Bath Echo - Issue 047 - 14/03/2023

ECHO

Great Spa Towns of Europe

Your FREE local fortnightly newspaper for Bath

Tuesday 14th March - Monday 27th March 2023

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City receives official UNESCO certificate P3 FREE TO TAKE!

Issue No. 047

Image Photo © B&NES chrisdorney Council / Shutterstock.com

Mum thanks staff for helping diagnose son’s rare disorder P11

“LOCKDOWN” SYSTEM FOR GUILDHALL

Campaign sees ‘parking buddies’ introduced at school P12

Plans could Security upgrades see youplanned pay to enter for council centrebuilding of Bath -- P2 P2

Nine out of ten offered first choice for secondary places P12

Bath Abbey introduces £6.50 admission charge

Concern over number of people without ID needed to vote P15

BATH Abbey has changed from a suggested donation to an entry charge for visitors to the heritage attraction.

The Abbey says it is introducing a new business model to help maintain its high standards and cope with the demands of maintaining the site for current and future visitors.

The change was introduced alongside the opening of the new Discovery Centre, on Tuesday 7th

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March.

Located beneath the Abbey, the Discovery Centre is a space that will allow visitors to see behind the scenes of life at the attraction and find out more about the building’s history.

Objects from the Abbey’s archives will be on display in the custom-built area, constructed within the ancient vaults beneath the building.

Videos, replica period costumes

HAWKER HAMILTON

and interactive exhibits will immerse visitors in the history of the building and explore the stories of people connected to the Abbey.

Alongside an extensive timeline of the Abbey’s history, historical artefacts, some of which have never been seen by the public, will be on display.

These include Anglo-Saxon crosses, Medieval carved stone fragments, historic silver, and the

Benefactors’ Book, a record of money and materials given to the Abbey for its reconstruction after the Reformation.

At the same time as the opening of the Discovery Centre, the Abbey will also introduce free 30-minute guided tours throughout the day.

These tours are separate from the popular Tower Tours, which are paid guided tours to the top of ...

Continued on page 2

Study carried out on moving motorway traffic away from Bath P15 Get the latest news for Bath 24/7 on our website www.bathecho.co.uk

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Permission sought for Guildhall upgrade works

In this issue...

Top Stories

Tuesday 14th March - Monday 27th March 2023

P2-5

Crossword

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Community

P10

Health

P11

Education

P12

Business

P14

Politics

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In Other News

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John Wimperis

Local Democracy Reporter

A “LOCKDOWN” security system and upgraded reception area could be installed in Bath’s Guildhall.

A planning application to refurbish the entrance lobby to the Grade I listed building, which houses Bath and North East Somerset Council, has been submitted by the council.

The refurbishment would see a new digital display in the place of the current reception desk, with a new “white faux stone” front desk to the left of the front door.

The orange walls of the entrance lobby would also be repainted in “a palette of stone colours,” which the council say will better reflect the character of the building.

But the refurbishment is also about bolstering the building’s security.

In the design and access statement submitted with the planning application, the council said: “Being an important iconic building in Bath, the possibility of

The Guildhall in Bath

a serious security breach is to be considered.”

Currently, security guards are in place at the building but the planning application proposes going further and installing hidden electronic bolts inside the double doors within the building, which could be activated to “lock

down” the building.

The doors are not original fixtures of the Georgian building, and are only believed to have been installed after the 1972 Guildhall fire.

It would not be the first time that Bath had a Guildhall with security measures built-in.

Before the current Georgian building was built in 1778, older versions of the Guildhall contained an armoury where pikes, halberds, and bows and arrows were stored for the city’s defence.

Consultation on the application runs until 30th March.

Visitors to Abbey start paying admission fees Continued from page 1 ... the Bath Abbey tower.

Local residents and those visiting the site to pray, worship and attend services will not need to pay the new admission charges.

The following groups will be exempt from the admission fee: • Those wishing to attend church services, to pray, or light a candle • Residents in the BA1 and BA2 postcode areas, with proof of address • Discovery Card holders.

Audio guides will cost £3.50.

Speaking about the new Discovery Centre, Nathan Ward, Manager of the Footprint Project said: “Opening the Discovery Centre is a huge achievement.

“It is the result of many years of hard work, and we are very pleased to be welcoming people into these new spaces where we can display important artefacts for the first time and provide our visitors with a new ‘interactive’ perspective on the history of the Abbey.

Ticket prices for Bath Abbey • Adults - £6.50 • Students - £5.50 • Children (5 -15) - £3.50 • Families 10% discount (Up to 2 adults with accompanying children) • Audio Guide - £3.50 There is no charge for Discovery Card holders or BA1 & BA2 residents with proof of their address.

Visitors to Bath Abbey will have to pay up to £6.50 each

“Getting to this point has been a huge undertaking and we are very grateful to our excellent team of local designers and suppliers who have contributed to create this unique and exciting new facility.”

The Revd Canon Guy Bridgewater, Rector of Bath Abbey added: “The opening of the Discovery

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Centre marks an important new chapter in the life of the Abbey, and a wonderful resource as we seek to live and tell the good news of Jesus with the city of Bath and its visitors.

“We are keen to be a Church that is always there for our local Bath residents, and that offers a welcoming spiritual home for all

Chapels are provided for private prayer. who come here to pray.

“As our visitors from further afield gradually recover in number, we will be keeping our offer to them under careful review – and we are thrilled by the exciting upgrade that our new Discovery Centre and Abbey visitor resources will now bring to enhance their experience in Bath.”

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Your City, Your News | Bath Echo

Issue 047

Great Spa Towns of Europe UNESCO meeting held in Bath THE second General Assembly of the Great Spa Towns of Europe has been held in Bath, with delegates from other historic spa towns meeting in the city.

In 2021, Bath received a rare second UNESCO World Heritage Site inscription as one of the 11 Great Spa Towns of Europe, fashionable spa towns laid out around natural springs which are used for health and wellbeing.

However, at the time, the city was unable to hold an official presentation due to the pandemic.

The presentation was able to take place during the visit, when Bath received the official UNESCO certificate, confirming the city’s inscription as one of the 11 Great Spa Towns of Europe.

In attendance were Her Excellency Laura Davies, the Ambassador and Permanent Delegate for the UK Delegation to UNESCO, and James Bridge, the Secretary General and CEO of the UK National Commission for

UNESCO. The incoming chair of the new Great Spa Towns of Europe Intergovernmental Committee and Head of National Coordination at World Heritage Austria, Ruth Pröckl, joined representatives from seven countries of the Great Spa Towns of Europe, including Alexandra Warr, the UK’s representative and Head of International Strategy at Historic England.

The group discussed how to make the most of the joint inscription to bring recognition, conservation and economic benefits to each of the individual sites.

Discussions included using the unique spa qualities as a driver for creating greener and more sustainable urban centres fit for the twenty-first century.

Delegates visited Bath’s new World Heritage Centre and had a chance to bathe in the thermal waters at Thermae Bath Spa, before experiencing the Roman Baths at night for a drinks reception and dinner hosted by

Councillor Kevin Guy receives the official UNESCO certificate confirming Bath’s inscription | Photo © B&NES Council

the Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, Councillor Kevin Guy. Cllr Guy said: “It was a pleasure to welcome our partners from the Great Spa Towns of Europe

to Bath. The presence of the General Assembly in Bath this week has given us another opportunity to mark our city’s status as one of the very finest historic spa towns in Europe,

whose continuing cultural tradition of bathing and healing has resulted in unique urban forms and landscapes worthy of celebrating and conserving for future generations.”

First Bus won't leave Weston Island “for a considerable time” John Wimperis

Local Democracy Reporter

A BUS company running a depot on an island that artists want to take over will not be leaving “for a considerable time”.

First Bus currently uses Weston Island in the River Avon in Bath as a bus depot but has said it is planning to move the facility.

There are plans, which have the support of local MP Wera Hobhouse and Bath and North East Somerset Council leader Kevin Guy, to see the island transformed into an arts space when the bus depot moves.

Local group Bath Arts Depot urged the council to let the site be developed for arts, with hopes to set up a gallery, studio space, sculpture park, and education programme there.

But it is set to be some time before

The Weston Island bus depot in Bath | Photo © Stephen Sumner

the island is free for the artists to take over. First has not found a space to relocate the depot to and the bus company is currently investing in new solar panels for the site.

A First spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we are installing PV panels on Weston Island depot. At some stage we will be looking to relocate. However, at this stage we have not found a

suitable location and, if we did move, this would not happen for a considerable time yet.”

The bus company is currently planning to install 99.2kW of solar panels across the roofs of

the depot buildings.

When the island does become available, Bath and North East Somerset Council’s local plan partial update, which was passed in January, states that there may be opportunities for “public facing uses such as creative, artsbased activities” on the island.

Nicola Turner, director of Bath Art Depot, welcomed the inclusion in the local plan, saying: “This is an important stepping stone for our long-term vision for the island, and means that we can start building the funding needed to purchase the island, and create an exciting, innovative, relevant and transformative creative destination for the South West.”

The group’s vision for the island is inspired by the NDSM wharf in North Amsterdam, a former shipyard which now houses one of the Dutch city’s most vibrant and arty neighbourhoods.

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

W

E have recently agreed the council’s budget and this year we face significant challenges due to inflationary pressures and an increase in demand for our services.

This is especially so in the costs of providing vital Adults’ and Children’s services, which so many vulnerable people in our community depend on.

As you will expect, many other councils are increasing Council Tax, whilst at the same time making significant cuts to jobs and services. This is not our approach in B&NES. We are increasing Council Tax by well below the rate of inflation. We’ve managed

our finances well over recent years and, through making savings and increasing our income, we are confident the majority of residents won’t notice any change to the council services we all rely on.

One of the things included in our budget is an extra £280,000 for local bus services- a 36% increase.

However, as costs have risen, the money that we give to the West of England Combined Authority (who are the transport authority) for supported buses does not go as far as it used to.

This has meant some very difficult decisions. We’ve taken into account the impact of the Mayor’s

planned new Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) to ensure that no community in B&NES is left without a public transport option. In addition, where DRT will be introduced from April, we will use the additional funding to extend five bus services for two months until June 2023, to help with the transition.

Since DRT will not be introduced in Bath itself, we will also use some of the extra funds we have allocated to keep current supported bus services.

Staying with transport, on 20th February we introduced 5 new Residents’ Parking Zones in Bath, following extensive consultation.

As we have developed these schemes, we have worked hard to strike a balance between the needs of residents and local businesses.

The 24th of February saw the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and I am proud that a Friends of Oleksandriya group has been established. Oleksandriya is a small city of similar size to Bath, with surrounding villages similar to North East Somerset.

So many people across Bath and North East Somerset have opened their homes to Ukrainian guests and support is still needed.

If you think you could become a host for the Homes for Ukraine scheme, please get in touch with us at H4U@ bathnes.gov.uk Finally, with the inflation rate continuing at over 10%, our message remains “help is out there”.

The Community Wellbeing Hub, which can be contacted on 0300 247 0050. Council libraries are offering a “warm welcome”, and you can find a list of other local “warm spaces” on our website www.bathnes.gov.uk/warmspaces. 50 spaces have signed up, and my thanks go to all those who have done so.

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used in the UK.

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SPECIAL OFFER PRICES INC. VAT

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ex 75 x 47 x 2400mm UC3 C.L.S

£6.50

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ex 75 x 47 x 4800mm UC3 C.L.S

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6

www.bathecho.co.uk

Tuesday 14th March - Monday 27th March 2023

Pictures from the Past: Bath, City of Views From Sham Castle Kirsten Elliott Akeman Press

WE began this series with what is perhaps Bath’s most famous view, thanks to Jane Austen – from Beechen Cliff.

We end it with another iconic panorama, from Sham Castle, now the second stopping point on the Skyline Walk.

When this photograph was taken, there were only two small stands on the recreation ground, and no buildings hiding the Pavilion, which can just be seen down on the left hand side. The

Empire Hotel vies with the Abbey to dominate the scene but, lurking over to the right, is the dark shape of one of Bath Gas Works gasometers. In fact, the more you look, the more you realise how much heavy industry there was in Bath about 1930, which is when we think this picture dates from. There are the factory sheds of Newark Works, the pale gash marking the clay pits of the brickworks, and numerous smoking chimneys.

Houses did not yet cover the fields at the top of the hill in the distance, up which climbs the Hollow, but, perhaps miraculously, many of the fields below the hilltop are still open spaces, now

cared for by Bath City Farm. What this panorama does demonstrate is how, even now, Bath is a compact city – there is still an uninterrupted view down the Avon valley to the hills beyond.

To see the view now, follow these instructions taken from the National Trust Bath Skyline website.

Standing on Bathwick Hill at entrance to National Trust Bathwick Fields, cross road to Cleveland Walk opposite and continue for 400m until narrow footpath on the right opposite Sham Castle Lane.

Follow path to meet North Road. Turn right and continue to kissing gate (KG) on opposite side of road. Cross road, and

through KG. Standing on Bathwick Hill at entrance to National Trust Bathwick Fields, cross road to Cleveland Walk opposite and continue for 400m until narrow footpath on the right opposite Sham Castle Lane. Follow path to meet North Road. Turn right and continue to kissing gate (KG) on opposite side of road. Cross road, and through KG. Visit the National Trust Skyline website (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/bathbristol/bath-skyline/bath-skyline-walk) to find all the maps you need for the full 6 mile walk. If you have enjoyed these panoramas then you will love the walk, which more than lives up to its name.

COLUMN | Mark Shelford, Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner

L

AST week I supported ‘UK Says No More’ which coincided with International Women’s Day and our monthly Performance and Accountability Board (PAB).

‘UK Says No More’ Week is an annual, international campaign that raises awareness of domestic abuse and sexual violence. With Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) being a priority focus of mine, I wanted to highlight the support that pharmacies and banks provide in offering a ‘safe space’ across Avon and Somerset.

During the pandemic, the Government launched the ‘Ask for

Action Needed Immediately (ANI)’ initiative – otherwise known as Ask ANI – a domestic abuse codeword scheme to help victims access emergency support from the safety of their local pharmacy and other high street locations. Those who use the codeword ANI at HSBC Bath Southgate and many Boots stores in the city will be offered a safe, confidential space to call the police or a specialist domestic abuse service. Remember, if you are a survivor of domestic abuse, help is available no matter how long ago the crime took place and whether you report to the

police or access help from a local support service. You can find out more about support services at www.thisisnotanexcuse.org Last Thursday, we held our monthly Performance and Accountability Boards (PAB). These live broadcasts allow local people and partners to watch the Chief Constable and me talk openly about various policing issues and functions to demonstrate accountability publicly.

To mark International Women’s Day, one topic covered was ‘Women in Policing’. We discussed why there are so few women police officers and how

Avon and Somerset Police can overcome the barriers that might deter women from joining the force as an officer. I also asked the Chief Constable to do an elevator pitch to women watching the meeting as to why they should become police officers.

If you missed this month’s meeting, you can watch it back via the link on our Facebook page.

Equally, it will be available on the OPCC website and on our YouTube channel. Finally, I had some great discussions at my most recent Bath and North East

Somerset (BANES) Councillor Forum.

It was my sixth Forum of the series, and I was delighted to be joined

by Neighbourhood Chief Inspector Ronnie Lungu, who discussed crime trends and statistics for the area.

It has always been of utmost importance for me to work with councillors, and understand and tackle the issues faced in BANES. Thank you to the BANES Councillors who attended and directly raised their concerns, issues, and opinions to the Neighbourhood Policing Team and me.

Issue 047

7

Your City, Your News | Bath Echo

Crossword

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

Congratulations to Paul Huxtable for winning £20!

Complete our crossword for your chance to win £20!

Across

Down

9 Deserted settlement (5,4) 10 Shout of greeting (5) 11 Artist's support (5) 12 Square one (9) 13 Helps drivers see (8) 14 Most secure (6) 15 Whirlpool (4) 16 More unfavourable (5) 18 Grant to the needy (4) 22 Arrest (6) 24 Railway track supports (8) 25 Long-armed anthropoid ape (5-4) 27 Anaesthetic (5) 29 Boat spines (5) 30 Flattery (5,4)

1 Look at amorously (4) 2 Ate (8) 3 Smart (7) 4 Broad-brimmed straw hat (8) 5 Obstacle (4) 6 Gossip (4-3) 7 Mountain plant (6) 8 Diva (10) 13 Rope-like hairstyle (10) 17 Prevented from speaking (8) 19 Get too hot (8) 20 Revulsion (7) 21 Arid areas (7) 23 Merchant (6) 26 Protruding tooth (4) 28 Garden tool (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 23/03/2023.

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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Issue 047

What's On

Tuesday 14th March - Monday 27th March 2023

Big Band Jazz Night

Leveret

Destiny

Karl Jenkins - Symphonic Adiemus

Komedia 14th March, 7pm The University of Bath Big Band will be performing their annual Jazz Night at Komedia on Westgate Street.

Head along for some music and a few drinks.

Christ Church 16th March, 7.30pm Leveret is a unique collaboration between three of England's finest folk musicians; Andy Cutting, Sam Sweeney and Rob Harbron. They celebrate 10 years with two tours and a new album.

University Theatre, Bath Spa 17th March, 7.30pm This monologue follows the story of a teenage girl growing up on a rural Wiltshire council estate. After a big night out takes a turn for the worst, Destiny’s life spirals out of control.

Bath Abbey 17th & 18th March, 7.30pm An evening of music from The Fulltone Orchestra and a massed choir. Listen to Karl Jenkins' Adiemus written for a symphony orchestra followed by film choral music that you don’t often get to hear.

Jenny Colquitt (with band)

Bath Board Game Day

Pieminister

Heathers: The Musical

The Chapel Arts Centre 18th March, 8pm Named as one of RnR Magazines ‘Ones to watch for 2022’, emerging artist Jenny Colquitt encompasses a unique combination of Americana, indie and folk rock and pop.

Widcombe Social club 19th March, 10am - 8pm Join Bath’s biggest board game day with over a hundred games to choose from.

Get tickets for the whole day or just a few hours, everyone is welcome.

Organised by Julian House.

Topping & Company Booksellers 21st March, 7.30pm Celebrate delicious pie-making with Tristan and Jon, the founders of the famous and beautifully local and award-winning Pieminister. Featuring a cookery demo, chat and tastings.

Theatre Royal 21st - 25th March Following two West End seasons and a run at The Other Palace, Heathers The Musical, the black comedy rock musical based on the eponymous 1988 film, embarks on a new national tour.

The Claridge Lecture

The Memory of Water

Charged Particles

Latin Baroque

The American Museum 21st March, 7pm Famous journalist and American author Professor Sarah Churchwell will be giving the Claridge Lecture connected to the new photography exhibition America in Crisis at the American Museum.

The Rondo Theatre 22nd – 25th March, 7.30pm Sheelagh Stephenson’s dark comedy expertly appeals to the emotions in just the right way - comedy to get you through it while being poignant enough to make you cry.

Michael Tippett Centre 23rd March, 7.30pm Charged Particles is now in its 30th year of making music. For this concert, they will be joined by saxophonist Tod Dickow playing music written by the late jazz great Michael Brecker.

Magdalen Chapel 24th March, 6pm Join Musicke in the Ayre for a serene and often joyful hour of sacred music by Monteverdi, Strozzi, Lully, Charpentier and others.

Tickets: £10 on the door, £9 online.

Anything For Love

Handel-Haydn-Mozart Concert

Haydn’s The Seasons

Teddy Bears' Picnic

The Forum 24th March, 7.30pm With over 7 million tickets sold, the highly acclaimed artist Steve Steinman brings you his new production featuring over 25 of Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman’s greatest hits.

St Stephen's Church 25th March, 7.30pm Bath Cantata Group looks back to previous coronations in this concert performing Handel's Coronation Anthems, composed for George II in 1727 and Mozart's Coronation Mass.

Bath Abbey 25th March, 7.30pm Bath Minerva Choir with Bath Philharmonia. An evening of delight, with three soloists on the verge of major careers and the superb support of Bath Philharmonia, conducted by Gavin Carr.

The Egg 25th -26th March, 11am, 1pm & 3pm Combining classical ballet, physical theatre, gorgeous visuals and crystalclear story telling, this fresh, innovative production perfectly engages and enthrals.

A good employer gets it.

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10

www.bathecho.co.uk

Tuesday 14th March - Monday 27th March 2023

Community New bus service for North East Somerset villages John Wimperis

Local Democracy Reporter

A NEW bus will serve North East Somerset from April, where villages had faced being “cut off”.

The new 522 bus will operate hourly between Bristol Bus Station and Bath Bus Station via Brislington, Keynsham, Marksbury, Farmborough, Timsbury, High Littleton, Paulton, Midsomer Norton, Radstock and Peasedown St. John.

Crucially, it will also serve several villages in North East Somerset which had faced being cut off, with buses across the district set to be axed in April and June this year.

42 publicly-supported bus services are being cut across the West of England this year after the three councils that make up the combined authority, Bath and

North East Somerset Council, Bristol City Council, and South Gloucestershire Council, voted not to increase the combined authority’s transport funding, despite inflation in the cost of running buses. Of the 42 buses that will stop running, 19 are in North East Somerset.

Timsbury mum, Katie Trawin, said: “We are being cut off from everything: baby and toddler groups, the closest towns, friends and family. For those

of us who can’t drive and have small children, it means losing the ability to socialise with other mums and little ones at the groups run outside the village.”

The new bus route is one of five that Bath and North East Somerset Council leader Kevin Guy had written to West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris asking him to provide as a “vital spinal route.”

Writing again to the Metro Mayor, Mr Guy said: “It is good to see

proposals from him that reflect this. However, we are still yet to hear from the Mayor about his plans to support spine routes in other areas within Bath and North East Somerset, particularly to serve the Chew Valley. ” The council leader says that the routes are needed in order to support the Mayor’s plans to launch a new demand-responsive transport (DRT) scheme in North East Somerset, but Mr Norris has insisted that DRT is not meant to replace supported buses and that councils should continue to fund their buses.

Bath and North East Somerset Council found extra money to keep all supported bus services in Bath, where DRT is not being introduced, while cutting most North East Somerset buses in April — except for five routes continuing to June which the council says will ease the transition to DRT. Sarah Warren, the council’s

For Sale P-Reg Auto-Sleeper Campervan • 2 owners from new • 13k miles • Average exterior • Has brand new interior £16,500 ONO 01225 330143 cabinet member for sustainable travel, insisted: “All we have done is try to piece together the best possible coverage of a network that we could.”

DRT will begin being rolled out across the West of England from April, and will let people book a minivan to take them from their nearest bus stop. Although it is not designed as a replacement for regular buses, it will be the only public transport option for many people after April unless the council or the Metro Mayor put on more services.

Dorothy House appeal to help stop people dying in poverty LOCAL charity Dorothy House has launched an appeal to raise awareness of the impact the cost-of-living crisis is having on those diagnosed with a lifelimiting illness.

The increasing cost of living means that 1 in 4 working-age people that are diagnosed with a life-limiting illness are dying in poverty in the UK. Pensions are typically used as financial support as people retire and near the end of their lives.

However, for those faced with a life-limiting diagnosis, they are at risk due to not being able to access their pension before the age of 66.

Philly Gaisford, Individual Giving Fundraiser at Dorothy House, said: “When you’re living with a

life-limiting illness, and no longer able to work, you shouldn’t feel your only option is to go without warmth and food and the most basic home comforts just to make ends meet.

“But, uncertain about the help you’re entitled to, and left to navigate a benefits system that all too frequently displays a lack of compassion, too many people end up like this. An already cruel situation becomes a full-blown crisis.

“The spiralling cost of living means that more patients than ever are turning to us for advice and support.

“Whether parents in young families or pensioners living alone, people with life-limiting illnesses are enduring immense financial pressures.

“No one in our community deserves to feel anxious about how their family will make ends meet without them.”

Dorothy House contributes to the provision of a welfare rights advice service in the area.

Over 750 people are referred to this service each year.

The team are there when patients and their families need advice and help to access financial and other support they may be entitled to.

Every £1 donated to Dorothy House could result in £19 of vital income for a patient and their family thanks to advice the charity is able to give to those most in need.

You can find out more and donate at https://www.dorothyhouse. org.uk/poverty/.

Photo © Dorothy House

COLUMN | Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath

T

HE Conservative Government seem unable to stop proving that they are unfit to govern.

Over the winter we saw chronic ambulance delays but the Conservatives still refuse to address the root problem in the health service. At PMQs, I asked the Prime Minister whether he would back the Liberal Democrats’ proposed higher minimum wage for carers. Staff shortages lead to patients being stuck in hospitals waiting for social care, contributing to record-breaking waits in A&E and dangerous ambulance delays. Without attracting people

to join and build their careers in social care, we will not be able to build the capacity we need in this key sector to make community care viable. Improving pay is therefore a vital part of realising this.

Other challenges have come to the fore. Food shortages emerged as a major issue impacting our weekly shops. Some supermarkets even took to rationing how many cucumbers you could buy at once. I asked the DEFRA Minister to call on the Prime Minister to hold a COBRA meeting as the situation has become a national emergency. She avoided

the question entirely. I am disappointed, yet not surprised, at the Government’s response. It is a tired party, weary from being in power far too long and out of ideas on how to solve the endless series of crises they have created.

We have also felt the Government’s lack of ambition catching up with all of us. Their failure to invest and turbo-charge renewable energy projects has left us exposed to the volatile global oil and gas market since Putin’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine. As a result of this lack of energy security, our bills have skyrocketed, businesses have gone under and vul-

nerable people have suffered immensely. This winter truly has been a damning indictment of the Conservatives’ constant short-termism and absence of long-term vision or strategy.

Their whole thinking on this issue is fundamentally broken and it has cost us all.

It is not just our economy that has been damaged thanks to the Conservatives but also our democracy. Up to 2,663 B&NES residents may lose the right ID to vote in local elections on 4 May, according to data obtained by the

Liberal Democrats.

New Government regulations require voters to show photo identification at polling stations. As many as 2% of the population lack one of the ‘accepted’ forms of ID and therefore risk not being able to vote. These devastating voter ID laws are a subversion of the democratic process. There was only one conviction of voter fraud out of 47.5 million votes at the last election. For those without photo ID, applying for a postal vote is the safest way to ensure you have your say in our democracy.

11

Your City, Your News | Bath Echo

Issue 047

Health Mum thanks staff for helping diagnose son’s rare disorder STAFF at the Royal United Hospital have been thanked by the mother of a three-year-old boy born with a rare genetic disorder for helping to diagnose his condition.

Magdalena Watling’s son, Hugo, has Angelman syndrome, a neuro-genetic condition that affects the nervous system and causes severe physical and learning disabilities.

Magdalena, a former RUH midwife and current Birth Trauma Therapist from Peasedown St John, said she first realised something was wrong a few weeks after Hugo was born.

She said: “When Hugo was born he seemed healthy and there were no complications but after about five weeks we noticed he was having problems feeding.

“He was being sick a lot and had lost around 20% of his weight so we were really worried. Nothing we could do seemed to help.

“He also wasn’t behaving like you would expect a baby to. He wouldn’t let us cuddle him or hold him – he would arch his back and scream. We knew something

Three-year-old Hugo Watling

wasn’t right.”

Due to his age and condition, it wasn’t possible for Hugo to have a successful MRI scan at the RUH until he was nine months old.

The scan showed that there were some abnormalities to his brain, so Hugo was later given a genetic test that concluded he was missing a piece of chromosome 15, diagnosing Angelman Syndrome.

Magdalena said: “We were very fortunate to meet Dr Tobias Hunt

at the RUH who was fantastically patient and understanding and had an awareness of rare genetic conditions, enabling him to diagnose Hugo when he was aged one.

“The support we had from not only Dr Hunt but so many other staff at the RUH over that first year of Hugo’s life was incredible and I’m so grateful. All of the different therapists we came into contact with were also excellent, so helpful.

“Not all families are so fortunate to meet a doctor with such an awareness of rare illnesses and receive such an early diagnosis.

Better awareness of rare genetic conditions across society can make a huge difference to all of those affected and in setting goals and expectations for the future.

“That isn’t to say life is easy, but with the help of charities like AngelmanUK and the wonderful skills and knowledge of the staff at the RUH there is now a wealth of information about disability and rare genetic conditions and no one should be feeling alone.”

Magdalena, who is married to

Hugo, who was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome, with his mum

husband Daniel with whom she also has an eight-year-old daughter, Rosamund, said that despite the difficulties Hugo faces, he is a “big character” and is already popular with his friends at pre-school.

She said: “He is a very happy, smiley boy, which is wonderful to see. He adores water so loves going swimming and it’s always hard to get him out of the bath at

bathtime!

“He’s a real explorer too and is quite nosy – he always wants to know what’s going on and enjoys annoying his sister.

“He loves being around other children too and has already made some really good school friends.

“He’s a real character, a lovely sweet boy, and we all love him to bits.”

RUH awarded over £830k for AI trial Small changes to reduce risk of cancer

CLINICIANS at the Royal United Hospital have been awarded more than £830,000 so they can determine if artificial intelligence software can help with the treatment of blood clots.

The hospital will be collaborating with the University of Bath and industry partners to determine if artificial intelligence (AI) can help identify and guide treatment for clots in patients’ lungs.

It is hoped that the trial will mean that patients who are at risk of pulmonary embolic disease can be diagnosed as fast as possible, helping to enable treatment sooner and improve patient outcomes.

The grant is being awarded by the Accelerated Access Collaboration, in partnership with the National Institute for Health Research, after the multidisciplinary research team from the RUH made a successful bid to the NHS’s Artificial Intelligence in Health and Care Award.

Pulmonary embolic disease is a common condition that happens when blood clots cause blockages in the lung arteries.

This can be a life-threatening emergency, causing death if not detected early and treated quickly with blood-thinning medication.

Pulmonary embolic disease can also cause long-term problems when clots do not fully dissolve, leaving scar tissue that prevents blood from flowing freely through the lungs.

This can leave patients breathless, eventually causing heart failure from the build-up of pressure which in turn can be fatal.

This long-term condition is called Chronic Thrombo-Embolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH).

The sooner CTEPH is spotted and treated, the earlier potentially lifesaving treatments can be started.

Radiologists at the RUH will partner with leading healthcare AI companies AIDOC and IMBIO to analyse CT scans of patients who have suspected pulmonary emboli to see whether the diagnosis of blood clots can be made quicker and more accurately.

In addition, the hospital will be continuing its successful partnership working with the University of Bath to refine its own in-house AI tool to help detect CTEPH early.

Dr Jonathan Rodrigues, RUH Consultant Cardiothoracic Radiologist, who is leading the study, said: “We are delighted to receive this prestigious funding to research ways to improve outcomes for the people we care for with pulmonary embolic disease, which is a common condition that can be lifethreatening.

“We hope that by working with our AI partners, using the very latest artificial intelligence tools, we can help to save lives and get the very best value for money for the NHS.”

Professor Jay Suntharalingam, Director of the Bath Pulmonary Hypertension Service and coinvestigator for the research, said: “The RUH provides specialist pulmonary hypertension care to approximately 4 million people in our region.

“I’m excited that we will be continuing our work with the University of Bath to develop our own AI tool. It will help with the detection of an important chronic complication of pulmonary embolism that is potentially curable if picked up early.”

Dr Andrew Cookson, Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bath, said: “I am delighted that we will be able to continue the development of our AI-based technology for early detection of CTPEH. “This work is the result of a close collaboration between my team at the University of Bath and clinicians at the RUH since 2020, which has had clinical and patient need embedded from the start. With this funding we will be able to develop the software to be much closer to commercialisation and to delivering improved patient outcomes.”

Dr Jonathan Rodrigues concluded: “I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved with the successful award bid and who will be supporting the trial going forward – this really is a gamechanger in how we identify and treat pulmonary embolism.”

LOCAL doctors have highlighted how small changes to everyday habits, while including some healthier lifestyle choices, can reduce the chances of developing cancer.

More than 3,000 people in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire were referred to hospital in December last year for symptoms that could be cancer.

While not all referrals result in a positive diagnosis, it is widely accepted that around one in two people will be affected by some form of the disease during their life.

Dr Francis Campbell, GP Partner and Primary Care Partner Member for Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “Cancer can unfortunately affect almost any part of our bodies, and our chances of having the disease can be hugely altered by choices we make every day.

“Most of us know that smoking is a huge contributing factor to many types of cancer, but other lifestyle choices, such as drinking too much alcohol, eating a poor diet, spending too much unprotected time in the sun and not getting enough exercise, can also be harmful.

“Our overall health should be of

the utmost importance at any time of year, but this particular week is a great opportunity to take stock and, wherever possible, make changes that can provide long-term benefits.”

Experts suggest that smoking is responsible for nearly a quarter of all cancer diagnoses, and that the earlier a person quits the greater their future health prospects will be.

Similarly, according to Cancer Research UK, people can reduce their risk of developing more than a dozen types of cancer by bringing their weight down to a healthy level and eating a balanced diet, consisting of plenty of fruits and vegetables and a minimal amount of processed food, such as sausages and bacon.

As well as taking positive steps to prevent cancer, people are also encouraged to do what they can to identify the disease at the earliest opportunity.

The NHS offers a number of cancer screening programmes, most notably for bowel, breast and cervical cancer.

Treatment for cancer is more effective when the disease is in its early stages, which is why people invited to a screening, even for one attended previously, should take up the offer straight away.

12

www.bathecho.co.uk

Tuesday 14th March - Monday 27th March 2023

Education Campaign sees ‘parking buddies’ introduced at school A COMMUNITY campaign in a village near Bath has paid off thanks to the introduction of new “Parking Buddies” to improve safety outside a primary school.

The campaign by local councillor Karen Walker and the Chairman of the Peasedown Community Trust, Gavin Heathcote in Peasedown St John secured £1,000 from the Avon and Somerset Police Community Trust to purchase the new ‘Parking Buddies’.

They will be placed outside Peasedown St John Primary School at the start and end of the school day to discourage motorists from parking on the pavement.

Cllr Karen Walker, who liaised with the police to secure the funding, said: “These new parking buddy display signs will encourage motorists to think and be considerate when parking outside of the school.

“It’s a method which has been successful in other areas in the past.

“Thanks to both the staff at the

school and the local police for working with us on this initiative.”

Gavin Heathcote, a parent and long-time campaigner for better road safety in the village, said: “Road safety outside of our local primary school is part of our wider plans to create safer streets across the community.

“Peasedown St John has one of the biggest primary schools in the district, so it’s important we ensure children feel safe when walking to and from the school gates.

“These new parking buddies, as well as discouraging motorists to park on the pavement or anywhere outside of the front of the school, look fantastic! They are colourful, bright and can’t easily be missed!”

Karen and Gavin visited the primary school to present staff and pupils with their new parking buddies.

Mark Shelford, Police & Crime Commissioner for Avon & Somerset also attended the presentation.

Assistant Headteacher, Phil Lyle, added: “Thanks to Karen, Gavin,

Phil Lyle, PCC Mark Shelford, Gavin Heathcote and Cllr Karen Walker with children outside the school

the Peasedown Community Trust and the local police for these new parking buddies.

“The children will be involved

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in placing them outside and collecting them in at the start and end of the day.

“We certainly look forward to

experiencing a safer walking environment outside of the school gates thanks to these new buddies.”

Nine out of ten offered first choice for secondary places

More than 98% of those who applied received one of their overall preferences

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THE majority of families in Bath and North East Somerset have been offered a place at their first choice of secondary school for admissions this September, it has been announced.

Bath & North East Somerset Council said it received 1,881 applications from residents for secondary school places for admission into the 2023/2024 academic year, slightly down on 1,887 for the previous year.

Of the applications, 98.2% received one of their overall preferences with 91.7% allocated a place at their highest preferred school, making up a total of 1,724 pupils.

Last year the figure for first preference was 89.2 per cent.

Figures show 105 pupils received an offer of their second preference of school, 16 pupils their third preference, and no pupils their fourth preference or fifth preference.

Thirty-four pupils have not been offered a place at any of their preferences and have instead been offered a place at their next nearest school with a place available, which is known as a referral.

All Bath and North East Somerset pupils who made an on-time application have been offered a place.

Councillor Dine Romero, cabinet member for Children and Young People, Communities and Culture, said: “This is a big day for our families with children heading off to secondary school in September, it can be a stressful experience, so I’m pleased that 1,724 children have received the good news today that they have been given their first preference.

“We have great schools in Bath and North East Somerset and I wish all our Year 6 children the very best for their transition to secondary school.”

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www.bathecho.co.uk

Tuesday 14th March - Monday 27th March 2023

Business Wellbeing festival celebrates success with planned return THE recent ReBalance Bath festival, which saw more than 70 businesses and wellness practitioners get involved, will return next year after the event was deemed a “huge success”.

Featuring over 150 events and activities over a three-week period, and 1,000 participants attending events, the wellbeing festival will return in 2024 from 25th January – 18th February.

Highlight and sold-out events included Aqua Sana at the Thermae Bath Spa, hand massages at Molton Brown, bath bomb making at Lush, a Voya Skincare evening and spiritual meditation at Bath Abbey.

BID Chief Executive Allison Herbert said “Our main priority was to support businesses at a normally quiet time, but we have been absolutely delighted with the response and interest in the festival not just from businesses but also from residents, workers in the city and visitors coming from much further afield to experience ReBalance Bath.

“We’d like to thank everyone

who took part creating events and helping spread the message about the festival, especially Amy Williams our ambassador.

“We look forward to reviewing and developing the programme for 2024, while we will continue to promote wellness events organised by Bath BID levy payers across the rest of the year via the BID’s digital channels: the welcometobath website, social media, and Rebalance Bath’s Instagram.”

Feedback from businesses has been positive, with Lisa Brooklyn Fuhres, Director of Operations, Sutton Hotel Collection, saying: “At The Francis Hotel, we were delighted to create a special package in partnership with Thermae Bath Spa as part of Bath’s first ReBalance Festival.

“Our wellbeing breaks package resulted in some great exposure for the hotel, as well as an increase in bookings along with some great feedback from the community.

“We were so pleased to be a part of Bath’s first ReBalance festival,

Yoga at the Roman Baths as part of the festival | Photo © ReBalance Bath / Suzy Slemen Photography

and our wellbeing package was a wonderful opportunity to showcase The Francis Hotel as a wellness hotel.”

Kate Bessant, Marketing Manager Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa said: “We’re very happy to have taken part in Bath’s reBalance festival of

New out-of-hours pet emergency service opens at Rosemary Lodge

wellness.

“It’s been such a welcome start to the year, especially for everyone that finds the festive period busy and demanding – the perfect re-set! We’ve really enjoyed introducing new guests to the tranquillity of our Spa and Bath

House.”

Maizie from the Lush Bath store said: “We wanted to say a big thank you for helping promote our bath bomb making event through Rebalance Bath. It’s been a huge success! We can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

Burger King restaurant to create 30 jobs

The new service is operating from Rosemary Lodge Veterinary Hospital | Photo © Vets Now

A NEW out-of-hours pet emergency service has been opened at the Rosemary Lodge Veterinary Hospital in Bath.

In its first few weeks of opening, the clinic, run by Vets Now, has already treated over 200 cases including a dog who ate a chocolate Easter egg and a cat with an open wound to the mouth.

The service will be available to all pet owners in the area when their regular daytime veterinary practices are closed, throughout the night, at weekends and bank holidays.

The Vets Now emergency clinicians in Bath commonly treat common pet emergencies which include road traffic accidents, severe sickness and diarrhoea, and accidental ingestion and

poisonings.

Principal nurse manager Gemma Pitt said: “Pet emergencies can happen at any time – including when your regular vet is closed – and time is often of the essence.

“Our new out-of-hours pet emergency clinic in Bath will be a bit like the pet equivalent of A&E. “This means our team of dedicated emergency vets can continue to provide pets and their owners a quick and easy service when they need it most – whether it’s at 4am or in the middle of Sunday lunch.

“The nation’s pet owners increasingly worry about the welfare of their pets – and they are now seen as much more part of the family than ever before.

“In an emergency, time is often of

the essence, and we are proud to be able to provide a local service for pet owners in Bath so that they can receive quick and easy access to a vet when their pet needs it most.”

A spokesperson for Rosemary Lodge Veterinary Hospital, which is hosting the Vets Now out-of-hours clinic said: “We’re delighted to have Vets Now providing their highly skilled emergency service from within our Rosemary Lodge Hospital.

“We have always been proud to provide Bath’s only emergency veterinary team and this new partnership between Vets Now, Bath Vet Group and local veterinary practices will ensure that together we can provide an unparalleled 24/7 service.”

Photo © Burger King

BURGER King has announced that it will open a new restaurant in the centre of Bath, creating 30 jobs for the local area.

The restaurant, which will be located on Southgate Street in the city centre, is currently recruiting for members of staff.

Five managerial roles are being created for the restaurant, with Assistant Managers and Shift Managers being sought.

Burger King® UK is also recruiting 25 “Crew Members”, spanning both front-of-house and kitchen roles.

Jeremy Wright, People Director of Burger King® UK, said: “As we continue to deliver on our bold and ambitious growth plans, we are delighted to be creating new

job and career opportunities in the area.

“We look forward to welcoming 30 new starters into the Burger King family, at our new Bath restaurant.

“We’re proud to provide an inclusive and supportive environment where our teams are able to develop their full potential and accelerate their careers, whilst making great friends and having fun along the way.”

Burger King previously had a restaurant on Cheap Street in Bath, which closed during the pandemic.

You can find out more about the job opportunities at http://bit.ly/3YGSOud

15

Your City, Your News | Bath Echo

Issue 047

Politics Concern over number of people without ID needed to vote MORE than 2,500 people across Bath and North East Somerset may not have the right photo ID to vote in the upcoming local elections, figures obtained by the Lib Dems have revealed.

New regulations have been introduced which mean voters will have to show photo identification at polling stations this year, however as many as 2% of the population are estimated to not have one of the ‘accepted’ forms of ID and could risk not being able to vote.

The new laws have been branded “unjustified” by campaigners, who say voter ID is a “solution in search of a problem” given the low level of fraud across the country.

No cases of voter fraud have been reported in Bath and North East Somerset at recent elections. This includes polls held to pick new councillors, MPs and the Police and Crime Commissioner.

There is also no evidence of

significant electoral fraud anywhere in the UK, according to the Electoral Commission.

In 2019 there was just one conviction for in-person voter fraud in the country and there were none in 2020 or 2021.

The new legislation has been opposed by public sector organisations including the Local Government Association, as well as local Liberal Democrat campaigners.

Councillor Jess David commented: “We obtained information that 2% of electors nationally do not have one of the accepted identification documents. In B&NES this would be around 2,700 voters.

“Local authorities can issue a special photo ID, called a Voter Authority Certificate. However, Bath and North East Somerset Council has received only a few dozen applications so far.

“This means as many as 2,663 local residents may not have

photo ID and could be prevented from voting on 4th May. “We’re calling on all B&NES residents to act now and protect their right to vote. Residents who don’t have photo ID can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate from the council or a postal vote.”

Councillor Mark Elliott said: “Voter fraud is almost unheard of in the UK, which begs the question: why has the Conservative government imposed voter ID requirements?

It will inconvenience many people and risks stopping some people from voting.

“It’s a pointless and unjustified and costly change in the law, which only serves to suppress the vote and disenfranchise residents who don’t have the ‘right’ form of ID.” Bath MP Wera Hobhouse added: “These voter ID laws will be devastating and amount to an ill-thought out, ill-judged subversion of the democratic

Study carried out on moving motorway traffic away from Bath John Wimperis

Local Democracy Reporter

MOTORWAY traffic heading south through Bath across Cleveland Bridge could soon be sent through Wiltshire instead.

Currently, A-roads take traffic from the M4 heading towards the Dorset coast through Bath and across the Georgian bridge, which has an 18-tonne weight limit in place.

But the Department for Transport is carrying out a study into how to improve the connection between the motorway and the coast.

This could potentially see the route be moved off the A46 and A36 in Bath, with traffic instead sent through Wiltshire on the A350.

Bath MP Wera Hobhouse met Roads Minister Robert Holden on 22nd February to persuade him to make the move.

She said: “My meeting with the Minister was a useful one.

I raised to him once again that the A36/A46 is already wholly unsuitable to be the ‘strategic route’ currently and adding further traffic to it will only make the situation worse.

“Cleveland Bridge is a Grade II* listed site and it is well known that it is not the right route for a constant flow of 40 tonne HGVs. “My constituents’ health will also suffer due to the greater amounts of traffic and resulting higher pollution.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Transport said; “The study is approaching completion and work considering all corridors continues to be taken forward. We expect the findings of the study to be available in Spring 2023.”

Photo ID will be required to vote in the elections this May

process.

“There was a singular conviction of voter fraud out of 47.5 million votes at the last election. That represents just 0.0000021014% of the total votes.

“Any Government attempt to claim that these changes needed to come in to protect electoral integrity fall completely apart.

“To add insult to injury, during a cost of living crisis, Ministers thought it would be wise to spend

millions in taxpayers’ money to solve a non-existent problem.

The whole scheme is frankly offensive.

“I can only encourage people to apply for postal vote. For those without photo ID, applying for a postal vote is the safest way to ensure that you can have your say in our democracy.

“A say that this Government should absolutely not be putting in jeopardy.”

Call for more support on energy bills BATH MP Wera Hobhouse has called for the Government to cancel the planned £500 increase to the average annual household energy bill this April.

Along with the Liberal Democrat party, the MP is calling for a cut to bills, combined with a new energy support package for businesses, leisure centres, schools and hospitals across Bath.

In April, the energy price guarantee will be increased by £500, from £2,500 to £3,000 per year.

Mrs Hobhouse said new price hikes now will be a “hammer blow” to families and businesses

already struggling, and that action is needed to save people from a cost of living “cliff-edge”.

The MP, who is also the Liberal Democrat Climate and Energy Spokesperson, said: “The Conservatives’ plan to hike energy bills in April will come as a hammer blow to families in Bath already struggling with soaring mortgages and rents, shopping bills and tax rises.

“With no plan to deal with this cost of living crisis for people or businesses, this chaotic, out-oftouch Government is instead making it much worse because they just do not get it.”

Bath City Farm cafe’s 12,000th coffee sold to Metro Mayor A CAFÉ opened at Bath City Farm last year has sold its 12,000th coffee after just nine months of trading, to the West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris.

Bath City Farm’s café opened to the public last May following seven months of building work.

The café uses food grown around the farm site, including breakfast baps made with farm-reared bacon and sausages.

As the twelve-thousandth drink buyer, the Metro Mayor received a cake baked especially by the team to enjoy with his coffee.

Mr Norris also heard first-hand from local residents gaining valuable work experience at the

café as part of a £50,000 training course funded by the West of England Mayoral Authority.

The Metro Mayor spoke with Maria Dolan on her very first day working at the cafe as part of the Roots to Work scheme run by the Bath City Farm team.

Dan Norris said: “Bath City Farm Café is the city’s go-to for cutabove caffeine and delicious local produce – grown right here on the farm!

“It was great to celebrate their coffee-roasting success – it certainly perked me up! I’ve said many times I want businesses of all shapes and sizes in Bath, and the West, to thrive.

“The café team figured it all out

and here we are – 12,000 cups later. There’re so many quality products around us so it really does pay to eat, drink and shop local”.

Alison Howell, Communication and Development Lead at Bath City Farm, added: “We really enjoyed welcoming Metro Mayor Dan Norris to the Bath City Farm Community Cafe this afternoon to enjoy our 12,000th coffee.

“It’s amazing that we have sold that many coffees since we opened in May last year to the local community. The cafe is a great place for people to meet, enjoy breakfast, lunch or coffee and cake and take in the stunning views across the city of Bath.”

Metro Mayor Dan Norris with the Bath City Farm Cafe team | Photo © WECA

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Tuesday 14th March - Monday 27th March 2023

In Other News...

Vandalism of children’s playground Scheme to support slammed as “selfish and antisocial” Ukrainians starting businesses expanded John Wimperis

Local Democracy Reporter

THE burning of a children’s playground in Bath has been slammed as “selfish and antisocial” by a local councillor.

The climbing frame in the playground between Widcombe’s primary schools was set alight in the afternoon of Saturday 25th February.

The fire melted plastic parts of the play equipment and burnt through ropes.

Councillor Alison Born, who represents Widcombe and Lyncombe on Bath and North East Somerset Council, said: “It’s really unbelievable that anyone would be so selfish and antisocial as to deprive local children of the chance to play by deliberately setting a fire.

“This serious and senseless crime was witnessed by a local resident, so we hope that the perpetrators will be caught.

“Widcombe play park is adjacent to the Widcombe primary schools and is very well used by local children as well as those who attend the schools but live further afield.

“Unfortunately, the council has now had to cordon off the equipment damaged by this thoughtless act of arson.”

Ed Knolleys and Cllr Alison Born with children by the damaged play equipment

Ed Knolleys, who chairs Widcombe Schools PTA said: “This playground is a very important part of the local community, providing safe outside space for children to play and families to meet.

“It’s shocking to see the equipment destroyed like this and upsetting for the children. I hope it can be restored as soon as possible so everyone can get back to enjoying this valuable community space” The climbing frame had only been in the park for about five years.

Ms Born said that she would be looking at what the council could do to restore the equipment.

She said: “I have immediately contacted the Parks department about making the equipment safe

and to ask what the Council can do to replace the climbing frame.

“There is only a small budget for play equipment, but I will also investigate all other potential funding avenues and continue talking to local families about what they would like to see on site.”

A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: “At just before 4pm on Saturday 25 February, we were called by Avon Fire and Rescue Service relating to a fire at a play park in Archway Street, Bath. The incident is under investigation and we would ask anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the area of the park to contact us on 101, giving the call handler the reference number 5223048991.”

A SCHEME being run by the West of England Combined Authority to help Ukrainian refugees in Bath and the surrounding area start their own businesses is set to be expanded.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris has secured over £260,000 from the government to expand the successful refugee scheme.

118 Ukraine nationals across the region have already received expert advice and support to set up their own companies, including access to top training courses, one-to-one coaching, and more.

Dan Norris said: “I’m so incredibly proud of the way in which Bath and NE Somerset residents have opened their arms to our Ukrainian friends, and neighbours.

“This £260,000 in cash secured from government will help our region tap into the talent and entrepreneurial spirit of our Ukraine guests – a win-win!

“My West of England Combined Authority is determined to do our bit to make people feel welcome in Bath and NE Somerset and help them get on and thrive during their stay with us – however long or short”.

The West of England Combined Authority is continuing to support

new and settled Ukrainian guests by: • Funding a 5-week West of England programme teaching Ukraine refugees new green skills which they can then put into action in the workplace.

• Supporting Ukrainians to gain important Level 3 and Level 4 Maths qualifications through the £3.8 million West of England Multiply programme.

• Working with local Jobcentres to raise awareness of the Combined Authority support available, generating referrals to Future Bright and other careers programmes for Ukrainian refugees.

• Holding Ukrainian-focused community and business support events and workshops, including a YTKO business grants workshop on 23rd March at Runway East.

• Rolling out a new “toolkit” for Ukrainian schoolchildren and other youngsters where English isn’t their first language across all West of England schools • Supporting Ukraine refugees to become bus drivers – helping address a regional and national shortage.

More than 1,300 Ukrainians have settled in the West of England under the Ukraine sponsorship scheme with host families.

Properties being redeveloped for temporary accommodation WORK has begun to redevelop two properties in Bath to help provide new temporary accommodation for homeless households across the local area.

Rising rental costs and the cost of living, combined with increased evictions from privately rented accommodation have led to an increase in the number of households presenting to the Bath & North East Somerset Council as homeless or about to lose their home.

To meet this pressure, several council-owned properties are being redeveloped to provide appropriate supported accommodation.

The properties will offer a temporary solution for households that have become

homeless, often at short notice, and where the council has a duty to accommodate them.

Residents will stay in the accommodation while they are assessed and supported, pending a move to a permanent home.

Most residents usually only stay a few months before moving on.

Work has started onsite on the

first two properties which are both in Bath.

The first will offer temporary homes for eleven households, and the second property will be able to house three households.

Councillor Tom Davies, cabinet member for Council House Building, said: “I’m delighted that work is progressing well

on these two properties, they represent a valuable part of the council’s B&NES Homes housing programme.

“When complete they will allow us to offer wider options to homeless households.

“We’ve achieved a lot, particularly with our Council House Building Programme that includes Newbridge Hill in Bath, the first socially rented properties built for the council in nearly three decades. They are now ready for tenants to move into.”

The temporary accommodation will be managed directly by Housing Services, led by a dedicated manager.

The properties will be run in parallel with other temporary accommodation, including 26 units that are currently

Crossword answers - Issue 046 (28/02/23) Across: 9 Suffocate, 10 Hoyle, 11 Animals, 12 Senator, 13 Vandalism, 14 Pros, 17 Insects, 20 Surface, 21 Obit, 22 Elsewhere, 27 Saddens, 28 Control, 29 Needs, 30 Authentic.

Down: 1 Aswan, 2 Africa, 3 Cowardice, 4 Damsel, 5 Persists, 6 Phone, 7 Hysteria, 8 Depressed, 15 Limousine, 16 Archangel, 18 Skin-deep, 19 Salesman, 23 Excite, 24 Rarity, 25 Beast, 26 Black.

commissioned through Curo Housing.

With an upward trend in the use of temporary accommodation in Bath and North East Somerset, the new properties will help to reduce the use of unsuitable and expensive B&B accommodation that is used in emergencies when all other commissioned accommodation is full.

The B&B accommodation is often located outside the district, where it is harder to support families who have been made homeless.

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