Bath Echo - Issue 037 - 18/10/2022

OVER

Action to tackle gulls being hampered - P3

PEOPLE aged 50 and over are being encouraged to book their autumn Covid-19 booster and flu vaccines, as part of efforts by the NHS to protect the country ahead of the winter.

Online and phone bookings have opened to around 12 million peo ple aged between 50 and 64 to book their jabs.

For the first time, the service will allow some people who are eli gible for a flu vaccine to book an

appointment online under a new pilot with more than 200 sites across the country.

More than seven million people have already had their autumn booster in just over a month, fol lowing a bumper week of almost two million jabs being delivered to people aged 65 and over and those most at risk from corona virus.

Record numbers of sites are de livering autumn boosters since

the campaign began a month ago, while the flu jab is being of fered at thousands of communi ty pharmacies and GP surgeries across England. The public can still book flu vac cinations through their GP prac tice or by visiting a participating community pharmacy. You can call 119 if you need help.

Approximately 26 million are el igible for an autumn Covid-19 booster, with health leaders

warning of a “twindemic” of the two illnesses this winter.

NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard, said: “Thanks to the incredible work of our front line staff across the country, our Covid autumn vaccination pro gramme continues to go from strength to strength as we open up eligibility to around 12 million more people.

“The rollout is off to a flying ...

Continued on page 2

youngster wins gas safety competition

In this issue...

Autumn boosters and flu jabs being offered

Continued from page 1 ... start – we have invited twice as many people as we did last au tumn and we have jabbed twice as many people as we did last au tumn.

“As we approach what could be an extremely challenging winter for the NHS, it is vital to get your protection against both Covid and flu so please come forward and book in when you can.”

fered a nasal spray.

While sites are co-administering the flu and Covid vaccines where possible, people may be required to book two separate appoint ments for the different vaccines.

We're pleased to be reintroducing the Bath Echo into print. Over the next few issues, we'll be bringing back our usual features, including what's on, puzzles, letters and much more. We appreciate all of your support.

Useful Information

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

How to get in touch with us...

For news items and press releases: news@bathecho.co.uk 01225 585484

For sport and match reports: sport@bathecho.co.uk 01225 585484

Want to have a letter published? letters@bathecho.co.uk

Subscriptions/Distribution: production@bathecho.co.uk 01225 585484

Advertising & Marketing: advertise@bathecho.co.uk 01225 589789

Contact the editor: Sebastian Hawker editor@bathecho.co.uk

Published by Media Bath Limited Bath Echo, PO Box 5395, Bath, BA1 0YA Company Number: 09384496

Disclaimer

Please note, the views expressed in this newspaper are not necessarily the views of the editor, or publisher. No parts of this newspaper may be reproduced without prior written permission. Liability for advertising in this publication comes down to the individual advertiser, and not the publisher. © Media Bath Limited

ISSN 2632-7805

The Bath Echo is regulated by IMPRESS: The Independent Monitor for the Press CIC. We adhere to the Standards Code adopted by IMPRESS, and can only deal with complaints which relate to an alleged breach of the standards set out in this Code. You can find out more about the code on the IMPRESS website: www.impress.press/standards/.

If you believe we have breached this code, you can make a complaint to us regarding it. For more information, please visit: www.bathecho.co.uk/complaints/

NHS director for vaccinations and screening Steve Russell said: “More than seven million au tumn Covid boosters have been administered so far thanks to the hard work of NHS staff and vol unteers, and while this is a bril liant start, our work is not done as more than 12 million people are now being invited to take up the offer and book an appointment as soon as possible.

“Vaccinations are our strongest weapon against these viruses and NHS staff are once again doing all they can to protect the public, including through a new trial that will allow people to book their flu jab through the National Booking Service.

“If you are between 50 and 64 then please do not hesitate to log on and book yourself an appoint ment, it is the best way to protect yourself from serious illness this winter.”

Around 33 million people in Eng land will be eligible for a free flu vaccine this year, including all primary-age and some second ary-age children, who will be of

Minister Dr Caroline Johnson said: “It is really encouraging that millions of people have already come forward for their flu and Covid booster vaccines, increas ing their immunity ahead of win ter when viruses circulate more easily.

“Those eligible can now easily book a free flu and autumn boost er vaccine online through the National Booking Service. Please come forward to give yourself and your loved ones vital protec tion over the coming months.”

Chief medical advisor at the UK health security agency Dr Susan Hopkins, said: “The double threat of widely circulating flu and Cov id-19 this year is a real concern, so it’s crucial that you take up the free flu vaccine as soon as possi ble if you are offered it.

“It will help protect you from se vere flu this winter, and even save your life.

“All those over 50 are now eligible for the jab, many of which will have low natural immunity due to Covid-19 restrictions over the last two years.”

Those eligible for the flu jab are:

• People aged 50 and over

• Those aged over six months to 49 with a specified health condi tion

• Some secondary school-aged

children

• 2 and 3-year-olds

• Pregnant women

• Primary school-aged children

• Those in care homes

• People who are carers as set out in the Green Book

• Frontline healthcare workers

• Frontline social care staff who do not have access to occupa tional health schemes

• Household contacts of people with weakened immune systems

In line with JCVI advice, those eligible for an autumn Covid

booster this year include:

• Residents in a care home for older adults and staff working in care homes for older adults

• Frontline health and social care workers

• All adults aged 50 years and over

• Persons aged 5 to 49 years in a clinical risk group, as set out in the Green Book

• Persons aged 5 to 49 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression

• Persons aged 16 to 49 years who are carers, as set out in the Green Book.

Highways team begins winter preparations

PREPARATIONS are underway for the winter as Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Highways team begins stocking up on gritting salt and refilling grit bins.

More than 1,200 tonnes of salt has been procured and is already in dry storage at the council’s depot in Clutton.

All 434 of the area’s grit bins have also been checked and refilled.

On average 58 gritting runs take place and 2,639 tonnes of salt, which helps prevent ice forming on road surfaces, are used by the council each year.

A 1,000-tonne storage facility due next year in Keynsham as part of the new Keynsham Recycling Hub will increase the council’s capacity to 2,300 tonnes and limit the need to replenish stock midwinter.

Councillor David Wood, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “Keeping our road network safe throughout winter is a priority for us and we’ve already taken steps to make sure we have what we need.

“We carry out an average of 58 gritting runs on key routes each year and a lot of planning and preparation takes place to make sure we can have the biggest impact with the resources we have.”

The council currently maintains 1,102km of highway and each

gritting run sees nine gritting vehicles deployed to prioritised highways like A roads, B roads, bus routes and roads which provide access to schools and hospitals.

Last winter the Highway’s team:

• Carried out 49 gritting runs

• Used 1,859 tonnes of salt

• Gritted 12,936 miles of highway

Last year, nearly 50 gritting runs took place across Bath and North East Somerset

An additional full grit bin refill is planned during the winter, thanks to funding secured through the Clean and Green campaign.

From October, the Highways team will closely monitor specialist forecasts and data from its own weather stations to identify when low temperatures and weather conditions pose a threat to road

users and identify when a gritting run is needed.

There are 18 specially trained drivers on stand-by to respond when required.

A ‘dry run’ will take place before the colder weather sinks in to make sure everything is ready. Empty grit bins can be reported through FixMyStreet.

The vaccination centre at Bath Racecourse | Photo © RUH

Council told their “hands are tied” over reducing city's gull numbers

John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter

BATH and North East Somerset Council have been told their “hands are tied” over reducing the number of gulls in the area. There are nearly a thousand breeding pairs of gulls in Bath, with smaller colonies of 183 in Midsomer Norton and 98 in Keynsham.

Central Bath resident Tim Newark told a council panel on gull strategy that the noise had got worse through the 40 years he had lived in the city.

He said: “This summer was perhaps the worst period. As the temperatures rose to record highs we could not open our bedroom windows in the hot night because of the ear-splitting racket in the morning from 4.30 am onwards.”

Gulls are protected under law but in 2019 Bath and North East Somerset obtained an organisation licence from Natural England, allowing them to remove nests and eggs when they could show that nonlethal methods had failed and that it was necessary for public protection. This allowed the removal of up to 600 nests and 132 eggs but, in the last year, the council only removed 48 nests and 72 eggs.

Aled Williams, the council’s environmental protection manager, said: “That is because it is only in those cases we have

been able to satisfy the licensing conditions. Every contact that we get comes across your desk, you interview them, you determine whether you think Natural England would be satisfied, and then decisions are made.”

Nine live chicks were also removed, due to the nest having been reported late. The chicks were caught in fishing landing nets in a manner approved of by Natural England and taken to a wildlife rehabilitation centre, before being released on the Severn Estuary once they had matured.

He added that ‘proofing’ a property, putting netting or spikes around areas where gulls would perch or nest, could have a more long term effect than removing nests.

Mr Williams said: “I think the beauty of proofing a property as opposed to removing an egg, is that property, once the roof is in that state, will always be proofed,

so you don’t have to go back year on year.”

Councillor Grant Johnson asked if anything could be done to actually reduce the amount of gulls, saying: “They are clearly finding other places to rest, hence why we are getting population increases.”

Mr Williams: “I think, whilst we’ve got the organisational licence with natural England as it is, our hands are tied.”

He added: “If there’s a desire by local authorities, by society generally, then they need to be taken off that list. But that’s not where Natural England are at the moment.”

Mr Williams also told councillors that some people would be opposed to any interference with the gulls. Of the 91 people who got in touch through the council’s webpage on gulls, 22 did so to say to the council that they were not affected by them and did not want to see any actions taken.

MP joins charity’s fashion fundraiser

BATH MP Wera Hobhouse recently met with local charity Developing Health & Independence to give her support for the launch of a new fundraiser.

The charity supports people with issues linked to homelessness, problematic alcohol or drug use, and poor mental health.

Developing Health & Independence (DHI) has developed the Fashion Swap Fundraiser, which means people can raise money and update their wardrobes.

Residents can invite over a group of friends, ask them to bring a couple of pre-loved items, enjoy a coffee or even a glass of wine, swap and choose clothes and make a donation to DHI. Any leftover clothes can be offered to DHI clients.

Wera Hobhouse said: “This is a wonderful fundraising idea addressing the cost of living crisis and at the same time supporting sustainable living. It is a typical Bath idea of style, colour and community.

“I hope you feel inspired to hold one of these events in your home or work place and raise money and much needed awareness of DHI. Thank you DHI for your invaluable support of vulnerable communities in Bath.”

Katie Rawlings, Fundraiser, DHI, said: “Our hope is to encourage many people to hold an event at home or in their work place.

“Essentially it will be a really fun get together for friends, help to prevent clothes going into landfill (£140m worth of clothing each year) and will give people a much-needed lift.”

Historic Cleveland Bridge finally reopens to two-way traffic

THE historic Cleveland Bridge in Bath has finally reopened to two-way traffic after being closed for more than a year following the discovery of corrosion in the structure.

Traffic lights and traffic management was removed on Sunday 2nd October, with a weight monitoring system put in place to enforce an ongoing 18-tonne weight limit.

ANPR cameras have also been installed to capture the details of any vehicles in breach of the weight limit.

Engineers have also installed the monitoring system which will provide ongoing reassurance that the bridge remains safe as it is brought back into service.

This follows a recommendation for a staged approach to reopening the Grade II* listed bridge.

Initially, the 18-tonne temporary load restriction will remain and if monitoring shows there are no issues, the bridge could technically and safely open to normal traffic loads of 44 tonnes.

A passive support system could be designed to provide longerterm surety.

Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for Transport, said: “As ever, our prime motivation in doing these works on the historic

bridge is to ensure that safety comes first.

“I am pleased to see that it is now possible to open to two-way traffic with an 18 tonne weight limit, the traffic signals were removed on Sunday evening, and monitoring and enforcement equipment has been fitted.

“The bridge load will be closely monitored and we have installed ANPR cameras to capture the details of any vehicles breaching the weight restriction.

“Drivers that do flout the restriction are being warned that they could face prosecution brought by Trading Standards or the Police or via a Fixed Penalty Notice. It is a criminal offence to contravene a traffic regulation order.

“Anyone using the bridge will still see some final masonry works going on now the scaffold has been taken down as part of its refurbishment and I really want to thank businesses and residents living on and near Cleveland Bridge for their patience during this complex refurbishment of a 200-year-old structure.”

Over the spring and summer, engineers carried out assessments, as well as further computer modelling, following the discovery of unexpected corrosion in hanger bars at the

start of the year.

More accurate information on the degree of section loss to the worst affected group of bars became available using castings of the bars. A detailed report said an intelligent monitoring system would allow the structure to be brought back into service

following a period of monitoring under test loads.

Using the monitoring system would provide early detection of the onset of changes in the characteristic ‘fingerprint’ response of the structure and enable the introduction of control measures to ensure public safety

in a considered, timely and measured way.

Masonry works, which couldn’t be completed while scaffolding was in place, will continue underneath the bridge for a number of weeks and the contractor’s works compound will be scaled back.

Cleveland Bridge reopened to two-way traffic after more than a year | Photo © B&NES Council

Bath MP Wera Hobhouse at DHI in Bath | Photo © DHI

Bowel cancer screening campaign launched across B&NES

A NEW bowel cancer screening awareness campaign has been launched in Bath, encouraging men aged 56-74 to take a simple free test which could save their lives.

The screening is a simple test that can be done at home, designed to detect early signs of bowel cancer.

People in the 56-74 age bracket who are registered with a GP will receive an NHS bowel cancer screening kit through the post every two years, and the campaign aims to get more men to take the test using the free kit.

Bath & North East Somerset Council is leading the targeted campaign with the support of Cancer Research UK (CRUK), the South West NHS England Screening and Immunisations team, B&NES, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW) Integrated Care Board (ICB), and Bowel Cancer West.

In Bath and North East Somerset, screening uptake has generally improved year-on-year since 2015.

The district also had a higher uptake of the screening programme among those aged 60-74yrs (73.6%) compared to England (70.7%) in 2020/21.

However, uptake varies considerably by age, gender, and socio-economic status.

Uptake amongst women is higher than that by men, and in some areas of Bath and North East Somerset there is a low uptake among men aged 59 to 64.

Councillor Dine Romero, cabinet member for children, young people and communities, said: “This little kit could save your life and we want to alert more men to using it and getting themselves screened.

“We are running a targeted campaign with adverts on bus stops and on the back of buses in Bath, Keynsham and Radstock.

Letter and text reminders will also be sent to some people living in B&NES who receive a bowel cancer screening kit.”

Director of Public Rebecca Reynolds added: “It is important that we raise awareness of the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme and highlight the fact that most people do the test and have normal results and a healthy bowel.

“However locally we know that men, especially those receiving their first screening invitation are less likely to do the test, so we are particularly keen for those receiving their first test kit to take the test even though they may feel fine and don’t have any symptoms.

“This is because the signs and

symptoms of bowel cancer often go unnoticed until the disease is well developed.

“The good news is, if caught early, the majority of bowel cancers can be successfully treated.”

Previously, the NHS bowel cancer screening was for those aged 60 to 74 years.

Since April 2021, the programme has been expanding to make it available to everyone aged 50 to

59 years over a four-year period.

Across Bath & North East Somerset, Swindon Wiltshire, people turning 56 and 58 years old are now receiving invitations to take part in bowel screening.

Those eligible receive an invitation letter, along with an information leaflet.

About a week later, the programme sends a faecal immunochemical test (FIT)

kit with instructions on how to use it at home. The FIT test was introduced in June 2019 and has helped to improve uptake overall. Results are sent out two weeks after the laboratory receives the completed kit.

The screening programme offers individuals with abnormal screening results a colonoscopy. For more information, visit: www.cruk.org/bowelscreening.

Final phase of dams restoration project gets underway

TWENTY-SIX large trees have been delivered to Prior Park Landscape Garden in Bath, marking the start of the final phase of the dams restoration project.

During the autumn, the gardening team and volunteers will plant some 4,000 trees, plants and shrubs to recreate the shrubberies that frame the lakes.

In November 2019, the National Trust began work to restore the historic dams that sit below the iconic Palladian Bridge and enable water to flow between the three lakes.

The middle dam had been leaking in a number of places for many years, and this was exacerbated by burrowing invasive American

signal crayfish. The lower dam was also in need of improvements to cope with extreme weather due to climate change. As the garden takes on the colours of the autumn, visitors will also be able to see the team undertaking the planting in the garden and watch as the new borders take shape.

Kate Lock, Senior Gardener on the dams project at Prior Park Landscape Garden, said: “This marks a significant moment in the dams project, to see the months of sourcing and planning coming to life and it’s wonderful to finally get our spades in the ground.

“The vision for the garden is to restore it to how it would have

been in the 18th century, so care has been taken from the plants we sourced to the way in which we’ll be planting them.”

The 26 trees are a mix of tulip, beech, walnut, black locust, hawthorn, cherry, yew and field maple, and are a mixture of large semi-mature trees and smaller standard trees which will add instant shape and cover to the garden.

Over the next two months the remaining shrubs, ferns and bulbs, which were grown specifically for the project, will be delivered and planted to finish the shrubberies.

Alice Norland, Head Gardener at Prior Park, said: “The plants will breathe life into the landscape.

The dams project has been ongoing for four years now and the planting starts the last phase of the project. After so many years, it’s very exciting to see the fruit of all the hard work.”

As Prior Park Landscape Garden is restored to how it would have once looked like in Ralph Allen’s time, care has been taken to ensure everything reflects the 18th century.

Tom Boden, National Trust General Manager at Prior Park, said: “The gardening team are excited to get underway with the final phase of this project.

“We’ve received such a positive response from visitors to the restoration of the dams and they’ll now have the chance

to watch the final stage of the garden project take shape.”

The dams restoration project was funded with over £2.5 million left as a legacy bequest to the National Trust by J. L. McF. Webster for conservation work in Somerset, a number of gifts from Andrew Fletcher and other individuals and charitable trusts, community fundraising events led by Prior Park, a grant of £543,000 from DCMS (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) through the Culture Recovery Fund, administered by Historic England and through money granted by the National Trust’s central conservation fund. In total, the project cost £4.69 million.

AS October stretches into No vember and temperatures start to drop I am concerned that the choice between heating and eating is very real for many in our community.

I have one simple message: help is out there. The Community Wellbeing Hub on 0300 247 0050 allows people to access support from a wide range of local agen cies such as Citizens Advice, Age UK and Bath Mind. They can offer support on energy costs, money matters, bills, benefits, and much more.

You can find out more informa

tion on our dedicated cost-ofliving web pages. https://www. bathnes.gov.uk/costofliving.

The council is also taking the lead on warm spaces. It is establish ing a “Warm Welcome” package for its libraries and is working with local organisations to create a map of warm spaces that can help households struggling to meet the costs of energy to heat their homes.

I want to highlight examples how Bath and North East Somerset Black History is being marked this October. Bath Record Office has an online exhibition at www.

batharchives.co.uk featuring sto ries of black people who lived, worked or visited Bath from the 18th century. The Roman Baths Museum, in collaboration with Fairfield House, will also have a temporary exhibition displaying objects that belonged to His Im perial Majesty Emperor Haile Se lassie I of Ethiopia, who lived in Fairfield House from 1936-1941.

This free exhibition starts on Oc tober 24. Watch out for informa tion throughout October.

We have opened Cleveland Bridge to two-way traffic with an 18 tonne weight limit. We’ve

removed the traffic signals and monitor ing and enforcement equipment has been fitted. I want to thank businesses and residents living on and near Cleveland Bridge for their patience during this complex refurbishment of a 200-year-old structure.

Finally, I am proud that the in ternationally important Fashion Museum Bath will be moving to a new location at the Old Post Office in the centre of Bath. The project will provide a home for this internationally important

collection and huge ly benefit the local area. The council has received a £2.4 million grant from the West of England Combined Au thority, which will contribute towards the regeneration of the Milsom Quarter, including the new Fashion Museum.

To help deliver the project – and a new Fashion Collection Ar chive in Locksbrook- the council has submitted a £20 million bid to Government’s Levelling Up Fund. I will let you know the out come of this bid.

COLUMN | Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council

Care home staff raise £2,000 during annual charity walk

‘Warm Welcome’ package unveiled as energy prices rise

BATH & North East Somerset Council has set out a “Warm Welcome” package as part of plans to create a network of Warm Spaces across the district this winter.

The package for its libraries is part of a number of measures, including an online map of places that can help households, being put in place to support those struggling to meet the costs of energy to heat their homes.

Local libraries will offer information and signposting to other organisations.

Changes to seating and the development of ‘Hublets’, tablets for use in the library to access all council services, will ensure libraries are ‘Warm Welcome’ready.

STAFF from the new Midford Manor care home in Bath have raised £2,000 for Julian House after participating in the Circuit of Bath Walk.

General Manager Carol Britton took part in the fundraiser alongside six of her team in aid of the charity, which provides homeless services and accommodation, domestic abuse services, criminal justice, and employment support across the South West.

The group took on the gruelling challenge on the outskirts of the city, despite their little training, after seeing the vital services that Julian House provides to the community.

Carol Britton said: “Although it was one of the hardest challenges I have ever undertaken, the thought of those people who are homeless on the streets of Bath, dealing with challenges every minute of every day – propelled me to complete the 20 miles,

aching limbs and sore feet at the end but a real sense of satisfaction and thrilled at the money we as a team has raised for such a worthy cause!”

Gavin Osborn, Community & Events Fundraiser for the charity added: “The walk is now in its 21st year and still going strong, bringing the community together.

“It’s wonderful to see teams like Midford Manor taking on the challenge for the first time, knowing that every penny they raise will ultimately save lives.

“They’ve set up a Just Giving page and are working really hard to raise as much as they can, all of which will go towards our work with vulnerable and at-risk adults across the South West.”

To donate to the team’s fundraiser, visit www.justgiving.com/team/ midford-manor-meanderers.

Midford Manor is scheduled to open its doors next year. The new development will be Hallmark’s 21st care home.

The local authority is also inviting local organisations to identify additional spaces that can provide warmth and welcome over the coming months.

By completing a simple online form, organisations will be able to register for an online directory and map of warm spaces in our area. It can be found at https:// www.bathecho.uk/3CZfzl6.

The online form will record information such as opening hours, available facilities and accessibility.

Warm spaces will be identified on a map on the council’s website so people can see their nearest and most suitable warm space, alongside information about each space.

Organisations taking part will be asked to sign up to the Bath and North East Somerset Warm Spaces Charter, to ensure people using the space receive a warm welcome with respect and dignity.

The warm spaces initiative is being supported by the council and its partners in the Community Wellbeing Hub.

The Community Wellbeing Hub has responded to the cost-ofliving crisis by stepping up its help with money matters, bills, benefits, energy costs, food, housing, mental health support, jobs and skills, support for carers and other services.

The Community Wellbeing Hub provides a single telephone number 0300 247 0050 to access support from key local agencies, including Citizens Advice, Age UK and Bath Mind.

Councillor Kevin Guy, leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “The choice between heating and eating is I am afraid a very real one for many in our community.

“We have many local organisations asking how they can contribute their venues to helping people keep warm this winter and this excellent initiative allows people to be part of a network that is designed to make a real difference to people’s lives over the coming months as energy costs bite. My thanks go to

everyone taking part.”

Councillor Dine Romero, cabinet member for Children and Young People, and Communities, added: “Libraries have always been a safe, warm and free space for everyone, with free wifi, books, computers and study areas.

“Our Warm Welcome package will ensure as many people as possible know about our library offer including the very wide range of events and clubs which take place in our libraries.

“We hope that our Warm Welcome package, when combined with other warm spaces across our area, will form a supportive network that as many people as possible will benefit from over the coming months.”

The council’s Library and Information Services in Keynsham and Midsomer Norton provide access to a wide range of council and other services, as does its Housing, Welfare and Advice Services at 3-4 Manvers Street in Bath.

THE past month has been an absolute catastrophe for this nation.

As one of my colleagues said in the Commons, the Conservatives have turned Number 10 from a nightclub into a casino. It is shocking how quickly the plans of Liz Truss and her Chancellor, who are blinded by their rightwing, libertarian ideology, are crumbling. This gambling away of our economic future is negli gent and unsustainable. I saw first-hand how planned Tory ‘efficiency savings’, caused by their own recklessness, will decimate our institutions. Vis iting Oldfield Surgery in Bath, I spoke to GPs and staff about their current predicament. What they reported was deeply wor rying. We simply cannot replace GPs fast enough which is creat ing gaps in our NHS. Many new

graduates are electing to become full-time locums (a person tem porarily filling the duties of a doctor on leave) due to better pay and conditions. At the same time, demand for GPs has increased by 34% on 2019 levels. A longterm workforce plan is needed to address this. Instead, what we have is a Conservative Govern ment failing to deliver on their Party’s 2015 pledge to drastically increase the number of GPs. They have fallen year-on-year since that promise.

These cuts make our communi ty's life more difficult, further ex acerbating the cost of living crisis. This crisis is already biting hard, and the Government is stripping away protections from the most vulnerable. Current plans by Liz Truss involve not uprating ben efits inline with inflation, result ing in a 4.5% real terms cut for

the poorest in society. The over 3,000 residents in Bath who re ceive the Personal Independence Payment, a lifeline for disabled people, will have their benefits slashed by nearly £400 a year if this policy remains.

This benefit gives individuals with already extremely difficult lives the opportunity to commu nicate with the outside world and live in dignity. It is callous to ac tively choose to make that more challenging.

Those previously with their heads just above water, find themselves with very few options. A constit uent wrote to me about how his young family were about to be evicted by their landlord through a section 21, no-fault eviction. A law which allows private land lords to evict tenants, seemingly without any reason. Thankful ly the Prime Minister has per

formed another u-turn, after pressure from her MPs, and decided to go ahead with the Conservative manifesto pledge to ban them. It was cruel for anybody to even consider continuing this horrid practice, and take away hope from the most vulnerable that it would end.

Every way you turn, it seems the Government's mission is to pro tect the rich and take from the poor.

Solutions, other than the need for the Government to complete ly reverse course, must focus on our net-zero goals. Effective ly insulating homes and giving them cheap, green, and acces sible power must be front and centre of any ‘growth plan’. These goals can only be achieved if we empower local governments to

make bold decisions, taking up low car bon solutions around buildings, energy and transport. Something where B&NES Council has been a leading example.

Solar panel capacity has doubled over B&NES since 2019 when the Council declared a Climate Emergency. Initiatives such as these will save residents money and provide a blueprint to Local Authorities across the country.

I look forward to continuing to work with them closely and get Bath to net-zero by their 2030 tar get.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any concerns or ques tions. I know these are tough times for many of you with the cost of living crisis, and I will al ways do my utmost to stand up for you and try to find solutions.

COLUMN | Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath

Staff from Midford Manor taking part in the Circuit of Bath Walk

Organisations are being encouraged to sign up to the new initiative

Pictures from the Past: Sense of Place

Sydney Gardens

Kirsten Elliott Akeman Press

THIS week we begin a new series called Sense of Place.

This is defined in many ways, but one concise description calls it a faculty for distinguishing and appreciating places which we might easily take for granted. Images from the past can also give us an insight into well known streets and neighbourhoods

we think we know so well. An appropriate place to begin is Sydney Gardens, as the postponed ceremony to celebrate its refurbishment is now to be on 23rd October.

The gardens first opened to the public in 1795, but Bath City Council only acquired them in 1910, opening them to the public in 1913. From being a place of exciting events, illuminations, balloon ascents, and firework displays, it gently became a public

park, with just the occasional fête and band concert to enliven it.

The first picture shows the main walkway probably just as the council had opened it to the public. The magnificent bandstand was built in 1861 but demolished by the council in 1948 after hearing it would cost £450 to repair. There is no Temple of Minerva – that was not erected in the gardens until 1914 – and at the far end, the loggia was still in its original state.

We can get a better view of it, with its full curvaceous façade and the little cherubs on the top, in the

second picture, which is of similar date to the first. The building was ‘restored’ by the council in 1938, to withering criticism. This postcard also features a canal maintenance man involved in an activity which appears to thumb its nose at Health and Safety.

By 1956 the Kennet & Avon canal – which had come through the gardens in 1800 – was looking unloved and unkempt. The wall between the gardens and the canal does not have a gateway, despite Historic England’s insistence that it dates from 1800.

The last picture shows how

gardening styles have changed. In 1965, carpet bedding in bright, unco-ordinated colours was very much in fashion. Today, all the flowerbeds are more sustainable, in softer colours more in keeping with the Georgian history of Sydney Gardens. The Friends of Sydney Gardens are laying out a Georgian garden on each side of what remains of the loggia. As for the council, it has more than made up for the mistakes of the past with the restoration and rejuvenation, making the gardens a park for the future while respecting its past.

AUTUMN is the perfect sea son to make the most of Bath’s many wonderful walks before the weather begins to turn and nights draw in when the clocks change.

I’m looking forward to visiting Bath on Friday 21 October as part of my weekly engagement days and I will be meeting with local councillors and community groups to hear about their polic ing and crime concerns as well as taking part in an interview with Radio Bath.

Last week was National Hate Crime Awareness Week and an

opportunity to really discuss what needs to be done to tackle this issue. Being targeted because of your age, race, sexual orienta tion, religion or any other reason is unacceptable and, as commu nities, if we see this behaviour we must challenge it and report it.

I would like to emphasise that this is not just a one-week agen da; it’s important that we come together all year round to let of fenders know that it will not be tolerated. We need to create an environment where victims feel confident and safe speaking to police and partners, and ensure

they have their voice heard. Moving on, October is cyberse curity awareness month with a particular focus on phishing and ransomware. I’m sure we have all received a phishing email, which are used by scammers to lure people into disclosing personal details or clicking on malicious links to gain unauthorised ac cess to a computer, network or bank accounts. Please be vigilant of unexpected messages or calls that ask you for your personal or financial information. Remem ber, your bank or any other offi cial source will never ask you to

supply personal in formation via email.

The more awareness we can generate about such scams, the more people we can protect to falling victim to these heart less scammers.

I would like to encourage every one to head to www.getsafeon line.org/safebusiness to read up on guides and tips that will help safeguard us all against cyber crime.

Finally, it has been fantastic to see so many people engaging with our knife crime survey.

As I’ve previously mentioned, tackling knife crime forms a central part of my Po lice and Crime Plan. Your feedback makes huge impact, helping us to shape our approach to local knife crime effectively. So, with responses still coming in, we’ve decided to extend our survey un til 21 November, giving everyone the chance to complete it. The survey is anonymous and only takes five minutes. You can find the link on the OPCC web site.

COLUMN | Mark Shelford, Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner

Above: The main walkway in Sydney Gardens | Below: Fishing in the canal

Above: The loggia in Sydney Gardens | Below: Flowerbeds in the spring

E-scooter trial extended to include the University of Bath

THE Voi e-scooter trial in operation across the West of England has been extended to include the University of Bath’s Claverton Down campus.

The third phase of the e-scooter trial now includes Widcombe Hill, allowing users to commute to the university site.

Eight square miles are now covered across the Bath area, enabling people to easily commute or take short journeys around the city.

The West of England is one of only four Future Transport Zones in the country trialling new transport technologies, such as e-scooters, to help reduce congestion, improve air quality and lower carbon emissions.

The e-scooters, which are reported to have replaced approximately 90,000 car journeys since being introduced, can be hired by anyone aged 18 and over with a provisional or full UK driving licence, between 6am and 10pm.

They are limited to 12.5mph, even when coming down Widcombe Hill for additional safety.

All users are strongly encouraged to wear appropriate safety gear, including a helmet, and follow Voi’s safety guidelines.

Members of the public have raised concerns as to why only Widcombe Hill has been included

in the trial, and not others routes such as North Road and Bathwick Hill.

Councillor Sarah Warren, deputy leader and cabinet member for climate and sustainable travel, said: “I am delighted our successful e-scooter trial is being extended to incorporate the University of Bath.

“With over 3,500 employees and nearly 20,000 students, the university is one of our area’s largest organisations.

“The e-scooters will give people more choice on how they travel, especially for short journeys in and around Bath.

“They’re a great alternative to using private cars, yet still enable you to quickly and easily move from A to B.

“They’re one of a number of sustainable travel measures we’re supporting to help tackle congestion, reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality, in line with the council’s journey to net zero priorities.”

Ian Blenkharn, director of education and student services at the University of Bath, said: “It’s great news that students, staff and visitors now have another option for cheap and sustainable transport to campus from the centre of Bath, in addition to the vital bus routes on offer.

“Safety is of course our priority

and we strongly encourage all riders to use the e-scooters responsibly and wear appropriate equipment, including helmets, at all times.”

Grace Packard, senior policy manager for Voi UK and Ireland, said: “We’re delighted to have expanded our operating area to the University of Bath as we are determined to get more people riding to support this historic

city in achieving its net zero ambitions.

“Key to the success of mircomobility and creating greener, cleaner cities is by giving more people the opportunity to leave their cars behind through expanding operating areas and offering a rental service and mode of transport, which is not only convenient and flexible to their everyday needs but is safe

and sustainable.”

In celebration of the expansion to the University of Bath, Voi is offering some user discounts. New users can receive one free 30-minute ride using the discount code ‘BACKTOIT22’ (valid until 31st October 2022), while existing users can receive a £5 voucher by completing the Ride Like Voila traffic school or taking a helmet selfie after their next ride.

Councillor Sarah Warren, Ian Blenkharn, Councillor Matt McCabe and Alfie Marsh | Photo © University of Bath

Renewed calls for Government to intervene over park home fees

BATH MP Wera Hobhouse has renewed calls alongside local councillor Alison Born for the Government to intervene to prevent park home residents from facing soaring pitch fees.

Park homes residents, like those in Quarry Rock Gardens in Bath, are currently facing high pitch fees because of the way they are calculated.

Park homes are moveable homes in England that are placed permanently on private land.

The residents pay a pitch fee to the site owner which allows them to keep their home there.

Over 85,000 households in England live in park homes, and the majority of residents are over the age of 60.

Pitch fees are linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) rather than the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

The Retail Price Index increases faster, leaving park homes residents facing increasing pitch fees during the cost-of-living crisis.

The Government previously said it would change the way pitch fees are calculated, committing to ‘introduce the required legislation when the parliamentary timetable allows’. This has already been done in Scotland and Wales.

The renewed calls come after the Government announced measures to support families living in rental or park homes.

Park Homes residents will receive the £400 grant from the Government plus equivalent price cap support through the Energy Bill Relief Scheme.

The Government has not yet announced how this will work

in practice, how people will get or apply for the £400 or £100 payments, or when the law will change for landlords.

Moreover, there will be legislation to ensure landlords pass down the energy bill discount.

Originally, park home residents were not due to receive the £400 discount directly because many pay a ‘pitch fee’.

This includes many costs, such as electricity, which are then paid by the site owner.

Mrs Hobhouse has criticised the Government as park home residents are still facing higher pitch fees and is calling for the introduction of the promised legislation.

The Bath MP said: “Whilst I welcome the extra support from the Government they are completely ignoring the fact that park homes residents are facing soaring pitch fees.

“The Conservatives are asleep at the wheel and are leaving park home residents like those in Quarry Rock Gardens vulnerable to massive bill increases.

“Park home residents are facing

rising pitch fees alongside the cost of living crisis. The Conservatives committed to reforming the way that fees are charged and have an ‘oven-ready solution’ yet they are refusing to find the time to introduce it.

“I am pleased that my colleague Cllr Alison Born raised these concerns with me months ago and I am hoping that the Government starts to listen.

“Park home residents have waited long enough. The Conservatives must stop burying their head in the sand and must introduce this legislation when we are back from recess.”

Cllr Alison Born commented: “Changing the way pitch fees increase will support residents during such a difficult period.

“I welcome the support for energy bills but the next step must be to change the way pitch fees are calculated. Residents in Quarry Rock Gardens are concerned about the impact of soaring pitch fees on their household budget.

‘We are in the middle of a cost of living crisis and the Government must act.”

Our Monthly Talks

Councillors find out more about renewable energy roll-out

LOCAL councillors have found out more about the generation of renewable energy across the district, as part of B&NES Council’s net zero commitment, at a recent meeting.

Work to install solar panels and energy-reducing measures, such as air source heat pumps and LED lighting, that help decarbonise council buildings was set out to the Climate Emergency & Sustainability PDS Panel which met on Monday, 10th October.

The panel was told there is an indicative area target of 300MW renewable energy required as a key contribution to achieving net zero by 2030 and the local authority is taking its leadership role “very seriously” and accelerating the installation of renewable energy across its own estate.

The panel was updated on schemes that have been delivered or are in the pipeline.

Charlton House Care Home, Lewis House office space, Keynsham Civic Centre and library and Newbridge Primary School are among the schemes that have already been delivered, with two further care homes, a Highways depot in Clutton and Keynsham Recycling Hub set to have solar panels installed this year.

U3A IN BATH : JOIN

About u3a in Bath

There are over 450 ,000 of us in the UK and 1,300 in Bath

We are in “u3a in Bath” and our members are all retired or working part-time. We take part in a range of activities –from History to Languages, from Tennis to Country Walks. See the complete list of our 100-plus interest groups on our website - www.u3ainbath.org.uk

u3a in Bath Membershi p

You can join the u3a in Bath by filling in an application form and sending it (with s.a.e) to Membership Officer, U3A in Bath, PO Box 4040, Bath, BA1 0EJ

Application forms on our website or phone 01225 318438 Membership is only £15 per year.

Monthly Talks are usually held on the first Thursday in the month and start at 10.30 a.m.. Doors open at 9.45 a.m. for coffee. Admission is free for members but a donation of £2 for non-members. If you join U3A in Bath at the meeting then your admission fee is refunded. Talks take place at:

The Pavilion, North Parade Road, Bath BA2 4EU

Upcoming Talks

by Dr

SPACE

2nd

Projects in development include rooftop solar panels on Odd Down Sports Ground, schools and leisure centres and solar canopies on car parks.

Work on the new Keynsham Recycling Hub is progressing well and when complete, it will have on-site renewable energy generation via a 3800m2, 783 kilowatt peak solar panel array that will provide much of the power needed for the site, rainwater harvesting and sustainable drainage, and office and welfare buildings designed fabric-first to be sustainable.

The series of improvements at

Charlton House, which provides care and health services to older vulnerable adults, were largely funded by a £450,000 grant from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme following a successful bid to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Improvements include the installation of solar panels on the roof and an air source heat pump to heat the building and provide hot water. The care home has also switched to using energy efficient long-life LED lighting. The scheme reduces council service carbon emissions and delivers more comfort to residents at a lower cost.

No.1 Bath Quays, the office block at the heart of Bath and North East Somerset Council’s flagship regeneration project, has a host of passive design and energy efficiency measures to reduce its CO2 emissions, including a special coating on the windows to reduce heat loss and gain and 224 PV panels, 84 kilowatt peak, on its roof allowing on-site micro generation of electricity.

The panel heard that the council is looking to secure more funding from government sources such as the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme and it has a pipeline of projects to decarbonise its buildings.

Domestic and business solar PV installed capacity across the whole of B&NES has doubled since the local authority declared a Climate Emergency in 2019, and the rate of growth has significantly accelerated in 2021 and 2022.

Councillor Sarah Warren, deputy leader and cabinet member for Climate Emergency and Sustainable Travel, said: “The council must lead by example to ensure we achieve our net zero ambition locally.

“We’ve pledged to reduce our carbon emissions by making our buildings more energy efficient.

“There is still a great deal of work to be done, but I am pleased to be able to set out what we have achieved so far and what is in the pipeline.

“We have also set out identified gaps where we need to work with the community and commercial energy sector to ensure long-term financial and environmental benefits for people in Bath and North East Somerset.”

Community

Refugees continue enjoying free leisure centre membership

Millions to be spent on bus stops as local services are axed

145 UKRAINIAN refugees are making good use of free health memberships offered at leisure centres in Bath and North East Somerset, operator Better has revealed.

The charitable social enterprise recently announced an extension of its free gym and leisure centre membership scheme for refugees, from three to six months.

Anastasiia Bielkovska, her mother and her brother, have been in England since the beginning of May, after leaving Ukraine when the war started.

They stayed in Poland for a couple of weeks, then France, before finding a safe place here in the UK. The family now lives in Twerton in Bath.

Born in Mariupol, Anastasiia and

her family lived in Odessa before the war. The 18 year-old has been a member at Bath Sports and Leisure Centre since August, where she and brother, Artem, enjoy going to the gym several times a week.

Anastasiia has also found work at a restaurant in Bath.

Commenting on her free membership, Anastasiia said: “I’m really enjoying being a member and try to go as often as I can.

“I can see and feel the results of taking part in my gym sessions and I’m happy that I’ve been able to keep up my fitness. Everyone has been really friendly.”

Speaking about the initiative, Mark Harrison, Community Sports Manager for Better,

currently seconded to Bath and North East Somerset Council as its Project Officer for Leisure, said: “We’re delighted to continue supporting Ukrainian refugees in our area.

“The initiative has been such a success, with 145 people taking up Better Health UK Funded Refugee Memberships with 112 of those enjoying the facilities at Bath Sports and Leisure Centre.

“Access to the facilities means that we can support their mental and physical health, both of which benefit from taking part in exercise.

“It’s also great that people like Anastasiia and her family can find company and a sense of community here, which is important to everyone.”

Alex Seabrook Local Democracy Reporter

MILLIONS of pounds are set to be invested on new bus stops across the West of England despite services being axed.

Up to £5 million will be spent on upgrading bus stops and shelters over the next few months, in Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire, and Bristol.

The massive investment is aiming to get more people using buses and encourage drivers out of their cars.

On 9th October, many bus services in the West of England were cancelled, due to a national shortage of bus drivers and rampant inflation putting pressure on budgets, leaving lots of passengers in towns and villages stranded.

West of England metro mayor Dan Norris said: “We need great places for people to wait for the bus if we’re going to attract people onto the buses.

“I know we have challenges with

the buses themselves, but that doesn’t mean we forget about how we attract people onto the buses when we get that sorted. And bus stops are a hugely important part of that.”

The £5-million investment was agreed by Mr Norris and the region’s three councils at a meeting of the West of England combined authority (WECA), on Friday, 23rd September.

Buses in the region aren’t controlled by WECA, but mostly by First, a private company.

Councillor Kevin Guy, leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council, called the situation “crazy”.

Cllr Guy said: “The irony here is that we’re not in control of buses, but we’re in control of bus stops. It just sounds stupid, doesn’t it? It’s crazy.

“We live in a very broken system when it comes to buses. I’m happy to invest as much money in improving the bus stops as possible, but we need to focus on a long term strategy in fixing our transport policy in general.”

Record-breaking donations thanks to motoring festival

THE Festival of Motoring, organised by the Rotary Club of Bath, raised a record amount from this year’s event with more than £26,000 donated to local charities.

The popular classic car and motorbike event takes place every June.

Around 5,000 visitors are able to see over 500 vehicles up close and have the chance to ride in the latest supercars, in exchange for a donation to charity.

As a result of the funds raised, two charities, Dorothy House and Nova Sports, both received donations of £8,500.

Other donations were made to the local Inner Wheel organisation and the Air and Army cadet groups who helped with stewarding.

The balance has gone to the Rotary Club’s own Trust fund, for distribution to other charities

locally, and internationally.

Rotary President, Roger Morris, said: “This year’s Festival of Motoring was the best yet, thanks to hard work by the Rotary team, the vehicle owners themselves, and our professional sponsors and helpers.

“I would like to thank particularly the many thousands of members of the public who attended in such large numbers, making for an extremely friendly and enjoyable weekend.”

Next month, the Rotary Club will be running its annual ‘Fireworks on the Rec’, after an absence of two years due to the pandemic.

It hopes to raise several thousand pounds for two more local charities, Glasshouse Academy and Youth Connect SouthWest.

The Fireworks display takes place on Saturday 5th November.

Tickets are available online via www.rotary-bath.co.uk.

Anastasiia Bielkovska and her brother Artem at Bath Sports & Leisure Centre | Photo © Better

Photo courtesy of the Bath Festival of Motoring

Health Research team at the RUH working to tackle heart disease

A RESEARCH team at the Royal United Hospital is looking at how an innovative lifestyle intervention, called Super Rehab, could help save lives.

Super Rehab, which could become an effective new treatment option, will also help reduce hospital procedures while cutting costs for the NHS.

The intervention is all about testing the impact of a highlevel, well-resourced one-to-one support programme for patients with heart disease.

It offers more than just advice, providing a tailored diet and exercise programme personalised to the individual with support to make sure the changes are practical and can become part of a daily routine.

Working in partnership with the University of Bath, and with support from RUHX, the hospital’s charity, RUH experts have already seen that the approach can be life-changing.

Super Rehab is being offered to patients earlier in the evolution of their forms of heart disease than other rehab programmes,

aiming to halt its progression, help patients feel better, and potentially even reverse the disease process and turn the clock back.

If a CT scan shows that a patient is at risk of developing cardiovascular disease, or at risk of a heart attack, they will be offered the chance to join the Super Rehab programme.

Patients are offered Super Rehab in addition to standard treatments, and the research team are collaborating with researchers at the University of Oxford to track the impact using the very latest heart imaging techniques and industry partners for heart rhythm monitoring, alongside blood tests and fitness tests.

The research is starting with two studies, one for coronary heart disease and one for atrial fibrillation, involving just under 100 patients across both studies.

Dr Ali Khavandi, Consultant Cardiologist, said: “There has been an evolution in technology over the last 10 years that allows us to treat more and more

complex illness and make a difference to our patients.

“Now, we have the exciting opportunity to focus back a few steps and look at what we can do to prevent patients from getting to this stage in the first place, by looking at how dietary and lifestyle changes, such as getting more exercise, can improve, or even reverse, chronic illness.”

Andy, one of the patients taking part in the Super Rehab research, said: “The programme has been a change in culture – I’m now used to regular exercise and the change in my food intake has become the norm. It’s been lifechanging for me.”

As well as Consultant Cardiologist Dr Ali Khavandi, the research team includes Dr Jonathan Rodrigues, Consultant Cardiothoracic Radiologist & Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Bath, Prof Dylan Thompson, Professor of Human Physiology at the University of Bath, Prof Fiona Gillison, Professor of Behavioural Psychology at the University of Bath, and Dr John Graby and

Mum urges women to check breasts

A MUM of two from Bath has urged younger women to remember to check their breasts after finding a cancerous lump while breastfeeding her baby.

36-year-old Jessica Parsons has been cared for at the Royal United Hospital in Bath since being diagnosed with cancer in June. She was diagnosed with metaplastic squamous cell carcinoma, a rare type accounting for less than 2% of breast cancers.

Now, as Jessica comes to the end of six rounds of chemotherapy during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she is spreading the message that it is important to check your breasts no matter what your age.

Jessica, who was on maternity leave from her job in human resources when she was diagnosed, said: “I found the lump when breastfeeding my daughter Inès, who was then nearly 7 months old.

“I had also breastfed my son Stanley, so I knew that your breasts could change and feel a bit different. I thought it could be a blocked milk duct. But, after two days, I went to my GP and was promptly referred to the RUH.

“To be told I had cancer was a massive shock. I never thought of myself as untouchable but I was young, fit, and lived a healthy life.

“Once I’d started to come to terms with the news, I felt determined to stay positive and take things one day at a time.”

After chemotherapy, Jessica will undergo surgery at the RUH later

this year to have a mastectomy, before radiotherapy treatment in the new year.

She has been documenting her treatment so far on her new Instagram account @life_ lemons_and_my_melons.

Jessica added: “The care I have received at the RUH has been exceptional. I feel like I can really trust the team caring for me, which makes a very difficult situation feel so much easier.

“I set up my Instagram account to share updates about how I am, but also to spread the word that it’s so important to know your body and check yourself regularly – and that includes men too.

“It’s really uncommon to have breast cancer when you’re under 40, but I’m proof that it can happen. I know it can feel scary, because what if you find something? But, it’s better to know so you can get it checked as soon as possible.”

RUH Consultant Surgeon Jamie McIntosh said: “One in five breast cancers is in women before they reach the menopause, and we have seen the number of younger women being diagnosed increase in the last 10 years.

“That’s why it’s really important to be aware of any changes. This includes lumps but also, especially in younger women, things like changes to skin texture, change in breast shape or a feeling of thickening rather than a distinct lump.

“The good news is that there are some amazing things happening in breast cancer research and treatment development, including many new treatments that are really specifically targeted to the type of breast cancer a patient has. For many people finding a lump won’t mean they have cancer, but if it does our team is here to look after you every step of the way.”

Dr David Murphy, Cardiology Clinical Research Fellows.

Dr Dylan Thompson, Professor of Human Physiology at the University of Bath and CoDirector of the university’s Centre for Nutrition, Exercise and Metabolism, said: “We are delighted to be working with the team from the RUH in this new collaboration.

“The potential of Super Rehab to directly benefit patients and make a difference to current

treatment and care pathways is very exciting.”

Rhyannon Boyd, Head of RUHX, said: “We are elated to be supporting this unique and leading research project at the RUH, knowing that our £300,000 funding has enabled the team to establish their relationship with other academic institutions including the Universities of Bath, Bristol and Oxford, so that they can work together on their first study which focuses on coronary heart disease.”

Views sought on health and wellbeing services

PEOPLE across Bath and North East Somerset are being asked to help shape the way health and wellbeing is supported in the area over the next 10 years.

B&NES Council is working with its partners to develop a new Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy for the district, to make sure residents are able to live healthily and well for as long as possible.

A public consultation, running until 31st October, seeks to find out what actions people think should be taken by the council, NHS, third-sector organisations and voluntary groups to improve local health services.

The survey also asks people to share their experiences of NHS health services and social care services in the last 12 months.

The local authority is keen to hear from health professionals, volunteers and third-sector employees as well as from residents.

Responses to the online survey will inform the new strategy, which will be agreed in January 2023.

Councillor Dine Romero, cabinet member for Children and Young People, and Communities, said: “The new Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy will be an important tool in making sure people in our area stay healthy and well.

“We know that lots of different things contribute to this, including where you live, your

job, the cost of living and how easily you can access health services. We have plenty of data but it doesn’t give us the full picture.

“Through the public consultation we hope to find out what your health and wellbeing priorities are, so that with our partners we can provide the right services in the future.

The council is also developing a new Local Plan to be adopted in 2025. The Local Plan is the council’s primary tool for creating public places that are good for people’s health, happiness and wellbeing and is closely linked to the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Both the plan and the strategy share common outcomes for people and places, such as homes, transport, jobs and tackling climate change. A separate public consultation on the Local Plan began on 4th October and can be found here.

For information about accessing the health and wellbeing survey in alternative formats or to ask questions, contact the Health and Wellbeing Strategy Team by emailing healthandwellbeingstrategy@ bathnes.gov.uk.

The consultation closes on 31st October at 5pm.

It can be found at https:// beta.bathnes.gov.uk/jointhealth-and-wellbeing-strategyconsultation

The Super Rehab team, including staff from the RUH, University of Bath and RUHX | Photo © RUH

Jessica Parsons and baby Inès

Education

11-year-old from Bath wins national gas safety competition

AN 11-YEAR-OLD girl from Bath, Bluebelle Paul, has won a national gas safety competition after producing an informative cartoon warning of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Bluebelle, who now attends Ralph Allen School, was at Combe Down Church of England Primary when she put pen to paper to come up with her design and enter the ‘Get Creative, Be Safe’ competition.

She scooped both the regional element of the competition and the top prize, picking up £450 for herself and £900 for Combe Down Church of England Primary, after judges hailed her cartoon as ‘fantastic’.

The ‘Get Creative, Be Safe’ competition is run nationally by industry body, Energy Networks Association, and is supported locally by gas emergency and pipeline service Wales & West Utilities.

Each year it invites children

aged 5-11 to produce something creative to warn of the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

On hearing she’d won the competition, Bluebelle said: “Carbon monoxide poisoning is so dangerous but sometimes people my age don’t know what signs to look out for.

“I wanted to come up with something that my friends would find interesting and decided to develop a cartoon.

“I really enjoyed coming up with the story and hope that it’ll help other people to recognise the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. I can’t believe I’ve won – it’s amazing!”

Headteacher at Combe Down Church of England Primary School, Mrs Gascoigne, is delighted and said: “Bluebelle took an innovative approach to the competition and is a worthy winner – we are all very proud of her!

“Thanks to Bluebelle our school has also benefitted, and we’d like to thank her. The prize money will be gratefully received and we are delighted to have a national competition winner in our midst!”

Clive Book, Head of Operations at Wales & West Utilities, added:

“Bluebelle’s entry was fantastic and captured the attention of all judges.

“The competition was a huge success this year and we hope that everyone taking part has been able to help spread the vital gas safety messages to their friends and loved ones.”

Carbon monoxide (CO), known as the ‘silent killer’ because you can’t see it, smell it or taste it, kills 50 people a year in England and Wales and hospitalises many more.

In the UK, there are more than 4,000 visits to Accident and & Emergency for treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning,

Student rugby returning to the Rec

BUCS Super Rugby will be making a return to The Rec in Bath later this month following a three-year gap, as Team Bath take on league champions Durham.

The last edition of the University of Bath’s student-sport showcase fixture in 2019 saw more than 6,000 spectators head to the home of Bath Rugby to see Team Bath’s 52-25 victory over Cardiff, with 11 tries scored.

Covid-19 lockdowns and scheduling conflicts prevented the match from taking place during the past couple of seasons, but it will return on Wednesday 26th October, with free tickets available now.

It will be the fifth staging of the Anniversary Game, which emerged from the University’s 50th birthday celebrations in 2016, and the fourth to be sponsored by Rengen Developments, which is also an overall sponsor of Team Bath.

The Bath-based development and lettings company, whose head office is in Argyle Street, is run by founder and CEO Iestyn Lewis, a former rugby player and coach at the University of Bath who also played for Bath Rugby. He said: “It’s great to be back. It’s important that we reconnected with the University to sponsor this first game back at The Rec and we are delighted to be involved with the match once again.

“I was a sports scholar at the University and that provided me with excellent opportunities, both within sport and my wider business career.

‘It’s very important for me to put something back into the

University and the community, and to give other people the kind of opportunity I was fortunate to get.

“I played at The Rec while I was at the university and it’s obviously a great stage. The Anniversary Game is perhaps a once-in-alifetime opportunity for students to experience the stadium, the crowd and gain that wider experience of playing on a stage like this before moving into their academic and working lives.”

Team Bath have lifted the Iestyn Lewis Trophy in two of the three previous Rengen-sponsored Anniversary Games, the other victory coming during a match against Leeds Beckett in 2018.

Full-back Luca Mignot is the only member of the 2022-23 1st XV squad to have experienced playing in the Anniversary Game, although co-captain Tom Williams was part of the 6,000-strong crowd in 2019.

“It was an amazing atmosphere,” said the flanker, who studies Aerospace Engineering. “It’s always a great occasion and it really brings the uni together, a really fun night.

“We had around 6,000 here last time so hopefully we’ll get numbers like that again and hopefully we’re on the right side of the scoreline again too.”

Fellow co-captain Alfie Garside added: “The Rec, and Bath in general, is an amazing place to play rugby, so to go out and play such a big game for the University – especially against a top side like Durham who won the league last year – is something that everyone is looking forward to.

“It’s always special when you get

a stadium of people cheering you on.”

Aaron James, Head of Rugby at the University, is delighted to see the Anniversary Game back on the fixture list and grateful for Rengen’s ongoing support for the event and sport at Team Bath overall.

He said: “Rengen are invaluable supporters of rugby and a number of other sports within Team Bath.

“Iestyn and his team have always supported the Anniversary Game at The Rec and it’s good to have an event like this to give something back to his team, and show what his support means to all of us.

“A lot of university rugby is about the experience and playing at The Rec is one of the pinnacles for our players.

“They get the support of all their university friends, their families, players from within the club and other sports at the university.

“Entry is free and if you come along you’ll get to enjoy a really good atmosphere. That whole mixture of students, families and the wider Bath community coming together makes it a really good event.”

Spectators can register for their free tickets now by visiting www. teambath.com/AnniversaryGame.

which can often lead to lasting neurological damage.

Even low levels of exposure over an extended period can cause serious health issues, including brain injuries.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, tiredness, nausea, dizziness,

drowsiness, shortness of breath and, in extreme cases, loss of consciousness.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can be similar to those of food poisoning and the flu. However, unlike the flu, carbon monoxide poisoning does not cause a high temperature.

Teacher marks running DofE for 25 years

A TEACHER at the Royal High School in Bath, Tim Hardcastle, has been recognised after being involved in the running of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for 25 years.

Mr Hardcastle works as Head of Higher Education, supporting students looking at progressing onto university, and was previously Head of Science at the Royal High.

On top of his busy roles, he has also been running the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for the last 19 years and for 6 years in his previous teaching role at Prior Park College. In the last academic year alone, 81 students have enrolled to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award with 4 completing Gold, 15 Silver and 27 Bronze awards.

Tim Hardcastle said: “I thoroughly enjoy helping to run the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme at Royal High School Bath. It offers a wide variety of experiences to

our students and it’s wonderful to see them learning new skills and developing their resilience, selfmotivation and independence.

“Although I’ve helped many children to take part in DofE over the last 25 years, it’s still a very proud moment when I see our students receiving their awards.

“I’m looking forward to my continued participation and supporting many more students to reach their goals in the future.”

The DofE programme is open to 14-25 year-olds at one of three progressive levels which, when successfully completed, leads to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

There are four sections to complete at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold. They involve volunteering, developing new skills, being physically active, completing an expedition as a team and, for Gold only, meeting new people on a residential project.

Bluebelle Paul with her winning design | Photo © Wales & West Utilities

Tim Hardcastle | Photo courtesy of Royal High School Bath

Photo © Team Bath

Business

£2.5 million fund set to support most vulnerable families

A £2.5 MILLION fund to support vulnerable families has been pledged by National Grid, the electricity distribution network operator for the South West region.

The initiative has been set up this winter as an urgent response to the cost of living crisis, which is affecting many local households.

Fuel poverty charity, the Fuel Bank Foundation, has reported a 75 per cent increase in the number of people needing its support in the last 12 months, as the cost of living increases.

With many households facing financial hardship, National Grid is calling on charities, councils and community groups of all sizes in Bath to apply for grants of up to £10,000 to tackle fuel poverty.

Earlier this year, more than 100 grassroots organisations received fuel poverty grants after making successful applications to the fund.

Alison Sleightholm, Regulation

and Corporate Director at National Grid, said: “Every family deserves to have a warm home –and tackling fuel poverty is a vital and pressing priority for us this winter.

“Over the past two years, we have worked with partners to deliver £20 million of direct savings for over 40,000 customers struggling to pay their bills, and the Community Matters Fund, provided entirely by the company’s shareholders, promises to offer further support to our communities.

“We are looking to support, and partner with, community groups and organisations to achieve positive change, and we welcome funding applications from diverse community groups and organisations.”

Building on feedback from last year’s fuel poverty fund, charities and community groups in the South West will also have access to a range of free training and energy efficiency advice materials which

they can tailor and share with their communities, to support planned or existing projects.

Registered charities, community groups and local authorities

New partnership launched for St Austell Brewery and Bath Rugby

are all eligible to apply, using the application form available at www.nationalgrid.co.uk/ community-matters-fund.

National Grid has said it will

consider applications for sums up to £10,000.

The closing date for submissions to the initiative is Monday 31st October.

Flourish home store and crafting hub opens

A NEW multi-year deal between St Austell Brewery and Bath Rugby will see pale ale Tribute becoming the club’s official beer.

Tribute, which is a top-ten national beer brand, has long been associated with rugby across the South West.

The new deal with Bath Rugby marks the start of Tribute’s first partnership in the Premiership.

As part of the deal, Tribute’s presence will be evident throughout The Rec, most notably on bars throughout the stadium and the Tribute Stand, also known as the West Stand.

Bath Ales’ Gem brand, which is part of the St Austell Family group, will be served in cask at the Swift Half in the fan village.

St Austell Brewery’s head of beer and brands marketing, Laura McKay, said: “We are proud and excited to announce our sponsorship of Bath Rugby with Tribute being named the official beer for the 2022/23 season.

“The partnership is a natural fit for us given Tribute’s long-standing affiliation with sport and deeprooted community spirit, and it is inspiring to see two iconic southwest brands come together.

“We’re looking forward to an

exciting season ahead, with our flagship beers korev, Gem, Tribute and Anthem all being served on the ground on game days to enjoy.”

Bath Rugby’s Chief Commercial Officer, Alex Cohen, said: “We’ve very happy to have signed on the dotted line with St Austell.

“Tribute is a perfect fit for Bath Rugby and has deep roots in the sporting community as the sponsors of Southwest Rugby.

“The new branding around The Rec gives the ground a fresh feel ahead of what we hope to be an exciting season, and it’s great to have Tribute on the journey.”

THE Flourish Foodhall and Kitchen near Bath has expanded its offering with a new home store and crafting hub, which opened its doors on Friday, 14th October.

Flourish Home and Lifestyle, based at Glenavon Farm on Bath Road in Saltford, will stock a range of gifts, home décor, kitchen & garden wares, luxury Christmas food, pet care, art, candles, soaps, and wellbeing products alongside a large crafting space.

Charlotte Lewis, store manager at Flourish Home and Lifestyle said:

“With Christmas just around the corner, it is the perfect time to open our new craft and home space.”

“The store will be packed with Christmas gift ideas, many from local suppliers, while our crafting space will be hosting activities

such as bauble painting and wreath making over the coming couple of months.

“In addition to selling local artist and crafting products, we hope that our craft space will become a hive of activity with local artisan crafters, sharing some of their skills for everyone to enjoy.”

Flourish Home and Lifestyle is keen to encourage more local crafting experts to embrace the store, both as a shop to sell their wares but also as a place they can hold crafting workshops.

Charlotte continued: “We want to offer as many local products as possible, so we encourage people to get in touch. No supplier is too small or craft too quirky.”

The store will be open from 10am to 5pm Monday – Thursday and Saturday, 10am – 7pm on Friday and 10am – 4pm on Sunday.

Welcoming the new partnership at the Recreation Ground | Photo © Patrick Khachfe/JMP

Charlotte Lewis, store manager at Flourish Home and Lifestyle | Photo © Flourish

7-bed HMO approved after windows added

John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter

A PROPERTY in Bath is to be turned into a seven-bedroom shared home after plans to make it a house in multiple occupation were approved.

Action Accommodation received planning permission to convert the home on Englishcombe Lane, but a proposal that would have seen two of the bedrooms left without windows has been abandoned.

Council officers described the plans to convert bedrooms without windows as “wholly unacceptable”, but did permit a bedroom in an outbuilding in the garden of the house despite objections.

Permission was granted after Action Accommodation amended the original plans and changed the windowless rooms to a study and a bathroom.

Two bedrooms that were in the original plan will be divided in half so the property will still house seven people.

This has led to concerns that the rooms may be too small, particularly if they are lived in by students.

Objecting to the application, Mr A Tadd said: “The resulting rooms are small, particularly if intended for students as this will also be their personal study space. Fitting small desks in these rooms will be at best difficult.”

Locals also raised concerns that the outbuilding was not properly insulated and there would be no access for emergency vehicles.

The application was submitted by Action Accommodation’s Spencer Mildon, who said that he had not been aware of all the criteria that change-of-use applications had to meet. He had intended to add a skylight to one of the windowless rooms but had been told this was not sufficient.

Mr Mildon thinks some opposition to the plans is due to locals’ dislike of student properties and shared houses.

He said: “Being a landlord, we are always on the receiving end of anything to do with students.”

He added: “I was a student in Bath

back in 2002. I think students have had a massive positive impact on the city overall.”

Councillor Paul Crossley, who represents Southdown on Bath and North East Somerset Council, had requested that the original plans be brought before the planning committee due to “a number of controversial aspects to this application.”

Councillor Sally Davis, vicechair of the planning committee said: “I have looked carefully at

the application and comments from consultees, noting the ward councillor’s [Mr Crossley] planning committee request.

“I can see the officer has worked with the applicant to address concerns raised and modifications have been made so all bedrooms have natural light and size-wise all comply with minimum standards.”

Mr Mildon said: “The planning process has served its purpose well.”

Council reaffirms position against fracking

BATH & North East Somerset Council’s opposition to fracking across the district has been reaffirmed, along with those of neighbouring authorities.

The local authority’s cabinet member for Planning and Licensing, Councillor Tim Ball reaffirmed the position following the recent announcement that a ban on fracking was to be lifted. A motion agreed by Bath & North

East Somerset Council in 2018 identified the potential impact of fracking and its capacity to affect the water flows for Bath’s precious hot springs.

Fracking could be “catastrophic” for the World Heritage City of Bath.

A Full Council meeting resolved to request the council leader to contact authorities which border Bath and North East Somerset to

ask them to support the council in its opposition to fracking in our region.

Councillor Ball said: “The recent announcement by central government that it has lifted the ban on fracking put in place in 2019 is extremely concerning to the council and local residents.

“Bath & North East Council has a statutory duty under the County of Avon Act to protect the source

of the hot springs in Bath.

“This in itself would be a significant reason for opposing fracking within our area. However, when added to other environmental risks and impacts – and our commitment to the use of green technologies to help us achieve our net-zero ambitions – the case against fracking in our own and neighbouring areas is clear and compelling.”

Public Notices

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR GRANT OF PREMISES LICENCE UNDER THE LICENSING ACT 2003

THE BRIXHAM GIN CO. LTD applied to Bath & North East Somerset Council on 05/10/22 for a licence to use the premises at 16 MARGARET’S BUILDINGS, BATH, BA1 2LP for Sale of alcohol on and off the premises 09:00 to 23:00 hours Monday to Saturday and 10:00 to 23:00 Sundays.

Notification of the application made to the Licensing Authority is available on a register at www.bathnes.gov.uk/ licensing-register.

Representations should be made in writing to:

Bath & North East Somerset Council Licensing Services Lewis House Manvers Street Bath BA1 1JG or by email to licensing@bathnes.gov.uk by 3rd November 2022.

Representations made will be disclosed in an open meeting should a hearing be necessary.

It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application and is subject to a fine of any amount on summary conviction for the offence.

Dated 05/10/22

MP welcomes relocation plans for the Fashion Museum

BATH MP Wera Hobhouse has applauded the latest development to plans to relocate and regenerate the city’s famous Fashion Museum, as part of a wider scheme for the Milsom Quarter.

It was recently announced that Bath & North East Somerset Council had received a £2.4 million grant from the West of England Combined Authority, which will contribute towards the regeneration of the Milsom Quarter, including the opening of the new Fashion Museum in the Old Post Office.

The local authority announced the purchase of the historic building, which will anchor the regeneration plan.

The plan will see the Fashion Museum move from the Assembly Rooms to New Bond Street within the next eight years.

Thanks to the new funding, designers can now be appointed to move the proposals further towards reality. Other aims of the redevelopment include creating a separate, world-leading, Fashion Collection Archive in Locksbrook, adjacent to the Bath Spa University campus.

The MP commented: “I am thrilled about progress on plans that will transform our city’s globally significant Fashion Museum. The new Museum site will be anchored in the heart of the city, making it more accessible and encouraging more visitors to stay longer.

“The plans to move the bulk of the Council’s Fashion Collection to the Bath Spa University Campus at Locksbrook will give that part of the city a boost.

“I am so excited that the Milsom Quarter regeneration project has

received vital funding to take it to the next level. The Council’s ambitious regeneration plan

should attract investment into the city and stimulate the local economy.

250 Englishcombe Lane in Bath | Photo © John Wimperis

“I for one cannot wait to see the regeneration of the Museum and Milsom Quarter progress.”

It's hoped the relocated Fashion Museum will open within the next eight years

In Other News....

Warning over at-risk children who have missed vaccinations

PARENTS and guardians are being warned of the serious health risks from children missing their routine immunisations as new data shows overall vaccination coverage fell last year.

The UK Health Security Agency in the South West is urging people to ensure their children are up to date with all their childhood immunisations, including polio and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations.

Vaccination rates have fallen over several years and additional disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic is likely to have caused some of the decreases in vaccine coverage seen in 2020-21 and 2021-22 compared to earlier years.

It is important vaccination coverage is recovered as soon as possible to levels recommended by The World Health Organization of 95% for all childhood immunisation programmes to help prevent the spread of avoidable serious, and sometimes deadly, diseases such as measles and polio.

The latest vaccination statistics from the UKHSA and NHS Digital for children up to 5 years of age in the UK (COVER programme) shows coverage decreased for 13 out of the 14 routine vaccination programmes measured in 202122:

• Only 89.2% of children at 24 months had completed their first dose of the MMR vaccine, which is a decrease from 90.3% in the previous year

• Coverage for the second dose of MMR by age 5 years was also down by nearly 1%

• Coverage for the first dose of MMR at 24 months was less than 90% in 61 (out of 149) local authorities.

Coverage also decreased for the 6-in-1/5-in-1 vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, disease caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b and hepatitis B, among children aged 12 months, 24 months, and five years.

In the South West, 93.2% of children at 24 months had completed their first does of the MMR Vaccine. This is down from 93.3% the previous year and below the 95% target.

Coverage for the second dose of MMR by age 5 years was also down from 91.2% in 2020/21 to 90.6% in 2021/22.

Coverage also slightly decreased for the 6-in-1/5-in-1 vaccine compared to the previous year.

Since the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1968, it is estimated that 20 million measles cases and 4,500 deaths have been prevented in the UK.

Measles is highly contagious so even a small decline in MMR uptake can lead to a rise in cases. Since international travel has resumed closer to prepandemic levels, it is more likely that measles will be brought in from countries that have higher levels of the disease and cause outbreaks.

Measles can lead to complications such as ear infections, pneumonia, and inflammation of the brain which require hospitalisation and on rare occasions can lead to longterm disability or death.

The NHS is running an MMR catch-up campaign so some parents may be contacted directly.

Low polio vaccination rates in parts of London have left communities vulnerable to the spread of poliovirus, which has been detected in parts of North

and East London through sewage surveillance.

To date, no clinical cases of polio have been identified but health services have been urged to remain vigilant to any cases of paralysis in children.

Dr Vanessa Saliba, Consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said:

“Measles is highly contagious and can be dangerous, and it is extremely worrying that we are seeing levels of uptake of the MMR vaccine falling among young children.

“It is also vitally important that children get their polio vaccinations to help prevent the risk of paralysis.

“I would urge parents to check that all children are up to date with their vaccines, and if not to get them booked in as soon as possible to make sure they have maximum protection against what can be terrible diseases.

“Childhood vaccines also boost

population immunity levels, helping prevent outbreaks, so by taking up all vaccinations for our children, we play our part in keeping these diseases confined to the past.”

Professor Dominic Mellon, UKHSA South West Regional Deputy Director, added: “We have seen a concerning national decline in childhood vaccine uptake over the last few years meaning many children are at risk of avoidable serious illness.

“While vaccination rates in the South West are slightly higher than in other parts of the country they are still below the WHO target of 95%.

“There is also variation in uptake between and within areas in the region and is important that we continue to increase uptake to reduce the risk of outbreaks of these diseases.

“These infections can be incredibly dangerous but can be

prevented by vaccines and this why we are calling on parents and guardians to ensure their children are up to date with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and polio vaccinations.”

Dr Julie Yates, Lead Consultant for Screening and Immunisation, NHS England South West said: “It is more important than ever that we ensure our children are protected against serious infectious diseases such as measles and polio, and vaccination is the safest and most effective way to do this.

“Anyone who is unsure if their child is up to date with all their routine vaccinations should check their child’s Red Book (personal child health record) in the first instance.

“If you are still not sure, or if you need to bring your child up to date with their vaccines, contact your GP practice to check and book an appointment.”

Fundraiser launched to purchase Herschel manuscript

A FUNDRAISING campaign has been launched by the Herschel Museum of Astronomy in Bath to buy a special new item for its collection.

The sought-after handwritten manuscript draft of Caroline Herschel’s Memoir has been valued at £108,000 and represents her life in her own words.

The work has been deemed “enormously important” for the museum’s collection, especially considering that Caroline’s achievements have historically been overshadowed by those of her brother William.

Much of the displayed collection is on loan to the museum and of the items that are owned, just one was made by the Herschels.

This makes acquiring more Herschel-related objects for the permanent collection a very high

priority for the museum.

The manuscript is being sold by Christie’s and the museum has until the end of October to raise the funds to purchase it.

Christie’s describes the text in its sale catalogue as: “A manuscript of extreme rarity and with a direct family provenance: the present manuscript has never previously been offered for sale.”

Izzy Wall, Assistant Curator and the member of staff who has researched the manuscript, explained: “It was written around 1836 when she was 86, and consists of handwritten text in English by Caroline Herschel (1750-1848), with occasional passages or words in German.

“The chapters contained in this draft cover the years 1755-75, a crucial period of Caroline’s life, from her childhood in Hanover

to early years in Bath.”

Izzy went on to explain its importance to the museum. She said: “The manuscript provides a valuable insight into the Herschels’ life in Bath, Caroline’s education and her struggles when she arrived in England.

‘It also contains important insights into the Herschels’ professional lives as musicians in Bath, William’s increasing interest in astronomy, and his telescope-building endeavours.”

For the Herschel Museum of Astronomy itself, and sole Trustee Bath Preservation Trust, the manuscript exemplifies the museum’s collecting priorities, to acquire objects that can help to interpret the Herschels’ daily life in Bath, their musical and astronomical achievements, and the specific priority to give

the story of Caroline greater prominence.

Claire Dixon, Director of Museums for Bath Preservation Trust explained what will happen if the additional funds cannot be raised.

She said: “There is a significant risk that if the museum is unable to purchase the manuscript, it will be bought by one of the American institutions that collect Herschel material.

“Should this happen, public access to the manuscript here in the UK will be lost. By securing this object and putting it on display at the museum, here in Caroline and William’s former home, visitors will be able to directly engage with Caroline’s story, literally through her own words.”

“The acquisition of this Memoir

Manuscript will fundamentally enhance our ability to tell the story of Caroline Herschel." To find out more, and donate, visit herschelmuseum.org.uk.

This newspaper is produced using paper from sustainably-managed forests.

Please recycle

When you’ve finished reading, please make sure this newspaper is recycled. Just pop it in your green recycling box, or use it for something handy around the house, such as lining your kitchen food caddy.

2632-7805

Parents are being urged to ensure their children are up to date with their immunisations