Bath Echo - Issue 026 - 15/09/2020

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Tuesday, 15th September 2020

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6+ gatherings banned as COVID-19 cases continue to rise Page 3 Bus gate fines being introduced on Milsom Street A TEMPORARY bus gate at the junction of Milsom Street and George Street is to be monitored by cameras and enforced by the issuing of fines to make sure the zone is safe for pedestrians and cyclists.

The bus lane restriction, which came into force on 6th July, allows only buses to travel along the one-way Milsom Street up to the junction with Quiet Street between 10am and 6pm, providing

more space for people to keep their distance and enjoy the traffic-free zone.

Until now, Bath & North East Somerset Council wardens have been on site to monitor the temporary restriction and barrier to prevent access, but automatic number plate recognition cameras (ANPR) have now been installed in line with the other bus gates in the city and will be switched on at the beginning of

October when the barriers are removed.

Anyone in contravention of the restriction will receive an automatic Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of £60 (reduced to £30 if paid in the first 14 days) which will also contain details of how they can appeal if they believe the PCN has been incorrectly issued.

All vehicles are also prohibited from parking, loading and waiting except for in the authorised

*Terms & Conditions apply

and designated loading bays between the hours of 6pm and 10am.

The temporary measure is part of the council’s response to the government directive to create more space for pedestrians and cyclists in busy locations and encourage active travel.

Councillor Joanna Wright, joint cabinet member for transport services, said: “Milsom Street is...

Continued on page 2

Temporary coronavirus testing unit opened at Park & Ride site P3

Residents praised for their increased lockdown recycling efforts P5 Theatre Royal to reopen next month with season of modern classic plays P9 “No guarantee" coronavirus vaccine will be effective P12 Business support on offer ahead of Clean Air Zone introduction P15 Get the latest news for Bath 24/7 on our website www.bathecho.co.uk

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Views being sought on liveable neighbourhoods

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.

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RESIDENTS are being asked for their views on B&NES Council’s proposals for liveable neighbourhoods which will encourage more walking and cycling and reduce vehicles in residential areas.

Bath & North East Somerset Council say that liveable neighbourhoods are an important part of their plan to tackle the climate and ecological emergency and to improve health and wellbeing across the area.

It has developed three strategies which it now wants people’s view on. The three strategies would form the basis for liveable neighbourhoods.

They are: • Low traffic neighbourhood strategy • Residents’ parking schemes strategy • On-street electric vehicle charging strategy Residents are now being asked what they think about the plans in an online consultation that will run until Wednesday 14th October.

Liveable neighbourhoods aim to reduce the dominance of vehicles in residential areas, particularly through-traffic, while maintaining vehicle access to homes and businesses and prioritising residential parking.

This can be done through a range of measures including vehicle restrictions, traffic calming and one-way streets.

Councillor Joanna Wright, joint Cabinet Member for Transport Services said: “We saw during lockdown what a difference less traffic made to our communities.

“We saw air quality improve, we saw more people walking and cycling, and we saw more people supporting local shops.

“This proposal for liveable neighbourhoods supports our vision to create better conditions for walking and cycling so that people rely less on their cars, especially for short car journeys.

“This is particularly important if we’re to meet our climate emergency targets by 2030.

“By re-considering how road space is used, improving access to public transport and enhancing community spaces, we can create lively residential areas that foster

Liveable neighbourhoods help encourage walking and cycling

community pride and help local businesses to prosper.

“We recognise that private cars are still necessary for some trips and some users. For this reason, alongside our liveable neighbourhoods strategy we’ve outlined plans for improving onstreet electric vehicle charging that will encourage the uptake of electric vehicles where there is limited off-street parking, and where public charge points are required for residents wishing to swap to cleaner, ultra-low emission vehicles “These are transformational proposals that will be developed in collaboration with local communities, so it’s really important that residents and local businesses have their say on the approaches we’ve set out.”

Liveable neighbourhoods usually group residential streets together across a 1km² area around key amenities, such as schools, shops and surgeries, and bordered by a main road.

To reduce through traffic and rat-running, a range of vehicle restrictions can be used. These range from modal filters such as bollards and attractive planters to one-way streets, traffic calming, speed restrictions and also residents parking schemes to reduce commuter parking.

Residents will have already seen

changes to some city and town centre roads. Access restrictions and barriers were installed to encourage social distancing to deal with the immediate impact of Covid-19.

They were funded from the Government’s £250 million Emergency Active Travel Fund which was announced in May. Councils were then encouraged to bid for a second ‘tranche’ of government funding to promote more walking and cycling and ease pressure on public transport.

In Bath & North East Somerset, ten schemes have been identified for this potential funding.

Given the timescales for preparing bids, they have not yet been subject to consultation and could be introduced as Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders.

Councillor Dine Romero, council leader, said: “We need to be clear about the difference in our long-term policy for liveable neighbourhoods and the schemes proposed under the Emergency Active Travel Fund which is a direct response to Covid-19.

“Our liveable neighbourhood strategy is asking for people’s views on the principles and policy and is not about promoting individual schemes, these will come later once the strategy is in

place.”

There will be opportunities for communities to request individual liveable neighbourhoods once all three strategies are finalised and the project is launched.

Councillor Shaun StephensonMcGall (Lib Dem, Oldfield Park) commented: “B&NES residents have demanded action on transport and the environment for years and the Lib Dems were elected to deliver real improvements.

“Liveable Neighbourhoods are key to our vision for tackling the climate emergency, improving public health and creating thriving communities.

“This is an ambitious project that goes beyond the transport tinkering of the last few years.

We hope all residents will get involved and have their say.”

Residents can read a summary of the council’s plans for liveable neighbourhoods and take part in an online survey before Wednesday 14th October at www.bathnes.gov.uk/ liveableneighbourhoods.

Those with no internet access can request paper copies of the summary and survey by calling council connect on 01225 39 40 41. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, there will be no public events for the consultation.

£60 bus gate fines on the way for Milsom Street Continued from page 1 a busy and well-used route for motorists and although the temporary restriction came into force in July, we chose not to carry out enforcement until now while people adjusted to not using the route.

“However, we must now make sure that people can safely enjoy the benefits of walking and cycling and are able to social distance more easily without having to dedicate a full-time warden to monitor this.

“Signs will be put up at the junction and on the route leading up to it to warn drivers about the

cameras, so please make sure you continue to use an alternative route.”

The council has put in place temporary traffic restrictions in other parts of Bath and in Keynsham to protect public health, make walking and cycling safer and encourage active travel.

Residents have also been asked to put forward locations for longerterm improvements designed to reduce the use of vehicles on local roads.

Views can shared on the Liveable Neighbourhoods website at https://bathnesliveablestreets. commonplace.is.

Milsom Street in the centre of Bath | Photo © Nigel Jarvis / Shutterstock.com

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6+ gatherings banned as COVID-19 cases rise IT is now illegal to hold social gatherings of more than six people, following a change in the law in a bid to control the rapid increase in coronavirus cases across the country.

Those who are found to be breaking the law will be fined £100, doubling on every offence up to a limit of £3,200.

The new rule, which came into force on Monday 14th September, was introduced to help reduce the growing number of confirmed coronavirus cases, without imposing stricter measures.

It will apply indoors and outdoors, including private homes. The change will simplify and clarify the rules on social gatherings, so they are easier to understand and easier for the police to enforce.

There will be a limited number of exemptions, including COVID-19 Secure venues such as places of worship, restaurants and hospitality venues.

The 6+ ban will not apply to individual households or support bubbles of more than 6 who will still be able to gather together.

Education and work settings are unaffected, and organised team sports will still be able to proceed, as will weddings and funerals with up to 30 people.

There has been no indication of how long the new restrictions will last, however Health Secretary

Matt Hancock said they would be in place for the "foreseeable future".

Though localised restrictions have been introduced in areas including Birmingham, Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire, Bath & North East Somerset has seen a steady increase in cases which has not yet caused significant concern.

Between 1st August and 1st September, there were 67 recorded cases, with a further 32 cases confirmed up to 10th September.

Earlier this month, Director of Public Health for Bath and North East Somerset Dr Bruce Laurence said the bulk of cases are now in those aged between 18 and 40, who may feel that the virus will not affect them much even if they get it.

Evidence suggests that the R (reproduction) number has risen and is currently between 1 and 1.2, signalling that the infection is now growing for the first time since March.

What steps can you take to reduce your risk of catching COVID-19?

A new campaign by the Government, “Hands. Face.

Space" is promoting the main ways to keep safe.

HANDS While coronavirus is not likely to

survive for long periods of time on outdoor surfaces in sunlight, it can live for more than 24 hours in indoor environments.

Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using hand sanitizer, regularly throughout the day will reduce the risk of catching or passing on the virus.

FACE Coronavirus is carried in the air by tiny respiratory droplets that carry the virus. Larger droplets can land on other people or on surfaces they touch while smaller droplets, called aerosols, can stay in the air indoors for at least 5

minutes, and often much longer if there is no ventilation. Face coverings reduce the dispersion of these droplets, meaning if you’re carrying the virus you’re less likely to spread it when you exhale.

SPACE Transmission of the virus is most likely to happen within 2 metres, with risk increasing exponentially at shorter distances.

While keeping this exact distance isn’t always possible, remaining mindful of surroundings and continuing to make space has a powerful impact when it comes to containing the spread.

News in Brief Dashcam footage sought after collision Avon and Somerset Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage following a two-vehicle collision on the A4 Batheaston Bypass at around 4.30pm on Sunday 30th August.

A blue Ford Focus and a blue Suzuki Swift were involved in the incident, which happened in lane one of the dual carriageway travelling in the direction of Box near the Bathford roundabout.

The collision caused the Suzuki Swift to leave the road and roll a number of times. The driver of the Suzuki, a woman in her 40s, was taken to hospital with minor injuries. Police are keen to hear from witnesses, particularly if they have dashcam footage of the incident. If you can help, call 101, quoting reference 5220197616.

Suspicious package leads to searches Searches were made at Royal Mail's Bath delivery office and at the sorting centre in Filton, Bristol on Friday 11th September after police received reports of a suspicious package. Officers established the package could have been transported to the Bath delivery office. Police said they did not believe there was any risk to the public.

Mobile testing resumed at Odd Down Park & Ride site TWO mobile coronavirus testing units are now operating in Bath & North East Somerset after the site at Odd Down Park & Ride was reopened.

It is in addition to the temporary COVID-19 mobile testing unit at Paulton Football Club which will be available until 21st September.

Bath & North East Somerset Council’s public health team has arranged the additional unit to give more people better access to local testing.

The Department of Health and Social Care has reported an increase in demand for testing and says the service is currently very busy.

It is asking anyone who tries to book a test and is unable to do so, or who is offered a location or time which is not convenient to please wait a few hours and then try again.

Councillor Rob Appleyard, cabinet member for Adult Services, said: “I am extremely pleased that our public health team has not only secured the extension of the Paulton mobile testing unit but has now secured a second testing unit which will be at Odd Down Park and Ride.

“This will help many residents to avoid lengthy journeys to get tested.

“It is important to remember however, you must only get tested if you are symptomatic and if you have symptoms you still need to self-isolate while you wait to get tested.”

Both MTUs are part of the COVID-19 National Testing Programme and anyone who thinks they may have coronavirus symptoms can book a test by visiting https://www.gov.uk/ guidance/coronavirus-covid19-getting-tested.

People without internet access can dial 119.

You can ask for a test: • For yourself, if you have coronavirus symptoms now (a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste) • For someone you live with, if they have coronavirus symptoms • You can ask for a test for a child who lives with you if they have coronavirus symptoms, whatever their age.

Residents attending both units for test should arrive by car and not use public transport.

The postcode for Paulton Football Club is BS39 7RF and for Odd Down is BA2 8PA .

Tests at the mobile testing units are subject to availability and if all appointments are booked, an alternative testing site will be offered.

Bath MP Wera Hobhouse commented: “This is very good news.

“It is an important first step in ensuring that everyone in Bath has access to a test if they need it and further protects our community against the threat of a Covid-19 outbreak.

Testing is now available at the Odd Down Park & Ride site in Bath

“I have been hearing from far too many people in Bath, especially parents with young children, over the last week who have encountered unacceptable difficulties in trying to book tests for members of their household.

They had to wait hours on the Government website which has not been able to keep up with demand.

“Then they were asked to travel absurd distances to be tested.

With cases of Covid on the rise across the country, it is so important that Bath has the necessary testing facilities within easy reach of its residents.

“The centre in Odd Down is an important first step; however

we must keep up the pressure to improve the testing infrastructure and introduce more walk-in testing centres.

“Odd Down is a good solution for people in Bath who have their own private vehicle but for those who do not have this luxury, options remain extremely limited.

“This issue has grown even more pronounced with the failure of the Government to provide enough home testing kits.

“I will continue to campaign for a walk-in testing site in Bath's city centre.

“I am pleased about the progress that has been made and am hopeful that a walk-in site, in the

centre of Bath, is on the horizon."

People with coronavirus symptoms are being advised to self-isolate at home. No one in the household or its support bubble should leave home if any one person has symptoms.

There is more guidance on what this involves on the government’s website at: www.gov.uk/ g ov ernment/publications/ c ovid-19-stay-at-homeguidance For tests to be effective you must be symptomatic.

Symptoms of the virus are a new continuous cough, a high temperature and a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell.

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James Freeman set to bow out as MD of First West of England JAMES Freeman, who rose from bus conductor to becoming the Managing Director of First West of England, has announced that he is retiring from the business next May. Mr Freeman, who lives in Bath, has overseen a major transformation of the bus company in the region since he arrived six years ago, including the introduction of one of the largest fleets of biomethane buses across the country and the roll-out of the £230m rapid transit metrobus development in Bristol.

Prior to the impact of the coronavirus on the bus industry, the business had seen growth in passenger numbers of between 6-10% per year during his tenure.

Today, the company employs some 1,800 staff and has a fleet of 600 vehicles covering Bristol, Bath, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and parts of Somerset and Wiltshire.

Prior to First West of England, Freeman had held leadership positions with Reading Buses and Stagecoach, where he was Chief Executive Officer and a Managing Director respectively.

He had previously worked as Managing Director of Badgerline Transit Developments in 1987 which was eventually subsumed into First Group which is the parent company for First Bus. He was just 28 when he was

appointed to his first Managing Director role at Shamrock & Rambler Coaches in Bournemouth.

Mr Freeman said: “I am a very lucky person in that I have been able to spend my career in a sector about which I am extremely passionate.

“From an early age I was fascinated by buses and felt then that I could help to make them run. My first contact with the company was when I boarded a brand new bus on display outside Marlborough Street Bus Station in Bristol in 1968.

“The man I talked to on that day helped make up my mind that I would make my career on the buses.

“I got my first paid job as a bus conductor way back in 1974. After graduating from the University of Southampton, I’ve not looked back.

“Amongst my proudest achievements have been establishing First West of England at the forefront of sustainable developments in the industry to minimise the impact of our vehicles on the environment and enhance air quality in the areas we serve; the digital innovations we have introduced before and during COVID-19 which is taking customer service to a completely new level; and the strong working relationships we have forged

with local leaders to ensure buses are, and remain, a critical and prominent part of a sustainable mobility strategy for cities, towns and outlying areas across the region.

“Consequently, the general public, as well as local leaders, regard us an important part of local life, contributing to making the West of England a place where people want to live and work.”

Freeman added: “Last but not least I have been immensely proud of my team in the way they have helped keep the region moving during the pandemic.

“We have lost drivers as a result of this dreadful virus, who will be forever remembered, alongside our staff across all our regional depots who have worked tirelessly to serve key workers and now those returning to work, school and further and higher education.

“Whilst retirement will be a wrench, as I’ve made so many wonderful friends amongst colleagues and customers, it is the right time to pass the baton as the business needs constant regeneration, and therefore fresh thinking, particularly in the wake of COVID-19.”

Giles Fearnley, Managing Director of First Bus, added: “We have been very fortunate to have had James on the First Bus team for over six years.

@bathcollege

First West of England Managing Director James Freeman

“An inspirational leader, he’s made a tremendous impact across the West of England business, with our stakeholders, customers and of course, his colleagues.

“Through his time not only has

patronage risen at record levels but the role of the Bus and the contribution it is making to the economic, social and environmental agendas, has never been better understood across the West of England.”

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Tuesday, 15th September 2020

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Residents praised for increased recycling efforts RESIDENTS across Bath and North East Somerset are being praised for their “fantastic efforts” to recycle during the COVID-19 lockdown, ahead of Recycle Week 2020.

April, May and June saw huge increases in the amount of recycling collected by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s waste teams, including: • Glass recycling increased by 43% to 1950 tonnes • Card recycling increased by 38% to 1169 tonnes • Cans & plastics recycling increased by 28% to 875 tonnes • Food waste recycling increased by 22% to 1963 tonnes Residents are now being encouraged to ‘keep up the good work’ during Recycle Week which runs from Monday 21st – Sunday 27th September.

Organised by the resource efficiency charity WRAP, #Recycle Week is supported by Bath &

North East Somerset Council. The theme for this year’s campaign is ‘Together – We Recycle’.

Councillor David Wood, joint cabinet member for Climate Emergency and Neighbourhood Services said: “During the most challenging of years it’s fantastic news that people are recycling more.

“The huge increase in cardboard recycling is down to the fact that more of us have been shopping online and receiving home deliveries, but what I find really encouraging is that people are now thinking carefully about how they dispose of their food waste.

“Food waste can have a big impact on the environment as if it’s not recycled it rots and releases methane, which is a damaging greenhouse gas.

“All the recycled food waste we collect is put to good use and converted into electricity. If every home in Bath and North East

This week, The Pig is mostly...

DELIGHTED to hear that Michelin-starred superchef Chris Cleghorn's prandial playground at the Queensberry Hotel's Olive Tree Restaurant is almost totally refurbished after the electrical fire that consumed it at the start of lockdown. Expect to indulge in a brand new 9-course Tasting Menu (9 courses!) by way of celebration... we can't wait! (https:// www.olivetreebath.co.uk/ open-for-business-very-soon/) Photo courtesy of B&NES Council

Somerset recycled its food, it would create enough electricity to power 1140 homes for a year.

So please keep up the good work!

“We can all make a difference and every single person that recycles their waste is helping tackle the climate emergency, by saving

energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“I also want to take this opportunity to thank our recycling and waste key workers who carried on working during lockdown while the world slowed down around them.”

“Real motive” of bridge repairs is use by HGVs Stephen Sumner

Local Democracy Reporter

COUNCILLORS claim the “real motive” for repairing Bath’s historic Cleveland Bridge is so massive lorries can use it again.

Bath and North East Somerset Council, through consultants WSP, has applied for listed building consent to repair, refurbish and strengthen the structure.

But opponents said the application was fraught with errors and omissions and goes way beyond what is needed to preserve the grade II* listed bridge.

They called for the temporary 18-tonne limit to be made permanent.

Speaking at the planning committee meeting on 26th August, Walcot ward member Tom Davies said: “Have the proposed works been designed to ensure the long-term conservation of the bridge, or have they been overspecified to enable the bridge to recommence the carrying of the many hundreds of 18-plus-tonne lorries which used to pass over it daily?

“Nowhere in the documents presented does this question appear to have been either asked or answered.”

He called for the weight limit to be extended but committee members were told that highways matters were outside the scope of the listed building application.

Cllr Manda Rigby, who sits on the planning committee but spoke as a ward member and did not vote, said: “I’m no structural engineer but to me it seems selfevident that the life of the bridge is dependent on what usage is put to.

“You need a justification for any works done to it – where is the document that says the bridge needs work at all?”

INTRIGUED by the forthcoming collaboration between Bath's very own MasterChef winner Ping Coombes and the fabulous Larkhall Butcher team: Ping At Home Curries – homemade, freshly cooked Malaysian curries and more – will soon be available for pre-order collection at Larkhall Butchers HQ. Sorakan, Piggies! (https://larkhallbutchers.co.uk / https://www.pingcoombes.com) EAGERLY anticipating a joyful return to the habit of indulging in tastebud-teasers a-plenty when the Budo Ba - Bath’s only Japanese-style Izakaya – reopens for business every Friday/Saturday evening in The Grapes' gracious upper-level Jacobean dining room on Saturday 19 September (https://thegrapesbath.co.uk/ budo-ba/) CHILLIN' out on the uniquely pretty terrace at Popinjays at The Bird (Pulteney Road) where the all-encompassing menu is currently flying high on an Eat Out To Help Out extension (50% off food and soft drinks to a maximum of £10pp every Monday-Wednesday) all the way through to the end of September (https://www. thebirdbath.co.uk/popinjays/)

Cleveland Bridge in Bath | Photo © Bath Echo

Cleveland Bridge was built in 1827. It underwent a major reconstruction in 1928 and was repaired and strengthened again in 1992. A series of defects were identified in 2014 and the weight limit was imposed in February of this year.

Planning officers said the most appropriate solution now is a “comprehensive repair and strengthening exercise”.

The proposed works include a new concrete coating, waterproofing, cleaning and alterations to the pavement.

Addressing the committee, Cllr Rigby said: “Were you to think that despite all the errors and omissions you can today make a decision I could see no way you could approve the application as it currently stands. Would you be happy with pouring a lot of

concrete into the Royal Crescent to allow HGVs to use it?

“If the bridge was so compromised as to be in serious danger of collapse or partial collapse then surely it would be currently closed to all traffic. In fact it just has a temporary weight restriction on it.”

The bridge carries the A36 and Dr Kumar, her fellow Bathwick ward member, said the “real motive” for the repairs was to allow hundreds of lorries to resume using it each day.

He added: “Do we want to construct it again just for these HGVs, or do we want to preserve this asset properly for posterity?

“The current plans defy the obligation to protect and conserve this invaluable asset.”

Representing several residents’ associations, Ceris Humphreys

said there was no public interest in the bridge reopening to lorries.

Planning committee member Cllr Sue Craig said she felt “quite uncomfortable” about whether the committee had all the information it needed, while Cllr Duncan Hounsell sought clarification about whether the damage to the bridge was caused by water or its use by heavy lorries.

Committee chair Matt McCabe said the council could not “wrap every heritage asset in cotton wool and not allow anybody to touch it or walk on it because all those things cause harm.”

He said: “We need to know how we preserve a bridge whose fundamental purpose is traffic crossing from one side of the river.” Members will visit the site before they make a decision.

BECOMING addicted (in a controlled sense, of course) to the upmarket, expertly-mixed cocktails freshly concocted to your taste at smart Saville Row watering hole The Common Room.

Want a really good excuse to say cheers here? The 2-for-£10 deal runs every Monday-Friday up until 10pm (https://commonroombath.co.uk) PLANNING on visiting the brand new Elder Restaurant at the brand new Indigo Hotel at the earliest opportunity. “Authentic, honest, timeless British cooking with a focus on sustainability, seasonality, locally-sourced and wild produce”? Bring. It. ON! (http://theelder.co.uk) 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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Swimming lessons resume at facilities across the Bath area SWIMMING lessons have restarted at pools across the Bath area following a fivemonth hiatus due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Better, the charitable social enterprise that operates nine municipal leisure facilities across B&NES on behalf of Bath and North East Somerset Council, will be implementing a phased relaunch of its Better Swim School, initially focussing on junior swimming lessons for children aged between 5-16yrs, before rolling out to younger children and adults later in the year. Lessons will initially be available at Bath Sports and Leisure Centre and Keynsham Leisure Centre.

Covid-Secure measures have been put in place for pupils, parents and swimming teachers.

This will include asking pupils to arrive at their lesson “pool ready” to minimise time spent in changing rooms, staggered arrival times and a one-way

system to and from classes.

Social distancing will be encouraged throughout the building, for teachers, pupils and any parent spectators, who will also be asked to wear facemasks while observing lessons.

Lesson plans have been adapted to ensure social distancing between staff and pupils is maintained, games and activities involving close or actual contact will be avoided and all equipment will be cleaned before and after use. In addition, all swimming teachers have received additional training around the new CovidSecure protocols.

Emma Lewis, National Swimming Development Manager at Better said: “We are delighted to be able to take the first steps towards bringing swimming lessons back into our pools. We’ve been working hard to ensure that we are safer, better and stronger than ever, so that our swimming lessons will be enjoyable and stress-free. Swimming is a crucial

Photo courtesy of Better

life skill so it’s really important to get our learner swimmers back in the water now, in order to help them continue on their journey towards becoming safe and confident in the water.

“The feedback we’ve received following out test events has been extremely positive and we’re looking forward to welcoming back our pupils and their parents & guardians in the coming days.”

“In normal times, Better provides over 18,000 swimming lessons each week across the UK, yet since the beginning of lockdown had been unable to provide any until now.”

Avon Fire & Rescue ends COVID-19 Residents encouraged to get involved in Great support for ambulance service British September Clean AVON Fire and Rescue Service (AF&RS) has concluded its additional support to South Western Ambulance Service.

Over the 18 weeks of support, staff from AF&RS provided 238 shifts driving ambulances and responded to 787 incidents, with more than 80 category 1 incidents.

Throughout the course of the support, 32 staff from wholetime, day crewing, on-call and corporate staff drove two additional ambulances based at Nailsea fire station and co-located at SWASFT’s Bristol Ambulance Station.

Those involved were added to a weekly shift rota and the support was spread out across the organisation to ensure AF&RS maintained operational availability.

The move followed an agreement between the National Employers, National Fire Chiefs Council and the Fire Brigades Union to support local authorities and the NHS. Iain Campbell, Station Manager and volunteer lead for AF&RS, said: “Working with SWASFT throughout this difficult time was a fantastic opportunity for our staff and the Service, but also meant we could support our blue light colleagues in a new and proactive way.

“We know that SWASFT’s modelling showed they would need extra resources during COVID but our staff put themselves forward in unprecedented ways to help, support and ensure there were adequate resources to deal with demand.

“We are incredibly proud of the ways in which we responded.

“The good feeling from the public during this time has been amazing and it’s been great for us to be able to offer this support to a fel-

low Service at this time.

“This situation has shown how flexible and committed our staff can be when striving to protect our communities during exceptional times and how we can collaborate and strengthen each other.

“The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with both organisations learning a lot about the other, how we both work and ways in which we can continue to strengthen.

“I would also like to thank the staff that supported this from a logistics point of view – Lee Comley and Victoria Williams-Locke – who worked tirelessly to ensure it was a success.”

SWASFT was the only Trust in England which approved fire service support to drive on blue lights and some on-call firefighters have already secured roles with the organisation as Emergency Care Assistants (ECAs).

Michelle Crossman, an On-Call Firefighter at Yatton who supported SWASFT, said: “This has been an incredible time and I am so happy that I was able to support.

“As on-call firefighters, we are often at the heart of the community and this was just another way in which we could support and assist.

“I learnt a lot from my time with SWASFT and hope to partner with the organisation more in the future.

“We worked very well together and it is easy to see the benefits this brought to both organisations.

In March, SWASFT formally requested the five South West fire and rescue services to provide ambulance drivers as part of its Covid-19 response.

SWASFT invested in a fleet of 15 additional ambulances, which were driven by 45 volunteer firefighters across the South West, 24/7.

From mid-April, they attended lower priority calls with ECAs, but from the end of June, they worked alongside paramedics to respond to all categories of emergency.

The firefighters, wearing their usual uniform, responded to more than 4,500 incidents during the first three months of the scheme.

Derek McCullough, SWAFST Resilience Officer for Interoperable Capabilities, was responsible for setting up the scheme.

He said: “We are extremely grateful for the invaluable support we’ve received from all the region’s fire services since April, which has truly benefitted our service to patients.

“This partnership has been a really positive experience for both emergency services.

“AF&RS have helped to make a significant contribution to our patient care and our ability to respond to increasing demands on our service.

“Their support and teamwork has helped to make this project extremely effective.”

RESIDENTS and community groups across Bath and North East Somerset are being encouraged to get involved in the Great British September Clean.

The campaign, organised by Keep Britain Tidy, brings people together to clear up litter in towns, villages and the countryside.

Usually held in the spring, this year’s Great British Clean was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and will now take place until Sunday 27th September.

Councillor David Wood, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services said: “There is no excuse for littering, it is a blight on our communities and the countryside and pollutes the environment.

“Sadly, since the easing of lockdown restrictions we’ve seen a big rise in the amount of litter in our parks and open spaces, verges and hedgerows – everything from takeaway containers to plastic bottles, bags of dog foul

and now used face masks.

“Quite honestly there couldn’t be a better time for the community to get involved in a big clean-up as over the years this campaign has had a huge impact locally with hundreds of bags containing tonnes of litter collected.

“This is the country’s biggest mass-action environmental campaign and by getting involved you’ll help to create cleaner streets and open spaces, protecting wildlife and the environment.”

To become a #litterhero by joining or hosting a litter pick event in your area, register at https:// w w w . ke e p b r i t a i n t i d y . o r g / get-involved/support-our-campaigns/great-british-springclean.

Litter picking equipment is available on loan from the volunteer litter picking group The Keynsham Wombles. For more information, email Erica at womble@ transitionkeynsham.org.

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Homes on protected site allowed despite habitat concerns Stephen Sumner

Local Democracy Reporter

BATH and North East Somerset Council’s plans to build 37 houses on a protected site will go ahead despite its own expert’s fears for a rare habitat.

It is a month since the authority declared an ecological emergency and one resident said it would be a “travesty” if it failed its first test.

But councillors who backed the development in Englishcombe Lane said it would set a positive precedent – showing they expect a net gain to biodiversity if habitats are lost.

The plans propose offsetting the impact by creating new habitats at a larger site in Pennyquick Lane.

Addressing the planning committee on 26th August, objector Danny Groves noted that the council’s own ecologist had objected and said: “A rare and extremely important feature for local ecology will be destroyed.

“This council took steps just weeks ago to declare an ecological emergency. Wouldn’t it be a travesty if, faced with the first big test, you failed?”

The site features tufa springs, a rare geological phenomenon, of

county-level importance.

Planning officer Tessa Hampden told the meeting the council’s ecologist was not certain the habitats could be recreated but a university professor was “comfortable the strategy should work”.

Jackie Pethick, who lives near the development site, warned that the land was unstable and “totally inadequate” for building on, adding: “The development would be an ecological disaster and could be considered negligent and a risky use of public funds.”

Graham Sabourn, the council’s head of housing, backed the scheme saying it would deliver 37 much-needed homes, 14 of which would be affordable, in part thanks to a Homes England grant.

Planning agent Gareth Williams said the site had been allocated for housing and there was a comprehensive package of ecological mitigation measures that would boost biodiversity by 64 per cent.

He said tufa springs are unpredictable and can dry up on their own or be affected by changes to drainage on neighbouring land.

Through its climate emergency declaration, the council committed to resist the

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

destruction of habitats and boost biodiversity, which it recognised as being in “critical decline”.

The motion was proposed by Moorlands ward member Jess David, who said the Englishcombe Lane development was making “too many compromises” for current and future residents and was unacceptable.

Cllr Sue Craig said she struggled to see how building houses justified the risk of the tufa spring and all the wildlife, while Cllr Eleanor

Jackson criticised the “appalling” design of the properties.

But Cllr Sally Davis, who backed the proposals, said: “This is one of the most difficult decisions we’ve had to make. What clinched it for me is the amount of work that’s gone into the ecological mitigation.”

Committee chair Matt McCabe added: “All development on a greenfield site causes harm. Any kind of mitigation on another site may not work.

“There will be a 64 per cent biodiversity net gain. The size of the new site is four times the size of the site that’s going to be developed.

“We’ve declared an ecological emergency. Does that demand we have to stop all development where some habitat is lost, or do we set a precedent of saying we will accept it if there’s a biodiversity net gain?”

The development was approved by five votes to four.

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Choral services to resume at Bath Abbey next month FROM Sunday 4th October, residents are being invited by Bath Abbey to join their choir, albeit smaller than usual, online or in-person for Choral Evensong.

New guidance means that Bath Abbey are able to welcome back their Choir and resume the long tradition of choral services.

This month, the Abbey Choir is singing at the 10.15am Sunday Eucharist, and from October, will have Choral Evensong at 4.30pm each Sunday.

There are plans to record music for Remembrance and for the Advent and Christmas carol services to enable a wider congregation and audience to be part of these popular occasions.

At the moment only small choirs are permitted, which is why they are currently having to restrict the number of choristers during rehearsals as well as services.

Bath Abbey’s hope is to have the full choir back singing together as soon as it is practical and safe to do so.

Huw Williams, Bath Abbey’s Director of Music, said: “We were delighted to have a choir of 10 singers at the Abbey yesterday singing at public worship for the first time since March.

“It was a very joyful moment to be part of this. We are gradually opening the choirs, with rehearsals and services in smaller groups at present and it is wonderful to see the boys, girls and lay-clerks returning to working together.

“During the lockdown we have been sharing videos online and have received many comments and messages of grateful thanks for the music.

“In turn, we would like to thank everyone for their lovely messages, patience and continued support of our choir.”

Revd Canon Guy Bridgewater, Rector of Bath Abbey, added: “To begin welcoming back our choirs is truly to welcome back Joy, and a sense of God’s Glory filling the Abbey once again.

“Behind our facemasks the rest

£1.24 million package set to bolster suicideprevention work

A SUPPORT package totalling £1.24 million is being used to strengthen local suicide-prevention work and to provide practical and emotional support to friends and family who have lost a loved one to suicide.

The latest wave of funding from NHS England and NHS Improvement comes as events are held across the South West on World Suicide Prevention Day. Its significance is reflected in new data showing that the South West has the second-highest suicide rate among men in the nine English regions, with 19.4 deaths per 100,000 in 2019 against 16.7 for England as a whole.

By contrast, the suicide rate among females in the South West was little over a quarter of that level, with 4.9 per 100,00 in 2019 against 5.2 for England as a whole. The difference between male and female rates is broadly similar nationwide.

One of the main beneficiaries

of existing funding in the South West has been the Hope Project, which covers Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.

The project provides support to men aged 30 to 64 who are experiencing psychological distress, in debt or financial difficulties, or dealing with housing or employment issues, as well as those who have recently self-harmed and are not in touch with other mental health services.

Over the last 12 months, the project has supported more than 250 men, significantly more than the original target of 180.

In Bath, Swindon and Wiltshire, the funding will be used for targeted work with employers, given the likelihood of COVID-related job losses, assertive work with individuals to make sure they get the help they need (linked to the Hope Project), training for primary care staff and a review of the way people in crisis are helped.

Photo courtesy of Bath Abbey

of us may not be allowed to sing with our voices just yet, but we will certainly sing with our spirits – and with smiles unrestrained!”

Congregation numbers for the

Sunday 10.15am Eucharist and 4.30pm Choral Evensong services are currently limited to enable Bath Abbey to keep everyone as safe as possible. To be sure of a

seat, visitors are encouraged to register online via an Eventbrite page. Tickets are free and will be available on the Monday preceding the day of the service.

Theatre Royal to reopen in October with season of modern classic plays

The Theatre Royal Bath in Sawclose | Photo © Nigel Jarvis / Shutterstock.com

THE Theatre Royal Bath has announced that the Main House will be reopening this Autumn with a collection of three modern classics.

The Welcome Back Season will feature three modern classic plays and runs from Wednesday 14th October – Saturday 12th December.

The season of plays will open with Harold Pinter’s masterpiece Betrayal directed by Jonathan Church from 14th October to 31st October, followed by Michael Frayn’s award-winning Copenhagen, directed by Polly Findlay from 4th November to 21st November, and lastly include David Mamet’s provocative drama Oleanna directed by Nicole Charles which will run from 25th

November to 12th December.

Director of the Theatre Royal Bath, Danny Moar, said: “We’re very excited about the prospect of welcoming our audience back to Bath in just a matter of weeks.

“The plays we have chosen are modern classics which we know will offer the audience the quality theatre they have been craving for the last six months.

“The health and safety of our patrons is our most important priority, and we will be abiding by all the Government’s guidance on indoor performances.

“We have been overwhelmed with the generosity and understanding from our patrons during this difficult time, and we look forward to sharing our beautiful building with the public once

again.”

Following all government guidance and in consultation with health and safety advisors RB Health and Safety Solutions, the capacity of the theatre has been reduced by more than half from 888 to 375, to allow for socially distanced seating.

Further COVID-secure measures will include mandatory face coverings (unless exempt), hand sanitiser units, thermal temperature checks, dedicated entry points, staggered arrivals and audience flow, fresh air circulation and enhanced cleaning.

Tickets for the Welcome Back Season are now on sale via www. theatreroyal.org.uk or 01225 448844. Casting has yet to be confirmed for the season.

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Community Trading Standards warns residents about unscrupulous traders RESIDENTS across Bath and North East Somerset are being warned to beware of unscrupulous traders trying to scam them out of money.

Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Trading Standards team has recently seen an upsurge in the number of complaints from people who have been telephoned and offered loft insulation.

The caller often claims they have been asked to carry out a free inspection as the householder’s previous installer had used faulty products or ceased trading.

Following their inspection, the trader will then claim expensive work that needs to be carried out when it is not necessary.

The trader will often take a deposit and never return or may install a thin roll of inadequate insulation or provide an ineffective spray treatment.

Councillor Paul Crossley, cabinet member for Community Services, said: “Unfortunately, it appears some unscrupulous traders are trying to recover their loss of income during lockdown

by scamming residents. Some of these traders are known to Trading Standards and subject to ongoing investigation.

“They can be charming and polite and particularly prey on elderly and vulnerable residents who are less likely to be able to check their lofts and agree to the work.

“Our advice is to always say no to these callers and report them.”

Neighbouring districts have also reported an increase in rogue ‘Tree Specialists’ targeting elderly people with leaflets offering

‘special discounts for OAPs.’ Residents are advised to not enter into any contract without carrying out research and not to part with any money before work is completed.

Traders can be reported to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service by calling 0808 223 1133 or visiting https://bit.ly/35rh5w1.

If residents need loft insulation, the National Insulation Association has a list of approved installers at https://www.nia-uk.org/ nia-members/installers/.

Chance to make a difference by offering young person a foster home “TO see a child grow and develop and become a fantastic adult in the community is so rewarding”, the words of one of Bath and North East Somerset Council’s foster carers as the authority asks people to consider whether they could offer a stable, secure foster home to a young person in care.

Despite an increase in enquiries from people considering fostering during lockdown, there are still more than 180 children currently being looked after by the council and the number of children needing foster homes continues to grow.

Sarah and James have been fostering for the council for the past two years. Sarah said: “We decided to become foster carers to provide a child who hasn’t had a great start in life with a loving caring family.

“It really is fantastic to see the impact you can have on a child, to watch them grow and develop and develop bonds with you and the extended family.

“Of course fostering can be challenging, having to pick up the pieces after disappointments or dealing with issues at school, but these challenges are outweighed by the rewards such as hearing a child say thank you and that they appreciate everything you have done for them.”

Children and young people of all ages and from all backgrounds come into care when they are unable to live with their birth parents for a period of time.

This can range from a few weeks, for example when a family is in a short-term crisis, to long term placements with children being provided with a home and supportive family for as long as they need.

Foster carers can transform a young person’s life, as sixteenyear-old Claire explained in a letter to her foster carer of two years: “You gave me a second chance in life, and I am so thankful. You always make room for me to talk to you and you support everything I do. You always remind me that life is hard, which it is. You are always there when I need to rant about things. I see you as someone I want to grow up and be.”

Foster carers come from all backgrounds and bring a wide range of life and work experiences.

Children in care are very likely to have experienced traumatic periods in their early lives and foster carers are trained and supported to develop the skills needed to meet the needs of children in care.

Councillor Kevin Guy, cabinet member for Children’s Services said: “We currently have 183 children in care across Bath and

North East Somerset and while we had a big increase in enquiries from people interested in becoming foster carers during lockdown, we still have an ongoing need for more carers to give children a stable family environment.

“By fostering a child through the council, you enable them to stay living close to the people and places they have always known.

You can make a huge difference to a young person’s life giving them a safe and secure home life.

“At the moment, we are specifically looking for carers that can look after adolescents, parents and children together, disabled children and those who can provide respite to families in need.

However, we also welcome general enquiries.”

To become a foster carer you must: • Be at least 21 years-old • Have a spare bedroom big enough for a young person to live in • Be a full-time resident in the UK or have leave to remain • Be reasonably fit - physically and emotionally. However, disability isn’t a barrier to fostering.

If you are interested in fostering and would like to find out more visit: https://fostering.bathnes.gov.uk, call 01225 394949 or email: fostering@bathnes.gov.uk.

Lib Dems back new law to create clean energy

LIBERAL Democrats across Bath and North East Somerset are backing a proposed new law to boost and promote clean community energy.

The “Local Electricity Bill”, promoted by campaigners Power for People, aims to remove the unfair regulations and excessive costs which prevent local energy projects from getting started.

The proposed Bill has already gained the support of 198 MPs, including Bath’s MP Wera Hobhouse, and hundreds of organisations and local authorities.

It would make it easier for community groups to start up renewable energy projects and sell the electricity to local consumers.

In a motion coming before B&NES Council later this week, councillors will formally back the Bill and add the Council’s voice to calls for it to become law.

Member Advocate for Renewable Energy, Councillor Alastair Singleton, who will propose the motion commented: “Community renewable energy initiatives are one of our great success stories in B&NES. “We already have a vibrant, creative and successful community energy sector, which is recognised as a national leader.

“However, local generators are barred from becoming direct energy suppliers.

“They can’t sell their electricity directly to local residents because of the huge legal and structural barriers to becoming an official supplier. Instead, they must sell to the national grid at wholly uneconomic prices.

“Removing these barriers could see growth in both existing and new local generation schemes.

There is enormous potential and a strong appetite in our area to raise local funds for further community-owned production.

“Businesses and community organisations could become local suppliers, and this would keep money within the community, help tackle fuel poverty and cre-

ate new green jobs.

“The benefits to our communities could be immense.

“As we face the climate and ecological emergencies, we need to increase local renewable energy generation massively in order to cut carbon emissions and provide energy resilience for the future.

“The Local Electricity Bill is an opportunity to unleash and empower local entrepreneurship in support of a green renewal of our local economy.”

Wera Hobhouse, MP for Bath, added: “I am delighted to support the new Local Electricity Bill in Parliament, and so pleased to see my fellow Lib Dems in Bath & North East Somerset backing this proposed new law.

“The Bill will empower and enable new community energy companies to sell energy they generate directly to local people, helping to strengthen local economies. This would be a real win for Bath and for the rest of our country given the economic shock of the pandemic.

“The Bill will also help accelerate our transition to clean energy, which is critical in avoiding the potential economic and ecological devastation of climate change.

I will do all that I can to ensure it becomes law.”

Steve Shaw, Director of Power for People, who are co-ordinating the national public campaign for the Bill, added: “We thank and congratulate the Lib Dems in Bath and North East Somerset for supporting the Local Electricity Bill.

“There is huge potential locally for communities to benefit from new renewable energy projects and new local energy companies.

But these will only arrive if the antiquated rules governing our energy system are reformed.

“The Local Electricity Bill will do this by enabling local households and businesses to buy their electricity from clean, local providers directly.”

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Education Collaboration aims to blitz infections with ultraviolet light SCIENTISTS at the University of Bath are collaborating on a major project that aims to transform the treatment of dangerous infections and ‘inoperable’ cancers using deep-ultraviolet light.

The five-year, £6.1 million U-care project, led by Heriot-Watt University, is among six research projects announced on Tuesday 8th September.

The U-Care project is being funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Collectively, these six projects will use technological solutions to tackle complex problems in healthcare.

The aim is to transform care and treatments in the NHS by 2050.

Scientists from Bath will design advanced optical fibres that are capable of delivering short-wavelength deep-ultraviolet light within the human body.

Longer-wavelength ultraviolet light is well-known to kill pathogens but also to damage human DNA and cause cancer, hence

the well-known need to avoid too much exposure to the sun.

However, shorter-wavelength UV light is absorbed by proteins in the outer parts of human cells to a much greater degree than the UV light emanating from the sun, making it a strong candidate for safe and potentially life-saving medical treatments.

Professor Tim Birks from the Department of Physics explained: “Our idea is to exploit the fact that the deep-ultraviolet light never reaches the nuclei of human cells.

Bacterial cells are much smaller.

They don’t have nuclei so you can destroy them with deep-ultraviolet light without damaging the patient’s DNA.” Hospitalised patients, including those with Covid-19, are highly susceptible to secondary bacterial infections, many of which are resistant to antibiotics.

Such infections are a particular concern in intensive care units, where patients are exposed to bacteria from ventilators and catheters. If U-care yields results while the Covid-19 pandemic is ongoing, the new technology

may be deployed to treat patients against secondary lung infections triggered by the coronavirus.

“It’s not a project that aims to help the sick now, but if we make rapid progress we hope to be ready for future pandemics,” said Professor Birks, who is leading the investigation for Bath.

U-care will also give surgeons a tool for operating with more precision. Cancer surgeons will be able to remove tumours that are currently left untouched because there is no reliable way of excising them without affecting the surrounding tissue.

The challenge for the Bath researchers is to produce optical fibres to direct the deep UV light to confined regions of the body, such as the lungs, surgical sites and the urinary tract of patients using catheters long term.

“It’s hard to make fibres on that micro-scale,” said Professor Birks.

“We need to find a solution that can eventually be made cheaply and routinely.” U-care is a collaboration between Bath, Heriot Watt University and the University of Edinburgh.

Duo to take on 2,500km Coast2Coast challenge TWO University of Bath rugby players are swapping their boots for running shoes as they embark on an epic 35day, 2,500km run along the west coast of Ireland to raise money for mental health charities.

Chris Barry and Jason AdamHein have been best friends since meeting at the university in 2016, where they were both part of the student rugby club.

Together they have set up a mental health support group called Shoulder 2 Shoulder and have been training hard towards their first fundraising challenge, which started on 13th September – the Coast2Coast Ultra-Run through the Wild Atlantic Way, the spectacular coastal route of their native Ireland.

They are running up to 75km each day, with both admitting that is well beyond anything they did during their rugby careers.

Forward Chris, who is studying a Masters in Management and has been a BUCS Super Rugby regular for Team Bath men’s 1st XV for the past four years, said: “What makes this challenge so unique and exciting for me is that before my training for Coast2Coast, the furthest I have ever run is a half-marathon.

“This is obviously daunting and extremely scary but I want to push my body to the physical and mental limit. Running for Mental Health Ireland and Mental Health UK is definitely a motivating factor for me.”

Jason, who graduated from Bath in 2018 and now works in financial services in

Fibre optics will deliver deep-ultraviolet light Image © Robert Francis-Jones and Tom Wright

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Jason Adam-Hein and Chris Barry

Manchester, saw his student-rugby career blighted by injury and says that made him more aware of his own mental health and how it can be affected.

“Mental health is only an ‘issue’ when you don’t know it’s there,” he said.

“Once you accept and acknowledge it, you’ll be surprised how powerful it can be in your favour and I want to prove that in September.

“My anxiety, when out of control, severely affected my breathing which meant that running as little as 50m was a struggle.

“Playing rugby began to seem impossible and before May, I hadn’t actually ever run more than 5km continuously. That’s why this run excites me – it excites me because it terrifies me.”

To find out more about Shoulder 2 Shoulder or sponsor Chris and Jason on their Coast2Coast challenge, visit: https://www. shoulder2shouldermentalhealth.com.

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Health Community support services for new local mums NEW mums are to be given additional support during the first few weeks of parenthood, thanks to a host of new initiatives put forward by the local Clinical Commissioning Group.

The Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group, which is responsible for planning and buying local healthcare services, outlined its plans for the new community-based support at its Governing Body meeting on Thursday 30th July, where it was met with unanimous approval.

Mums in the region will now benefit from, amongst other things, face-to-face follow- up appointments within the first ten days of giving birth, a dedicated 24-hour telephone helpline and access to online support videos.

Help with newborn feeding techniques will also be available through one-to-one video calls and, where appropriate, in person with a named peer supporter.

The new services are designed to support mums in the environment that is best for them

and their baby, which feedback from local families has shown to be the home.

As well as complimenting a number of already wellestablished community-based support services, the new initiatives will also ensure no families are left disadvantaged by the permanent closure of postnatal beds at Chippenham Community Hospital.

Prior to coronavirus, and following a lengthy public consultation, a decision was made to close the postnatal beds at Chippenham Community Hospital in the spring of 2021.

However, the closure was temporarily brought forward to May of this year in response to the ongoing pandemic.

Now, following the rapid development of the new community-based support services, the permanent closure can be introduced in a safe and structured way.

Lucy Baker, Director of Service Delivery, said: “While we are of course sad to see the beds close at Chippenham Community

“No guarantee" that coronavirus vaccine will be effective Stephen Sumner

Local Democracy Reporter

AN “Apollo space mission amount of science” is being thrown at developing a Covid-19 vaccine but there are no guarantees it will be effective, a health chief has said.

Dr Bruce Laurence said Bath and North East Somerset had a long run without any cases but it was bound to end, with a cluster identified in the Somer Valley.

Care homes in the area were shut to visitors as a “very precautionary” step to prevent a repeat of the “awful” impact in the first phase of the pandemic.

Speaking during a recent webinar, the director of public health at Bath and North East Somerset Council said: “There’s evidence that we might be going in the right direction.

“If everyone does the right thing more we will get on top of this. If everyone’s a bit slack we could easily lose it, so it’s all about prevention in all age groups.”

Dr Laurence said the bulk of cases are now in those aged between 18 and 40, who may feel that the virus will not affect them much even if they get it, but he emphasised that preventing its transmission is everyone’s

responsibility.

“The bug is with us – it’ll never go away,” he said. “Even if we have a vaccine we have to live with it to some degree.

“There’s possibly a change in virus behaviour – I’ve heard it hypothesised that it’s becoming more infectious but less dangerous. We’re a long way from having any effective vaccine.

“I would say we’re not likely to have it until well into next year, and then we have no absolute guarantee that there will be a vaccine that’s highly effective either.

“There’s an Apollo space mission amount of science being thrown at this.

“It’s caught the world’s attention like nothing in my career, not even the flu pandemic of 2009 which I was involved in. Scientists are working hard all over the world.”

For Dr Laurence, it was a “nobrainer” to cancel the Christmas market because there is “no way it can be done in good conscience”, adding: “Christmas is a time of year when a lot of people are going to want to come together when we’ll have colds and flu so we really will want to keep a lid on unnecessary transmission at that point.

“We should be in a position to prevent a winter lockdown.”

Mental Wellbeing with Karen Bray HAPPINESS IN THREE QUESTIONS

Hospital, the move to more community- based postnatal support is something that local mums have told us they would like to see.

“Providing care in the family home, especially at this current time, means mums, dads and babies are looked after in an environment that is personal to them.

“We hope the extra measures being brought in will help new families to feel fully supported during this very special period of their lives.”

Prior to the Governing Body’s decision, a survey of more than 100 local parents showed there to be no concerns from families in the region regarding the revised closure date.

Doctors appeal for more people to join cancer unit challenge DOCTORS at the Royal United Hospital are urging residents to take part in the Bath Cancer Unit Support Group’s #BCUSG3000Challenge to help raise money for essential medical equipment.

The cancer unit at the RUH treats around 3,000 new patients a year on average, but the coronavirus pandemic has put increased pressure on cancer services at the hospital.

The BCUSG charity is asking local people to dream up their own fundraising challenge based on the number 3,000 to fund new equipment that will allow doctors to treat cancer patients more quickly.

Richard Graham, deputy medical director and a consultant radiologist at the RUH, said: “As a result of the constraints due to the Covid-19 pandemic the NHS needs more capacity to treat patients, including patients with cancer.

“Radiotherapy and cancer diagnostics are now fully operational but additional capacity is needed and further investment in these areas will undoubtedly be beneficial.

“So we are asking local people of all ages to get behind the Bath Cancer Unit Support Group’s 3000 Campaign and help

fund state-of-the-art medical equipment which will enable us to speed up the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients.”

BCUSG chairman Mike Taylor added: “Fundraising ideas can include anything from skipping 3,000 times, scoring 3,000 goals or completing a distance of 3,000 metres (3k) in your garden or on roller skates.

“The more imaginative the ideas, the better.

“Anyone can take part, whatever your age or ability, so long as official advice on social distancing is followed.

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

The BCUSG recently contributed £340,000 towards the cost of an advanced gamma camera for cancer diagnosis and has allocated money for a quiet room at the RUH for palliative care and portable ultrasound scanners for breast cancer patients.

The BCUSG has also agreed to fund additional equipment needed for the new cancer centre at the RUH. For more information on how to take part in the Bath Cancer Unit #BCUSG3000Challenge go to https://www.bcusg.org.

When life has got us down, moving forward into a more positive future always requires a balance of two contrasting elements: Firstly, it's important to fully acknowledge our experience, which includes accepting all our feelings, however painful they are (and however inappropriate we may believe them to be) as valid.

Secondly, it helps to take positive action in the world, despite our difficult feelings.

Both these aspects are equally valuable. However, as a counsellor I often provide space for people to explore difficult feelings which they can't express anywhere else, in a society which likes to "accentuate the positive".

This is, perhaps, why psychological therapies have a reputation for dwelling on problems and deficits. In fact, I also use a powerful "solution-focused" approach which pays attention to people's strengths, capabilities and hopes for the future.

This is not simplistic "positive thinking" or "getting on with things" however. That can backfire when we, or those around us, have unrealistic expectations of what we can achieve.

I recently came across the phrase: "We cannot see the wind someone is walking into, we can only see how it forces them to lean."

While this is a good reminder not to judge others by how they appear (that's just an indicator of what they are struggling with), I think we can often underestimate the "wind we are walking into" ourselves. That sets us up for failure and harsh self-judgment.

Rather than set ourselves goals which might lead to a feeling of overwhelm, we can notice what's already working, using the "Three Questions for a Happy Life" identified by Belgian therapist Luc Isebaert. It takes just a few minutes to answer them at the end of each day, perhaps in a journal.

They are: 1. What did I do today that I am happy with?

2. What did someone else do that I am happy with or grateful for?

And did I react in a way that could help this person to do something like that again?

3. What did I see, hear, feel, smell or taste today that I was happy with or grateful for?

Karen Bray (MBACP) is a counsellor with a private practice in Bath. Her website is at www.karenbray.co.uk

Tuesday, 15th September 2020

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Business Over 3000 businesses supported thanks to COVID-19 grants NEW figures have revealed that almost three and a half thousand businesses across Bath and North East Somerset shared a total of £42.9 million in COVID-19 support grants from the government.

The grant scheme has now closed, and all individual payments have been made.

Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Invest in Bath team supported businesses needing urgent financial assistance from the Government, launched an online form to speed up the process and offered tailored support to help businesses get their applications right.

Councillor Richard Samuel, deputy Leader, said: “These grants have made a huge difference to our local businesses in these difficult times and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to support

so many.

“Unfortunately, it was not possible to help every business because of restrictions imposed by the government and limits on the money they made available.

“Our Invest in Bath team have worked hard for several months to turn the applications around as quickly as possible, as well as providing individualised help and advice to any business that needed it.

“One of our main priorities in recovering from the pandemic is helping businesses get back on their feet, so I’m encouraged to see from these new figures the positive impact the grants have made.”

Payments to businesses have been finalised for grants under the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality and Small Business schemes, including the discretionary

grants for small and micro-businesses not eligible for the main grants.

Joanna Tiley, Director of Joanna Tiley Estate Agents in Chew Stoke, said: “The team at Invest In Bath have been so supportive during this very difficult time.

“I am a new estate agency business in the Chew Valley and without their help and guidance I would not have known I was entitled to claim for the coronavirus grants. The grant will help towards my business costs during the lockdown and beyond.

“Without the grant it would have been very difficult to continue and will make all the difference to me and my business in the future.

A massive thank you.”

Maria Hyde from Kwik Strip in Bath added: “I would like to say that to receive the grant from Bath & North East Somerset

Council was such an incredible help to me.

“As I am running a small business and especially in these challenging times to receive such a large amount of money was amazing and cannot express how wonderful it felt when it was awarded to

me.

“It has taken so much pressure away from me and I have to say a huge thank you.”

You can visit www.investinbath. co.uk to find out about the range of support and advice available to local businesses.

Metro Mayor urges businesses to Retailer Kutchenhaus sign up to coronavirus job schemes continues growth with first ever store in Bath REGIONAL Mayor Tim Bowles has urged employers of all sizes across the West of England to sign up to two new schemes that have been launched to help get people into jobs following the pandemic.

Generous cash incentives are now available to businesses to help them take on new apprentices, and the new £2bn Kickstarter scheme will help ensure young people at risk of long-term unemployment can access jobs and work experience thanks to funding support to employers from the Government.

The schemes, announced by the Chancellor Rishi Sunak as part of the Plan for Jobs support the West of England’s Mayors own plan for the region’s recovery.

They will form part of the package of measures promoted through the West of England Growth Hub and through Future Bright advisors to help residents get back into jobs, start careers and to help businesses get back on their feet after the coronavirus outbreak.

West of England Mayor Tim Bowles, said: “As we get the West of England’s economy moving again after Coronavirus, getting people in to jobs and helping them start rewarding careers is more important than ever.

“That’s why I’ve put it at the centre of my plan for our region’s recovery and these new schemes from the Government will help boost the package of measures I’ve already announced.

“I’m a great supporter of apprenticeships. Our region’s colleges provide a brilliant learning environment to help people get ahead in a wide range of exciting

Regional Mayor Tim Bowles

industries and they also help our businesses create that vital pipeline of talent for future.

“Our region has always had a strong economy and as we build it back up again we must make sure that everyone shares in the recovery, particularly our young people.

“That’s why schemes like Kickstarter are so vital to create jobs and give young people the skills to access them.

“I’d like to encourage firms across the region, large and small, to sign up to both of these schemes so that we give our residents as many opportunities as possible.”

Under the apprenticeships scheme, employers are being offered £2,000 for each new apprentice they hire aged under 25 and £1,500 for each newly-recruited apprentice aged 25 and over.

The cash boost is designed to support employers to cover the cost of recruiting an apprentice such as providing facilities or uniforms, helping with travel costs or helping to pay their salary.

Employers who want to take ad-

vantage of the offer can apply through the government’s digital apprenticeship service.

The Kickstarter scheme allows employers that sign up to be able to offer young people aged 16-24 who are claiming Universal Credit a six-month work placement that is fully funded by the government.

This means the Government will pay 100 per cent of the young persons’ age-relevant National Minimum Wage, National Insurance and pension contributions for 25 hours a week, which the employer can top up if they chose to.

In addition, the Government will also pay the employer £1500 for each young person they take on, to support any training or associated costs like uniforms that they might incur when setting up the scheme.

Kickstarter will initially be open until December 2021, but there is the option for it to be extended.

Young people will be referred into the new roles through their Jobcentre Plus work coach with the first Kickstarts expected to begin at the start of November.

KITCHEN retailer Kutchenhaus has opened its first ever store in Bath, marking its 34th showroom to open in the UK. The store, at Saracen Street in the city centre, has now opened its doors to the public, serving customers across Bath and surrounding areas.

The new showroom will harness the latest technology to provide virtual appointments and use its new online 3D planning and design tool to create kitchens remotely for customers that do not wish to go to the store.

Boasting 1400 square foot of retail space across two floors, the Bath store will employ three new members of staff in customer services and kitchen design.

The shop will be managed by Rob Cash, who after nearly four years with his Bristol showroom is now growing the business by opening at a second location.

Rob has managed the Bristol showroom and prior to this has over 15 years of kitchen design experience.

Kutchenhaus is owned by Nobilia, Europe’s largest kitchen manufacturer, providing German-designed ranges.

Speaking about the opening of the new store, Rob Cash said: “The team is incredibly excited to be opening the brand-new store in Bath, and are looking forward to welcoming the community

through the doors.

“We plan on having a socially distanced launch, where we will invite people to the showroom in specific staggered time slots.

“It has taken six weeks to completely transform the space to Kutchenhaus’ high-quality standards. We are looking forward to meeting shoppers and introducing them to the new showroom.

“There are a number of home improvement companies in this area of Bath which will make it a perfect place to visit if you are planning to improve your home.

“Our location is very similar to the location of our Bristol showroom, which gives us confidence we can be successful in the city.”

Sean Ford, national head of sales and operations for Kutchenhaus, added: “Kutchenhaus is on an ambitious growth path over the next 2-3 years, however being in the grip of a global pandemic has certainly presented some challenges and even positively altered the way we do business in some cases.

“It is therefore extremely satisfying that Rob and the team are now in a position to be able to open a new store in Bath and offer local customers the opportunity to plan and design their dream kitchen. We wish Rob and the team all the best and wait to see their future success.”

14

Puzzles

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Crossword - Win ÂŁ25!

Across 1 German liqueur (8) 9 Burden excessively (8) 10 Self-important (8) 11 Travelling case for clothes (8) 12 Refrain voluntarily (7) 13 Gambling game (4,4) 14 Private feud (8) 18 Acts (8) 21 Bald (8) 23 Black magic (7) 24 I o W town (8) 26 Staple of Mediterranean cooking (5,3) 27 Goodbye (8) 28 Charismatic (8)

Tuesday, 15th September 2020

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Codeword

Down 2 Responsive to drugs (7) 3 Midday (8) 4 Musician who could play the Moonlight Sonata (7) 5 Drunkards (4) 6 Musical performance (7) 7 Tranquil (6) 8 Cushion for kneeling (7) 13 Poaches with a torch (5) 15 Substantial (8) 16 West Atlantic island country (7) 17 Decreased (7) 19 Covering for a building (7) 20 Cocktail (7) 22 Battered (6) 25 Small island (4)

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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 25th September 2020.

Please note: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, we will not accept crossword entries to our PO Box postal address. The winner will be notified by the email address they use to enter this competition.

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Tuesday, 15th September 2020

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Politics Support for businesses to prepare their vehicles for Clean Air Zone BUSINESSES in Bath and North East Somerset are being encouraged to check if emission charges will apply to their vehicles ahead of the launch of Bath’s Clean Air Zone.

The Clean Air Zone (CAZ), which will not charge private cars, is being introduced to urgently improve air quality in the city.

It was due to be switched on in November but has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic and a new launch date is expected to be agreed shortly.

Bath & North East Somerset Council has begun writing to all registered businesses in the district to ask them to check their vehicles online at www.bathnes. gov.uk/checkyourvehicle and explain how they can get financial support to upgrade their fleet if needed.

If charges do apply, businesses could be eligible for the council’s financial assistance scheme to help them upgrade to compliant vehicles or they could qualify for a range of exemptions.

The council will also be calling companies by telephone wherever possible to make sure they are aware of the CAZ, help them assess the impact on their businesses and offer an appointment with a travel and transport advisor.

The CAZ will operate in the city centre 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Charges will apply to pre-euro 6/ VI diesel and pre-euro 4 petrol vehicles, except private cars and motorbikes.

Councillor Sarah Warren, joint cabinet member for Climate Emergency, said: “Now is a really good time to check your vehicles against Bath’s new emission standards to see whether charges will apply. It’s quick and easy to do the check online and you’ll be getting a letter from us to encourage you to do this at the earliest opportunity.

“We’ll also be giving you a call to make sure you’re aware of the financial assistance and exemptions available.

“We are also mindful of the fact that many businesses are currently adapting to new and challenging conditions due to lockdown and the Covid-19 pandemic.

“If this applies to you, as well as asking for help from one of our CAZ travel advisors you can get support from our business teams.

Visit www.investinbath.co.uk for more details.”

CAZ charges only apply to noncompliant HGVs, buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, minibuses, LGVs and vans including pick-ups and campers.

Private cars and motorbikes will not be charged, regardless of their emission standard.

There is also a range of exemptions available, including a means-tested exemption for businesses that are eligible and have applied for the financial assistance scheme but are unsuccessful in their application.

Council's regeneration of former Civic Centre commended

BATH & North East Somerset Council has been commended in the prestigious MJ Awards for its regeneration of Keynsham’s former civic centre into sustainable housing.

The annual MJ Local Government Achievement Awards recognise best practice amongst local authorities across the country, with B&NES Council commended for Innovation in Property and Asset Management.

The challenging redevelopment of the 1960’s civic centre building to deliver modern, affordable, sustainable homes was carried out by the council’s property company Aequus Construction Ltd (ADL).

The company supports the council’s objectives to improve the supply, quality and quantity of homes available in the district, and to repurpose buildings in innovative and imaginative ways that improve people’s lives.

Profits from Aequus are used to deliver services for residents and therefore reduce public costs.

95 contemporary studio, one and two bedroom apartments were created, at the renamed Riverside View, with all but 17 now sold.

Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for Housing, Planning and Economic Development, said: “To be commended in the prestigious MJ Awards is a fantastic achievement.

“Aequus has done some excellent work in redeveloping this important site that supports Keynsham’s wider regeneration.

“This development exemplifies the aims and values of the council in providing great energy efficient sustainable homes through the repurposing and redevelopment of disused properties.”

Redevelopment work is still continuing at Riverside View with the South Block due to be completed this Autumn.

Last issue's puzzle solutions Crossword

Congratulations to Christine Dagger who won £25 in our last issue!

Across: 4 Equip, 9 Unclasp, 10 Lhasa, 11 Sieve, 12 Bambino, 13 Awash, 14 Mists, 17 Either, 18 Aerial, 19 Opal, 20 Parted, 22 Cosmic, 25 Awes, 26 Outwit, 29 Fencer, 31 Satyr, 34 Hippo, 35 Interns, 36 Byway, 37 Cocoa, 38 Arrange, 39 Renal.

Down: 1 Bubble, 2 Scimitar, 3 Balinese, 4 Epsom, 5 Users, 6 Please, 7 Safari, 8 Catholic, 15 Impiety, 16 Talc, 20 Prophecy, 21 Data, 23 Overturn, 24 Macaroni, 27 Topics, 28 Isobar, 30 Risked, 32 Tywyn, 33 Riyal.

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Hard

16

Tuesday, 15th September 2020

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In Other News....

Local councils make urgent call for leisure centre funding BATH & North East Somerset Council has joined local authorities across the South West in calling on the government to urgently provide funding to safeguard the future of local leisure centres.

Members of the South West Leisure Group are asking ministers to help local councils meet the increased costs of reopening and operating leisure centres caused by lockdown and the ongoing impact of COVID-19.

Councillor Paul Crossley, cabinet member for Community Services for Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “While I’m delighted we’ve been able to start a phased reopening of some of our leisure centres, they are facing substantial increased costs as a result of putting Covid-secure measures in place – including limiting customer numbers and reducing opening hours.

“We’ve already had to provide significant financial assistance to our leisure providers GLL (a notfor-profit social enterprise) and,

at time when Covid has placed a severe strain on our finances, this is not sustainable. Until confidence and demand grows, the government needs to ensure the sector gets the funding it so desperately needs.”

Across the South West, many leisure centres remain closed. Others which have reopened or partially reopened say they’ve seen their income drop by 50 per cent and predict the situation may not improve for up to two years.

This has led the South West Leisure Group to warn the government it needs to act now before the furlough scheme ends this autumn, or it may be too late for the sector.

Government funding announced last month will enable around a quarter of councils to recover a proportion of the income they’ve lost from leisure services as a result of the pandemic.

But many other local authorities, such as B&NES, have been asked to financially support the private companies, charitable leisure

trusts and other organisations contracted to run leisure facilities on their behalf to keep them financially viable.

David Worden, Leader of North Devon Council said: “The leisure facilities provided by local authorities are vital to our communities as councils provide the facilities that the private sector is not generally interested in such as swimming pools etc.

“Councils that outsourced management of these facilities are now being penalised by the government because they cannot recover the vast sums of money now being required to effectively prop up their external providers and enable them to open facilities.”

Sport England and Community Leisure UK have been leading cross-sector support on the challenges facing local authorities’ leisure provision due to Covid-19 and have also made the government aware of their serious concerns about the impact on public leisure provision and the need to

£200,000 of funding awarded to boost renewable energy schemes COMMUNITIES across the South West have been awarded a total of almost £200,000 in feasibility funding from the Rural Community Energy Fund for a range of renewable energy schemes.

The projects cover a variety of locations but all share the ambition of reducing carbon emissions while tackling local issues, such as reducing fuel poverty.

The solutions range from tapping into the natural heat of the earth’s surface to supply a Grade-1 listed church to powering public transport by solar-generated hydrogen.

The funding scheme is being administered by the South West Energy Hub, based within the West of England Combined Authority. This is the third allocation of grant awards.

West of England Mayor Tim Bowles said: “To tackle climate change and make a lasting difference, we all need to take steps to reduce our carbon emissions.

“It’s fantastic to see so many community and local organisations coming together right across the South West to do just that, and to achieve so much.

“I was really struck by the innovation and ambition demonstrated by the community groups which have put forward these applications and am looking forward to seeing the results of the feasibility studies.

“I hope their efforts will inspire other communities across the re-

A solar installation on B&NES Council building Lewis House | Photo © BWCE

gion to follow suit.”

Among those receiving grant awards is Bath and West Community Energy (BWCE) which has been awarded funding of over £25,000 to test the viability of a community-owned electric vehicle charging network, powered by solar energy.

The project will initially be trialled in Bradford on Avon with potential to expand to other rural communities in West Wiltshire and Bath and North East Somerset, where Bath and West Community operates.

Alex Lockton, Development Coordinator at BWCE, said: “We were delighted to receive this grant funding which is a major boost for the project.

“We’ve already been in talks with

local community groups and councillors and we know there is certainly the appetite for this kind of infrastructure within the area.

“Many people have told us they want to reduce their travel-related carbon emissions but in rural areas using public transport or cycling does not suit everyone’s lifestyles.

“By providing community owned charging facilities we hope to make low carbon travel more accessible.”

As well as working with community groups, the South West Energy Hub also provides capacity support to public and voluntary sector organisations looking to develop green energy projects across their estates.

secure additional financial support.

Community Leisure UK’s £1bn funding campaign #saveleisure is calling on the government for a leisure sector bail out similar to that offered to the arts and hospitality sectors.

John Hart, Chair of South West Councils, said: “The position is pretty simple really. Councils are being asked to financially support companies purely to enable public facilities to re-open.

“Councils cannot afford to do this and so there is now a real risk that facilities in some areas will not be opening. That will undermine national initiatives to reduce obesity and make the nation healthier and more resilient.

“It is vital that the government

Photo © Bath Sports & Leisure Centre

holds firm to its promise to do whatever is necessary to support councils’ efforts.”

Through the Fit for Life Strategy, leisure contributes to many critical council priorities including tackling obesity, improving physical health and wellbeing; addressing mental health and reducing the impact on climate change through walking and cycling.

RNIB service benefits people across the South West through lockdown A BEFRIENDING service run by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has been offering a range of support to people with sight loss in the South West during the coronavirus pandemic.

RNIB’s Talk and Support service invites people with sight loss across the UK to connect with others weekly using a phone or computer.

Trained staff and volunteers facilitate the calls and match people together for general conversations.

RNIB Confidence Building Co-ordinator for the South West, Ben Gavan said: “Coronavirus has made life more difficult for a lot of people, but measures to prevent the spread of the virus, including social distancing, have had a dramatic impact on the lives of blind and partially sighted people.

“We know that many have been discouraged from visiting friends and family because of worries about social distancing, and isolation and loneliness has become a real issue.

“Our Talk and Support service has been able to offer some light relief to people with fun quizzes and wellbeing calls and we have had some really positive feedback.

“I would encourage anybody in the South West who is interested in finding out more to get in

touch.”

Alongside the weekly befriending phone calls, RNIB Talk and Support has helped people to combat isolation by organising a selection of fun quizzes since mid-July, with themes such as ‘Lights, Camera, Action’ and a ‘Double Denim & Big Hair’ 80’s quiz.

Short story groups and wellbeing courses offering advice on how people who are isolating can get the best from each day have also proved very successful and hundreds of people have benefitted from this additional support.

To join an RNIB Talk and Support group, register your interest by visiting www.rnib.org.uk/ talkandsupport or call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999.

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