Bath Echo - Issue 076 - 19/04/2024

In this issue...

Controversial LTN under way at Sydney Road

Becky Feather Reporter

THE controversial throughtraffic restriction on Sydney Road at the junction with New Sydney Place is now in place after work began at the start of April.

Six bollards stop drivers from using the residential streets as a cut-through to avoid the A36/Bathwick Street junction but there is access to homes and businesses from either side and Bath & North East Somerset Council says parking arrangements have not changed. Motorists now have to follow the A36 around Beckford Road and along Sydney Place, passing the top of Great Pulteney Street.

Useful Information

The trial is for a minimum of six months and has been introduced under the council’s Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) programme.

The local authority says it wants to improve the environment for

residents and create a safe and pleasant route for walking and cycling through the area. Two central bollards can be removed for access by the emergency services.

The dedicated filter lane into Sydney Road from Warminster Road (the A36 towards Bath) has been removed and improvements made to junctions.

Comments on Facebook this week following the implementation of

the scheme include: “This won’t ease the traffic. It will only make it worse. What a waste of money which could of (sic) been spent on public transport.”

Another said: “Just walked up there to have a look where the bollards are. Three cars and a coach had to turn round just whilst we were there. Has increased the traffic flow on Beckford Road and presumably the pollution as well.”

Another said: “These liberal councillors want everyone scooting and cycling…They ignored 4,000 people on a petition and ploughed ahead like they have with all the other roadwrecking schemes.”

The petition on the 38 Degrees website warned that the proposals, while benefitting the relatively small number of residents on Sydney Place, would have a disproportionately negative impact on the estimated 2,000 residents living in Bathampton, Holburne Park and the thousands who use Warminster Road to access Bath. The petition warned it “cuts off a vital ‘relief valve’ and will increase the frequency of congestion on the westbound A36”.

The council has said it will monitor traffic and air quality impacts during the trial.

A similar scheme at Southlands in Weston village was recently made permanent, despite a majority of residents objecting to the scheme in council surveys.

Waste site still being emptied ahead of talks

Becky Feather Reporter

LAST month we reported on fears that fly-tipping would get worse after the Canal & River Trust (CRT) announced the imminent closure of the Bathampton waste site used by hundreds of people.

The charity said that fly-tipping had made the site “unsustainable and unfit for purpose”. But local residents, itinerant boaters and long-term mooring holders said there was no consultation on CRT’s “abrupt and final decision”.

A petition was signed by more than 500 people, acknowledging that the CRT had suffered a substantial funding shortfall but condemning the removal of vital refuse collecting facilities in one of the busiest parts of the network and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The petition said the already overburdened bins in Dundas and in Bath would not be able

to cope and warned that some boaters would end up burning their waste or fly-tipping along the canal.

The petitioners said the problem with the misuse of the site in Bathampton had been known to CRT for a number of years and suggested that the bins need to be fully contained by building a roof on the compound and getting a proper lock.

Last month CRT and Bath & North East Somerset Council, which is the landowner, issued a joint statement saying they were working together to try to resolve the issue to balance the needs of boaters, the Bathampton community and the environment. This week the CRT issued an updated statement saying: “We were disappointed by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s instruction for us to close the bin store at Bathampton on the Kennet & Avon Canal.

“After working hard to communicate with the council about their decision, they have now agreed to a meeting at the end of April to discuss the future of the bin store.

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“We are continuing to empty the facility and it will remain open for boaters until the meeting at the end of the month.

“Our customers remain our priority and we are doing all we can to remedy the situation while also identifying nearby alternative sites with suitable access.”

Looking down Sydney Place, with the new LTN restriction in place

Proposals to build 290 homes on South Stoke Plateau refused

Campaigns Network and Bath Preservation Trust.

THERE were cheers and applause from campaigners fighting plans to build hundreds of homes on fields on the southern edge of Bath after councillors rejected the scheme - but the council could have to fight an appeal from the developers.

Bath & North East Somerset Council’s planning committee meeting, held in the Banqueting Room at the Guildhall on Wednesday 10th April, was attended by well over 100 people. There were emotional standing ovations for the speakers who urged councillors to reject the proposal for an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Historic England had also raised concern and local parish councils and residents’ associations had lodged objections.

Concerns included overdevelopment in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), ecological damage and increased traffic chaos, as well as the impact on the ancient bank and ditch earthwork known as the Wansdyke.

After a meeting lasting three and a half hours, members of the committee voted 7-1 against the recommendations of planning officers and refused planning permission for The Hignett Family Trust’s plans to build 290 homes - up to 40% of which would have been affordable - on the South Stoke Plateau. The site, between Odd Down Park & Ride and Southstoke Lane, 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 homeswhich included open space and vehicular access from Combe Hay Lane was granted by the council in 2019.

The application being debated last week was seeking 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. The scheme included new allotments, ecological mitigation, landscaping, drainage and new footpaths/cycleways.

Addressing the committee, ward councillor Fiona Gourley (Bathavon South, Liberal Democrat) said: “We’re not arguing that there should be no more development: 129 homes remain.

However, this application proposes an extra 161, in itself a major development in the AONB and more than double the allocation.”

Alex Sherman, chief executive of Bath Preservation Trust, told the committee the harms of the scheme, including the impact on the character of Bath as a World Heritage Site, would far outweigh the public benefit.

In his speech he said there were no on-site facilities, shops or community buildings proposed, and the nearest shops would be a 3.5-mile round trip by car. He also highlighted the failure of the developers to contribute adequate funding to support the impact on the local NHS and schools.

Councillor Malcolm Austwick, chair of Combe Hay Parish Council, told the committee that the effect on traffic would be “severe” and would impact road safety. He said it would be a totally car-dependent overdevelopment and highlighted the lack of community facilities: “There is no community hall, no café, no shop, no bus service, no medical or educational facilities.”

Parish Council commissioned an independent survey by Alan Bailes. This filmed two of the junctions using drones and are compelling.”

Dr Garnett said the footage showed stationary cars on and between junctions; cars queuejumping by going into the righthand lane and going all round the roundabout; and queuing times of more than 12 and a half minutes.

“Compared to 15 seconds, this is a 40-fold difference,” he said.

Councillor Paul Beazley-Long, chair of South Stoke Parish Council, added that the traffic situation as described in the planning application is so far removed from everyday experience that the data should not be used: “There is no doubt

The reasons for refusal

will promote car dependency and the resulting traffic chaos will likely be severe.”

Representing the developers, Peter Frampton, of Frampton Town Planning, said the scheme would deliver up to 116 new affordable homes for families and households “struggling with the daily misery of living in inadequate accommodation”. Members of B&NES planning committee acknowledged that the scheme had some benefits, such as the high amount of affordable homes, but raised concerns on a number of issues including the lack of community facilities and impact on traffic.

for a “mixed-use” development but councillors said the only mixed-use element of these plans was the inclusion of allotments. Councillor Shaun Hughes (Midsomer Norton North, Independent) said: “We need to be building communities, not just housing estates.” Members were concerned that, together with the 171 homes that have already been built on one field in the first phase of the Sulis Meadows development, the number of homes built would exceed the 300 it was allocated for, but the council’s planning experts said that figure was not a cap.

The proposal had received more than 1,200 objections and was opposed by ward councillors and Bath MP Wera Hobhouse, along with other bodies including the Cotswolds Conservation Board, Cotswolds National Landscape Board, countryside charity CPRE, Avon Gardens Trust, Bath

Dr Ned Garnett, of the South of Bath Alliance, said the applicant’s traffic models had got it “very, very wrong”.

On the northbound approach to the Odd Down Park & Ride roundabout, they calculate there is only a maximum waiting time of 15 seconds. Dr Garnett said: “This is simply not credible but has not been challenged by B&NES Highways.

The planning committee refused the proposals on four grounds. Members said the scheme did not meet the exceptional circumstances needed for major development in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty: “The quantum of development far exceeds the 'around 300 dwellings' figure in the allocation and the scale and extent of development in the AONB has not been limited.”

Secondly, they said it would cause harm to the settings of the double-World Heritage Site City of Bath and non-designated heritage asset Sulis Manor. The third reason was that it would not be a sustainable community. In the absence of Scheduled Monument Consent for a shared use crossing of the Wansdyke monument, they said the proposed development fails to provide a sensitively designed and improved active travel link, while the failure to provide a mix of uses results in a “homogenous, dormitory development and would not create a sustainable community”.

Finally they said the proposed development would adversely impact a large number of trees/woodland with significant value: “The loss of a significant number of valuable trees is not justified by this inappropriate development.”

Chair of the planning committee Councillor Duncan Hounsell (Saltford, Liberal Democrat) reminded councillors that the council could face a costly appeal if found to have turned down the plans for the wrong reasons. But he was the only councillor to vote against refusing the plan. At the end of the meeting, he announced he would be stepping down as chair.

Following the committee’s decision, Dr Garnett, of the South of Bath Alliance, said campaigners were “clearly delighted” at the outcome and that the committee had listened to the very strong opinions of the local community.

“However, this has been a 20year battle and it’s likely to go to appeal so this fight goes on. It would be lovely if it stops here but from past experience it’s not going to,” he added.

Becky Feather & John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter

Bungalow plans approved despite “overdevelopment” warning

John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS to knock down a Bath bungalow and replace it with two new homes have got the green light, despite a local councillor’s warning of “massive overdevelopment”.

Redeveloping the site of the bungalow on Whiteway Road on the edge of the city and building two semi-detached threebedroom homes was a personal project for applicant Holly Wilding and her husband Oliver, who owns a design and build company, she told councillors on Bath & North East Somerset Council’s planning committee on Wednesday 10th April.

She said: “This is very much a personal enterprise between ourselves. We are a young family. We have two young children –three and ten months – and we are looking to hopefully make a positive investment here but also a family home for ourselves.”

She added: “With Oliver’s background he will build these homes to a high standard which in our view will positively contribute to the area.”

The homes will get all their energy from renewables, including solar panels and ground source heat

pumps, and six new trees will be planted.

Planning officers added that the design would also be an improvement on the current bungalow and recommended the plans be approved.

But neighbour Matthew Turner warned it would be “overbearing” on his garden, and leave his office in shadow.

He added: “When viewed from opposite, it’s just going to appear massive and out of context with the neighbouring properties. It’s very large.”

Local councillor Paul Crossley (Southdown, Liberal Democrat), who sits on the planning committee, warned the planned houses were “not a suitable replacement” for the bungalow. He said: “This is not a suitable replacement. It is massive overdevelopment of a small site

Safe Bus saves NHS over £400k in first year

Becky Feather Reporter

THE Bath Safe Bus, which cares for those in a vulnerable situation late at night, has helped more than 380 people in its first year and has saved the NHS more than £400,000.

The Safe Bus is parked on Orange Grove and runs every Friday and Saturday from 10.30pm to 4.30am, and on other nights such as when there are big events in the city. It is part of Bath Business Improvement District’s Safe and Secure activities.

People who have perhaps had too much to drink, or have become separated from their friends, can access the Safe Bus by walking in off the street.

Pubs, clubs, members of the public and emergency services can also call the team for

assistance and advice if they have a concern about someone’s wellbeing. Staffed by medical, security and volunteer teams, the Safe Bus provides ‘first response’ help and in its first year it has supported 388 people, with 170 medical incidents fully resolved at the bus.

The team calculated a saving of £340,000 in ambulance costs and £71,060 in A&E costs.

There are tea and coffee facilities on board, as well as food, and people can charge their phones and get spare clothing and flipflops, as well as sexual health products.

Going into the second year, the team are looking to find partners and sponsors to help them continue delivering the service. They are also looking for ambulance technicians and paramedics (paid roles) to join the team.

Three teens arrested after stolen van stung

on what is an extremely busy road.

He added: “Over the 30 years I’ve been a councillor here it's got more and more busy.”

But Tim Warren (Midsomer Norton Redfield, Conservative) said: “I think what here is proposed is an improvement to what’s already there in quite a few ways: it’s eco-friendly, you’ve got an extra house.”

Eleanor Jackson (Westfield, Labour) added that there was “what looks like a historic cock and hen wall across the front of the property”. Planning officers said it had been recognised this was an important feature to keep. Councillors voted to grant planning permission, subject to a condition to ensure that future boundary walls at the front remain in keeping with the historic walls along the street.

THREE men were arrested on the outskirts of Bath in the early hours of Friday 12th April in connection with the theft of a van. Officers from Wiltshire Police sighted the vehicle, which was believed to be travelling on cloned registration plates, on the A4 heading towards Box shortly after 3am. The Ford van, which had been stolen from the Avon and Somerset area, was stung on Box Road near the Bradford Road Roundabout.

It was stopped by officers on London Road East near Morris Lane, and three men decamped from the vehicle.

Fire service calls for keen knitters to help with teddy campaign

it’s a privilege to work with local knitters to provide them.

difficult experiences. Riding on fire engines alongside crews, Trauma Teddies have become an important piece of firefighting kit. The crew members are handed out to young people involved in traumatic incidents, providing much-needed reassurance and emotional support.

Prevention Manager Meghann

Elvin said: “Our teams have seen first-hand the impact that these cuddly companions can have on those affected by trauma, and

“If you enjoy knitting, pick up your needles and get in touch with us, we’re excited to work with you!”

Originally knitted by the Knowle Townswomen’s Guild in Bristol, the teddies have proven to make a real difference to the lives of children affected by trauma.

In order to be distributed, teddies need to be knitted to a specification. If you’re a keen knitter or a member of a knitting group looking for a new project, get in touch with the Children and Young Persons Team at CYP@avonfire.gov.uk before you begin.

The three, who are aged in their late teens, were all arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and taken into custody.

Det Sgt Ted Roe from Wiltshire Police’s Burglary Team said: “These arrests came about as a result of some excellent proactive work by our Neighbourhood officers and some great teamwork by our Roads Policing Unit and Armed Response officers who worked together to successfully safely stop the vehicle and arrest three suspects.”

Find

News in Brief

New Post Office planned in Lansdown store

A new Post Office branch is set to open at Lansdown. The Post Office says the service planned for the Spar store at Battle Walk at the Ensleigh site will be one of its “local style” branches with a lowscreened open-plan Post Office service point integrated into the retail counter. The new service will offer long opening hours in line with the shop – from 7am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and from 8am to 8pm on Sunday. The Post Office is running a consultation about its plans for the new branch which will be known as Battle Walk Post Office. The consultation closes on 21st May. Respond by emailing comments@postoffice.co.uk.

Knives and machetes

seized

by police

Police seized 12 dangerous knives and machetes, and two large axes, after attending an address in Bath on Tuesday 16th April. Attending officer PC Anders said: “Thanks to intelligence fed in by the public we are able to take these weapons off the streets.”

Pushbikes recovered

Police have recovered three highspec pushbikes from the Combe Down area, which are believed to have been stolen. Call 101 quoting log 0290 from 13th April if they might belong to you.

The stolen van, stopped by police | Photo © Wiltshire Police

Trauma teddies provided by the fire service | Photo © AF&RS

Victoria Art Gallery’s leaky roof needs fixing to protect treasures

WORK needs to be carried out on the roof of the Grade II* listed Victoria Art Gallery in Bath to protect both the building and the important collection it holds.

Bath & North East Somerset Council’s planning department has approved a planning application for scaffolding to be erected so that the roof lantern can be accessed. Its poor condition has resulted in water seeping into the gallery.

A report said all options were considered, but scaffolding tied to the gallery’s façade on Bridge Street is the only viable way to get safe access to the roof.

Tied scaffolding is considered a last resort because the ties can cause damage but it will avoid any decorative stonework. Freestanding scaffolding can be erected at the rear of the gallery. Until the roof can be fully surveyed, the full extent and nature of the repair works needed is unknown.

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About u3a in Bath

There are 450,000 of us in the UK and 1,400 in Bath. We are in “u3a in Bath” and our members are all retired or semi-retired. We take part in a range of educational or recreational activities. See the complete list of over 100 interest groups on our website u3ainbath.uk

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

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

Call for “return” of community policing after burglary response rise

THE MP for Bath, Wera Hobhouse, has called for a “return” of community policing after research revealed the average response time to burglaries has risen by over 200% in three years.

In the 2022/23 financial year, the average response time to burglary calls by Avon & Somerset Police took over five hours. This was an increase of almost 70% on the average response time from the year before, and a 210% rise on the response time by the police force in 2020/21, according to the research by the Liberal Democrats.

Burglaries are often considered Grade 2 priority incidents, which most police forces aim to respond to within one hour. However, police forces across England are falling short of this target, with those surveyed taking an average of nine hours and eight minutes for an officer to arrive at the scene once a burglary was reported. This is a 25% increase when compared to the previous year and an 87% increase on burglary response times in 2020/21.

In addition to the increased response times to burglaries in 2022/23, of the 6,150 burglaries reported to Avon & Somerset Police that year, 74% did not see

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

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CHINA, GEOPOLITICS AND OUR WORLD by George Magnus, Author and Broadcaster

the perpetrator caught. This means an average of 12 burglaries went unsolved each day in the region.

While the numbers of burglaries that were not solved by Avon & Somerset Police have improved in the last three years, following a decline in reports, the Bath MP is arguing that years of ineffective resourcing have left local police forces overstretched, under-resourced and unable to effectively respond to local crime.

More than 4,500 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) have been taken off the streets since 2015.

The MP is calling for a return to “proper community policing”, where officers are visible, trusted and able to focus on responding to neighbourhood crime like burglaries.

Mrs Hobhouse commented:

“Having your home burgled is a traumatic experience, and victims in Bath deserve a timely response and a thorough investigation from their local police force.

“Yet, years of Conservative mismanagement have made realistic expectations of safety and effective policing seem nearly impossible for forces across the country.

“The fact that traumatised

burglary victims are being left waiting for hours, wondering if the police will even arrive, is unacceptable.

“To think that crucial evidence may be lost in the process too is unforgivable.

“Our communities deserve to feel safe. But this government has decimated community policy, leaving forces lacking resources and victims lacking support. “It’s time to restore proper community policing so people can be confident that if they do fall victim to crime, the police will turn up and investigate properly.”

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Bath MP Wera Hobhouse

Curo planning to demolish 55 garages to make way for homes

Becky Feather Reporter

HOUSING association Curo has submitted redevelopment plans to Bath & North East Somerset Council to knock down 55 of its garages in Bath and Saltford and build 12 two-bed homes. The new housing for social rent would be highly energy-efficient and feature air source heat pumps, solar panels, electric vehicle charging points and private gardens/balconies.

Curo plans to demolish 16 garages at Kelston View in Whiteway to make way for four affordable homes, each for a family of four. During a consultation before the planning application was submitted, local people were generally happy with the proposals to knock down the garages – which one described as “an eyesore and magnet for graffiti”- and deliver more local housing. A pre-application enquiry had been made by Curo to the council in 2021 for seven affordable homes on this site. The response confirmed that the principle of residential development would be acceptable, but seven homes would be overdevelopment. The proposal submitted is for two

apartment buildings, housing four homes in total. Four parking spaces are proposed, along with two visitor parking spaces and eight cycle storage spaces.

The planning reference is 24/01120/FUL.

In Saltford, there are plans to demolish 15 garages in two blocks on the corner of Stratton Road and Camerton Close to make way for four homes.

The planning application says the proposed layout has been amended following consultation with the local community last November.

Feedback suggested that vehicle access would be preferred from Stratton Road instead of Camerton Close. The proposed buildings now front onto Stratton Road. The scheme includes four allocated parking spaces and cycle storage. All the properties would have private rear gardens. The existing footpath on Stratton Road would be extended along the southern boundary with Camerton Close.

Curo says the redevelopment of this “unsightly” piece of brownfield land will enhance the character and amenities of the area, providing housing with good sustainability credentials. The planning reference is 24/01119/FUL.

The other garages in Saltford that are earmarked for demolition are next to Wedmore Road car park. Again, Curo says this is an “unsightly” piece of brownfield land. There are 24 garages in two terraced blocks and Curo says it is in a sustainable location. The site is however just outside of Saltford’s Housing Development Boundary but Curo’s application refers to a B&NES Council policy that allows the release of land that would not normally be used for housing for the development of 100% affordable housing on small sites where there is a demonstrated local need. Four homes are proposed on this site, with eight parking spaces on the basis of two per home. The scheme also provides two secure and covered cycle parking spaces per home.

During the consultation before the plans were submitted, one local resident said they had no objections.

Another was happy the garages would be demolished but expressed a preference for the site to be used to provide more parking for Saltford Hall and the sports clubs which are busy at the weekends. The planning reference is 24/01118/FUL.

The deadline for comments for all three schemes is 24th April.

Festival cancelled over financial viability

THE organisers of the popular Outfield Festival in Midsomer Norton have announced they have cancelled this year’s event.

Due to take place on Sunday 25th August, it had promised to be the biggest event of the year for the town. The festival raises funds for Midsomer Norton Cricket Club and the wider community.

In a statement, the organisers said: “We are sorry to have to announce that this year’s Outfield Festival is cancelled.

“As an independent festival run by volunteers, we are not immune to the economic environment.

Sadly, a combination of significantly increased infrastructure costs and many of our sponsors not being able to support as they have done

previously puts us in a position where despite good ticket sales, the event is not financially viable. “All tickets purchased will be refunded in full and we thank the hundreds of you who have bought early for doing so again this year.

“We are a small team that puts hundreds of hours of our unpaid time into running the event for the community each year and are extremely proud of what we’ve achieved over the last three festivals and take our motivation from seeing the enjoyment of all that attend.”

They added: “We would like to thank all who have supported us in our journey so far. We are making this decision now to protect the festival’s future.”

£850,000 funding boost for walking and cycling

OVER £850,000 has been secured by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) to support new schemes to encourage more people to leave their cars at home.

Plans include new pedestrian crossings, as well as free cycle training lessons for adults, children and families at venues across the West of England, and grants to promote walking and cycling.

Over half of people in Bath and North East Somerset think there should be more investment in walking and cycling schemes, according to the charity Sustrans.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris, who leads the West of England Combined Authority, has allocated more than £14 million to boosting walking and cycling since being elected in May 2021. He said: “A major priority for the West of England Mayoral

Combined Authority is encouraging as many locals as possible to walk and cycle, especially for shorter everyday journeys.

“This is yet more great news for local people who want to hop on two wheels or get from A to B by taking a stroll and getting some fresh air in the process.

“I am proud that the Mayoral Combined Authority is getting on delivering vital schemes to promote and boost walking and cycling for the health and other reasons we all know about, not least to cut those traffic jams and slash our emissions at pace.”

Schemes already funded by WECA to boost cycling and walking include improving the region’s cycle routes such as via the A4 Upper Bristol Road in Bath, and Keynsham Road route, connecting the Bristol and Bath Railway Path at Bitton Station to Keynsham Train Station.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris cycling | Photo courtesy of WECA

The festival raises funds for Midsomer Norton Cricket Club

Pictures from the Past Bath in Colour

Lost but not forgotten

Kirsten Elliott Akeman Press

THIS week, we take a short tour to look at aspects of Bath that have long gone. We begin in the 1960s, alongside the colonnade in Parade Gardens, overlooking the old weir. As can be seen, it was a popular spot for anglers. By 1971, it had been replaced by the present horseshoe weir – part of the flood prevention scheme. We then head up Walcot Street to visit what claimed to be the world’s first centre

for recycling building materials – Walcot Reclamation. It opened in 1976 and this slide dates from 1981.

As well as being a Mecca for architects, builders and DIY enthusiasts, it was also a honeypot for photographers, keen to snap its attractive collections of everything from roof tiles to floor slabs, along with a variety of windows, distressed doors and quantities of antiquated plumbing supplies. The yard closed in 2010.

One set of buildings which still remain, though much altered, are in Rivers Street Mews. Tucked away behind houses in

Rivers Street and Catherine Place was a remarkable survival – a Georgian stableyard. Although it had suffered some changes during the years, it was still being used as garages – the modern equivalent of stables. In 2011, however, an application was made to convert the properties to houses.

The conservation officer decided that not enough remained of the original to keep it as it was, and while I disagree with his assessment, 25 years after this photograph was taken in the mid 1980s it was beginning to look rundown and derelict.

Conversion was perhaps the best way to save it. It is, however, a pity that it is now hidden behind high wooden gates, so this attractive aspect of Bath’s Georgian history is lost to view.

Finally, we come back to the city centre and almost to the present day. In 2013, Andrew Swift took this shot of a steam train excursion arriving at Bath Spa. Nothing perhaps so unusual in that, but for once there were no avid train photographers in view. For a fleeting moment, it recalled the time when steam trains were the standard form of transport.

A Georgian stable yard, tucked away behind houses in Rivers Street and Catherine Place Fishing at Pulteney Weir

Walcot Reclamation in 1981

Food & Drink

Tasty Dates For Your Diary

Float along to the magical surroundings of Iford Manor on Friday 26th April and indulge your senses in a splendid Supper Club menu that brings all manner of strictly seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients (many sourced from the manor's walled garden or the Iford estate itself) together in one stunning, imaginative 6-course feast accompanied by live music. Can't make the date? Iford Manor Supper Clubs take place every fortnight... and every one of them is totally, unforgettably unique (£65pp to include supper and a welcome drink on arrival).

https://bit.ly/3Q5b7rb

Vibrant, forward-thinking plant-based diner Rooted Cafe (Newbridge Road) are gearing up for their next Supper Club on Saturday 27th April, offering

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

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/3vUFYQu

Magnificently elegant country house hotel Lucknam Park (Colerne) has supplemented its Michelin-starred Restaurant Hywel Jones with a brand new Walled Garden Restaurant that “reimagines the romance and serenity of an English country garden” and specialises in super-seasonal all-day menus masterminded by Head Chef Alex Greene.

https://bit.ly/4d3h41K

Party on at the Electric Bear Co Taproom and courtyard

Recipe: Singapore Fried Rice

(Brassmill Lane, Newbridge) on Saturday 27th April when their annual Spring Fest brings a boisterous line-up of craft beer, street food and live music together in perfect good-times harmony. Don't miss out!

https://bit.ly/3V4ZvIm

Fancy a taste of USA history? In the spring of 1936, three years after the repeal of prohibition, the Willett family founded their bourbon and rye whisky distillery in Maryland, near Washington DC. 88 years later (on Thursday 2nd May to precise) Kit from Willett's UK importers Marussia will land at Independent Spirit (Terrace Walk) to share a selection of Willett's boisterous bourbons in uniquely convivial surroundings. Cheers, y'all! (£30pp).

https://bit.ly/3vTKoaq

Afternoon Tea, lawn games, a DJ and more – it's all going on in the beautiful gardens of the Royal Crescent Hotel between 1pm - 4pm on Monday 6th May. Representatives from prime perfumiers Penhaligon's will be on hand to showcase their latest fragrance, and the good folk from both 6 o'clock Gin and Taittinger are collaborating to present an exclusive cocktail bar. Is this the most elegant ever way to spend a Bank Holiday Monday afternoon? We think so! (£65pp; £32.50 for children aged 11 and under; booking essential).

https://bit.ly/440ONF0

A uniquely exciting venue, Bath's hottest private event chef and a cocktail king; put 'em together

Melissa Blease Food Writer

and what have you got? Two spectacular Spring Tasting Menu events courtesy of a super-cool collaboration between Yuzu by Dan Moon and the vibrant Cassia Collective (Sovereign Point, Midland Road) on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th May. Enjoy a sumptuous 7-course seasonal feast best enjoyed with a carefully-curated wine flight and a selection of sensational cocktails to round off the evening in style (£75pp).

https://bit.ly/3xxWpCI

Melissa regularly reviews restaurants across Bath.

www.theprandialplayground.uk

This tastebud-tingling takeaway classic arrives on your table in around the same time it takes to find your local takeaway menu in the back of your kitchen drawer. Shredded pre-roast chicken, duck or pork can be added or used in place of the prawns, but if you don't have any of them to hand (or prefer a vegetarian version), top each bowl of rice with a fried egg smattered with soy and chilli sauces and finely-chopped spring onions – va-va-voom!

• 3-4 tbsp vegetable oil

• 1 large onion, finely chopped

• 1 large red pepper, deseeded and chopped

• 1 large green pepper, deseeded and chopped

• 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed

• 3cm knob of fresh ginger, peeled and grated

• 1 small red chilli (or to taste), finely chopped

• 1 level tbsp medium curry powder

• 1 tsp turmeric

• 1 tbsp dark soy sauce

• 1 tbsp mirin or dry sherry

• 100g frozen peas, defrosted

• 100g frozen sweetcorn, defrosted

• 150g large, cooked king prawns

• 1 x 250g pack microwave basmati rice

• 2 large eggs, beaten

• 2 tsp sesame oil

• 3-4 spring onions, finely-chopped

Method Ingredients (serves 2)

• Heat a large wok or frying pan over medium heat and add 2 tbsp of the vegetable oil. As soon as the oil starts to smoke, add the onion and peppers and sauté for around 4-6 minutes or until the onion is translucent and the peppers have softened, adding the garlic, ginger, chilli, curry powder and turmeric for the last couple of minutes of cooking time. If the mixture looks a little bit too dry, add a bit more oil before adding the packet rice and the prawns to the pan. Stir-fry for a couple of minutes, add the peas and sweetcorn and stir again to thoroughly combine all the ingredients.

• Move the mixture to one side of the pan, add the remaining tbsp of oil to the 'well' and, when the oil has heated up, pour the beaten eggs on top of the oil. Briefly scramble the eggs before mixing them through the rest of the ingredients and continuing to sauté, repeatedly tossing/ turning until all the ingredients are thoroughly heated through and adding the sesame oil for the final shake-it-all-about.

• Serve immediately in warm bowls sprinkled with the chopped spring onions and splashes of soy or chilli sauce.

What's On

Spring Plant Fayre

Dyrham Park

19th – 27th April, 10am - 5pm

Help your garden flourish with seasonal plants and decorative garden products for sale. There will be special offers and you'll be able to pick up all you need for spring and summer in your garden.

The Bootleg Beatles

The Forum

22nd April, 7.30pm

Regarded as being the Gold standard of Tribute, the Bootleg Beatles return for another nostalgic whirlwind trip through the 60s. With a little help from their popular orchestral ensemble.

Cilla & The Swinging 60s

Burdall’s Yard

26th April, 7.30pm

A highly entertaining show, stylishly celebrating the life and music of the legendary Cilla Black as well as a handpicked selection of her well-known contemporaries.

Drawing the Buildings of Bath

No.1 Royal Crescent

29th April, 2 - 5pm

In this workshop you will work with artist Duncan Harper to produce your own drawing of some of Bath’s buildings, working in the iconic setting of the Royal Crescent.

Brahms' Ein Deutsches Requiem

St Luke’s Church

20th April, 7.30pm

Even without the heart-stopping music those opening words of the Brahms' Ein Deutsches Requiem must surely resonate with everyone - those with religious beliefs and those with none.

Romeo and Juliet

The Egg

22nd – 24th April

This adaptation fully realises the characters of the lovers and brings to life their world: the sound, heat and colour of Verona and the dark threat of the feud between their families.

The First Raitt Band Chapel Arts Centre

26th April, 8pm Paying tribute to Bonnie Raitt, singer Caroline Tarbuck and bottleneck wizard Roger Slade. Plus a rhythm section with Pete Watson on keys, Tim Martin on bass and John Furlong on drums.

Bonnie and Clyde Theatre

Royal

30th April – 4th May

Two small-town kids from the middle of nowhere became the biggest folk heroes in all America. They craved adventure - and each other. Their names were Bonnie and Clyde.

Handel’s Water Music

St Michael’s Without

20th April, 7.30pm

Friday 19th April - Thursday 2nd May 2024

Following the success of Bath Recital’s A Carolean Christmas, 2024 begins with a candlelit concert of seasonal Baroque music by Handel. Featuring a rare performance of The Choice of Hercules.

An Evening with Liz Earle

St Swithin’s Church

23rd April, 7.30pm

Champion of women's health and beauty, author Liz Earle shares her hard-won wisdom, practical advice and know-how that can turn the tide on those feelings of dejection.

Big Spring Sing

Walcot Methodist Chapel

27th April, 7.30pm

The Glastonbury Male Voice Choir and Corsham's Viva Vocals come together for a celebration of singing. With items ranging from modern to traditional, folk & pop, there's something for everyone.

St John’s: The City’s Oldest Charity BRLSI

1st May, 7.30pm

Many recognise St John’s as one of the city’s most well-established charities, but did you know that 2024 marks its 850th birthday? Find out more about an institution as integral as Bath's waters.

Spring Foraging Workshop

Newton Farm Shop

21st April, 10.30am – 12.30pm

Explore nature's larder with local forager/food producer, Chris Westgate of Heavenly Hedgerows. Chris will guide you on a forage around the Newton Park Estate focusing on spring greens.

Skylight

The Rondo Theatre

24th – 27th April, 7.30pm

On a bitter night in the mid-1990s, Kyra returns to her cold, damp North London flat after a day’s work teaching disadvantaged children. What happens is an unexpected reminder of her past.

Plant Sale

Bath City Farm

27th April, 10am – 2pm

An extensive range of plants grown on the farm from locally sourced seeds will be for sale, including everything from wild flowers and salad leaves to rhubarb and beans. All in aid of the city farm.

The Deep Blue Sea Ustinov Studio

2nd May – 1st June

Tamsin Greig stars in Terence Rattigan’s 1950s study of obsession and the destructive power of love. When you’re stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea, the sea can look very inviting.

Join this year’s Midnight Walk event

CHARITY Dorothy House is on the lookout for people to take on a night of walking, talking and dancing in Bath on Saturday 15th June.

The annual Midnight Walk fundraiser will feature numerous stalls including an environmentally friendly face paint bar and a photo booth, a fully marshalled 5K or 10K walk, and a DJ.

The charity event is for anyone aged over 12 and starts at the Bath Pavilion.

Arrival is from 9pm, with time to enjoy drinks and food, and a warm-up with Cheryl Sprinkler from Mojo Moves. This year, there’ll be both the usual 5K walk, as well as a brand new 10K route for those looking to push themselves.

The 10K walkers will set off at 10pm, followed by the 5K walkers heading out at 11pm, enjoying the sights of Bath on a summer night. This year’s theme is pyjamas. The Hospice is looking for people to get into the bedtime spirit by snuggling into their own pyjamas, onesies or dressing gowns. Alternatively, walkers are encouraged to upcycle nightwear

from one of the Dorothy House shops.

All the walkers will be back at Bath Pavilion around midnight, where everyone will continue to celebrate with a slumber party. Celebrations at the Pavilion will finish at 1.30am.

Every penny raised from the Midnight Walk will help fund the Dorothy House “Hospice at Home” service. Dorothy House is asking each walker to aim to raise a minimum of £50, which could fund two hours of overnight care, provided by one of the Hospice at Home carers. Kerry Evans is taking part in the

Midnight Walk, after the charity looked after her stepdad Kevin. She said: “We will be forever grateful to all the staff at Dorothy House who contributed to looking after Kevin and us as a family. For the amazing and tender care and the time and effort they gave to Kevin to ensure his time at Dorothy House was as wonderful as it could be.

“The laughs they provided to keep us all smiling and even to the tears they shared with us after he took his last breath. Nothing was ever too much trouble.” You can sign up for £20 today at www.dorothyhouse.org.uk.

Views sought on locations for chargers

LOCALS are being invited to have their say on where new electric vehicle chargers could be installed in residential areas across the region.

The West of England Combined Authority (WECA), which is led by Metro Mayor Dan Norris, has secured £6.6 million to create a regional charge point network.

Currently, there are around 580 publicly available charge points in the region.

To make electric vehicles a more practical choice, Mr Norris has secured funding from the government to create the new network, aiming to add over 1,000 new chargers.

Residents are being asked to help identify where new charge points could have the greatest impact in their community.

Using a revamped online mapping tool, residents can drop a pin at the location where they would like to see an electric vehicle charge point in their local area.

Whether it’s outside homes or a workplace, shops, or near a local park, every suggestion will help

build a more comprehensive picture of what is needed locally. You can visit www.westofenglandca.gov.uk/westcharge to have your say.

Alternatively email evcharging@ westofengland-ca.gov.uk with the postcode, location and building number of where you would like to see a WESTcharge and your reason.

Suggestions made by 28th June will be reviewed and suitable locations taken forward, though residents can keep sending through their ideas beyond that date.

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Photo courtesy of Dorothy House Hospice Care

£170,000 grant awarded for solar panels on sports centre

BATH & North East Somerset Council has been awarded more than £170,000 of funding to install solar panels on Bath Sports & Leisure Centre in Bathwick.

The local authority has been awarded the money from the government’s Swimming Pool Support Fund (SPSF), which provides capital investment to improve the energy efficiency of public facilities with pools.

Subject to confirmation from a roof survey, up to 212 kilowatt peak (kWp) solar PV array will be installed on the central roof area of the building, which is managed by GLL.

An estimated 124kWp is required to provide the electricity needed for the swimming pools, with the additional array potentially providing electricity for future air source pumps that may be installed as part of a longer-term decarbonisation plan for the building.

Installing the solar panel system is expected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 23 tonnes and save £41,000 in energy costs each year.

Councillor Oli Henman, cabinet project lead for Climate Emergency and Sustainability, said: “We are delighted to have

received this funding, which will help us take the next step forward in our ambition to decarbonise our council buildings and generate renewable energy.

“It will reduce the energy consumption of the building and cut the carbon output, helping us to achieve our Net Zero goal by 2030 and achieve our targets of a minimum of 300MW district-wide renewable

energy generating capacity and 12MW installed capacity on the corporate estate.”

Barnaby Rich, partnership manager for GLL, the charitable social enterprise that operates Bath Sports and Leisure Centre on behalf of the council, said: “This funding from Sport England is a huge boost for the leisure centre and we are very grateful for the support provided by Bath

Changes to WESTlink include better connections to city’s hospitals

Becky Feather Reporter

PASSENGERS can now benefit from changes to the WESTlink minibus service across the district.

The green buses link up passengers making similar journeys to onward travel options and cover more remote areas in the West of England.

The previous three large zones – North, South and FTZ (largely North Bristol) and two shared zones – have been replaced with nine smaller ‘core’ zones and 12 shared zones.

To address passenger concerns that there are not enough WESTlinks available to book, new ‘zones’ have been introduced to encourage shorter journeys and people can no longer book a journey they could take by traditional bus or train. The new zones have been developed by looking at where WESTlink trips have been made over the past year, overall regional travel patterns plus feedback from residents and community groups. The area WESTlink now covers has been expanded to bring in new locations including:

• Bath’s Royal United Hospital and St Martin’s Hospital, as well as the University of Bath.

• Kingswood High Street, Hengrove Leisure Centre, Ashton Vale, the Hungerford Road area of Brislington and a

small part of Withywood.

• Failand, Hewish, Nailsea and Backwell railway station in North Somerset.

A number of key destinations such as Cribbs Causeway, Southmead Hospital, Aztec West, UWE and Parkway Station can now be reached by WESTlink for the first time from new locations including Yate and Thornbury.

Dan Norris, West of England Mayor, said: “On the first anniversary of WESTlink, we are making important changes to improve the region’s stop-to-stop bookable minibus service.

“WESTlinks have become a familiar sight on our roads, linking up passengers to main bus routes that run every 15 minutes into our two cities.

“We will continue to adapt and change so together we can make stop-to-stop travel in the West a success. If you’ve not tried it before, please give WESTlink a go.”

More than 100,000 trips have been made by people travelling on a WESTlink so far.

The aim is to help those who live in areas with little or no or limited public transport to connect with main bus routes, attracting new passengers onto buses, which is a key priority for the Mayor.

To book, passengers can download the WESTlink app from the App Store or GooglePlay, or call 0117 4578561.

A single adult journey costs £2. Journeys can be booked the day before.

Sport England and £20 million of Lottery funding was also made available to complement the government’s £40 million SPSF capital fund.

More than 700 facilities applied for the funding with a total funding ask of four times the amount available.

Lisa Dodd-Mayne, executive director of Place at Sport England, said: “Swimming pools and leisure centres are vital community resources and are enormously important in helping people to be physically active.

“Many pools have faced a real and significant threat to their survival this year, as local authorities and operators have battled the challenge of increased energy and wider costs, weakened reserves and difficulties with retaining staff.

& North East Somerset Council in helping to secure this significant financial award.

“We will now be able to reduce our operating costs and harness green energy. Both crucial measures that align both with GLL’s commitment to ‘Respecting the Planet’ and the council’s Carbon Net Zero ambitions.”

The Swimming Pool Support Fund is being administered by

“Sport England is proud of the role we’ve played in supporting these facilities through this difficult period.

“We hope the funding announcement will enable more public pools to improve their energy efficiency to be more environmentally and financially sustainable, so they remain available for future generations to enjoy.”

Approval granted for wellbeing centre

PLANS to change agricultural land at Batheaston into a venue for counselling and therapy where counsellors will work in yurts have been approved despite some local concerns. The directors of The Wellbeing Garden sought permission from Bath & North East Somerset Council for the “innovative and low impact proposal in a naturalistic setting”. The land is between 131 and 153 High Street and is situated within the Green Belt and the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The planning application said that the reversible nature of the scheme means it does not fall within the definition of ‘building’. The two yurts and an earth closet will be screened from public view by trees and a wall.

The proposed use is between 8am and 4pm Monday to Saturday, although initially the centre will open on Fridays only from 10am to 3pm, with two counsellors working in the yurts and seeing up to eight clients a day.

The council received 12 objections including concerns about the impact on local parking and wildlife, overlooking and loss of privacy to neighbours, and that the proposal could result in further development on the site in the future. One objector said that no further development in Batheaston should be permitted until the village’s “extreme traffic issues” are resolved.

One person supported the good intentions of the proposal.

But B&NES Council planning officers said that the “modest scale” therapy use will preserve the openness of this part of the Green Belt and would not be inappropriate development. There was no objection from the council’s highways team who said the site is easily accessible by pedestrians and well served by public transport connections. Conditions of permission include that full details of a biodiversity net gain plan and a habitat management plan must be submitted and approved by the council before work can start.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris with a WESTlink driver | Photo © WECA The new solar panels will help to save around £40,000 per year in electricity costs

An example of a yurt | Library image

Graduate’s washing machine project partners with Whirlpool

AN organisation launched by a graduate from the University of Bath which provides off-grid manual washing machines around the world is set to partner with the Whirlpool Foundation.

The Washing Machine Project, a grassroots organisation that supports people on low incomes and in displaced communities, will collaborate with the Whirlpool Foundation to deliver 10,000 manual washing machines over the next five years. The new partnership will enable The Washing Machine Project, led by graduate Nav Sawhney, to install the Divya manual machines in India, Mexico, Brazil, Republic of Congo, Uganda and Sudan, impacting around 150,000 people. In its first five years, the collaboration will help unlock approximately 17 million hours for women and girls to improve their quality of life and halve overall water usage, bringing efficient and sustainable washing solutions where they are needed most.

Nav, who completed a masters in Humanitarianism, Conflict and Development at the University

of Bath, said: “We are honoured to partner with the Whirlpool Foundation.

“This collaboration is a testament to what can be achieved when compassion meets technology. “Together we are set to revolutionise laundry practices globally, paving the way for a more equitable and prosperous future for hundreds of thousands of people.”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 70% of households worldwide depend

on women and girls for water collection and laundry. The project estimates that people spend up to 20 hours each week hand washing clothes in underserved communities globally. The collaboration will help save time and create opportunities for learning, income-generating activities and more time with family. The world’s first flat-packable manual washing machine allows users to wash their clothes without electricity or a connected

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water source. The simple design reduces the prolonged physical effort usually required to hand wash clothes, replacing it instead with a simple manual machine that can be used frequently and safely, saving the user up to 76% of the time compared to hand washing clothes.

Pam Klyn, Whirlpool Corporation executive vice president, corporate relations and sustainability, said: “We greatly admire the mission and work of The Washing Machine

Project and see an opportunity to help impact more lives collectively than either of us could individually.”

Before embarking on The Washing Machine Project, Nav was an engineer at Dyson. He studied at the University of Bath to understand more about humanitarianism and build connections in the field.

Dr Oliver Walton, Director of Studies for the MSc in Humanitarianism, Conflict and Development, said: “My most lasting memory of Nav is his incredible commitment.

“On our field trip to Jordan, he spent all his time networking with humanitarian agencies. He’s a coordinator, a motivator, and a ’super rep’ for the course.”

During his time at the university, Nav received a £12,000 grant from The University of Bath Alumni Innovation Award to help him realise his project, including a virtual membership at SETSquared, Bath’s awardwinning business incubator. He said: “The University has been integral to our growth and has fuelled our innovation. Whenever we’ve had a problem, the University has been there.”

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Nav Sawhney distributes the machine with Whirlpool in Southern India | Photo © Washing Machine Project

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District's adult social care services brought back in-house

KEY services providing support to people with social care needs and learning disabilities have been brought under the direct control of Bath & North East Somerset Council.

Following a cabinet decision in May 2022 to not extend the contract with HCRG Care Group, who are one of the UK’s largest community services providers, the council has worked with them to transfer services from 1st April. The move sees 238 employees transfer from HCRG Care Group to the council. They will continue to deliver the same social care services to adults in Bath and North East Somerset that they have been providing, meaning supported people have continuity.

The services transferred also include supported living and specialist social work services for Becky Feather Reporter

adults, including autism care and hearing and vision support. As part of the move, day services – provided at Carrswood in Twerton and Connections in Radstock – also come across to the council, along with associated transport provision.

These services provide opportunities for adults who have a learning disability to learn new skills, gain confidence and participate in a range of activities.

People also continue to receive access to specialist support including speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and psychology.

The council also continues to offer a first response team acting as the first point of contact for people who need to access care.

The Shared Lives Scheme, which links residents who need support with carers in their community, is also now run by the council, as is a vocational hub to help people with additional needs to access voluntary and paid employment.

Councillor Alison Born, cabinet member for Adult Services, said:

“Our priority has always been to provide the highest quality care and help people to live happy, independent and fulfilling lives within their communities for as long as possible.

“This transfer has been a significant amount of work for HCRG Care Group and the council and I’m pleased that together we have achieved this successfully and seamlessly without disruption for residents.

“Taking direct control of adult

social care services in B&NES will give us greater power to shape how services are delivered and to achieve the best outcomes for people in our care.

“This move has brought us in line with the majority of other councils and will enable us to ensure that we are effectively managing staffing levels to meet residents’ needs, also helping to improve recruitment in a highly competitive job market.

“It will ensure that services offer value for money, are robust and ultimately protect vulnerable people while enabling them to live the best life they can.

“The council would like to thank HCRG Care Group for their dedication and hard work in delivering the services and the support they have given the council to ensure that the services are transferred safely. We are very pleased to be welcoming all the colleagues back to our council team and are looking forward to working with them.”

Covid-19 pandemic care home death study inconclusive

John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter

A LONG-AWAITED study into why care home deaths during Covid-19 were exceptionally high in Bath and North East Somerset has finally been published, but it has been unable to address the question it was set to answer.

In 2021, the rate of Covid-19 deaths in care homes in Bath and North East Somerset was the highest in all of England — more than double the national average. This was despite the area having a below-average proportion of Covid-19 deaths generally.

Bath & North East Somerset Council tasked independent research body the National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West) with investigating why the rate of Covid-19 deaths in care homes in the area was in the highest 10% in the country during the second wave between September 2020 and February 2021, despite the rate of Covid-19 deaths among the general population in the area being in the lowest 30% in the country, and the figure for hospitals being in the lowest 10% at the same time.

The council itself published its own analysis in a “briefing note” in March last year, pointing to statistics which showed the area already had one of the highest proportions of people choosing to die at home rather than in hospital in England and that the pattern for Covid-19 deaths was the same as it had been for “all

causes” deaths.

The report by NIHR ARC West, which has now been published, consists of a “quantitative study” looking at data about care homes collected by Bath & North East Somerset Council, and a “qualitative study” consisting of interviews with care home staff from across the West of England sharing their experience of dealing with the pandemic. It concluded: “The evidence available did not suggest that behaviour and practices undertaken by care homes contributed to the death rates recorded in B&NES during the pandemic.”

But there was little in the study to point to what had caused care homes in the Bath and North East Somerset area in particular to experience such a high rate of Covid-19 deaths.

The study’s authors acknowledged this and said they had been unable to collect enough information.

The study did not find an association between discharges from hospitals into care homes and the number of cases of

Covid-19 and deaths, but found a strong correlation with care home size.

Interviews identified insufficient staffing as the biggest challenge for care homes, with staff having to expand their remits and facing burnout.

The report added it was “possible” that visitors and agency staff, who some interviews said were “reluctant to fully engage” with the measures in place at the care homes they came to, were linked with Covid-19 outbreaks. The report said that some issues identified in the quantitative study were then not supported by the qualitative study.

Some data, which researchers said should be “interpreted with caution” due to a small sample size, suggested that there was a link between having a manager who had been in place for less than a year, and having a lower level of cases and deaths.

The study called the link “unexpected and unexplained” and interviews with staff conversely found that experienced managers were viewed as a positive.

The quantitative study also found a “weak and inconclusive” association between care homes having less engagement with Bath & North East Somerset Council and having fewer cases and fewer deaths. But the qualitative study showed care homes had a largely “positive and supportive” relationship with local authorities.

The report stated: “We recognise that many of the points here do not address the death rates in B&NES specifically but we were unable to collect sufficient data for this purpose. However, the data we have provided enable insight into the situation for care homes during the pandemic and offer pointers to the future management during outbreaks of severe infectious diseases.” No care home residents were interviewed for the study because, by the time the researcher was hired to carry out the interviews in September 2022, residents’ recall would have been limited and a number had died, the report stated. As a result, researchers only spoke to staff.

A section on the limitations of the research added: “We were unable to recruit sufficient care homes in the B&NES area to address the original research question directly and the lack of the resident voice in the work means we are missing a crucial perspective.”

Instead, the report pointed to the council’s briefing note for “further contextual data” and recommended their analysis be considered alongside the study. The report went before Bath & North East Somerset Council’s

scrutiny panel on adults, children, health, and wellbeing on 15th April.

Alison Born, the council’s cabinet member for adult services, said: “Our thoughts and sympathies remain with all those who lost their loved ones during the pandemic.

“We will never forget its impact on our older and more vulnerable residents as well as our care workers, who worked so hard in such challenging circumstances.

“I welcome this report as a transparent and detailed analysis of how the pandemic impacted on and was managed in care homes in our area. I particularly welcome the inclusion of voices from care home staff.

“This research provides new data, learning and insight which builds on what we published last year. It offers reassurance that the initial analysis was right to suggest that the headline figures — once seen in context — do not cause us concerns.

“The report also provides useful learning which could be helpful to those involved in planning for future pandemics.”

Councillor Alison Born welcomed the report | Photo © B&NES Council

The rate of Covid-19 care home deaths was highest in the country

Services had been contracted to HCRG Care Group, previously Virgin Care

Council refuses to list historic Moles as a community asset

John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter

A BID to save beloved Bath music venue Moles has been quashed after the council refused to protect the space.

The venue, which hosted early gigs from bands such as Pulp and The Smiths, announced it was closing with immediate effect and filing for insolvency in December after being “crippled” by the cost of living crisis.

More than 4,000 people signed a petition to save the club, its closure was raised in Parliament, and the Music Venue Trust launched a six-point plan to ensure the site has a future as a grassroots music venue. Step one of this plan was to get Moles recognised as an “asset of community value” by Bath & North East Somerset Council, a status which would delay any potential sale and change of use of the property and give the community six months to put together a bid to buy it.

The Music Venue Trust then hoped to raise the funds to buy the venue and set up a community interest company to

keep it going. But, in a major blow to these hopes, the council has refused to give the venue the status.

The Music Venue Trust warned that this meant the opportunity to save Moles had been “permanently lost” but the leader of the council, Kevin Guy, said that the decision could be reconsidered if the group submitted a new application with more evidence.

The decision, which was delegated to council officers and not made by elected councillors, said: “The nomination puts forward the argument that the local community are supportive of coming together to run this as a music venue in the future.

“However, in our view, this is not enough to show that there is a realistic prospect that the necessary funds will be sourced and made available to make this happen.”

It added: “The venue operated as a business; no evidence has been provided to explain how there was any specific community use in the past.

“It is not realistic to think that in the future it will be used to further the social well-being or social

interest of the local community.”

A spokesperson for the Music Venue Trust said they were “saddened” the council had rejected the move.

They said: “We believe the council’s position that Moles was not of value to the local community and did not contribute to the social wellbeing of Bath residents to be in error.

“Unfortunately, the only people able to undo that error are the council officers who have made it, and we therefore see no available route to an appeal.

“A comprehensive plan to bring Bath Moles back into operation which had been brought together by the local community, key stakeholders and Music Venue Trust cannot be taken forward as a result of this decision.

“Consequently, the venue joins too many others across the country in being permanently lost.

“There is little purpose in government legislation intended to protect highly cherished cultural spaces such as Bath Moles if the decision-making to enact such powers is devolved to local councils who refuse to understand the value of live

music in our towns and cities.” Councillor Guy said: “Moles had a special place in the heart for so many of us, Bathonians and visitors to the city alike so we recognise this is disappointing news for the nominees.

“This application failed on a couple of fronts. The criteria for deciding success is very procedural and based on the information submitted to the council. However, should the community decide to submit another nomination, the council would require that only the actual music venue be considered as opposed to the technical fail of including the whole building, as well as sufficient new evidence, to demonstrate its positive impact

in the future not just retrospective in the social interest or well-being of the local community, then it could be reconsidered as an asset of community value.”

Moles was founded in 1978 and quickly became a Bath institution, with a reputation for platforming groups early in their career who would go on to make mainstream success, such as Bath-based group Tears for Fears. The venue’s owners said they had been forced to close the venue after 45 years amid massive increases in the cost of stock, utilities, and rent, at a time when customers had less money to spend. They warned that other grassroots music venues were also being forced to close.

Co-owner of Moles Tom Maddicott | Photo © Moles / Republic Media

Politics

Call for Government to end arms sales to Israel

John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter

BATH MP Wera Hobhouse has urged the government to halt arms sales to Israel, joining over 100 MPs in signing a letter to the foreign secretary and business secretary.

The cross-party letter described the “business as usual” approach for UK arms exports to Israel as “totally unacceptable” and called for export licences to be suspended.

It stated: “The case for this is overwhelming. More than 32,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s assault, 70% women and children.”

Mrs Hobhouse said: “The situation in Gaza is utterly devastating. I am in no doubt that a humanitarian catastrophe is taking place. “I have repeatedly called for our government to be on the side of peace. But peace will continue to be a long way off if they do not immediately end arms sales to Israel.”

Mrs Hobhouse said she urges the foreign secretary to heed the calls of the United Nations to immediately stop arms exports to Israel and follow in the footsteps of other countries across the globe, most recently Canada, who have announced they will be halting future arms sales to Israel.

107 MPs and 27 peers signed the letter, which was coordinated by Zarah Sultana MP (Labour, Coventry).

It comes after the International Court of Justice’s assessment that Israel is “plausibly” in breach of the Genocide Convention. It warned that British-made weapons were being used in Gaza. A UN investigation found it likely that it was an Israeli F-16 made with British parts that bombed British doctors in an emergency medical team from the International Rescue Committee and Medical Aid for Palestinians in January.

The letter added that arms licences were suspended during an escalation of the conflict in 2009 and the government said in 2014 they would be suspended if hostilities resumed.

Campaigners in Bath, who have

been calling on local politicians to do more to call for an end to the conflict, have welcomed the move from their MP.

A spokesperson for Bath Campaigns Network said: “Wera showed courage and personal integrity. She has listened to her Bath constituents who have been campaigning tirelessly and lobbying her for a ceasefire and a halt to arms sales to Israel, and she has placed herself firmly on the right side of history. “We need strong voices in our parliament to make sure that the bloodshed in Gaza does not continue or escalate into further widespread conflict.

“Wera has taken the first steps, and we hope that she will continue on this path”.

The group has called for Bath & North East Somerset Council to pass a motion to call the

government to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, as Somerset Council and North Somerset Council have. But an attempt to table a crossparty motion in November did not get enough support and a Green group motion in March was judged to be unconstitutional as it did not relate to the council’s responsibilities and functions.

The chair of the council instead read a statement from all party group leaders which stated: “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.”

Locals still “bamboozled” over cycle lane change

A PAINT job aimed to break the “optical illusion” causing people to trip and fall in the cycle lane on Keynsham High Street has failed to impress some in the town who remain “bamboozled”.

On Thursday 11th April, contractors painted new double yellows along the road and changed the solid white line along the edge of the cycle lane to a dashed line.

Paul Roper (Kingsmead, Liberal Democrat), the council’s cabinet member for Economic and Cultural Sustainable Development, said: “This mitigation should make the change in levels clearer to pedestrians and prevent further trips and falls.”

It comes after scores of people have tripped and fallen since the cycle lane was installed by Bath & North East Somerset Council two years ago, with some people left with painful injuries.

There is a kerb and a drop between the pavement and cycle lane, a white painted line between the cycle lane and planters and bike racks, and then

another kerb that drops down to the road. One person who fell called it an “optical illusion”. The cycle lane was painted red in August 2022 but people have continued to get hurt, with around three people reporting falls each month ever since.

Now the council is hoping that turning the solid white line into a dashed line will finally fix the problem.

But many Keynshamites out and about on the High Street the day after it was painted remained concerned.

Asked if he thought it would stop people falling, Jeff Gardner, 74, said “not a bit”.

He added: “They are trying to bring your attention to the line, I can see that, but I don’t think black is going to bring people’s attention to it.”

He said he’d seen several people fall in the cycle lane and warned: “If you were working in industry, you would never have this because it’s a trip hazard. You’d definitely never have a step there and a step there. It’s just dangerous.”

Derek Francis, 78, warned that the drop was the problem. He said: “Get rid of these kerbs and just have a white line.”

He added: “I’m very careful

because if I fall over I’ll have had it.”

Jean Culverwell, 77, said: “Nobody falls down that end [Temple Street] because it's a normal road, but here you have got to have your wits about you. She said: “If you wear varifocals like I do, you are completely bamboozled by it.”

Almaira Hughes, 69, said: “I have fallen over, myself. I tripped several times.”

She also uses the lane as a cyclist but warned that, because bikes only went along it in one direction, many people walking along the street didn’t realise it was there and could step out in front of cyclists.

Mr Gardner added that some cyclists could come along the cycle path at real speed, although he added that it was not everyone.

Ms Culverwell added: “This is not a road for people.”

One woman who preferred not

Planning Round-up

Zara plan approved

Fashion retailer Zara has been granted planning permission to use the old Iceland store at Ham Gardens in the city centre for storage for three years.

The existing back-of-house storage space at Zara, 50 metres away in Southgate Place, will become retail floorspace to create a larger shop.

Iceland left No 4 Ham Gardens two years ago and the groundfloor unit has remained vacant since then. Although there would be a temporary loss of a retail unit, council planners decided that the change of use allows for its continued contribution towards the central shopping area’s vitality and viability.

New spectator stand at Larkhall Athletic FC

to be named said she thought the new dashed line might help to stop the falls. She added: “I use the walkway, the pedestrian crossing, so it hasn’t really affected me.”

Residents waited about a month and a half for the work to happen. Bath & North East Somerset Council announced the paintwork in February but said it would happen “at the earliest opportunity,” weather and contractor availability allowing. The decision to turn the solid line into a dashed line was controversial.

Local councillor and the council’s member advocate for road safety Alan Hale (Keynsham South, Conservative) warned in February that the changes planned by the council are not those which auditors recommended. They had suggested putting tactile paving along the kerb but the scheme’s designers said this could cause more confusion.

Councillor Hale said: “It seems to me that the council administration have spent good money on an audit but, having received the results, they together with the officers and the design team have decided to dismiss what they have been told.”

Plans for a replacement spectator stand at Larkhall Athletic FC’s ground have been submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council. The club are affiliated to the Somerset County FA and play in the Southern League at Step 4. Their history dates back to 1914 and they regained access to their home at Plain Ham in 1951 after it was turned over to allotments during World War Two. In 2005, the club purchased the site from B&NES Council with much public support and have steadily made improvements to the ground and facilities ever since. The average turnout for a match at present is 175 spectators, with occasionally higher numbers, including at the FA Cup match against Bath City FC last September which saw a crowd of 1,000. The current stand is a repurposed Stothert & Pitt cycle shed which has been in place since the 1970s. The club need to offer improved facilities with a requirement to provide 250 covered seats as part of their licence requirement to play at Step 3. The proposal is to replace the existing stand with a new four-row stand which includes an accessible facility with space for two wheelchairs and seating for two carers. The replacement stand would be in the same location as the existing one. The application, which includes landscape works, has been submitted by Larkhall Sports Club Ltd and the planning reference is 24/01260/FUL. The deadline for comments is 5th May.

HMO expansion sought

Plans to install a front and rear dormer at a house in Livingstone Road in Oldfield Park, changing it from a three-bed house of multiple occupation to a five-bed HMO, have been drawn up.

The planning application submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council for No 2 says the development would not be out of keeping for the area and gives a “great opportunity to positivity effect the sustainability of the housing stock and enhance the character of the area”.

The planning reference is 24/01249/FUL. The deadline for comments is 2nd May.

Campaigners welcomed the move | Photo © Bath Campaigns Network

John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter

The new dashed line on the cycle lane

In Other News

91-year-old opens new WESTlocal bus service

John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter

A 91-YEAR-OLD woman, who campaigned against the cutting of her local bus service last year, has now cut the ribbon to open a new bus serving her area. The new “2V” bus service launched on Monday 8th April and will run five times a day from Radstock to Odd Down Park and Ride via Westfield, Midsomer Norton, Paulton, Radford, Timsbury, Camerton and Tunley. Cutting the ribbon at the launch by Midsomer Norton Tesco, Marion Harrington said: “It’s given me my independence back again.”

A year ago, she addressed Bath & North East Somerset Council to urge them to save the “lifeline” 82 bus service which was cancelled, along with most of rural North East Somerset’s buses, after a row between the council and the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) about who’s responsible it was to pay for them.

The new “WESTlocal: Two Valleys” bus, known as “2V” for short, is being funded through WECA’s new WESTlocal scheme, a £2 million fund to allow local communities to design and run their own not-for-profit bus services.

Paulton Parish councillors Liz Hardman, Grant Johnson, and Cyril Mitchard drew up the application for the bus, which is the first to be funded through the scheme.

Councillor Johnson said: “Residents have waited so long for a service that could once again meet all of their needs. We have worked closely with the West of England Combined Authority, and our service provider The Big Lemon, to create something that works for our area. Time will tell just how successful we can make this service. I am so pleased to be on its inaugural journey.”

Councillor Hardman added: “It’s taken seven months to get to this day. We’re delighted to have succeeded in providing this much-needed service for our residents.”

A new commuter service for the Chew Valley has also been launched under the scheme. The area had been left with no bus routes after the 2023 bus cuts.

Now the “WESTlocal: X91 Chew Valley Sprint” will run once per day to Bristol and once per day back, in a route running through Bishop Sutton, Chew Stoke and Chew Magna to Hengrove Park, Bristol Temple Meads, near Bristol Bus Station, and the Centre.

A dedicated WESTlink will be

available to connect locals in Compton Martin, Bishop Sutton, and East and West Harptree with the new service.

WECA Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: “I hope these WESTlocals become a familiar and welcome sight for residents up and down North East Somerset.

“I’ve always said that local people know their areas best. That’s what WESTlocal is all about, and it’s why I’m so pleased to be launching these vital new and innovative services for residents.

“I urge people to get on board the new WESTlocal: X91 Chew Valley Sprint and WESTlocal: 2V Two Valleys. Because people using these services will be the true measure of success, and will mean we can go even further in delivering the sustainable West of England bus network residents

deserve, and frankly, need.”

But Bath & North East Somerset Council have criticised the WESTlocal scheme, with deputy leader Sarah Warren claiming at a scrutiny panel in March that WECA officers had been instructed to not tell anyone at the council about the plans for the new “2V” service, and that by going ahead, it had scuppered their own plans for a bus.

Councillor Warren said: “This failure to collaborate means the chance of a commercially viable service serving the same and more communities has just been lost.”

More WESTlocal buses are planned over the next two years and funds are still available for other organisations such as community groups or parish councils to apply to set up a bus.

Volunteers celebrate successful toad patrol

MORE than 3,000 amphibians were helped across a half-mile stretch of Charlcombe Lane in Bath by over 50 volunteers during the 2024 migration season, it has been revealed. The 2024 patrol saw the secondhighest number of amphibians recorded since the road closure started in 2003, and it was the most successful in 14 years. It was also the busiest year on record for the number of newts helped and the best for toads since 2013.

Charlcombe Lane is closed annually for six weeks in February and March as volunteers patrol every night from dusk to help common toads, common frogs and newts on their journey to their breeding lake.

Across the six weeks, 52 volunteers on the Charlcombe Toad Rescue Group spent more than 600 hours in high visibility jackets, armed with torches and buckets walking slowly up and down the road.

Toads, frogs and newts are carefully picked up and taken safely in buckets to drop off points to help them on their journey towards the lake.

Helen Hobbs, who has been managing Charlcombe Toad Rescue since 2003, said: “Closing Charlcombe Lane, with the support of the local community, has been a game changer for our amphibian population. It has meant that toads, frogs and newts have been able to buck national trends and stand a fighting chance of flourishing.

“The biggest challenge this year was that the busiest night of the year was on the 6 February – a week before the road was due to close. In that one night our brilliant volunteers helped 647 amphibians across the road but sadly the casualty rate was much higher than usual because vehicles could still use the lane.

“That is why it is so important to have the lane closed for the six weeks. With a changing climate it

is becoming increasingly difficult to predict the peak times for amphibian movements. This year it was early February and in 2023 it was mid-March.”

Back in 2016, a team of scientists used data collected by toad patrols to explore what had been happening to the population of common toads across the UK. The research demonstrated that common toad populations have declined by 68 per cent in just 30 years.

The biggest challenges facing amphibians today include road traffic, loss of habitat, such as the disappearance of ponds, and the fragmentation of habitats due to the intensification of farming and development.

A changing climate is also adversely affecting amphibians with milder winters leading to them waking up from their hibernation more frequently.

Crossword answers - Issue 075 (05/04/2024)

There are more than 200 patrols across the UK helping amphibians during the migration season, but Charlcombe Lane is one of only three road closures.

Bath & North East Somerset Council has supported the patrol and road closure since 2003; however, the Charlcombe Toad Rescue Group fundraises to pay the administrative costs of the road closure, and VolkerHighways sponsor the group with the provision of signage each year.

All the data collected by patrollers is collated by conservation charity Froglife and in 2023 more than 115,000 amphibians were given a helping hand across A roads or quiet country lanes.

Sheila Gundry, Operations Manager, at Froglife, said: “It’s fantastic to see that the numbers of amphibians at Charlcombe Lane are so good this year.”

Across: 1 Edward, 5 Cheese, 10 Hacks, 11 Seat belts, 12 Lied, 13 Beanpole, 16 Chief of Staff, 19 Stockbrokers, 22 Placebos, 23 Tofu, 26 Tear apart, 27 Donor, 28 Ginkgo, 29 Widest.

Down: 2 Decrepit, 3 Also, 4 Dust, 5 Ceased to be, 6 Ebb and flow, 7 Seldom, 8 Chalice, 9 Ashen, 14 Off the mark, 15 Aficionado, 17 Heroines, 18 Esquire, 20 Spate, 21 Hawaii, 24 Stew, 25 ADHD.

Sporting Fixtures

Bath Rugby

Saturday 20th April – 5.30pm

Bath Rugby vs Exeter Chiefs (A)

Gallagher Premiership - R15

Friday 26th April – 7.45pm

Bath Rugby vs Saracens (H)

Gallagher Premiership - R16

Bath City FC

Saturday 20th April – 3pm

Bath City vs Aveley (Away)

Vanarama National League South

Lansdown Cricket Club (1ST XI)

Saturday 20th April - 12.30pm

Lansdown vs Keynsham CC (Away - Keynsham Cricket Club)

Friendly

Saturday 27th April - 12.30pm

Lansdown vs Golden Hill CC (Home - Combe Park)

Friendly

Sunday 28th April - 1pm

Lansdown vs P3 Winners (Home - Combe Park)

Cup

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Marion Harrington with Cllr Liz Hardman, Cllr Grant Johnson and Cllr Cyril Mitchard | Photo © Grant Johnson