Bath Echo - Issue 078 - 17/05/2024

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Teenagers jailed over Mikey Roynon murder

THREE teenagers have been jailed following a trial earlier this year over the killing of 16-year-old Mikey Roynon at a house party in Bath last summer.

Mikey died after being stabbed in the neck with a knife, following an incident in the back garden of a house on Eastfield Avenue in the Weston area of the city on 10th June.

Three 16-year-old boys stood trial earlier this year, with a jury returning a verdict of murder for one of the boys and manslaughter for the other two.

On Friday 3rd May, the boys were taken back to Bristol Crown Court where they were sentenced for killing Mikey and possessing a bladed weapon.

During the hearing, The Honourable Mr Justice Saini lifted reporting restrictions banning the names of the three boys from being reported.

The boy who was convicted of murdering Mikey can now be identified as 16-year-old Shane Cunningham.

The two boys convicted of his manslaughter can also be named as Cartel Bushnell and Leo Knight, both also 16 years old. Cunningham was subsequently jailed for life and was told by the judge he must serve a minimum of 16 years in prison.

Bushnell was sentenced to nine years in jail and was told he must serve at least two-thirds of this before being considered for parole.

Knight, who unlike Cunningham and Bushnell, denied having a knife but was found guilty of this offence by the jury, was jailed for nine years and six months. He too will also have to serve at

least two-thirds of this sentence.

The police investigation into the incident uncovered CCTV showing the boys had travelled to the party from the Wiltshire area armed with knives.

Leo Knight was seen to have a knife down his trousers when he bent over on the bus to the party.

After stabbing Mikey, they fled the house and were captured on CCTV discussing what happened. They then discarded some of their clothing and disposed of their knives, with the one used to kill Mikey later recovered from a drain.

None of the boys chose to give evidence in their defence during the trial, although jurors were told the boy convicted of murdering Mikey admitted stabbing him, claiming it was self-defence.

In a statement read out in court during the hearing, Mikey’s mum, Hayley Ryall, described the impact her son’s death had on her.

She said: “Every morning I wake up and it hurts as much as the last morning.

“I keep having awful dreams that Mikey is lost and I’m looking for him, but even the awful dreams

are better than waking up to reality.

“At least in my dreams he is somewhere, whereas in reality he is gone.”

She described how difficult she found what would’ve been Mikey’s 17th birthday in November and Christmas without him and spoke of her sadness at never being called ‘mum’ again.

She also spoke of her fear of the court process and of the future.

“I feel like I’m living in a film or a nightmare and soon I’ll wake up and I’ll be able to hug and kiss him and Mikey will say ‘it’s OK mum',” she said.

“Will justice help me? I don’t know and I’m not even sure I want to know because life will never be normal again.”

Sentencing the boys, The Honourable Mr Justice Saini said: “On the day Mikey was killed, he was only 16. He was a child. His family have suffered a loss that’s unimaginable.”

Detective Inspector Mark Newbury, the senior investigating officer, said: “Mikey’s death sent shockwaves throughout his local community in Kingswood and

the community of Bath where he was stabbed.

“The boys responsible for the dreadful attack travelled to the house party it happened at from the Wiltshire area.

“Knife crime is a disease which leaves a horrifying and longlasting mark on everyone it affects, it’s a national problem which isn’t limited to specific towns or cities and we must come together as a society to tackle it.

“Mikey’s mum has shown tremendous fortitude since losing her only child and I have the utmost respect for the bravery she has shown in talking openly about her grief and how she has highlighted the devastation knife crime causes.”

He added: “Earlier this year, we launched a proactive operation to tackle and disrupt serious violence and knife crime involving young people but police enforcement alone isn’t the answer.

“We’re working closely with our local authority partners, our colleagues in education and health and the Violence Reduction Partnership to identify the root causes and divert young people away from criminality.

“But we also need parents to talk to their children about knife crime – to make sure that they understand the terrible consequences carrying a knife can have and also how to report if they have concerns about someone they know carrying a knife.

“Mikey’s death was utterly senseless and totally avoidable and we owe it our children to make sure we do everything we can to ensure other 16-year-olds never suffer the same fate.”

Two women ‘seriously sexually assaulted’ at club

TWO men have been arrested after two women were the victims of “serious sexual assaults” at a nightclub in Bath in the early hours of Sunday 5th May.

Avon & Somerset Police said: “We were called to Zero Zero in George Street shortly before 4.45am and enquiries are ongoing.

“The investigation is being led

by detectives from Operation Bluestone, our specialist rape and sexual offences investigations team, who continue to support the victims.

“Two men, both aged in their 30s were arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault.

“They have since been released on conditional bail.”

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the incident which could help the ongoing investigation, call 101 and quote reference 5224113719. Help and support is available for victims of rape or sexual assault, whether it is recent or non-recent. People can self-refer to The Bridge, a Sexual Assault Referral Centre which is available 24/7 365 days a year, by calling 0117 342 6999.

Shane Cunningham, Leo Knight and Cartel Bushnell | Photos © A&S Police

The scene at Zero Zero in Bath

The Bath Echo newspaper is produced fortnightly.

Next phase of ‘ring of steel’ set to get under way

THE next phase of Bath’s controversial city centre security measures, locally known as the ‘ring of steel’, is set to get under way.

Work to install sliding security barriers in Upper Borough Walls is nearing completion and the project will then begin in Lower Borough Walls.

Engineers are expected to start work in mid to late May.

The council is advising residents, businesses and Blue Badge holders about the planned closure of Lower Borough Walls in order to carry out the work, which is expected to take approximately five months to complete.

Lower Borough Walls will be closed from its junction with Bilbury Lane and remain closed for the duration of the work. Bilbury Lane will also be closed for a short duration at the beginning of the works so utility diversion works can be completed.

The existing security measures that prohibit traffic between 10am and 6pm daily will remain in place for the duration of the works.

Exempt vehicles and cyclists will still be given access to Bath Street and Stall Street via Hot Bath Street.

The works will affect all disabled parking bays located on Lower

Borough Walls, which will be unavailable for the duration of the works. The disabled parking bays located on Beau Street will still be available.

Residents and businesses were invited to a drop-in information session at the Guildhall, where they met the project team and gave feedback on the works approach and proposed management of waste collection and deliveries.

Once works begin, diversions for vehicles and cyclists will be in place and signposted, and marshals will be available to help traffic and do their usual security checks between 10am and 6pm. Pedestrian access will be

maintained along Lower Borough Walls for people who are walking or wheeling and the works in footways will be subject to pedestrian controls (like temporary walkways) to facilitate works and to keep people safe. The council has said the construction works will not prevent traders, or their customers, from accessing their premises and all affected businesses and Blue Badge holders will be communicated with directly. In advance of the works, trial hole investigation will be carried out to inform the scheme design, which began on 13th May, for approximately three weeks.

Councillor Manda Rigby, Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “I’d like to thank businesses and residents for their patience.

“Our contractor VolkerHighways had to install the sliding bollards in challenging conditions because of the utilities and vaults under the street so it is great news that work will finish ahead of time on Upper Borough Walls and I am pleased to see the scheme is being delivered within the earmarked budget. The contractor is now moving onto the last leg of the scheme, which when it is finished will see the completion of a decision taken by the council’s cabinet to introduce a City Centre Security Scheme.

“As always, we will do all we can to keep disruption to a minimum.”

Due to the unique nature of the city and highway construction, the programme faces a number of challenges.

These include working above existing vaults and cellars, working in close proximity to utility apparatus and maintaining access to the restricted streets for exempt vehicles.

The council has carried out investigative works but until contractors get on site the construction timeline is estimated and completion dates can’t be guaranteed.

Campaign to make city’s parks more accessible

LOCAL charity

Your Park Bristol & Bath is marking its fifth anniversary with a 12-month campaign to improve accessibility to green spaces across the region.

The charity wants to reimagine the two cities’ parks and green spaces and tackle the barriers that it believes means around a third of the local population is prevented from being able to access or fully enjoy them.

Your Park Bristol & Bath (YPBB) says the majority of the 580 parks and green spaces across the two cities are not inclusively designed, which significantly impacts access to them, in particular, for disabled people and carers, women and girls, minority ethnic groups, and people in low income areas.

According to the charity, the three key factors preventing people from having the confidence or ability to get out into their local parks are physical accessibility, personal safety and mental

wellbeing.

Its Reimagining Parks campaign, which launched on 9th May, aims to start leading the change, and has set itself an ambition for everyone in Bristol and Bath to have a park that is accessible to them within a ten-minute reach of where they live, work or study.

That means making them physically accessible for disabled people and their carers, designed with the safety and enjoyment of women and girls in mind, and used to support people with mental health issues.

The charity is beginning the 12-month campaign with a two-month £30,000 fundraising challenge to enable it to get initial work under way in both cities, but it hopes to attract further funding beyond that to help it deliver all of its targets.

All donations during the twomonth period will be doubled by Aviva.

Charlee Bennett, chief executive of YPBB, said: “Parks are nature-

rich, free to use, community assets that are good for everyone’s mental and physical health, but they have historically been designed through a very narrow lens.

“That means there are literally hundreds of thousands of people in our two cities – and millions beyond – who feel unable to make the most of their local green spaces.

“The statistics are horrifying for people who don’t have sufficient access to nature – for example, people growing up with little green space around them are 55% more likely to develop psychiatric disorders in later life, at greater risk of things like depression, anxiety, and obesity, to name just a few things.

“It’s actually not difficult to make parks more accessible – it involves simple measures like making information available better, creating wheelchairfriendly access, having accessible

toilets, clear sight lines for safety, introducing inclusive activities such as sensory walks and wellbeing activities.

“Unfortunately, many of these measures are not possible within the shrinking budgets that local authorities, who are responsible for the basic maintenance of parks, have available to them.

“Our Reimagining Parks campaign is not just changing landscapes, it’s fostering inclusivity, safety and wellbeing.

“This is a huge campaign for a small charity like ours to take on, but through our work with local communities over the last five years, we are clear on what needs to be done and we are determined to start delivering the changes now.”

For more information about the Reimagining Parks campaign or to donate to the Crowdfunder, visit https://yourpark.org.uk/ reimagining-parks

News in Brief

Bid to create new flats in Twerton refused

A developer’s bid to change the use of the space above the old Co-op in Twerton into flats has been refused. The supermarket on the High Street closed more than six years ago.

Applicant Mr Berger applied to Bath & North East Somerset Council in February to change the use of the ancillary commercial floorspace into three self-contained flats, with a total of four parking spaces.

The application stated: “The ground floor of the building used to serve as a supermarket but has been vacant for a number of years. Were the commercial use to commence again (at ground floor level), it is not expected this would cause any material harm upon the intended occupiers.” The application was made under planning legislation known as Class MA. This consists of a change of use from commercial, business and service to housing. But council planners have now refused the application, saying the building is located within a World Heritage Site where development is not permitted by Class MA. A full planning permission application would be needed to convert the space.

Pergola in Weston pub’s garden approved

An application to erect a pergola in the garden of the Grade II listed Old Crown pub in Weston has been approved by Bath & North East Somerset Council. The original application was for two pergolas but the scheme was revised to just one for the terrace at the rear of the Crown Hill pub. The pergola will provide additional covering for outdoor seating but the proposal to add a metal roof covering was dropped in favour of timber beams. There had been some concerns raised about increased use of the garden disturbing nearby residents. But council planners said the structure, which would not provide full cover from the sun or rain, would not result in an unacceptable increase in noise, smell or privacy disturbances to neighbours. They said it would appear as a garden structure and did not require separate listed building consent.

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How the new bollards will look on Lower Borough Walls | Image © B&NES Council

Bath Quays North project gains approval after years of work

A HUGE car park in the centre of Bath is set to be turned into a new district of the city centre as a major regeneration project has finally been approved after years in the works.

The Bath Quays North project will see new shops and office blocks crisscrossed with pedestrian streets built across what is currently Avon Street Car Park. Planning permission for the final details was granted by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s planning committee on Wednesday 8th May, despite concerns that the development “could be anywhere, not just Bath” and that the developers will provide no affordable housing. The flagship project has been in the works for years and has been described as “the most significant development in Bath in a generation”.

But plans for the site to include affordable homes were dropped by developers over viability concerns.

Outline planning permission was secured by the council five years ago, but applicants BQN Ltd, acting on behalf of the council’s development partner Legal & General, had to secure “reserved matters” approval, where

the council grants planning permission for the final details and design of the scheme. But as the planning committee debated the plans, Councillor Shaun Hughes (Midsomer Norton North, Independent) said: “I do have concerns with certain aspects of the design. The riverside side of the design has a very sort of Lego-like appearance to it. I’m not sure where that design’s going and whether it truly reflects the city we are in.”

Councillor Fiona Gourley (Bathavon South, Liberal Democrats) said: “I totally agree that this needs development … but I’m concerned that [Historic England] don’t think it’s good enough; that they think it’s not in keeping with other bits of Bath. I think it’s too blocky and plain.”

She added: “That’s my concern: it could be anywhere, not just Bath.”

Historic England said, in its official feedback as a consultee, that it had “expressed strong reservations” throughout the planning process.

It said: “Whilst the applicant has made some attempts to address these concerns, the scheme requires further alteration in order to ensure it will make a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness of Bath.”

But Councillor Tim Warren

(Midsomer Norton Redfield, Conservative), who was the leader of the council when the public were asked to have their say on the masterplan back in 2017, said: “Bath has been in desperate need of grade one office space for a long long time. … I actually don’t mind the design. Some parts aren’t Georgian, but in Georgian times, did they say you can’t build up because it’s not Roman?”

He added: “We are a World Heritage Site which is fantastic, we need to be proud of that. However, we are still a living city and we can’t turn it just into a museum.”

The development will include over 16 thousand square metres of office space, a 130-bed hotel, space for retail, financial services, food, takeaway, and a drinking establishment.

Streets will extend across the development with a pedestrianised Avon Street leading through to the cycle path and riverside park, a new “Little Corn Street” running north-tosouth across what is currently Avon Street Car Park, and a new “Back Street” continuing the line of Somerset Street and leading to an area called “Little Somerset Yard”.

There will be a basement car park with space for 411 cars, 320 of which can be used by the public.

Pair jailed for stealing £5.7m in cryptocurrency scam

TWO men, one from Bath and one from Wiltshire, have been jailed after stealing more than £5.7 million worth of cryptocurrency from victims all over the world.

It follows an investigation by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU).

Jake Lee, 38, from Charlcombe and James Heppel, 42, from Staverton, both pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to commit fraud. Lee was sentenced to four years and Heppel to 15 months at Bristol Crown Court on Friday 3rd May.

The pair carried out the fraud by spoofing the domain of online cryptocurrency exchange Blockchain.com to access victims’ Bitcoin wallets, stealing their funds and login details.

In total, 55 victims in 26 different countries have been identified.

Cash totalling £835,000, which includes a suitcase containing £551,000 cash voluntarily handed over by Lee in January, as well as £64,000 worth of cryptocurrency, a Banksy print worth £60,000 and three vehicles, have all been restrained.

A confiscation order for nearly £1m was made against Lee, which will be used to compensate the victims.

DS Matt Brain, from SWROCU’s Regional Cyber Crime Unit, said: “Our investigation started back in 2018 after colleagues at Avon & Somerset Police arrested Lee on suspicion of money laundering.

“As well as £24,000 cash, officers from the force seized digital devices and three laminated Bitcoin wallet recovery seeds.

“At the same time, our unit had started

an investigation into a cryptocurrency scam reported by a Wiltshire victim who had £11,000 worth of Bitcoin stolen from his Blockchain wallet. We took on the investigation into Lee and when we analysed his devices, we established he was a central figure involved in a sophisticated domain spoofing fraud and worked to identify numerous victims.

“Mapping out Lee and Heppel’s offending and links to other suspects and cryptocurrency exchanges all over the world was complex work, but the fact they both pleaded guilty to all counts, negating the need for a six-week trial, shows the strength of evidence we secured against them.”

Pamela Jain, a specialist prosecutor with the Serious Economic Organised Crime International Directorate of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Jake Lee and James Heppel defrauded people in 26 countries, including 11 victims in the UK, by diverting Bitcoin into wallets over which they had control.

“This was a complex and time-consuming prosecution which involved enquiries with numerous victims and prosecuting authorities all over the world.

“A substantial sum of money and assets have been seized. In addition to his prison sentence, the court also ordered Jake Lee to pay almost £1m by way of a confiscation order which will enable the victims to be compensated.

“Confiscation proceedings against James Heppel are ongoing.”

Compensation orders force criminals to hand over available money and assets or face having time added to their sentence.

The development will also include 92 residential flats, but none of them will be affordable housing.

A viability assessment found a “significant overall deficit” for the developers and concluded affordable housing would not be possible.

A financial review will be carried out later before the completion of the scheme “to establish whether the development is able to support the provision of affordable housing in the future”.

Ms Gourley said: “How is it that we can have come to the conclusion that we need to house cars rather than people?

“This area was historically always an area of low-cost housing until 70 years ago when it got bombed.”

Paul Crossley (Southdown, Liberal Democrat) added: “Going forward, I would like to see a stronger commitment to social inclusion because we can’t forever say the value of land

means we can’t have any social houses.”

But he seconded a proposal from Councillor Warren to approve the planning permission.

Councillor Lucy Hodge (Lansdown, Liberal Democrat) pointed out that some of the offices in Bath Quays South across the river had taken a long time to sell, and called for the plans to be rejected, but councillors voted to grant planning permission.

Mr Warren said: “I find the negativity around this difficult because you’ve got a tip in the middle of Bath which has been like it for I don’t know how many years … and it just needs doing.

“You’re building an office block mainly — you’re not building the Royal Crescent.”

The old multi-storey at Avon Street Car Park was demolished in September 2022, and a new bridge across the river to the Bath Quays South Development was opened in December 2022.

John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter

Image © B&NES Council / Allford Hall Monaghan Morris Architects

Emergency investment secured for this year's Bath Carnival

Becky Feather Reporter

ALTHOUGH this year’s Bath Carnival will go ahead on Saturday 13th July, the organisers say they have had to make some “difficult decisions” after a major funding blow.

In a statement, they said: “Bath Carnival is deeply saddened to announce that this year their application to Arts Council England has been unsuccessful; this will result in major changes to the affiliated outreach programme planned for May to July.

“In recent years Arts Council England Lottery Funding has played an essential role in a funding model that’s enabled Bath Carnival to deliver its annual carnival arts outreach programme and a large-scale summer event.

“Since receiving this disappointing news, the team have worked round the clock to restructure the budget and secure emergency investment for this year.

“Thanks to the increased support of donors and sponsors, the fullscale Bath Carnival event will still take place on Saturday 13th July.

“However, to ensure the future of this culturally important event, a series of difficult decisions have

been made which affect both the short and long-term prospects for Bath Carnival as an organisation, and the important work its team of artists does in the community throughout the year.

“In short, the community organisation will need the support of the local community and its wider supporters now more than ever.”

The organisers say Bath Carnival is so much more than a oneday event and the outreach programme planned for May to July is no longer possible in its original format this year.

Bath Carnival director Stu Matson said: “We are devastated to see freelance artists losing job security, young artists losing

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access to their mentors, and many beneficiaries across Bath & North East Somerset no longer participating in workshops that mean so much to them.”

Over the past decade, the popular arts outreach programme has established long-lasting relationships with local schools, charities, and community groups, offering free access to arts activities, for both participants and spectators. It has helped more than 100 early career artists into paid employment in the local creative sector, and thousands more young people to explore their potential through music, dance, puppetry, costume-making, and theatre.

Some of the most vulnerable members of the local community, including low-income families and those with complex needs, have developed skills over many years and built the confidence to showcase their talents.

Moving forward, the organisers say they will be exploring new ways to fund this work on the same scale next year, with increased private donations becoming increasingly important.

The Harington club would like to invite you to join us in celebrating 150 years in our beautiful city.

Established in 1874 the club is an oasis in Bath city centre welcoming members new and old and their guests in 2024

150 years

“We are now seeing the true impact of the pandemic and a cost of living crisis across the industry, with festivals closing, independent venues disappearing from our city centres and established arts organisations, collectives and freelance artists publishing their own emergency posts online on a near weekly basis.”

This year will now see a new business model in place, with the annual Bath Carnival event delivered as a self-sustaining enterprise, funded solely by donors, sponsorship, earned income and in-kind business support.

This will allow the organisers to focus their reduced resources on securing future funding for the important community outreach that makes the carnival project so unique for Bath.

Stu Matson added: “Since we set up Bath Carnival in 2013, the funding landscape for arts projects across the country has changed significantly, with increasing numbers of applicants bidding for ever decreasing funds.

As part of the new approach this year, the Main Stage will be sponsored by Bath West Community Energy, who said: “The Carnival is such an important event in the city’s social calendar and we love that the whole day is free for all.

“We admire the Carnival ethos of environmental sustainability – something very close to our hearts.”

If you can support Bath Carnival financially, visit https://bit. ly/4dHMN8Y

2024

On Saturday June 8th we will be hosting a street party and open day from 12 noon with live music, food and drinks promotions and a chance to have a look around one of Baths hidden gems.

Please bring this ad for a complimentary drink. We look forward to seeing you there!

The Bath Carnival in 2019 | Photo © Lucy Baker Photography

SEE UPDATES & CONTINUE TO SHAPE

THE FUTURE OF PINES WAY!

Join us for a community engagement event hosted by HUB. Food, fun and free activities for all!

We’re hosting a fun-filled exhibition at the Percy Community Centre on Saturday 18th May between 10am and 5pm to discuss the latest designs for the former Homebase site on Pines Way.

The event provides the opportunity to connect with our design and development team, discuss the project, and see how we’ve incorporated community insights from our previous events and workshops. We would also love for you to continue share your ideas and feedback to help further refine our plans for the site.

Join us for a family-friendly, fun-packed event with food and refreshments, arts and crafts, free kids’ activities, soft play, inflatables, music, and more!

Date: Saturday 18th May

Time: 10am - 5pm

Location: Percy Community Centre New King Street, Bath, BA1 2BN

Come & enjoy something to eat, ar ts & crafts , FREE kids activities, soft-play, music & much more!

Pictures from the Past

The Trouble with Bridges

The bridge that moved and the bridge that collapsed

Kirsten Elliott Akeman Press

A BRIDGE which had a curious history before its demolition in 2016, was what became known as the Destructor Bridge. It began its useful life, however, as the entry to the Midland Railway Station at Green Park.

The station opened in August 1869 and access was needed from the Lower Bristol Road. Like all the bridges and ironwork at the station, this road bridge was constructed by Messrs Handyside of the Britannia Foundry, Derby. With its large scrolls, described as ‘delineating natural history’, and ponderous wooden gates, it was literally the gateway to the station. By 1901, there were demands for more bridges over the Avon, and complaints that this bridge was out of repair and neglected. By 1904, Handysides were working on a new bridge – the present Midland Bridge – but at the same time, they were commissioned to take down, remove and re-erect the old bridge at the destructor works, where waste was incinerated. In this picture, we can see the bridge being dismantled. It shows that the old bridge

was apparently taken apart in two pieces.

The bridge went through various ups and downs and in 1939 was threatened with demolition. Ironically it was saved by the war, and went on to serve the public for another 64 years before being replaced in 2016 by a very modern bridge.

The same was not true of the original Halfpenny Bridge in Widcombe, which collapsed catastrophically. Brunel had constructed the Skew Bridge for the GWR in 1840 out of kyanised wood prepared using John Howard Kyan’s chemical process. Perhaps inspired by this bridge, in 1863 the local builders Hicks and Isaacs constructed a double bow-string arch wooden bridge to give access to the Great Western Station from Widcombe.

They claimed it was ‘an adaptation in timber of the bow-string girder principle employed by Brunel in the Saltash Bridge’ but in truth in was nothing like the Saltash Bridge. In 1877 a train pulled into the station full of visitors to the Bath & West Show on Beechen Cliff. It had been reported to the authorities that the wooden bridge was showing signs of deterioration, but nothing had been done.

As crowds of people waited to pay the toll of a halfpenny, the bridge broke in the

middle, and the crowds fell into the water below. 12 people were killed and over 50 injured. This photograph from the Akeman Press Archive shows the aftermath, with rescuers on the scene.

It was replaced by a sturdy girder bridge, the engineer being TEM Marsh, who had worked for Brunel when young. It has had to be repaired and restored

over the years, including earlier this year, after the work carried out in 2013 proved to be inadequate. But the collapse of the original Halfpenny Bridge also meant the end of Brunel’s very beautiful Skew Bridge. Although there was nothing wrong with it, the directors of the GWR became anxious about wooden bridges, and in 1878 it too was replaced.

COLUMN | Clare Moody, Labour Police and Crime Commissioner

It's a privilege to have been given the opportunity to serve the people of Bath and North East Somerset as your newly elected Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Avon and Somerset. My commitment to you was to be visible and accountable to all residents of Avon and Somerset, and I intend to fulfil this commitment now I have taken up this role. I will also be focused on the twin challenges of reducing crime and raising public confidence in our police. I bring a wealth of experience to the role, gained from working across different sectors. I served as a Member of the European

Parliament for our area, I worked at the heart of government in No.10 Downing Street, and I was a Trade Union officer for over twenty years. Prior to being elected to the PCC role, I was coChief Executive of an equality and human rights national charity. These roles have given me a good understanding of how institutions work and effective strategies for getting things done. As your PCC, I will be tireless in speaking truth to power, calling out the uncomfortable, and above all, I will work to build a safer future for everyone. To do this, I will be working with community partners, police staff and police officers to understand

and address the challenges we face – I am eager to roll up my sleeves and get to work. In my time running up to the elections, the people of Avon and Somerset made their most pressing priorities clear to me. I heard that people want to see a greater connection to their local neighbourhood police and for their police service to address and reduce violent crime, particularly knife crime and male violence against women and girls. I also heard how people would like prevention of crime to be a higher priority – for the police service and for others who run services within and for communities.

I am here to listen, and I am here

to represent you. To do this, I need to truly understand how you feel and where you would like our police to prioritise their time and resources.

As I begin my term as your PCC, I will be getting out and about to hear from as many groups and individuals as I can across Avon and Somerset.

I’m also going to create a comprehensive Police and Crime Plan to address the evolving challenges in policing and to deliver lasting solutions. I’m committed to actively listening to the concerns and priorities of residents – one way I will do this

will be to run a public survey. The details for how you can take part will follow soon. Please follow my office on our social media accounts for regular updates –you can find us on Instagram, X, Facebook and LinkedIn – search ASPCC.

I commit to being a Police and Crime Commissioner that stands for you, actively engaging with and understanding the diverse communities our police serve. Please reach out to me and my office with any concerns or suggestions you may have. To find out more, visit: www. avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk

The collapse of Halfpenny Bridge in Widcombe

Brunel's Skew Bridge, which was replaced in 1878

Dismantling the old Midland Road Bridge

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

Across

1 John Grisham best seller (3,4)

5 Spanish city at the foot of the Sierra Nevada (7)

9 Renaissance master (7)

10 Doubter (7)

11 Alike (2,1,5)

12 Quest (6)

13 Oversize jib (5)

14 Mass-transit option (5,4)

18 Name on an envelope (9)

19 Astringent shrub used for tanning and dyeing (5)

20 Few and far between (6)

23 Post-war Essex new town (8)

26 Well-behaved (7)

27 Three successive lines of verse (7)

28 No longer eruptive (7)

29 Giant sequoia (7)

1 Horsepower booster (5)

2 Spelled out (9)

3 Lifeless (9)

4 Minute particles (9)

5 Spout profusely (4)

6 "Skyfall" singer (5)

7 Communion table (5)

8 Boozy (9)

13 A light portmanteau (9)

15 Targets (4,5)

16 Gave evidence (9)

17 Bony-plated mammal that rolls into a ball (9)

21 Examine the books (5)

22 Seductively beautiful woman (5)

24 Worthy of attention (5)

25 Wen (4)

Entering our competition - via email or post

For your chance to win £20, submit your full name, postal address and answers by email to puzzles@bathecho.co.uk or via post to:

Crossword Competition 1705, Bath Echo, PO Box 5395, Bath, BA1 0YA

The winner will be the first randomly opened entry with the correct answers on 29/05/2024.

The winner will be notified using the details they provide when entering the competition.

Food & Drink

Tasty Dates For Your Diary

Summer must be on the way, because... The Bird (Pulteney Road) has opened its vibrant, south-facing terrace restaurant and bar, laden with flamboyant touches and offering beautiful views across the city, The Rec, Bath Abbey and beyond, for the summer season. A feast for all the senses? Indeed!

https://bit.ly/3ybH0Iy

Five wines, four courses, one unforgettable Supper Club experience: that's the next Walcot Wine Supper at Walcot House (Walcot Street) on Wednesday 29th May. This fabulous event will showcase some of the fantastic wines from the seriously underrated, pioneering Jura region of France, with representatives from the Vins-Clairs winery and Walcot House sommelier Yoann acting as your tour guide for the evening. The wines will be accompanied

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

by a seasonal 4-course supper... and a good time is guaranteed for all (£75, booking essential).

https://bit.ly/3UWy0Qp

Looking for a totally unique cinematic experience... and the most fascinating snacking opportunities for miles around?

Get yourself along to Budo (Argyle Street) for 7.30pm on the first Wednesday of every month and experience Budo Vision: a brand new, exclusive film night showcasing the very best of East Asian cinema in Budo's characterful, welcoming, intimate downstairs space. Entrance to screenings are free on a 'first come, first served' basis; early arrival is strongly advised. www.budobath.co.uk

Ad | Get up-close-and-personal with MasterChef 2023 finalist Kasae Fraser at the Pasta Laboratory (Richmond Place) on

Thursday 23rd/Friday 24th May when Pasta Lab head honcho Federico will hand over the keys to his newly-refurbished kitchen to allow Kasae to rustle up an outstanding 6-course feast (click on the booking link to peruse the full, glorious menu) in uniquely pretty, sociable surroundings (£85pp). Kasae offers supper clubs and private dining.

To find out more, please email ourtabledining.info@gmail.com https://bit.ly/4bgWVUl

English wines, seasonal food, totally unique surroundings: that's Avon Valley Railway's English Wine Festival on Friday 31st May.

The events marquee will be open from 6pm to host and showcase local companies and suppliers in abundance, the Station Buffet will be open throughout the evening and a ticket upgrade option includes a 2-course meal

served in the static restaurant carriage. Choo choo, slurp slurp... hic! (£19pp). https://bit.ly/3UHbmu2

“Mediterranean influenced, unmistakably Somerset”: that's what to expect when you visit the Olio Restaurant and Terrace at glorious modern country house hotel Homewood (Freshford), who recently relaunched their alfresco experience in collaboration with local, familyowned businesses that are as passionate about providing a true taste of Somerset at its very best.

Go forth and discover at your earliest opportunity!

https://bit.ly/3QDI3aQ

The UK’s biggest touring food and music festival is pitching up in Royal Victoria Park Friday 7th - Sunday 9th June.

The Foodie Festival 2024 brings MasterChef champions, GBBO

Recipe: Creamy Chickpea, Spinach and Coconut Masala

superstars, Michelin-starred and top local chefs to the dedicated Chefs Theatre, artisan produce and fascinating street food to the market area and live headline acts including Example, Blue and Symphonic Ibiza to the main stage alongside chilli-eating competitions, food challenges, a Kids Cookery Theatre, a Fire Stage, a Drinks Theatre and much, much more. Advance discount tickets are on sale now – and selling fast (admission prices vary). https://bit.ly/3wFrlRl

Melissa regularly reviews restaurants across Bath and the surrounding area. You can find out more at: www.theprandialplayground.uk

Follow Melissa on X Find her @ThePigGuide

This super-easy curry turns simple, everyday store cupboard ingredients into a flavoursome yet super-healthy supper in less than 15 minutes... and takes our tastebuds on a 6000-mile round-trip to warmer climes without leaving our own kitchens.

Ingredients (serves 3-4)

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 1 clove of garlic, crushed

• 1” nub of fresh ginger, peeled and grated

• 1 generous tbsp garam masala

• 1 level tsp cumin

• 1 level tsp ground coriander

• 1 level tsp turmeric

• 3-4 large, ripe tomatoes (around 400g in total), diced

• 1 level tbsp tomato purée

• 1 level tbsp soft brown sugar

• 2 x 400g tins chickpeas, drained

• 1 x 400g tin reduced fat coconut milk

• 400g fresh spinach leaves

Method

• In a large frying pan or wok, sauté the chopped onion until just turning soft (around 2-3 minutes).

• Add the crushed garlic, grated ginger, garam masala, cumin, ground coriander and turmeric and continue to sauté for another 3-5 minutes until the onion is fully translucent and the spices have released their fragrance.

• Add the diced tomatoes (plus all their lovely juices), the tomato puree and the soft brown sugar and simmer for a couple of minutes until the mixture has thickened slightly.

• Add the chickpeas and coconut milk, bring to the boil and simmer gently for around 10 minutes before adding the spinach leaves handful by handful, allowing each batch to wilt into the masala as you go (but don't let the spinach overcook; you want the leaves to retain some shape and bite, and their vibrant green colour).

• Stir well, season to taste and serve hot over steamed rice, sprinkled with fresh coriander.

Melissa Blease Food Writer

Review Robun

4 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED 01225 433200

www.robun.co.uk

Karaage and Tataki, Maki and Fukusai: this review of Robun is set to send my spellcheck into meltdown, let alone test my (limited) knowledge of Japanese food to the limits.

But since this super-stylish restaurant opened its doors at the end of July 2021, Bathonians have cheerfully chopsticked their way through the menu to rapturous results – and its easy to see why, right from the off.

Beyond the sparkling, impeccably-dressed bar

(elegantly flamboyant cocktails, by the way, go large here, and the Saki selection is exemplary), Robun's seductively glamorous dining room brings ancient Japanese design traditions around balance, order and symmetry together in perfect harmony, with subtle floral flourishes and beautifullydetailed Japanese artwork further adding to the effortlessly chic vibe.

It's the kind of environment that makes you welcome whether you're dolled up in full-on formal dinner attire or you've dropped in on a whim while shopping on Milsom Street: special but not snooty, and chic in an

unforeboding, understated way. Once settled at your table, the menu that creates so much spellcheck havoc feels far less... well, daunting. Succinct, considerate summaries of each dish gently guide you along the way, and the impressively wellinformed, friendly staff act as easygoing tour guides. Dishes are made for sharing, but we're most definitely not on prosaic small plate territory here. But neither are we entering the realms of “special occasion only" either; while the experience is indeed an indulgent treat for all the senses, you can choose exactly how much you want to spend, from limited budget to big time blow-out, without missing out on any aspect of the overall adventure.

We began our tour of Robun highlights with a classic Nigiri/ Maki selection, the Nigiri being raw fish salmon; bluefin tuna) delicately placed on top of rice, the Maki rolls containing their own unique fillings.

Each and every morsel sparkled with fresh flavour, simple but subtly complex, and massively moreish. Next stop, soft shell crab in the lightest tempura batter known to man, and Chicken Karaage: crispy-poppin' fried chicken with spicy mayo – fun, fun, fun, in a very grown-up way.

We had silky, wafer-thin slivers of grilled octopus served on a divine yuzu romesco puddle too, and a bowl of Truffle Mushroom Fried Rice, the deeply complex, umami hit of truffle shaking up the silky shiitakes like shiitakes have never been shaken up before. But even after all that, there was yet more to come.

From the Signature dish selection, duck breast in a Korean glaze packed a flavour punch that fully lived up to its dramatic Big Reveal from beneath a smokefilled cloche. And oh, Robun's legendary Wagyu Sirloin is legendary for very good reason: lustrous slivers of rich, buttery Wagyu beef presented on its own, smoky, sizzling podium, served with hot/sour/salty Namjin, fun-

packed pepper and fascinating truffled teriyaki sauces. Like, wow? Like, really: WOW. Every dish was exquisitely composed, every flourish had a place, and every component made the most of that place –heck, even the steamed pak choi that came with the duck, or the crispy onions on top of the rice, or even the beautiful dinky sauce pots were Instagram superstars, ready for their close-up. And it's all completely accessible to both Japanese aficionados and absolute beginners alike: the familiar, the far-flung and the absolutely fabulous, bought together in divine, perfect harmony.

Reviewer: Melissa Blease

A classic Nigiri/Maki selection at Robun

Duck breast in a Korean glaze, with steamed pak choi

What's On

The Bath Festival

Various Locations

17th – 26th May

Enjoy unique events in some of Bath’s historic buildings. Pick your favourites from a programme created by festival experts, with contributions from artist in residence guitarist Sean Shibe.

RNLI: 200 Years Of Saving Lives

BRLSI

21st May, 7.30pm

The next talk in the BRLSI 200 series, looking at what other great things took place in 1824. The RNLI depended on amazing volunteers, prepared to risk their lives, and it still does.

Bath Fringe Festival

Various Locations

24th May – 9th June

With an impressive line-up boasting over 100 events, featuring a diverse array of performances, this year's Bath Fringe Festival promises to captivate audiences from all walks of life.

The Great Stink

The Egg

27th – 28th May

A hilarious family opera by Omar Shahryar and Hannah Khalil. Join English Touring Opera in Victorian London for The Great Stink, a hilarious family show about poo… lots of it!

Psychics & Prosecco

Claverton Down Community Hall

18th May

An evening of psychic mediumship, by internationally renowned psychic mediums & sisters, Michelle Morley & Louise Hedges of the hugely popular podcast 'Psychic Sundays'.

I Love You Because

Rondo Theatre

22nd – 25th May

Inspired by modern American sitcoms including Friends, Frasier and Scrubs, I Love You Because transplants Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice into the beating heart of early-2000s New York.

Fringe Arts Bath Festival 2024

Newark Works

24th May – 9th June

Bath's free annual visual art festival, bringing exhibitions, events and surprises to empty shops and unexpected spaces. 200+ artists, curators, volunteers and 8,000+ visitors.

Frank Gardner for Invasion

Bath Abbey

23rd May, 7.30pm

Frank Gardner has been the BBC's Security Correspondent since 2002.

Frank visits Bath to talk about his book Invasion, the latest thriller in the series, set in contemporary Taiwan.

Friday 17th May - Thursday 30th May 2024

Macramé Plant Hanger Workshop

American Museum & Gardens

18th May, 10.30am – 1.30pm

Calling all lovers of plants and beautiful home décor! Join artist and macramé maker Aggy from Knots and Stalks for a creative morning and make your own plant hanger to take home.

The Silence Factory

Mr B's Emporium

22nd May, 6.30pm

Mr B's welcomes author Bridget Collins to discuss her latest book, a historical novel about a powerful family and the magical and dangerous silk their fortune is built upon.

May Half-Term Animal Antics

Dyrham Park

24th – 31st May

Crawl like a caterpillar, jump like a grasshopper and leap like a frog this May half-term at Dyrham Park. Get active around the garden while picking up some fascinating facts.

May Pattern Cat

Victoria Art Gallery

28th May – 31st May, 10.30am – 2pm

Get creative with others over the school half-term holiday and make your very own pattern cat – inspired by the iconic ‘Chat Noir’ poster. No need to book, just drop by on the day.

Reem Kelani In Concert

The Pump Room

19th May, 8pm

Reem Kelani was born in Manchester, in the Palestinian diaspora. In these grim times, this promises to be a memorable evening of music, poetry and, inevitably, deep emotion.

Life of Pi

Theatre Royal 22nd – 25th May

Based on the best-selling book by Yann Martel. After an epic storm in the Pacific Ocean, Pi is stranded on a lifeboat with four other survivors – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a Royal Bengal tiger.

Plant Sale

Bath City Farm

25th May, 10am – 2pm

The popular plant sale returns in May and is set to include tomatoes, courgettes, squash, cucumbers, beans, berries, herbs, wild flowers and lots more.

The Simon and Garfunkel Story

The Forum

29th May, 7.30pm

Using huge projection photos and original film footage, the international hit show tells the story of the origins and meteoric rise of Simon & Garfunkel blended together with a full live band.

‘Much-needed’ canal waste site to stay open after agreement reached

John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter

A “MUCH-NEEDED” refuse facility for boaters on the Kennet and Avon Canal will remain open after canal and council bosses came to an agreement.

The Canal & River Trust bins in Bathampton had been set to close in March after they became a fly-tipping hotspot and Bath & North East Somerset Council told the charity to close the facility. Boaters who rely on the facility said they were being “punished for the deeds of a minority” and over 540 people signed a petition to keep them open.

But now the trust and council have come to an agreement to keep them open.

Mark Evans, regional director of the Canal & River Trust, said: “I know that the uncertainty around the future of the facility has been a concern to boaters.

“And I’m grateful that, with additional measures to manage the site, including increasing frequency of collections, the

council has agreed for us to keep the bin store open.

“The possibility of relocating the bins nearby is something that we’ll continue to consider in the longer term subject to local consultation.”

Councillor Tim Ball, council cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said: “I very much welcome these developments and we will continue to work with everyone involved to ensure the needs

Free fire safety checks offered to residents

AVON Fire & Rescue Service has marked Deaf Awareness Week by raising awareness of its free home safety visits which are available for eligible people in the area.

As part of its targeted prevention work, the fire service provides further support to members of the community that may be more at risk of having a fire in their home. This is done in the form of a safety visit, which is a free pre-arranged visit to the home to carry out an assessment and provide the occupant with advice on how to stay safe from fire.

Steve Quinton, Temporary Area Manager at AF&RS, said: “We are passionate about keeping everyone in our communities safe and our home fire safety visit service plays a vital role in helping us fulfil this duty.”

In the UK there are over 12 million adults with hearing loss. This is equivalent to around one in five adults.

It’s important to understand that every deaf person is different, with different levels of deafness, hearing aids or implants, technology and communication preferences.

Steve added: “We want to ensure that your experience with us is as comfortable and useful as possible.

“You can opt for a Home Fire Safety Visit with a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter present, to ensure you have the right alarms fitted and safety measures in place to help alert you in the event of a fire.”

If you’re interested in booking a free home fire safety visit and are wondering if you are eligible, visit https://bit.ly/4ag5JZz.

Locals encouraged to begin saving water

DESPITE a wet start to the year, Bath-based Wessex Water is encouraging its customers to help save water as part of a national campaign.

People are being urged to help themselves and the environment by reusing rainwater, with a few simple steps helping to save money on bills and improve plant growth.

This week, 13th to 17th May, marks Water Saving Week, Waterwise’s annual campaign to highlight the benefits of ditching the hosepipe and sprinkler, and raise awareness of the importance of keeping tabs on usage.

of boaters, the Bathampton community and the environment are met now and over the longer term.”

People who live on the canal in Bathampton rely on the bins to take their rubbish and recycling away.

The next closest bins on the canal are in Bath or at the Dundas Basin. The bins are run by the Canal & River Trust but they are on land owned by Bath & North East Somerset Council.

Current resources are healthy, with groundwater and reservoir levels well above average and no prospect of a hosepipe ban this summer. In fact, there hasn’t been one in the Wessex Water region since 1976.

Nonetheless, increasingly erratic weather means a water butt should be the gardener’s best friend in the coming weeks.

A Wessex Water spokesperson said: “Hosepipes and sprinklers can use between 500 and 1,000 litres of water an hour, which is

more than a typical family of four gets through in a whole day.

“Plants prefer rainwater, while using a watering can is more efficient at targeting their roots, so it makes sense to re-use what has been collected in water butts over the very wet winter.

“Customers on a meter will save money as well as water by not turning on the tap.

“It’s not too late to install a water butt if you don’t have one – May is still giving us our fair share of rainfall!”

Water Saving Week also encourages reducing usage in the home, with appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers impacting energy costs and household utility bills.

Wessex Water said water is heavy to transport and is often pumped across undulating countryside from source to tap, so it is easy to overlook the amount of energy required.

The company says it fixes more than 1,000 leaks every month and has invested £230 million in a supply grid, which means water can be moved around the region to meet changing demands.

Money advice service helps support residents with their benefits

AN accounts team at Bath housing association Curo has helped put more than £1.5 million into customers’ pockets over the past year, thanks to their benefit and grant support.

The dedicated Customer Accounts team helps to increase residents’ income by accessing funds that they might not otherwise have known about.

Research from April 2024 indicates that up to £23 billion in benefits goes unclaimed annually in the UK.

It’s estimated that 1.4 million eligible households do not claim Universal Credit, while many others miss out on Pension Credit and Carer’s Allowance. Billions of pounds in support for council tax, water, energy and broadband also go unclaimed each year.

Sarah Rogers, Head of Customer Accounts, said: “The cost of living crisis has hit many of our customers hard.

“We’re seeing more people struggling to pay their bills and getting into debt. That’s why Curo’s Money and Benefits Advice services are so vital. They ensure our customers can access the financial support that they often had no idea was available.”

Debbie Brinsmead-Williams, Curo’s Senior Customer & New Money Advisor, added: “When we tell customers about the

money they’ve been missing out on, they’re often surprised.

“The benefits system is complex, and people often assume they won’t be eligible. But we have indepth knowledge of the system and can assist them in making a claim, providing support when they need it most.”

Financial difficulties can have a big impact on mental health.

In the past financial year, Curo’s Passport to Housing service has saved customers in Bath & North East Somerset a total of £783,336 and in South Gloucestershire a total of £269,037.

Passport to Housing is a free and confidential service offered by Curo to help people bidding for homes through B&NES’ Homesearch and South Gloucestershire’s Homechoice

schemes to prepare for a successful Curo tenancy and plan for the expense of moving home.

Curo’s Money Advice service put £299,178 back in customers’ pockets last year, while their account managers secured £127,204 and the Benefits Advice service £67,486.

Sarah added: “We want to get the message out to our customers that one phone call to us could put them on the track to easing money worries.

“We hate to think of customers who might be suffering in silence when we have the skills and knowledge that can help them.”

Curo customers can contact the service either by phone on 01225 366000 or by email to customeraccountshelp@curogroup.co.uk.

A waste collection at the site in March | Photo supplied

Curo’s Customer Accounts team | Photo © Curo

Locals can benefit from free home safety checks from the fire service

Interested in sponsoring this section? Get in touch: advertise@bathecho.co.uk

RUH unveils expanded Maternity Outpatients department

THE Maternity Outpatients department at the Royal United Hospital in Bath has been redesigned to provide more capacity for urgent and routine antenatal care.

Over the past few months, the department has been refurbished so people attending pre-booked appointments at the maternity day assessment unit at the Combe Park site will be cared for in a new calming space on the first floor. Urgent and non-routine care will now be facilitated in the new maternity triage area on the ground floor of the hospital’s Princess Anne Wing, which consists of an extra five private consulting bays, providing a better experience.

It was recently announced that maternity services at the RUH are rated in the top three per cent in England, following a recent inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) which saw the service retain its ‘outstanding’ rating. Following the inspection in November 2023, inspectors found examples of outstanding practice relating to the RUH’s

commitment to continuously improving services, family experience and the supportive environment provided for staff.

There are two more initiatives, both of which will make contacting the RUH’s maternity services easier for families.

The first is a digital single point of access, referred to as the SPA, which will allow people to register for pregnancy care via a website, instead of by telephone. Their GP and community maternity unit will automatically be informed of the registration and a confirmation email will be sent immediately with appointment information within

Public urged to consider options as walk-ins rise

A SIGNIFICANT increase in the number of people walking into hospital emergency departments across the region has prompted a plea for locals to consider their options.

Following the recent bank holiday weekend, busy frontline teams at the Royal United Hospital in Bath have seen more and more people with minor injuries arrive at Accident & Emergency.

In most cases, people who are able to walk into an emergency department would be able to access care and support quicker from another, more appropriate service.

The region’s pharmacies, along with urgent treatment centres and minor injury units, can provide on-the-day help, without people needing to book an appointment.

Heather Cooper, Director for Urgent Care and Flow, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “The days that follow a long weekend are always very busy for the NHS, and this week has been no exception.

“Our urgent care services, such as those located in our region’s hospitals, are intended to help people whose conditions are either life-threatening or in need of immediate medical intervention, but at the moment we are seeing more people walk in who could access care closer to home at local pharmacies and through 111 online.

five to seven days.

In addition, there is one telephone number (01225 826454) for all maternity enquiries, making it easier for people to contact the team and access the most appropriate care at the right times.

RUH Director of Midwifery and Neonates, Zita Martinez, said: “It’s brilliant to see these improvements in place.

“Pregnancy can be a worrying time for many, so these welcoming new spaces and improved communications channels will make a really positive difference for the people we care for.”

“As we head towards the next weekend, and with the weather expected to be warm and sunny, we’d really appreciate it if people who find themselves in need of help, such as those with sunburn, hay fever or a minor sporting injury, make the most of the many out-of-hospital services available in our region.”

People unsure of which service is right for their particular condition can get instant medical advice, as well as details of where to go for further help, by using NHS 111 online, which can be accessed at www.111.nhs.uk.

The online tool, which can be used on any laptop, smartphone or tablet, asks a series of personspecific questions in order to generate a treatment plan designed to individual needs.

Those without digital access can receive similar help from their nearest community pharmacy – as most sites are fitted with private consultation rooms –or by calling the 111 telephone service. During peak times, such as weekday mornings and weekends, people dialling 111 may need to wait a few minutes for their call to be answered, with those using the service advised to stay on the line, as help will always be given as quickly as possible.

People with genuine life-threatening emergencies, such as heavy bleeding, severe chest pain or loss of consciousness, should not put off calling 999 or visiting their nearest emergency department.

300 walkers take part in the RUHX Walk of Life

THREE hundred fundraisers of all ages walked along the Kennet & Avon Canal from Wiltshire to Bath to raise funds for RUHX, the official charity of the Royal United Hospital.

The annual RUHX Walk of Life event took place on Saturday 11th May in lovely weather, with people taking on either a marathon 26.2-mile walk from Bishops Cannings or a 10-mile walk from Bradford on Avon into the city.

Over £38,000 has been raised so far and the total is expected to reach around £50,000 in the coming weeks. All money raised means the charity can continue to support the RUH to do more for patients and staff.

With a festival-style celebration at the Holburne Museum, featuring performances from local musicians, walkers received big cheers as they crossed the finish line.

Ellie Wilkinson, RUHX’s events and community officer, said: “We are so grateful to each and every walker who took part and went the extra mile, and to friends and

family who came along to cheer them on. It was the hottest day of the year so far which made the 26.2 or 10 miles even more challenging.”

She added: “We’d like to say a special thank you to our event sponsors, Savills and Buro Happold, to the incredible team of 34 local volunteers who helped to make the event possible, to all the local businesses and organisations that supported the event, and the wonderful musicians who performed at the finish line.”

Registrations for the Walk of Life 2025 open later this year.

Spring half term booster clinics for under 18’s

specialist vaccination clinics available to anyone who is immunosuppressed and over 6 months old

Scout Hut Ashton Way, Keynsham BS31 1BW Thursday 30 May 10.15am to 3.15pm

https://bsw.icb.nhs.uk/covid-19-vaccinations/ nhs.uk/get-vaccine

Some of the hospital’s maternity team | Photo © RUH

Photo © RUHX

Uni announces Sharanjit Leyl as Chancellor

BATH Spa University has welcomed a new Chancellor, Bath-based Sharanjit Leyl. Sharanjit was officially ‘installed’ with a celebration event on Wednesday 8th May in the grounds of the Newton Park campus.

The first female Chancellor of Bath Spa University (BSU), and only the second Chancellor in the institution’s almost 20-year history, Sharanjit will act as an ambassador for the university on a local, national, and global stage.

A former BBC World News anchor, as well as a leading business and politics reporter, her career took her all over the world for almost a quarter of a century. She now regularly moderates high-level debates for the United Nations, multilateral and financial institutions and advises companies and educational institutions on media strategy and diversity.

Living between Bath and her native Singapore, Sharanjit is also a Trustee for the Bath Fashion Museum and a Board member

at the Holburne Museum. She said she is delighted to become part of the Bath Spa University community to represent the values of students and staff worldwide.

Educated in North America, with an undergraduate degree in Journalism and a Master’s in English, Sharanjit says she understands what a privilege it is to study, have an education and to be curious about the world.

She said: “I stand here because of the socially uplifting power of education that has transformed my life. My late father, Kernail Singh Leyl, was born in Singapore to a poor immigrant family and was one of eight children.

“He excelled academically and made it to the country’s most prestigious school. He did it through sheer grit and hard work.

“So determined was he to be educated, that he studied by streetlamp at a time when Singapore was a developing country and didn’t have reliable electricity coverage.

“Through all his efforts, he won scholarships and became the first person to go to university in my family, which has led to a completely different life

for my brothers and me. It’s a story that truly exemplifies the transformative power of education.”

She said her father’s story isn’t a far cry from many of the students at Bath Spa University.

“Over 40% of the BSU student population are among the first in their family to go to university, just like my father did. About a quarter of our students are from ethnic minorities, like me, and many more are working their way through university, holding down one or more jobs so they can afford to have an education.

“It shows the sheer grit and determination of the students here at BSU, who are so much

families needed for international teenage students* attending our city-centre, year-round language school throughout 2024

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We offer twin-room accommodation to our students, and offer host families the BEST rates in Bath

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like my father, students whom I’m inspired by and so proud to represent and truly embodying the spirit of Bath Spa University – The Sunday Times University of the year for Social Inclusion.”

Bath Spa University’s ViceChancellor, Professor Sue Rigby, welcomed Sharanjit to the BSU community during the ceremony, with pledges, music and performances from students and staff.

Sharanjit will be presenting certificates to some students at BSU’s summer graduation ceremonies, as well as attending numerous informal and more formal events throughout the academic year.

News in Brief

Ralph Allen pupils are proud of their school

Pupils at Ralph Allen in Bath are proud of their school, Ofsted has said in its latest inspection report. The school in Claverton Down Road is part of the Palladian Academy Trust and takes pupils from the age of 11 to 18.

The school last had a full inspection in 2014 when it was rated as Good.

A short inspection in 2018 found the good quality of education had been maintained, and now the latest report reaffirms that Ralph Allen continues to be a good school.

Three inspectors visited Ralph Allen in March and their report says: “Pupils are proud of their school. They reflect the school’s ethos in the way they talk about expectations, celebration, and traditions.

“The school has high expectations of pupils. The published outcomes across the curriculum are very positive.

“The school plans a broad array of enrichment activities. It makes sure these engage all pupils. Staff seek feedback from pupils to ensure there is something for everyone.”

Becky Feather Reporter

Sharanjit Leyl during a speech at the event | Photo © Bath Spa University

Work well under way on new self-storage facility

WORK is under way on a stateof-the-art storage centre in Bath which is on track to open in November.

The Vanguard Self Storage facility is being built at the former Regency Laundry site on the A36 Lower Bristol Road.

The reception area will feature a restored De Haviland Vampire aircraft, adding a unique touch.

to the heart of Bath.

Vanguard Self Storage, one of the UK’s remaining independent providers of self-storage solutions, say the new facility marks a significant milestone in their strategic expansion.

The property, which had been a laundry dating back to the 1880s, had been purchased by a residential developer but faced a rejected planning application. Vanguard seized the opportunity, making an unconditional offer and completing the acquisition in January 2022.

Will McCullagh, Managing Director of Vanguard Self Storage, said: “We are excited to bring our high-quality self-storage services

“Our new facility not only provides convenient and secure storage solutions, but also showcases our dedication to sustainable design and environmental responsibility.”

It has been designed by Bath architects Designscape to blend seamlessly with the city’s architectural heritage.

Vanguard say: “Utilising a combination of Bath stone, glazing and bronze cladding, the building’s exterior pays homage to the local aesthetic while incorporating modern design elements.”

Mike Lamplough, Vanguard’s Head of Property, said: “We are committed to providing our customers with the best possible storage experience, From the architecturally sensitive design to the state-of-the-art amenities, our new Bath store exemplifies our dedication to excellence.”

Sustainability is at the forefront of the project. Key features include a 75kWp solar array on the roof, electric vehicle charging bays

and a new stream landscape feature that re-naturalises the existing waterway running across the site, as well as landscaping to contribute to the promotion of natural habitats.

The new facility will offer 45,000sq ft of net lettable storage space, spread across four floors and served by two 3.5-tonne Kone lifts.

Each unit will be individually alarmed, and the site will be monitored 24/7 by CCTV.

Ben Thilthorpe, Head of Operations at Vanguard, said:

“Following the success of our Bristol store, which we opened in 2019, we anticipate that our new Bath branch will be very

attractive to business customers.

“We will have units that will be ideal for micro and small companies and a drop-in business lounge. The fact that we are only a five-minute walk from the city centre means that we will be providing the perfect location for final mile logistics.”

The Bath store is the latest addition to Vanguard SelfStorage’s growing network of facilities across the UK.

The company have also announced the completion of expansion projects at its Staples Corner and Bristol locations, as well as the installation of a new 295kWp solar PV array at their Manchester site.

News in Brief

New waste recycling units being planned

A planning application has been lodged for two new waste recycling units at the old Fullers Earth Works site at Odd Down, next to the Park & Ride. The site is occupied by Waste Recycling Bath and adding two new units will help to streamline operations and improve efficiency, says the application submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council. The works at Fosseway Environment Park also include landscaping to improve the boundary of the site, enhance biodiversity and improve screening. Parking for 22 cars, nine LGVs and two HGVs is also proposed. The planning reference is 24/01564/FUL. The deadline for comments is 7th June.

Gym bidding to stay at industrial premises

A gym has applied to the council to continue operating after its temporary planning permission ran out. CrossFit Bath has been based since May 2021 at premises at The Smallholdings in Claude Avenue, that were formerly used by a scaffolding company.

How the new facility will look | Image courtesy of Designscape Architects

Politics

Concern over ‘exponential growth’ of HMOs

Becky Feather Reporter

THE “exponential growth” in houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) in Odd Down has been highlighted by concerned local councillors.

Steve Hedges and Joel Hirst raised their concerns as they lodged their objection to plans to turn a three-bed mid-terrace house into an HMO with six single bedrooms.

The proposal to allow six sharers to live at a property on Eastover Grove was approved last week by Bath & North East Somerset Council. It involves adding a single-storey extension to enable the conversion to a small HMO. There will be two bedrooms on the ground floor and four upstairs. Also on the ground floor will be communal space with facilities for shared accommodation.

The application was lodged by Rivers Birtwell, which specialise in accommodation for students and young professionals.

In support of the application, their consultants Lewis & Co Planning said: “In recent decades concentrations of HMOs have arisen in certain areas of Bath. In response, Bath & North East Somerset Council introduced a citywide Article 4 Direction in 2013.

“The Direction removes the permitted development right of C3 dwellinghouses to convert to C4 small HMOs. The Direction seeks to control, rather than resist, the conversion of houses into HMOs.

“HMOs play a valued role in the local housing mix. They provide affordable and accessible housing to important demographics, including students, hospitality workers and young professionals.”

They said the proposal for Eastover Grove complies with

council policies. No residential property would be ‘sandwiched’ between HMOs and fewer than 10% of properties within a 100-metre radius are in HMO use.

There is another property in Eastover Grove that was granted permission to become a house of multiple occupation in 2022, but it is currently not in HMO use.

The consultants said the low level of HMOs in the area meant there would be no cumulative adverse impact caused to neighbours or the community.

They also highlighted that HMO occupiers are generally less likely to have access to cars than families and the site has the capacity to provide two off-street parking spaces.

Councillors Hedges and Hirst said that while recognising the data presented on HMOs, there has been an “exponential growth” in them in the wider Odd Down area.

The Lib Dem councillors said they do not support the loss of family houses to HMOs as it makes the area less sustainable.

“We believe more student housing should be built on campus.

“We feel for many families the rise in HMOs has ‘priced out’ people in Bath from the housing market.

“For these reasons, we urge the application to be rejected.”

Two neighbours had also lodged objections. One said: “This is a family home, not a student campus.”

They feared it would affect the value of their property and take another family home away from residents wishing to stay and live locally.

Another neighbour said: “If the property becomes student accommodation, there would likely be much disruption and noise … multiple occupancy could possibly mean late parties, loud music and a lot of bodies in a small space including the garden. “Odd Down is a quiet area with families and schools nearby. I cannot see any positives into turning this property to a multiple occupancy.”

Both the vice chair and chair of the council’s planning committee agreed the decision could be delegated to the planning officer, rather than be determined by committee.

The officer’s report said that the proposal complies with relevant planning policies and will result in just a 2% concentration of HMOs within a 100m radius area. The threshold is 10%.

The report noted that the rear extension is of a scale which could be built under permitted development anyway, and there are no new windows proposed that would lead to overlooking. Soundproofing insulation will be

installed and there will be storage in the back garden for four bikes.

The committee’s vice chair Councillor Ian Halsall (Lib Dem, Oldfield Park) acknowledged the anxieties of the ward members and neighbours but said the application must be determined in accordance with adopted policies.

He said: “An HMO is not simply a student-occupied dwelling but intended to meet the demands of a cross-section of the community in a difficult housing market and for others to find adequate accommodation in the city, thus contributing to the mix of residential properties.

“There will be no material external changes to the property other than the rear extension which is deemed to be in scale and proportion to the host building.”

Councillor Halsall said no highway or parking issues had been identified and being well below the 10% HMO policy threshold and not ‘sandwiching in’ the adjacent property, there would not be any adverse impact on neighbours.

The committee’s chair Councillor Duncan Hounsell (Lib Dem, Saltford) said he noted the comments of the ward councillors but the application had been tested against policy objectives.

He said: “There is no significant harm to the amenity of neighbours. The objections of the ward councillors conflate HMOs with student accommodation. These are not the same categories.

“A ruling in an appeal case made clear that the council is deemed irresponsible and liable to costs if the decision-making is not policy related and prejudiced against any demographic group in a ward, e.g. students.

“The committee could not reach any other decision than to agree with the officer’s recommendation to permit.”

Dan Norris set to stand against Jacob Rees-Mogg

Rebecca Montacute and James Coldwell.

DAN Norris, the current Mayor of the West of England, has been selected as the Labour candidate to contest the new North East Somerset and Hanham seat at the next General Election.

Mr Norris, the former Wansdyke MP, lost his Westminster seat to Conservative Jacob ReesMogg in 2010 when the North East Somerset constituency was created. The local Labour Party selected Mr Norris for the rematch on Friday, 10th May.

Members selected Mr Norris over the two other candidates,

In a message to members of the constituency party, Mr Norris thanked them for putting their trust in him.

He said: “It is a great honour and responsibility. We live in a super marginal seat and so now the hard work begins in earnest.”

Mr Norris officially launched his campaign in Keynsham on Sunday, 12th May.

The new constituency will be radically different to the current North East Somerset seat.

Only half of the existing area will be in the new constituency, with Bathavon North moving over to the Bath constituency and Radstock and Midsomer Norton joining the new Frome and East

Somerset constituency. The ‘Hanham’ part also includes the

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A GRANT OF PREMISES LICENCE UNDER THE LICENSING ACT 2003

CHEF JAQ LTD applied to Bath & North East Somerset Council on 10th May 2024 for a licence to use the premises at JAQ at The Provenist, Tram Yard, 1 Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BE for the sale by retail of alcohol during the hours of 10.00 hrs to 22.00 hrs, Monday through Saturday and 11.00 hrs to 17.00 hrs on Sunday.

Notification of the application made to the Licensing Authority is available on a register at www.bathnes.gov.uk/ licensing-register.

Representations should be made in writing to:

Bath & North East Somerset Council Licensing Services Lewis House Manvers Street Bath BA1 1JG or by email to licensing@bathnes.gov.uk by 7th June 2024

Representations made will be disclosed in an open meeting should a hearing be necessary.

It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application and is subject to a fine of any amount on summary conviction for the offence.

Dated: 10/05/2024

Planning Round-up

Restoration approved for station ceiling

Bath & North East Somerset Council planners have granted listed building consent for a ceiling at Bath Spa Railway Station to be reinstated.

The customer information office on Platform 2 at Brunel’s Grade II* listed station was closed for two weeks last August.

In their application, Great Western Railway explained that the ceiling had been showing signs of severe deterioration and was deemed unsafe for people working underneath. It was removed without consent by the contractor.

The reinstatement will involve the use of traditional methods and materials.

South Gloucestershire wards of Longwell Green, Bitton and Oldland, and Parkwall and Warmley. They are currently in

the Kingswood Parliamentary constituency which disappears at the next General Election but was won at February’s by-election by Labour’s Damien Egan after Tory Chris Skidmore stood down.

Becky Feather Reporter

Dan Norris is currently the West of England Metro Mayor

Concerns were raised over the loss of larger homes for families in the area

Upcoming Fixtures

Bath Rugby

Cricket club launches £200k charity fundraiser

share with us our desire to make a difference to the work these fantastic local charities do, for us all.

LANSDOWN Cricket Club has launched a major fundraising campaign for two local charities ahead of its bicentenary year in 2025.

To celebrate the club being at the heart of Bath sport and community inclusion for two centuries, it is setting a challenge to raise £200,000.

The 200 for 200 Campaign will be in aid of RUHX, the official charity of Bath’s Royal United Hospital, and Dorothy House Hospice Care.

A memorial match held on the weekend of the launch raised £1,250 for the two charities.

Scott Longstaff, chairman of Lansdown Cricket Club, said: “We hope that members and the wider community in Bath will

“Everyone is invited to get involved and share fundraising ideas.”

Ruby Guymer-Parker, the community and volunteer officer at RUHX, said: “A huge thank you to Lansdown Cricket Club for choosing to support RUHX with their 200 for 200 campaign.

“The club is at the heart of the community here in Bath and their support will make a huge difference in supporting the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust (RUH), and the local community, to help more people to live healthier and happier lives in Bath and beyond.

We look forward to supporting the club throughout their campaign.”

Dan Varley, community and events fundraiser at Dorothy House Hospice Care, said: “We

simply could not do the work we do caring for patients, families and carers without the support of the community that we serve, and so for Lansdown Cricket Club to do so as part of their incredible 200 for 200 campaign means the world to the entire Dorothy House team.”

The launch weekend coincided with the first League fixture of 2024 – the First XI home match vs Bath Cricket Club.

The following day, Sunday 5th

May, saw the inaugural Rob Parry Memorial Match at Combe Park between Lansdown Cricket Club and The Star CC to remember and celebrate Rob who played for The Star over many years and was also the clubhouse manager at Lansdown.

Rob passed away last year after suffering from cancer. A commemorative bench was unveiled at Combe Park on the day of the match.

The organisers said: “Despite the rain, a fantastic day with a good turnout. It was a great gettogether to celebrate Rob’s life with his family.”

Many events and fundraising initiatives will be announced through 2024 and 2025.

Family fun days to fire walks are being planned, and a Big Cycle Ride taking place in May next year will see a Lansdown team cycling to every test cricket ground in England.

Students to make senior GB swimming debuts

TWO students from the University of Bath, Joshua Gammon and Jack Skerry, are set to make their Great Britain senior long-course debuts in June.

The pair, who have been selected for the European Aquatics Championships, will be joined in a 10-strong Aquatics GB squad by Bath Performance Centre duo Ed Mildred and Matthew Ward, both coached by David McNulty at the Team Bath Sports Training Village. Santander Sporting Scholar Leah Crisp will also be heading to Belgrade to contest the marathon swimming 10km events as part of the preparations for her Olympic Games debut at Paris 2024 this summer.

Sports Performance student Gammon, a member of the University of Bath Swimming Club and coached by Andrei Vorontsov, earned his call-up after successfully defending his 200m butterfly title at the recent Aquatics GB Swimming Championships in London. He also won 100m butterfly silver and has been a multiple medallist while representing the University at BUCS (British Universities & College Sport) championships.

Computer Science student Skerry, who is supported by a US Foundation Scholarship, joined the Bath Performance Centre training group in September and was placed sixth in both the 100m and 200m backstroke at the

Aquatics GB Championships. Training partner Ward, who won four medals on his last visit to Belgrade for the 2023 European Junior Championships, is also a backstroke specialist and set a new age-group record while finishing fourth over 100m in London. Mildred is the only member of the pool squad with a senior GB cap and won mixed 4x100m freestyle relay silver and men's 4x100m freestyle relay bronze at the last European Championships in Rome two years ago.

Aquatics GB Head of Performance Development Alan Lynn said: “All 10 of the athletes selected for the pool swimming team produced some brilliant performances

Crossword answers - Issue 077 (03/05/2024)

at the recent Aquatics GB Swimming Championships and showed they could deliver big swims when it mattered, in a packed and intense competition environment.

"We know each swimmer will be looking to build on those swims to progress their experience and target season’s bests in Belgrade, when they will come up against a host of strong international athletes including plenty who will be building towards the Olympics a few weeks down the line.”

The marathon swimming will take place on 12th June, with the pool-based competition running from 17th to 23rd June. You can find out more at www. teambath.com/swimming

Across: 9 Image, 10 Operators, 11 Leg, 12 Bambi, 13 Jumpsuits, 14 Linda, 15 Millennia, 16 Say-so, 18 Yield, 22 Sorrowful, 25 Futon, 27 Peninsula, 28 Ringo, 29 Mic, 30 In the area, 31 Evita. Down: 1 Pit bull, 2 Layman, 3 Celibacy, 4 Logjam, 5 Re-employ, 6 Lassie, 7 Motioned, 8 As usual, 16 Strength, 17 Off guard, 19 Enforced, 20 Aseptic, 21 In total, 23 Ounces, 24 Llamas, 26 Tune in.

Saturday 18th May, 3.05pm Bath Rugby v Northampton Saints (Home) Gallagher Premiership - R18

Bath Cricket Club (1ST XI)

Saturday 18th May, 12pm Bath vs Bristol (Away) WEPL

Saturday 19th May, 1.30pm Bath Wanderers vs Devizes (Away) WEPL

Saturday 25th May, 12pm Bath vs Potterne (Home - North Parade) WEPL

Lansdown Cricket Club (1ST XI)

Saturday 18th May – 12pm Lansdown vs Taunton St Andrews (Home - Combe Park) P1

Sunday 19th May - 10am Lansdown vs Twyford House (Home - Combe Park) WEPL

Sunday 19th May - 4pm Lansdown vs Stapleton (Home - Combe Park) WEPL

Saturday 25th May – 12pm Lansdown vs Bishopston (Away - Southmead) P1

Get Involved

Whether you'd like us to include your upcoming fixtures in the newspaper, or submit a match report, we'd love to hear from you. Please send fixtures lists for your team to sport@bathecho.co.uk and we'll add your next event to our lists. If you have photographs that we can use, we'd like to include them here, on our website and social media. We're happy to host match reports from across Bath and the surrounding area. Send them to sport@ bathecho.co.uk with the subject Match Report. To ensure we can include your report, please limit the length to 400 words.

Becky Feather Reporter

Unveiling the special Rob Parry commemorative bench at Combe Park