Bath Echo - Issue 023 - 04/08/2020

ECHO

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Tuesday, 4th August 2020

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Bath Christmas Market cancelled due to COVID-19 Page 3 Council will have to answer “difficult questions” Stephen Sumner

Local Democracy Reporter

THE coronavirus crisis has exposed Bath and North East Somerset Council’s over-reliance on tourism and rental income – and it cannot continue, the authority’s finance chief has said.

Opposition leaders have accused the Liberal Democrat adminis-

tration of a “shocking and irresponsible” failure to plan for the future but councillor Richard Samuel said there was too much uncertainty.

He said he would not develop a recovery plan “built on sand” but the council will have to answer “difficult questions” about which services to cut.

Councillor Paul Myers, who leads the Conservative group, told the full council meeting on 23rd July:

“The response [to calls for longerterm planning] has been that there is too much uncertainty at the present time to plan beyond March.

“I find this attitude shocking and frankly irresponsible as valuable time has been lost and is being lost.

“Given the structural problems we’re facing over parking, heritage and commercial estate income, we need a complete re-

think.

“It’s about time Cllr Samuel actually looked to produce a fiveyear plan instead of just waiting for the Government to bail us out again and again.”

The council initially forecast a £43million hole in its budget.

Earlier this month the Government announced it would compensate a significant portion of the income authorities lose as a...

Continued on page 2

Recycling centre reopens 7 days a week with appointment system P5 Charity set to fill void in funding for vulnerable children services P6 Funding boost to extend Billy Chip homelessness initiative in Bath P10 Cancer patients being urged to attend RUH appointments P12 Get the latest news for Bath 24/7 on our website www.bathecho.co.uk

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Tuesday, 4th August 2020

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Major milestone reached for Bath Quays Bridge

In this issue...

Top Stories

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Community P10 Education P11 Health P12 Business P13 Puzzles

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Politics P15 In Other News

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We are working hard to reintroduce our normal size and the usual parts of this newspaper as soon as we can.

Useful Information The Bath Echo newspaper is produced fortnightly. Thousands of copies are delivered and distributed across the Bath area via our dedicated pick-up points and at cafés, venues, waiting rooms and local libraries.

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A MAJOR milestone has been reached in the construction of the Bath Quays Bridge, the first new crossing point to be installed across the River Avon in Bath for a century.

The final pile for the bridge substructure has been completed, paving the way for the installation of the bridge itself later this year.

Once completed, the 60m long steel bridge will link Bath Quays North and South, Bath & North East Somerset Council’s flagship regeneration project, providing a new route for pedestrians and cyclists and greater connectivity around the city.

501 piles have been installed to date by BAM Construction and their piling specialists Ivor King, Roger Bullivant and Westpile, as part of the Bath Quays scheme forming flood defences, office foundations and bridge substructures.

Laid end to end, some 6.5km of piles have been installed, equivalent to 580 double-decker buses parked in a line. The longest pile installed was 17m deep, and the largest diameter was 750mm.

Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for Housing, Planning, and Economic Development, said: “Installing all the piles needed for the construction of Bath Quays has been a major undertaking and has at times proved challenging.

“We’ve worked hard to minimise the impact on residents and businesses by reducing noise and vibrations, including using cutting edge silent piling methods.

“Now all the piling work for the bridge has been completed

we are just a matter of months away from lifting the new bridge structure into place which is an integral part of the Bath Quays development and will be a significant new landmark in the city.”

Paris-based engineering and architectural consultancy Marc Mimram designed the bridge after winning an international design competition commissioned by the council in 2015 and securing the largest number of votes in a public poll.

The detailed design and engineering checks required for the complex structure involved a number of engineers across the region.

The structure was built in Belgium by steelwork fabricator Victor Buyck.

A number of UK-based contractors took part in the procurement process, but Buyck was appointed in January 2019 because the company presented the best expertise, resources and capacity to make the complex structure to a high quality, offering the best value to the council.

The bridge was shipped to the UK in four sections in May for further pre-assembly works to be undertaken.

Once the foundations are completed, the bridge will be lifted into place by a 600-tonne crane later this year.

Next month, residents will be invited to put forward their suggestions for a name for the bridge.

A panel of nine community representatives will compile a shortlist with the best two submissions being put to a public

Piling at the Bath Quays site | Photo courtesy of B&NES Council

vote. The winning name will be announced by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, construction work on No1 Bath Quays, the first newly built office building in Bath for over 25 years, is well underway with windows and stone facades currently being installed.

Once completed, it will provide 45,000 sq ft of exceptional Grade A office accommodation over five open plan floors with basement parking, cycle storage, showers and lockers.

No1 Bath Quays is now being actively marketed with a number of prospective tenants showing interest, demonstrating the continued demand for premium office space in the city even in challenging times.

The council is currently considering feedback from residents on the detailed design of Bath Quays North before submitting a detailed planning application.

The development will include office space, new homes, a hotel and retail and restaurant units, alongside public areas and a 413 space car park.

All the buildings have been designed to reduce their environmental impact, adapt to climate change and incorporate features that enhance the health and wellbeing of occupiers and the wider community.

The design includes roof terraces, living walls and an urban arboretum together with walkways, cycle routes and cycle parking to encourage people to choose more active and sustainable ways to travel.

Councillor Dine Romero, leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “As we work to recover from the impact of COVID-19 the Bath Quays development will not only provide much needed homes in the heart of the city but will prove crucial in boosting business, skills and job opportunities in Bath and the wider region.”

The Bath Quays development is part-funded by the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership through the Local Growth Fund and administered by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA).

Finance boss will not draw up recovery plan “built on sand” Continued from page 1 result of the lockdown from fees and charges.

B&NES Council is yet to confirm how much it will receive but the funding will not cover the lost £17.5million rental income from its commercial estate.

Councillor Colin Blackburn said complacency is a “recipe for disaster”, adding: “We need a longterm vision to understand the potential changes to car parking revenues as we drive climate emergency changes into transport habits.

“We need to consider that millennials don’t want to look at old stuff, they want experiences and our heritage might not always appeal.

“We need to understand that as a property holder we cannot guarantee income when the world is changing around us and retail especially is being impacted massively.”

He called on the council to draw up a five-year plan but Labour

group leader Robin Moss said there was a risk in taking decisions too early.

Lib Dem councillor Winston Duguid questioned how the council could put together a credible longer-term plan when it did not know what Westminster was planning, saying: “The Government hasn’t even published their plan for this year, let alone next year or the next three years or the next five years – no plan for raising taxes, no plans for cutting expenditure.”

Mr Samuel, the deputy council leader and cabinet member for resources, said: “Opposition councillors clearly don’t know me well enough if they think that I would ignore the clear signals about our finances that the current Covid situation has created.

“I have absolutely no intention of letting the council’s finances run away with itself.

“There is huge uncertainty about current future Government funding intentions for local govern-

The Guildhall in Bath

ment. What I am not going to do is to put a plan to cabinet and then on to council that simply has foundations of sand.

“The council’s over-reliance on commercial income from retail property and tourism related activities cannot continue.

“It is not sustainable and that is the cruel reality of the Covid crisis – it has laid bare our exposure to these issues. I’d like to know from

opposition members – rather than posturing politically about this – which adult social services will they cut, which children’s services will they cut, which kind of services that our community’s value will they cut.

“These are the difficult questions we will have to answer.

“We are going to publish a revised medium-term financial strategy in the autumn.”

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Christmas Market cancelled due to coronavirus FOLLOWING public health advice, the annual Bath Christmas Market will not be taking place this year, Bath & North East Somerset Council has announced.

The event was scheduled to take place between Thursday 26th November and Sunday 13th December.

Kathryn Davis, Chief Executive of Visit Bath, said: “It is disappointing that we cannot hold the Christmas Market this year, but I hope everyone will understand the reason for this decision and the early notice we are giving.

“We fully understand the value of the Bath Christmas Market to the city, but public safety and preventing the spread of Covid-19 has to come first.

“We are pro-actively working with partners across the city to create a Christmas event in Bath that will still support our local economy, but in a way that can be adapted as needed and disperses visitors across the city.

“So there will still be an exciting programme of events in the run up to Christmas. Bath & North East Somerset Council, Visit Bath, Bath BID and Bath Festivals are all working together to create a four week programme which will include dressing the city, music and entertainment, cultural events, street stalls and artisan food; all part of a Christmas celebration for

In the community Finding a teenage friend Francis Luckcock, who lives in Sheffield, is currently writing an autobiography and is seeking help to trace a teenage friend from Bath. Eunice May Payne lived on/ near Wellsway in the 1950s, was a Sunday School teacher at her local Congregational/URC church and worked as a seamstress in a shop on Milsom Street. Francis is keen to make contact with Eunice in order to ask for her help in writing his autobiography. If you have any information that could help Francis, please contact the Editor of the Bath Echo via editor@bathecho.co.uk or call 01225 585484 and a postal address can be provided.

Thanks for the help after I fell off my bike

Inset: Shoppers on Milsom Street | Photo above © Visit Bath

residents and visitors alike and all delivered in a Covid-secure way.” Councillor Dine Romero, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “A great deal of planning has to go into Bath Christmas Market and so a decision had to be taken now.

“We echo the sadness that the market is not happening this year

but welcome the decision to put public health and people’s safety first.

“Thanks need to go to everyone who makes it such a well-run and special festive feature.

“Our message is that Bath is still open, however Christmas will look a little different this year so we can all enjoy it safely and we hope to be back to normal next year and celebrating the 20th Christmas market.”

I'm writing to thank the unknown person or persons who assisted me when I fell off my bike on the Warminster Road by the garage in Monkton Combe on 6th July.

Having knocked myself unconscious I've no recollection of the incident but some 'Good Samaritan' must have found me, called the ambulance and stayed with me until they arrived and took me off to A&E. I am now fully recovered (thanks to wonderful NHS staff too, of course) but belatedly, would like to express my gratitude for their help on that day and just hope that if anything similar ever happens to them (hope not, obviously) they get the same kindness and concern shown to them. Thanks again.

Des Wighton, Monkton Combe

Fortnightly Bath Echo newspaper celebrates first anniversary Sebastian Hawker Editor, Bath Echo

HERE at the Bath Echo, we're celebrating a significant milestone - we've been in print for a whole year!

This may be the very first time you have picked up a copy, or you might be one of our dedicated readers or subscribers - either way, thank you for taking the time to have a read, please enjoy.

Last year, when we were planning the launch of the newspaper, we'd arranged a trial of five issues to see how well received the Bath Echo would be in print - and here we are at issue number 23!

The time has flown by - we're wondering how August 2020 has come around already.

I'd like to extend a huge thanks to our advertisers (who without their support, we wouldn't exist), to our subscribers, and most importantly our staff members, who have worked tirelessly to produce the newspaper every fortnight.

Over the past twelve months, we've published stories that have reached every corner of Bath from our very first issue which highlighted the disruptive Combe Down roadworks to our tenth

last December which saw the Bath Christmas Market receive a prestigious award, right through to today's issue which details the cancellation of this year's event due to the coronavirus pandemic.

We've been privileged to report on stories such as the Duchess of Cornwall opening the RNHRD, through to the refusal of the development plans for the Bath City FC site, and many more.

As experienced by publications across the country, the past year has been tough and like many others, we've suffered from a significant drop in advertising revenue. However, we're pleased to report that we're taking on additional staff and will be doing what we can to secure our future and continue printing the newspaper. As our expansion plans continue, so will this newspaper and a brand new website will be introduced before the end of the year.

With much uncertainty about how the future will pan out with coronavirus and the 'new normal', we'll be working hard to keep reporting on issues that matter to you, and ensuring you're fully informed on everything that's happening across Bath. Thank you again for your continued support, it's much appreciated.

Plus many more issues to come!

All of our front pages so far, up to Issue 23, with plenty more to come!

It only takes a few minutes to apply for this September

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Bath recycling centre reopens seven days a week THE Bath Recycling Centre on Midland Road has resumed a full seven days a week service, on an appointment-only basis for vehicles under five metres in length.

Residents will now be able to select a time slot on any day of the week by visiting https://beta. bathnes.gov.uk/bath-recyclingcentre.

Vans over five metres will not be able to visit Bath Recycling Centre and will be turned away if they try and access the site.

Residents with vehicles over this length can use Keynsham Recycling Centre or book an appointment at the Midsomer Norton site.

All other vans with a permit will be able to visit on any day but they must book a slot.

Keynsham Recycling Centre will be returning to its usual opening hours but will remain on an odd/ even number plate schedule.

Textiles are now being accepted at all recycling centres.

Councillor David Wood, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services and Climate Emergency,

said: “When we reopened Bath Recycling Centre this weekend we promised we would go back to a seven day a week service within two weeks, so I’m pleased we can now do so ahead of schedule.

“Our first weekend of reopening has gone smoothly with enough room for safe social distancing and no traffic congestion caused.

“Enough staff have now returned to work after shielding so we are in a position to reopen fully.

“If your van is over five metres long, please use our Keynsham or Midsomer Norton sites. Thank you once again to residents for bearing with us during this period.”

Bath Recycling Centre is open under the following terms: • Residents make full use of kerbside services including refuse, recycling, garden waste and bulky waste collections.

• Vehicles which have not been booked in will be turned away from the site.

• Proof of booking and residency checks will be carried out.

• Residents will be limited to two bookings in a seven-day period

This week, The Pig is mostly...

Social distancing measures are in place | Photo © B&NES Council

to help maximise the number of households that can access the site.

• Visitors will be required to maintain social distancing and stay 2 metres apart from other users.

• Staff will not be able to assist people unloading their vehicles.

• Only one person should unload each vehicle unless assistance is required for a heavy item. This assistance must be provided by someone who has travelled with you.

• All visitors are expected to act in a courteous manner to staff.

Abuse or violence will not be tolerated, and the site may be temporarily closed if staff feel unsafe.

The number plate system currently used for access to Pixash Lane Recycling Centre will remain in use.

No booking is required here. The normal opening hours are: • Monday to Friday 8am – 4.15pm • Saturday 9am – 3.45pm • Sunday 9am – 1pm

Witnesses sought after person struck with bottle AVON and Somerset Police are appealing for help from the public as part of an investigation into an assault that may have taken place in Bath, but was not reported.

Officers have been made aware of a possible incident, involving somebody being struck with

a bottle, occurring at around 8.30pm in the Royal Crescent area on Monday 15th June.

Police are appealing for the victim, or any witnesses, to contact them to assist with their enquiries.

Three hours later, police attended reports of disorder in the same area. On arrival, officers found

three people who had suffered an injury, of which two men required hospital treatment.

A 20-year-old man suffered a serious facial wound, while a second 20-year-old sustained a shoulder injury. It is believed the two incidents that day may be connected and police are

urging anyone with information to come forward. Officers are asking anyone who witnessed what happened to call 101 and give the call-handler reference 5220130937. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 55111.

They will never ask for your name or trace your call.

Decision on homes delayed amid ecology concerns Stephen Sumner

Local Democracy Reporter

THE fate of a council-led plan for 37 homes in Odd Down will be decided later this month.

Councillors were asked to make an urgent decision last week but said they needed to visit the site off Englishcombe Lane to understand the impact the scheme would have.

Bath and North East Somerset Council’s own conservation, landscape and urban design officers said its plans were not acceptable, while the authority’s ecologist objected in principle because the site is of “county-level importance” due to the presence of tufa flushes, a “vulnerable and increasingly rare habitat”.

The plans also faced opposition from 48 residents concerned about drainage, a loss of privacy and the impact on the green space.

One of them, Danny Groves, told the planning committee on 29th July: “There seems to be a huge disconnect between the council’s positive declarations to preserve ecology and the planning case officer’s summary.

“It doesn’t consider the perma-

nent damage to features that cannot be lifted up and placed in another area. It dismisses them because we need to build more houses.”

The plans propose off-setting the impact on Englishcombe Lane by creating new habitats at another site in Pennyquick Lane.

Representing the council, planning agent Arwel Evans said the mitigation was comprehensive and would boost biodiversity by 65 per cent.

He said: “The scheme is sustainable, attractive and presents benefits to the local area.

“The provision of small houses provides opportunities for local couples and young families to enter the housing market.

“All homes will be fitted with an electric vehicle charging point, solar panel and heated by ground source heat pumps.

“The applicant is looking to upgrade it into the first Passivhaus development in Bath.

How the proposed homes off Englishcombe Lane could look Image © Boyesrees Architects / B&NES Council

“The principle of development is well established.”

The council has allocated the site for 40 houses.

Moorlands ward member Councillor Jess David said: “There’s a fundamental question about whether the scale of development is right for this site if it can’t be delivered without mitigating harm. This has been a field for the last 200 years or so. Any development of 37 homes will make a significant impact on the local area.

I share residents’ concerns about the design.”

Cllr Eleanor Jackson proposed a site visit, saying the committee had not had enough time to digest all the information.

The meeting heard that the council may have to reapply for Homes England funding for additional affordable homes as any delay would prevent the ecological surveys taking place this year.

The committee voted to visit both sites.

REMINDING all piggies that the Eat Out to Help Out scheme – which aims to provide a government-funded boost to the struggling hospitality industry – is in full force right now, and all the way up until 31 August.

Participating restaurants/food establishments will offer customers a 50% discount on food or soft drinks (up to a maximum of £10pp) every Monday-Wednesday.

Take full advantage, Piggies; this is a win-win for all (https:// www.gov.uk/guidance/get-adiscount-with-the-eat-out-tohelp-out-scheme).

THRILLED to see the super-glamorous Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel reopen its doors – yet another positive sign of Bath's comeback! Measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of guests and employees are, of course, firmly in place alongside a new restaurant menu, new weekend yoga sessions (open to both guests and non-guests) and a sparkling selection of reopening offers, one of which allows guests to take the Thermae waters in the privacy of their own rooms (https://www.thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk) DISCOVERING the delights of Popinjays: a brand new, highly imaginative alfresco paradise courtesy of The Bird (Pulteney Road), featuring spacious, lounge-around seating areas, exotic Balinese parasols, stunning cityscape views and fabulously flamboyant touches everywhere, not least of all on the summer-infused cocktail menu (https:// www.thebirdbath.co.uk/popinjays/) WISHING the very best of luck to the head honchos at the helm of a flurry of new ventures that are opening their doors in Bath over the coming months, including new Bath Pub Co hostelry The Moorfields on Third Avenue (near Moorland Road), the swanky Hotel Indigo (South Parade) and brand new owners (with brand new, exciting plans) for The Chequers (Rivers Street).

DIGESTING and discussing the result of the most recent Pig Guide Twitter survey, which 'took the temperature' of how PG Twitter followers feel about eating and drinking out now that lockdown is easing.

When asked if they'll be eating/ drinking out in Bath this week, 38% said definitely yes, 30% said definitely no, 6% said yes, specifically to take advantage of the Eat Out To Help Out scheme, and 25% are still undecided. Got an opinion on the subject? You know where I am!

For more news, views and food-related chat, visit The Pig Guide at www. thepigguide.com and follow The Pig on Twitter @ThePigGuide.

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Tuesday, 4th August 2020

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The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa Bathampton High St rehomes three hedgehogs in garden closed for a month

Beatrix hedgehog at the Royal Crescent Hotel

THE Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa in Bath has permanently rehomed three hedgehogs in their acre of secluded gardens, adding to the wildlife that already enjoys the space.

Jane, Beatrix and Daphne, all of whom have been named after British authors Jane Austen, Beatrix Potter and Daphne Du

Maurier, are now permanent residents at The Royal Crescent Hotel (RCH).

Guests of the hotel will be invited to watch at feeding time and will even be encouraged to get involved.

The hotel’s Marketing Manager, Mary said: “We’re very excited to extend the use of our peace-

ful gardens to Jane, Beatrix and Daphne – our new permanent garden guests.

“Our acre of gardens behind the hotel is already home to many species of birds and a band of excitable squirrels, but there’s plenty of room for the girls, and we cannot wait to introduce them to the famous “RCH Experience”.

Charity to fill funding void for services to help children Stephen Sumner

Local Democracy Reporter

A CHARITY dating back hundreds of years is stepping in to “fill a void” in Bath and North East Somerset Council’s finances.

Despite losing a significant sum from its rental income due to the lockdown, St John’s Foundation is helping to keep services running that change the lives of vulnerable children.

The charity has committed to ensure “that every child under 12 is supported to grow into a healthy, happy and educated member of our community”.

Councillor Kevin Guy, the council’s cabinet member for children’s services, told a scrutiny panel meeting last week: “Covid-19 has had a massive impact on our finances so we’ve had to tighten our belts a bit with regard to certain services, but this administration has promised not to withdraw any preventative services.

“We’ve been working hard with partner organisations including the St John’s Foundation to ensure our frontline services and particularly our preventative services are maintained and, crucially, improved for our most vulnerable children.

“St John’s Foundation has agreed to fill that funding gap. We will be negotiating how they step in to fill that void.

“We will probably look to improve the services with St John’s Foundation.”

Mr Guy said in a statement the council had reviewed the services provided to children and young people and the council funding was set to be reduced for some of them.

He added: “We are working to find some

innovative solutions with partners and St John’s Foundation has agreed in principle to use its resources to benefit vulnerable children in line with its existing funding strategy and in a way which will mitigate the reductions the council is having to make.”

Like the council, St John’s Foundation is a major landlord in Bath, so the lockdown has hit its income from rental and commercial properties.

Despite this impact, a spokesperson for the charity said: “The knock-on effect of the pandemic has been devastating; we are simply one of many organisations in Bath and North East Somerset that have been collaborating with the council and looking at how we might best respond to help with the situation it finds itself in.

“We are offering support to those areas, not part of the council’s statutory services, that we had already identified as being closely aligned to the aims of our Foundation Fund ‘where every child under 12 is supported to grow into a healthy, happy and educated member of our community’. This support has been formalised with relevant providers and forms part of St John’s wider work within BaNES to support its recently-launched Foundation Fund.

“This funding will seek to enhance the local service offering for children and young people, and help to offset any impact on services that have directly resulted from Covid-19.”

David Hobdey, the charity’s chief executive, said: “St John’s is pleased to be able to work with the council and to support these vital services which help change the lives of vulnerable children.”

A MONTH-LONG closure of Bathampton High Street is underway, while substantial work to repair highway drains is carried out by Bath & North East Somerset Council.

Standing water is currently unable to drain away and is damaging the road surface making it unsafe for vehicles, so the drains need to be dug out and repaired before the road is resurfaced.

As Bathampton High Street is narrow, a full closure is required between the junction of The Normans to Dark Lane.

A signed diversion route for through traffic is in place via London Road and Cleveland Bridge.

Pedestrians will be able to safely use the route at all times.

More than 150 residents were sent letters from the council in June to notify them of the closure.

Councillor Neil Butters, joint cabinet member for Transport Services, said: “These essential repairs will stop the road surface breaking up from regular periods of standing water and becoming hazardous.

“Once resurfaced, drivers will see a big improvement in quality and the road will be quieter for residents living nearby.

“We are pleased to be in a posi-

tion to complete the works during August ahead of schools returning in September.

“We have been co-operating in advance with Bathampton Primary School to ensure that our works don’t impact on their own building works during the summer holidays and that vehicles can access their site when needed. We apologise for any inconvenience the road closure will cause but we trust residents and business owners understand this essential work will make sure the road is safe for all road users.”

Bathavon North ward Councillor Kevin Guy commented: “We’ve worked hard with B&NES engineers to minimise the impact of this work, in line with residents’ wishes. This drainage work is absolutely essential, and we were pleased to be able to secure full resurfacing to be carried out over the same period to minimise disruption. On completion, new and clearer road markings will be painted. These will be especially beneficial for the amazing 79% of Bathampton Primary pupils who usually walk or cycle to get to school. We hope that this will make their journeys safer and that they will be able to return to school in September.”

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Over 1,600 people sign petition calling for halt to rollout of 5G Stephen Sumner

Local Democracy Reporter

MORE than 1,600 people have signed a petition calling on Bath and North East Somerset Council to halt the rollout of 5G. They claim the technology is untested and unnecessary, and could harm public health.

Despite getting enough signatures to trigger a debate by the council, leader Dine Romero said it was national government that needed to be persuaded.

Fiona Williams, who started the petition, told the full council meeting on July 23: “Nobody has been consulted about this rollout and no risk assessments have been carried out.

“There will be differences of opinion about 5G’s health effects, but what is clear is that there has been no safety testing, therefore there is no certainty that this technology is safe.

“This is all part of a wider agenda to use AI and robotics which ultimately threaten a core aspect of our humanity, the right to freedom and to privacy.

“With thousands of peer-re-

5G transmitters are being installed across the country

viewed studies pointing to biological harm from 4G wi-fi as well as 5G, with electrically sensitive people experiencing real physical effects, we’re asking you to adopt a precautionary approach and do the right thing by your constituents.”

5G technology is billed as offering faster mobile broadband connections with good quality connections.

Telecoms company EE insists it is safe, is very similar to 2G, 3G and 4G, the previous generations of mobile broadband, and will be rolled out under strict guidelines.

Studies from the World Health Organisation, Public Health England and the UK Health Protection Agency have all shown that 5G is not harmful to health.

But Ms Williams’ petition said there were health risks to chil-

Ecological Emergency declared to help protect wildlife and habitats BATH & North East Somerset Council has declared an Ecological Emergency in response to the escalating threat to wildlife and ecosystems.

The declaration recognises the essential role nature plays in society and the economy and provides a statement of intent to protect wildlife and habitats, enabling residents to benefit from a green, nature rich environment.

It builds on the council’s declaration of a Climate Emergency last March, and recognises that the two threats, caused by the over-exploitation of the earth’s resources and poor land management, are having a devastating impact on the planet and wellbeing.

Councillor Sarah Warren, joint cabinet member for Climate Emergency, said: “I’m delighted the council unanimously backed the motion to declare an Ecological Emergency.

“It is a sobering thought that 15% of the UK’s wildlife is now at risk of extinction. This is largely a result of a critical decline in biodiversity: the loss of habitats and the connectivity of habitats; the decline in pollinators that are crucial to food supply and a decline in the health and quality of soil.

“We must address these issues. We’re already making a difference, for example through the promotion of grassland habitat diversity and additional tree planting, but there’s much more work to do.”

Since declaring a Climate Emergency in March 2019, the

Cllr Kevin Guy & Cllr Sarah Warren pictured at Charmy Down

council has provided leadership to enable Bath and North East Somerset to meet the challenging target of becoming carbon neutral within a decade.

In a statement, B&NES Council said: “Addressing the Climate Emergency shapes everything the council does and tackling the Ecological Emergency will now form part of that commitment”.

Bath and North East Somerset already has a long and strong history of positive work on biodiversity, landscape and ecology, including a range of strategies, partnerships and projects, both at local and West of England level that are delivering action related to the Ecological Emergency. The council will now look at what further steps can be taken as it draws up an Ecological Emergency Action Plan.

In declaring an Ecological Emergency, the council has made a number of commitments, including: • Working with partners locally and regionally to drive coordinated leadership and collaborative action.

• Resisting the destruction of habitats through planning policy and development management.

• Reviewing the Bath and North East Somerset Green Infrastructure Strategy.

• Identifying appropriate areas for habitat restoration.

• Continuing to collaborate with communities, businesses and other organisations, existing networks and partnerships, schools, colleges and universities, to improve ecological literacy and encourage greater biodiversity, tree-planting and management.

dren, pregnant women and the elderly or those with chronic illness, and could harm wildlife including birds and bees.

Vanessa Williams Grey, another public speaker at the meeting, said: “We’re in the midst of a global pandemic and as a local mother I believe that unless we act swiftly the negative impacts of 5G technology will trigger a similar health crisis.

“The council has a duty of care to all of its citizens and liability for public health but surely above all a responsibility to its most vulnerable, including future generations.”

She said the radiation could cause cancer, sleep disorders, cognitive impairment, dementia and infertility.

Paul McLachlan, who said electrical hypersensitivity causes him anxiety and poor sleep, said: “What is all this radiation actually doing to all of us?

“After Bath announced that 5G will be introduced in the city I want to make the council aware of the pain this will cause so many people. It affects us all in the long term, our children especially.

“As a family living in Bath, we do not consent to this rollout.”

Councillor Romero said the council would not debate the issue as members would only be able to give their opinions.

She suggested that the opponents of 5G wrote to their MPs and the Prime Minister as it Government that needs to be persuaded to halt the rollout.

Cabinet members will respond to the specific points made in the petition.

PCC welcomes £400k investment to improve local communities AVON and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Sue Mountstevens has welcomed £400,000 of additional funding to build safer and stronger communities by preventing crime.

The additional investment from the Home Office Safer Streets Fund will be put towards measures proven to cut crimes that continue to blight communities, leave residents feeling unsafe, and cause distress to victims.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) used a robust model to determine local hotspots for burglary and decipher the causes of this crime.

By listening to community feedback, police intelligence and ‘What Works’ research the OPCC proposed an intensive strategy to deter burglary and prevent crime.

Following a review of the strategy, the OPCC was allocated this additional investment to combat crime in these hotspot areas.

Welcoming the news, PCC Sue Mountstevens said: “I’m delighted that the Home Office recognised the value of our bid and I want to say thank you to my commissioning team who worked hard to secure this investment.

“The extra funding will be put towards deterring residential burglary and acquisitive crimes such as theft.

“We will continue to work with our partners to effectively cut crime such as burglary and theft in the areas that need it most.

“This extra funding will ensure that we can continue to support and strengthen our local communities to ensure everyone in Avon and Somerset is safe and feels safe.”

Avon and Somerset is one of 35 areas across the country to benefit from more than £22million investment.

Crime and Policing Minister Kit Malthouse said: “Persistent street crime and burglary have a corrosive effect on a neighbourhood, leaving people apprehensive about leaving their homes and afraid of what they might encounter when they return. But simple modifications like better street lighting or CCTV can do a lot to prevent crime.

“So alongside more focussed thief-taking by the police, these projects should have a big impact on the communities hardest hit by burglars, robbers and villains in general.”

The project will be completed by 31st March 2021 and its success will be measured by how well the additional provisions reduce levels of acquisitive crime.

A rigorous evaluation will be undertaken to assess the impact of the measures proposed following implementation.

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Bike Bath team launch new event to encourage walking BREATHING Space, the Bathbased team behind the popular Bike Bath cycling event, has announced the launch of a brand new challenge this autumn.

The Bath Marches will take place on Saturday 3rd October 2020, starting and finishing in Bath and comprising of 2 challenge walks or “Marches” of 9 or 15 miles.

The routes will follow established footpaths, with the terrain presenting plenty of ups and downs, and good levels of fitness will be required by all those taking part.

Along the routes, local, natural, and military history will be featured on display boards, and the support team will manage optional “Team Challenges” for groups at checkpoints.

The event aims to appeal to locals and visitors of all ages and abilities, including groups of friends or individuals, serving or former services personnel, corporate and school teams.

The organisers hope to see a mix of “Marchers” on the day.

Richard Best of Breathing Space, one of the team behind The Bath Marches said: “As a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, many people across the country have been spending more time being active outside – with walking and cycling more popular than ever.

“The Marches will be a great event for those looking for an incentive to maintain their (or their family’s) active lifestyles and take part in a new challenge in the South West.

“Our Bike Bath event, which was sadly cancelled this year, has seen over 12,000 cyclists join us in the city over the years, so we know the appeal of mass participation events.

“My colleague, Darroch Davidson – also a former Army Officer – and I have shared the idea with a wide range of stakeholders in the region including, local schools, businesses, the universities, our respective military networks and those who live close to the routes and have been really encouraged by the positive response that we have had.”

A number of organisations have committed to support the event, including Mardan Storage and Removals, MARCOM, Bath Recreation, Spilsbury Illustration, Maple scaffolding and Wild, Swim, Bike, Run. More details can be found at www.bathmarches.co.uk.

Historic barrel organ returns from Bath’s twin city of Alkmaar A HISTORIC barrel organ, last seen on the streets of Bath in 1945, has returned from the city’s twin, Alkmaar in the Netherlands, to mark 75 years of friendship between the two communities.

The barrel organ was used to publicise a public fundraising appeal launched in Bath to help children in the Dutch city who had been badly affected by the events of the Second World War. The instrument was wheeled around Bath, including around the football pitch at Bath City FC, by volunteers including the city’s Rotary Club and local Air Raid Wardens.

After the War, as a way of saying thank you, the people of Alkmaar invited children from Bath to have a holiday in Holland, and a new civic international friendship began to be built.

The barrel organ was presented to the Mayor of Alkmaar in 1946 as a permanent reminder of the link between the two cities, and has remained on display in the Dutch City hall ever since.

The Mayor of Bath, Councillor Manda Rigby, said: “The link between Bath and Alkmaar came about at a time of great hardship and sadness, but this little instrument encapsulates how people can overcome even the most terrible circumstances, and turn something bad into

Inset: The barrel organ being used in 1945 Photo courtesy of the Bath-Alkmaar Twinning Association

something wonderful and lifeaffirming.

“We are thrilled to have the chance to host the barrel organ here in Bath to commemorate and celebrate our links.”

Chairman of the Bath-Alkmaar Twinning Association, Chris Davies, added: “In one way this is a very modest instrument, just a small, slightly battered, out-of tune piano.

“But it’s also a priceless artefact from Bath’s recent social history.

We hope its loan to Bath, by kind permission of the Mayor of Alkmaar, will increase awareness and interest in the moving and dramatic story behind our link, and help stimulate new

friendships with our neighbours across the North Sea in the Netherlands.”

While in Bath, the barrel organ, which is now over 100 years old, will be repaired and re-tuned by specialist restorers, Deans Organs of Whitchurch, who are based just outside of Bristol.

The ten tunes played by small metal pins on the large wooden barrel inside the instrument, will be recorded and posted online.

The barrel organ will then be put on public display in the Bath Guildhall reception area until next summer, when it will return to its permanent home, on display in Alkmaar.

Richard continued: “We welcome the involvement of all charities but are particularly grateful to the Royal Navy and Royal Marine Charity, the ABF, Soldiers’ Charity and The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund who are promoting the event to their networks across the region and

beyond. We hope that those planning to take part in October now start to increase their walking, get themselves fitter and encourage friends, family and work colleagues to do the same.

“We hope that the “Marcher’s Medal” awarded to all finishers will be something to cherish!”

Bath's Visitor Information Centre permanently closed VISIT Bath has announced the permanent closure of the Visitor Information Centre on Terrace Walk, saying the service has become unsustainable after operating at a loss for a number of years.

The centre, which was officially opened in 2018, closed in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Visit Bath says that despite technically being able to open, the cost of operation, the impact of social distancing requirements to keep staff and customers safe, and the absence of many international markets has meant that the centre is no longer economically viable to operate.

Although busy, the service has been losing money consistently and had been operating at a loss for a number of years.

With the tourism economy predicted to take at least 4 years to return to pre-COVID levels, the additional financial risk involved in opening the centre with lower visitor numbers anticipated in the short to medium term would put further huge financial pressures on the overall Visit Bath business.

The centre, in Bridgwater House, had provided leaflets and information to visitors, selling a small range of souvenirs and tickets for local tours and attractions, as well as being home to the Bath Box Office.

Visit Bath has said it will now focus on marketing and developing business for the tourism economy, both with consumer and

trade activity planned to maximise future visits.

This will include development of digital campaigns, media visits and engagement with international travel trade.

This work will continue while the development of the new regional partnership is ongoing.

In a statement, Visit Bath said: “We will also be continuing our work for Christmas and more information about this will be available later this week.”

Bath is the latest heritage city to close its Visitor Information Centre, with Oxford announcing its VIC closure in June, and other destinations are understood to be currently reviewing services.

Speaking about the permanent closure, Kathryn Davis, Chief Executive of Visit Bath said: “It was a very difficult decision to close the Visitor Information Centre, however had we not done so, then the impact on the whole business could have been devastating.

“It is particularly heartbreaking to lose the staff who have had years of experience welcoming visitors to Bath, providing a professional service. Sadly, with the cost of operation being so much higher than the income generated, we have had no choice but to close the service permanently. Other options to continue the service were explored, but we have not been able to find a solution in the necessary time frame.”

Discussions are ongoing regarding the Bath Box Office and an update will be announced soon.

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Community SouthGate Bath donates hundreds of children’s books to families SOUTHGATE Bath has gifted bundles of popular children’s books and engaging activity booklets to The Genesis Trust to support families in need during the coronavirus pandemic.

300 children’s books have been shared with local families, including Gargantis by Thomas Taylor and Guess How Much I Love You

by Sam McBratney, along with free activity booklets filled with fun and educational worksheets based on familiar fictional characters such as Alex Rider, Judy Moody and Maisy Mouse.

Grainne Moher, from The Genesis Trust, said: “It’s great to be able to offer our families the books and activity books, particularly now with so many children home from school.

“This has really meant a lot to us and we know just how much of a difference they will make to children in our local area.”

This new initiative is led by SouthGate Bath’s co-owner, British Land, and the National Literacy Trust.

It follows a long-running partnership to help encourage children to enjoy reading outside of the classroom and to provide them with the resources to do so.

Recent research from the National Literacy Trust reveals that children who own their own books are happier, yet 1 in 11 children and young people in the UK don’t

have a book of their own at home.

With many children not attending school due to COVID-19, the project aims to help tackle the problem and give local families brand-new books and educational materials.

Guy Henderson, centre director at SouthGate Bath, added: “Encouraging children to love to read and giving them access to their own books is so important, especially at this particularly difficult time.

“We’re really pleased to be able to continue to work with the National Literacy Trust to support amazing local organisations like The Genesis Trust.”

As part of British Land’s partner-

ship with the National Literacy Trust, families in Bath also have free access to virtual storytelling sessions which support children’s listening and creative skills and help to spark a love of stories.

The ‘Young Readers Story Club’ videos feature professional storytellers sharing different stories each week, including award-winning children’s poet Dominic Berry and the storyteller Amanda Edmiston.

Local schools have been given exclusive ‘first look’ access to the videos before they are made available for local families to view on the National Literacy Trust’s Family Zone website.

Jonathan Douglas, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust, said: “Books have the power to enrich children’s lives – they fuel imaginations, help children learn new things and support mental wellbeing.

“Yet hundreds of thousands of children across the UK are missing out on these benefits at a time when they need them most, simply because they don’t have a book of their own.

“By bringing the magical world of stories into children’s homes through brand new books, activity booklets and incredible storytelling videos, this initiative will provide much needed inspiration and comfort during a time of uncertainty.”

Curo grant to extend Billy Chip homelessness initiative BILLY Chip, a local initiative that enables homeless people to get a hot drink and a warm welcome in local cafes or shops has received a boost thanks to a £1,500 grant from housing association Curo.

The ‘Billy Chip’ token can be given to any homeless person instead of money. The recipient can redeem The Billy Chip in any participating outlet for a drink and food.

Billy Chips can be bought for £2 at any participating retail outlet.

The grant was made from Curo’s Community Funding Pot, a fund provided by Travis Perkins Managed Services and other Curo suppliers.

Curo Resident Engagement Manager Tom Box said: “The Billy Chip initiative is a brilliant idea and we’re so pleased to be supporting this social enterprise.

“We hope this extra money will make it possible for more businesses in and around Bath to start accepting and selling Billy Chips as the lockdown eases, providing homeless people with somewhere welcoming where they can ask for a cuppa or a bite to eat and be treated with respect and humanity.”

Billy Chip co-founder Jon Hope said: “We already have around

Curo Resident Engagement Manager Tom Box with co-founders Jon Hope and Meg Abernethy-Hope

eight retailers on board in Bath, and we really want to get more to join in.

“The way Billy Chip works, retailers aren’t out of pocket but that means we need money to get new retailers started with a supply of Billy Chips.

“This £1,500 will go a long way towards helping to expand this network of support for homeless people in Bath and beyond.”

The tokens are named after Bristol ambulance driver Billy Abernethy-Hope who first thought up the concept of the Billy Chip.

Tragically, Billy died whilst backpacking in Thailand.

His father Jon and sister Meg set up the Billy Chip initiative as a social enterprise in his memory.

£500,000 funding boost Popular fundraising walk goes to benefit various virtual in aid of RUH community projects COMMUNITY wardens, improved pedestrian safety and better support for young people are among the projects in Bath to share a £500,000 funding boost announced by B&NES Council.

The Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) helps fund community improvement schemes such as schools, transport links, open spaces and recreational facilities.

More than £500,000 shared between five new projects has been approved by council leader, Councillor Dine Romero, from the latest round of funding.

The projects sharing the funding boost are: • £125,000 towards the installation of a new pedestrian crossing at Ensleigh to improve road safety at a new residential development.

• £123,215 towards the cost of road improvements to support the new pavilion and sports facil-

ities at Glasshouse.

• £80,000 towards the build costs for a new rotunda to offer wellbeing and community space at Newbridge School.

• £105,000 to fund two community wardens in Bath from September 2020 – September 2023 to support communities which have seen a high level of student accommodation delivered to the local area. £89,638 to fund a youth service to serve the areas of Southdown and Whiteway in Bath from April 2020 – April 2023.

Leader of B&NES Council, Councillor Dine Romero said: “These projects are fantastic examples of how CIL money is enabling improvements to our communities and making a real difference to people’s lives.

“I’m very pleased to approve the funding which will support local development of these areas of Bath and I look forward to seeing the schemes in action.”

THE RUH charity The Forever Friends Appeal is calling on its supporters to sign up and take part in a virtual walking event called My Walk of Life Marathon.

The event will take place throughout September and aims to raise much-needed funds for the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

Like many organisations, the charity has postponed and moved some of its events online because of the timing of the pandemic, social distancing and the strict restrictions on mass gatherings. The virtual event will replace the charity’s annual Walk of Life flagship fundraiser, which couldn’t be staged this year.

Laura Pearce, Events & Community Manager, The Forever Friends Appeal said: “We have missed seeing our supporters take to the canal path this year but we hope by changing our physical walk to a virtual event instead, everyone taking part will feel connected, even though we can’t be together.

“It’s completely up to you how you decide to complete the 26.2 mile challenge, it’s your walk, and you can do it your way over 30 days. Take this opportunity to get out and discover the great outdoors or tot up your miles in your own home or garden – just ensure you comply with the social distancing rules.

“This event is interactive as when you sign up you create your fundraising page and set your target.

“You will then be able to share your page with friends, family and colleagues and see the other participants’ progress. You can also log your miles or track them by linking to Strava. By taking part in this challenge you will be helping us provide the rapid funding needed to support our staff, patients and their families.

“If you cherish our NHS you can make a difference locally by signing up and taking part in My Walk of Life Marathon.”

For 13 years the charity’s muchloved annual Walk of Life has seen thousands of people from

all over Bath, Wiltshire and Swindon take to the towpath between Bishop Cannings and Bath to complete a sponsored walk, raising money for major campaigns and wards and departments at the RUH. With this year being so different for everyone, continued support for The Forever Friends Appeal will mean that the charity will be able to help transform patient care by providing additional funding for the hospital’s wards and departments and towards its major campaigns and appeals such as the Dyson Cancer Centre and Speech and Language Therapy Appeal.

Participants can also choose to donate their sponsorship to a particular ward if they wish.

If you would like to make your steps count for RUH staff and patients, sign up to the My Walk of Life Marathon today.

Registration is free and if you raise £100 by 30th September, you will receive a medal. Sign up at: www. mywalkoflifemarathon.co.uk.

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Education Over 200 bags of clothes and kitchen equipment donated STUDENTS across Bath have donated over 200 bags of clothes and kitchen equipment to local charities during their end of term move-out.

Bath Rugby Foundation is one of the charities that is benefiting from donated clothes, supporting its work to improve the lives of children and young people in the region.

The Foundation is running a Summer Break Out programme to help children, teens and young adults as part of Bath’s recovery from the Covid-19 lockdown.

The donated clothes will help the older participants to take part in employability sessions.

“This is a great example of young adults supporting people their own age who have had a tough time, through no fault of their own,” said Dan Hine, Bath Rugby Foundation’s Delivery Officer.

“These donations will help change the lives of young people here in Bath. Hopefully we will see lots of young people wearing these clothes as they head off to

successful job interviews.”

For the month of June, the Student Community Partnership (made up of Bath Spa University, University of Bath, Bath College, their Students’ Unions, Norland College and Bath and North East Somerset Council) worked with Bath’s Third Sector Group (3SG) to offer two drop-off locations for student donations: Oldfield Park Baptist Church, and Bath City Football Club (BCFC), where a team of volunteers collected and stored the donations.

Joy Saunders, BCFC’s Community Director, said: “BCFC are thrilled to partner with the universities to enable the redistribution of no longer needed equipment to local charities.

“We are proud to have so many students involved in our Twerton Park community and this project was an excellent initiative to work together in giving back to the wider community, during some quite unprecedented times.

“We remain impressed with the contribution students make to

£100,000 investment in classrooms and equipment at school LANSDOWN Park Rush Hill Academy has celebrated a £100,000 investment by B&NES Council to improve classrooms and equipment.

The school was officially opened in January 2019 to educate and improve the life chances of young people from the Bath area who have been excluded from their secondary school, or are at risk of exclusion.

Based in the former Bath Community College, the academy, run by Learn@ Multi-Academy Trust (MAT), now has an additional and renovated wing and improved outdoor spaces for sport and conversation.

Renovations include two light and airy classrooms, a library and study area, indoor activity space for sport and new student toilets.

Learn@ MAT is aiming for zero exclusions from its schools, so has developed nurture rooms for students to have quiet space to communicate freely and in confidence.

This helps staff understand their needs so they can remove barriers to learning and boost emotional development.

Cllr Kevin Guy joined staff and students on 16th July to tour the new classrooms and hear about how 25 students successfully returned to mainstream schools this year and the destinations of other students to study animal

care, barbering, mechanics and childcare.

Lansdown Park Academy Rush Hill has places for up to 20 students, from Years 7 to 11, and works with partner organisations to provide a broad and balanced curriculum. The school employs specialist teachers and support staff with experience in working with young people with social, emotional or mental health needs.

From September, the school will have places for 32 students.

Lansdown Park Rush Hill Academy’s Assistant Headteacher, Zoe Jenkins said: “We are now in a much better position to provide more individual learning and care. Part of the refurbishment was a dedicated ‘Thrive’ room that feels safe and calm to offer a social and emotional development approach for individual students. We also have more opportunity to provide life skills and careers support with a new food technology kitchen. Students spend a fixed amount of time with us before either going back to a mainstream school or on to a college course so I’m delighted that we have facilities that helps us engage and that shows we value them.”

Cllr Guy, added: “I was delighted to view these new facilities which will ultimately help improve the students’ life chances."

our city through donations, volunteering, and engaging with good causes and the success of this partnership shows the power of community.”

Megan Robertson, Vice President of Welfare and Community at Bath Spa University’s Students’ Union and current SCP Chair, added: “It’s great that during such a trying time, the Student Community Partnership has managed to continue to put together these donations for a cause that is so important.

“I feel incredibly proud to be part of the SCP through my role as Vice President Welfare and Community at Bath Spa University Students’ Union and as the current SCP Chair, and I’m excited to see the great work be continued throughout the year.”

Other charities that are benefiting include Julian House, Developing Health and Independence (DHI) and the British Heart Foundation.

Donations have also been made to housing association and house

builder Curo.

Joanne Salisbury, Livewell Officer at Curo, thanked the SCP for the donations, adding: “We have many vulnerable residents who due to Covid-19 are finding it difficult to make ends meet.

“The items will be distributed to families who are unable to afford new ones.

“These are unprecedented times and people are having to make difficult decisions when purchasing items and often going without essentials. These donations will be very much appreciated.”

The Student Community Partnership has thanked Oldfield Park Baptist Church and BCFC for their support.

Team Bath Racing wins Formula Student UK competition TEAM Bath Racing, one of the University of Bath’s student engineering teams, has won the 2020 Formula Student UK competition.

The contest, which this year was held online instead of at Silverstone, saw the racing car designed by Team Bath Racing’s (TBR) third-year students finish first among a field of more than 80 teams from universities around the world.

Members of the 24-strong team took part in a series of presentations and Q&A sessions focusing on their car’s design, cost and manufacturing, and their business plan.

As well as scoring the most points overall, they took 2nd and 4th places respectively in the design and cost and manufacturing rankings.

The Team Bath Racing Electric team (TBRe), which competes alongside TBR in a battery-powered car, placed 13th in the event.

Benjamin Jenkins, an MEng (hons) Integrated Mechanical and Electrical Engineering student and TBR’s project manager, said the team’s dedication and determination to design their car ‘from the ground up’ contributed to their success.

He said: “We’re absolutely delighted with the result and blown away to have taken first place.

Every part of our car was designed by a member of the team, and we know why every deci-

sion has been made, so when the judges asked us why we’d done something, we had the answer.

“We have team members in Singapore and China, as well as Eastern Europe and the UK – so since March, we have been working across six countries and three different time zones.

“The whole team has been totally dedicated to getting the work done in time to an exceptional standard.”

The TBR car’s design was guided by a philosophy of reducing weight while seeking reliability and maximum handling performance.

Extensive use of carbon fibre helped achieve these aims – the car’s monocoque chassis, aerodynamics package and several other components were designed to be made from the lightweight material.

The car is powered by a turbocharged single-cylinder KTM motorcycle engine and features a rear-wheel steering system, a particularly challenging element for the team.

Jenkins explained: “Rear-wheel steering is quite rare as it’s difficult to get right. It allows you better low-speed turning capability and better handling at high speed. It is a special feature and really encapsulates the high-tech nature of our design.”

Like most universities that take part in Formula Student UK (FSUK), Bath normally enters final-year teams that compete

on-track in cars they’ve designed and built, while third-year teams present plans for the car they aim to build the following year.

As the coronavirus lockdown prevented a physical competition being held, it was the third-year teams that took part in last weekend’s virtual competition.

The TBR team is supervised by Dr Geraint Owen and Dr Kevin Robinson, who are both senior lecturers in Bath’s Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Dr Owen said: “This is a great achievement. We are always proud of what our students achieve, but given the difficulties with what has gone on this year, we should be especially so.

“The third-year students have been very organised and the obstacles in their path haven’t thrown them off course at all.

They have designed an exceptional car that was rightly praised by the judges.

“We have been entering Formula Student UK for 21 years and we are just the second UK team to win it, and the only UK team to have won two FS events outright, having won Formula Student Czech Republic in 2016.”

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Health Cancer patients encouraged to keep Residents urged to reach out at first sign of appointments and return to RUH mental health worries

RUH patient Dave Hayward

A CANCER patient receiving treatment at the RUH in Bath has called on other cancer patients to make sure they keep their appointments, saying the hospital is ‘clean, wellorganised and safe to return to’.

The reassurance comes amid national reports that people have delayed getting checked for cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dave Hayward, from Bath, receives regular immunotherapy treatment for melanoma, visiting the RUH every few weeks.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dave received treatment, along with all of the RUH’s cancer patients, from RUH staff temporarily based at the Circle Bath hospital.

Cancer outpatients are now returning to the RUH and Dave said it’s important they visit for treatment and appointments.

“I had to visit the RUH a couple of times during the height of the pandemic, once to visit the cancer unit and once for a procedure in Dermatology,” said Dave.

“I was nervous about visiting, but as soon as I arrived I felt reassured and put at ease.

“There are hand sanitisers and masks for patients when you arrive and there are lots of reminders about the importance of social distancing.

“When I arrived at the Oncology department I had my temperature taken and was asked to sanitise my hands. The department was very clean and the waiting area

had been adapted to allow for social distancing, with much bigger spaces between chairs.

“All of the staff wore PPE, which I found very reassuring, and they were very friendly and supportive.

My message to cancer patients who may be wary of visiting the hospital is: don’t worry.

The hospital is clean and well organised. It’s so important that you keep getting your treatment and attend appointments – don’t put it off.”

Dave added that he had received excellent care from the RUH. “All the staff, especially the Macmillan team, have been fantastic,” he said. “They are so supportive and reassuring and you get to know them so well, they become like friends.”

PEOPLE in Bath and North East Somerset who have lived through a mental health crisis are urging others to make use of the help available at the very first sign of things getting too much.

Opening up and talking to someone, be it a friend, loved-one or healthcare worker, can, in most cases, reduce anxiety and release tension, while also providing the support needed to avoid a more significant mental health crisis.

Across the local area, many services are actively encouraging people, especially those who may have never had a mental health concern before, to get in touch if any aspect of everyday life is becoming an issue.

The Breathing Space, which is open to any person living in Bath and North East Somerset, offers a friendly ear to anyone needing to talk about their current wellbeing.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Breathing Space has moved to a telephone-based service, and can be accessed every day between 5.30pm and 11.30pm on 01225 983130.

The mental health service is funded through the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group.

Caroline Mellers, who is working

with the CCG to provide better support for people in mental health crisis, said: “At times in my life, I have felt hopeless, worthless and like nobody understood me, but asking for help and sharing how I was feeling allowed me to unlock the help I knew I needed, and that gave me a sense of wellbeing again.

“These last few months have been tough for everybody and some people may have been affected by dramatic changes to their physical, emotional and financial wellbeing, all of which can affect mental health. If this sounds familiar, it’s important to know that it’s OK to feel this way and that help is available.

“I know the importance of reaching out for support early on and would definitely not think twice about acting quickly if there was ever a next time.”

Additionally, and in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, a 24/7 telephone helpline for both adults and children struggling with the current situation has been launched by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust and can be reached by calling 0300 303 1320. Instant help for any person feeling overwhelmed, alone or unable to cope is available 24 hours a day from the Samaritans by calling 116 123.

“Boredom-busting” activity packs distributed to patients PATIENTS on wards at the Royal United Hospital in Bath are being given free arts and crafts packs to help keep them entertained during their stay.

The packs, created by Art at the Heart, the RUH’s arts charity, and supported by the Patient Experience team, give patients the chance to have a go at some creative activities while helping to alleviate the boredom of a hospital stay.

Sharon Manhi, Lead for Patient and Carer Experience, was able to fund the activity packs and said: “We recognise the impact that COVID-19 has had on patients in hospital as we are not able to run our usual arts and music programme.

“Visiting is also restricted and we don’t have our team of volunteers on the wards, so supporting our patients’ mental health and wellbeing with activities is crucial.”

The packs include items such

as paint sets, coloured pencils, origami, sketchbooks, colouring sheets, word searches, knitting and cross stitch kits.

Each of the packs is individually sealed and for single patient use only.

In the Children’s Ward, there are additional arts and crafts activities available, including modelling clay.

The hospital’s Play Specialists will be on hand to tailor activities to younger patients.

To complement the activity packs, hundreds of Boredom Buster newspapers are also being distributed across the hospital.

The tabloid-size newspaper contains a range of stimulating activities, including puzzles, poetry, songs and ideas for creative writing, alongside factual articles.

RUH Arts Programme Manager Hetty Dupays said: “With Art at the Heart’s usual activities on hold at the moment due to

COVID-19, we wanted to make sure our patients still had lots of things to do to keep them entertained during their stay.

“The activity packs and Boredom Buster newspaper have been specially created to relieve boredom, stress and anxiety and are aimed at patients of all ages, to help them pass the time until they are well enough to go home.”

The Boredom Buster project has been led

by Culture Weston and the Arts and Culture Programme of University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust on behalf of the NHS National Performance Advisory

Sharon Manhi and Hetty Dupays

Group for Arts, Design and Heritage in Hospitals.

Art at the Heart is a registered charity that supports the RUH with an award-winning art

and design programme that stimulates healing and wellbeing and creates an uplifting environment for patients, visitors and staff.

Tuesday, 4th August 2020

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Business DHI partnership set to raise funds to buy vital liver scanner BATH-BASED Developing Health & Independence has announced a charity partnership with Datasharp Integrated Communications, a leading local business communications company.

Developing Health & Independence (DHI) helps people out of the cycle of homelessness, social isolation and drug or alcohol abuse.

Datasharp Integrated Communications aims to raise £35,000 for DHI during the partnership, by generating funds and awareness through a mix of staff fundraising and corporate contributions.

As well as raising funds for the charity, Datasharp will be raising awareness through their business networks.

Funds from the partnership will help DHI buy a liver scanner, a piece of equipment that will identify early liver damage in vulnerable people.

The partnership launch coincides with World Hepatitis Day which takes place annually on 28th July to raise awareness of this disease and influence change.

The liver scanner will enable a quick and non-intrusive method to assess alcohol-related and Hepatitis C liver damage.

Once identified, DHI will work with these people to make lifestyle changes and thereby reduce

DHI Chief Executive Rosie Phillips | Photo © Alexander Caminada

or end further damage.

The liver scanner will be housed at DHI’s new treatment centre, based at St James’ Parade in Bath, which will open its doors to vulnerable people later this year.

Rosie Phillips, Chief Executive of DHI said: “We are thrilled to be selected as Datasharp’s new charity partner. The crucial funds raised from the partnership will ensure that DHI are able to provide significantly more help to disadvantaged people in Bath.

“Everyone at DHI is excited about working together with Datasharp staff to make a valuable difference to people affected by homelessness and substance misuse.”

Martin Buckland, CEO of Datasharp Integrated Communications, added: “DHI tackles drug and alcohol abuse, homelessness and social exclusion in the Bath area.

“The cause is close to my heart, so I’m very proud to be working with Rosie and the team.

“Like ourselves, DHI recently celebrated their 20th anniversary.

“I’ll continue to offer my support, not just because they’re a valued customer, but because I’ve seen first-hand the impact of the work they do.”

To help support the work of the charity, visit https://localgiving. org/charity/dhi/.

Taskforce to offer support to businesses and employees THE West of England Recovery Taskforce has backed plans for integrated support for businesses and employees at risk of redundancy due to COVID-19.

The support is being coordinated through the new Redundancy Response Group that is led by the West of England Combined Authority and brings together government departments, employers, unions, local councils, and education and training providers.

Through the West of England Growth Hub (www.wearegrowth.co.uk), businesses can access free information and guidance on managing workforce pressures to avoid or minimise redundancies.

Advice is also provided to support employees through the redundancy process and help people to secure alternative employment or training.

Businesses of any size in the West of England can access the support, which includes workforce planning, HR advice and guidance, employability support, training and skills development and coaching.

The West of England Taskforce, led by Regional Mayor, Tim Bowles, has welcomed the support for businesses and employees that is

now available and the plans for a new online platform to make access to services even easier.

West of England Mayor Tim Bowles said: “I want our residents to keep their jobs, find new opportunities and start fulfilling new careers in the jobs of the future.

“Our economic recovery and renewal depends on keeping our talent here in the region and that’s my focus as we come out of the unprecedented situation that Covid-19 has put us in.

“I know this is an incredibly challenging time for our region’s businesses and their employees which is why I want to make sure firms large and small, have the tailored advice they need, particularly at the most difficult times. That’s exactly what this multi-agency rapid reaction team will be able to provide. Whether the support sits alongside the in-house capabilities that large companies like Airbus are able to provide or is a lifeline to a small business that is struggling, I want businesses and employees in the West of England to know that we want to keep them here and this help is our way of doing that.”

The taskforce has also welcomed the Government’s announcement of a £2bn ‘kickstart’ scheme.

Future of golf courses remain in the balance after consultation Stephen Sumner

Local Democracy Reporter

THE future of two loss-making Bath golf courses remains in the balance as the council looks to remove taxpayer support.

Many residents and golfers want the shuttered Entry Hill and Approach facilities to reopen as soon as possible and claim a consultation that said it should become a mountain bike park was hijacked by the “cycling lobby on steroids”.

Bath and North East Somerset Council faces a “financial crisis” and says it can no longer afford to subsidise people playing golf – each round played at Entry Hill costs taxpayers £8.

Green campaigners say golf courses are “barren and sterile” landscapes that harm ecology and have put forward a third option for the 10-hectare site, a “rich wildlife haven” with art and sculptures.

Lansdown ward councillor Mark Elliott said: “I completely understand the financial pressures the council is under. A way should be found that is at least cost neutral rather than it being subsidised,

but it’s an iconic green space in the centre of Bath that needs to be cared for in some way. Leaving it unmanaged is not an option.

“The sooner it can reopen as a golf course the better.”

More than 3,200 people responded to a consultation on the future of the Entry Hill golf course earlier this year. Some 78 per cent of them said a family cycle centre or mountain bike park was the best use for the site, while 60 per cent backed a park with a cafe.

The council is effectively subsidising the golf course to the tune of £80,000 a year – or £8 for every round played. No other sport is backed in this way.

Only 19 per cent of responses to the consultation said the golf course should be retained but run under a different management model.

Golfer Elizabeth Hallam said the consultation had been weighted against the sport and targeted by the “cycling lobby on steroids”, with many respondents from as far away as Scotland and Guernsey who had never visited the site.

She said 1,000 local people had signed a petition calling for the course at Entry Hill to remain, there are hundreds of “latent

golfers” in Bath, and a businessman was willing to put his own money on the line to run it.

She added: “Should you really delay a decision while the cyclists go with a begging bowl to try to raise sponEntry Hill golf course | Photo © B&NES Council sorship for a cause the council then undertakes the bid build maximizes biodiversity as opfor an outside manager?” posed to minimizing it.”

Katina Beckett, who chairs the She said creating a new nature Entry Hill Community Associa- park at Entry Hill would allow tion, said lobbying tipped the re- people to get closer to nature, imsults in favour of a mountain bike prove air quality, help tackle the park. She said the development climate and ecological emergenwould require considerable exca- cies and aid a “green recovery” vation works that would destroy for Bath. wildlife and risk the release of Adam Gretton, the founder and toxic substances from the former chair of More Trees for B&NES, landfill site. said the Avon Wildlife Trust’s But Amy Coulthard, the director proposals were “once in a lifetime of conservation at the Avon Wild- opportunity to create a rich wildlife Trust, said the frequent mow- life haven” that would appeal to a ing of golf courses “decimates” much broader audience. insect populations and harms Cllr Winston Duguid said a wildlife, adding: “It’s absolute- mountain bike park or wildlife ly vital that every area of green park would be a “full-blown visspace is managed in a way that itor attraction” that would trans-

form Entry Hill but there are other more suitable sites.

Cllr Paul Crossley, the cabinet member for communities, said: “With the cuts we are making we cannot continue to subsidise the current model of operation at Entry Hill and Approach. It is not right that public money has continued to support the current model of operation at these two sites.

“I assure everyone that as we go through this process there is not a predetermined outcome.”

He said the council initially planned to make a decision after the consultation but it ignited so much interest there will be an open procurement process that will take the consultation results into account.

Cllr Crossley said there had been lobbying from golfers as well as cyclists. He said the 18-hole course at Approach would remain but the site’s 12-hole facility could be used for “golf-derived sports” like frisbee golf or foot golf.

Other uses that need less space, like trails for walking, places spaces or a forest school, could run alongside any future uses for the two sites.

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1 Hang loosely (6) 5 Church songbook (7) 10 Under an assumed name (9) 11 Strictly accurate (5) 12 Ogle (4) 13 Not merely local (8) 16 Efflux (7) 17 Stevedore (6) 18 Period of history (3) 20 Bother (6) 22 Not this one & not that one (7) 25 Supporter of a monarch (8) 26 Fijian capital (4) 29 Between (5) 30 Take turns (9) 31 Phantom (7) 32 Pedlar (6)

2 Aged (7) 3 Jokes (4) 4 Send forth (4) 5 Fuel (10) 6 Constituent of vinegar (6,4) 7 Learner (7) 8 Child's toy (6) 9 Crest (7) 14 Torch (10) 15 Lottery (10) 19 Unrealistic person (7) 21 From now on (3,4) 23 Transport charge (7) 24 Keyboard instruments (6) 27 Where many land speed records have been attempted (4) 28 Fill out (4)

Crossword Competition!

For your chance to win ÂŁ25, submit your full name, postal address and answers by email to puzzles@bathecho.co.uk and we'll enter you into our draw. The winner will be the first randomly opened entry with the correct answers on Friday 14th August 2020.

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Tuesday, 4th August 2020

15

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Politics Council nominated for Low traffic neighbourhood plans could be signed off before end of year prestigious government leadership award

Stephen Sumner

Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS to end rat-running in residential areas of Bath and North East Somerset could be signed off by the end of the year.

Council transport bosses say they have scoured the country and nothing beats low traffic neighbourhoods for improving public health and cutting vehicle emissions.

They are inviting feedback on schemes that could radically reshape communities while asking: “what do you have to lose?”

Low traffic neighbourhoods involve installing “modal filters” to prevent through-traffic and make it easier to walk or cycle.

Councillor Joanna Wright, cabinet member for transport, told a webinar on 27th July: “We’re in a catastrophic situation in terms of our carbon output.

“We really need the backing of the community to make this change.

For those with low expectations, what do we have to lose? Give it a go.

“We’re hoping ward councillors will go out and listen to their residents, and feed back where the issues are.

“We won’t be dropping low traffic neighbourhoods across the whole city in one fell swoop.

“We will want to see what that reduction in traffic looks like, what the displacement would be, and if it has improved the lives of people living there.

Cllr Joanna Wright and Cllr Clyde Loakes, deputy leader of Waltham Forest Council earlier this year

“Low traffic neighbourhoods provide for the environment, social justice and health.

“The consequences are nonparty-political.

What other options do we have?

“If there’s something significantly different out there you think would enable that change we’d love to hear from you, but we’ve looked at the length and breadth of this country and we can’t see any other scheme that could deliver on this.”

Residents can drive into low traffic neighbourhoods but may have to take a more “wiggly” route to reach their homes.

Cllr Wright said no one with a blue badge or disabled parking space would lose their entitlement, and the changes would make it easier for those with mobility issues to get around.

The council is set to launch a consultation on the policies in August before adopting them in the winter.

Chris Major, its assistant director

for highways and transport, said: “We want to understand what residents’ needs are and how we can get community buy-in to create schemes that work for them.

“Some will have to be implemented under experimental orders so people can see them on the ground, and they can evolve over time to get the right scheme in place.

“It’s not about imposing anything on an area, it’s about finding the right scheme for all residents – from the small children on bikes to those that gave to commute, through to the very elderly.”

He said evidence had shown that low traffic neighbourhoods do not displace traffic onto arterial routes because people find different ways to move around.

“This is one of a number of different approaches we’re taking.

“We also have the clean air zone, which will reduce emissions from vehicles,” added Mr Major.

“We have no option to do nothing.

Traffic numbers are growing.

This starts to give space back to people to move more actively and improve their overall health.”

Sarah Warren, cabinet member for the climate emergency, said: “People have said Bath isn’t Waltham Forest.

“I agree, no two towns are the same but the air quality issues, obesity crisis, the climate emergency all dictate that we have to do something.

“We will monitor it closely. Please engage with us.”

BATH & North East Somerset Council has been shortlisted for a prestigious award, for providing ‘Leadership in responding to the Climate Emergency’.

The annual MJ Local Government Achievement Awards recognise best practice amongst local authorities across the country.

Councillor Sarah Warren, joint cabinet member for Climate Emergency and Neighbourhood Services said: “I’m delighted we’ve been shortlisted for this major award.

“Since we declared a Climate Emergency in March 2019, we’ve acted quickly to provide leadership to enable Bath and North East Somerset to meet the challenging target of becoming carbon neutral within a decade.

“From cutting energy consumption, to promoting grassland habitat diversity and the introduction of low traffic neighbourhoods, tackling the Climate Emergency shapes everything we do and we’re working hard with local communities and our partners to build momentum, drive innovation and embed change.”

During lockdown, Councillor Warren hosted a series of Climate Conversations with local community members involved in activities that contribute towards the carbon neutral aim.

The ideas discussed are now being built on in a series of Green

Renewal webinars focussing on opportunities for tackling the Climate and Nature Emergency with a green economic and community recovery from COVID-19.

The council is also calling on the government for a New Deal for Green Skills and Growth.

Councillor Dine Romero, council Leader, said: “It’s essential that the government’s recently announced stimulus package includes funding to develop green sector skills and encourage green growth.

“Our COVID-19 recovery presents us with a once in a lifetime opportunity to tackle the Climate Emergency by investing in a green future. We must grab that opportunity.

“While I’m delighted that we’ve been recognised by the MJ Awards for providing leadership in responding to the Climate Emergency, there is still much more work to do.”

The winners of the MJ Local Government Achievement Awards will be announced at a virtual ceremony in October.

Last issue's puzzle solutions Crossword

Congratulations to Ceri Davies who won £25 in our last issue!

Across: 1 Trooper, 5 Surgeon, 9 Pitta, 10 Panellist, 11 Clockwise, 12 Theme, 13 Leakage, 15 Envious, 17 Cohabit, 19 Obscene, 21 Purse, 23 Sweet shop, 25 Amphibian, 26 Reaps, 27 Nunnery, 28 Crowded.

Down: 1 Typical, 2 Osteopath, 3 Plank, 4 Reptile, 5 Sincere, 6 Relatives, 7 Elite, 8 Natters, 14 Ambleside, 16 Overheard, 17 Captain, 18 Testify, 19 Oceanic, 20 Exposed, 22 Ripen, 24 Torso.

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16

Tuesday, 4th August 2020

www.bathecho.co.uk

In Other News....

Oncology specialist celebrates being voted ‘Best Nurse Teacher’ AN oncology nurse specialist from the Royal United Hospital is celebrating being voted ‘Best Nurse Teacher’ by medical students from the University of Bristol.

Emma Girling, a Macmillan Acute Oncology Cancer Nurse Specialist, received the award from graduating students at Bristol Medical School.

“It’s a real honour to receive the award,” said Emma. “I really enjoy working with the students – they’re always so enthusiastic, engaged and keen to ask questions.

“I can’t take the credit though.

I’m part of a very close team which works well together and is so supportive, so it really is a team effort.”

Most recently, Emma worked with students who went on to graduate early, becoming newly-qualified doctors, ready to support the NHS during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Students from the University spend time in different departments while they are at the RUH. They typically spend a week with Oncology, and will shadow Emma to experience first-hand her work at the hospital.

“During their week in Oncology they will spend time in clinic with consultants and also on the ward meeting and spending time with patients and their families,” Emma said.

“While they are with us in Acute Oncology we aim to help them understand the patient pathway, from being admitted right through the hospital process, so they understand how all

Emma Girling, Macmillan Acute Oncology Cancer Nurse Specialist

the different departments fit together.

“I try to challenge them too, to ask how they would deal with a particular scenario and how they would support the patient. It’s a partnership – both myself and the student working together.

“I also encourage them to think about themselves and their own welfare. This can be a stressful and emotional job and it’s essential they learn how important it is to look after themselves.”

Emma, who won the RUH’s Nurse of the Year award in 2018, added: “The support I’ve received

from colleagues here at the RUH has been invaluable and has allowed me to work closely with these students, our doctors of the future.”

Jack McAlinden, President of Galenicals, the University of Bristol Medical Students’ Society, said: “Emma should be immensely proud of the impact she has had on our graduating students, their careers and their lives.

“The investment she has made in time, effort, energy and patience will pay dividends for many years to come."

£100k Keynsham park redevelopment set to get underway next month MAJOR improvements at Kelston Road Park in Keynsham are due to begin in September as part of a £100,000 investment

by Bath & North East Somerset Council and Keynsham Town Council.

The final design has now been published and includes junior and toddler play zones, accessible equipment and a range of exciting swings and climbing apparatus.

Visitors to the park, which is located next to St Keyna Primary School, will also benefit from better seating and tree planting in the complete overhaul of the park.

Signs showing the new design and informing residents of the play area closure while the improvements are carried out are due to be installed at the park.

The project is a result of a consultation carried out in 2019 which highlighted that play improvements were the top priority for the park, alongside better seating, signage and safety measures.

The current play equipment was installed around 30 years ago and is now reaching the end of its life.

A children’s survey led by the Keynsham Neighbourhood Development Plan and supported by the Town Council showed that Kelston Road is amongst the most popular play areas for local children and that swings are the most popular pieces of play equipment, followed by all types of climbing equipment.

The work is expected to begin in September and will take six

weeks to complete.

Councillor Paul Crossley, cabinet member for Community Services, said: “Kelston Road Park is a popular area for local families so I’m delighted that we will soon begin these largescale improvements to the play facilities.

“We know that space for physical and imaginative play is important to children’s development and health and the new equipment will encourage more children to have fun outdoors.

“It’s going to be a real asset to the community for many years to come.”

Councillor Clive Fricker, Chair of the Keynsham Neighbourhood Development Plan and ViceChairman of Keynsham Town Council, said: “Thank you to everyone who had their say in the consultation and NDP surveys.

“This is a great example of ensuring local residents have a real say in the facilities and services provided by B&NES and KTC while incorporating the views of our younger residents who will use the play area into the final design.

“The new benches, goal posts and sports area are already being well used and the play area redevelopment will provide years of fun and entertainment for families.

“We are currently considering the addition of a wheelchair swing following input from Keynsham Now and we hope that this can be included after KTC meets again in September."

Schoolchildren take on 3000 challenge to support cancer unit LOCAL primary schoolchildren are bouncing, dancing, cycling and scoring goals to raise much-needed funds for the Bath Cancer Unit Support Group (BCUSG).

Lily and Harry Belgrove, who attend Combe Down Primary School, are taking on the charity’s #BCUSG3000Challenge in aid of the cancer unit at Bath’s Royal United Hospital.

Lily, aged 10, is bouncing 3,000 times on her trampoline while her seven-year-old brother, Harry, has pledged to score 3,000 football goals in his back garden.

Nine-year-old Amelie Taylor-Fall from Sutton Benger near Chippenham, who attends Kington St Michael C of E Primary School, is doing 3,000 minutes of activity including cycling, trampolining and dancing.

The three children have raised about £1,000 in total so far for the

Amelie Taylor-Fall with Lily and Harry Belgrove | Photo © Geoff Parselle

cancer unit, which treats about 3,000 new patients a year on average, but they hope to raise even more money.

The charity is asking people of all

ages to dream up their own challenge based around the number 3,000 and help fund state-of-theart medical equipment not provided by the NHS.

Whether it’s skipping or hopping 3,000 times or completing a distance of 3,000 metres (3k) in your garden, on roller skates or in fancy dress, anything goes.

People can share their fundraising photos and videos on social media using the hashtag #BCUSG3000Challenge and encourage others to get involved.

Alan Webb, who is the fundraising lead at the BCUSG, said: “We would like to say a big thank you to Lily, Harry and Amelie for their fantastic fundraising efforts – very well done! “Whatever your age or ability, we need more people to sign up to the #BCUSG3000Challenge and help us fund vital equipment to speed up the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients locally.”

For more information and guidance on how to take part in the Bath Cancer Unit #BCUSG3000Challenge go to https://

www.bcusg.org.

To donate to the Bath Cancer Unit Support Group, or to discuss becoming a corporate partner, email Alan Webb at fundraising@bcusg.org or phone 07896 741233.

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