Bath Echo - Issue 050 - 25/04/2023

Thousands of people give up trying to call 111 - P2

Circuit of Bath Walk charity fundraiser to return

PEOPLE across the Bath area are being invited to get involved in one of the city’s most iconic events and a vital fundraiser for charity Julian House.

The 20-mile Circuit of Bath Walk has been running for 22 years and attracts hundreds of participants keen to explore some of Bath’s most stunning countryside and experience the city in a new way. This year’s event is set to take

place on Sunday 24th September, and will see walkers take on a circular route that offers views across the city.

From the vistas at Little Solsbury Hill to the South Stoke Millennium Viewpoint, participants will get to see Bath from a whole new perspective.

While the charity is encouraging people to take on the full 20-mile route, participants can choose their own distance and starting

With prices from £150,

point, thanks to the five checkpoints along the route and a free taxi service between each.

Hema Kariyappa, who took on the challenge last year, said: “It’s a route that makes one proud of Bath and I can’t wait for it to become a national event that’ll see many tourists flock to participate.

“I’ve done Kilimanjaro, Machu Picchu and more, but the Circuit of Bath Walk is unique because there’s so much drama along the

Time running out to take advantage of Race for Life discount P10

route.”

Bath resident Kirsty Eastham has taken part three times already and said: “It just gets better and more enjoyable every year.

“The organisation is impeccable in every respect and everyone taking part seems to be having a great time! What’s not to love?”

Julian House’s Community and Events Fundraiser Gavin Osborn added: “The Circuit of Bath ...

Continued on page 2

In this issue...

Top Stories P2-5

Pictures from the Past P6

Crossword P7

What's On P9

Thousands of calls to 111 service abandoned

OVER 400,000 calls made to the NHS 111 service were abandoned in the South West last year, research has revealed. The data shows that a call to 111 was abandoned every 80 seconds in 2022, with nearly one-fifth of all calls being aborted by patients.

The Liberal Democrats have called for an urgent plan to reduce pressure on ambulance services, which includes recruiting more GPs and addressing the crisis in social care.

Health P12

Education P13

Community P10 Business P14

Politics P15

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In December 2022, 39% of calls made to the service in the South West were abandoned, totalling 111,711 calls that month alone.

On average, this equates to 3,604 abandoned calls every day throughout the region. The average time it took for the NHS 111 service to answer calls in December was almost 20 minutes.

The research data was commissioned by the Liberal Democrats and conducted by the House of Commons Library. Comparing the figures to those from the previous year, the data showed that there were almost 80,000 fewer abandoned calls in the region in 2021.

However, in 2022, there were close to 220 more calls abandoned every day by patients in need.

For the first three months of 2021, abandoned calls were recorded using a different data set that did not include those within the first 30 seconds of contact. The House of Commons Library estimates that these calls account for around 10% of abandoned calls.

The party is also urging the government to launch a recruitment drive for NHS call handlers in areas where they are needed, including encouraging retired and former staff to return. Wera Hobhouse, the Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, has been contacted by constituents over the issue of 111 call waiting times this winter.

Many spoke of their struggle to speak to someone on the phone or arrange a call back from a clinician as they tried to care for poorly family members.

In December, a local resident, whose child’s temperature had risen to above 40 degrees with blue lips and cold extremities, decided to call 111.

They had considered calling for an ambulance but said they did not want to wait outside of the local hospital, potentially stuck in an ambulance with their child. When they got through on the 111 service, they were told to expect a call back within six hours. After 13 hours, no call had been received. The resident then called their GP surgery as soon as it opened after staying up through most of

Chance to help homeless with 20-mile charity walk

the night, caring for their unwell child waiting for 111 to call back. After sitting for over an hour on the phone with the GP surgery, waiting for the call queue in front of them to be answered, they again were told to wait for a call back from a doctor. The GP surgery contacted them over 7 hours later and emergency antibiotics were issued for the child. The 111 service did call the person back, 23 hours after their initial call and after the situation had been resolved.

Wera Hobhouse commented: “People should be able to get

the care they deserve when they need it. No one should be forced to abandon a call because wait times are so long when they are in need of medical help.

“A robust long-term workforce plan must be brought forward immediately.

“Without it, the NHS will be exposed to the same winter crises year after year and my constituents will be left dealing with these awful situations again.”

“The Conservative Government’s record on health has been a shambles and these figures are yet further proof that we cannot trust them to run the NHS.”

Witness appeal launched following fatal crash on A36

Continued from page 1

... Walk is an important event for everyone of all ages.

“Participants not only get an incredible sense of achievement from walking 20 miles over challenging terrain, but also the knowledge that the sponsorship they raise will help to rebuild lives. By taking part, you are enabling us to support at-risk people in our emergency hostel and domestic abuse refuge. You will be helping to save lives.”

Early Bird tickets are on sale now, costing £10 for an adult, £5 for a child, and £22 for a family. Dogs are welcome and for younger families, there are also bug-

gy-friendly sections of the walk.

Gavin continued: “Despite incredible generosity from Julian House supporters, we are not immune to the rising cost of living.

“Signing up for the walk helps us maintain our many projects, accommodation sites and social enterprises across Bath and beyond.

“We hope people will aim to raise as much as they can, knowing that every penny raised through sponsorship goes towards helping support vulnerable people in our care.”

Further information and tickets can be found online at www.circuitofbathwalk.co.uk.

AN appeal for witnesses and dashcam footage has been launched following a serious multi-vehicle collision near Bath, in which a woman later died.

Emergency services were called to the A36 Warminster Road near Claverton at approximately 9.15pm on Saturday 15th April, shortly after the crash. Seven people were injured, some of whom required hospital treatment, including a man and a woman who sustained serious injuries.

The Wiltshire Air Ambulance took a patient to Southmead Hospital, a major trauma centre in Bristol, at around 11pm.

An update from Avon & Somerset Police on Sunday 16th April, said

that a woman had died following the crash, and at least two people were still in hospital.

The woman’s family have been informed and are being supported by a specially-trained officer.

The vehicles involved were a white Ford Puma, a blue BMW and two Ford Fiestas, one grey and the other blue. The road was shut in both directions overnight but the closure was lifted at around 10am the following morning. The police carried out enquiries at the scene, and are now asking any witnesses who have not yet spoken with them, or any drivers in the area at the time who may have relevant dashcam footage, to call 101 and quote reference number 5223087300.

The average time to answer calls in December was 20 minutes

Taking part in last year’s event | Photo courtesy of Julian House

The four-car crash happened on the A36 near Claverton

Council apologises after park hedge mistakenly cut down

Bath City FC charity welcomes MP to holiday football session

John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter

BATH and North East Somerset Council has apologised after cutting down a hedge in a small park by mistake.

The small hedge at the edge of the Little Park off St Saviour’s Road in the Larkhall area of Bath was razed to the ground on Thursday 13th April to the dismay of local residents.

The council said removing the hedge in its entirety was an “error” and has apologised. The parks team will now return to plant new shrubs over the next two weeks.

Gail Davies, who lives on a road by the park, said she used to know all the birds in the hedge. She said: “It’s very upsetting. […] You don’t know what you’ve got ‘till its gone.”

But she added that the parks team who were tasked with removing it were “lovely” and said: “They were baffled as to why they were meant to do it.”

Local councillor Joanna Wright “came running,” she added.

Ms Wright contacted top council officers about the removal of the hedge and said it was clear the wrong information had been passed on.

Ms Wright said: “To some, the removal of a hedge might appear a small thing but for so many in the Larkhall community, it was a piece of nature where the nature met in the form of sparrows gathered in its branches.

“We know that bird populations have fallen due to lack of habitat and the removal of this hedge is just one less space for them.

“The lens we make decisions by needs to focus on nature recovery and this did not happen.”

She added that it was “poor management” by the council during a climate and ecological emergency.

Chris Major, the council’s director of Place Management said: “The planned work at St Saviour’s Open Space involved removing an old fence and some vegetation. This was to prevent it getting too high to block visibility into the park and prevent encroachment onto the path where it had become something of a litter trap.

“Unfortunately more of the hedge was removed than planned and we apologise for this error.

“Our parks team will now return to plant 5m of native/wildlife friendly shrubs which can be maintained by ecologically sensitive means (coppicing) to encourage fruits and flowers and to provide better cover for birds.

“The planting will be carried out in the next couple of weeks.”

MP WERA Hobhouse was welcomed by the Bath City FC Foundation to one of their popular holiday football sessions at Easter, giving her the chance to see the charity’s work.

Making the most of the new Active Zone at St Martin’s Garden Primary School in Odd Down, the charity ran eight affordable camps over the school holiday period to ensure that local children could keep fit and active.

Geoff Stevens, Operations Manager at Bath City FC Foundation said: “This has been our most popular Easter holiday camp to date and we are delighted that Wera Hobhouse MP was able to come and see our work in action.

“We are passionate about the positive difference football can make to young people’s lives especially during the holidays when it can be difficult to stay active.

“The Bath City FC charity runs a wide range of activities throughout the year including women-only sessions, Wildcats and Squadgirls for girls, after

school sessions, walking football for older people trying to keep active plus inclusive football sessions with participants from Bath Mind, SWALLOW, Julian House and more.

“Bath Recreation Limited is delighted that Bath City FC Foundation and St Martin’s Garden Primary School are bringing the Active Zone to life for the greater good of the community.”

Commenting after her visit, Mrs Hobhouse said: “It was a joy to witness the incredible power of sports to bring children together, to teach teamwork and improve physical well being. Sports should be accessible, inclusive and above all fun. Bath City FC and their charitable foundation are strong, positive forces in our community and I am delighted to support their work.”

Bath City FC Foundation CEO, James Carlin MBE said: “We are now working with over 2,000 people each year and I’m so proud of our dedicated coaches that work in all weathers to ensure everyone has access to football.”

Latest plans for Bath Rugby stadium set to go on show

BATH Rugby has announced that it will soon reveal its new designs to the public for the redevelopment of the current stadium at the Recreation Ground.

The stadium plans will go on show at the rugby club’s final home game against Saracens on 6th May, as well as on Wednesday 10th May at Widcombe Social Club from 11am-7pm.

The proposals will also be available online on Bath Rugby’s website from 6th May.

Stakeholder and public feedback obtained during previous consultations have influenced the new stadium design, which the club plans to submit to B&NES Council this summer.

The previous scheme, which was shared before the pandemic, has evolved and the project team said they are “looking forward” to sharing the stadium’s designs and benefits.

As part of the redevelopment, the public riverside space to the

West of The Rec will be widened, creating a more inviting and usable space, on matchdays and non-matchdays, and the structure itself will allow for greater community use.

Sustainability and environmentally friendly materials are also key to the new proposals. The proposed capacity of the stadium will increase to 18,000, with increased provision for accessibility needs, as well as providing a new permanent home for the Bath Rugby Foundation charity.

Bath Rugby Chief Executive Tarquin McDonald said: “After decades of conversation, we are confident the plans we will submit this summer will both excite and reassure the people of Bath. Our club, your club, is the heart of our city and now is the time to bring a stadium that will service worldclass men’s and women’s rugby, and our community, all yearround.”

The hedge was cut completely down to the ground | Photo © John Wimperis

The Recreation Ground in Bath | Photo © RogerMechan / Shutterstock.com Inset: Previous plans for the new stadium at the Rec

Wera Hobhouse MP with participants at a holiday football session

Haile Selassie’s great-granddaughter retraces Emperor’s footsteps

BATH Spa University recently welcomed Her Imperial Highness Princess Esther Selassie Antohin, the greatgranddaughter of the former Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie I, to its Newton Park campus.

The visit recognised the university’s long-standing partnership with Fairfield House. The house served as the residence for the emperor when he lived in exile in Bath from 1936 to 1941 during the time when his country was occupied by Fascist Italy.

Earlier this month, Princess Esther, who is also Director of the Board of Bath’s Fairfield House CIC, retraced her greatgrandfather’s footsteps as she toured the campus and visited its historic Italian Gardens, just as the emperor did during his visit in 1954.

In 1958, after his return to Ethiopia, Haile Selassie gifted Fairfield House to the City of Bath with the intention that it be used as a residence for the elderly. He was also presented with the Freedom of the City, an honour bestowed on a municipality’s valuable members of the community, dignitaries or celebrities.

Today, Fairfield House remains a significant part of Bath’s history, and as an important cultural partner of Bath Spa University, brings together students, staff and the community to offer mutual opportunities.

Speaking on the importance of her visit, Princess Esther said: “This is a special day. The event here in 1954 was a momentous occasion for the Emperor in a

visit to a city close to his heart.

“When he gifted the house, in the manner he wanted it to be used for, it was a statement of his gratitude to the people of Bath who kept his spirits up during very difficult times.

“For me it is very special to be here years later, to be paying my own tribute to that relationship.”

Princess Esther currently resides in Maine, USA and pays regular visits to Bath’s Fairfield House as part of her duties as Chair of the organisation. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of Heritage Watch Ethiopia, a charity and resource centre sponsored by Bath Spa University that helps Ethiopians, and young people in particular, to recognise the value of protecting and promoting heritage.

Her goal is to be part of work that strengthens and promotes

Council reveals latest progress on efforts to reduce gender pay gap

*

*

About u3a in Bath

There are 450,000 of us in the UK and 1,300 in Bath. We are in “u3a in Bath” and our members are all retired or semi-retired. We take part in a range of educational or recreational activities. See the complete list of over 100 interest groups on our website u3ainbath.uk

Come and join us

You can join us by going to our website www.u3ainbath.uk and completing the online application form or you can download the application form from the website and send it to Membership Secretary, u3a in Bath, PO Box 4040, Bath BA1 0EJ

You can also join in person at one of our monthly talks at The Pavilion. Membership fee is only £15 per person per year.

Ethiopian cultural heritage in Ethiopia, in the continent of Africa, as well as globally.

During her visit to Newton Park Campus, Princess Esther met with Bath Spa University representatives Professor John Strachan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research and Enterprise, Professor Ian Gadd, Academic Director of the Global Academy of Liberal Arts (GALA), and Rebecca di Corpo, External Affairs.

Professor Strachan added: “It was an honour to welcome Princess Esther to Bath Spa University for her first visit, and to show her the grounds that her greatgrandfather explored during his time here.

“We look forward to continuing to build upon Bath Spa’s strong partnership with both Fairfield House and Heritage Watch Ethiopia for many more years to come.”

Our Monthly Talks

Monthly Talks are usually held on the first Thursday in the month and start at 10.30 a.m.

Doors open at 9.45 a.m. for coffee. Admission is free for members but a donation of £2 for non-members.

BATH & North East Somerset Council has published its annual Gender and Ethnicity Pay Gap report, revealing the difference in pay between males and females.

Providing a snapshot of data, the report revealed that almost 61% of the council’s workforce was female, and just over 39% was male. Job roles across the council were found to be varied.

As of 31st March 2022, the mean average hourly rate of pay for females was £15.78, and for males, it was £16.09 – a 31p gap, which is a decrease on the 79p difference reported the previous year.

However, the median pay for female employees as of 31st March 2022 was 82p higher than for males, with females earning £14.25 per hour, while males earned £13.43 per hour.

The median figure is considered a more representative way of measuring the gender pay gap.

gap is concerned with differences in the average earnings of men and women, regardless of their role or seniority.

It is a broader measure that captures the pay inequalities resulting from differences in the sorts of jobs performed by men and women in the workforce.

Will Godfrey, Chief Executive of the council, said: “The council provides a wide variety of services to our local communities and has a wide variety of job roles in its workforce.

“We are committed to understanding and tackling pay gaps within the workforce and this year we have introduced voluntary ethnicity pay gap reporting.

“We continue to support senior leadership and management development programmes across all groups.

“This includes the Stepping Up programme – a leadership programme aimed at aspiring leaders from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Talks take place at: The Pavilion, North Parade Road, Bath BA2 4EU

Upcoming Talks are:

4 May 2023

DROPPING THE HABIT - A NUN’S STORY by Marion Dante

1 June 2023

THE HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE NORTH SOMERSET COALFIELD by Shane

Gould

6 July 2023

WITCH FINDER OF THE WEST COUNTRY : JOSEPH GLANVILL (1636 – 1680)

byTony McAleavy

For the first time, the local authority also calculated and published figures on the ethnicity pay gap. The report found that the mean average hourly rate of pay for staff identifying as white was £16.23 per hour, whereas for staff identifying as ethnic minority, it was £15.20 per hour – a gap of £1.03.

However, the median figures showed that the pay of people selfidentifying as white was £14.25 per hour, while employees selfidentifying as ethnic minority earned £14.62 per hour – 37p higher.

The gender pay gap is different from equal pay. While equal pay relates to men and women receiving equal pay for equal work, the gender pay

“We also champion the Springboard Development Programme designed specifically for female employees considering leadership roles.

“This, combined with flexible working practices including the genuine opportunity for many colleagues to work in a blended way to suit their lives, has helped us to address some of the issues that influence pay gaps.”

Bath & North East Somerset Council said it is committed to showing leadership and organisational commitment to equality and employing a diverse and engaged workforce.

The council uses a policy of paying employees equally for the same or equivalent work, using the HAY job evaluation analytical methodology to ensure a fair and consistent pay evaluation structure.

Statutory guidance from the Government Equalities Office says that any employer with 250 or more employees on a specific date each year (the ‘snapshot date’) must report and publish their gender pay gap data within a year of the snapshot date.

The Guildhall in Bath

Rebecca di Corpo, Professor John Strachan, Her Imperial Highness Princess Esther Selassie Antohin and Professor Ian Gadd | Photo © Bath Spa University

Estate agent to sponsor RUHX’s Walk of Life

BATH-BASED estate agent

Savills has announced it will continue its support of local charity RUHX’s flagship fundraising event, the Walk of Life, as its main sponsor. The event will be held on Saturday 20th May 2023 and aims to promote healthy living while reducing pressure on hospitals. Savills, which has now sponsored the Walk of Life for two years, enables RUHX to support the local community through funds raised during the walk.

RUHX is the official NHS charity of the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

Alistair Heather, Head of Savills Bath said: “It is a privilege to sponsor this fantastic initiative in support of such an important part of our community here in Bath.

“Those who live locally know just how vital the Royal United Hospital (RUH) Bath is to our city, and our team is no exception, with most of us having experienced its services first-hand.

“We have supported the Walk of Life for several years now and are excited to return as headline sponsor this year, and looking forward to getting our walking boots muddy on the very pretty

31-year-old man jailed for ‘inhumane’ attack on woman

A 31-YEAR-OLD man who raped a woman he met during a night out in Bath has been jailed for nearly eight years following a trial at Bristol Crown Court.

Anthony Brown-Jones, of Rugeley, Staffordshire, denied raping his victim in September 2020 at a holiday lodge but was found guilty.

canal route.”

Every year, hundreds of people take to the Kennet & Avon canal in support of the RUH.

The walk will start from Bishops Cannings, just outside of Devizes, and continue along the canal path through to Bradford-onAvon and finish in central Bath.

Participants can choose to join for the full 26.2-mile walk or a 10-mile walk in the afternoon, starting at Bradford-on-Avon. Funds raised by the event will go to the area of greatest need in the hospital, unless walkers choose to fundraise for a particular ward or department which they are passionate about supporting.

RUHX helps to fund innovative new technologies and collaborate with groups tackling health inequalities.

People interested in participating in the event can visit the RUHX website for more information and to sign up.

Sentencing Brown-Jones to seven years and six months in prison, Judge Martin Picton said the attack was “animalistic” and “inhumane”. Brown-Jones must serve two-thirds of his custodial sentence before being considered for parole and will also be on the sex offenders’ register for life.

In a statement read out in court ahead of the sentencing hearing on Wednesday 5th April, his victim said: “[Brown-Jones] felt entitled to do what he wanted and I was not in a position to defend myself.

“I was drunk, I was unconscious. I would never have consented.

“This investigation has had a massive impact over the last two years on me and my family.

“I also know it is going to have a massive impact on him, because of what he has done and the sentence that will be passed.

“I am not an unkind or malicious

31-year-old

person, but he needs to be punished and I would like to thank the jury for the decision that they have come to.” Detective Constable Jon Oakey, the investigating officer, said: “This was a disgusting attack on a defenceless young woman who at the time was unable to consent to having sex.

“Together, with our partners, we have provided her with support but I don’t underestimate the impact the attack has had.

“While the victim does not remember the incident, it’s clear the trauma of knowing what happened is just as significant.

“I’d like to thank her for the support she has shown our investigation – it’s because of the strength and resilience she has shown that a dangerous rapist is now in prison.”

Victims of rape or sexual assault, recent or non-recent, can selfrefer to The Bridge, a Sexual Assault Referral Centre available 24/7 365 days a year.

You can visit their website at www.thebridgecanhelp.org.uk or call 0117 342 6999. You can also visit www.thisisnotanexcuse. org for details of charities and organisations that are experts in supporting victims.

LIN’S LEISURE TRIPS PERFECT GETAWAYS

MAY BE CLOSER THAN YOU THINK

*Lin’s Leisure Trips offers outings for both able-bodied and disabled people. Local pickups for all trips.

FRI 5th MAY - HAMPTON COURT CASTLE, Herefordshire

8am - 4.30pm. £43 (£41 CONC) £39 - ENTRANCE INC.

FRI 12th MAY - MINEHEAD

8am - 4pm. £29 (£27 conc), age 17 or under £25

FRI 19th MAY - COTSWOLD FALCONRY CENTRE, Moreton-in-Marsh 9am - 4pm. £34 (£32 CONC) £30 - ENTRANCE INC.

FRI 26th MAY - HAMPTON COURT PALACE, London

8am - 4.30pm. £29 (£27 CONC) £25 TRANSPORT ONLY

SAT 27th MAY - CLARKS VILLAGE

9am - 3pm. £22 (£18 CONC) £16

FRI 2nd JUNE - LONGLEAT (Coach won’t be going around the safari) OR STOURHEAD NATIONAL TRUST

8am - 4/4.30pm. £25 (£22 conc), age 17 or under £20 Transport only

FRI 9th JUNE - WEYMOUTH

8am - 4pm. £29 (£27 conc), age 17 or under £25

If you cancel once a coach or minibus has been booked your money can only be returned if your seat reservation is resold. Coach may be cancelled if less than half full.

Anthony Brown-Jones | Photo © Avon & Somerset Police

Pictures from the Past: In the News

Traffic - trams, cycles and floating bus stops

Kirsten Elliott Akeman Press

TRAFFIC issues are very much in the news, what with floating bus stops and cycle lanes – not to mention low traffic neighbourhoods.

Things weren’t that much easier a century ago when Bath had its own trams – it’s just that the problems were different.

Bath’s trams started off as horse-drawn affairs in the late Victorian age, which was fine, as they trundled along on the flat and got you where you wanted to go at a leisurely pace. Things started to go downhill when electric trams came along a few years later to let Bathonians know that the Edwardian age had well and truly arrived.

The problem was, that instead of sticking to the old routes along the flat, the tram company got ambitious, and started laying tracks up to Bear Flat and Combe Down, and up through Oldfield Park. Although this worked well most of the time, if the drivers were a bit inexperienced or took their eyes off the ball, they had a nasty tendency to run away downhill, and once they’d started rolling there was little you could do to stop them until they careered off the tracks and toppled over or ended up in somebody’s front wall. But, although they might on occasion have given a white-knuckle ride, they do look a lot of fun. The two photos here show trams in the High Street. In the first, a tram is set for a run to Twerton – a nice level ride. The cyclist weaving along in front of the tram though is negotiating a hazard his presentday counterparts don’t have to cope with (at least not in Bath) – tram tracks. Getting one of your wheels caught in these could be a recipe for an unscheduled flight over the handlebars – floating bus stops are a doddle by comparison. In the second photo, passengers are seen boarding one of Bath’s single-decker trams, specially built for the Oldfield Park route so they could go under the railway bridge on Westmoreland Road. They are, you will note, getting on in the middle of the road – no such luxuries as kerbside tram stops back then – but presumably what traffic there was was content to go around them as they don’t seem to be that anxious about the arrangement.

COLUMN | Mark Shelford, Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner

WE all enjoy attending events and watching live music and sport – especially during the summer – and criminals know how to exploit people who want discounts or tickets to popular events and shows.

New national figures reveal that over £6.7million was lost to ticket fraud in 2022 and Action Fraud received over 7,088 reports of ticket fraud, with 138 reports from Avon and Somerset residents. As part of their latest awareness campaign, Action Fraud is working with the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR) to promote the safe and secure purchasing of tickets to events and

advises the public to follow the appropriate preventative measures.

Unscrupulous ticket sellers prey on people’s excitement for their own financial gain. Always be vigilant when buying anything online, only buy from official promoters and ticket agents and be wary of messages offering unbelievably good deals. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Last Saturday marked the 30th anniversary of Stephen Lawrence’s death. Stephen Lawrence Day provides us with an opportunity to celebrate and remember the life and legacy of the teenager

who was killed in a racist attack aged just 18.

The day is coordinated by the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, founded by Stephen’s mother, Baroness Lawrence. The theme for this year was, ‘What does the Stephen Lawrence anniversary mean to you?’ For me, this commemoration plays an integral part in helping to reinforce that there is no place in society for racism. I will continue to maximise the work on Tackling Disproportionality while ensuring thorough scrutiny of the action taken by Avon and Somerset Police under the Police Race Action Plan (PRAP).

Finally, I thoroughly enjoyed my most recent engagement day in Bath and North East Somerset. Avon and Somerset Police’s VRU Coordinator and I visited Youth Connect South West, a charity that supports young people to enjoy today, prepare for tomorrow and become the people they want to be.

I met with the Senior Operational Manager and Programme Manager for target support and employability to discuss their new and exciting project. You can watch a video of this discussion on the Avon and Somerset Po-

lice and Crime Commissioner’s Facebook page. I also had an insightful visit to Southside, a charity that provides support to victims of domestic abuse, family support and counselling. I would like to thank all the staff and volunteers who supported my visit and for their dedicated work to make a difference to local people. It was great meeting such a varied group of community groups; I was impressed with the work of both charities, the opportunities they provide to local residents and the work the volunteers do with young people in the area.

You can find the answers to last issue's crossword on page 16. Congratulations to Martin Rust for winning £20!

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 04/05/2023. 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.

Locals encouraged to join popular Party in the City event

THE city of Bath is gearing up for its biggest party of the year on Friday 12th May, and everyone is being invited to get involved.

The city centre will be transformed into a huge stage, with hundreds of singers, poets, bands, and choirs performing in more than 30 venues across the city.

The event is part of the opening celebrations of the Bath Festival, which is marking its 75th anniversary this year.

The Party in the City will take place from 5pm, with music ringing out from Bath’s most iconic buildings, including Bath Abbey, St Michael’s Without and St Swithin’s Church.

There will also be at The Holburne Museum and Victoria Art Gallery, and pubs, bars, cafés, and shops will host live events throughout the evening.

Thousands of visitors and locals alike are expected to flock to the event, which will fill the streets with a celebration of music and culture.

There will be a stage and stalls set up in Queen Square, as well as a whole evening of entertainment in Parade Gardens and under cover at Green Park Station.

To help plan the evening, Bath Festivals has produced a flyer which includes a map of all the

venues and a full programme of who is playing where. Programme details are also available on the Bath Festivals website.

Allison Herbert, Chief Executive of Bath Business Improvement District (BID), the business partnership which promotes and supports business activity in the city centre, said: “We always look forward to The Bath Festival, which every year showcases a wealth of talent in books and music.

“Bath BID is proud to sponsor Party in the City on the opening night of the festival, which will welcome visitors, and local families too, to the city’s restaurants, bars, and venues.

Congratulations to The Bath Festival on its 75th anniversary!”

The Bath Festival 2023 will focus on the theme “Opening Up” this year, opening up conversations, ideas, and minds among its audiences.

The line-up includes internationally acclaimed novelist Tan Twan Eng, actor Paterson Joseph, The Great British Sewing Bee’s Esme Young, Costa First Novel award-winner Caleb Azumah Nelson, multiaward-winning Bath-based author Max Porter, violinist Esther Yoo, author of The Salt Path Raynor Winn, Turner Prizewinning artist Jeremy Deller,

author of breakout hit Honey & Spice Bolu Babalola, menopause expert Dr Louise Newson, and brass quintet Connaught Brass. The music programme will feature young talent, with rising classical music stars alongside the creative free spirit of the Bath Festival Orchestra, playing in Parade Gardens at Party in the City as part of the orchestra’s residency during the opening weekend.

For the first time, the festival is offering a new flexible pricing model for tickets to make its live arts events more accessible to a wider audience.

Party in the City will feature some of Bath’s best-loved musicians and bands, including the Orchestra of Everything, Blowout Sax, The Red Bandits, Widcombe Choir, The Arkansas Jukebox Collective, and KES Soul Band. The evening will start at Bath Abbey, where the massed ranks of the Schools’ Voices choir will be singing their own compositions. The choir is made up of young people from 12 local secondary schools working in collaboration with Bath Philharmonia. The night will kick off in Queen Square with a set from Muw Shed, the community musical project which this year marks its tenth anniversary of developing new talent. Popular west country

Swimming Classes for Adults

Tuesdays and Thursday evenings

Kingswood School pool, Lansdown Road, Bath Sympathetic tuition, tailored to the individual

We are qualified Level 2 coaches who have started this swim school after many years’ experience of coaching younger swimmers from beginner up to competing at district and national level. We also have an Open Water Coaching qualification to support the relatively new interest in triathlons and wild swimming etc.

Beginners: Many nervous swimmers have been helped by us to overcome their fears with support both in and out of the water, within a friendly and supportive group.

Improvers: For those who can swim but who wish to either learn new strokes and/or be taught correct technique, again tuition is per individual.

Triathletes/Open Water: If you want to work on your stroke to improve your times and endurance then you will be given full technique instruction, together with the option to work with session plans aimed towards competition or just fitness training

We successfully work on both the mind and body to enable the individual to achieve previously unattainable goals, whatever your level of ability.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me, June, today on 07908 671966

folkies, Folklaw will be closing the party in Queen Square on the night. Venues will also include The Guildhall Banqueting Room and the intimate upstairs rooms at The Drawing Rooms, with high energy bands at Komedia, and some acoustic sessions at The Forum Coffee House.

For the first time, The Cork, The Bath Cider House, and Chapter 22 will also be among the venues taking part in Party in the City.

If you’re planning on attending, there will be bars open at many venues, including Queen Square, Parade Gardens, and Green Park Station.

Additionally, there will be plenty of opportunities to donate to help fund future Party in the City nights. If you plan on buying street food from one of the festival stalls, you can bring your own cutlery and plates to save waste. For full programme details, visit: thebathfestival.org.uk.

Celebrations for the Coronation of His Majesty The King

A Royal Celebration at Bath Abbey

Bath Abbey is marking the Coronation with a series of events over the bumper Bank Holiday weekend this May.

On Friday 5th May, enjoy a concert fit for a King, with the Abbey's acclaimed choirs celebrating the Coronation with a special performance of music from past Coronations and royal events. Featured items will be Parry's 'I Was Glad,' Handel's 'Zadok The Priest,' and Mathias' 'Let The People Praise Thee.'

The youngest Abbey choir, the Melody Makers, will join the Abbey choirs of Boys, Girls and Lay Clerks in a glorious evening of royal music. Tickets from £10 (excluding fees).

On Saturday 6th May, the Abbey will live screen the Coronation ceremony in London from 11am, with a Coronation Peal rung at the end of the service.

On Sunday 7th May, all services in the Abbey will have a Coronation theme, with a special Choral Evensong.

On Monday 8th May, the Abbey will host a drop-in family activity, Patriotic Printing. Children can find out more about the kings and queens who shaped the amazing church, then print, cut and stick images to design their own colourful and unique picture to take home.

Coronation celebrations at The Cork

The Cork promises a long Coronation weekend filled with fun, laughter, food and drink.

Kicking off the weekend on Thursday, The Cork invites guests to join them for a special Drag Queen Bingo night. On Friday, the regular Rewind night is back. On Saturday, the pub will be showing the full Coronation on their screens.

What's On

The Lord of the Rings In Concert

The Forum

25th April, 7.30pm

J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” in concert, featuring The Shire Choir and Philharmonic Orchestra, the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Republic of Belarus and film guests.

City Nature Challenge

Various Locations

28th April – 1st May

Want to help local wildlife this spring? Join residents in an epic, collaborative mission to record as much nature as possible using photo entries on the free iNaturalist app.

The Landscape of Bath

BRLSI

3rd May, 7 - 9pm

The last in a series of six talks about the UNESCO World Heritage status of the city of Bath. How could we better reflect the integration of landscape and architecture in this time of climate change?

A Right Royal City Walking Tour

What has royalty done for Bath? What has Bath done for royalty? On both counts, a great deal! The coronation of Edgar, the first crowned king of all England, took place in Bath in 973 AD. Ever since, coronation services have been based on what happened in the Saxon Bath Abbey 1,050 years ago. Discover Bath's many fascinating royal connections on this two-hour walking tour on the coronation weekend.

Led by a professional Blue Badge Tourist Guide, the tour takes in a royal-titled theatre, street, square, crescent and park, along with royal-related coats of arms and monuments, to uncover Bath's intimate links with royalty.

You'll also learn about the influence that monarchs as diverse as Alfred the Great, Richard I and Elizabeth I had on the development of Bath, and how kings and queens in centuries past came to the city seeking a cure from their ailments by bathing in the health-giving thermal waters.

5th & 6th May

The tours will start 5pm in Abbey Churchyard, in front of the main doors of Bath Abbey. £16 per person

£11 students and under 18s

Celebrate at the Ivy Bath Brasserie

The Ivy Bath Brasserie is raising a toast to His Majesty with a range of bespoke cocktails and a menu fit for royalty to celebrate the Coronation. Until 14th May, guests can choose from a selection of dishes, and cocktails inspired by His Majesty. For those with a sweet tooth, The King’s Crown dessert makes for a perfect end to a regal meal.

Fun at Bath Central Library

Visit Bath Central Library for some Coronation themed fun. Feel like royalty and decorate a crown and royal badge, join in with a nature trail around the library and help make a community garden out of recycled objects.

Activities will be taking place on Saturday 29th April and Saturday 6th May from 1pm – 4pm. There'll also be a special Storytime with local author Joe Robson on Saturday 29th April at 2pm, suitable for parents and carers with children aged 0 – 6 years. All activities are drop in and free of charge.

Garden Party at The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa

Celebrate the Coronation on Friday 5th May in the gardens of The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa, accompanied by a jazz band, lawn games and the scent of Highgrove Bouquet by Penhaligon's Perfumers. All garden party guests will be served Afternoon Tea, with patisseries flavoured with notes from Highgrove Bouquet - a new perfume created by Penhaligon's in partnership with King Charles III to evoke a floral Summer in his Cotswold Gardens. Accompany your tea with a Highgrove Bouquet Summer Cocktail, featuring Gusbourne sparkling English wine. Penhaligon's team will be offering a scent profiling experience on the day, and the team from Gusbourne's who will be treating everyone to a journey through their English wines. Each adult guest will also receive a Penhaligon's Gift Bag to take home, including scented gifts and a signature printed scarf.

Timings: 1pm - 5pm Tickets: £95 per person, or £30 for children under 12. Booking essential - email events@royalcrescent.co.uk or call 01225 823 333.

Tuesday 25th April - Monday 8th May 2023

Julius Caesar

The Rondo Theatre

26th – 29th April, 7.30pm

Bath Drama's Julius Caesar tells the age-old Shakespearean saga of power struggles between elites at untold cost. Played in the original language with innovative modern staging.

Macbeth

The Egg

29th & 30th April

Vibrant language and physical theatre chart the devastating effect that one act of evil can have on an otherwise honourable and loyal man.

Tickets: £10

Piers Taylor: The Living City Museum of Bath Architecture

4th May, 5.30pm - 7.30pm

Join a talk from Ben Wilson, Sunday Times bestselling winner, on his new book. Urban Jungle: Wilding the City, an eye-opening and urgent re-examination of nature in our cities.

Dean Friedman - In Concert

The Mission Theatre

27th April, 7.30pm

Friedman returns to the stage with a collection of his insightful and compelling, true-to-life ‘story songs’ - songs of pathos and humour that deal with family, friends, neighbours and work.

Superhero Family Funday

Bath Racecourse

1st May, 1.30pm – 8.15pm

An action-packed day of family fun is set to make for a thrilling May Bank Holiday at Bath Racecourse. It'll be all smiles as the kids enjoy all of the free entertainment.

Skye

Komedia

4th May, 7pm

Skye is a self producing singer-songwriter based in the South West. She creates her own ‘sad girl pop’ sound combining soft synth and acoustic driven bedroom pop.

Larkhall Festival 2023

Larkhall

28th April - 1st May

Get involved in this popular festival, run by the community for the community. Featuring a range of events and workshops at various locations around the Larkhall area.

Of Mice and Men

The Theatre Royal, Bath

2nd – 6th May

A story of enduring friendship, this new production from Iqbal Khan, puts a 2023 lens on Steinbeck’s affecting tale of the crumbling American dream. Note: this production contains sensitive content.

Plant Sale Sunday Holburne Museum

7th May, 10.30am – 2.30pm

The Holburne Friends annual fundraising Plant Sale. A fun and free event for everyone. Go and buy some plants and herbs, browse secondhand books and hand-made cards. Tea, coffee and cakes.

Time running out to take advantage of Race for Life discount

CANCER Research UK is encouraging people to join their annual Race for Life event in Bath, which is returning to the city later this year.

The Race for Life will take place at Royal Victoria Park on Sunday 2nd July and is open to people of all ages and abilities. Participants can choose from 5k and 10k events, as well as the popular Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids races.

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life is a series of events that raise millions of pounds every year to help fund crucial research aimed at beating cancer.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Race for Life, and to celebrate, participants will receive an exclusive medal to mark the milestone.

As part of a special sale, anyone who signs up before Sunday 30th April can claim a 30% discount off the entry fee by using the code SPRING30.

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with headline sponsor Standard Life, raises funds for life-saving research to help beat cancer.

One in two people in the UK born after 1960 will get cancer in their lifetime, according to the charity. “We’d love for as many people as possible across Bath to join us during our 30th year of Race for Life,” said Sam Morris, Race for Life spokesperson for Bath.

“Spring is an ideal time to commit to getting a little more active. Sadly, cancer affects all of us in some way. 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. So we’re asking people across Bath: ‘Who will you Race for?’

“Our Race for Life events are open to all. For some people, 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, taking up the challenge of the 10K distance.

Law firm gives charity’s garden a makeover

“But what is for certain is we’re looking forward to welcoming people of all ages and abilities.” Funds raised through the event will enable scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, helping to save more lives.

Chief executive of Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, Andy Curran, 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 the events in Bath, visit raceforlife.org.

A GROUP from a Bath law firm have given a helping hand to local charity Mentoring Plus by sprucing up its garden at the Riverside Youth Hub.

The charity supports children and young people across the Bath and North East Somerset area with mentors, with Stone King’s team volunteering their time to the worthwhile cause.

The team was made up of solicitor apprentices and trainees who spent an afternoon tidying up the area and adding new plants. The outdoor activity followed sessions at Stone King’s Bath headquarters to help the cohort continue their career development. The firm’s knowledge and learning manager Lisa Garbelotto said: “The group has been keen to do a CSR activity for some time and we were really pleased to be able to help such a respected and worthwhile organisation.

“Lawyers are normally known for their legal knowledge so it’s great that we were also able to show off the team’s green fingers too; hopefully we’ll be able to make it an annual event.”

Becki Fox, Community Manager for Mentoring Plus added: “It was wonderful to have a group of volunteers along from Stone King for the afternoon, they did an amazing job of tidying and brightening up our garden. “Hosting volunteer days at our Youth Hub gives us the chance to connect with local businesses and for volunteers to give something back to their community at the same time. If you are interested in coming to Riverside to volunteer or finding out more about our volunteer mentor program, please get in touch by emailing community@ mentoringplus.net, you can also find out more information on our website.”

Residents who smoke being urged to ‘Put it Out, Right Out’

AVON Fire & Rescue Service has shared key safety advice to help people across Bath stay safe at home as part of their ongoing work to promote fire prevention.

The fire service is reminding smokers to ‘Put it Out, Right Out’ whenever they light a cigarette, install smoke alarms on every level of the home and to test them regularly.

Without a working smoke alarm, you are at least eight times more likely to die in an accidental fire in the home.

Steve Quinton, Avon Fire & Rescue's Temporary Area Manager for Prevention and Protection said: “Fires ignited by cigarettes or smoking materials result in more fatalities than any other fire.

“Despite a fall in the overall number of fires caused by these products, it’s still the biggest cause of accidental fires in the home across the country.” Simple steps can help prevent a

cigarette fire in the home. These include:

• Never smoke in bed. Take care when you’re tired – it’s very easy to fall asleep while your cigarette is still burning and set furniture alight.

• Never smoke when under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If your lit cigarette starts a fire you could be less able to escape.

• Put it out, right out – make sure your cigarette is fully extinguished.

• Fit a smoke alarm and test it at least monthly. A working smoke alarm can buy you valuable time to get out, stay out and call 999.

• Never leave lit cigarettes, cigars or pipes unattended –they can easily overbalance as they burn down.

• Use a proper, heavy ashtray that can’t tip over easily and is made of a material that won’t burn.

Quitting is the best way to remove

the risk of fire in your home.

The NHS has many stop-smoking services, which are free, friendly and can massively boost your chances of quitting.

Steve continued: “Some people

choose to use e-cigarettes or ‘vapes’ whilst giving up smoking. Be aware that these items often contain lithium-ion batteries and so care must be taken to charge and use them safely.

“Always buy chargers from reputable retailers, never leave items charging when you’re asleep or away from the home, and regularly check your chargers and devices for damage.”

Taking part in the Race for Life event | Photo © Cancer Research UK

The team from Stone King

Dorothy House seeking adventurers for Vietnam

LOCAL charity Dorothy House is on the lookout for intrepid adventurers to join its second international trek, which will take place in Vietnam in April 2024.

The hospice is seeking a group of people looking for their next major challenge to get involved in the fundraiser.

With a project at a rural community hospital and a trek through the Pu Luong Natural Reserve, it’s an opportunity to cross something off the bucket list whilst also raising vital funds for Dorothy House.

Participants have to raise £3,900, with at least half going directly to Dorothy House Hospice to allow staff and volunteers to continue to deliver end-of-life care to patients and their families.

It costs £202.95 to fund a Hospice at Home Carer to provide care overnight, enabling a patient to stay at home at the end of their life, meaning someone taking on Trek Vietnam could fund overnight care for several patients and their families.

Terry, whose wife was cared for by Dorothy House in 2020 and received care from the Hospice at Home Carers, is already signed up to take on Trek Vietnam. He said: “Apart from thinking Dorothy House was a place where people go to die, I knew little of the organisation. All that

was to dramatically change when in 2020 my wife was diagnosed with MND.

“Struggling to cope and to take on board the inevitable consequence of this illness, plus dealing with the challenges of looking after a terminally ill and increasingly frail wife, it was recommended I approach Dorothy House Hospice Care.

“The support they provided, on a mental and physical level, cannot be overstated. I will never forget their outstanding care, helping me to accept that my wife would not be with me for much longer.

“We then had what became daily visits from their carers, which enabled her to remain at home until the end. She finally died in January of 2022, but their support continues, and will do so for as long as I need it.

“Wondering how to acknowledge this, and not wishing to use the rather blunt instrument of a cash donation, I was so pleased when the opportunity arose to join their trekking trip to Vietnam.

“This was an opportunity to meet up with other like-minded people, and also raise much needed funds for Dorothy House.”

Leaving the UK on 20th April, you’ll fly to Hanoi, spending some time there before heading out to Mai Chau to a community hospital.

Once there, you’ll take on a project within the palliative care unit of the hospital working alongside the local team to improve facilities. Tasks could include activities such as repainting, gardening, decorating and other hands-on refurbishment-type tasks.

After a few days with the staff and villagers around the community hospital, you’ll head off to the Pu Luong Natural Reserve where the trek begins. With 4 days of trekking ahead,

you will cross various terrain, stay in local villages in traditional stilt houses, and get to meet the people of the region. You will then head back to Hanoi for a free day in the city and a farewell dinner before heading back to the UK and landing on 30th April. The trek is graded moderate to challenging. You will be trekking for 5 consecutive days, over varying and sometimes challenging terrain. You will cover approximately 15-20km

per day which will take around 6-7 hours.

Those wanting to take part should get training, walking as much as possible, but it will be very achievable for anyone thinking about it.

To find out more and get registered for Trek Vietnam, head to the Dorothy House website. For any questions, contact Community and Events Fundraiser Dan Varley via dan. varley@dorothyhouse-hospice. org.uk or call 01225 721388.

Participants will visit Mai Chau in Vietnam

Latest round of Covid-19 booster vaccinations begins

PEOPLE in Bath who are most at risk of falling seriously ill from Covid-19 are set to be offered a further booster vaccination.

Those aged 75 and over, as well as anyone with a weakened immune system, will be contacted and invited to book an appointment to get vaccinated.

Some will be able to arrange their booster directly with their GP practice when invited to do so, while others will be asked to book an appointment at a community pharmacy or nearby pop-up clinic. Thousands still become ill with Covid-19 each week, and although previous vaccination rounds have lessened the impact for most, those who are older or living with pre-existing conditions are still at risk.

Gill May, Chief Nurse, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “Vaccines have enabled us to live alongside Covid-19, and through continued regular vaccination opportunities for our most vulnerable residents, we are helping to keep more people protected.

“This latest vaccination phase picks up where we left off at the end of last year, and will ensure the immunity of those who could potentially become very unwell with Covid-19 is as strong as it can be before the next round begins in the autumn.

“Having another booster vaccine

now will keep those most at-risk protected during the spring and summer months, which we know is a time when many begin to travel and socialise more.”

Following the closure of the region’s large vaccination centres, those coming forward for vaccines during April and May will now receive their jabs in smaller community venues, such as GP practices, community centres and pharmacies.

People are asked to wait until they have been contacted, either by text, telephone call or letter, before attempting to book an appointment with their GP practice or through the National Booking Service.

Appeal for Parkinson’s trial volunteers

RESEARCHERS at the RUH are appealing for more people with Parkinson’s disease to volunteer to take part in vital studies into the complex condition.

medication can help to reduce the number of falls that people with Parkinson’s experience.

This will ensure that venues with limited appointment availability are able to see patients in order of clinical need.

Vaccinations will be happening throughout the spring and early summer, meaning every person eligible for a booster jab will be able to receive the vaccine at some point over the coming weeks.

People who live in care homes and qualify for a booster vaccine will be visited by teams of mobile vaccinators before the start of the wider vaccination programme. The National Booking Service can be accessed online at www.nhs. uk or over the phone by calling 119.

Parkinson’s disease sees parts of the brain become progressively damaged over the years, leading to a wide range of physical and psychological symptoms, including involuntary shaking of parts of the body, slow movement and stiff muscles. While there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease there are treatments available that aim to reduce symptoms and help people to maintain their quality of life.

RUH Research Nurse Ruth Hamlin said: “The treatments and medications for Parkinson’s disease which are in use today are the result of previous research trials, which shows how important these studies are in tackling conditions like this.

“We find that people who do volunteer for trials get a lot of satisfaction from knowing they are contributing to the discovery of what could be really vital treatments for people with their condition.” There is still time to sign up to the Chief PD trial at the RUH, which is exploring whether

Another trial set to begin at the RUH soon will be recruiting people living with Parkinson’s who experience hallucinations. The hospital is also recruiting for a study for people with conditions associated with Parkinson’s disease such as progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare neurological condition that can cause problems with balance, movement, vision and speech.

Research Physiotherapist Emily Graham said: “We run a lot of studies looking at various aspects of Parkinson’s disease and while some studies do require people to attend the hospital, others can be done from home, which we know can be very helpful for people with movement difficulties.

“Research is vital in shaping future treatments in all areas of healthcare, so if you have Parkinson’s and would like to be part of one of our studies, please get in touch and we can discuss the trials that we have available for you to take part in.”

To volunteer for a Parkinson’s research trial at the RUH, email ruh-tr.researchopu@nhs.net or call 01225 825797.

16-year-old awarded for creating activity packs for patients

A ‘COMMITTED and caring’ 16-year-old NHS Cadet has received an award for his dedication to creating hundreds of bags filled with activities for hospital patients.

Jamie Burton, from Bath, helped to lead more than 20 other young people in the project, which involved packing bags for both children and adults staying at the Royal United Hospital. The bags, which were handed out over Christmas, included various arts and crafts, as well as knitting equipment, to help occupy patients during their hospital stay.

The NHS Cadets programme was launched in 2020 in partnership with St John Ambulance and NHS England.

It aims to encourage diverse careers in the NHS and targets underrepresented 14 – 18-yearolds, including those growing up in care, refugees, or those caring for a loved one at home.

To date, NHS Cadets has helped over a thousand young people gain experience in healthcare and the skills needed to set them up

for future careers, with workplace experience to enhance their CVs.

Jamie, who hopes to become a paramedic, said: “It’s been great to hear from some of the patients on how it helped them pass the time and made their stay in hospital a little bit better – which

is exactly why we did it.”

The award was presented to Jamie by Dr. Amos Ogunkoya, an NHS doctor and star of BBC One’s ‘The Traitors,’ at a ceremony held at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol.

Chez Mundeta, St John Ambulance NHS Cadets Project

Lead, said: “Small acts of kindness, when multiplied by many, can transform the world.

“Our NHS Cadets’ hard work and dedication creating these activity bags for the patients was a true testament to this. I am so proud of the positive impact that they

made, bringing joy and comfort to those in need.”

The NHS Cadets programme operates at over 100 NHS Trusts, secondary schools, and academies across the country, with each programme lasting 36 weeks. The young people enrolled take part in 90-minute sessions delivered by experienced youth leaders, allowing them to work on different activities to develop their healthcare knowledge. They also have opportunities to volunteer at their local NHS Trust and to learn more about the 350 different career choices available in the NHS, beyond clinical careers.

Hugh McKinney, Learning and Development Lead and Trust NHS Cadet Lead at the RUH, added: “With the help of Jamie and his fellow NHS Cadets, we were able to provide more patients than ever before with an activity pack last Christmas.

“This made such a huge difference to the people we care for, and we’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the NHS Cadets for making this possible.”

Thousands of people are still becoming ill with Covid-19 every week

NHS cadet Jamie with Dr. Amos Ogunkoya | Photo courtesy of St John Ambulance

Preschool branded “inadequate” amid concerns over child safety

John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter

A PRESCHOOL has been branded “inadequate” by Ofsted, amid concerns it is not making sure children are safe from abuse.

Queens Road Methodist Church

Preschool in Keynsham had been rated “good” by the education regulator at their last inspection in 2017, but after an inspection on 24th February it received the lowest rating Ofsted can give. The inspection report said: “Children’s safety and welfare are compromised due to weaknesses in safeguarding arrangements. The management team does not ensure that they follow effective safeguarding procedures to make sure that children are safe from abuse.”

The report warned that the preschool’s safeguarding arrangements were not effective, stating: “They do not thoroughly investigate why children have not attended the setting, including

those who have been identified at possible risk of abuse and neglect.

“Although the manager and staff know how to identify the possible signs and indicators of abuse, they do not ensure that they keep accurate records of their concerns and do not pass on all child protection concerns to the appropriate agencies.”

The preschool’s management was also criticised for not ensuring new members of the committee go through the required suitability checks with Ofsted.

But the report was more positive about the children’s experiences at the preschool. It stated: “Children are welcomed into the pre-school by staff, who greet them warmly.

“They separate positively from parents and are excited to join their friends at the variety of activities on offer as they come in.”

It added that staff support

Work underway to refurbish workshops

children’s developing independence and teach children to think about others.

The report said: “The manager and staff know the children well and collect information from parents about children before they start at the setting.

“Parents are complimentary about the preschool and staff. They value the time that staff give them to talk about their children.”

But it also said that, although staff could identify delays in children’s development, they were not adapting their teaching to tackle development gaps, particularly around speech and language. The management team was also criticised for not supporting the staff to develop their skills. The preschool’s website states: “Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.”

WORKSHOPS and facilities at Bath College’s Somer Valley Campus are being expanded and refurbished to benefit future students. Brand new workshops are being built to house the college’s stateof-the-art engineering suite, which will be open in September 2023.

The Somer Valley Construction Centre will have upgrades made to many workshops, including the installation of 2 mezzanine floors to provide additional teaching space for electrical and multi-skills students. It will also now house the state-

of-the-art Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Fulmax Suite. Investment is also being made into additional teaching spaces and the refurbishment of the dedicated motor vehicle workshop, creating modern teaching spaces, supported by digital technology.

The projects will benefit all students spanning levels 1- 5, along with apprentices of all ages. The investment will enable Bath College to meet regional and national industry skill requirements around sustainable energy and new construction technology and techniques.

Work is underway to refurbish facilities at the Somer Valley campus

Historic Monmouth Street pub reopens with new landlord

A POPULAR pub on Monmouth Street in Bath has reopened under new landlord and local resident Roger Payne, who also owns the Japanese restaurant Robun. Working alongside Bath Ales, Roger and his team has opened Grade II listed pub The Griffin Inn as a drinking establishment with bar snacks, and will launch the new food menu and refurbished rooms over the coming weeks. The Griffin Inn has benefited from a refurbishment, including in the taproom, parlour and snug areas, as well as the accommodation upstairs.

Following a short period of dormancy, the pub is now back open. The bar list includes a number of Bath Ales favourites, a hand-picked wine list, high-end spirits and a selection of cocktails crafted by mixologist Tony Vega. The new contemporary food offering will feature dishes ranging from chargrilled chicken & labneh salad and salmon rillettes on sourdough, to pies, charcuterie boards and Sunday

roasts. Food will be served from midday until 8pm every day, with a daily changing menu.

With eight rooms situated above the pub, The Griffin Inn will once again offer accommodation. Each living space will be refurbished, with all rooms set to have their own individual character.

Roger commented: “I’m over the moon to be taking over The Griffin Inn and am committed to running an establishment that Bath can be proud of.

Brewery recognised with prestigious awards

“This wonderful pub with rooms has a long held reputation for its quality offering and positive atmosphere, so we will look to build upon this and create a space where Bath’s locals and visitors can come together to enjoy a lively, but laidback environment.

“Having launched our Japanese restaurant, Robun in Bath just two years ago, I’m delighted to be taking on this new challenge and contributing further to the city’s revitalised hospitality scene.”

ABBEY Ales, the renowned Bath-based brewery, has come out on top at this year’s Taste of the West awards, securing five golds and a silver. The awards recognise the brewery’s bottled range, which is highly sought after at the Abbey Shop in Northumberland Place and in local restaurants.

Established in 1997, Abbey Ales has proven popular in the Bath brewing scene for over two decades, and this year’s success follows their recent win of the prestigious Bath CAMRA Pub of the Year 2022 award.

The CAMRA award was presented to the Star Inn on the Paragon, the brewery’s flagship pub and

brewery tap.

In addition to the Star Inn, Abbey Ales also runs two other pubs in the city, the Assembly Inn in Alfred Street, and the Coeur De Lion, which is the smallest pub in Bath.

Abbey Ales Sales Director Simon Morgan said: “We are introducing two new lines, a dark stout called Bath Stout, which will be available in bottle, and a Coronation Ale, which will be available both in bottle and in cask.”

Morgan added that both the stout and Coronation Ale bottles will be available online, as well as at the brewery’s bottle shop, which is located next to the Coeur de Lion in Northumberland Place.

Service New Look

The Griffin Inn on Monmouth Street

The new Bath Stout is available online and in the brewery's bottle shop

Permission sought for house behind Circus

John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS have been submitted for a new house at the back of Bath’s iconic Circus.

The Grade I listed Circus was built in the mid-eighteenth century on the designs of John Wood the Elder, whose son would go on to design the Royal Crescent down the road.

Though they might be on fewer postcards than their iconic neighbours, the streets at the back of the Circus and Royal Crescent are very popular real estate.

In 2021, a single garage on the road at the back of the Royal Crescent sold for £110,000.

Now Philip Fletcher of H. Sheppard and Sons hopes to get planning permission from Bath and North East Somerset Council for a new house on Circus Mews, the street behind the Circus. His plans would see what is

£12m of funding to insulate homes

AROUND 800 households across the West of England who are suffering from the cost of living crisis are set to benefit from improvements to their homes to help save on energy bills.

currently a contractor’s yard redeveloped and the building at the end which abuts the garden wall of 17, the Circus turned into a small house.

The house would have a single bedroom and a home office on the ground floor, with an upstairs kitchen and living area.

The frontage would be of Bath stone, in keeping with neighbouring buildings, but with a modern timber door.

A planning application was received by the council on 27th March, with the council aiming to make a decision on 30th May.

Thanks to a £12 million upgrade package for properties across the region secured by the West of England Combined Authority, people will be able to save between £200 and £400 each year. The cash will go towards loft insulation and new windows for 780 of the West’s hardest-to-heat homes, to bring them up to an energy efficiency ‘C’ rating over the next two years. With 31% of total carbon emissions in Bath and North East Somerset coming from leaky homes, the upgrades will help the West of England in its efforts to reach the ambitious net zero by 2030 target.

The schemes will also support hundreds more jobs in the construction and home retrofit sectors, helping in the delivery of Metro Mayor Dan Norris’s pledge of creating 23,000 new green jobs.

The funding award adds to the over £8 million brought forward by Mayor Norris for retrofitting across the region. Mr Norris has warned there is still more urgent work to do to retrofit the 250,000 homes in need of energy efficiency performances in the West of England, as he vowed to redouble efforts to insulate homes and keep more money in people’s pockets in a cost-of-living crisis.

He said: “The climate and costof-living emergencies are the biggest challenges we face as a

region right now.

“That’s why this is such a big win for Bath and NE Somerset and our region as we insulate the gorgeous Georgian Bath townhouses, Bristolian Victorian terraces and beautiful lias stone cottages and more to slash emissions and reduce home energy bills today – and long into the future.

“That’s vital at a time when energy prices are going through the roof. And it’s all the more vital if we are going to reach our very ambitious net-zero targets.”

MP calls for Airbnb rule change to be made sooner

BATH MP Wera Hobhouse has called on the government to speed up the implementation of proposed new regulations affecting Airbnb and other shortterm rental sites.

The changes will be part of the wider Renters’ Reform Bill, which is expected to come before Parliament later this year.

The MP is urging the government to fasttrack the Airbnb-related changes separately, to enable councils to act quickly when required.

Under the proposed legislation, homeowners wishing to list properties on Airbnb and similar platforms would be required to enter their addresses on a register.

This will allow local authorities to keep a database of short-term lets, and to intervene if a property is causing problems. However, the government has not yet set a firm date for the implementation of the new rules, which has led to concerns amongst some MPs, including Wera Hobhouse, who believes that the changes cannot come quickly enough.

Mrs Hobhouse said that she has heard from many constituents who are “deeply frustrated” by the “noise and disturbances” caused by short-term lets.

She welcomed the government’s plans to take action on the matter but expressed concerns about the lack of urgency.

The MP argued that the regulations are “long overdue”, and that the government needs to push forward with the changes as quickly as possible.

“The pace at which these regulations will be brought in is concerning, however,” she said.

“They are long overdue and the lack of

urgency the Government is displaying needs to change. Saying that we will introduce these changes but you will just have to wait is not good enough.

“The Government needs to stop sitting on its hands, fast-track the legislation and put a stop to this cycle of disruption that is impacting so many.”

Airbnb has faced criticism from many quarters in recent years, with concerns being raised about the impact of shortterm lets on local communities. While the platform has proved popular with travellers and homeowners alike, there have been calls for greater regulation to prevent abuse of the system. The proposed changes are seen by many as a positive step towards greater transparency and accountability within the short-term rental sector.

Airbnb properties would need to be on a register

Insulating homes will help to bring down energy bills

In Other News...

Almshouses set to reduce usage thanks to visit from Wessex Water

Choir raises more than £300 to support Parkinson’s UK

PARTIS College, a block of historic almshouses in Bath, has significantly reduced its water usage thanks to a recent visit from Wessex Water. The College, which is situated on Newbridge Hill, is now saving around 1,700 litres of water per day after leaks were repaired, and water-saving devices such as eco showerheads and tap aerators were installed in each property, as part of the water company’s free Home Check service. By making the property more water-efficient, Wessex Water has improved the College’s environmental footprint and sustainability, while helping its residents save money on water

and energy bills.

Tony Davies, chair of the Partis College trustees, has thanked Wessex Water for the visit.

He said: “It wasn’t until 1887 that mains water arrived at Partis College – before then 30 or so residents drew water from a well in the grounds.

“I’m sure those early occupants were well aware of the need to conserve water, if only to save the effort of hauling it up from underground.

“We’re very grateful to Wessex Water for helping us to do our bit for the environment and saving money at the same time – a win all round.”

Sarah Harding, water efficiency

manager at Wessex Water, added:

“It was a pleasure to help Partis College with our free Home Check programme.

“Helping customers, charities, schools, and other organisations to make their properties more efficient helps the environment by keeping more water in our rivers and streams.

“It can also make big financial savings, especially in the case of Partis College where we have customers on low incomes.” All Wessex Water customers can claim free water-saving devices for their homes.

To find out more, visit wessexwater.co.uk/water-savingdevices.

A CONCERT at Widcombe Baptist Church in Bath held by a Good Afternoon Choir has raised more than £300 to support the work of charity Parkinson’s UK. Bath-based music man Grenville Jones started the Good Afternoon Choirs 14 years ago. There are now 23 across the West of England, with over 1,000 afternoon singers. Each choir chooses a local charity to support with its fundraising, and the Bath Good Afternoon Choir selected the local Parkinson’s group to support with their concerts and fundraising for 2023.

Last year the region’s Good Afternoon Choirs raised over £22,000 for their chosen charities. On Saturday 25th March, a concert at Widcombe Baptist Church, where the choir rehearse every Thursday, raised £364.45

with performances by the Bath Good Afternoon Choir and Curtain Up Theatre School. Laura Cook is a Research & Academia and Compliance Neurologic Music Therapist. She said: “I originally approached Grenville to ask if there was any possibility for his choirs to support the work of Parkinson’s here in Bath. We had to stop our music therapy sessions due to lack of funding and Grenville readily agreed that he would support the start-up of the group and thanks to the wonderful concert at Widcombe Baptist we can now begin to plan them.

“A big thank you to the Bath Good Afternoon Choir and the Curtain Up young people for the wonderful concert which now enables us to plan the start-up of sessions for those in and around Bath and their families who are living with Parkinson’s.”

Roman Baths and Pump Room wins two prestigious awards

THE Roman Baths and Pump Room has scooped two prestigious accolades at the South West England Tourism Excellence Awards.

The historic attraction won Silver in the Wedding Venue of the Year category and Bronze for Accessible and Inclusive Tourism.

The winners were announced at a ceremony at the Eden Project in Cornwall.

Amanda Hart, Roman Baths and Pump Room Manager, said: “Our staff work hard to provide an award-winning experience to all of our visitors, and to ensure that wedding couples and their guests

have an amazing and memorable time at the Roman Baths.

“It’s great to have this recognised with two prestigious South West England Tourism Excellence Awards.”

The Roman Baths is a popular

venue for weddings. Couples can exchange vows beside the torchlit Great Bath, either at a Sunrise Wedding before the museum opens or a Sunset Ceremony after it closes.

Following the ceremony,

Crossword answers - Issue 049 (11/04/23)

Across: 1 Disguised, 6 Pesos, 9 Grebe, 10 Biography, 11 Otley, 12 Ordinary, 16 Chrysalis, 17 Lager, 20

26 Sewer, 29 Beekeeper, 31 Twine, 32 Tests, 33 Spaceship.

Down: 1 Dogs, 2 Sheltered, 3 Useless, 4 Sobs, 5 Duo, 6 Partial, 7 Supra, 8 Slyly, 13 Rustic, 14 Scan, 15

21 Surfers, 23 Theatre, 24 Rabat, 25 Glens, 27 Area, 28 Yelp, 30 Pas.

wedding receptions are held in the grand Pump Room or on the terrace overlooking the Great Bath. Guests can enjoy food and drink with a strong focus on sustainability and local sourcing, courtesy of caterers Searcys. The Roman Baths prides itself on being as welcoming as possible to visitors with disabilities. 90% of the historic building is accessible to wheelchair users and deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors can explore the site using a handheld British Sign Language guide.

A fully descriptive audio tour and tactile models are also available for blind and partially sighted

visitors.

Information is provided for autistic visitors and those experiencing potential claustrophobia.

The Roman Baths also offers quieter evenings throughout the year to neurodiverse visitors, and is working with the Stroke Association to become a Stroke Friendly Museum.

Wessex Water’s Home Check team | Photo courtesy of Wessex Water

The team with the two awards | Photo © Gareth Williams Photography

The choir at an event in Bath Abbey | Photo © Good Afternoon Choirs