Bath Echo - Issue 043 - 17/01/2023

ECHO

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Tuesday 17th January - Monday 30th January 2023

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Christmas pantomime raises nearly £14,000 Five charities to benefit from fundraising P3

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Issue No. 043

Image © B&NES Council

Discounted entries open for this year’s Race for Life event P2

URGENT APPEAL FOR GENERATORS Residents being asked to help Ukrainian city - P3

Consultation reopens following technical error A RANGE of potential improvements to revitalise the Mount Road high street in Bath are once again being consulted on as part of plans to spend a share of £488,000 of funding.

Mount Road is among four streets in the city to have been awarded a share of £488,000 by Bath & North East Somerset Council.

Concept designs including street furniture, art installations and planting have been drawn up

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and the local authority is now consulting on the suggested improvements.

Residents and businesses were originally asked for their views on both the Mount Road and Twerton High Street improvement schemes in a consultation launched in September 2022, but responses for Mount Road were not recorded due to a technical error with the online form.

The consultation will now restart

HAWKER HAMILTON

to make sure people’s views on the proposed improvements for Mount Road can be gathered.

The consultation runs until 3rd February.

Councillor Mark Roper, cabinet member for Economic Development, Regeneration and Growth, said: “The proposed improvements for Mount Road are tailored to the needs of the area and are based on initial views we gathered from the community in

autumn and winter 2021.

“Now, we would like to invite feedback on the draft design so we can draw up final plans to make Mount Road a vibrant and welcome local centre that’s fit for the future.

“Although there was a website error when we originally began this consultation in September last year, I’d like to underline that no responses have been lost ...

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Firefighters donate over 250 toys to families for Christmas P4 Bike hangars installed to provide secure on-street facilities P8 Views being sought on council tax increase for fire service P8 Big Bath Sleep-Out charity fundraiser to return this March P10 Get the latest news for Bath 24/7 on our website www.bathecho.co.uk

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High street consultation reopens after form error

In this issue...

Top Stories

Tuesday 17th January - Monday 30th January 2023

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Crossword

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Community

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Health

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Education

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Business

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Politics

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In Other News

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Continued from page 1 ... because unfortunately none could be entered.

“We apologise for this technical issue and thank you to the people who submitted their views to us about the Twerton scheme, which have all been safely recorded.

“If you visit, live in or work in the Mount Road area then please respond to this new consultation so that we can get the final design right."

The other two local centres receiving funding as part of the Bath Local Centres High Street Improvement Scheme are Moor-

land Road and Weston High Street. The concept designs for these locations will be consulted on this summer.

Bath & North East Somerset Council secured £295,000 from the West of England Combined Authority’s ‘Love our High Streets’ grant programme for the project.

A further £193,000 is being contributed from other funding sources, including £145,000 from the Community Infrastructure Levy and an additional £35,000 linked funding from the West of England Combined Authority Vacant Unit Action Project.

Plans for the Mount Road high street | Image © B&NES Council

Entries open for this year’s Race for Life event RESIDENTS are being invited to start the New Year by signing up to take part in this year’s Cancer Research UK Race for Life in Bath.

The charity’s events are returning to the city in July, and anyone who signs up in January can claim 50 per cent off the entry fee as part of a half-price sale by using the code RFL23NY. This is the 30th year of Race for Life and participants will receive a special medal to mark the milestone.

Every year around 36,300 people are diagnosed with cancer in the South West.

Money raised at Race for Life enables scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, helping to save more lives.

The Race for Life events take place at Royal Victoria Park on Sunday 2nd July and are open to people of all ages and abilities.

Women, men and children can choose from 3k, 5k and 10k events.

Cancer Research UK Race for Life, in partnership with Standard Life, is the UK’s largest charity mass participation event.

Since it began in 1994, around 10 million people have taken part, raising more than £920 million to help fund cutting-edge research into cancer.

Ali Birkett, Cancer Research UK’s

Photo © Race for Life / Cancer Research UK

spokesperson in the South West, said: “January is the perfect time to commit to getting a little more active.

“We’d love for as many people as possible across Bath to join us during our 30th year of Race for Life.

“Race for Life is a powerful way to celebrate and remember loved ones affected by cancer and to raise money for pioneering research.

“Whether people are living with cancer, taking part in honour of or in memory of a loved one with cancer or signing up to protect their own children’s future,

everyone has a reason to Race for Life.

“Sadly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime but support through events like Race for Life funds ground-breaking work to see more people surviving cancer.

“For some, the Race for Life is literally a walk in the park. Slow and steady still wins. For others, it’s a jog.

“Others may opt to push themselves harder and take part in the 10K distance. But what is for certain is we’re looking forward to welcoming people of all ages and abilities.”

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life raises funds for world-class research to help beat 200 types of cancer, including bowel cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, testicular cancer, brain cancer, children’s cancers and leukaemia.

Andy Curran, Chief Executive of Standard Life, said: “We are extremely proud to have been chosen as the headline sponsor of Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life. This sponsorship will help encourage participation and raise funds for life-saving research to help beat cancer.”

To enter, visit raceforlife.org.

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Witnesses sought after handgun fired outside Snow Hill property AN appeal for witnesses has been launched by police after a firearm was discharged outside a property in Bath.

Officers have started an investigation after a handgun was fired in the Snow Hill area at around 11pm on Friday 6th January. A car was also damaged at the same location the following day. Police have said they believe these incidents are linked.

Neighbourhood policing Chief Inspector Ronald Lungu said:

“Thankfully, no one was injured during either incident, but we have increased high-visibility patrols in the area as a precaution and to provide reassurance to the community.

“We would like to speak to anyone who was in the area and may have seen or heard anything suspicious that evening.”

If you have any information or CCTV or doorbell footage from around the area, contact 101 and quote reference 5223004403.

Racing pigeons stolen in Peasedown St John POLICE have launched an appeal for information from the public as part of an ongoing investigation into a burglary in which 25 racing pigeons were stolen.

Three men broke into an outhouse of a property in Peasedown St John in the early hours of Tuesday 29th November and stole the birds.

House-to-house and CCTV enquiries have been carried out, as well as enquiries with organisations specialising in racing pigeons.

Investigating officer PC Matthew Fairless, said: “We’re treating this as an isolated, but targeted incident.

“The victims have been affected both emotionally and financially by this crime.

“We’re appealing for anyone with information which could help us return the birds to the owners and identify those responsible for the burglary.”

If you can help, call Avon & Somerset Police on 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5222285919.

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Your City, Your News | Bath Echo

Issue 043

Urgent appeal launched to send generators to Ukrainian city AN urgent fundraising appeal has been launched to help send generators to a city in Ukraine which has built ties of friendship with communities in Bath and North East Somerset.

It follows a request for help by the mayor of the city, which has been building links with Bath and North East Somerset since the Russian invasion last February.

Thirteen generators have already arrived at the central Ukrainian city of Oleksandriya, which is located in Kirovohradska Oblast, thanks to funds raised from local donors.

A new group, the Friends of Oleksandriya, has now launched an appeal, with the aim of raising funds for a further 12 generators to maintain warmth, light and power to hospitals, schools and places of shelter in the city, which is similar in size to Bath.

Convened by Bath & North East Somerset Council leader, Councillor Kevin Guy, with cross-party support and bringing together partners from across the community, the Friends of Oleksandriya group is headed by residents, Paul Dowling, Rachael Hushon and Zhenya Shkil.

It is the result of a series of online discussions held between Councillor Guy, Serhii Kuzmenko, the Mayor of Oleksandriya, and Vadym Prystaiko, the Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK, aimed at strengthening links with the area.

Zhenya Shkil, who is originally from Ukraine and now living in Bathford, is a founding member of the Friends of Oleksandriya group, which formally represents the City of Oleksandriya in the UK. She said: “Oleksandriya is a small city of similar size to Bath, with surrounding villages, similar to North East Somerset.

“It has become a major centre for refugees and the injured and needs help to cope with

the influx of people, as well as the effects of Russian attacks on infrastructure.”

Councillor Guy said: “Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine almost 12 months ago, Bath and North East Somerset’s communities have welcomed more than 400 Ukrainian refugees.

“The Friends of Oleksandriya is the outcome of increasing dialogue between the leadership of our two cities bringing people together to help strengthen this relationship. We are starting with Oleksandriya’s most pressing need, as expressed to me by the city’s mayor, which is for generators to maintain warmth, light and power to hospitals, schools and places of shelter.

“The first consignment of 13 generators, funded by generous local donors, has now arrived in Oleksandriya but more are needed.

“Thanks to the new Friends group, there’s now a dedicated webpage (https://bit.ly/3VZ7svf ) where people can donate, established with the enthusiastic support of the Rotary Club of Bath, which will collect donations and enable people to use Gift Aid. “The Friends of Oleksandriya is now asking for support from individuals and businesses and I am also contacting local schools to suggest ways of getting involved.”

People can donate by visiting www.generatorsforukraine.co.uk Serhii Kuzmenko, the Mayor of Oleksandriya, said: “At a recent online meeting with representatives of B&NES Council and their leader Councillor Kevin Guy, I explained that we urgently needed generators for our city as they would enable us to equip more warm places and provide our schools and hospitals with light and warmth.

Plans submitted for womenswear store John Wimperis

Local Democracy Reporter

A WOMENSWEAR brand hopes to open a new shop in the centre of Bath.

Bath shoppers will know Mint Velvet from Jolly’s department store but the womenswear boutique now has plans for a shop of its own in Bath, just around the corner on New Bond Street.

A planning application was submitted last week to take over two neighbouring vacant storefronts on the street and combine them into a large Mint Velvet store.

The shops are Grade II listed and part of a Georgian terrace.

In the application, interior designers StudioJill said: “All works are intended to involve the minimum intervention and to be

reversible in the future, allowing the building to evolve and maintain the possibility of new uses or layouts within the context of its listed status.

“The proposal does not detract from the character or setting of the building and the proposal respects and enhances the original architecture, scale, materials and colour, detailing and other significant features of the building.”

They added: “It is acknowledged that the most effective way to secure the future of an historic building is to find a suitable beneficial use for that building.”

The shops were previously occupied by fellow women’s retailer Karen Millen, which closed its Bath branch in 2019, and tea shop T2.

Mint velvet was founded by three friends in 2009 and is centred around the idea of “relaxed glamour.”

Pictured at the launch of the appeal: (L-R) Zhenya Shkil, Councillor Kevin Guy, Rotary Club of Bath President Roger Morris, Councillor Lisa O’Brien, Councillor Chris Dando (Back L-R) Alan Keeling, Rotary Club of Bath Treasurer, Rachael Hushon, Paul Dowling, Councillor Alastair Singleton and Councillor Ruth Malloy | Photo © B&NES Council

“Thanks to the speedy action and generosity of people in Bath and North East Somerset, I am pleased to say that the first generators have now arrived safely in our city and are being put to good use.

“We would like to express our gratitude to Councillor Kevin Guy and all the residents of the Bath and North East Somerset for the swift action in response to our needs and their help in these difficult times.”

Roger Morris, President of the Rotary Club of Bath, said: “Our club has already raised funds and also sent warm clothing to Ukraine. We are pleased to be able to partner with the Friends of Oleksandriya, and with Rotary in Ukraine, to broaden the humanitarian support we are able to give.”

Zhenya Shkil, added: “Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, I have been spending every day helping refugees in all ways possible.

“Bath & North East Somerset residents are amazingly generous people who opened their homes and offered love and safety to those unfortunate Ukrainians who had to flee their country to protect their children’s lives.

“But as a local community we can do more. We can carry on supporting those people that ended up living with us, as well as take responsibility for a small Ukrainian city of the similar size to Bath and help them to survive this war.

“Inevitably, most humanitarian aid never makes it to small cities like Oleksandriya. Since the Russian Forces made it their

mission to destroy Ukrainian infrastructure and freeze people in “the now cold and dark discomfort of their homes” we must stand up and protect our brothers and sisters.

“There are children who cannot even have a bedside story or a bedside lamp light, they cannot have hot food or even running water because of recent blackouts.

“I am sure if every local person donates as much as they can we can deliver needed generators to the beautiful city of Oleksandriya and bring them light and warmth now, when it’s expected that the temperature will drop below -20 by the end of this week.”

To find out more, go to www.generatorsforukraine.co.uk or email generatorsforukraine@ outlook.com.

Theatre Royal’s Christmas pantomime raises nearly £14,000 AUDIENCES from the annual Christmas pantomime at the Theatre Royal Bath have raised more than £13,800 during twenty-one charity collections.

Money was collected from 20th December to 31st December after the matinee and evening performances of Aladdin.

Tom Lister, who starred as Abanazar in the pantomime, made an announcement from the stage on behalf of the five charities involved before each of the fundraising bucket collections made by the theatre’s Front of House team.

The actor, well known on TV for his role in Emmerdale, said: “We are overwhelmed by the amazing total raised by Bath’s pantomime audiences.

“Their contributions will make a big difference to all five of the brilliant charities we are supporting following bucket

collections at the Theatre Royal.

“We would like to thank each and every one of the generous theatregoers who dug deep for Alzheimer’s Society, Bath Foodbank, Macmillan Cancer Support, Trauma Recovery Centre and the Wonderfund, who will now be able to use the funds to continue their amazing work in 2023.”

The money raised during the Theatre Royal’s annual Charities Week across fourteen panto performances, from 20th to 27th December, totalling £10,003.14, will be divided equally between four charities: Alzheimer’s Society, Bath Foodbank, Macmillan Cancer Support and Trauma Recovery Centre.

Bucket collections which took place the following week, across seven performances, from 28th to 31st December, raised an additional £3,896.64 for The Egg

Photo © Theatre Royal Bath

Theatre’s Wonderfund.

Tom Lister was joined on stage

by Jon Monie (Wishee Washee), Nick Wilton (Widow Twankey), Alex Aram (Aladdin), Kaysha Nada (Princess Jasmine), Michael Chance (Emperor), Amy Perry (Spirit of the Ring), Maddison Tyson (Genie) and John Gould and Ange Gregory from the Theatre Royal’s Front of House Team to celebrate the donations given by theatregoers.

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Tuesday 17th January - Monday 30th January 2023

Latest round of funding opens to support Ukrainian refugees NEW funding is being made available to community and voluntary groups, as well as charities, in Bath and North East Somerset that are supporting refugees from Ukraine.

The second round of the Ukraine Support Fund has been opened by Bath & North East Somerset Council to support the integration of Ukrainian guests into communities to help promote their wellbeing, independence and skills.

The money, allocated by central government, could be used to provide services for Ukrainian groups including help with housing, organising community events or accessing translation services.

The local authority is particularly welcoming applications from organisations supporting sponsors through: • Assisting with ongoing housing needs • Help in recruiting new landlords • Help for getting guests tenancy ready The first round of funding allocated in August 2022 supported seven organisations, including Oasis Pantry in Bath which received funding to provide culturally appropriate food and household items.

Team Bath Rhythmic Gymnastics

Club received funds to aid training that will help children with their passion for sport whilst in the UK. Applications for the second round of funding are now open and a total of £10,000 is available.

Bids are invited from charities, volunteer and community groups to benefit the groups of refugees they are supporting.

Organisations can apply for up to £500 for a one-off event, or up to £2,000 to establish new services or extend an existing one.

Applications can be made at https ://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/ apply-ukraine-support-fund.

The fund has been set up primarily to support people arriving from Ukraine, but the projects could be widened to include refugees from other countries.

Councillor Dine Romero, cabinet member for Children and Young People, and Communities, said: “Many kind residents have opened their homes to people escaping danger in Ukraine, providing a safe haven.

“There are also many community groups and charities who are helping Ukrainian guests rebuild their lives by helping them towards living independently.

“We are encouraging local organisations who have detailed understanding of the needs

Up to £2,000 per organisation is available to support Ukrainian refugees

of the Ukrainian guests they support to apply to the fund, especially if they are assisting with housing needs or recruiting new landlords. The grants will ultimately help people to flourish in their new communities.”

The second round of funding will be available until 31st March 2023 but will close earlier if all funds have been allocated.

All applications must:

• Benefit a group of people, not an individual person.

• Be a charity, voluntary or community organisation that operates for the benefit of the local community and is not for profit.

• Have a constitution and valid bank account or a lead organisation, with a constitution and valid bank account.

• Show at least one of the

following ways it will support Ukrainian Refugees: • Promote Health and Wellbeing • Promote Independence • Improve Language Skills • Assist with Employment Skills • Help Integration into local communities.

Anyone needing help applying online can contact Mark Hayward on 01225 396975 or by emailing mark_hayward@bathnes.gov.uk.

Firefighters donate over 250 toys to families for Christmas CREWS from Bath’s fire station, part of Avon Fire & Rescue Service, donated more than 250 toys to local families in time for Christmas.

Watch Manager Nigel O’Keeffe, firefighter Paul Johnson and his colleagues on Green Watch collected toys for children who would need them the most.

Ahead of donating the gifts, crews made sure the toys were clean and in good condition before wrapping and labelling them.

Around 115 presents were delivered to the Lighthouse

Centre in Bath, which distributed the toys to a number of food banks across the city.

Crews also donated 140 brandnew toys, which were gifted by a local supermarket, to the Royal United Hospital on Christmas Day. Firefighters, alongside hospital staff, presented presents to children being treated in hospital over the festive period.

Nigel O’Keeffe said: “We were astounded by the response to our Christmas toy collection.

“Despite facing a difficult year,

including the effects of the current Cost of Living Crisis, our local community in Bath were extremely generous and donated a huge number of toys in support of those who need them most.

“It was our pleasure to donate the gifts to Bath Foodbank and children at RUH Bath – we hope they’re well enjoyed by all those who received them.

“I’d also like to thank everyone at Bath Station that have been involved in this collection – this tremendous effort couldn’t have been achieved without them.”

Olivia Sladden, Community, Events and Bath Foodbank Facilitator at Genesis Trust Bath, said: “We are so grateful for this donation of lovely children’s toys to support Bath Foodbank, part of Genesis Trust. It will make such a difference in the lives of local individuals and families.”

Crews at Southmead and WestonSuper-Mare also hosted their own Christmas toy collection.

Southmead firefighters donated toys to charities including The Rainbow Trust and Greenway Centre and The Ranch in

Southmead while local food banks received donations from Weston-Super-Mare Station. The charities distributed the presents to local families.

the end of last year but typically, another Conservative pledge was broken and it has left private renters without the protections they need from rogue landlords through this incredibly difficult time.

B&NES Council has started an excellent scheme which provides affordable, social housing and I would love to see this replicated more broadly.

The Liberal Democrats have long called for 150,000 more affordable homes to be built a year and a scheme to enable this needs to begin immediately.

My ongoing fight to address the climate crisis urgently will of

course also continue.

The Government’s dithering and delay on Net Zero is becoming more unforgivable by the day and we cannot allow this to rumble on.

I will continue to gather support in Parliament for a Local Net Zero Bill which would increase the devolved powers over Net Zero decisions to Local Authorities so they can push ahead with the green transition even when the Government wants to ignore its necessity.

We must reclaim our spot as a world leader in the fight against the impending climate catastrophe and this Bill would go a long way in doing just that.

Firefighters with some of the toys

COLUMN | Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath

A

S 2023 begins, I would like to share with you my top priorities for the year politically in what promises to be yet another challenging year under this Conservative Government.

What is rightly at the forefront of everyone's minds currently is the crisis engulfing our precious NHS. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine has said that up to 500 people a week are dying needlessly because of A&E delays yet the Prime Minister and Health Secretary are nowhere to be seen.

Both have completely abandoned the health service during this toughest of winters. The heroes who work in our NHS do their utmost to look after us but we have to give them the resources they

need so they can continue their fantastic, lifesaving work. Over the coming months I will continue to call for a long-term workforce plan so staffing shortages can be addressed. Alongside this needs to be social care reform so more care is moved into the community and out of hospitals. Only then can we start to rebuild our precious NHS. There are other immediate issues that I know are worrying many of you locally and I will be pushing for Government action on these as well. We have seen many bus routes already cut and more are threatened. Addressing this will be one of my top priorities throughout this year. I will continue my work with my Lib Dem

Council colleagues to try and save as many routes as possible and where we cannot, provide alternatives so vulnerable residents are not left isolated. I will continue to call for a reform of how the system works and that means giving Local Authorities like B&NES Council the powers to ensure they can make these services operate smoothly for the public.

Housing must also be addressed by the Government urgently so the tragic events we saw in Rochdale last year can never be repeated.

What needs to happen, and what I will continue to push for, is the Renters’ Reform Bill being presented to the House as quickly as possible. It was promised before

Join A Choir The pictures below from Bath Abbey were taken on December 10th at a workshop and evening concert organised by Bath's Mr Music, Grenville Jones, to celebrate the JOY of singing in a Choir.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING for a Choir we rehearse from 7:45pm to 9:30pm at St Alphege Church in Oldfield Park, BA2 3NR. To join you'll find out more about Grenville's friendly Thursday evening mixed-voice WelcomeChorus Choir on

www.welcomechorus.org.uk

The celebrated City of Bath Male Choir recently returned from a memorable visit to Nashville, Tennessee. Come and meet us on a Tuesday evenings to discover the experience of singing in the UK’s leading Male Voice Choir. We rehearse on Tuesdays from 7:45pm to 9:30pm at Beechen Cliff Methodist with Laurie and Grenville.

www.bathmalechoir.org

Grenville has 25 Good Afternoon Choirs across the West of England with over 1,000 singers. Bath Good Afternoon Choir meets on a Thursday with Grenville at Widcombe Baptist Church from 2pm-4pm, singing for fun a Choir with over 60 happy members. Find all Choir details on

www.goodafternoonchoir.org

Photos by Anna Barclay

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Tuesday 17th January - Monday 30th January 2023

Pictures from the Past: Bath, City of Views View from near Bloomfield Crescent Kirsten Elliott Akeman Press

THIS photograph which was taken around 1912 from somewhere below the Tumps, near Bloomfield Crescent, shows the extent of building in the Bear Flat area in the early years of the 20th century.

Here, nearly all of Poet’s Corner, by this time virtually complete, shows up as pristine white terraces. It was almost entirely the work of four brothers, Elisha, Francis, John and Samuel Hallett, who moved to Bath from Witham Friary near Frome in the late nineteenth century.

They were carpenters by trade before becoming builders. The Hallett family

were staunch Methodists, and so it was natural that the new development should have its own Methodist church, whose tower can just be seen above the tree in the centre of the photograph. There were no pubs in Poets’ Corner, however. This was usual in developments by builders who favoured the temperance cause.

The Bear and, further up Wellsway, the Devonshire Arms – another old coaching inn – remained the only pubs in the area.

Bath continued to expand at a considerable rate and most of the fields in the picture are now covered by housing. In the distance can be seen Alexandra Park – just a decade old with few trees on its south and west sides. To the right-hand side of the picture you can make out the spire of St Luke’s, built in

1867 by Hickes & Isaac, who designed a number of prominent buildings in Bath, including the Guildhall market.

To enjoy this view it is best to go up to Odd Down Sports Ground, where you can park your car. Follow the gravelled track, to the left of the cycle track which runs behind Bloomfield Road towards the woods. Do not go round to the right but follow the track which winds down through the woods. Take a sharp bend to the left, ignoring a new path carrying on ahead of you. The track descends down to the road, which you cross. Turn right and very shortly you come to a track which leads down to some fields.

You cannot go very far from here – there are no footpaths – but it offers not just this view but a chance to look up to

Bloomfield Crescent.

For more views, retrace your steps into the woods, and after this time take the path you saw earlier to continue through the woods. Leave the path when it turns up to the right with a flight of steps, and continue along a muddy but clear path through the trees. All along here you get glimpses of views but a better one awaits.

Follow the path round to the right beside a fence, and eventually you are faced with a choice between going straight on or taking a well-trodden path through a gap in the hedge into an open field.

Go through the gap and a magnificent panorama across Lyncombe Vale opens up before you. Keep following the obvious path until you emerge back on to the recreation ground.

Locals help choose where community funding is spent ELEVEN projects in Bath are set to share more than £420,000 in community funding after the public was given the chance to help choose the recipients.

The twelfth round of the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) for Bath will support projects including a new food pantry, park improvements and better community facilities for carers.

Bath & North East Somerset Council announced the winning projects, which were chosen following feedback from the public consultation held in July last year.

The 11 projects that have secured funding from the latest round are: • £20,000 for Mercy in Action to set up a new food pantry community facility in Twerton.

• £37,000 to reinstate the pump

track and install new outdoor gym equipment at Pennyquick Park in Twerton.

• £80,714 for Your Park Bristol and Bath to support the delivery of the Bath Parks Activator Programme to enhance 18 parks across Bath to create and maintain natural habitats.

• £25,000 for the BANES Carers Centre in Bath to improve community facilities for carers in

Twerton.

• £28,050 for the Percy Centre to provide youth services in Kingsmead.

• £35,000 for the Canal and River Trust towards improving the Bathwick Towpath.

• £45,000 towards improvements to Broad Street Place Community Garden in Kingsmead.

• £67,443 for More Trees BANES towards creating 10 new

community-based tree nurseries in Bath.

• £9,645 for Bath City Farm towards a new workshop for older volunteers to use, in partnership with the Bath Shed Group.

• £47,596 for Bath Mind towards community allotment facilities at Monksdale Road in Moorlands.

• £26,122 for Julian House to improve community facilities for homeless people in Kingsmead.

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Your City, Your News | Bath Echo

Issue 043

Crossword

You can find the answers to last issue's crossword on page 16.

Congratulations to Rachel Brooks for winning £20!

Complete our crossword for your chance to win £20!

Across

Down

1 Baby's garment (5) 4 Bizarre (9) 10 Liverpudlian (6) 11 Cooking pot (8) 12 Spoke quietly (9) 13 Yellowish brown colour (5) 15 Dated (3,3) 17 Flock supervisor (8) 19 Paper-cutting instrument (8) 21 Uncover (6) 22 Transport (5) 24 Magyar (9) 27 Sheath for a sword (8) 28 Degrees in a right angle (6) 29 Hard water fall, maybe (9) 30 Root vegetable (5)

2 Boozy (9) 3 Saint -----, London cathedral (5) 5 Ulcer (7) 6 Tense (4) 7 Old liner, perhaps (9) 8 Icon (5) 9 Depression (9) 14 Cleansing agent (9) 16 Brother of Hannibal (9) 18 Got going again (9) 20 Tremble (7) 23 Capital of Ghana (5) 25 Regenerate (5) 26 Agreement (4)

Crossword Competition!

For your chance to win £20, submit your full name, postal address and answers by email to puzzles@bathecho.co.uk and we'll enter you into our draw.

The winner will be the first randomly opened entry with the correct answers on 26/01/2023.

Please note: We will not accept crossword entries to our postal address.

The winner will be notified by the email address they use to enter this competition.

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www.bathecho.co.uk

Tuesday 17th January - Monday 30th January 2023

Bike hangars installed to provide secure on-street facilities A NUMBER of bike hangars have been installed in Bath as part of a two-year trial to provide secure on-street parking facilities for local residents.

The new hangars will provide lockable and secure storage for 24 bikes for residents living in Great Stanhope Street, New King Street and Sydney Buildings, who don’t have access to private cycle parking, such as a shed or garage.

The hangars will be maintained and operated by Falco, on behalf of Bath & North East Somerset Council, for the duration of the £30,000 two-year trial.

The scheme is being funded by the council’s Transport Improvement Plan.

Each hangar can accommodate six bikes, with each bike parking space costing £42 a year to rent, during the trial period.

Councillor Sarah Warren, deputy

leader and cabinet member for Climate and Sustainable Travel, said: “We want to encourage more residents to leave the car at home and consider cycling instead, especially for short journeys around Bath, so we need to remove barriers which prevent people from owning and using a bike, by providing dedicated and secure cycle parking near their home.

“The bike hangars will not only enable more residents to cycle, they’re also another significant step towards reducing traffic congestion, improving air quality and achieving our goal of being carbon neutral by 2030.”

Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for Transport, said: “Residents have raised concerns about the need for secure onstreet cycle parking, particularly in areas with a high volume of flats

and no storage space inside, with their ward councillors and, most recently, as part of the ongoing Liveable Neighbourhoods programme.

“It is a real barrier to people buying a bike, especially an electric bike, if they can’t safely store it.

“The cost of renting a bike space in one of the secure hangars will be subsidised by the council, for the duration of the two-year trial.

“This means it will cost residents £42 per space, per year, which is only £3.50 a month, instead of £72 per year.

“The subsidies will be covered by charges from Bath’s Clean Air Zone, which aims to provide cleaner, healthier air for everyone to enjoy.”

Residents can find out more about or rent a space for their bike at www.rentals.falco.co.uk.

It's hoped the new storage facilities will encourage people to begin cycling

Venues join initiative to support breastfeeding parents

Views sought on fire service tax increase

LIBRARIES, community hubs, leisure centres and cafés are set to support parents to breastfeed when they are out and about with their babies after making a pledge to a special scheme.

The venues have signed up to the Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme to show that breastfeeding is welcome in all their areas and included in written customer care policies.

The scheme also requires member venues to uphold the right to breastfeed by ensuring that if someone complains they are moved, not the breastfeeding parent; to allow space for pushchairs or prams; offer a clean baby feeding area and have somewhere a baby’s nappy can be changed.

Councillor Nick Toogood, Radstock Town Council Mayor, said: “The Radstock Community Hub and Library has been open over three years to serve the local community and provides a warm, welcoming and inclusive space for all to use.

PEOPLE in Bath are being asked for their views on whether they agree with a small council tax rise to help fund Avon Fire & Rescue Service in the coming year.

For 2023/24, the Government has changed the flexibility of the fire precept of council tax to an increase of £5 per year for the average band D household.

The fire service has now launched a consultation with residents, to ask if they would support such an increase in their council tax to support its funding and priorities.

Simon Shilton, Chief Fire Officer for AF&RS, said: “Making our Communities Safer and Making our Services Stronger are the overarching strategic priorities in AF&RS’ Service Plan and I would encourage all local people to have their say on the priorities which outline our commitment to preventing, protecting, responding and maintaining a resilient service to respond to your needs.

“Since 2010, we have had to

The scheme encourages more venues to support parents with breastfeeding

“We have lots of parents visit and many mums use the space already. It is nice to join this programme and make the venue officially Breastfeeding Welcome.”

Councillor Dine Romero, cabinet member for Children and Young People, and Communities, said: “We are delighted to have launched a Breastfeeding Welcome scheme in the Somer Valley. Although the Equality Act 2010 states that it is sex discrimination to treat a woman

unfavourably because she is breastfeeding, some don’t always feel confident breastfeeding when out and about.

“This scheme encourages venues to display a sticker to make it clear they are breastfeeding friendly and have introduced measures to support parents who visit.”

Full details of the scheme can be found via B&NES Council’s website (https://bit.ly/3Qqv5Md) and a list of venues that have signed up is on the Live Well pages (http://bit.ly/3CBXU2A).

make £14.5million of savings, predominantly through cuts to our funding from central Government.

“Despite challenges, we have continued to work hard to make sure the service we provide is value for money for local people.

“In the coming year, our Service Plan will be delivered against a backdrop of financial pressures and an increasing demand for public services.

“With the potential for less funding, this will mean that providing the support and services people need from their fire and rescue service will become more challenging.

“I know that times are tough for everyone, and asking for another increase in your bills is a big ask.

“Unfortunately the rising costs of living is impacting us all, including your local public services.

People are encouraged to share their views by completing the short survey at www. surveymonkey.co.uk/r/FGJ2D2T.

COLUMN | Mark Shelford, Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner

I

WOULD like to start the New Year by thanking all the officers, emergency services staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly over the festive period to keep our communities safe.

I would also like to wish everyone the best of luck if they are embarking on a month-long sobriety challenge like me. After over-indulging during the festive period, Dry January is a great way to kick off the new year.

At a time when families are under extreme cost pressures with mounting living costs, I am concerned that predatory lenders could target those who are al-

ready struggling to make ends meet. Loan sharks pose a dangerous threat to all communities and I urge you all to remain vigilant and not fall victim to illegal money lending. The impact is severe and far-reaching, with devastating consequences for the mental health and wellbeing of those affected. Should you be approached, you can report a loan shark by calling the Stop Loan Sharks 24/7 Helpline on 0300 555 2222.

To help the cost-of-living crisis, Iceland supermarket has launched their ethical credit scheme Food Club. The scheme

offers customers interest-free loans on a pre-loaded card. With many people increasingly relying on food banks, I believe this scheme is crucial in helping families manage their finances as the cost of everyday essentials continue to rise.

In these exceptionally tough times, I hope other businesses will also consider innovative ways to lend a helping hand to those most in need.

It is important to note that with the rising costs of living, fuel and inflation set to deepen this year, this will also include the cost of running the police service. As

PCC, I am responsible for setting the amount of money residents contribute to local policing through the precept.

Before Christmas, I launched my precept survey asking if you would support paying an increase in your council tax to fund local policing. To help Avon and Somerset Police deliver the most effective policing possible, I am proposing increasing the police precept by £15 a year for an average Band D household. Please spare five minutes of your time to have your say – the survey can be

found on my website: www.avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk It is also the final chance to make a New Year’s resolution with a difference. Volunteer with us to ensure Avon and Somerset Police deliver the best possible service and meet the needs of your community. If you have a passion to empower your community and are willing to share your opinions constructively, then we want you! The application form can be found on my website.

I wish everyone in BANES a safe and Happy New Year.

9

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Issue 043

What's On

Coming up in Bath ...

(17th - 30th January 2023)

Politics of a changing climate

Cinderella

Ez Dickens

The People’s String Foundation

Voces Del Camino

Woodcuts in the Age of Dürer

Lunar New Year

Jessica Palmer: Wetland Spring

Frug! - Music for Dancing

The Nutcracker

The Father by Florian Zeller

Queen Extravaganza

Jaz Delorean (Solo)

It’s The Hope

Bath Comedy Club

BRLSI 17th January, 7.30pm In this talk, Sophia Hatzisavvidou from the University of Bath will consider what ecopolitics looks like today, arguing that a changed climate requires a change in politics.

Bath Abbey 21st January, 7pm A small chamber choir, with a programme of music by Victoria, Byrd, JS Bach, Whitacre & Gjelio.

A fundraising concert for Bath Abbey and the Footprint Project.

Widcombe Social Club 21st January, 8pm Bath's pop-up dance club night 'Frug!' returns to help you shake off those January blues. DJ Eddieboy (Motorcity) and DJ Ade (Transmission, Electric Dreams) bring you high energy dance music.

Swan Lake

The Theatre Royal 27th & 28th January, 7pm Swan Lake is the tragic tale of love that triumphs over evil, as Prince Siegfried falls in love with Odette, Queen of the Swans, only to be tricked into betraying her with devastating consequences.

St Philip & St James' Church 18th - 21st January, Various Times St Philip & St James Church Drama Group are back with their annual pantomime. Join Ella and her friends in this traditional family adventure. Get ready to laugh, sing, boo and hiss.

The Holburne Museum 21st January – 23rd April, 10am – 5pm A rare opportunity to view the complete set of woodcuts known as The Great Passion, produced by the most famed artist of the German Renaissance, Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528).

The Theatre Royal 24th – 26th January, 7pm The Nutcracker is a feast for the senses; the enchanting tale of Clara’s adventures with her Nutcracker Prince, full of magic and wonder for audiences of all ages.

Tickets from £26.

The Chapel Arts Centre 27th January, 8pm Jaz Delorean is a London-based British singer. The songs that he sings and plays on the piano are tender observations of the fragile and sometimes twisted existence on this planet.

Komedia 19th January, 7pm Ez Dickens, South-West solo artist and front-woman of festival band Drop in the Ocean, brings her fiery energy and singer-songwriter roots to a fusion of alternative reggae.

The Museum of East Asian Art 21st January – 18th February Learn about the symbolism and tradition of the Lion Dance through the temporary exhibit, take part in family workshops, and explore the collection through Lunar New Year inspired trails.

The Mission Theatre 25th - 28th January, 7.30pm The Father is a tragi-comic mystery, a sobering and realistic family story, and an unsentimental, emotionally intense look at the world through the eyes of a man experiencing dementia.

The Rondo Theatre 28th January, 8pm Is it ‘the hope that kills you’ or ‘the hope that sustains you’? Two very different stories performed in very different styles. Both are funny, moving, and thought-provoking.

The Rondo Theatre 20th January, 8pm The People’s String Foundation are fast becoming the musical heavyweight of the South-West and wider folk circles, bringing to life Gypsy spirit in spellbinding performances.

Victoria Art Gallery 21st January – 11th April Explore this exhibition by Bath-based Jessica Palmer, an artist and illustrator whose work spans collage, paper sculpture, paper cutting, digital drawing and painting.

The Forum 25th January, 7pm Queen Extravaganza, the official Queen tribute band produced by Roger Taylor and Brian May, returns to the UK in 2023, following sell out shows across the globe.

Revolution 29th January, 7pm Bath Comedy Club presents the best comedians on one intimate stage, starring Laura Lexx, Aideen McQueen, Matt Alford, Tom Hutchinson and Tor Hudswell as MC.

GET YOUR

COVID-19 & FLU VACCINATIONS Make a booking, find a walk-in, or check the latest clinic dates, times and locations here...

UPCOMING WALK-IN CLINICS

Bath City FC, Twerton Park, Twerton, BA2 1DB (11-5pm)*: Monday 23 Jan Monday 30 Jan

Salvation Army, Bath Citadel, Green Park, BA1 1XE (11-5pm): Thursday 19 Jan Thursday 26 Jan

Vaccinations are free: - You do not need proof of address - You do not need an NHS number - Your details will not be shared with immigration

Walk-in clinics are open for Covid vaccinations to anyone aged 5+. The clinic is only open to those aged 5-11 between 3-5pm. Flu vaccinations are open to those aged 18+. All subject to eligibility.

Check your eligibility by calling 119 or visit: www.nhs.uk If you have any questions about vaccinations, please come and chat with a clinician.

For those 18 under, please find out how to get your flu vaccination on the www.nhs.uk website *Wellbeing conversations available for everyone and NHS Health Checks also available subject to eligibility, visit this website for more information: www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-health-check/

10

www.bathecho.co.uk

Tuesday 17th January - Monday 30th January 2023

Community Big Bath Sleep-Out charity fundraiser to return this March BATH-BASED charity Julian House has announced that its Big Bath Sleep-Out fundraising event will be returning this March, with locals being challenged to sleep outside for one night.

The event is being held on Friday 3rd March in aid of the charity, which supports vulnerable and at-risk individuals.

The Sleep-Out sees hundreds of supporters brave the cold and bed down in Alice Park, raising sponsorship money for Julian House’s work.

Event Organiser Matt Redmore said: “We’re delighted to be returning to Alice Park for our sponsored sleepout this year.

“Our amazing supporters love this event for the camaraderie on the night and the amazing sense of achievement they feel afterward.

“It’s a difficult time for charities with the uncertain economic situation and, despite amazing local support, we’re no exception to that. So it’s more important than ever that people get involved

and sleep out for just one night!

“Of course, no-one is under any illusion that spending one cold night in Alice Park could possibly come close to the stark reality of being homeless and sleeping on the streets.

“People taking part in the Big Bath Sleep-Out may be cold and a little wet. However, the next morning people taking part can go home, have a warm bath, a cooked breakfast, chat to family and friends about their experience or just catch up on lost sleep. The big difference for people who are forced to sleep rough is that they don’t have that option.”

Last year Julian House provided life-changing support to over 1,600 vulnerable individuals who were experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness across Bath, Bristol, and the South West.

Without the support of a charity like Julian House, the life expectancy of a long-term homeless person is just 44 years. By taking on the sleep-out challenge in March and raising vital funds, anyone can help to

Taking part in the Big Bath Sleep-Out | Photo © Julian House

change that.

Last year local supporter Andres took part on his own and raised over £500. He’s now encouraging others to take part this year, saying: “Taking part in

Festival’s grant scheme set to give more money to the community A GRANT scheme run by a village’s popular festival has been reopened to give money back to the local community.

Peasedown St John’s Party in the Park is held every summer and due to the success of last year’s Platinum Jubilee event, thousands of pounds were raised.

Most of the money goes towards covering the festival’s running costs, but the organisers have set an amount aside, the Party in the Park Grant Fund, to reinvest back into the village in the form of small and medium-sized financial grants.

Since the scheme was set up in 2010, over £15,000 has been given away to organisations such as Peasedown Primary School, Peasedown Methodist Church, Little Treasures Toy Library, Peasedown Youth Albion FC and the Somer Valley Foodbank.

Event organisers have now announced they’re giving away another £500 again this year.

Cllr Karen Walker, who helped set up the festival in 2008, said: “When the organisers first met to plan Party in the Park all those years ago we decided that no matter how much money we raised we’d like to give some of it back to the community.

“Thanks to the success of our twelve previous festivals, we are pleased to announce that the Party in the Park Grant Fund will give away another £500 again this year.

Party in the Park Festival Managers, Karen Walker and Gavin Heathcote

“This is our way of thanking residents for supporting last year’s festival and making it such a special day.”

Local organisations can apply for funding themselves or be nominated by a third party.

To qualify for a Party in the Park Grant, applicants must be part of an organisation that’s either based in Peasedown St John or has beneficiaries in the community that will directly benefit from the funding.

The organisation should be notfor-profit, a registered charitable trust, or seeking funding for oneoff costs that cannot be met from their existing finances.

Preference will be given this year to groups and individuals who haven’t applied before.

Party in the Park is run by

local charity, the Peasedown Community Trust.

Chairman Gavin Heathcote said: “All the members of the organising team have a strong sense of pride in Peasedown St John. We believe passionately in supporting the community at a grassroots level.

“Therefore, as well as just organising a large summer event each year we also want to do things for the community all year round.”

The closing date for grant applications is Friday 24th March.

All interested applicants can download a copy of the Grant Fund application form at www. peasedownpartyinthepark.org. uk or email the festival directly at info@peasedownpartyinthepark. org.uk.

the sponsored sleepout last year was a brilliant and rewarding experience.

“Even though I was there by myself everyone was really welcoming and encouraging.

“Everyone there felt like they were making a real difference to people experiencing homelessness. Do get involved this year if you can!”

Tickets for the event are free.

Sign up at bigbathsleepout.co.uk.

Foodbank feeds over 20,000 people during first 10 years of service A LOCAL project set up back in January 2013 has marked its 10year anniversary by revealing that it has helped to feed nearly 20,000 people.

The Somer Valley Foodbank was originally established as a collaboration between local churches and community leaders.

The foodbank, which runs food distribution centres in Midsomer Norton, Radstock, Paulton and Peasedown St John, has been at the forefront of helping some of the local area’s most needy ever since its doors opened.

Paul Woodward is the project’s coordinator. He said: “Thanks to all the local businesses, churches and community groups that have supported the Somer Valley Foodbank over the past decade.

“Your help and encouragement has enabled us to provide a support and advice service to those that need it the most.

“Now, more than ever before over the last 10 years, there has never been a greater need for the Somer Valley Foodbank’s existence.

“With the rise in the cost of living, and more people finding it difficult to make ends meet, we’re seeing an unprecedented demand for our services.”

Since January 2013, 7,296 food

vouchers have been issued across the Somer Valley. This equates to 19,485 people being fed, 10,689 adults and 8,796 children.

Of those visiting the distribution centres, single people are using the service the most, followed by families, singleparent families and then couples.

Over the ten years, more than 172,300 tonnes of food have been given out.

The foodbank is run by a large team of volunteers, 75 in total, who keep the project running each and every week.

Paul continued: “We wouldn’t be able to support the amount of people we do without our dedicated volunteers.

“Of our 75 volunteers, 30 have been with us since the very beginning.”

Foodbanks provide three days of emergency food to people who need it the most.

Professionals such as health visitors, social workers and the CAB identify people in crisis and issue them with a foodbank voucher.

The voucher can be taken to a foodbank distribution centre where a team of volunteers will offer a cup of tea and help people with their food needs.

11

Your City, Your News | Bath Echo

Issue 043

Health Ambulance service to pay extra £2m for fuel

Behind-the-scenes neonatal tour launched to help new parents

THE South Western Ambulance Service is set to spend almost £9 million on fuel this year, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.

The information request, made by the Liberal Democrats, asked the ambulance service for its spending on fuel in the last three financial years and its projected spending for the 2022/2023 year.

South Western Ambulance Service is expecting to pay nearly £2 million more this year in fuel costs compared to 2021/22, an increase of 28%. The projected figure is £8.75 million.

The ambulance service is particularly vulnerable to increasing fuel costs as it covers a larger region compared to others.

The Freedom of Information (FOI) request was also sent out to the other ambulance services in England. All nine of the ten ambulance services in mainland England that responded said that they are expecting to pay an extra million pounds or more in fuel over the next year.

Overall ambulance services across the country are set to pay an extra £14 million over the next year compared to 2021/22, up to £69 million from £54 million in the year prior.

Bath MP Wera Hobhouse has called for all ambulance services

A VIRTUAL tour showing behind-the-scenes of the Dyson Centre for Neonatal Care has been introduced on the Royal United Hospital’s website.

The video tour aims to help familiarise parents and families with the neonatal environment at the hospital and gives them the opportunity to virtually meet some of the RUH staff who work on the unit.

While most babies born at the hospital won’t need to be cared for in the neonatal unit, some will need extra help because they have been born prematurely, have breathing difficulties or feeding problems.

The award-winning department is based in a contemporary building filled with natural light, with nursery rooms arranged around a clockwise route to illustrate the patient’s journey, beginning with the intensive/ high care nursery and ending with special care nurseries.

The tour explores the whole of the unit, including the intensive care and high-dependency nursery, the playroom for siblings, the baby bathing area and one of the family bedrooms, which allow parents to stay on-site while their little ones are cared for.

The video also explains the equipment that parents will

to have universally discounted rates on fuel costs, paid for by oil and gas companies.

She said: “Right across the country, our ambulance services are struggling massively. And now, every ambulance service is being hit by huge spikes in their fuel bills, stretching vital funds even further. Our emergency service professionals are the heroes at the heart of our communities, committed to doing their utmost to look after us, but the Government has completely abandoned them.

“During this NHS crisis every penny counts and the Government allowing Ambulance Services to have their budgets stretched even further by massive spikes in their fuel bills is unacceptable. It is under Conservative Governments that fuel bills have sky-rocketed but they are asking the public to be saddled with the cost of their failure.

“If the Government is serious about supporting the NHS then reducing these spiralling fuel bills by properly taxing the big oil and gas companies should be a priority. Instead, they are starving the NHS of the support it desperately needs and letting the fossil fuel companies rake in massive profits.”

Photo courtesy of the RUH

see on the unit and includes short interviews with parents explaining the support that babies and their families can expect from the unit.

Kirstie Flood, Senior Sister in the Dyson Centre for Neonatal Care, said: “We hope this virtual tour will give prospective parents the opportunity to explore behind the scenes and help to reduce any worries that they may have.

“The interactive nature of these tours puts parents in control, enabling them to explore all areas of the unit, meet members of the

team and even hear from parents who have had their babies cared for by us.

“We understand what a worrying time it can be for parents who have a baby on the unit, so we want to do as much as we can to help reduce that anxiety.”

The tour has been produced by the South West Neonatal Network, as part of a series of videos showing behind the scenes at the region’s 12 neonatal units.

You can watch the video on the RUH’s website at https://bit.ly/3CxAnQ3.

State-of-the-art radiotherapy equipment installed at the RUH NEW cutting-edge technology is set to make radiotherapy treatment quicker and more comfortable for patients at the Royal United Hospital In what has been a major improvement project for the hospital, a new Truebeam Linear Accelerator has been installed in the radiotherapy department, replacing old equipment.

The machine can provide radiotherapy treatment faster for cancer patients and uses advanced techniques to deliver treatment with better accuracy.

The machine will also help clinical staff by delivering clearer images of scans.

To prepare for the arrival of the new equipment, a huge project has taken place to upgrade one of the RUH’s radiotherapy treatment rooms.

The eight-month project has seen around 180 tonnes of steel installed in the walls of the room to increase radiation protection for patients and staff and fit out the room for clinical use.

The Medical Physics Radiotherapy team has now begun the process of commissioning the new equipment and it should be ready for use for patients in spring 2023.

Lisa Tolson, Radiotherapy Service Manager, said: “The new equipment is a fantastic addition to the RUH’s Radiotherapy department and will be of real benefit to the people we care for.

“We have around 1,300 patients going through radiotherapy treatment with us each year and this new equipment will help many of them to be treated more quickly than before.

“I’d like to thank everyone at the RUH who has worked so hard on this project – it really will make such a positive difference to so many people.”

The new linear accelerator cost £2 million and was funded by NHS England.

Radiotherapy can be used to treat cancerous and non-cancerous tumours in almost any part of the body.

It uses high-energy radiation, usually x-rays or electrons, to stop cancer cells from dividing properly, resulting in their destruction.

A new Cancer Centre is currently being built at the RUH. Set to open in autumn 2023, it will help transform the care that is provided to patients, families and carers across the local area.

The new £2 million radiotherapy machine | Photo © RUH Bath

12

www.bathecho.co.uk

Tuesday 17th January - Monday 30th January 2023

Education Disappointment for engineers over satellite launch failure A MINIATURISED payload featuring weather sensors developed by engineers at the University of Bath to monitor parts of the upper atmosphere has been lost following the failure of the UK’s first satellite launch to reach orbit.

Researchers at the University’s Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering built the TOPCAT payload to help scientists better understand space weather and help improve GPS and communications technology.

The failure of the UK’s first satellite launch took place on Monday evening, 9th January.

The rocket suffered an “anomaly” after it was released by a jumbo jet, meaning the satellites it was carrying were lost.

Professor Cathryn Mitchell, from Bath’s Department for Electronic & Electrical Engineering and a member of the TOPCAT team, said: “This setback is clearly disappointing, but we know no launch is guaranteed to work precisely to plan.

“That said, this is all part of the research journey and success is about perseverance and we will find another opportunity for a launch. TOPCAT will fly again.”

Speaking before the launch, Dr Robert Watson, who is leading the TOPCAT project at Bath, said: “This is a unique and exciting launch, which will help us learn more about how space weather works in Earth’s ionosphere,

where our atmosphere meets space.

“This will help us better understand how systems like GPS work, what their vulnerabilities might be in the case of events like solar flares, and how future systems should be designed.”

TOPCAT is part of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s (Dstl) miniaturised space weather instrumentation suite IRIS (In-situ and Remote Ionospheric Sensing).

IRIS is the UK’s contribution to the CIRCE (Coordinated Ionospheric Reconstruction Cubesat Experiment) mission in collaboration with the US Naval Research Laboratory.

CIRCE comprised two of the inaugural satellites planned for the Cornwall launch. They were the size of a large cereal box – measuring 10cm by 20cm by 30cm.

TOPCAT would have measured the electron content of different phases of GPS signals, helping to identify and understand how signals change direction as they move through the atmosphere, which creates GPS errors.

The Bath engineering team, supported by project manager Dr Ali Hadavizadeh, completed their work to deliver flight-ready payloads in just nine months, beginning in 2019, before the pandemic delayed the launch.

Launched from Spaceport Cornwall, based at Cornwall Airport Newquay, a modified

Spaceport Cornwall | Photo © Janusz Konarski / Shutterstock.com

Virgin Atlantic jumbo carried the rocket out over the Atlantic to a launch zone southwest of Ireland.

At an altitude of 35,000ft, the 747 released the rocket which initially looked to have been successful in reaching orbit, however, it was later revealed that it hadn’t been able to deploy its payload of nine satellites.

In addition to TOPCAT, other

Researchers on the lookout for residents to join health study RESIDENTS are being encouraged to sign up for a new study by researchers at the University of Bath looking into the health impacts of intermittent fasting.

The research, being led by Dr Jean-Philippe Walhin from the Centre for Nutrition, Exercise and Metabolism, will examine the differences between intermittent fasting and calorie-restricted dieting.

Intermittent fasting for the study involves alternating periods of fasting and eating.

Crucially, this transition happens at 3pm meaning you would either eat up to 3pm or start eating at the time.

Through bespoke health assessments, people taking part will learn more about how many calories they burn in a day, how many calories they burn during exercise and their body composition, as well as their nutrient intake and how well their body handles what they eat and regulates their appetite.

To take part, individuals need to

be aged 18-65, have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 kg / m2, have had a stable body weight for the past six months and be willing to undertake fasting.

Lead researcher, Dr Jean-Philippe Walhin explained: “We know many people will be starting the New Year with plans to get fit and healthy.

“This new study, which builds on our work through the Centre for Nutrition, Exercise and Metabolism at the University of Bath, aims to understand much more about what happens to our bodies when we fast.

“Participants taking part will get tailored feedback about how

their body burns calories and what impacts exercise and fasting have. What’s more, they get to contribute to science which aims to improve health outcomes for many people around the country and around the world.”

The study is set in the context of the global obesity crisis. Obesity is linked to metabolic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Intermittent fasting has been suggested as an effective way to improve metabolic health, by helping individuals lose weight and body fat.

You can learn more about the study at https://bit.ly/3X3WaHA.

payloads on the launch had been developed by Bath graduates.

Dr Talini Pinto Jayawardena, who worked on TOPCAT, is now at Space Forge, an innovative new company testing manufacturing in space, started by fellow Bath graduate Andrew Bacon.

Prof Cathryn Mitchell said: “It has been a pleasure to work on this project, with a former Bath

student on our team.

“We have had excellent students graduate year after year from our Electronic Engineering with Space Science and Technology Degree Programme – it is inspiring to see them taking the lead in UK Space innovation at this time when satellite technology is becoming increasingly important to the UK.”

Course for people with chronic diseases begins Roman adventure A GROUP of outpatients with chronic diseases have begun a course that will explore two thousand years of history and wellbeing at the Roman Baths.

Course tutor Sue Walker from Bath College and David Baker from the Roman Baths have teamed up to explain the similarities between how the Romans supported their health and wellbeing in Bath more than two thousand ago and practical solutions for the patients of today.

Coordinated by Lindsey Braidley, Learning and Participation Manager at the Roman Baths, the group have begun to explore modern ideas and knowledge, as well as historical facts, archaeological features and treatments over the years.

Sue said: “There are still places for anyone interested. It’s a fun mixture of experiential, creative, reflective tools and activities in the wonderful surroundings of the recently restored World

Heritage Archaeological Site and the Clore Learning Centre.”

Members of the course have had the chance to explore parts of the site not normally accessible to the public.

Course member Paul said: “It was amazing to find out similarities with how the Romans supported their health and wellbeing here in Bath over 2000 years ago and how we can apply their ideas to what we have been learning as patients.”

There is still time to join the course. Those interested should contact Adult Community Learning at Bath College via acl@ bathcollege.ac.uk or by calling 01225 328822.

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14

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Tuesday 17th January - Monday 30th January 2023

Business Specsavers staff thank customers for homelessness support STAFF at the Specsavers store in Bath have thanked their customers for helping raise vital funds to support people experiencing homelessness.

Research has revealed that more than half of people experiencing homelessness have unresolved issues with their vision, with a lack of permanent address often being the barrier to accessing such healthcare.

The store joined fellow Specsavers sites across the country to raise awareness and vital funds for Crisis’ work to end homelessness, through in-store and online donations and staff volunteering.

Specsavers became the first-ever corporate sponsor of the Crisis at Christmas campaign.

Phil Lodge, store director at Specsavers Bath said: “Our purpose is to change lives through better sight, as well as hearing, as we know all too well the impact that uncorrected vision or undetected sight conditions can have on people’s quality of life.

“The fact that so many people experiencing homelessness need glasses but struggle to access eyecare is just something we

can’t ignore.

“We are very proud to be supporting Crisis to help support its tremendous and much needed work, in particular the strides the charity is making to improve access to healthcare for people experiencing homelessness.”

Matt Downie, Crisis Chief Executive, said: “Experiencing homelessness has an extremely negative impact on people’s health.

“But sadly, we regularly see many people suffering and finding it difficult to access health services because they fear stigma or are not easily able to register due to not having permanent addresses.

“With rising costs continuing to impact people’s ability to pay bills and rent, we fear that the numbers of people facing homelessness will grow over the difficult months ahead.”

Crisis works with thousands of people experiencing homelessness, providing education, training and support with housing, employment and health. Through its frontline services, the charity helps people find a path out of homelessness

The Specsavers store in Bath | Photo © Specsavers

for good.

More than 227,000 people across Britain are currently experiencing the worst forms of homelessness, including sleeping on the streets and on public transport or in insecure and temporary accommodation like hostels and

B&Bs. The cost-of-living crisis will see this figure increase further, with many more put at real risk of homelessness as financial pressures intensify.

Specsavers is also supporting the Big Issue Group as part of

a broader campaign to break down the barriers that people experiencing poverty and homelessness face in receiving eyecare, as for many, a lack of permanent address prevents them from accessing NHS services.

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15

Your City, Your News | Bath Echo

Issue 043

Politics

Public Notices

Locals invited to have say on issues PEOPLE across Bath and North East Somerset are being invited to get involved in planning for the future of the places they live by identifying key issues and potential opportunities.

B&NES Council will be holding a series of local engagement workshops across the district throughout January and February to help inform the development of its Local Plan.

Community representatives will join other key stakeholders to discuss the key issues and opportunities in their area.

Residents are being encouraged to contact their community representatives, including their town, parish or ward councillor, with any local information or issues they feel need considering during the development of the Local Plan.

The Local Plan will establish the planning framework to guide future change in Bath and North East Somerset up to 2042.

It will contain a vision, strategy and policies to guide and manage how the district grows and changes over the next 20 years and how planning applications for new development will be decided.

Each of the workshops will be focused on a particular location: Bath and its Environs, Rural

The Guildhall in Bath

Areas, Keynsham & Saltford, Whitchurch, and the Somer Valley.

This is the beginning of a period of ongoing engagement about the new Local Plan that will continue until Autumn 2023, when the council will hold a district-wide consultation on potential policy options for B&NES. Communities, stakeholders and consultees will be consulted multiple times throughout the process.

Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for Planning and Licensing, said: “Throughout

the process of preparing the Local Plan we will be asking residents for their thoughts and ideas on how the district can grow sustainably in order to help address the challenges we face, such as the climate and ecological emergencies and the housing crisis, whilst protecting and enhancing the things we value about Bath and North East Somerset.”

The Local Plan is the local authority’s primary tool for place shaping, creating public places and new developments that are good for people’s health,

happiness and well-being, and is the basis for decision making on development and the use of land across the district.

All local authorities are required to have an up-to-date Local Plan and the new B&NES plan needs to be adopted by 2025.

The council is updating parts of its current Local Plan, which runs until 2029, through the Local Plan Partial Update (LPPU).

The planning inspector, who has been examining the LPPU, has found it sound and legally compliant subject to some changes, which are known

as main modifications, being incorporated.

His final report has recently been published on the council’s website, which can be found at http://bit.ly/3Ztcnrw.

The adoption of the Local Plan Partial Update, incorporating the modifications advised by the inspector, is set to be considered by councillors at a meeting on 19th January.

You can find more information on the Local Plan and Local Plan Partial Update on Bath & North East Somerset Council’s website at https://bit.ly/3iqHSBA.

Work to transform part of Keynsham’s town centre underway John Wimperis

Local Democracy Reporter

WORK to transform part of Keynsham town centre will begin in January, but some local businesses say “it just seems to never end”.

Public seating, bicycle parking, and wider pavements with new paving will be installed in the new year on Temple Street, just down the road from Keynsham High Street.

There will also be small areas with planters and greenery called “parklets” along the shopping street.

Some parking is being removed in order to make the changes but disabled parking spaces will actually be extended, in order to make them line up with modern standards.

Mark Roper, cabinet member for economic development, regeneration and growth on Bath and North East Somerset Council, said: “I’m pleased that we will shortly be beginning this important scheme to improve the whole environment of Temple Street for everyone who visits, works at or lives in the area.”

Some local businesses are worried about how the planned improvements will affect their

Greenery and seating like this could soon be installed along Temple Street | Image © B&NES Council

trade.

Karen McGregor, a partner at Vapour Generation, a vape shop on the street, said: “For the last couple of years, Keynsham seems to have been dug up from one end to the other.”

Nine months of work was recently carried out on Keynsham High Street, finishing in March 2021, to improve the street and install a segregated cycle lane, which has since become a hotspot for people falling due to its “optical

illusion” kerb. No segregated cycle lane is planned for Temple Street.

Ms McGregor said: “It’s got to the stage where people are maybe skipping Keynsham now because its a nightmare to park.”

But she added: “On a positive note, I do feel that once it’s done it will be lovely — or I hope it will be.”

Assistant manager of lingerie store Perfect Fit, Jackie Baker, said: “We do think it’s going to

impact on our trading.”

She added: “It just seems to never end.”

Across the street at Number 1 Turkish Barbers, owner Zring Mustafa said: “I don’t know what to do about it. I am not happy taking all the parking because otherwise Temple Street is going to be dead.

“It’s already dead.”

Not all parking will be removed and, following a public consultation last year, more

parking will be retained than originally proposed.

Mr Roper said: “We are grateful to the many people who took the time to respond to our consultation last year. We have listened to the feedback and acted on it to change the final design, which means keeping more car parking spaces and providing more greenery.

“We apologise for any disruption during the works and we are working with our contractor to keep this to a minimum.”

Andy Wait, chair of Keynsham Town Council, added: “It is an impossible task to satisfy all requirements. We have had many serious discussions and are confident that we are close as we can be to the best compromise.

“I believe that most people will enjoy the extra facilities and freedoms the new space will offer and look forward to seeing the plan reach fruition.”

The seating and greenery are being installed on a trial basis before the council decides whether to make them permanent. People with questions or comments can contact KeynshamHSHAZ@ Bathnes.gov.uk or write to Keynsham HS HAZ Project Team at the Keynsham Town Council Office, 15-17 Temple Street, Keynsham, BS31 1HA.

16

www.bathecho.co.uk

Tuesday 17th January - Monday 30th January 2023

In Other News...

Population in Bath and North East Somerset getting younger John Wimperis

Local Democracy Reporter

BATH and North East Somerset is one of a handful of areas bucking a national trend and seeing its population get younger on average.

The United Kingdom as a whole has, for a long time, had a population which is growing older on average. But in Bath and North East Somerset and some other rural areas, the opposite of this is happening.

Dr Patrick English, an associate director of political and social research at YouGov, said: “Against the national ageing tide, we’ve got this group of local authorities that are getting younger on average.”

He calls these “Benjamin Button local authorities” after the F Scott Fitzgerald story about a man born old and who grows younger over time.

He added: “It’s not that we are seeing an explosion of young people, but we are seeing young people not drop off in a lot of areas in the way that we are seeing them drop off quite heavily in places such as London, Manchester, or Sheffield.”

In Bath and North East Somerset there has been a 1.3% increase in the proportion of the population ages between 18 and 30, the second-highest increase in England after West Lancashire where the proportion of people

in this age group went up by 1.8%. Although these numbers sound small, they can equate to thousands more young people living in these areas.

The curious case of these areas may be partially due to Covid but wider economic issues are a factor too.

Dr English said: “There is definitely a Covid effect and that is tied into when the census was conducted. It wasn’t in the middle of the pandemic. Most of the census was done as we were working towards ‘freedom day’.

“So a lot of stuff was open again.

Most university students were back where they ‘should be,’ in terms of in their university towns having face-to-face lectures.

“But there definitely was an effect in that Covid pushed a lot of people out of small flats in the cities and back to their parents or into more suburb-y places with gardens.”

But Covid is not the only factor.

He added: “I think the pricing thing is very, very real as well, and the housing shortage. The fact that there’s a lack of high-quality housing for the volume of young people who want to live and work in places like Bristol […] but can’t afford to — so they end up living in places like Bath or Westonsuper-Mare and commute in.

Or they stay at home; they move back in with their parents.”

Student populations add to these

numbers too, particularly in Bath and North East Somerset where a local authority with a population of just over 190,000 contains the University of Bath which has almost 20,000 students.

Dr English said: “Universities definitely have a big impact — as do large further education colleges — in terms of attracting and keeping young people in the area.”

All of this could have an impact on how the constituencies seeing this demographic change vote in general elections.

Dr English said: “Let’s say you are Jacob Rees-Mogg and let’s say you do have one or two percent extra young voters in your constituency now than you did 10 years ago. That could mean three or four thousand extra votes which are heavily stacked against you because — to be honest — young people are more likely to be liberal, pro-immigration, have been impacted most by the cost of living crisis, and the economic recession — particularly millennials around 2008 to 2012 — and they do not have many reasons to vote Conservative right now.

“So for the Jacob Rees-Moggs of this world, or the Michael Goves or the Dominic Raabs et cetera, you are looking at this and you are thinking: ‘I’m sat on a demographic time-bomb.

My constituents are getting

younger; my vote is trending demographically away from me.”

With only figures for Bath and North East Somerset as a whole currently available, it is impossible to say how much of the growth in the young population has been in North East Somerset versus Bath. And with major boundary changes coming to North East Somerset, predicting the future of the seat is a challenge.

Dr English said: “It’s very difficult, for a number of reasons, to see what would happen with boundary changes. However, generally speaking, smaller constituencies tend to favour Labour and the Lib Dems and larger constituencies tend to favour the Conservatives.”

Under the proposed new boundaries for constituencies

at general elections, North East Somerset will be almost directly cut in half. The western half of the constituency, which includes Jacob Rees-Mogg’s village, would form a new constituency with Hanham. The eastern half, which includes the more Labourleaning area around Midsomer Norton, would join Frome.

These changes do affect not Bath and North East Somerset’s boundaries as a local authority.

Dr English said: “If North East Somerset is getting divided in two and getting stuck with more urban constituencies, that probably will then make them tend a little bit towards Labour.

“Though, of course, we will have to see if and when those boundary changes come into place and what kind of voting behaviour we see because of those changes.”

Roads closed to allow anti-terrorism measures to be installed TWO roads in the centre of Bath are being temporarily closed to allow work to get underway to install controversial antiterrorism security measures.

A temporary traffic regulation order notice (TTRO) was published last month for the temporary closure of York Street and Terrace Walk for the work to begin.

While the duration on the notices states eight months, it is not expected that the roads will be closed for the whole of the order period but only for so long as is necessary to execute the works.

Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout and the council has said it will keep residents and businesses who are affected by the temporary closure “regularly updated”.

Bath & North East Somerset

Council is introducing its “proportionate, preventative” measures to protect public safety, based on police advice, following consultations, talks with businesses, residents and accessibility groups.

The security proposals include vehicle access restrictions on streets defined as crowded places in and around Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths while maintaining managed access to the city centre for residents, businesses and blue badge holders.

They were initially based on a counter-terrorism security survey on Bath city centre in September 2016, which identified the areas as being vulnerable to a potential hostile vehicle attack.

In February 2020, the Avon & Somerset Police Chief Constable asked Bath & North East Somerset

Council to consider an ATTRO covering the wider city centre of Bath which would be used in the event of a heightened threat, specific intelligence, as a result of an incident or if there are events taking place that create crowded places.

Following consultation with Counter Terrorism security advisors and Bath & North East Somerset Council, which centred around the crowded places indicated within the National Counter Terrorism Security Office report, it was considered proportionate to introduce permanent restrictions covering a smaller area in the city centre resulting in the current measures, which the Chief Constable supported.

The local authority has continued to work alongside the Counter

Terrorism advisors to protect the specific areas, through both physical measures and training for front-line staff, both from the public and private sector.

Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for Transport, said: “It is encouraging to see work starting on the scheme and the first phase of our permanent anti-terrorism measures going in. We are working closely with residents and businesses.

“We held back on the work because we didn’t want it to impact on the Christmas Market – which had the temporary security barriers in place – and we hope that by starting this work in the quieter winter months it won’t have such an adverse impact on businesses.

“We are grateful to them for their patience.”

Crossword answers - Issue 042 (03/01/23) Across: 8 Astride, 9 Wagoner, 10 Welfare, 11 Corncob, 12 Ratchet, 13 Halfway, 14 Spot, 17 Drake, 19 Owes, 23 Undress, 24 Earlier, 25 Instead, 26 Descend, 27 Afflict, 28 Eyesore.

Down: 1 Waxworks, 2 Stiletto, 3 Piranha, 4 Repeater, 5 Sabotage, 6 To and fro, 7 Lemonade, 15 Penknife, 16 Throttle, 17 Distance, 18 Knee-deep, 20 White-hot, 21 Shredded, 22 Prosper.

York Street in Bath Photo © John Wimperis

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