mental health

issues are common and likely to affect one in four of us during our lifetimes.

“The pub has long been somewhere where people can see a friendly face and have a chat so we wanted to encourage this even more by launching MIND Mondays to provide a safe haven for those who may need to chat or just be in the company of others.

“Recent studies have shown pubs can act as hubs for some lonely, isolated and vulnerable individuals and that this can make a real difference in their lives.

“At the same time, we have a responsibility to look after over 800 team members across our managed estate so it’s important that this new emphasis on mental health makes a real and genuine impact.”

MIND has offices in Bristol, Jersey and Guernsey and Liberation Group/Butcombe Brewery will be working with them on a regional basis alongside the central offices in London.

Butcombe Brewery sites in and around Bath include The Pig & Fiddle, Broad Street Townhouse, the Quarryman’s Arms and the Methuen Arms.

£28,000 boost for climate crisis projects across the Bath area THE Bath & West Community Energy (BWCE) Fund has awarded £28,370 in funding including to eight organisations which are helping Bath area residents tackle climate change by reducing carbon emissions and addressing fuel poverty.

For the sixth year running, member owned Bath & West Community Energy (BWCE) has given surplus income to the independently run BWCE Fund to support local communities.

BWCE Fund Trustees ask Quartet Community Foundation to administer the grant programme.

The BWCE Fund aims to reduce carbon emissions and in addition the fund also supports projects that raise awareness and encourage behavioural change.

The panel awarded grants to a range of projects including projects encouraging us to reduce waste, such as the Bath Cloth Nappy Library and those improving the outside environment such as Alice Park Community Garden.

Sophie Hooper Lea, Chair of Trus-

tees for the Bath & West Community Energy Fund said: “We are delighted to be funding a really impressive range of projects this year, all of which are helping to tackle the Climate Emergency in their own, unique way. We are really looking forward to watching these projects unfold. As always, we are very grateful to BWCE, a not for profit community benefit society that generates clean, renewable energy and gives surplus income to the BWCE Fund for us to redistribute to local organisations. Since 2015, the BWCE Fund has awarded 58 grants worth over £170,000 through Quartet Community Foundation.”

Claire Wynne Hughes, Philanthropy Executive at Quartet Community Foundation said: “We’re very grateful that BWCE Fund has chosen to work with us and to provide this grant funding to support local communities address the climate emergency. These projects are fantastic examples of the kind of small, local community project that can tackle the big issues that matter to so many of

us.”

Pauline Harris from Family Action on Climate Emergency (FACE), who received a grant, said: “Concern about climate change is growing rapidly, and families want to know what they can do about it. FACE is building a local network of action groups, based around neighbourhoods, schools and other communities, so people of all ages and backgrounds can take collective action to tackle the urgent tasks of reducing carbon emissions and protecting nature.

“This grant will mean we can spread the word even further and provide some great resources to get new groups off the ground.

We would like to say a big thank you from all of us to BWCE and Quartet Community Foundation.”

Community Gardener Carol Stone said: “This grant will really boost our efforts to create an edible food forest in the community garden at Alice Park. We’re keen to encourage growing edible perennials, as a way of reduc-

ing our carbon emissions and, to promote eating more plants in general. We’re excited about choosing suitable edible trees and shrubs that will also benefit wildlife and attract pollinators.

“We’re developing a planting plan of edible plants, and our community volunteers will prepare space ready to receive the new plants in early Spring. This Summer we’ll invite the community to learn about using the produce and to join us for a food feast, so foraging and outdoor cooking will be on the agenda.

“We were particularly touched to learn that our grant was made possible thanks to the generosity of the family of a BWCE member, who made the donation in memory of their loved one.”

The BWCE Fund grant programme for 2019/20 has awarded £28,370 to: • Bath Mind received £2,900 toward the cost of a polytunnel for training and food production.

• Bath Cloth Nappy Library received £4,163 to update and expand the cloth nappy library’s

stock.

• Alice Park Community Garden received £960 for the 'Edible Food Forest'.

• Transition Bath received £4,200 for the cost of a Volunteer Coordinator to train and support volunteer ambassadors for Transition Bath's Energy Sparks programme.

• FACE - Family Action on Climate Emergency received £1,177 for awareness raising activities throughout 2020.

• CHEESE Project - Cold Homes Energy Efficiency Survey Experts received £4,500 to establish a pilot replica project in Bath of the C.H.E.E.S.E. Project.

• Keynsham Community Energy received £2,970 toward the cost of paying the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) to train six local volunteers.

• Kilter Theatre received £3,000 toward workshops in Bath schools that focus on discussions about climate change.

• Merriott Village Hall received £4,500 toward the installation of twenty-six solar panels on the village hall.

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Politics Rise in council tax for owners of long-term empty properties OWNERS of long-term empty properties across Bath and North East Somerset face a hefty rise in council tax from April, with a significant premium planned on top of the normal charge.

Bath & North East Somerset Council is increasing the amount of council tax it charges for properties which have lain empty for more than two years to encourage owners to bring them back into use.

The council currently charges an extra 50% council tax for properties that have been empty and unfurnished for more than two years.

As of Wednesday 1st April 2020, the owner of a property that has been empty and unfurnished for between two and five years will have to pay a 100% premium charge on top of their normal 100% council tax charge.

Owners of homes that have been empty and unoccupied for five years or more, will pay an additional 200% on top of their normal 100% council tax charge.

The council has already sent letters to the owners of more than 200 long-term empty properties informing them of the changes.

Councillor Richard Samuel, cabinet member for Resources, said: “Any empty property is a wasted housing resource, can become a real blight in the community and is a lost financial return to the owner.

“We hope the increase in council tax premium for these long-term empty properties will act as an incentive to the owners to bring them back into use.

“The demand for housing across the district outstrips supply so bringing empty properties back into use will help address this.

“The council offers practical advice and support to bring empty properties back into use and I’d urge the owners of such properties to take advantage of this service.”

The council’s ‘Taking Action on Empty Homes Policy 2018’ sets out the support offered by the Empty Property Officer to help bring empty properties back into use.

As well as practical advice and support, Small Works Grants of up to £500 can also be awarded to cover things like planning pre-application costs, electrical surveys, safety certificates and clearance costs.

VAT reductions and exemptions on contracted works are available as well as Empty Property Loans of up to £30,000.

Properties identified as being of the highest priority are subject to an Action Plan which allow for intensive, tailored help and support to be offered to the owner, the co-ordination of all council services involved with the case, coupled with a clear enforcement strategy where necessary.

Across Bath and North East

B&NES Council is to take action over this property in Leighton Road | Photo © Bath Echo

Somerset, there are currently more than 600 properties that have been empty for more than six months, with more than 200 of them vacant for two years or more. Leaving a property unoccupied isn’t against the law. However, if such a property becomes a nuisance to the local community

or council tax debts are not being repaid and the owner refuses to engage with the council, enforcement action will be taken to bring it back into use.

If you own an empty property and wish to access the support available, contact the Empty Property Officers on 01225 396411 or email

empty_properties@bathnes.gov. uk.

If there is an empty home in your street, you can help the council work to bring it back into use by reporting it via the No-Use-Empty website: http://www.bathnes. gov.uk/services/housing/nouse-empty.

Offices expected to become flats after extension plans refused A BATH office block which could have created 80 new jobs could now be converted into flats.

BEGG Nominees Ltd’s hopes to add an extra storey onto 4-5 Railway Place were dashed amid concerns for the conservation area and the World Heritage Site.

They previously secured permission to turn the building into 21 flats – before tighter controls were brought in – and that scheme could now go ahead.

The agent for the developers told planning committee members on 15th January: “This doesn’t create substantial harm. You have to consider the benefits.

“The increase in grade A floorspace of 990 square metres will create 70 to 80 jobs.”

Until last year, developers could turn offices into housing without the need for a formal planning application.

Bath and North East Somerset Council cracked down after Bath lost lots of office space, but permission was granted to convert 4-5 Railway Place into apartments before those controls came in.

The agent added: “There’s a risk if this application isn’t approved the whole of the office space will come forward as residential – the loss of 3,700sqm.

“Bath consistently fails to attract office occupiers. It’s having a negative effect on the city.

“This will change that. It will encourage sustainable travel.”

Supporting the application, councillor Andy Furse had said: “This office space is vital to continue as employment use, it is in a highly sustainable location and also would go against the council’s objectives for this area of increasing and retaining employment space – the economic benefit of businesses within the city is vital.”

Bath Preservation Trust was among the objectors to the resubmitted plans, saying: “Whilst we support the sustainable principle of refurbishing buildings rather than demolition and rebuilding, in this case the proposed result of refurbishment will introduce a building of unacceptable height, scale, design and materiality into this part of the cityscape.”

Recommending refusal officers

How the extended office block in Railway Place would have looked | Image © BEGG Nominees Limited

said: “The changes proposed in this resubmission are not considered to overcome the negative impact on the setting of the listed buildings, the World Heritage

Site and the conservation area.”

Councillor Eleanor Jackson told her planning committee colleagues: “I don’t see that there’s this huge level of demand for of-

fice space in this location.

“We should go with the officers’ recommendation.”

The committee voted to refuse planning permission.

Tuesday, 4th February 2020

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Critic blasts “major blunder" allowing moorings in Saltford Stephen Sumner

Local Democracy Reporter

LIVE-ABOARD boaters fear it is only a matter of time before an accident happens after “lifeline” moorings are removed from the River Avon in Saltford.

After years of clashes between Mead Lane residents and people in houseboats, council leaders are taking away the two-week and 48-hour moorings amid concerns for the structure of the riverbank.

Boaters claim they will have no choice but to moor in unsafe locations and risk losing their homes.

But villagers said it was a “major blunder” to allow mooring in Mead Lane after a six-figure sum was spent shoring up the riverbank.

Laura Darling, who lives on a boat with her young son, said: “I had to leave the marina because I was pregnant. It feels like there’s nowhere left for me to go.

“This is going to have an impact all along the river. I’m worried about vulnerable people.

“I wouldn’t go on the river at this time of year. The conditions can be scary. More people are going to have to moor further down the river, where it’s more tidal.

“Boats can sink there quite easily.

The moorings at Mead Lane in Saltford | Photo © Stephen Sumner

There’s a possibility of people losing their homes.

“It’s only a matter of time.”

She added: “Until recently the Mead Lane residents said they wanted to get rid of boaters because of antisocial behaviour.

We’ve had a lot of verbal abuse, disgusting things, just because we live on boats.

“All of a sudden they’ve pulled out a structural survey.”

Growing numbers of boaters started using the site after a six-figure sum was spent in 2005 stabilising the riverbank in Mead Lane, sparking complaints about unregulated mooring.

Animosity between residents and boaters escalated in 2017,

when Bath and North East Somerset Council trialled a number of mooring points that allow users to stay for up to 48 hours or as long as two weeks.

Opponents said it was a “failed experiment” that ignored proper processes and residents’ views from the outset.

Saltford Environment Group chairman Phil Harding said details of the 2005 structural works only re-emerged when he was handed documents from a Mead Lane resident in October – and they trumped previous disputes between residents and boaters that saw them trade accusations of prejudice, threats and intimidation.

He said the road, the only access to a sewage treatment plant serving thousands of Bath homes, was at risk of collapse and a sewage pipe could fracture if the damage continued.

Mr Harding added: “The council made a major blunder allowing the moorings. The riverbank was never designed for boats. It wasn’t managed and got out of hand.

“The boaters are in denial if they’re ignoring the facts. You shouldn’t moor boats there.

“The longer you leave it, the more expensive the repairs will be.”

The Saltford Environment Group hopes the riverbank can become

a nature reserve.

The arguments convinced cabinet members. They voted on 16th January to remove the moorings and they are set to go this week.

The council will commission a structural survey of the river bank to allow an “informed decision” on the long term use of the land.

Next year’s budget includes a £35,000 allocation for the survey.

Calling for the moorings to be removed at the cabinet meeting, councillor Paul Crossley said the council must look along the riverbank for alternative sites for boaters and ensure their needs are met.

The authority said it would be putting more information out shortly.

Alice Young, who works in boater outreach for homelessness charity Julian House and lives on a boat herself, said: “It’s important we have conversations about alternative provision soon so we have some assurance about what the options are.

“The challenge historically is that the majority of the River Avon is privately owned. That’s why Mead Lane was such a precious resource.

“The issue will be displaced.”

She said a solution is needed by the spring, because that is when the river will be navigable and people will be on the move.

Council sets out finance framework B&NES council tax to ahead of clean air zone introduction rise by more than £55 A UNIQUE vehicle asset finance framework has been developed

by Bath & North East Somerset Council as it prepares to launch one of the country’s first charging clean air zones (CAZ).

The CAZ will launch in central Bath on 4th November following almost two and a half years of work to introduce a scheme that brings the council in line with nitrogen dioxide (NO2) limits by the government’s 2021 deadline.

To lessen the zone’s impact – and to ensure air quality targets are met – local businesses will be able to apply for financial support in the form of grants and interest-free finance specifically to upgrade polluting vehicles that would otherwise be charged in the zone.

The council is currently inviting tenders from FCA registered finance companies to administer the financial assistance scheme, with the intention of establishing a framework of up to 12 providers that can also be used by other councils setting up a charging CAZ or other forms of road user charging or enforcement schemes.

By participating in the framework, other councils will be able to quickly and cost-effectively add financial support packages to their own schemes, while tailoring the package to their own requirements.

For example, Bath’s class C CAZ

Stephen Sumner

Local Democracy Reporter

The boundary of the proposed Clean Air Zone in Bath

does not include charges for private cars, however the framework agreement has been carefully designed to accommodate the needs of local authorities introducing a class D CAZ. Councillor Richard Samuel, cabinet member for Resources, said: “The council has been involved in ground-breaking work to establish a charging clean air zone which will bring about cleaner air and better health for people, as well as contribute towards our Climate Emergency aims to become carbon neutral by 2030.

“As part of this work, our officers have gone through a lengthy and complex exercise to develop a financial assistance scheme that helps drivers affected by charges to upgrade their vehicles.

“This unique framework will assist other councils if they too adopt clean air zones or similar schemes.

“While our initial focus is on inviting tenders from finance providers to administer Bath’s financial assistance scheme, we’re also interested in hearing from councils that wish to participate in the framework and benefit from the substantial work that’s gone into it.”

The framework was developed with experts in the vehicle asset finance field and meets all local and central government regulations.

Finance providers wishing to tender for the assistance scheme can find out more at: www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk.

THE amount you pay Bath and North East Somerset Council is set to go up by more than £55 in 2020/21.

Authority bosses say they are investing in key priority areas like tackling the climate emergency and delivering more affordable housing.

The biggest single sum in the budget for 2020/21 is the £18.3 million cost of implementing Bath’s clean air zone, and for mitigating the impact it will have on residents and businesses. The council expects central government to fund it in full but as yet that is unconfirmed.

Other big ticket items include: • £2 million to redevelop Bath Studio School to provide local specialist educational provision for children with autism and complex social, emotional mental health needs; • A £300,000 refurb of Bath Central Library • £250,000 to create a centre to house the council’s extensive, internationally significant heritage collections • £640,000 to install CCTV and movable bollards to stop vehicles entering York Street, Lower Borough Walls and Hot Bath Street • £150,000 to improve walking and cycling infrastructure

• £3.9 million to refurbish Cleveland Bridge. Again the council hopes for a Government grant to help fund it.

The projects will be funded by a 3.98 per cent jump in council tax – half of that sum will go on council services, with the rest ringfenced for adult social care.

The average band D property will pay £55.76 more than last year, equivalent to £1.07 extra per week.

As well as increasing council tax the authority also hopes to bring in extra income. Budget papers say it will rent out spare office space to net another £270,000, and it wants to squeeze another £900,000 out of its celebrated museums. Bath’s famous spa waters could net it another £20,000.

The council is planning to make savings totalling £4.8 million by reviewing health and care contracts and changing how it works in several areas.

Councillor Richard Samuel, cabinet member for resources, said: “We look forward to receiving comments from the panel on the new administration’s proposed budget.

“The draft spending plans include major new investment to improve people’s lives through tackling the climate emergency, increasing the availability of affordable housing, developing low traffic neighbourhoods and supporting vulnerable people.

22

Puzzles

Solutions will be shared in our next issue - out on 18/02/2020

Crossword

Across 7 Missing (6) 8 Enormous (8) 9 Type of lights (8) 10 Shrink back (6) 11 Saviour (8) 12 Man (6) 13 Moving to and fro (11) 18 Austrian composer (6) 20 Inspector (8) 22 Light-hearted TV show (6) 23 Person practising deception under an assumed name (8) 24 Forced high notes (8) 25 Tooth covering (6)

Tuesday, 4th February 2020

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Codeword

Down 1 Belly (7) 2 Uneasy (8) 3 Flowing water (6) 4 Yes (3,5) 5 Tapered frozen mass (6) 6 Circumscribed (7) 8 Supreme commander (13) 14 Cosy (8) 15 Abroad (8) 16 Of local interest (7) 17 Regimental commander (7) 19 Charge (6) 21 Small sword (6)

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In Other News....

Public Notices

Regret at loss of birthing unit could help RUH bid Stephen Sumner

Local Democracy Reporter

THE imminent closure of Paulton’s birthing unit cannot be put on hold despite concerns about the impact on expectant parents.

Councillors called for it to stay open until a new maternity unit opens at Bath’s Royal United Hospital in 2022/23 that fits better with where women want to give birth.

They were told that was “not the right thing to do” – but their strength of feeling could help secure the funding needed and get the new facility built sooner.

Councillor Liz Hardman, who represents Paulton, told Bath and North East Somerset Council’s health scrutiny panel meeting on January 28: “The closure means there is far less choice families.

You haven’t listened.

“There’s going to be a gap between this April and 2023 when the new alongside midwifery unit opens at the RUH. “This is regrettable and disappointing. We want to keep equal access.”

The closure of Paulton’s midwife-led birthing unit part of the transformation of maternity services across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire (collectively known as BSW).

Dr Ian Orpen, who chairs the Bath and North East Somerset CCG, said the changes had been unanimously backed by doctors, telling councillors: “You should focus your energies on how to make this better for the community. The overwhelming evidence

is that this is the right thing to do.”

Responding to calls for Paulton’s midwife-led unit to stay open, Dr Orpen reminded councillors that the decision had already been made by the CCGs. He said a previous bid had been unsuccessful, but with the council’s support the CCGs may be able to get the funding for the new midwifery unit at the RUH. Lucy Baker, the director of service delivery at the clinical commissioning groups for Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire (collectively known as BSW), said keeping Paulton’s freestanding midwifery unit open longer was “not the right thing to do”.

She said: “We’ve listened to women. Women in Paulton aren’t choosing to have a baby in Paulton. To keep a site open that only sees three to 10 births a month isn’t sustainable.”

Ms Baker said expectant mums are increasingly choosing to have their babies in hospital rather than community midwifery units like Paulton’s. Their biggest fear is being transferred while they are in labour if a complication does occur.

Ms Baker said so few women

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR GRANT OF PREMISES LICENCE UNDER THE LICENSING ACT 2003 Cappadocia Restaurant (Bath) Limited applied to Bath & North East Somerset Council on 22/01/2020 for a premises licence to use the premises at Cappadocia Restaurant, 4 – 5 New Market Row, Grand Parade, Bath BA2 4AN for the Sale of Alcohol for consumption on and off premises every day from 12:00 – 01:00 the following morning and the provision of Late Night Refreshment every day from 23:00 – 01:00 the following morning.

Representations should be made in writing to: Bath & North East Somerset Council Licensing Services Lewis House, Manvers Street Bath BA1 1JG by 19/02/2020 Representations made will be disclosed in an open meeting should a hearing be necessary.

are choosing to give births at Paulton’s midwife-led unit that the CCGs could no longer justify keeping it open – births are so rare the staff lose vital skills, and they get frustrated constantly having to relocate to where births are happening.

She said that meant women would not lose out when Paulton’s unit closes, even before the new facility at the RUH opens.

The CCGs are staging an engagement event in Paulton on February 6 so residents can help shape what services in the village will look like.

The unit is set to become a “community hub”.

Paulton’s midwife-led unit will close in April, although Frome and Chippenham’s will remain open. Antenatal and postnatal care will still be offered in Paulton.

The CCGs are submitting a funding bid to create a midwifery unit at the RUH that they hope will open in 2022/23. Having it near the obstetric unit will mean doctors are readily available if something goes wrong.

Ms Baker said the funding bid is a top priority for the three CCGs.

It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application and is subject to a fine of any amount on summary conviction for the offence.

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ECHO

Last issue's puzzle solutions Crossword

Across: 4 Elbow, 9 Sunbeam, 10 Alamo, 11 Being, 12 Toughie, 13 Gruff, 14 Rural, 17 Throne, 18 Meteor, 19 Shoe, 20 Abduct, 22 Noggin, 25 Iraq, 26 Scheme, 29 Remote, 30 Isaac, 33 Soaks, 34 Learner, 36 Haifa, 37 Omega, 38 Steeple, 39 Primp.

Down: 1 Asst, 2 Enquired, 3 Mechanic, 4 Ember, 5 Briar, 6 Waggle, 7 Salute, 8 Conference, 15 Ushuaia, 16 Amen, 17 Transistor, 21 Ties, 23 Operates, 24 Grown-ups, 27 Heaven, 28 Mishap, 31 Alibi,

32 Clasp, 35 Reef.

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24

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Sport

Share your sports news for our next edition!

Email sport@bathecho.co.uk or call 01225 585484

Bath Rugby applies to keep stands up for another two years Stephen Sumner

Local Democracy Reporter

BATH Rugby Club has applied to keep its temporary stands up for longer while it tries to build a permanent 18,000-seater stadium on the Rec. The existing structures are due to come down by 30th May but the club wants them to stay up for two more years.

Bath and North East Somerset Council only allowed the stands to be put up for a limited period so a permanent solution can be found.

The club said a legal wrangle with the Charity Commission over ownership of the Rec meant that process had taken longer than expected. Its plans say: “The club’s current planning permissions for temporary facilities expire at the end of this coming season.

“It was hoped that further progress would have been made on the Stadium for Bath before the expiry of the current temporary permissions but the extended Charity Commission process has resulted in delays.

“No changes are planned to the existing site setup.

“These applications, if approved, will allow the club to operate at the Rec as it does presently for another two years.

“This time will allow for Stadium for Bath to submit their full planning application in 2020 and for it to go through the planning process.”

The temporary stands have been in place for 15 years, with the east stand coming down each summer.

The plans say the structures are still essential for Bath Rugby, whose “presence within the city benefits the local economy”.

Bath Rugby Club is drawing up plans for an 18,000-seater stadium with a 550-space car park under a raised pitch with a hybrid surface.

Chief executive Tarquin McDonald told a media briefing in December the new stadium could be in place in time for the 2022/23 season.

Plans for the venue are certain to be closely scrutinised by those concerned for the city’s World Heritage Site status and about the creation of a new car park when the council has declared a climate emergency and is introducing a clean air zone.

The Recreation Ground in Bath | Photo © RogerMechan / Shutterstock.com

England netballer calls on local New functional fitness businesses to get fit for a good cause area opens at Bath Sports & Leisure Centre THE 2019 England Netball Captain Serena Guthrie will be challenging businesses across Bath to get fit for a good cause at a launch event at 6.15pm on 6th February for a new charity fitness initiative hosted by Team Bath.

The Charity Fitness Challenge will take place on 28th March at the University of Bath Sports Training Village and businesses will be invited to put forward teams of three to train for the Fit4Bath event.

Fit4Bath, partnered with the University of Bath, is raising money for Sporting Family Change (SFC), a local charity which supports children and families through sporting activities.

Serena joined SFC last year to work with schools across Bath and North East Somerset, inspiring a new generation of children to make sport an everyday part of their lives.

Serena, Team Member of Sporting Family Change, said: "It's a really exciting opportunity to work collaboratively with Fit4Bath, University of Bath and the Parry Family Charitable Foundation, on a Project that will ulti-

mately have a huge positive impact on many local children and their families in and around the Bath area."

Fit4Bath is the brainchild of local businessman and sports enthusiast Nick Parry. In addition to founding his company Branch Growth, Nick is also a director of the Parry Family Charitable Foundation (PFCF).

The PFCF are supporting Fit4Bath by match-funding monies raised by participating teams up to £8,000.

David Parry, chair of the Parry Family Charitable Foundation said: “We are delighted to be involved in the Fit4Bath project. All

the money raised will be used to help children locally get fitter and healthier and, of course, along the way have lots of fun.

“The challenge to businesses in the Bath area to support this work by entering teams to improve their fitness and well-being is imaginative. Perhaps Fit4Bath will ‘light a fire’ that makes being fit one of the joys we have in life.”

Participating teams will have access to world class sporting facilities at the University’s Sports Training Village as well as support from their own Personal Trainer at Team Bath where over 250 international athletes are based.

BETTER Bath Sports and Leisure Centre has announced the completion of an extension which now gives their customers access to a dedicated functional fitness area of the gym.

The latest investment comes as the management team at the centre collated customer’s feedback.

The gym extension includes brand new kit which includes Kettlebells, Bulgarian Bags, Battle Ropes, Medicine Balls, Sand Bags, Push Up Grips, Plyometric Jump Boxes and Tyres.

The leisure centre is hoping to purchase more equipment in the coming weeks.

The gym has also been reorganised and the fitness team plan to create brand new functional fitness classes on its weekly timetable too.

Barnaby Rich, General Manager at Better, Bath Sports and Leisure Centre said: “We are delighted to have opened our new Function-

Keep an eye out for the next issue of the Bath Echo - due out on Tuesday 18th February 2020

al Training area at Better, Bath Sports and Leisure Centre.

“We have listened to our customers who have expressed a desire for larger free weight and functional training spaces and this development allows to do just that.

“We hope to develop these facilities with more equipment and welcome feedback from our members on what they would like to see.”

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