Bath Echo - Issue 075 - 05/04/2024

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Volunteers may have to cancel next open day

Becky Feather Reporter

THE historic Claverton Pumping Station near Bath has this week been hit by the 17th flood since last October and hopes of opening the museum to the public this month are uncertain.

Claverton Pumping Station is a giant Grade I listed working waterwheel, and is a rare surviving example of the technology of the Georgian Regency period.

It was constructed in 1813 at the height of the Industrial Revolution and powers a large beam engine that pumps 50 gallons of water every two seconds from the River Avon up 48ft (over 14 metres) into the Kennet & Avon Canal. The pump operated until 1952, remaining largely unaltered throughout its working life.

The station was restored by volunteers between 1969 and 1976 and is maintained and run by members of the Claverton

Pumping Station Trust CIO which has a partnership agreement with the building's owner the Canal and River Trust.

The pumping station was designed to expect water and has survived hundreds of floods. The building has thick walls, drainage channels, and plenty of airflow. The team prepare by emptying the downstairs to stop items becoming waterborne which could damage the building and machinery. However, the last couple of years have been exceptional and even worse flooding is predicted in coming years. The recent relentless flooding gives the building little time to recover which can lead to rot.

A post by Claverton Pumping Station on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday 28th March said: “A very inopportune moment for a sudden flood. We were halfway through cleaning and installing our guarding ready to open in two weeks. 16th [flood] of the season, unfortunately this may delay our opening.”

The next day the team said: “Flood 16 continues to rise through the building. We are meant to be opening in 11 days and running the engine in 15. We may need to cancel our April open days.”

On Easter Saturday they posted: “High water mark of 1.15 metres. Some water still in the building. Every horizontal surface caked in mud. Clean-up begins.”

Then on Bank Holiday Monday came the announcement: “This morning the 17th flood since October washed into the building. This is not normal, and

this does not feel sustainable. Alongside repairs, it is clear we need to make changes to help us deal with the floods better.”

An online appeal - https:// bit.ly/3J1yoXp - has now been set up with a £5,000 target for flood repairs or flood resilience projects.

Claverton Pumping Station’s first open day of the year is due to be on Tuesday 9th April with the machinery due to run on Saturday 13th April. People are advised to check the museum’s website for updates.

D-day for controversial plans to build 290 homes

A HUGE protest is being planned outside the Guildhall in Bath next Wednesday when councillors will decide whether developers can build 290 homes within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty at Combe Hay.

The proposal lodged by The Hignett Family Trust is for South Stoke Plateau, between Odd Down Park & Ride to the west and Southstoke Lane to the east. It forms part of the strategic site known as Sulis Down which was allocated for residential development and removed from the Green Belt 10 years ago.

Planning permission for phase 1 (171 homes) which included open space and vehicular access from Combe Hay Lane was granted by Bath & North East Somerset Council in 2019.

The current application seeks detailed planning permission to continue the spine road across the north side of Sulis Manor, and outline planning permission for up to 290 homes on phases 3 and

4. Up to 40% of the homes would be “affordable” and the scheme includes the provision of new allotments, ecological mitigation, landscaping, drainage and new footpaths/cycleways.

But objectors say it will ruin this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, remove a vital green landscape used and loved by many, cause ecological damage and create increased traffic chaos, with surrounding villages blighted by increased ratrunning.

There is also concern that the development threatens the stability of the ancient bank and ditch earthwork known as the Wansdyke as the application proposes a path crossing it.

The South of Bath Alliance, who have taken out an advert in this week’s Bath Echo, say they recognise that new and particularly affordable houses need to be built, but say this development is in the wrong place.

Campaigners think the council

should view this application as a “litmus test” for future proposed developments either in, or next to, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and/or the designated World Heritage Site.

The proposals are also opposed by ward councillors and Bath MP Wera Hobhouse; the Cotswolds Conservation Board; Cotswolds National Landscape Board; countryside charity CPRE; Avon Gardens Trust; Bath Campaigns Network; and Bath Preservation Trust.

Also against the plans are the parish councils of Camerton, South Stoke, Wellow, Englishcombe and Dunkerton & Tunley; the Federation of Bath

Residents’ Associations; Bear Flat Association; and Entry Hill Community Association. Historic England has also raised concern. In total there have been more than 1,280 comments of objection and 20 of support.

The plans have the backing of Initiative in B&NES and Bath Chamber of Commerce.

The application came before the planning committee with a recommendation for approval last November but was deferred by councillors who asked for more information including traffic survey analysis; clarification on the loss and retention of trees; more information on exceptional circumstances relating to Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB); and an update on securing Scheduled Monument Consent for the Wansdyke crossing.

The recommendation to councillors next Wednesday afternoon, 10th April, is that they delegate the decision to permit to a planning officer.

New homes continue to be built as part of previous phases at Sulis Down

Recent flooding at the historic site | Photo © Claverton Pumping Station

Twerton mum begs Curo to move her out of mouldy flat

Becky Feather Reporter

A TWERTON mother-of-three is begging housing association Curo to move her family out of a damp and mouldy top-floor flat because of their health issues.

The young mum, who has asked us not to name her, lives at Cadby House in Woodhouse Road. She suffers from severe epilepsy and her second child has issues including asthma and autism. She is also concerned about her family’s safety in the social housing block in Woodhouse Road.

The 27-year-old, whose children are aged five, three and one, contacted the Bath Echo to share her story. We have seen documentation including letters from health professionals and one from her three-year-old son’s pre-school highlighting concerns about their living conditions and the recommendation that they be rehomed.

On being offered the flat four years ago, she said she was assured that there were no problems with damp. However, she discovered that the previous tenant was rehomed because of it and the problem has continued.

The young mum said: “When it rains, my flat rains. And we have had a lot of rain.”

Suffering from severe epilepsy and prone to sudden seizures, she struggles to carry her children up and down the stairs. Her three-year-old, who was born with the respiratory disorder wet lungs, has asthma and his health condition escalated in February when he was admitted for a stay in hospital because of breathing difficulties.

front door, and there were no window locks to stop him if he tried to escape.

She felt she had no option but to move back to the flat, where her son is now struggling to settle in again. She is anxious that the positioning of the scaffolding means she cannot open her windows nor get onto her balcony in the event of a fire.

There was a fire in a flat in the block some months ago when firefighters had to smash down the tenant’s door because he'd gone out and left something cooking.

Other issues which she said Curo have been made aware of include that homeless people sleep under the stairs and that a window in the block has been broken for some months.

“(They say) ‘OK. We'll send someone out.’ And then if you ring up, ‘Oh, we haven't got that logged.’ Nothing's ever logged with them.”

She added: “Every time I talk to someone, it's not in their department, so it's nothing to do with them.”

As a result, Curo moved the family into an Airbnb in Twerton and some work has been carried out at the flat, including painting over the mould and some replastering. She said the scaffolding currently around Cadby House has been there for about five weeks in preparation for work on the roof but that has not started as yet. The family had to be out of the Airbnb, which she said had no living room, by Good Friday. Although she was offered another Airbnb, she said it was not suitable for her son who has previously tried to climb out of windows; it had no living room, the road was right outside the

She said she had “begged them just to get us out. Just put me

anywhere I know I'm safe and my son is safe.”

However, she has been told the family are not a priority as there are people in a much worse situation that need housing. Curo have told her that she can try to arrange a home swap but that has not been possible. She said she had looked at a private property to rent, close to family in Weston, but it was £1,600 a month, which she could not afford.

On Thursday 21st March she went along to the Curo offices with her father to discuss her situation and said that while there, a member of staff told her it wasn’t her paying the rent as she was on Universal Credit and started laughing at her. Her father told the staff member he was rude and the man then allegedly “squared up” to him.

While she was at the Curo offices, she said the housing association received eight phone calls about damp or mould and two people had come in because of similar problems, one of them an elderly man.

The young mother has raised her complaints about Curo with the Housing Ombudsman. She told us that other flats in Cadby House are also affected

Charter to improve conditions for tenants

Last month we reported that social housing providers across Bath and North East Somerset are being encouraged to sign up to a new Damp and Mould Charter that aims to improve conditions for their tenants.

The charter will help to ensure a standard of response by landlords when taking action on damp and mould in properties. Bath & North East Somerset Council has worked with partners including Curo, LiveWest, the YMCA and the Guinness Partnership to draw up the charter and all other registered providers across the district will be sent an invitation to sign up.

The charter commits the signatories to deliver on the recommendations set out in a report by the Housing Ombudsman Service in October 2021.

by damp and mould and knows of one tenant who can’t use her child's bedroom because of it and has had to throw away a lot of clothes.

Meanwhile another young Cadby House tenant told us that her experience of living there for months has been “awful” because of the mould which has meant she has had to throw away many items of clothing. She said she had complained “multiple times” and that tenants have been told there is mould because they don’t put the heating on; they have also been told not to use tumble dryers and to keep on top of the mould problem by cleaning it every day but she can't do that as she has recently had surgery. She also said she does not feel she has the right to be moved as she has not been there very long. We have been told that there is a damp and mould problem at neighbouring Rodney House and understand that the flats at Woodhouse Road were meant to be knocked down a few years ago.

A spokesperson for Curo said: “We take damp and mould complaints very seriously and have been working with Miss X to resolve the issues that she has raised. We have a robust approach to dealing with damp and mould issues. We were the first organisation to sign up to the B&NES Damp and Mould Charter and we remain fully committed to upholding its principles. “We have carried out remedial work, including replacing windows and treating the damp and mould that was reported. We have made good the area by replastering and painting, given Miss X B&Q vouchers as she wished to paint her son’s room ready for his return, and we have paid for a new hall carpet.

cost of living crisis and we have also assisted Miss X in getting financial support for gas and electricity bills.

“Everyone can reduce the likelihood of condensation by ventilating their homes effectively, for example by using trickle vents and opening windows. We offer all our customers advice about simple steps that they can take to help reduce condensation.

“We have a zero-tolerance approach to aggressive behaviour towards our colleagues. Curo colleagues always treat customers with respect, and we expect the same in return.

“We have a comprehensive record of our correspondence and conversations with Miss X, and she has a direct line of communication with our Senior Property Maintenance Manager. On 21 March, Miss X and her father met with two Curo Directors and the Senior Property Maintenance Manager at our offices, and she left with an agreed plan.

“There has been a leak in the roof at Cadby House, which we recognise has caused some issues for our customers. We are replacing the roof on the building which requires the use of scaffolding.

“We have assessed the position of the scaffolding and can reassure residents that it does not pose a fire risk.

“While the work was taking place, we arranged and paid for Miss X and her family to stay in an Airbnb flat which was chosen by Miss X. We also paid for an additional week so that she could move in gradually to assist her son in settling back in.

“Damp and mould can often be caused by structural issues. Other contributory factors can be a lack of ventilation and insufficient heating. We know that meeting the cost of energy bills can be difficult, particularly during a

“We know that Miss X would like to move to a new home. This is not something we can arrange as the Home Search housing allocation system is run centrally by Bath & North East Somerset Council and includes properties managed by all housing associations; applications are assessed by the council’s team and are based on need. However we have helped Miss X to apply to the council to have her banding reassessed on medical grounds.

“In addition to providing homes, Curo also provides additional services to our customers, including help with applying for benefits and accessing other financial support, and gaining employability skills.

“The rent for a Curo home in B&NES is, on average, around one-third of the cost of privately renting.”

The tenant's name has been removed from the provided statement to protect her identity.

Councillors speak out over abuse and receiving death threats

John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter

LOCAL councillors have spoken of receiving death threats and having their homes, families, and pets targeted, as they called for more to be done to end the abuse of elected officials and council staff at Bath & North East Somerset Council.

Tim Ball (Twerton, Liberal Democrat) said he had been sent death threats when trying to get the area’s first Gypsy and Traveller site approved, Michael Auton (Midsomer Norton North, Liberal Democrat) said he had received a death threat with comments about his weight over a campaign leaflet, and Robin Moss (Westfield, Labour) said he had a brick thrown through his window when he had previously been a councillor in Bristol.

Steve Hedges (Odd Down, Liberal Democrat) said that in the past people had watched him leave his home, waiting to call his family with abuse.

Cllr Hedges also described a particularly sickening incident, when he returned home from a long council meeting as a new councillor when he was elected in 1999 to find a family pet had been deliberately killed. He said: “We went home after being here for hours and hours

and hours. Got home to find that our children’s pet rabbit had been killed, cut in half, half put on the back doorstep, half put on the front doorstep.

“I nearly walked away from the council then. But, with help from Tim [Ball] and other senior councillors at the time, I didn’t. And I’ve been a councillor for over 20 years now.”

Councillors were sharing their experiences at a council meeting on 14th March after Lesley Mansell (Labour, Radstock) tabled a motion condemning “increasing levels of toxicity” and calling on the council to take a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of councillors and officers.

Cllr Mansell said: “We need to see concrete action to protect all our current councillors and ensure that potential future councillors feel safe to stand for election.”

Backing the Local Government Association’s “Debate not Hate” campaign, her motion commits the council to train councillors in online safety, set up a clear reporting mechanism for harassment, and work with the police.

Seconding the proposal, Dine Romero (Southdown, Liberal Democrat), the current Mayor of Bath, said she knew many councillors and members of staff who had quit over abuse. She said: “I am all for healthy

debate but none of us needs abuse or intimidation. It harms us as individuals and is damaging to democracy.”

Council leader Kevin Guy (Bathavon North, Liberal Democrat) said: “As leader of the council, you expect to have a level of criticism — both constructive and sometimes aggressive at times — but you don’t expect to receive hate mail, death threats, people coming up to your husband and giving them abuse randomly in the street. That is beyond unacceptable.”

Eleanor Jackson (Westfield, Labour) said she had received calls with “very serious death threats” 10 years ago and was indebted to Manda Rigby (Bathwick, Liberal Democrat) who had taken her in.

She said: “After all, the last place you would expect me to go was to a Lib Dem home.”

She said: “Why do we do it? Why do we become councillors? It’s because we want to make Bath and North East Somerset a better place, a better place for our children and certainly with a lower level of violence and everything that goes with it.

“So I think we persevere but we do ask a lot of our families, and I’m grateful for their support. But of course I am particularly grateful to Councillor Rigby, and Councillor [Paul] Crossley

gave me a lot of support and encouragement.”

Cllr Rigby, who said she had faced “less than optimal” experiences herself, added: “I take it with real optimism that people here do acknowledge why we came in to do this in the first place and that, yes, we will disagree on matters on policy and, yes, there are times that our values are not aligned, but that should not translate to any ad hominem attacks. “We need to talk about policy; we don’t need to attack people. And actually, it's right and proper that, if we see someone who is having this activity directed towards them, we reach out and help.”

But she added: “It’s not just us. We are elected officials but some of our officers too get treated in a way that is unacceptable.”

Last year, the council launched a campaign against the harassment of its staff. It warned that in the

past year, a worker had been driven at, a female member of staff had been followed home, and a member of staff had been threatened with a hammer.

Cllr Rigby said: “We absolutely are here to serve, but being here to serve — whether as an elected member or as an official — does not translate to being able to be treated with complete disrespect, or with hate, or in any way which makes people feel less than they should be feeling.”

Cllr Guy added that he knew some councillors in the room had anonymous accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and blogs which triggered people online who were already “boiling with hate”.

He said: “I would just ask councillors in this room just before you press send on those anonymous accounts or those blogs that you have, just think of the impact that you might have on a fellow councillor.”

Councillors voted unanimously to pass the motion.

The “Debate not Hate” campaign was launched by the Local Government Association in 2022 and offers a toolkit on how councils can take action on the issue.

In the LGA’s 2022 councillor census, seven out of 10 councillors said they had experienced abuse in the past year.

Council leader Kevin Guy said people had abused his husband in the street

Conservation expert calls for Brutalist church to be listed

John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter

THE Diocese of Clifton tried to downplay the architectural significance of a unique village church so it could knock it down to build housing, a conservation expert has warned. A planning application to knock down the Church of the Good Shepherd in Batheaston, a rare example of Brutalist architecture in the Bath area, said that building four houses in its place would “more closely align to the character and appearance of the area”. However, conservation experts have called for the building to be locally listed.

In comments from Bath & North East Somerset Council’s conservation team, Caroline Power said: “The value attributed to this non-designated heritage asset has been underplayed by the applicants. The church is a landmark structure that contributes towards the character of the locality and is worthy of retention, despite its contrasting materiality and built form. “Solutions demonstrating its reuse as part of the redevelopment of this site should be provided before demolition is considered.” Built by Bath architect Martin Fisher in 1967, who also designed

St Peter and Paul’s in Combe Down, the church was met with a mixed reaction from locals.

Some in the village see it as an “important historical statement,” but others see it as an “eyesore” and “the village joke”. It was one of the first churches to be built to the new liturgical principles which - three years later - would guide the design of Clifton Cathedral, which is also built in a Brutalist style and has been Grade II* listed.

The Church of the Good Shepherd largely consists of poured concrete blocks. It does not have a traditional spire, but instead its square roof slopes up to the southeast corner, reflecting the tent of a travelling pilgrim. Rather than stained glass, it uses polycarbonate blocks.

Their coloured pattern can be seen from the inside but is only revealed to people outside when the church is lit up from within. But during Covid-19, the church closed and, with declining numbers attending mass, was judged to not be viable to reopen.

The Diocese of Clifton said worshippers could attend St Mary’s in Bath instead or watch live-streamed mass services. Now the diocese wants to build four homes on the site of the church; a four-bed home, two three-bed homes, and a wheelchair-adaptable two-

bedroom home.

The parking space at the back of the church would be reduced, providing gardens for each of the homes, and the plans are intended to more than double the nature on the site.

A heritage statement submitted with the Diocese of Clifton’s application argued that the church was not so significant that it should not be demolished to make way for the homes.

It said: “The building’s aesthetic value is perhaps one of the most difficult to assess, being largely reliant upon an individual's own reaction towards it; the building being an unashamedly

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contemporary building within a traditional 18th and 19th century domestic context.

“As an example of Brutalist architecture within Bath it has some value, but as an example of contextual design, it can be argued that this is where the building is least successful.”

But in her comments, Ms Power said: “In contrast to the heritage statement, this analysis considers the stark contrast in form and materiality within the conservation area as a deliberate and successful design ploy to make this church stand out as a notable statement of religious strength.”

In a late intervention into the planning process, the Council for British Archaeology wrote to Bath & North East Somerset Council to give their backing to giving the building locally listed status.

Listed buildings caseworker

Dr Alison Edwards wrote: “The existing building on the site is a characteristic and interesting example of midtwentieth century religious architecture, which makes a positive contribution to the Batheaston Conservation Area as an illustration of the social and architectural development of the area in the post-war period.”

Unlike when a building is listed by Historic England, local listing does not come with planning controls to protect buildings. But it will be a “material consideration” in deciding the planning application.

Waterworks Cottage on Charlcombe Way was expected to be locally listed in 2021 butafter a long planning battle - its owners still got the go-ahead to demolish the cottage.

The plans for the Church of the Good Shepherd have been called in to be decided by the council’s planning committee by local councillor Sarah Warren (Bathavon North, Liberal Democrats), but no date has yet been set for the committee to meet to make a decision.

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The Church of the Good Shepherd in Batheaston

Community groups benefit from £260k for energy efficiency projects

£260,000 of funding has been awarded to parish and town councils across Bath and North East Somerset to help them install energy-saving measures like solar panels and heat pumps.

Bath & North East Somerset Council and the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) invited community groups to apply for grants of between £10,000 and £40,000 to carry out projects that will have a positive impact on the environment or biodiversity.

Of the 16 applications received, nine were successful.

Farmborough Sport & Social will receive grant funding to install an air-to-air source heat pump heating system and hot water system in a refurbished building to reduce energy consumption. Westfield Parish Council will receive funding to install a new footbridge to enhance and encourage public access to Grove Wood, Haydon Batch and Waterside Valley, allowing richer experiences of nature such as bat walks, foraging, hedge layering and mindfulness, and green social prescribing.

Funding will be used to improve the energy efficiency and reduce the CO2 emissions of several village or community halls: East

Harptree, and Bishop Sutton will have solar panels installed on the roof, Peasedown St John will benefit from solar panels and roof insulation and Compton Martin will have insulation added to the vaulted roof of the hall.

Other grants will go to Chelwood Parish Council to repair the village hall roof and insulate the building and to Chew Magna Old Schoolroom Charity to retrofit a room to help adapt to flooding events, creating a place of safety with facilities and storage such as solar-charged portable power packs and recycled rubber matting for seating children.

Radstock Town Council will receive a grant to add wayfinding such as fingerposts, information boards and walking maps to make it easier to navigate the town centre and connect with local walking and cycling routes and strengthen biodiversity awareness.

Councillor Oli Henman, cabinet project lead for climate emergency and sustainable travel, said: “Thank you to everyone who submitted applications for this grant. “At a time when so many residents are asking what can be done to tackle climate change, this money will allow parishes to make a significant investment in local

projects which help us tackle the climate and nature emergencies, with a focus on energy reduction, renewable energy and supporting biodiversity.

“The improvements will ensure the long-term sustainability of the many community buildings which are so important to our rural communities, they will also help to reduce CO2 emissions. “Other projects will encourage people to enjoy the local walking, cycling and wheeling routes in their area.”

Dan Norris, Mayor of the West of England, said: “Solar panels in East Harptree, and Bishop Sutton, heat pumps in Farmborough, retrofitting in Chelwood, and more – these are great peoplepowered local projects.

“We are reducing emissions, helping local groups save money on bills and supporting the planet and the animals and plants we share it with. Local communities are at the heart of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority’s plans to slash emissions in the West as we fight back against the climate and nature emergencies. Bravo to the successful applicants.”

Delivery of the schemes will start later this year, and they are due to be completed by 31st March 2025.

Permission granted for improvements at Prior Park Landscape Garden

be removed.

PLANS to make improvements at Grade I listed Prior Park Landscape Garden in Bath have received the green light. The gardens at Ralph Allen Drive have been owned and managed by the National Trust (NT) since 1993.

They formerly belonged to Prior Park Mansion, built by Ralph Allen in the 1730s and 1740s, and were altered in the late 18th century by Capability Brown.

During the NT’s restoration project of the 18th-century dams at the gardens, it was not possible to operate the tea shed near the lake, so a temporary facility was installed at the top of the park. The old timber tea shed and storage sheds near the lake are said to be no longer fit for purpose so with the dams project practically complete, the NT applied to Bath & North East Somerset Council to make improvements. The replacement tea shed near the lake will also be a ticket outlet, meaning the timber hut beside the Fishponds Cottage gate can

The proposals also include improving visitor facilities at the Church Lane gate for pedestrians and cyclists. The NT says the Church Lane entrance is likely to become more frequently used by visitors in the future with an increase in healthy walking and cycling routes being promoted in Bath.

Once at the gateway, visitors will be directed towards the replacement tea shed, where they will be able to purchase tickets to enter the park, as well as refreshments.

The plans received four objections from neighbours who highlighted concerns about the traffic impact on Church Lane and the impact of increased levels of visitors, as well as noise from construction works.

The application received one comment of support from the Widcombe Association, Bath’s largest residents’ association, which said that the scheme would reopen access at the lower part of the gardens, making them more accessible from Widcombe and the city.

It is hoped the new tea shed will be ready in time for this summer.

ANYONE who has visited Bath city centre recently will see that it’s thriving, with a fantastic mix of locals and visitors enjoying the amazing variety on offer. This vibrancy is reflected in the fact that more than one million people visited the Roman Baths & Pump Room in 2023. It is the first time the milestone has been reached since before the pandemic and reflects a strong return of tourism to the city.

In recent weeks and months our city centre - as with many towns and cities across the country - has also seen people expressing their views on the terrible situation in Gaza and we had a number

of speakers at our Full Council meeting on 14th March on this. At the meeting, the Council Chair read out a statement agreed by all group leaders on this important issue, and I think it is right that I set it out in full, as below:

“We would like to express deep sympathy for all those affected by the conflict in Palestine and Israel. To those in the Bath and North East Somerset area who have been affected by this conflict, we offer our support during this difficult time. We hope for an immediate ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to this conflict. We hope for the immediate release of all hostages and for aid to be delivered.

“We believe that Muslims, Jews

and people of all faiths, and none, should feel safe and supported throughout the world and we therefore condemn the increase in antisemitic and Islamophobic violence and abuse in the UK. In particular, we condemn the use of all dehumanising language and call on our communities to treat each other with respect and refrain from inflammatory terms to describe either the Palestinian or Israeli populations.”

I also want to highlight two important motions that were passed unanimously at this meeting. Firstly, it was agreed that people who have experienced being in care will now be treated as having a protected

characteristic by Bath & North East Somerset Council to ensure that its support and services help prevent discrimination. At the meeting it was inspiring to hear from Jake, who is 17 years old and currently in care in our area, who shared his experience and asked us to consider adopting the motion.

Secondly, at the meeting we also agreed to sign up the Local Government Association’s Debate Not Hate campaign which aims to raise public awareness of the role of councillors in local communities, encourage healthy debate and improve the response

to and support those in public life facing abuse and intimidation. We are seeing increased levels of toxicity in public and political debates and this is having a detrimental impact on local democracy. As a councillor, I welcome robust debate and challenge, but we need to do more to drive out threats, abuse, and intimidation wherever it occurs in our public life.

Finally, just in case you are not aware, the consultation period for the Local Plan options report has been extended to 16th April. We very much want to hear your views.

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

Air source heat pumps are an energy efficient way of heating buildings

Becky Feather Reporter

The Palladian Bridge at Prior Park in Bath

Pictures from the Past Bath in Colour

Out and about with Bruce Crofts

Kirsten Elliott Akeman Press

BRUCE Crofts was a well-known figure in Bath, partly for his work with the Methodist Church, but mainly for his love of history and his desire to share the city with visitors.

He was a Mayor’s Guide and author, and also a keen photographer of the city. When he decided he needed to declutter, he gave much of his Bath collection, including booklets, photographs and slides, to the Akeman Press Archive.

He frequently took pictures of developments in progress, and while they may not be picturesque, they are certainly interesting. Here are four of them, dating from 1965 to 1988.

The first shows the dismantling of one of the Bailey Bridges in September 1965, following the completion of Churchill Bridge. This one, called Wessex Bridge, was erected in 1961 to create a one-way system after the Old Bridge had been damaged in floods.

Two years later, it was joined by the Wyvern Bridge, as work started on building a new bridge. Wyvern Bridge was demolished a month after the Wessex Bridge went.

In February 1975 the Bristol Evening Post reported that the old humped canal bridge at Widcombe was due to be replaced by a new arched bridge, and a new deep lock was to be installed on the Kennet & Avon Canal. However, new legislation meant Avon County Council had to apply to the Environment Minister for consent to demolish the bridge. The consent was speedily given, and by the summer, the work was soon in progress. In this picture, taken from the new Rossiter Road bridge constructed in 1974, the old bridge has gone, and Widcombe Deep Lock is being constructed.

In 1984, planning permission was given for a redevelopment in Abbeygate Street, giving Bath Archaeological Trust the chance to discover more about the Medieval Bishop’s Palace. By the summer, excavations were well underway. Boys from King Edward’s Junior School, then

still in Broad Street, were taken down to look at the work, but apparently all Kirsten Elliott’s son could later remember was that this view, from the corner of Swallow Street, includes the site of the bishop’s latrine.

In July 1986, a huge fire gutted the former Royal Bath Spa Treatment Centre in Bath Street. The façade was saved and by January 1988, when Bruce Crofts took this photograph, construction of the illfated Colonnades Shopping centre was in full swing. It included a post-modernist building on the corner of St Michael’s Place, described accurately if acerbically by one architectural expert as weak, incorrect and an unwelcome intrusion into the space. Time has not improved it, unlike the Cross Bath, just visible on the left of the picture, which later gained a new lease of life thanks to its renovation by conservation architects Donald Insall Associates, as part of the Thermae Bath Spa Project.

COLUMN | Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath

AS the clocks go forward, flowers begin to bloom, and families gather together to celebrate Easter Sunday, it is clear spring is in our midst.

But the new beginning I would like to see this spring is a fresh start for UK politics. While the Conservatives cling on to their last months in power, we Liberal Democrats are ready to bring the new direction people across the country have been calling for. One group in Bath loudly urging for a change in leadership are our students. I was recently invited to speak at the University of Bath by students of the Liberal Democrats Society and Politics Society. They passionately debated what they hope to see from the next government and discussed topics ranging from the Conservative’s decision to scrap HS2 to

my Worker Protection Bill that will soon come into force to help prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. It was invigorating to see so many young people recognise the importance of civic engagement for a thriving community.

There are countless young voices committed to making the positive changes in our society we urgently need to see. This was particularly apparent in my recent visit to B&NES Climate Youth Conference 2024 hosted by Kingswood School. The annual summit, attended by students from schools across the region, showcases the engagement of young people in the fight against climate change. We should not underestimate how instrumental younger generations are in influencing decision makers to take action.

We must continue the pressure on decision makers to take climate action seriously. This could not be more pressing given the government’s recent announcement to build new gas power plants.

The Conservatives’ insistence that building these plants will ensure the UK’s energy security is complete fiction and merely highlights their failure to grasp the urgency of our net zero transition. We need a government committed to securing the future our planet deserves.

Not only do we need decision makers to heed our calls, we need to be in the room making these decisions. While last month marked International Women’s Day 2024, celebrating the achievements of women across the globe, I used this year's

event to shed light on the glaring underrepresentation of women in Parliament, where only 35% of MPs are women. Despite the significant progress made in championing women’s rights across the world, it is evident that we remain a long way from equal representation in Westminster.

I joined a debate in the House of Commons to discuss the language used in politics and urged Parliament to acknowledge and address the barriers women face when standing as MPs. I reiterated this message when speaking alongside a fantastic panel at The Business Exchange’s International Women’s Day event in Bath.

In recent weeks, we have seen fresh calls for the UK to review its stance on legalising assist-

ed dying, following a Parliamentary inquiry that signalled the likelihood of new laws in Jersey and the Isle of Man. Our community in Bath are spearheading this movement, with 83% of Bath supporting assisted dying. My position on this issue has shifted over the years, having heard the perspectives of many terminally ill people. In Parliament, I called on the government to reopen the debate on legalising assisted dying and grant those suffering in immeasurable pain the dignity they deserve in their final moments.

I am continually proud of the dedication the Bath Dignity in Dying campaign has shown in driving forward this essential change in legislation.

Above: Bridge dismantling in 1965 Below: Excavations in Swallow Street Above: Widcombe Lock in 1965 Below: Work in Bath Street in 1988

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

Food & Drink

Tasty Dates For Your Diary

Go wild in the (nearby) country at The Methuen Arms (Corsham) on Thursday 11th April when the spectacular Spring Supper Club menu showcases four courses wrought from seasonal, sustainable produce, accompanied by wines carefully selected to match each course (£65pp).

https://bit.ly/49jim5J

It's Steak Night at Flourish (Glenavon Farm, Saltford) on Friday 12th April – and if anybody knows all there is to know about how to prepare, cook and present the very best locally reared, perfectly hung steak in the 'hood, it's the Flourish folk! Book now by calling 01225 536644 (ext. 4) or email kitchen@ flourishatglenavon.co.uk for the full lowdown.

https://bit.ly/3SlU9Fi

Join Zoi Baldry, fabulous cook and

Sponsor our new Food & Drink section! Get in touch via advertise@bathecho.co.uk

proprietor of the award-winning Raphael's Mediterranean Deli products, for a Mediterranean Food masterclass (a Delicious Women Workshop, no less!) followed by supper at One Two Five Box Road (Bath BA1 7LR) on Wednesday 17th April. Zoi will demonstrate how to prepare a delicious Mediterranean dish for everybody to enjoy, accompanied by an array of scrumptious dips, salads, breads and awardwinning extra virgin olive oil for dipping and drizzling, resulting in a super-tasty staycation experience indeed! (£55pp).

https://bit.ly/43EZpJz

The fabulous Set Menu at Walcot House (Walcot Street) is trending right now – for very good reason! Choose 2 courses for just £20 (or 3 for £25) from an array of chef-led, seasonal dishes every Monday-Saturday from 12noon3pm and Monday-Thursday from

Recipe: Goan Fish Curry

5pm-9pm. A bargain indeed! www.walcothousebath.com

Swing out at Bath Cricket Club (North Parade) on Wednesday 17th April and sip your way through a range of gins introduced by the Bath Gin Company accompanied by live music from Bath-based jazzsters Body & Soul. This very special evening will raise funds for Children's Hospice South West (£20pp, to include your first gin and accompanying nibbles).

https://bit.ly/3PNJPFL

Enjoy a whopping 50% off A La Carte menu prices at super-stylish Japanese restaurant Robun (George Street) every Sunday! Quote SUNDAY50 when making that all-important booking. www.robun.co.uk

Join the best wine-ophiles in the west at the Great Wine

Company's spectacular seasonal wine-tasting event on Thursday 18th April. This relaxed, casual tasting will showcase 40+ wines from a mixture of exciting new producers alongside Great Wine Company staples in a truly memorable venue: Bath Rugby's First Office Suite within the corporate stand, offering incredible views over the Bath Rugby pitch and surrounding cityscape beyond (£20pp).

https://bit.ly/4aDI1Y4

Vibrant, forward-thinking plant-based diner Rooted Cafe (Newbridge Road) are gearing up for their next Supper Club on Saturday 27th April, offering all-comers the opportunity to indulge in a bespoke feast created from the very best local, seasonal produce across an array of dishes inspired by the café’s multicultural British heritage.

https://bit.ly/4akzmtG

Get the start of the first long Bank Holiday weekend of May off to stylish start in the beautiful garden of the Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa on Friday 3rd May. Sip spring-themed cocktails on the covered, heated patio and chillax to mellow tunes courtesy of Select Sounds – heck, why not indulge in a little nibble (or several!) from the bar and terrace menu while you're at it?

Admission is free on a first come, first served basis, but guaranteed tickets cost £15pp, to include a welcome glass of Champagne (normally £16.95).

https://bit.ly/49ptmyq

Melissa regularly reviews restaurants across Bath and the surrounding area. Read more at: www.theprandialplayground.uk

This no-fail curry-in-a-hurry works as well a speedy, casual fish supper as it does for a glamorous celebratory blowout, and brings the taste of a southern Indian summer to your table in less than 30 minutes. Go on; go Goan!

Ingredients (serves 2)

• 300g fresh, firm fish fillets (ie. monkfish, cod loin, salmon fillets or a mixture of all three), skinned and cut into bite-sized cubes

• 1 large onion, diced

• 1 red chilli, deseeded and thinly sliced (add more or less according to heat preference)

• 1 garlic clove, crushed or sliced

• 2cm fresh ginger, peeled and grated

• 1 level tsp each of ground turmeric, ground cumin, ground coriander and garam masala

• 140ml coconut milk (reduced fat is fine)

• 200g chopped fresh tomatoes

• 1tbs white wine/malt vinegar

• 1tsp sugar

• The juice of half a lime

• Handful of fresh or frozen king prawns (optional)

• Rice, to serve

Method

• Heat one tablespoon of oil in a large sauté pan and fry the onion over a medium heat until translucent. Add the chilli, garlic, ginger and spices and cook gently until fragrant (about 1-2 minutes.) Add the coconut milk, chopped tomatoes, vinegar, sugar and around 2-3tbs of water.

• Reduce heat, half cover the pan and simmer for around 5 minutes (note: the recipe can be cooked up to 3 hours in advance up to this point; just turn the heat off and leave the lid on the pan until you're almost ready to eat.)

• Add the fish chunks to the fragrant broth. Stir gently to keep the fish intact and simmer for around 10 minutes or until the fish has completely cooked through, but keep an eye on it; you don't want the fish to overcook. If adding frozen raw prawns, add them with the fresh fish; if using frozen/fresh cooked prawns, add them five minutes after the fish.

• Serve straight away on a bed of rice, spritzed with lime juice and sprinkled with fresh coriander.

Review Flute Seafood Café & Bar

9 Edgar Buildings, BA1 2EE

01225 400193 www.flute-bath.com

If Bartlett Street itself is fast becoming Bath's most fascinating foodie 'quarter' (which it is), fish, seafood- and shellfish-centric Cafe-Bar Flute is the first pitstop along the way, standing out as a shimmering beacon of polished but welcoming promise, with a menu that reads like the kind

of menu you generally only encounter in a modern fish bistro on one of those gorgeous coastal roads along the French Riviera and a vibe to match: super-chic décor, sparkly lights and mellow sophistication from the get-go. You can fish for all moods and occasions at Flute, from early until late; if Lobster Benedict on the Brunch menu isn't enough to get you out of bed in the morning, I don't know

what is. All the fish on the menu is impeccably sourced, 100% sustainable and always seasonal, with regular deliveries from the long-established, family-run fish specialists Wing of St Mawes bringing the very best catches of the day directly to Bath resulting in the kind of selection (and the kind of simple, best-advantage preparation and cooking of that selection) that Rick Stein gets all pink-cheeked and super-excited about on his various food tours. We started our own tour of the Flute menu with super-sensual fresh oysters (when in Rome, etc), followed by three small plates: buttery soft shell crab that were almost lobster-like in intensity of flavour, succulent, mildly nutty squid, and octopus carpaccio sliced so thinly it was almost translucent but still packing a bracing but uniquely velvety flavour punch offset by a smooth, smooth dressing and crispy shallots for added crunch. All three dishes were outstanding in inspiration, preparation and execution, presented with a refined elegance that matched our surroundings. But Flute hadn't played its coda yet! We moved on to a beautifullybalanced seafood pasta laden with smooth slabs of the freshest white fish alongside mussels, dinky octopus, glistening prawns

and more squid, all tangled in and around silky pasta in a bouillabaisse-like broth: clever, subtly complex, and deeply infused with care and attention.

By contrast, the tuna catch of the day – just-about-crusted on the outer limits, pink and meltingly tender within – took its own centre stage spotlight as the smart, stylish star of the plate.

Gotta have chips? You gotta have Flute's crab and hollandaise fries; they're honestly the most fabulous, fish-themed fries you'll ever meet.

We didn't opt for full-on desserts this time around (can you blame us, after all that?). Instead, we shared a couple of madeleines in

a deeply enchanting butterscotch sauce and made plans to revisit Flute very, very soon, not least of all because the Flute Seafood Platter has just launched, and the Seafood Boil experience has yet to be sampled.

Oh, and by the way: do not overlook the cocktails here!

They're properly fabulous, and the restaurant operates as a really cool bar too, with a dedicated, upmarket 'drinking den' (or private hire/restaurant overflow room) towards the rear and those all-important pavement tables out front.

Flute is, quite simply, a gorgeous experience; play on, and dive in!

Reviewer: Melissa Blease

Enjoy £10 to spend at Flute with your Tasty Tenner!

We’ve teamed up with Flute to offer you an irresistible £10 voucher on your next visit. Simply scan the QR code and your voucher will wing it’s way straight into your email. Enjoy!

Fresh oysters are a highlight at Flute

What's On

50th Anniversary Weekend

Avon Valley Railway

4th – 7th April

Join the 4-day event including 2 train services each day, re-creation of the first train, behind the scenes tours, talks, displays and stalls & anniversary dining trains offering a 1970s inspired menu.

Bath's Big Day Out

Bath Racecourse

7th April, 12pm

An action-packed day showcasing the best of what Bath has to offer. It’s a notto-be-missed event that the South West will be talking about for years to come.

Tickets from £24.

P1 with Matt and Tommy

Komedia

12th April, 8pm

Matt and Tommy are two diehard Formula 1 fans, here to bring you all the latest news, reaction, predictions and opinions from the best sport in the world.

Slapstick!

Masonic Hall - Old Theatre Royal

14th, 15th, 19th & 20th April

Step into an uproarious journey through the mayhem of Regency Theatre! This play takes you on a hilarious and moving adventure, telling the extraordinary life story of Joseph Grimaldi.

Martin Carthy

Chapel Arts Centre

5th April, 8pm

For more than 50 years Martin Carthy has been one of folk music’s greatest innovators, one of its best loved, most enthusiastic and, at times, most quietly controversial of figures.

Wild Garlic Season

Prior Park, National Trust

8th – 28th April, 10am – 5pm

Collect a paper bag along with some recipe cards when you visit and be inspired in the kitchen. Enjoy a walk around the garlic scented paths and pick some wild garlic leaves to try at home.

The Monstrum

The Egg

12th – 13th April

This Gothic melodrama about adolescence and control is performed by Theatre Royal Bath Theatre School members. In a remote village something sinister is happening...

Tulip Mania

Dyrham Park

15th April – 6th May, 10am – 4pm

Immerse yourself in a world of tulips this season as the National Trust celebrates the springtime favourite which has strong links with the history of Dyrham Park.

Spring Fayre

Bath City Farm

6th April, 11am – 2pm

Celebrate spring on the farm with games, stalls and music. There will be fun games, animal feeding, face painting, a spring farm hunt and produce for sale.

Fantastic Folding Books

Victoria Art Gallery

9th – 12th April, 10.30am – 2pm

Make a folding book in the gallery's free Easter holiday activity. Create a beautiful and unusual folding book for your drawings. No need to book, just go along on the day.

Bath Craft Fair

Weston Free Church

13th April, 12 - 4pm

Featuring over 20 crafters selling cards, decorations, jewellery, accessories, books and much more! There's a free family-friendly spring flower trail and refreshments. Free entry.

Sherlock Holmes: Valley of Fear

Theatre Royal Bath

16th – 20th April

Full of adventure, mystery and of course brilliant deductions, The Valley Of Fear is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s thrilling final Sherlock Holmes novel brought to life in this new stage adaptation.

Great Baldini’s Magical Cabaret

The Rondo Theatre

6th April, 7.30pm

Legendary magician

The Great Baldini presents a cabaret of magical illusions – from his first illusion on his twelfth birthday and culminating in his seizing control of the ILLUSIONATI.

Madama Butterfly

BRLSI

10th April, 7.30pm

What was the impact of one of Puccini’s most popular operas? The talk will detail the history and the political core of the opera, then look at how it has become such a major part of the repertoire.

Bouquet Crafting Session

Bath Abbey

13th April, 10.30am – 4.30pm

Make a bouquet using recycled materials, inspired by the Abbey's Tudor Chapel. Then plant some flower seeds in a Tudor style cup – take them away and watch them grow.

Jazz at the Vaults: Alan Barnes

St James’ Wine Vaults

18th April, 8.30pm

Alan Barnes’s unique musicianship, indefatigable touring and warm rapport with the audience has made him uniquely popular in British jazz, having received 25 awards.

Motorcyclists to be charged for parking under latest proposals

John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter

PARKING charges in Bath could soon go up by 10p an hour, with bikers set to be charged too for the first time.

Proposals set to go out for consultation in May would increase the baseline hourly charge of council car parks in Bath, where prices are based on vehicle emissions, by 10p an hour in October 2024 and October 2025.

The bands for more polluting vehicles will be calculated from the new baseline, a 2.5% increase for each polluting band, or 5% for each band based on engine capacity.

Motorbikes would also have to start paying to park in the city under the proposals, something that was previously free.

Bath & North East Somerset Council’s cabinet member for highways, Manda Rigby (Bathwick, Liberal Democrat), told a council scrutiny panel on Thursday 21st March:

“Increasingly motorbikes are of a size where they take up a full bay or a full space, so we are looking to charge them as well.”

These charges will also be based on emissions, but the proposed bandings have promoted fears that a small 50cc moped could be charged as much to park as an old car. Pay and display machines look up a vehicle’s emissions from the DVLA and charge based on how much carbon is emitted or, if this information is not available, the capacity of the engine.

Under the proposals, a motorbike of under 151cc would be charged as much as a car under 1550cc.

But Shaun Hughes (Midsomer Norton North, Independent), a keen motorcyclist with seven motorbikes, warned this could be unfair.

He said: “If we’ve got a young lad got himself a 125 scooter or even a 50cc scooter to get to Bath because he’s going to Bath College, he’s got his first job, or he’s got an apprenticeship, am I right in saying he’s going to have to pay potentially £15 a day to park — £300 a month?”

Councillor Rigby said that it was a suggestion of what could be charged if there was no emissions data on the DVLA system. But she added: “We are going out to a consultation that says are we looking at this in the right way? Should we be charging motorbikes, and if so how should we be charging them?”

The consultation will also cover proposals to roll out emissionsbased charging to all councilmanaged paid-for parking locations, including on-street parking in Bath and the currently free car parks in Midsomer Norton and Radstock, but not the park and rides.

Permanent electric bus service introduced

THE first permanent electric bus service in Bath and North East Somerset has been introduced, serving residents between the city centre, the University of Bath and the RUH. The electric bus, which is running on the number 20 route, is operated by community-interest company The Big Lemon. The 20 route is subsidised by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s (B&NES) Transport Bus Levy and offers an hourly service between Wedgwood Road in Twerton and the Sports Training Village at University of Bath.

Councillor Rigby said the idea behind emissions-based parking is that “the polluter pays”.

She said: “Air pollution from traffic remains a - possibly, in some cases, the - major contributor to air quality, and that has a huge impact on the health of people, particularly vulnerable people.”

Emissions-based parking was introduced in Bath in September 2023.

Councillor Sarah Warren, deputy council leader and cabinet member for climate emergency and sustainable travel, said: “The introduction of B&NES’s first electric bus on the number 20 route represents a significant step forward in our efforts to promote sustainability. “This service will benefit residents, students, tourists and hospital visitors by providing a greener transportation option.”

Georgia-Rose Gleeson, Sustainability Officer at Royal

United Hospital Bath, said: “We very much welcome the introduction of an electricpowered bus on the important 20 bus route between the RUH, the City and the University. “This new addition to the network will help progress our sustainable travel plan for the benefit of the people we care for, our staff and our community.”

Tom Druitt, CEO at The Big Lemon, added: “When The Big Lemon launched services in Bath in 2022 we made a commitment to run these services with zeroemission electric vehicles in the future and we’re excited that just 18 months in we are now launching Bath’s first dedicated zero-emissions electric bus service.”

Welcoming the new electric bus

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Attainment by Key Stage 2 pupils on free school meals in B&NES is ‘worst in the country’

Becky Feather Reporter

PUPILS aged seven to 11 in Bath and North East Somerset who are on free school meals have the worst attainment in the country.

A report to the recent meeting of the council’s scrutiny panel said that in 2022-2023, pupils in B&NES attained higher grades compared to regional and national figures in all stages of education except Key Stage 2, which dropped below national figures for the first time since 2015/16.

Girls consistently performed better than boys at all key stages and the report says education outcomes in Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 “are to be commended”. The report adds: “However, the attainment gap between free school meal (FSM) and nonFSM pupils is consistently larger across all educational key stages in B&NES than the gap seen nationally. “Nationally, the attainment gap

widens as pupils move through the education system, whereas in B&NES, the attainment gap at EYFS is the largest, having increased sharply in 2022/23. “Disappointingly, the Key Stage 2 attainment in the FSM cohort is the worst in the country and Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFS) attainment in the FSM cohort is the third worst in the country. “However, when our FSM pupils are in secondary school, their Key Stage 4 attainment in 22/23 is broadly in line with national outcomes.”

The report to the panel also highlights that EYFS and Key Stage 2 attainment in B&NES is lowest with Black and other ethnic groups and below national levels.

It adds: “Key Stage 4 attainment and progress is lowest in the Black ethnic group and again is below national levels.

“Whilst numbers in these cohorts are relatively low, this is a trend seen for a number of years, particularly at Key Stages 2 and 4.”

The local authority continues to support initiatives with the St John's Foundation across EYFS and Key Stage 2 and to work with the Department for Education South West Regions group to ensure that improving outcomes for this cohort of children remains a priority amongst schools, academies, and trusts.

The council also continues to work to improve education outcomes for Black and Ethnic Minority children and young people by delivering the B&NES Race Equality Charter Mark. The council’s cabinet member for children’s services Cllr Paul May told the panel: “It’s not something to be proud of that we are now the worst in the country but it’s really important for us to actually recognise that the overall performance in education is absolutely superb in this area.”

He welcomed the support received from the St John’s Foundation and said talks with multi-academy trusts and the Schools Standards Board were due to take place. He added that the DfE has developed an Area

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Plan in an attempt to promote greater engagement.

The council’s director for education and safeguarding Chris Wilford said it was important to understand that 97% of schools are academies and so the council’s role is to influence, challenge and support.

Referring to the academic results for 2022/23 he said that they were broadly fantastic with only the Key Stage 2 results dropping below the national average. He added that the quality of schools in B&NES is reflected in Ofsted ratings.

The panel noted pupils' overall positive education performance in B&NES and members were assured that local authority officers continue to collaborate strategically with schools and partners and the regional director's office to improve educational outcomes for all pupils.

The panel will receive a detailed report of the steps that are and will be taken to address the educational needs of ethnic minority and FSM pupils.

News in Brief

Praise from Ofsted and parents for pre-school

inspection.

The pre-school, which opened in 1979, is based at the Methodist Hall in Kennington Road and currently has 29 children on the roll.

The inspector’s report says that staff provide a warm welcome to children and families at the friendly community pre-school. They quickly establish good relationships with the youngsters and use effective teaching techniques to extend all children's learning, helping them to make good progress from their individual starting points. Children are busy and engaged at all times and leaders are said to work well together and lead a close-knit team. Parents appreciate receiving ideas for how to support their children and give “unanimously positive” feedback about the pre-school.

Please contact us for further details

BEST in Bath

1 Chapel Row

Bath BA1 1HN

T 01225 424114

E info@bestinbath.co.uk

W bestinbath.co.uk

School Principal

Mark Appleton

Running courses in Bath since 1997

International students, local school

Peter Pan Pre-School in Lower Weston has retained its Good Ofsted rating following a recent

Hospital’s maternity services retain outstanding rating

A RECENT inspection of maternity services provided by the Royal United Hospital has seen it retain its ‘outstanding’ rating.

The services at the RUH NHS Foundation Trust are in the top three per cent in England following the inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

During the inspection in November 2023, inspectors found examples of outstanding practice relating to the RUH’s commitment to improving services, patient experience and the supportive environment provided for staff.

The development of a maternity and neonatal communication plan to improve engagement with staff was noted as ‘outstanding practice’, as was the Maternity Development Panel, which supports staff to develop their own projects and ideas to further improve the care they provide for the community.

Inspectors also found that:

• The service engaged well with women, birthing people and the community to plan and manage services.

• People could access the service when they needed it and did not have to wait too long for treatment, and all staff were committed to continually improving services.

• Staff said they felt respected, supported, and valued and were focused on the needs of women and birthing people

receiving care.

• Staff managed safety and medicines well, assessed risks to women and birthing people, acted on them and kept good care records.

• Staff had training in key skills and understood how to protect women and birthing people from abuse.

• Inspectors also found that safety incidents were well managed and the service learned lessons from them.

• Leaders ran services well using reliable information systems and supported staff to develop their skills, while managers monitored the effectiveness of the service and made sure staff were competent.

• Staff were clear about their roles and accountabilities and understood the service’s vision and values, and how to apply them in their work.

For the first time, community birth centres in Frome and Chippenham were also included in the inspection, with both centres receiving an overall ‘good’ rating.

Inspectors recognised the community teams’ commitment to continually learning and improving services, including several initiatives to tackle health inequalities and the ongoing quality improvement projects facilitating women and birthing people’s choice of birth place.

Zita Martinez, Director of Midwifery at the RUH, said: “I’m

absolutely delighted with the outcome of the CQC inspection, it is a true credit to the hard work and commitment of our staff based at the RUH and those in our community birth centres, who go that extra mile every day.

“I was extremely proud to hear the inspection team’s reflection of the positive culture they observed during the visit and how our staff work within and promote a culture of dignity and respect for the people we care for.

“We are already developing action plans that focus on those areas where inspectors felt improvement is needed to ensure we continue to provide women

Air ambulance charity teaches youngsters vital lifesaving skills

PUPILS at Oldfield Park Junior School in Bath have benefitted from two days of emergency awareness and first aid training with the Wiltshire Air Ambulance charity.

The children learned a range of vital skills including how to make a call to the emergency services and how to manage a variety of first-aid situations.

In sessions lasting between half an hour and 90 minutes, the children watched professional demonstrations and learned how to put someone in the recovery position, the basics of CPR, and how to use a defibrillator. They also faced the challenges of managing choking and bleeding.

In recognition of their participation, each child received a certificate reflecting their achievements and success in the programme.

The decision to incorporate first aid training at the Oldfield Park school follows a government trial that started in 2020 covering 1,600 state-funded schools, and also as a result of government lobbying by the Red Cross for

more than a decade.

The government directive says that basic first aid training for primary school children should include common injuries and head injuries, together with the ability to contact emergency services.

Executive Headteacher Dave Goucher commented: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Wiltshire Air Ambulance to deliver this vital training.

“Empowering our children with these life-saving skills meets government requirements and, more importantly, builds confidence in our children and

fosters a culture of safety and responsibility within our school community.”

Wiltshire Air Ambulance is a charity that provides an emergency helicopter service to the people of Bath, Wiltshire and the surrounding areas. The partnership between the school and charity ensures that children are equipped with essential life-saving skills from an early age. Parents are encouraged to support their children’s learning by discussing their training at home and continuing to reinforce the importance of these skills beyond the classroom.

The hospital’s Maternity team celebrating the outstanding rating | Photo © RUH

and birthing people with the very best care at all times.

“This includes further training in adult basic life support and supporting an increased compliance with infection control measures.

“A major refurbishment of our maternity facilities at the RUH site is currently underway, to further improve our families’ experience.

“This includes the relocation of our Day Assessment Unit alongside the creation of a new fully-equipped day room for our families to prepare food and relax away from the bedside.”

RUH Chief Executive Cara

Charles-Barks said: “This is a truly fantastic achievement that recognises the commitment and dedication of our Maternity team to providing an outstanding service to the people we care for.

“This accomplishment reflects what’s at the heart of our You Matter Strategy; a commitment to shared values and continuous improvement which provide a positive experience for the people we care for, the people we work with and the people in our community.”

On average, approximately 4,500 babies are born each year at the RUH and at home or in the community birth centres.

RUH showcases career options to youngsters

YOUNGSTERS from across Bath and the surrounding area visited the Royal United Hospital last month to find out more about the range of career opportunities available.

The careers fair gave students the opportunity to meet staff from across the RUH Trust to find out more about working at the hospital and the variety of different jobs available in the NHS.

Teams from across the hospital were represented at the event, including audiology, pharmacy, maternity, oral and maxillofacial, pathology and radiology.

Hugh McKinney, RUH Learning

and Development Lead, said: “Our annual careers fair is always a really popular event when we welcome hundreds of local young people to the RUH to find out more about the wide range of roles available at the hospital.

“Lots of different teams from across the hospital were on hand to talk about their work and answer questions about working at the RUH and in healthcare.

“As one of the biggest employers in the local area, events like these help us to continue to build on our links with the people in our community while showcasing the incredible variety of career options available at the RUH.”

Taking part in the first aid sessions | Photo © Wiltshire Air Ambulance

Visiting the careers fair | Photo courtesy of the RUH

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Pub entrepreneurs reveal plans for ‘majestic’ Combe Down inn

Becky Feather Reporter

A COUPLE with an impressive track record of transforming pubs in the Bath area are turning their attention to the Grade II-listed King William IV at Combe Down.

The pub, which was built in the 1830s as part of the original Combe Down Brewery Company, is not currently trading. Planning permission and listed building consent is being sought from Bath & North East Somerset Council for a single-storey rear extension, conversion of outbuildings to accommodation, refurbishments and landscaping works.

The application says: “All of the works are considered necessary to avoid the same fate as so many public houses which are either falling into disrepair or being converted into housing.” There will be less space for vehicles but the new parking area is designed to be predominantly used by either disabled guests or those using the bedroom

As the pub is in a sustainable location, it is proposed to encourage travel on foot or by bike.

In a statement submitted with the application, new owners Amanda and Charlie Digney say they met in a pub, made plans for a life and business together in a pub, named their children after the important pubs in their lives, and made their reputation and livelihood from pubs.

They say: “For 20 years we have invested our hearts and souls into turning around failing pubs. The King William on Thomas Street was earmarked as a fast-food chicken joint when we bought it. “One year after we had transformed it, Giles Coran of The Sunday Times wrote: ‘A pub so good it brings a tear to the eye, well worth making the train journey from London, even just for lunch’.

“The Garrick’s Head was a constant source of complaints to the management of the Theatre Royal from theatre-goers. Today the Garrick’s Head plays host to the many household names that

perform on stage as well as the audience and is considered a jewel in the Theatre Royal Bath’s crown.

“The Oakhill Inn (near Radstock) had a reputation for rowdy groups who often forgot their shirts as well as their manners.

“We refurbished the pub and grounds creating five beautiful letting rooms, now it is the vibrant heart of the community and continues to go from strength to strength.

“We consider a pub vital for any community, who wants to live in a village that doesn’t have a pub?

“We bought the King William in Combe Down because we can see the potential that this majestic building has and we are passionate about good quality, well-run pubs.

“Our plans for the King William will ensure it becomes a viable, thriving business that the village of Combe Down will be proud of.” It is proposed to use all the roof surfaces that are suitable for PV arrays.

The planning reference is 24/01020/FUL. The deadline for comments is 25th April.

Green light for store to increase alcohol hours

John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter

A BATH convenience store has been given the green light to extend its alcohol hours, despite a local man’s concerns it could lead to anti-social behaviour. The Spar franchise on Chelsea Road was taken over by new owners in January, who wanted to remove outdated licensing conditions and update its hours to those across their other stores. This would allow it to sell alcohol from 6am, rather than 8am, and keep selling until 11pm on Sundays — half an hour later than they currently can. But local man Thomas Friend submitted an objection, warning that it could attract anti-social behaviour to the small row of local shops. He said: “It is a quiet familyfriendly area and I believe the extended licensing hours to sell alcohol will attract antisocial behaviour in the area and noise at anti-social hours, disturbing what is currently a quiet family environment.”

He added: “I am worried it will set a precedent in a road where the majority of the shops are shut in the evening.”

Representing the Spar owners before Bath & North East Somerset Council’s licensing sub-committee on 21st March, Chris Mitchener said: “It’s interesting that Mr Friend has complained about potential antisocial behaviour in the evenings, because it’s already licensed until 11 o’clock.”

He added the only extension to the licensed hours in the evening would be half an hour on Sundays.

He said that there had been no concerns about the licence raised by regulatory authorities, such as the police.

Mr Mitchener said: “The site has been there for a number of years. It’s been licensed to [11 o’clock] for all these years and there’s never been a problem.”

Steve Hedges, chair of the licensing sub-committee, added that he knew the shop well. He said: “It’s a very well-run shop.” The committee agreed to grant the licence as applied for.

Outdoor retailer George Fisher opens store in Bath

GEORGE Fisher, one of the country’s oldest outdoor retailers, has continued its ongoing expansion with the opening of a new store in Bath. The new site, only the third of its kind, will offer specialist advice alongside goods from brands including Patagonia, Rab, Berghaus, The North Face, Passenger, and Merrell. It has opened in the former Blacks premises on Abbeygate Street. Chris Tiso, CEO of Tiso & George Fisher, said: “Bath is one of the most historic cities in England and a popular shopping

destination offering a traditional mix of independent and high street retailers. We believe it has a local and tourist demographic who will appreciate the unique George Fisher proposition of premium brand outdoor products. Bath is surrounded by beautiful countryside which makes it an attraction for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy the nearby Cotswolds for recreational walks,

hiking and water sports which George Fisher perfectly cater for.

“This is another significant move for George Fisher as it continues its expansion, and we will be investing our efforts to ensure that we bring all of the quality and expertise associated with the brand to the Bath store.”

George Fisher MBE was a Mountain Leader for the Keswick Mountain Rescue where he opened his first store in 1957. He became an expert in walking and climbing equipment and enjoyed success until he retired and sold the business in 2007.

The Spar convenience store on Chelsea Road accommodation.

The King William IV pub in Combe Down

Staff from the new store in Bath | Photo © George Fisher

Politics

‘Political differences’ led to government warning

Alex Seabrook Local Democracy Reporter

THE West of England Metro Mayor has said “political differences” led to his combined authority receiving a dire warning from the government. Last month the West of England Combined Authority was hit with a “best value notice”, with government ministers urging the region’s political leaders to get along.

Labour and the Liberal Democrats each have two seats on the combined authority’s ruling committee, which is responsible for spending hundreds of millions on public transport, adult skills and economic growth. The West of England was established in 2017 in a devolution deal. The region includes Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset, with a range of leaders from across the political spectrum. These political leaders have often disagreed about major issues, such as improving buses or building a mass transit system.

Now that the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has issued the best value notice, an independent panel will begin trying to improve collaboration across the West of England. The combined authority committee discussed the issue on Friday, 15th March.

Dan Norris, the West of England Mayor, said: “The difficulty is: what do we do to make those relationships better? We’re identifying the problems, but we’re not finding well enough the solutions. We’re politically very balanced in this combined authority.

“It’s not an accident that the two combined authorities that have these notices are both very finely balanced.

“That’s because there’s

disagreement, and it plays out in these committees, plays it out in journalists understandably reporting those differences. “Other regions admittedly where they tend to have stronger majorities don’t argue so much, or at least not openly. But they do seem to have discipline, because they respect their regions. And that has to be part of the solution, I think. We have to agree on what the purpose of the combined authority is more clearly.”

The other combined authority hit with a best value notice is Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, for similar issues. Political power there is split between the Liberal Democrats with three seats, Conservatives and Labour both with two seats, and the local party Peterborough First taking one seat. There are several other combined authorities across England, including some where Labour has a large majority like in Manchester and Liverpool, and others which are more politically balanced. In the West Midlands, both Labour and the Conservatives have four seats each.

Mr Norris added: “We have got

a huge amount of money in recent years. We have this great opportunity.

“The arguments are a consequence of us working out what we do with that money and how we do it well. That’s a great place to actually be.

“I take this best value notice seriously, and I will redouble my efforts to ensure that the combined authority delivers on our regional priorities.

“There’s also been a significant reduction in the use of interim resources, so that at the moment eight of our 10 roles within the corporate leadership are now held by permanent employees.” As well as poor working relationships, another issue facing the combined authority is widespread unhappiness with the bus network.

Many bus services have recently been axed, partly due to a row between councils and the combined authority over who should pay for subsidised routes, which many people rely on but are unprofitable for companies to run.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Claire Young, leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said:

COLUMN | Dan Norris, Labour Mayor of the West of England

2024 marks a special anniversary - 20 years since the Hunting Act legislation I am proud to have promoted, and voted for as a local MP, became law.

It's one of the best things I helped achieve. It was violent though - with my staff and I subject to attacks by stone-throwers, and on one terrible occasion, a female staff member of mine was beaten up by two male pro-hunt thugs, seeing her hospitalised.

You, dear reader, probably think that this barbaric 'sport' has been confined to the history books where it belongs. It hasn’t. Foxes are still dying in the jaws of foxhounds because loopholes

in the 2004 legislation have been exploited. Under the Hunting Act, hounds are still allowed to follow a putdown, animal-based scent called trail hunting. This just a smokescreen used by bloodthirsty individuals to obfuscate and hide the fact that illegal hunting is going on - a way to hoodwink and sidestep the law.

But don’t take my word for it. The League Against Cruel Sports, which I am proud to Chair, have identified hundreds of cases of suspected illegal hunting and hunt havoc in 2023, including during supposed “trail hunts”. Locally, we saw the prosecution

“There have been improvements over the last year. A forward plan of key decisions is now published and those leading the [local councils] meet with WECA officers ahead of committee meetings. But some of the biggest challenges we’ve faced over the last year relate to buses.” She added that one particular problem began in July 2022, when the combined authority took control over how to spend money from its Bus Service Improvement Plan. Some of this cash was then spent on controversial projects like the Birthday Bus scheme or WESTlink minibus service, without much apparent consultation or agreement from the three local councils. However, the West of England is now about to resubmit its Bus Service Improvement Plan to the government, and has promised to work with the local councils to do so. Cllr Young said this was “very important in rebuilding trust and relationships”. David Redgewell, a transport campaigner, said: “The history of this goes back to the transport levy. The councils decided not to up the transport levy, then we ended up with not enough money to run the public bus services. “The situation has stabilised somewhat, with bus services back in Ashton Vale and Oldbury Court.

“But we still have no bus service to Stapleton, that community is still cut off up to Downend and Bromley Heath. We’ve also got a terrible situation of not having a bus service from Avonmouth up to Cribbs Causeway, it’ll explode with passenger groups. North Bristol also has no bus service to the port. We’ve really got to look at this better.”

At the end of the meeting, Mr Norris said: “I hope if the government is watching then they can see how well we’re all getting on with each other.”

Planning Round-up

Plans to turn Whiteway property into an HMO

A Bath-based letting company is applying for planning permission to turn a family home in Whiteway into a house of multiple occupation (HMO).

The plan to turn 30 Rosewarn Close into a five-bedroom house HMO has been submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council. 18-25 Properties Ltd was advised before submitting the application that in principle the proposed change would be acceptable, but another two such applications in the area could render it unacceptable as the council has strict rules restricting the number of conversions. This is in order to protect neighbourhoods from being swamped by HMOs.

In this instance, based on council data, granting permission would result in nine of 96 residential properties within a 100-metre radius being HMOs, which is 9.4%. This is very close to the 10% threshold – if 10 HMOs are approved in the area, that threshold would be exceeded and the proposal would be refused.

The planning reference is 24/01023/FUL and the deadline for comments is 17th April.

Inspector rejects latest housing bid

The latest attempt to develop the field at the corner of Ferndale Road and Deadmill Lane at Lower Swainswick has been rejected. Two previous applications for 18 homes and 15 affordable homes were refused by B&NES Council and 18 homes was also dismissed on appeal. Millen Homes Ltd then applied to build two homes which was rejected in 2022 and again last May, which was then appealed. A planning inspector has now ruled it would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt and harmful to Bath Conservation Area and the World Heritage Site, as well as to Dead Mill (a former flour mill). She had concerns about road safety, trees and protected species, surface water and construction standards.

last month of an Avon Vale Hunt member to 240 hours of unpaid work after he “supervised” the throwing of a live fox to a pack of hounds and footage was leaked online.

You may have seen this on national TV. Again, this happened during a “trail hunt”.

As your Mayor, as Chair of the League, and as a human being who thinks a true measure of any civilised society is how it treats animals, I am urging the next Government to ban sinister trail hunting once and for all. This isn’t about destroying traditional ways of life as prohunters want to argue.

As Rural Affairs Minister in the last

Labour government, and representing the semi-rural area of North East Somerset as MP, I've always had great respect and admiration for the rural communities I've been so proud to represent and work with. I still do as regional mayor.

By all means, ride a predetermined route away from foxes, livestock, crops and private land following a non-animal scent. Wear what you want. Blow horns and celebrate tradition. I can completely understand the enjoyment this brings.

But those people illegally hunting foxes, hares and deer in the local

countryside need to be stopped. The law must be applied fairly and justly to all.

People reading this column have seen TV images showing packs of hounds ripping foxes apart, or getting into private back gardens and killing cherished pets. There’s not a majority in any part of the country that wants this to continue.

So this year, I am determined that the loophole in the hunting legislation be closed.

Let’s use this anniversary to end this barbaric cruelty and completely ban hunting with hounds once and for all.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris at a building site | Photo © Freia Turland

In Other News

Campaign for new forest smashes £100k target

Becky Feather Reporter

THE charity Avon Needs Trees has smashed its crowdfunding campaign to raise £100,000 to establish the Lower Chew Forest at Compton Dando, thanks to more than 1,000 supporters. The charity has thanked everyone who donated during the crowdfunding campaign to make the South West’s biggest new woodland in a generation a reality.

It said: “Avon Needs Trees had just six weeks to fundraise £100,000 to help buy the land and establish the Lower Chew Forest, a 420acre new woodland creation project between Bristol and Bath, which will see 100,000 trees planted alongside the creation of hedgerows and species-rich grassland.

“With the support of over 1,000 individuals and businesses we

have smashed our target and raised £120,613 on Crowdfunder and £27,560 in offline donations, to help us buy the land. With Gift Aid this amount rises to £171,955.

“We are now working relentlessly to get the purchase of Wick

Farm across the line. Once we own the land we will be working hard to raise funds to plant the woodland.”

When put together with nearby woodland, the proposed new Lower Chew Forest would be

bigger than Leigh Woods or the Downs (Clifton and Durdham) in Bristol, and 12 times the size of Royal Victoria Park in Bath.

Avon Needs Trees has been creating permanent woodlands since 2019, with four established woodlands already planted. Speaking during the launch of the campaign, chief executive Dave Wood said: “When Wick Farm came onto the market, we knew we had to act.

“It’s rare for such a large amount of land to come up in one go, particularly somewhere like Compton Dando which is so close to Bristol and Bath, and we know that biodiversity recovery is far more effective across a large area.”

Government analysis by the Environment Agency shows that the new woodland, along with leaky dams and wetland habitat, will help reduce downstream flooding in local villages, Keynsham and Bristol.

More than one million people visit Roman Baths

THE number of people heading to the historic Roman Baths and Pump Room has returned to pre-pandemic levels, with over one million visitors recorded in 2023.

The announcement came as the Roman Baths team prepared for the start of the busy visitor season with a full ‘spring clean’ of the Great Bath.

Figures released by the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) show that visitor numbers to the Roman Baths have grown by 25% from 851,854 in 2022 to 1,061,240 in 2023.

The site is the 29th most visited attraction in the UK rankings

and, after Stonehenge, is the second most visited attraction in England outside of London. Councillor Paul Roper, cabinet member for economic & cultural sustainable development, said:

“It is a huge achievement to have welcomed over one million people to the Roman Baths for the first time since the pandemic – I am delighted that so many people chose our beautiful historic site as the place to make memories with their friends and families.

“To be 29th in a list of the country’s best museums, historic sites, and attractions is a ringing endorsement of the Roman Baths as one of the country’s must-see visitor destinations, and reflects the importance of Bath within the UK tourism industry. “These visitors contribute a huge amount to the local economy and all of the profit made at the Roman

Crossword answers - Issue 074 (22/03/2024)

Baths is used to improve the lives of local people and conserve the site for future generations.”

The Roman Baths team has been working to get the site looking its best to welcome visitors ahead of the peak tourism season.

Roman visitors to the baths would have enjoyed the water beneath an enormous, vaulted ceiling. Now open to the elements, the Great Bath needs to be emptied and cleaned to remove the build-up of algae and protect the historic stone.

The Roman Baths are now open for summer hours from 9am-6pm every day, with extended evening opening over the summer holidays.

Across: 1 Pillows, 5 Abraham, 9 As it is, 10 All fours, 11 Pyrenees, 12 Syntax, 13 Out of focus, 15 So-so, 16 Scam, 19 Reappeared, 22 Landau, 24 In repose, 25 Watchdog, 26 Traces, 27 Sensors, 28 Britons.

Down: 2 I ask you, 3 Let me go, 4 Wished-for, 6 Bulbs, 7 Amounts, 8 Air bags, 10 Associating, 14 Superstar, 17 Charade, 18 Medicos, 20 Asphalt, 21 Epstein, 23 Under.

Sporting Fixtures

Bath City FC

Saturday 6th April – 3pm

Bath City v Tonbridge Angels (Home)

Vanarama National League South

Tuesday 9th April – 7.45pm

Bath City v Hampton & Richmond Borough (Away)

Vanarama National League South

Saturday 13th April – 3pm

Bath City v Torquay United (Home)

Vanarama National League South

Womens 1st Team Football

Sunday 7th April – 2pm

Bath City Women v Frome Town Women 1st (Away)

SW Regional Womens League

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The land at Compton Dando, where the new forest is planned | Photo provided

Photo © Chris Wakefield