Bath Echo - Issue 082 - 12/07/2024

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Friday 12th July - Thursday 25th July 2024

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Issue No. 082

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LIDL WITHDRAWS PLANS Budget chain says it will resubmit application later this year - P2

Inside: Food & drink, archive photos, what's on listings, our £20 crossword & more!

Wera Hobhouse continues as city's MP following election - P3

M&S to relocate into former Debenhams store - P3

Curo secures injunction against disabled tenant - P4

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Lidl withdraws application for new store in Bath

In this issue...

Top Stories

Friday 12th July - Thursday 25th July 2024

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Pictures from the Past

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Crossword

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What's On

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Food & Drink

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Community

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Health

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Education

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Business

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Politics

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Sports & Fixtures

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John Wimperis

Local Democracy Reporter

Becky Feather Reporter

BUDGET supermarket chain Lidl has withdrawn plans to build a store on a site off London Road West in Bath after concerns including the “severe impact” it would have on local roads.

The planning application for a Lidl to the east of Bath Rugby’s training ground at Lambridge was lodged with Bath & North East Somerset Council in June 2023.

It involved building a 2,283sqm store, creating 81 car parking spaces, access for vehicles and pedestrians, and landscaping.

The retailer, which already has a branch off Lower Bristol Road on the other side of Bath, said the new store would create 40 new jobs.

But the scheme has now been axed although another planning application is likely to be submitted “in due course”.

Joanna Wright, the local Green councillor on Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “Myself and councillor Saskia Heijltjes, as ward councillor for Lambridge, have been against the development of a supermarket at this site because we know already how problematic and congested the strategic road network is on the east of Bath.

“This site would have caused even greater disruption to local highways, whether you are a driver, cyclist or walker.

“Coupled with the real threat of impacting our UNESCO status by placing a superstore at a historic gateway and threatening local businesses, this application was never going to get through planning.

“That’s why Lidl have withdrawn this application, they don’t want to be seen to lose. No doubt they will try again.

“The fight will continue to stop any supermarket being built on this site.”

In total, 1,194 people had lodged objections on the council’s planning portal. There were 402 comments in support, while 23 people also left uncategorised comments.

One objector, John Eames, wrote: “This proposal rides roughshod over the value of greenery, earth, flora and fauna in a way we can no longer afford globally.

“It is unnecessary as Bath is wellprovided with supermarkets across all price sectors. Lidl already have a Bath store. Their presence on London Road will damage the Larkhall community of shops.”

Another objector, Bryony Wade, observed: “The London Road is really very busy and usually more or less at a standstill. Any more traffic – and there would be lots from a supermarket – will make it a permanent gridlock. The area for the proposed development is a lovely wildlife haven and a necessary green space to help counteract the pollution from the road.”

But supporter Susan Lock commented: “Bath is in need of a further discount store and this design presented at the current Lidl’s store shows an awareness of the requirements of a green build.

“This store would also alleviate the current store of the large numbers using the original store and help reduce the travel at the Lower Bristol Road.”

Lidl had said its plans, which included a green roof on the store, bird baths, bat boxes, bee towers, and retaining the woodland by the river, would actually increase biodiversity on the site, which is currently a field surrounded by trees, by 40%.

The retailer also stated it had “searched exhaustively” for suitable locations, and that the London Road site was considered to be the most suitable, accessible, and convenient.

At the end of April, the council planning officer assessing the application advised Lidl that the traffic modelling demonstrates a “severe impact” which alone would be reason for refusing the scheme.

She added: “Having reviewed the scheme and heritage assessment and, following comments from our heritage officer and Historic England, it can be concluded that there is heritage harm to a number of heritage assets, including the World Heritage Sites and Conservation Area.

“Even with mitigation, and the

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The site where the Lidl would be built | Photo © John Wimperis

good design of the scheme, there is concluded to be harm, which I do not consider to be outweighed by public benefits.”

In addition, the planning officer said the proposed store “would, in the view of the council, threaten the ongoing trading of the centres of the Co-op and Spar in Larkhall”.

A letter sent to the council on behalf of Lidl last Friday, 5th July, noted that a highways consultant had spoken with council officers regarding the need for further traffic surveys on the wider London Road network, including at both the Morrisons junction and A46 roundabout.

The letter from a director of Lidl’s planning consultants explained: “These surveys are supplementary to the information that has already been provided but are meaningful in terms of a more extensive assessment of traffic and highways interventions that Lidl would make to help improve the accessibility of the area to both vehicle users and pedestrians/cyclists.

“The surveys do, however, take time and they need to be scheduled in a way that is acceptable to officers, and then analysed before the final information can be presented.

“Officers have expressed concern about the surveys being undertaken during the summer months, when they consider that traffic will be less representative (due to school holidays and the number of visitors to Bath during the summer season).

“This means that the surveys could not be completed to their satisfaction before September.

“Given officers have not

been willing to agree to defer determination of the application while this work is undertaken and have pressed for it to be considered at committee at the end of July, this does not provide sufficient time for Lidl to instruct and complete the work, and for officers to have given due consideration to the outcomes.

“As the applicant, Lidl has also suggested additional areas of significant investment, and offered commitments to wider sustainability and transport improvements in the area, which have not yet been discussed with officers further.”

On this basis, the director said that Lidl does not want the application to be taken forward to committee and “reluctantly” withdraws it.

He added: “I will be back in touch in due course with a view to taking the proposed development forward through a new planning application and planning performance agreement (PPA agreement).”

A spokesperson for Lidl said: “We remain fully committed to opening a new Lidl store in Bath to give even more households access to high quality, affordable produce.

“To ensure that our application is as robust as possible and contains the results of vital highways surveys, we have withdrawn our application with a view to resubmitting it later in the year once we’ve had an opportunity to carry out these surveys.

“We look forward to working with the local council on the updated application and to providing further updates to residents in due course.”

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Issue 082

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Your City, Your News - Bath Echo

Wera Hobhouse to continue as city's MP John Wimperis

Local Democracy Reporter

WERA Hobhouse has been re-elected as Bath’s Liberal Democrat MP but with a substantially reduced majority.

19,883 people in Somerset’s largest city voted for Ms Hobhouse. It was a clear victory — but almost a third less than the 28,419 she received in 2019.

In her acceptance speech, she thanked fellow candidates, members of her team, and her “long-suffering husband,” adding: “Particularly and especially thanks to the voters in Bath who for the third time have put their trust in me.

“Ed Davey and the Liberal Democrats have run an amazing campaign across the country.

“Today is a day to celebrate but next week in Parliament the serious work will start to really make sure that our NHS and public services are coming back from the brink, that we make sure that those who are struggling in Bath with the cost of living, and last but not least that we turbocharge our energy to get to net zero.”

The declaration at the Bath election count | Photo © John Wimperis

Meanwhile, Labour narrowly overtook the Conservatives to come second place in the constituency, with Labour’s Dan Bewley netting 8,665 votes to the Conservative James Wright’s 7,659.

Although Labour had no comment, one party staffer mentioned they were “chuffed” with the result.

Bath has always swung between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives and Labour has not come second in the city since 1970. Voters had been spoiled

for choice in Bath where nine candidates were on the ballot paper.

As the results were being counted, Mr Wright said: “It’s been a great experience. But not a very good night nationally for the Conservatives but we’ve fought a good campaign here on the issues residents care about and that’s what’s important.”

Independent Colin Blackburn came in sixth with 1,749 votes.

But, speaking as the votes were being counted, he said: “I think I’ve already achieved what I was

hoping for.”

He said he thought his campaign focusing on local issues had led Ms Hobhouse to do the same.

Mr Blackburn has been an Independent councillor for Westmoreland on Bath & North East Somerset Council since 2015 and stood for Parliament because people were feeling “politically homeless.”

A.N.ON., who received 25 votes, unfurled a Palestinian flag on stage as the results were read out at the count.

The final figures for Bath were: • A.N.ON – Independent: 25 votes • Matthew Alford – Workers Party of Britain: 230 votes • Daniel Bewley – Labour Party: 8,665 votes • Colin Blackburn – Independent: 1,749 votes • Bill Blockhead – Independent: 169 votes • Teresa Hall – Reform UK: 3,798 votes • Wera Hobhouse – Liberal Democrats: 19,883 votes • Dom Tristram – Green Party: 5,952 votes • James Wright – Conservatives: 7,659 votes.

M&S to relocate into SouthGate shopping centre M&S has revealed plans to relocate from its current site on Stall Street in Bath into the former Debenhams store in the SouthGate shopping centre.

The relocation, which will cost £17 million, will guarantee a future for M&S in the city, the retailer has said.

Customers will be able to continue shopping for M&S Food along with the extensive clothing & beauty ranges at the new store.

Colleagues at the current Stall Street store will have the opportunity to relocate to the new store and the Stall Street site will continue trading until the SouthGate store opens.

The move is part of the retailer’s store rotation strategy to make sure it has the right stores in the right place, with the right space for customers.

At its recent full-year results, the retailer announced plans to open up to four new full-line stores and nine new foodhalls across the UK in the current financial year.

M&S CEO Stuart Machin, who announced the plans at the retailer’s AGM on Tuesday 2nd

July, in response to a shareholder question, said: “We want to offer the best possible shopping experience for customers every single time they shop with us.

“This new £17 million investment in a flagship Bath store means we can deliver on that promise and secure M&S’ future in the city.

“Our store rotation strategy is all about making sure we can showcase the very best of M&S – and that touch of M&S magic – from stores which excite and inspire.

“We’ve seen great results so far where we have relocated stores, in city centres like Liverpool and Birmingham, helping us to attract new customers and giving us the confidence to go faster with the strategy.”

M&S currently has over 45 stores across the South West, employing over 4,000 people and working with over 1,100 Select Farmers in the region.

This latest investment builds on the circa £6 million invested in its existing South West stores over the past three years.

The retailer has said it will work

News in Brief Flat conversion bid submitted Plans to convert an unused part of a new lettings office at Newbridge into a two-bed flat have been submitted to B&NES Council.

The application says that the premises – formerly Andrews Estate Agents at 43 Newbridge Road - has just been purchased by Bath Student Rentals Associates Ltd for their letting agency business. The planning reference is 24/02549/FUL. The deadline for comments is 15th August.

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How the new M&S store in SouthGate will look | Image © M&S

with Bath & North East Somerset Council on the future use of the current M&S store in Bath.

Darren Richards, Head of Real Estate at British Land, commented: “SouthGate’s prominent city centre location and strong national transport links create a compelling offer for our occupiers, and following this letting we are delighted that the scheme is now fully let.

“Marks & Spencer is a great retailer with whom we continue to work closely as they expand their offer across our retail portfolio.

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“They will be a brilliant addition to the strong line-up at SouthGate.”

Bath & North East Somerset Council said: “We welcome this continued investment in our vibrant city which has a fantastic retail offer. The great location of Bath and proximity of a number of tourist attractions has seen strong demand from a mix of retailers coming out of the pandemic and the council is committed to supporting them.

“We look forward to working with M&S on the future of the current store in Stall Street.”

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Long range forecast:

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(19th to 25th July) Further spells of unsettled weather are expected, with rain or showers and sunny spells at times. Light winds forecast and temperatures around average.

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www.bathecho.co.uk

Friday 12th July - Thursday 25th July 2024

Bath-based Curo secures injunction against disabled tenant Becky Feather Reporter

A DISABLED Bath tenant who says she’s been begging Curo to rehouse her for more than two years has been taken to court by the housing association after bombarding staff with hundreds of emails.

The tenant, who we are referring to as Miss X, appeared at a hearing at Bath County Court on 12th June.

She suffers from complex posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from childhood trauma and a life-changing car accident in 2019 left her with traumatic brain injuries.

She has been requesting to be moved since April 2022, due to abuse and harassment from her neighbours who are also Curo tenants. In August last year she sent a formal notice to Curo with an urgent request to be rehoused, via a direct let.

In court on 12th June, she accused Curo of “gaslighting” her and said they had failed in their duty of care, leaving her at risk from problematic tenants, including one who has criminal convictions.

Miss X claimed her neighbours had breached their Acceptable Behaviour Contracts with no consequence from Curo.

She claimed her problems have been exacerbated by Curo ignoring her complaints and specific needs when she has done her best to explain her situation to them.

She said Curo had received letters from GPs, psychologists, three safeguarding referrals and five independent witness statements, which had all been ignored.

She told the court how she had considered ending her life on a number of occasions.

An out-of-court agreement was revealed during the hearing.

Miss X claimed this underpinned the inaction of Curo to meet their duty of care and their desire to silence her by way of injunction whilst ultimately seeking to achieve a “revenge eviction”.

At the 12th June hearing, the counsel for Curo asked the court to amend and extend an existing injunction order imposed on Miss X last August for housingrelated anti-social behaviour.

At last year’s hearing, Curo had said injunction proceedings were more appropriate than a move, due to her behaviour towards residents.

The barrister said that Miss X had employed a “scatter gun approach” to contact Curo, resulting in 450 emails being sent over a 12-month period, with numerous recipients at all levels copied in.

He said the housing association has a duty to protect staff, as well as its 17,000 tenants, and Miss X’s demands had been “unrelenting and go beyond what is reasonable”.

He said there must be “clearly defined boundaries” and that she could contact her named officer once a week but other than that asked the court to rule that she has no contact with Curo, except in emergency situations.

Representing herself, Miss X maintained there is still an appeal in process against the previous injunction issued last August.

Explaining the reason for sending hundreds of emails, she spoke of her “despair” as no one was listening. She said the term “scatter gunning” had been hers and that Curo were using her words against her.

She said: “Seeking accountability and truth is not harassment. I am a victim of harassment.”

She said she feared that limiting who she can contact at Curo and about what will cause her further harm.

She reiterated that she just wants to “sit down and have a conversation” with Curo about finding a new home.

Delivering his ruling, Judge Byass agreed that the volume of correspondence had caused anti-social behaviour in terms of housing-related nuisance/ annoyance. He imposed an order that will run for 12 months from 12th June and limits Miss X to contact with a named member

of Curo staff. Other than that, she can only contact Curo in the event of a fire, flood or urgent disrepair emergency.

The judge advised her that if she has a complaint regarding a criminal matter, she should go to the police.

Curo had sought to extend the injunction put in place last August but the judge said that he had not been provided by Curo with the evidence to do that.

He did not agree to Curo’s barrister’s request for costs against Miss X on this occasion.

Curo challenges Housing Ombudsman’s findings In her evidence, Miss X cited a recent notification she had received from the Housing Ombudsman, who had found maladministration and ruled in her favour following a complaint that stemmed from having a wet carpet in her accommodation for three years.

Miss X said the chief executive of Curo had been ordered by the Ombudsman to apologise personally for the way she had been treated and Curo had been told to pay her compensation.

However, during the hearing, counsel for Curo told the judge there had been “failings with the Ombudsman’s handling of the case” and it was being looked at again.

Although the entire matter is being examined again by the Ombudsman, the initial findings also included that Curo should carry out a full senior management review of the case to identify what went wrong and had recommended that the landlord support the resident with her request to move and discuss her options with her, if it had not done so already.

‘Long-running dispute’ between neighbours In a statement, Curo said: “Miss X has a long-running dispute with her neighbours. They have complained about her, and she has complained about them.”

“On 1st February 2023 Miss X was convicted of criminal damage

The Curo offices in Bath

having smashed her neighbour’s windows.

“An Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction was obtained by Curo against her on 1st August 2023.

“Since then, she has bombarded Curo staff with hundreds of emails which have often been abusive and aggressive, and she has been verbally abusive to staff at our offices.

“An amendment was sought to the injunction order prohibiting her from excessive contact with our staff and we’re pleased that this amendment was granted by the Judge on 12th June 2024.

“Senior Curo staff have met with Miss X in person and she has been offered a move to several different properties, each of which she has refused.”

Miss X maintained: “Curo have ignored multiple requests to move over two years and I have not been offered several properties at all.”

She added that she had denied the allegation of criminal damage.

During the hearing on 12th June Miss X told the court she had received apologies from the police for their failure to investigate complaints about her neighbours.

The Bath Echo has seen correspondence dated from August 2022 from a senior police officer apologising that the Constabulary had failed to listen to Miss X’s full account of incidents and capture the evidence she had collected, which could have prevented further distress.

Doctors’ letters call for ‘urgent action’ from Curo for ‘vulnerable’ patient Miss X is fully in support of her

story being published although for fear of reprisals, she has asked us not to name her.

We have seen letters from her GP surgery asking Curo to “urgently” investigate her concerns dating back more than two years.

One was dated 25th April 2022 from a GP saying Miss X had contacted him about abusive behaviour by her neighbour and an ongoing damp problem in her accommodation.

The doctor wrote: “As you may be aware, Miss X is a vulnerable patient who has a history of mental health problems including complex PTSD. “She is under considerable stress and these issues are having a major detrimental impact on her mental health and wellbeing.

Please could you investigate these issues as a matter of urgency.”

A follow-up letter was sent in July 2022 from another GP at the practice. That GP then wrote another letter in September 2022, stating that Miss X “feels that the way Curo have managed this is triggering her complex PTSD. “She does not feel she is supported by Curo in dealing with her complaints about her neighbour. She feels that this is worsening her mental health considerably. Please could these issues be addressed as a matter of urgency.”

A letter from the GP dated 9th June last year says the issues have still not been resolved and her patient continues to report concerns about her safety at home regarding her neighbour and ongoing harassment.

The GP notes the impact of these problems is causing her patient “worsening distress” and is having a “considerable detrimental impact” on her overall mental wellbeing.

The GP adds: “Please could these issues be addressed as a matter of urgency.”

The day before last month’s court hearing, another GP’s letter was written highlighting Miss X’s ongoing struggle with her neighbours and landlord, and outlining the medication that she is taking.

Locals being urged to report the sale of illegal vapes RESIDENTS have been urged to report any concerns they may have about businesses selling illegal vapes in Bath and the surrounding area to Trading Standards or Citizens Advice.

Bath & North East Somerset Council says it has been tackling the sale of illegal vapes in the area for several months after residents raised concerns, with illegal vapes having been found and seized at eight premises in the last few months.

Last month a multi-agency operation led by the council’s Trading Standards team resulted in the seizure of more than 1,000 illegal disposable vapes from two shops in Keynsham.

The operation was supported

Illegal vapes have been seized

by Avon & Somerset Police, HM Revenue & Customs, Trading Standards South West and a dog handler with dogs trained to detect tobacco and vape.

The seizures were part of Operation Joseph, a national trading standards initiative to tackle the supply and sale of

illegal vapes and e-cigarettes.

Illegal tobacco was also found and seized at the premises in Keynsham, which were raided following reports to the council that age-restricted products including vapes were being supplied to children and that illegal tobacco was being traded from the premises.

The sale of disposable vapes to young people has seen an increase both locally and nationally with government statistics showing that 69% of current vapers aged 11 to 17 in Britain are using disposable vapes, up from 7.7% in 2021.

Illegal and oversized vapes are becoming an increasing problem and the Trading Standards team

has been carrying out regular checks on products for sale.

Traders have been reminded that single-use vapes must be registered with the MHRA (Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) and contain no more than 2ml of nicotine containing liquid at a strength of no more than 2mg/ ml. Additionally, illegal vapes are not likely to have undergone any safety assessments to ensure they are safe for consumers to use.

Although vaping is safer than smoking, it is not risk-free and is not recommended for anyone who has never smoked or young people under 18.

Vaping exposes users to some toxins and the long-term risks

of vaping are not yet clear.

Nicotine may be more risky for young people than for adults.

There’s some evidence that in adolescence, the brain is more sensitive to its effects and the risk of developing dependence is higher.

If a member of the public has any concerns about a business or believes they have seen illegal or counterfeit products for sale, they should report it to Citizens Advice Consumer Service via a telephone call to 0808 223 1133.

All reports are passed to Trading Standards.

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Friday 12th July - Thursday 25th July 2024

www.bathecho.co.uk

Children’s Literature Festival line-up revealed SOME of the biggest and bestloved names in the world of books for younger readers will be heading to the city this autumn for the annual Bath Children’s Literature Festival.

They include former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen, Cressida Cowell, Rob Biddulph, Harry Hill, Richard Ayoade, Andy Day, Ben Miller, Robin Stevens, Liz Pichon and Bath-born Jacqueline Wilson.

Organisers behind what’s hailed as one of the world’s biggest festivals of its kind have put together a programme of more than 80 events running from Friday 27th September to Sunday 6th October.

Both weekends of the festival will be filled with lots of interactive events with the chance to hear favourite authors and illustrators talking about their stories.

The Schools Programme during the week will also be hosting some top names, with children from 44 schools in Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, Somerset and Wiltshire taking part.

More than 1,000 free tickets have been given to children in state schools and every child who attends the Schools Programme with a free ticket will receive a free book. The festival hub this year will be The Assembly Rooms, where official booksellers Waterstones will be setting up a special festival bookshop.

The Waterstones shop and café in Milsom Street will also be running events for families during the festival, including setting up The Illustrators Café during both festival weekends, featuring free how-to-draw events and activities with four illustrators in residence – Alice Tait, Luke Scriven, Conor Busuttil and Rhian Wright.

This autumn’s line-up has been put together by John and Gill McLay, who founded the Bath Children’s Literature Festival in 2007.

John McLay said: “We have a strong line-up of established superstar authors and illustrators, who we hope will delight the region’s bookworms in an

Fire service launches ‘retro’ campaign on water safety

The water safety postcard | Photo © Avon Fire & Rescue Service

AVON Fire & Rescue Service has launched a new campaign aimed at highlighting the risks associated with still water, such as the Chew Valley and Blagdon lakes.

On a hot sunny day, a countryside escape can be a welcome break from a busy beach.

Both Chew Valley Lake and Blagdon Lake provide a haven for wildlife and visitors to get away from the crowds and enjoy some time in nature.

The fire service is running a campaign to remind those visiting the area to take care in and around the water this summer.

Jacq Hardwick, Water Safety Lead at AF&RS, said: “Our new campaign is aimed at helping you make happy memories by the water, whilst remembering the very real risks that exist in our local area.”

The campaign features a design with a vintage postcard theme, aimed at showing what to do if someone does get into difficulty in the water.

Jacq added: “You can even pop

a stamp on the back and send the postcard to a loved one or friend to help spread the safety message.”

The fire service has offered the following water safety advice: • Give waterways a wide berth, and avoid walking, running or cycling too close to the water’s edge.

• If you’re swimming, only enter the water where swimming is permitted.

• If you fall in the water, float to live. Stretch out your arms and legs and lie back in the water.

Control your breathing, and once it’s under control, call for help.

If you see someone in trouble in the water, call 999 and ask for the fire service. Do not enter the water after the person. Instead, offer help from a safe distance away from the edge such as throwing them a throwline or life aid. You can also tell that person to ‘float to live’.

Water-based activities at Chew Valley Lake are currently suspended due to high levels of blue-green algae.

Author Michael Rosen | Photo © Bath Children’s Literature Festival

extensive public programme of events and for schools.

“This festival is all about having fun – a place you’ll get to meet your literary heroes and be inspired to make and create your own stories.”

Gill McLay said: “Post-lockdown, we are hearing more and more about children’s reading abilities falling and the learning gap that Covid has left behind.

“As a result, it feels more important than ever to host live events

with authors and illustrators to help children discover the joy in reading and creativity and offer families the opportunity to ignite their children’s imagination with books.”

You can book tickets online at bathfestivals.org.uk or by phone, 10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, on 01225 463362.

Alternatively get tickets in person at the Bath Box Office counter at 1a Forum Buildings, St James’ Parade.

News in Brief Warning over moped and motorbike thefts Avon & Somerset Police are asking people in Bath to remain alert following a recent increase in thefts of mopeds and motorcycles.

They say most of the incidents have occurred during the night and vehicles have been taken while parked on the street or from driveways.

Motorcycle owners are encouraged to ensure their vehicles are locked using a suitable device, and where possible, stored securely.

For information on securing your moped or motorcycle, visit https://bit.ly/4cQONL1 If you spot anything suspicious or have any information about the recent thefts, call 101 and quote reference 5224089890.

If you witness a vehicle crime in progress, call 999.

Find us on Facebook Just search “Bath Echo”

No manslaughter charges over Avonmouth blast that killed four Becky Feather Reporter

POLICE have said they do not have enough evidence to pursue a manslaughter conviction in connection with the deaths of four people, including Bath man Mike James, at Wessex Water’s site at Avonmouth in 2020.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) meanwhile are continuing to carry out a “robust criminal investigation” to establish if there have been any breaches of health and safety law in connection with the explosion at the water recycling centre on Thursday 3rd December 2020.

Mike James died along with Ray White from Portishead, Brian Vickery from Clevedon and teenager Luke Wheaton, from Bradley Stoke.

Since then, the Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT) has been leading the inquiry into what caused the explosion with the help of the HSE. In a statement on Wednesday, Avon & Somerset Police said: “Enquiries have focused on establishing whether any individuals or organisations were responsible for the explosion as well as whether any health and safety offences had been committed.

“The families of Luke Wheaton, 16, Ray White, 57, Brian Vickery, 63, and Mike James, 64, have been kept regularly updated on any significant developments.

“Detectives from MCIT and investigators from the HSE recently met with the Crown Prosecution Service to review

Mike James (64), Luke Wheaton (16), Brian Vickery (63) and Ray White (57) who died following an explosion at the Wessex Water site in Avonmouth Images courtesy of Avon & Somerset Police

the evidence which had been gathered.

“The decision was subsequently made that there was insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of a criminal conviction for manslaughter.

“While the decision marks an end to the police-led investigation, the HSE will continue to carry out enquiries to determine whether criminal offences were committed under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.”

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Almond said: “Throughout our inquiry, the families of Luke, Ray, Brian and Mike have been firmly in our thoughts.

“The families have demonstrated great dignity and patience while we carried out our enquiries and I’d like to publicly thank them for their support and understanding over the past three and a half years.”

He added: “Inquiries of this

kind are extremely complex and require the support of other agencies to gather evidence and then a variety of experts to help us interpret what that evidence tells us. In this case, the evidence we’ve gathered doesn’t reach the extremely high threshold to prosecute any criminal offence of manslaughter.

“We have met all the families to explain this development and to inform them of what will happen next, with HSE taking ownership of the investigation.”

HSE principal inspector Simon Chilcott said: “We have been a part of this complex inquiry from the outset. Now as the lead agency, we will continue to carry out a robust criminal investigation to establish if there have been any breaches of health and safety law.

“We are in regular contact with the families, with whom our thoughts remain.”

Meet Your New Neighbours We’ve put the Newly Opened

kettle on ready.

Relax in luxurious comfort

Enjoy award-winning residential, dementia & nursing care

With room for a furry friend

Pop by for a chat with the team, take a tour, and see what’s possible.

Hallmark Midford Manor, Bath, BA2 5RE 01225 591 571 h a l l m a r k c a r e h o m e s . c o. u k

P8

Friday 12th July - Thursday 25th July 2024

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Pictures from the Past A different view of the Great Bath

A photo of the Great Bath, from around 1890

Kirsten Elliott Akeman Press

THIS picture was inspired by a slightly later image displayed recently on a Facebook page called Bath History and Mystery – a page which should be followed by anyone interested in Bath’s history.

This picture, which dates from around 1890, is an unusual view of the Great

Bath when it had just been exposed.

Even pictures from the time tend to look eastwards, rather than the westwards view we have here.

We know it is after 1889 because the Poor Law Union Office, which stood in York Street has been removed, and the arch over the street and the new douche baths have been built.

However, the buildings next to the Pump Room have not yet been removed.

Demolition of these houses began in 1892

to make way for what was known as the Pump Room Extension. Arguments went on over its design and its effects on the newly discovered baths for several years.

Major Davis had already proposed a scheme which, had it been carried out, would have been much better for the Roman Baths.

He also proposed to build a library rather than a concert room, but Davis had managed to upset a lot of Bath people, and his scheme was not adopted.

In the meantime, as we can see here, the excavated remains lay open to the elements, and just a picket fence kept passers-by from tumbling down into the site below. However, as can also be seen, it did give them a good view.

The guardian of the baths, who is just visible at the far end, took his duties very seriously, and appears in several photographs from the time. He is easy to identify due to his very splendid white mutton-chop whiskers.

COLUMN | Clare Moody, Labour Police and Crime Commissioner

A

FTER weeks of being out campaigning over evenings and weekends and an exciting general election, I want to start by saying I’m looking forward to working with the new government and all new and returning local MPs. It is a time of change and of opportunity. I welcome the Government’s commitment to boosting police numbers and making Neighbourhood Policing more visible. Together, we'll look for ways to tackle big issues like male violence against women and girls (MVAWG) and knife crime, ensuring our communities are safer for everyone.

I am pleased to say my first community engagement day will be held right here in Bath next

week (July 19th), where I’ll meet with community groups and support services for victims of crime.

This visit is an opportunity for me to get out, meet people face to face and hear your concerns and ideas about policing in your area.

I feel strongly that being out in the community is vital to understanding how we solve the unique challenges we face.

This meeting will also help me to shape ideas for my Police and Crime Plan but it won't be the last opportunity to have you say.

The draft Plan will be published next month for consultation giving you a chance to share your views on both the Plan and how it's implemented.

I'd also like to let you know about

the Crime Prevention Through Sport Fund, which is now open for applications.

This fund supports projects that use sport and physical activity to reduce violence, crime, and antisocial behaviour.

Through this fund we aim to provide support that stops young people engaging in offending behaviour.

It will support projects with a thoughtful approach to helping young people involved, or at risk of involvement, in criminal activities.

As your PCC, I believe it's crucial to support and work as a community to protect our young people.

I encourage all sport groups and communities to apply

for this grant to help create a safer, more supportive environment across Avon and Somerset.

Please do have a look to see if this Fund can help the work of your organisation or an organisation you know.

The deadline for applications is Monday, 29th July 2024.

Another new initiative I'm very pleased to announce is free bystander intervention training, helping night-time economy workers to recognise the signs of sexual harassment to those working in this sector, like pubs, nightclubs, and hospitality. The first in-person training session in Bath is scheduled for 29th July, from 10am to 2pm. You can

sign up at https://bit. ly/3zD9z2o Ensuring safety in our communities requires proactive measures.

By empowering night time economy workers with bystander intervention training, we can enable them to play a key role in creating safer nightlife environments.

This training is essential for preventing MVAWG and fostering a secure and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone.

Together, let’s keep building a safer, more inclusive community.

I look forward to meeting many of you in Bath and working together over the coming weeks, months and years to achieve our shared goals.

Issue 082

Crossword

P9 9

Interested in advertising? Call 01225 589789

Congratulations to Robin Singh for winning £20!

You can find the answers to last issue's crossword on page 20.

Complete our crossword for your chance to win £20!

Across 8 Middle period of many stays at university (6,4) 9 Boater's floater (4) 10 Pronto (1,1,1,1) 11 Wreck site (5,5) 12 Parched feeling (6) 13 The Bard's wife (8) 15 Increasingly near (6,3,6) 18 Former Berkshire county town, now in Oxfordshire (8) 20 Ice cream feast (6) 21 Code writer (10) 23 Cut, maybe (4) 24 A half-way house, perhaps? (4) 25 "Actually, I like that more" (4,6)

Down 1 Discoverer of Uranus (8) 2 Assessment of one thing against another (10) 3 Expert (6) 4 Calling requirement (9,6) 5 Wildly excited centre if messed about (8) 6 First Biblical murder victim (4) 7 Colombian capital (6) 14 Decorations (10) 16 Sends out (8) 17 Grilled (8) 19 Lighters (6) 20 Surgeon's outfit (6) 22 Secure (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 1207, Bath Echo, PO Box 5395, Bath, BA1 0YA The winner will be the first randomly opened entry with the correct answers on 24/07/2024.

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

This advertisement is supported by The Edward Gostling Foundation

Something to look forward to . . .

Could you help the Goldies Charity to bring Sing&Smiles to brighten lonely lives?

Our Goldies sessions are fun social groups aimed at older isolated adults, where people come together to sing- along to the popular memory evoking music of the 50s onwards, stretch, smile and laugh. These uplifting daytime sessions bring joy and offer all important opportunities for people to create supportive friendships and links to their local community. It is important to understand that ‘Goldies’ is NOT a choir, our sessions are based on fun times where singing is at the heart, but smiling is the reason.

Session Leader Role As a Goldies Session Leader you are responsible for providing and assisting in the development of our fun inclusive Sing&Smile sessions.

Our Leaders involve our Goldies through listening and adapting the session to suit the participants mood or need through the fun sing-a-long style session. Leaders will have a love of music, an enthusiastic personality with empathy and patience for those attending sessions and a commitment to make a difference to the lives of vulnerable people from local communities.

Your role is one of the most important ones within our charity as you will be the ‘face’ of Goldies and as more and more sessions are added, one of a team of over 50 Leaders across England and Wales.

SING & SMILE SESSIONS ACROSS B&NES

The Golden-Oldies Charity, more fondly referred to as ‘Goldies’, was founded by Bath-based musician

Grenville Jones in 2007. For many years Grenville had built a reputation as one of the UK’s foremost choir leaders and had learnt first-hand of the positive social effects of singing in a choir or a music group.

“I wanted to grab the atmosphere of fun and friendship and bring it to older isolated people through daytime ‘singalongs’ of the memory-evoking hits of the 60s and onwards.”

Please contact Emma at the Goldies office on 01761 470006 or email emma@golden-oldies.org.uk. www.golden-oldies.org.uk

include Larkhall, Weston, Southdown, Central Bath and surrounding villages.

Each session runs for an hour once a month.

Full training and all equipment will be provided, own transportation essential.

Our leaders work on a voluntary basis or are paid freelance at £25 per session plus mileage allowance.

“Goldies brings joy and makes a positive difference to 100s of vulnerable older people’s lives across England and Wales.”

Patron - Sir Cliff Richard, OBE

Issue 082

P11

Your City, Your News - Bath Echo

What's On

Friday 12th July - Thursday 25th July 2024

Bath Carnival

Bath Craft Fair

Edinburgh Previews Festival 2024

Festival of Archaeology

Sydney Gardens 13th July, 10am–10pm The Party in the Park will include live bands, DJs, food & drink, bars, walkabout acts, super pirates play area & community village. The carnival procession starts at the Rec at 3pm.

Weston Free Church 13th July, 12-4pm Featuring over 20 craft stalls selling cards, decorations, jewellery, accessories and much more. There will also be a free family-friendly trail and homemade refreshments. Free entry.

Various Locations 14th – 25th July Two weeks of hand-picked, affordable preview shows forming a miniEdinburgh Fringe in Bath! Enjoy 22 solo shows presented at two small venues over the latter part of July.

Prior Park 15th – 26th July, 10am-4pm Join the team of archaeologists as they continue the work from last year uncovering the Bason of Water and cascade. From Monday – Friday visitors will be able to see the dig in progress.

Rhythm of the Dance

London City Ballet: Resurgence

Back To MooMoo

Catherine Wyn-Rogers

The Forum 17th July, 7.30pm Rhythm of the Dance returns with a new production as part of its 25th Anniversary global tour. Join a journey through Ireland’s history from the ancient to the modern, urban country.

Theatre Royal 17th – 20th July The glorious London City Ballet are back, launching their first tour in almost 30 years at the Theatre Royal Bath this summer. Featuring a fantastic, international company of dancers.

Rondo Theatre 18th – 20th July ‘Back to MooMoo’ tells the life-affirming and emotional story of a family's journey to understanding each another, intertwined with moments of beautiful dance, and evocative live music.

Summer Lates

The Rock Project: Summer Gig

Summer of Play

Admiral Kelly – An Unlikely Hero

Roman Baths 20th July – 31st August, 6-10pm Enjoy a summer evening at the Roman Baths. As the sun sets over the city, the Roman Baths will remain open until 10pm providing a unique opportunity to experience this historic site after dark.

Burdall’s Yard 20th & 21st July After working hard all year, they are coming together to celebrate all the music they have learned. Playing the very best in rock and pop classics it’s guaranteed to be a good time for all.

National Trust, Dyrham Park 20th July – 3rd September, 10am-5pm Get active and creative with a wide range of activities in the great outdoors at Dyrham Park this summer. Challenge yourselves to do the 'Dyrham decathlon' or have a go at some arts and crafts.

BRLSI 22nd July, 7.30pm Who was Admiral Kelly, and what has he got to do with Saltford? Phil Harding MBE, and Chairman of Saltford Environment Group will fill you in on one of Somerset’s great untold stories.

Starry Skies Constellation Trail

Summer Holiday Crafts

A Story of Garnacha Tasting

Dame Zandra Rhodes for Iconic

Herschel Museum of Astronomy 24th July – 1st September How well do you know the night sky?

The team have hidden some beautiful, embroidered constellations in and around the museum for a special summer star trail.

Victoria Art Gallery 24th July – 23rd August, 10.30am-2pm Free hands-on craft activities inspired by the exhibition Toulouse-Lautrec and the Masters of Montmartre. No need to book, just drop by on the day. There will be a different fun activity each week.

GROG, Margaret’s Buildings 25th July, 8pm Ben Franks' first ticketed wine-tasting event since stepping down from Novel Wines last year: 'A Story of Garnacha', featuring a personal selection of Garnacha-based red wines.

Topping & Company Booksellers 25th July, 7pm Dame Zandra Rhodes has spent her life rallying against what was expected of her, both as a designer and a woman.

Often perceived as too bold for the mainstream, she fought for creativity.

Ustinov Studio 19th July, 3pm Leading mezzo-soprano Catherine Wyn-Rogers performs a selection of songs inspired by her career-spanning affinity with spiritual music, notable in her performances of Handel’s Messiah.

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www.bathecho.co.uk

Food & Drink

Friday 12th July - Thursday 25th July 2024

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

Food Writer

Tasty Dates For Your Diary Celebrate the classic flavours of a British summertime at the Northey Arms (Bath Road, Box) on Thursday 18th July when the pub's new head chef James presents his Great British Summer Supper Club: a veritable feast of spectacular sunshinefuelled good taste (booking essential; £55pp). https://bit.ly/3LhfhcJ Go forth and discover Firebrew: the brand new Craft Bar experience based within Cassia (Bath Riverside, Midland Road).

This smart little pop-up is a passion project for one-man fireball of inspiration Jason Scott, and offers a range of drinks including craft beer, local ciders, small batch gins, wine and cocktails, with some seriously good food in the pipeline (visit

website for opening hours). www.firebrew.co.uk Get yourself along to Hartley Farm (Winsley, nr. Bradford on Avon) between 4pm - 9pm on Friday 19th July and tuck in to delicious wood fired pizzas and top tipples served up in the farm's barn, accompanied by live music from the Karport Collective.

Can't make the date? Hartley hosts Pizza Nights on the first Friday of every month – this one's an extra-added bonus! https://bit.ly/3Le6gBg Go beyond the plush red curtain, make your way up to the loft of the former Green Park Station – and behold! You've reached Upstairs, Bath's most sophisticated, seductive brand new bar and kitchen. https://bit.ly/3RZJ51u

Book today for one (or both!) of two spectacular Summer Tasting Menu events courtesy of a supercool collaboration between Yuzu by local superchef Dan Moon and the innovative Cassia Collective (Bath Riverside, Midland Road) on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th July.

Enjoy a vibrant, innovative 7-course feast inspired by the finest seasonal ingredients and the bold flavours of Asian cuisine, meticulously crafted to elevate your dining experience to stellar heights (£80pp). https://bit.ly/3xxWpCI You can enjoy the dolce vitathemed delights of super-pretty Italian coffee shop/deli/wine bar Pane e Vino (St James Parade) by day at every opportunity.

But if you pre-book a table for a

Saturday evening you can enjoy a 3-course set dinner menu for just £40pp, or go a la carte and tuck into homemade Italian specials infused with Roman Holiday vibes. https://bit.ly/45UwaDL Live country music, smoked beef fresh from the smoker barbecue, the best pulled pork for miles around, a bouncy castle... and a classic Bucking Bronco!

This is one summer party you really don't want to miss – so don't! Book today for the Summer Hoedown at New Macdonalds Farm (Kingsdown) from 5-10pm on Saturday 27th July (adults £25; children £10; families £65). https://bit.ly/461SGdN Tickets for the 10th annual Valley Fest – “the best-tasting festival

in the south west” no less – are selling like the proverbial hot cakes! From Street Food fun to full-on foodie feasts and chef demos a-plenty, it's time to go wild in the country (Chew Magna, overlooking the Chew Valley lake, to be precise) ...and the live music line up rocks to a thrilling beat too (Thursday 1st Sunday 4th August. Ticket prices vary, from early bird/locals deals to full-on VIP camping bundles). www.valleyfest.co.uk 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

Recipe: The Ultimate Steak Sandwich Bypass the hassle of the barbecue and rustle up the ultimate Steak Sandwich instead, perfect for either a sunshine-fuelled patio party or a wet weather pick-me-up.

Ingredients (serves 2) • 200g sirloin steak • 1 large onion, peeled and sliced • A generous knob of butter • A glug of olive oil • 30g soft dark brown sugar • 60ml red wine vinegar • 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed • Crusty bread! French stick, ciabatta or focaccia all work well To serve: • English mustard or horseradish sauce; mixed salad leaves; blue cheese (optional)

Method • Remove the steak from the fridge for around an hour before cooking, to allow it come to room temperature.

• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil, butter and sugar into a large, non-stick, lidded frying pan over a medium heat. As soon as the butter has melted and the sugar dissolved, add the onions to the pan and sauté for 5 minutes until just starting to soften. Pour the vinegar over the onions, pop the lid on the pan, reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for around 30 minutes (adding splashes of water to loosen, if necessary) or until the onions have turned golden on top and caramelised underneath, adding the crushed garlic for the last 3 minutes of cooking time.

• Season the steak all over and place a large, non-stick, heavy-bottomed griddle or frying pan on a high heat. When the pan is smoking hot, drizzle the steak with olive oil before frying: around 3 minutes on each side will offer a medium result, but adapt cooking times according to your preference.

• Remove the steak to a warm plate, cover loosely with foil and allow to rest for around 4 minutes before slicing it into roughly 1cm thick strips at a slight angle (go across the grain for maximum tenderness).

• Slice the bread in half horizontally and drizzle the base of the cut side with the resting juices from the steak followed by the caramelised onions, the steak strips, big handfuls of mixed salad leaves and crumbled blue cheese (optional). Smear the top underside of the bread with English mustard or horseradish sauce, plonk it on top of the steak and press down lightly before carving in half and serving immediately.

Multi Award Winning Classic Indian Restaurant Set in a Grand Georgian Triple Domed Ballroom

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Going Al Fresco in Bath CHARMING ESTABLISHMENTS FOR OUTDOOR DINING IN OUR BEAUTIFUL CITY

Whether you're enjoying a sunny courtyard lunch or a starry evening dinner, Bath’s al fresco dining scene features the finest establishments, ensuring that your outdoor experience is both delicious and visually stunning while taking in the city’s iconic landscapes.

MANTRA

Progressive Indian

COLOSSEO We believe in the magic of Italian cuisine.

With every dish, there’s a tale, a tradition, and a touch of home. Our Chef learnt these in Italy and has brought them to Bath for you to enjoy! Colosseo stands as a testament to our dream of bringing you authentic Italian food worthy of luxury.

Sit outside and watch the world go by, enjoying our 2-4-1 cocktails, or dine inside with our stunning murals and intricate decor. Wherever you choose, with Colosseo you will taste the joy in every morsel.

30 MILSOM STREET, BATH BA1 1DG 01225 461567 WWW.COLOSSEOBATH.CO.UK

PORTOFINO Our commitment to offering you the freshest, finest seafood in Bath knows no bounds. We receive deliveries daily from the morning’s catch in Devon and Cornwall, as well as from the Atlantic and as far away as the Indian Ocean! The influence from our Italian roots brings you wonderful pasta dishes and for something truly unique try our Grigliata di Pesce, a platter of seven different types of fish and seafood.

Sit outside and look on to Bath Abbey or dine inside with the true feel of Portofino.

20 HIGH STREET, BATH BA1 5AJ 01225 251360 WWW.PORTOFINOBATH.CO.UK

THE CIRCUS RESTAURANT Small, busy, much admired, family-run restaurant; serving seasonal, locally sourced, freshly cooked food; charming and welcoming staff; sensible and honest prices.

Set in a fine Georgian house in Bath’s most beautiful position - between The Circus and The Royal Crescent.

Voted number 4 in the United Kingdom by The Times “Twenty secret restaurants that foodies love”.

Bookings advised.

34 BROCK STREET, BATH BA1 2LN 01225 466020 WWW.THECIRCUSRESTAURANT.CO.UK

THEBATHDELICO Enjoy our delicious home-cooked foods in the pretty garden at Larkhall Deli with a glass of Prosecco or visit all three Delis and take away freshly baked goodies and cakes for your picnic, graduation parties, boating trips or just dining in and enjoying your own garden! Quiche, salad boxes or sausage rolls and pasties can be prepared and we offer a full outside catering menu along side our daily prepared dishes for delivery, or just collect and enjoy wherever you choose to dine al fresco!

ABBEY GREEN • LARKHALL • WIDCOMBE 01225 313037 WWW.JJBEANOS.COM

MANTRA Enjoy al fresco dining at Mantra in the heart of Bath. Our dishes are healthily packed with flavour, crunch, punch and zing offering plenty of choice to nonvegetarians, vegetarians and vegans.

Inspired by seasonal ingredients, our food contains only the freshest produce prepared in a way that captures the amazing diversity of India’s regional cuisines. The outside roof terrace is ideal for the British summer weather where you can enjoy with your friends and family.

5 BLADUD BUILDINGS, BATH BA1 5LS 01225 446332 WWW.MANTRAOFBATH.CO.UK

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Friday 12th July - Thursday 25th July 2024

Community

Share your news with us Email: news@bathecho.co.uk

Royal Marines Band says special farewell to Dorothy House patient

North Parade Bridge reopens to traffic

Becky Feather Reporter

DOROTHY House Hospice Care recently played host to the Royal Marines Band Collingwood who performed to patients, staff, volunteers, but most importantly to two of their band members – musician Sophie Ward and her husband, Lance Corporal Richard Ward.

Sophie, 27, who has Motor Neurone Disease, is an inpatient at the hospice.

The newlyweds were part of the Royal Marines Band, based at HMS Collingwood.

Thanks to Richard, who’s currently serving in the Royal Marines Band based at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines at Lympstone, the Collingswood Band travelled by coach to Winsley on 18th June and, in beautiful sunshine, played in full marching uniform for Sophie one last time.

Captain Phil Trudgeon RM, Director of Music of the Collingwood Band, said: “I had the immense pleasure of leading the band to perform for Sophie and her family at Dorothy House Hospice.

“The day was full of a range of emotions as we performed a Beating Retreat with music selected by Sophie.

“I felt overwhelming pride as the band played so spectacularly and hope we brought moments of positivity and joy to all friends, family, and staff.

“Sophie will always be a part of our unique Royal Marines Band Service family.”

At the end of the performance, Sophie, who played flute and saxophone in the band, was presented with her Coronation

North Parade Bridge in Bath | Photo © B&NES Council The Royal Marines Band at the hospice in Winsley | Image © Dorothy House

Medal by senior members of the Royal Marines.

The presenting officer was Principal Director of Music Lieutenant Colonel Huw Williams RM, alongside Adjutant Major Sam Hairsine RM, Director of Music (conducting the band), Captain Phil Trudgeon RM, and Bandmaster Warrant Officer Second Class Jamie Gunn RM. Sophie’s husband Richard said: “We’re eternally grateful to Dorothy House for putting on this event for us. It’s been wonderful to arrange for the Royal Marines Band Service to come and visit us with a performance especially for Sophie.

“Dorothy House is set in such a beautiful location; it was the perfect setting for the band to come and play for her.”

He added: “It was a wonderful day, and the weather was incredible.

The staff are absolutely exceptional there – they also looked after the family in the best way they could as well as Sophie, and we’re eternally grateful for that. It’s such a happy, relaxed, and wonderful place to stay. Thank you so much.”

Wayne De Leeuw, chief executive of Dorothy House Hospice Care,

said: “Dorothy House exists to do what matters most for people and today exemplifies that.

“Thank you to Sophie and Rich for giving us the opportunity to share in something so personal, something so very public and something extraordinary.

“Thank you also to the Marines Band for allowing us together as a community to deliver what matters most today to Sophie and Richard. The Latin motto for the Royal Marines is ‘Per Mare, Per Terram’.

“For one afternoon, I want to add one extra bit; by sea, by land, and through kindness. You brought happiness, but you also made us shed a tear and realise the value life and the things that really matter to people.”

Staff at Dorothy House are passionate about providing personalised care to patients at home, across the community or on the inpatient unit in Winsley.

The Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Service is run jointly by Dorothy House Hospice Care and the Royal United Hospital.

The service offers a single point of contact and ongoing support for patients with MND, their families and carers.

NORTH Parade Bridge in the centre of Bath has reopened to vehicles and cyclists after being closed since 20th May for maintenance works.

The closure enabled waterproofing and masonry works to safely take place at the historic structure over the River Avon.

Starting later this month, investigation and repair works will be carried out to the underside of the bridge.

Bath & North East Somerset Council says these works will see the temporary installation of a pontoon in the River Avon and will not affect vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians crossing the bridge.

Councillor Manda Rigby, the council’s cabinet member for transport, said: “Our works have gone according to plan and we’re glad we can reopen the bridge on schedule, reducing any further disruption.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience as we carried out the works, North Parade Bridge is one of 159 bridges we have to maintain in Bath & North East Somerset and maintenance works like these are necessary to keep them all open and people moving.”

The council ensured access to the nearby leisure centre, cricket club and local businesses was unaffected throughout the closure.

Bath Building Society hands out over £6,000

Appeal for local tree planting sites

AN appeal has been launched for tree planting sites across the area to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Holocaust Memorial Day next January.

Coordinated by the B&NES Faith Foundation, events are expected to be held across Bath and North East Somerset, with a range of organisations involved.

The Faith Foundation, in partnership with ‘More Trees for B&NES’ and the Chair of B&NES Council, are looking for sites to plant over 80 trees.

Director of the Faith Foundation, Nathan Hartley, said: “As we approach the 80th anniversary of the liberation of AuschwitzBirkenau in Poland, the largest

Nazi death camp during the Second World War, our team are always looking at ways in which we can educate and share with the public just how horrific the atrocities of 20th century Europe were. Today, there is increasing division in communities across the UK and the world. Now more than ever, we need to stand together and in solidarity remember the atrocities of the Holocaust.”

Nathan continued: “Would you like to host a tree planting event?

Are you part of a community group or local business that would like to plant trees in your outdoor space? If so, please get in touch.”

If you can help or have land available, email info@ bathnesfaithfoundation.org.uk

Richard Ingle, chief executive | Photo courtesy of Bath Building Society

EIGHT local charities and community groups are sharing £6,500 from Bath Building Society’s Annual Charity Awards scheme.

The scheme was established in 2006 to support as many local initiatives as possible from the growing number of requests that the society receives each week asking for support.

Richard Ingle, chief executive of the society, said: “The Charity Awards are very important to us and a way for the society to ‘give something back’ to the local community. It is amazing the work some of these organisations and volunteers do and the local people that they help and on such little funding, I’m just glad we can help.

“I’d like to thank the judges for spending their time to help our team choose the winners – Alan Keeling, from the Rotary Club Bath, and Claire Wynne Hughes, from Quartet Community Foundation. It was tough to whittle down support to just eight charities, but we are happy to be supporting some incredible projects tackling very real issues in our community.”

The winners were: • Oasis Bath (£1,500) • Connect Bath (£1,000) • Grow for Life (£1,000) • Voices for Life (£1,000) • Oldfield Park Infant School PTA (£500) • Bath Foodbank (£500) • Eddie’s Street Cuts (£500) • SWAN Transport (£500)

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P18

www.bathecho.co.uk

Friday 12th July - Thursday 25th July 2024

Health Support offered for those affected by drug and alcohol abuse Becky Feather Reporter

AS part of its 25th anniversary, the Bath-based charity Developing Health & Independence (DHI) is this month raising awareness of the many people affected by a loved one’s drug or alcohol use.

Marking the 17th annual Reach Out events, DHI is joining forces with Bereavement Through Addiction to run a specialist peer support group for family members and carers who have lost a loved one to drugs or alcohol.

While there is now much greater awareness of the impact of poor mental health, the misuse of drugs and alcohol is still stigmatised, too often driving not only those struggling with addiction, but also their carers to cope alone.

The charity says its family support services are needed more than ever.

It is estimated that for every person struggling with drug and alcohol misuse, there are at least five other people around them

who are affected – husbands, wives, partners, parents, children, grandchildren and friends.

DHI’s three Reach Out events in Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire are all about challenging the stigma around the use of drugs and alcohol. Events will have speakers sharing their experiences of living with a loved one who uses substances.

The events are free and offer safe and welcoming spaces for people to meet, hear from others who are going through similar situations and find out about the charity’s Families Also Matter (FAM) service.

The Reach Out B&NES event will be held at The Beehive in Beehive Yard in Bath on Thursday 18th July from noon to 2pm.

The Bristol event is on Thursday 25th July at Blaise Castle Grounds, Kings Weston Road, from noon to 2pm.

The South Gloucestershire event is at DHI Warmley at 130 Tower Road North on Wednesday 31st July from noon to 2pm.

From 3rd September, the Bereavement Through Addiction group will meet from 6pm on

Events are offered to support the loved ones of those who use alcohol or drugs

the first Tuesday of each month at DHI’s offices at 14 St James Parade, Bath.

Richard Oram, trustee of Bereavement Through Addiction, said: “We are pleased to announce the resumption of a peer support group meeting in collaboration with DHI. “The face-to-face meetings will be held monthly in Bath and are available to anyone who has been bereaved through addiction.

“We are a group of people who have all lost loved ones to addiction and have benefited greatly from the support of others who have been through the same

Air ambulance charity sees 21% increase in call-outs this year THE Great Western Air Ambulance Charity, which operates across the West of England region, has recorded a 21% increase in the number of call-outs it has attended this year.

During the first half of 2024, the specialist crew responded to 1,159 people in urgent need of critical care, more than 20% more requests when compared to last year.

The charity is set for a record year and has forecast that this could be around 400 extra call-outs compared to 2023.

On average, that’s an extra person every day who needs the specialist skills of GWAAC’s Critical Care Team.

Although nobody thinks they’ll need an air ambulance or Critical Care Team when they wake up, around six people a day across Bath, Bristol, Gloucestershire and beyond require the charity’s lifesaving services.

One such person is Simon, who was involved in a serious road traffic collision and needed the help of critical care paramedics to give him a chance of survival.

Simon said: “I went from having everything to having nothing in a split second. We could all find ourselves in this situation and we need the reassurance that the GWAAC Team will be there.”

Operating costs have also been increasing for the Almondsbury-

Photo © Great Western Air Ambulance Charity

based air ambulance and critical care service – the average cost per mission is now around £2,200, an increase of 10%.

Tim Ross-Smith, GWAAC’s Operations Officer, said: “Nobody plans to need an air ambulance or Critical Care Team being called out to them but we’re seeing more and more people who have needed our help.

“We can’t plan for who that is, where they may be, or when the call comes in, but we do everything we can to be prepared.

“We’re asking the public to consider giving us a regular donation so that we can continue to be prepared well into the future. You can help us be there for anyone, anywhere, anytime.”

In the first half of the year, the charity noted a significant increase in call-outs to babies, children and teenagers, both in percentage of total missions (19%) and in number.

Call-outs to young people increased by 52% compared to

the same period in 2023 and the crew responded to almost double the number of babies (from 26 to 50).

Responses to calls for someone who collapsed or for a stabbingrelated incident also increased.

While call-outs to these types of incidents make up a small percentage of the charity’s total missions, the number of these the crew has been called to has increased.

Calls to someone who has collapsed increased by 85% compared to 2023 (from 41 to 76) and a stabbing-related incident increased by 75% compared to the same period in 2023 (from 47 to 82).

In the first six months of 2024, the percentage of call-outs that GWAAC’s crew responded to using one of their critical care cars increased by 7% when compared to the same period last year.

The crew travelled to more than three-quarters of their patients in a car rather than the helicopter.

trauma.”

Jenny Raynes, of Bereavement Through Addiction, said: “It is almost impossible to put into words the value of attending the monthly bereavement group, but I honestly don’t know what I would have done without it.

“My 28-year-old daughter Anna died in May 2018 from an overdose, which had a devastating impact on me and on our family relationships. Anna was a mother with two young children.

“Like all families of those with addictions, we had to find a way of coping with extraordinarily

complex situations with little knowledge or understanding of what we were dealing with. We experienced years of trauma, stigmatisation, shame, guilt and relationship difficulties with our daughter before her death.

“I have been able to get vital support from members of the bereavement group who have an immediate identification with the trauma and loss I have experienced.

“This is very powerful at a time when your loneliness and guilt can feel overwhelming.”

Rosie Phillips, chief executive of DHI, said: “Many people struggle with drugs or alcohol at some point in their lives, no matter what their background, job, family situation, or income is.

Sadly, significant stigma remains and this extends to the families and carers of those who misuse drugs or alcohol.

“Many experience anxiety, depression and poor health because of the stresses and strains in their lives. Too often they suffer in silence. We need to challenge these stereotypes so people can talk openly and get the support they need.”

RUH seeks candidates for Non-Executive Director role THE Royal United Hospital in Bath is on the lookout for a new Non-Executive Director to join its Board of Directors.

Non-Executive directors play a crucial role in bringing an independent perspective to the boardroom, in addition to any specific knowledge and skills they may have.

The vacancy is for someone with a clinical background, who has up-to-date clinical knowledge and experience of delivering healthcare, either within the NHS or the private sector, and has led or managed significant cultural change in the working environment.

The role has a key focus on patient safety and care and the postholder will need to use their professional skills and perspective to monitor operational performance, ensure the fulfilment of statutory and legislative responsibilities, and support the governance and strategic development of the RUH Trust.

Candidates should bring experience of operating at Board level and should be able to offer collaborative challenge and strategic advice to provide

support, oversight, governance, and leadership.

Alison Ryan, Trust Chair, said: “We’re seeking a new NonExecutive Director to join the Trust board and are keen to hear from applicants with a clinical background.

“The position requires a dynamic individual who is progressive, ambitious, and driven, with a proven track record of delivery and who is comfortable establishing relationships across the Trust and its complex stakeholder landscapes.

“So if you feel you can play a vital role at the centre of the Trust and help to set the direction of the RUH, please do get in touch.”

You can find out more information and apply for the position at: https://bit.ly/4cQqYD6 If you meet the skill requirements and would like an informal discussion about the post, contact Roxy Milbourne, Interim Head of Corporate Governance via email at roxy.milbourne@nhs.net. The closing date for applications for the position is Sunday 28th July 2024. Interviews will be held during the week commencing Monday 19th August 2024.

Issue 082

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Your City, Your News - Bath Echo

Education

Interested in sponsoring this section?

Get in touch: advertise@bathecho.co.uk

Ofsted publishes report on underperforming primary school Becky Feather Reporter

A BATH primary school that was placed in special measures by Ofsted has made progress in the last year, but many pupils remain below the expected standards for their age in reading and across the curriculum.

Last June, Roundhill Primary School at Southdown was rated as Inadequate by the education watchdog, and last October The Partnership Trust, which runs the school, received a Termination Warning Notice from Hannah Woodhouse, the Department for Education’s Regional Director for the South West.

In her warning letter, she said trustees understood the level of need in the school, but actions identified were not implemented quickly enough to rapidly improve it.

She also said leaders had not planned strategically, nor put an effective curriculum in place, that staff did not use assessment effectively and too often, teachers’ understanding of subject curriculums was weak.

The director added: “I need to be satisfied that the trust has capacity to deliver rapid and sustainable improvement at the Academy.

“If I am not satisfied that this can be achieved, I will consider whether to terminate the funding agreement in order to transfer the Academy to an alternative academy trust.”

Roundhill Primary School was formed in 2015 following the amalgamation of Southdown Community Nursery and Infant School and Southdown Junior School. In 2018 it was put into

special measures and became a member of The Partnership Trust.

At last year’s inspection, the Ofsted team acknowledged the school’s “very turbulent time”, with a period of higher than usual staff turnover alongside several long-term absences.

They rated the school’s leadership and management, and quality of education, as Inadequate.

Early years provision, pupils’ behaviour and attitudes, and their personal development were all said to require improvement.

Following a monitoring visit last month, an Ofsted inspector says in his report that leaders have made progress to improve the school, but more work is necessary for the school to be no longer judged as requiring special measures.

He said the school’s action plans are fit for purpose.

The inspector said the new headteacher has brought “drive and determination” to the school and she has wasted no time in prioritising the most urgent issues and gaining the confidence of the staff team.

He said the school environment has been “decluttered and stripped back” which has helped instil pride in the school for pupils and staff.

The school has a “robust” plan to improve but the scale of staffing absence and turnover has significantly limited the impact of its actions in many areas.

The school has started to implement clear lesson structures so that teachers are clearer on how best to teach. However, some teachers’ expectations of what pupils can achieve are too low.

The inspector added that strong leadership has resulted in recent,

Roundhill Primary School on Mount Road in Bath

positive strides in the teaching of early reading.

Pupils still have significant gaps in their knowledge though: “Additional sessions to help pupils catch up have been hampered by staffing absence.

Many pupils remain below the expected standards for their age in reading and across the curriculum.”

Attendance is said to be much improved. The school has tightened its systems for addressing absence and the number of pupils who miss school regularly has halved.

The school has also reviewed its behaviour policy and has raised its expectations of how staff manage behaviour.

The monitoring report also notes that the trust has checked the school’s progress closely.

It has committed additional expenditure and expertise to the school to help make improvements. There is a strong partnership with another school in order to share good practice.

The inspector has sent his latest findings to the Department for Education’s regional director and to the director of children’s services for Bath and North East Somerset.

The school’s ongoing struggle

with staff absence resulted in some children having to stay at home one day recently.

On Monday 25th June some parents received notification that “due to unexpectedly high levels of staff absence across the school tomorrow”, they would not be able to send their children in.

The headteacher Kirby Littlewood addressed the matter in her weekly newsletter, saying: “Firstly, I would like to say thank you to those families in Laurel class and Year 5 who supported children at home on Tuesday this week. It has been a very challenging week, with some very difficult decisions needing to be made as a last resort due to the unprecedented staffing absence.

“We have worked tirelessly, for hours each day, to ensure that we have been able to open all classes for the rest of this week. We apologise for the inconvenience this had caused to the children and to you. We are not envisaging having the same issues next week.

As I mentioned to you before, we are recruiting for a couple of new members of staff for September.”

A spokesperson for The Partnership Trust said: “A huge amount has been achieved at Roundhill since our last full inspection, and the arrival of our

brilliant new headteacher at the start of the academic year has further strengthened the pace of change. While there is still work to do, our school is in a much stronger place.

“What we find particularly exciting is that we have clear plans in place for how we will continue on this very positive trajectory. As the inspector recognised, there is a real drive and determination at the school to give every child more opportunities and an enhanced learning experience.

“One area that we are still working hard to address is staffing. For lots of complex reasons, our staffing has not been as stable as we would ordinarily hope. Furthermore, teacher recruitment is difficult at the best of times – and our options are limited as we cannot recruit newer teachers because of our current Ofsted grading.

“With the support of the Trust we have worked to ensure that the disruption for our children is as minimal as possible.

“However, a recent bout of sickness meant that we had to shut two classes for one day at very short notice. This was an exceptional circumstance, and not something that ever hope to repeat.

“That being said, huge strides have been made and it is important that we acknowledge the role that our parents have played. We are so fortunate that we have a supportive community, and they have grasped the new initiatives and ideas that have been implemented. We are hugely grateful to them – this partnership approach is at the centre of everything good that is happening at the school.”

The trust runs 17 other schools in Bath, North East Somerset and Somerset.

Curo funds Peasedown school’s new conservation area CURO, the Bath-based housing association and housebuilder, has donated £2,000 to Peasedown St John Primary School to fund a new conservation area.

The space is now a hub for forest school activities, where students can learn about the environment and sustainability.

The donation was presented to the school by Curo’s sales team and Karen Walker, the Chair of Bath & North East Somerset Council and an Independent councillor for the village.

They were welcomed by headteacher Ruth Noall and the school’s dedicated eco and nature student teams, who proudly showed off their flourishing garden, including rhubarb and tomato plants. The donation comes as Curo prepares to build 51 new homes at Hawthorn Rise in Peasedown St John, of which

The £2,000 donation has been used to fund a new area for the school | Photo © Curo

30% will be affordable housing.

Jodie Winter, sales manager at Curo Group, said: “Curo is completely committed to

supporting the communities that we develop in. We’re going to be neighbours after all. It’s great to see the direct impact

our contribution makes to the children’s education and wellbeing. We look forward to doing more with the school as our

development nearby progresses.”

Councillor Walker said: “Peasedown St John Primary School is a major part of our community, delivering a very versatile education.

“I am happy to have been able to secure £2,000 funding from Curo for the children to enjoy a very much-needed conservation area on the grounds of their school.”

Ruth Noall said: “We are very grateful for this generous donation from Curo which has enabled us to dedicate a large area to conservation and gardening.

“This supports every aspect of our curriculum as well as enabling children to learn gardening skills.

“Thanks to this investment, our gardening club has already achieved Level 1 for the Royal Horticultural Society School Gardening Awards and are now working towards Level 2.”

P20

Friday 12th July - Thursday 25th July 2024

www.bathecho.co.uk

Sponsored by Goughs Solicitors www.goughs.co.uk

Business

Workplace design company strengthens team with new staff

SouthGate unveils summer floral display

A BATH-BASED workplace design and build company has announced several new appointments and a promotion following more design project wins across the country.

Interaction, which was recently ranked among the top 50 most inspiring workplaces in the UK and Ireland, has welcomed five new people across its design and client support teams.

The firm has also promoted Ben Woodgate from project lead to head of Interaction’s newly created pre-construction team.

Joining Ben’s team as preconstruction manager is Carl Tilton who has 15 years’ experience as a quantity surveyor with construction company BAM. Colleague Robert Pierce also joins the pre-construction team as a project administrator.

The new team will be responsible for pricing projects, working with clients and ensuring schemes are on track before handing over to the contracts department.

Other new appointments include Ben Chislett who joins

THE SouthGate Bath shopping centre has unveiled its popular annual summer floral display, with both ends of Lawrence Street being decorated.

The display features two archways of wicker baskets featuring floral colours.

Several storefronts have also been decorated with floral garlands and summer features.

The baskets have been filled with seasonal plants and faux foliage to create an eyecatching yet sustainable display, with the centre planning to reuse the faux flowers in years to come.

This year’s floral theme has been inspired by the 60th anniversary of Britain in Bloom, with the centre set to be part of the wider judging for this year’s national and South West competitions later this summer.

SouthGate Bath has also partnered with St John’s Foundation on a summer selfie point offering visitors the chance to snap a selfie and make a

Some of the team | Photo © Interaction

Interaction as a project manager from office fitout firm Resolution Interiors in Yeovil, where he held a similar position.

Interaction’s office design team has also welcomed new faces.

They include Mirna Aodesh, who joins the firm as a junior designer after gaining a master’s degree in interior architecture from the University of Westminster, and Jess Franklin, an undergraduate student at the University of the Arts London, who joins as a student intern.

Jess was the winner of Interaction’s six-week summer placement competition and will

be working with the firm during her university holiday.

Meanwhile Lily de Malpas-Player joins Interaction’s growing client care team as an administrator from The Friedkin Group in London, where she was an office manager.

This latest intake of new starters takes the total headcount at Interaction, which also welcomed half a dozen new staff earlier this year, to 60.

Last month Interaction was ranked 37th in a league table of the UK and Ireland’s top workplaces compiled by Inspiring Workplaces Group.

Interaction’s Dieter Wood said: “I would like to welcome our latest new starters who join us on our mission to banish boring offices and create inspirational workspaces.

“Their arrival represents a significant investment in our design and client care teams who play such a crucial role supporting our customers through the design process and beyond, ensuring they get the most out of their new workspace.”

contactless donation to support the charity’s vital work.

St John’s Foundation is one of the oldest charities operating within the UK and aims to alleviate poverty and chronic living conditions in Bath by offering shelter to those in need.

Guy Henderson, centre director at SouthGate Bath, said: “It may be biased, but the centre’s floral display is looking fantastic, and the colourful flowers really give us hope that we have some summer weather on the horizon.

“Our displays are always well received by visitors – so fingers crossed this year is no different!

“We’re proud to be supporting St John’s Foundation as our charity partner for the summer, raising vital funds and awareness for the amazing work that they do – whilst helping our visitors capture the perfect selfie to mark their time with us.”

The display will be in place until early September.

Celebrating 120 years of Bath Building Society Since 1904 the Society has been helping the local community achieve their home ownership dreams and develop strong savings habits.

From financial education in local 6th forms to our annual Charity Awards, we’re proud of our long history of community support.

Visit bathbuildingsociety.co.uk to find out more about our savings and mortgage products, and what we’re up to in the local community.

Advertising Feature

Issue 082

P21

We know insurance, and we get to know you HOWDEN is the new name for A-Plan, where we do insurance differently. We do peoplefirst insurance! That means understanding you and the specifics of your insurance needs, and matching you with the insurer that’s best placed to provide that cover, at the right price.

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With more than 100 insurance products available, from home insurance to horsebox, commercial cover to kit cars, we have access to a range of mainstream and niche insurers to help cover your every specialist requirement.

Craig Pope, Branch Manager at Howden Bath, explained: “We always strive to go above and beyond for our clients by being proactive, tailoring policies to suit clients’ specific circumstances, and finding solutions to support them every step of the way.

“There are lots of ways to measure success in business, but the one we’re most proud of is our relationships with clients and the local community. We’re here

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Although we are still your local branch, being part of Howden Group means we can access a wider pool of insurers and strengthen relationships with them to offer even more comprehensive and tailored services.

It also allows us to act as an even greater force for good in even more communities, supporting local people and the causes that matter to them.

We’ve served as a foodbank donation station for the Genesis Trust, and held food drives in local supermarkets.

We support youth football teams, so children in Bath can keep playing the sport they love, and local bowls clubs so they can continue to thrive.

In fact, we’re raising the alarm on the volume of keyless car thefts, to help safeguard our community’s vehicles, offering free Faraday pouches to all policyholders

Inset: The Howden branch on George Street in Bath | Above: The team at Howden in Bath

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P22

www.bathecho.co.uk

Friday 12th July - Thursday 25th July 2024

Politics ‘Party house’ owner appeals against enforcement notice Becky Feather Reporter

THE owner of a property in Bath that has been used without permission as a holiday let for up to 24 guests for 10 years has appealed against an enforcement notice.

In August 2023 Bath & North East Somerset Council issued the notice regarding nine-bed Dorset Villa at 14 Newbridge Road.

The notice said that without planning permission, the “nil use” property had been turned into commercial holiday let accommodation.

The owner, Michael NewbyVincent, then sought retrospective permission last September to formally change the use of Dorset Villa to cater for a maximum of 24 people, but that application was refused by the council in November.

The planning officers’ report at the time noted that retrospective permission was sought for the change of use from a guesthouse to commercial leisure holiday let accommodation.

It said: “The original description for the planning application was for a change of use from a dwellinghouse (C3) to commercial leisure accommodation (Sui Generis), however, there is no evidence that the building has lawfully been used as a C3 dwellinghouse in recent history.

“Planning history suggests that the lawful use of the property is as a guest house (Class C1) for up to 14 people. Other records show that the property has also been used as a large HMO (house in multiple occupation) between the guest house use and current use; however, there are no records of planning permission for this use, nor has evidence been provided that the use was

continuous for at least 10 years and therefore became lawful.

“The property has been in the current use (as applied for) since September 2014.”

The council report noted that the semi-detached house is in a “predominantly residential area” and highlighted that the environmental protection team had received anti-social behaviour and noise complaints associated with groups of guests using the property as short-term holiday accommodation.

The report said there had been several formal noise complaints between 2021 and 2023, one of which resulted in a warning letter being issued.

The council received nine comments of support for the change of use and more than 80 objections.

The officers’ report said: “Comments received demonstrate a mix of neighbours’ experiences ranging from reports of significant disturbance from the use as a commercial holiday let, to feeling unaffected and undisturbed by the use.”

Concerns raised included that Dorset Villa was being used as a “party house” and that the noise pollution was affecting the mental and emotional wellbeing of neighbours.

Objectors spoke of experiencing noise and disturbance almost every weekend, particularly from hen parties at which drinking alcohol leads to “excessive noise and sometimes anti-social behaviour”.

There were reports of multiple taxis and other vehicles arriving to load and unload guests and causing obstruction and hazards, about parking on double yellow lines and cars packed on to the driveway that sometimes protrude onto the footpath.

The council’s highways team had raised no objection to the

Dorset Villa on Newbridge Road in Bath

application on the condition that four secure cycle parking spaces were provided. They noted that the property is close to public transport links and that illegal parking and obstruction of footpaths is a matter for traffic enforcement and/or the police.

A supporting statement with the planning application highlighted the “valuable contribution towards tourist accommodation in the city, without resulting in the loss of active residential accommodation, whilst respecting neighbour amenity and providing sufficient parking”.

It also said that the owner lives in a flat adjoining the property so is able to monitor it when it is in use.

But the council said that no management plan had been submitted as part of the application.

In refusing the retrospective planning application in November, the council said the

change of use to a commercial holiday let for up to 24 people without on-site management “would result in additional noise and disturbance which would cause significant harm to the residential amenity of the neighbouring occupiers”.

The Planning Inspectorate website shows that an appeal against the enforcement notice appeal was lodged last month (12th June) by Michael NewbyVincent.

This week, he told the Bath Echo that the property is not a “party house” but a self-catering holiday let.

He said there had been more than 100 anti-social noise complaints over 10 years and the council had very recently confirmed that there was one sole complainant.

He also said that only two of the 80+ objectors to his retrospective planning application live close by and “the remainder live miles away”.

He said: “Being used without permission is the primary reason the matter has been appealed and the inspector has chosen to hold a public inquiry which is currently ongoing.”

Mr Newby-Vincent said the council had served the enforcement notice on a “nil use” as they believed all previous permissions had been abandoned. However, he said he and his team have compiled evidence to show the property was last used as a B&B in 1997 and that between 2002-2013 it was owned by Bath Academy who used it to house foreign students.

He said: “If the inspector agrees, then the house will not require planning as an existing use will have been proven and therefore a Lawful Development Certificate of 10-year use will then be applied for.”

As part of the appeal process, he and his legal team have offered a Section 106 unilateral undertaking to legalise the management on site.

Among the evidence he has collated is a letter from a local property consultancy which says the area is made up of a mix of uses and that the property appears to be a successful holiday let and well managed with many visitors enjoying their stay and providing very positive feedback.

The letter adds: “The current use of the property is supporting both the business and tourist industry in Bath, increasing spending in the local economy and further supporting local businesses.”

Dorset Villa has five-star reviews on the Tripadvisor website.

Prices are said to start from £750 a night.

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COLUMN | Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath

I

T is the privilege of my life to be re-elected as the Member of Parliament of Bath for a third time. This community is my home, and to represent you all in Westminster is not a responsibility I take lightly I would firstly like to thank each and every one of you who supported my campaign over the last few weeks, got in touch with my office to offer warm words of encouragement, and those of you who came out to vote for me on polling day.

Over the past seven years as your MP, I have spearheaded two successful Bills through the Commons, been a delegate to COP28 and fought to end the postcode lottery of eating disorder services.

But by far, my greatest achievement has been to deliver for you.

From getting involved with community events, to resolving your casework concerns and bringing local campaigns to Parliament, it has been an honour to serve Bath. The next five years will be no different.

We Liberal Democrats have long campaigned for better health services, and this election, we made sure our plan for the NHS was at the heart of our manifesto.

I firmly believe that people should be able to access the care they need, when they need it, where they need it.

Instead of just spending money firefighting crisis after crisis, I will push for investment now to save

taxpayers’ pockets in the longrun. We will work to strengthen patients’ rights, fix crumbling hospitals, recruit and retain a workforce for the future, and restore the UK as a world leader in health research.

During the election campaign, I was thrilled to get a chance to speak to so many residents and local organisations who embody the vibrant and generous spirit of our city.

I visited Bath Organic Group's garden on the Upper Bristol Road. Community involvement plays a critical role in promoting sustainable farming practices and protecting our British farming community.

We cannot allow our agricultural standards to be compromised,

and I will continue to stand up for the protection of our wildlife, especially as regulations come under threat as we navigate the challenges of Brexit.

I was also pleased to attend the annual Windrush service on 23rd June at Christ Church.

Not only did the service provide an important opportunity to come together as a community to recognise the terrible injustices suffered by members of the Windrush generation, but it also allowed us to celebrate their phenomenal contribution to Bath and beyond.

Fostering tolerance, equality and inclusion has always been at the heart of our city, and we

Liberal Democrats are committed to upholding these principles in everything that we do.

To be returning to Parliament, alongside 71 other Liberal Democrat MPs, brings our party a wonderful opportunity to amplify the needs of local communities in the House of Commons, while we continue to hold the new government to account, making sure they deliver what’s best for you.

It is with great honour that you have put your trust in me to be a strong opposition voice on these principles, and to press the new Labour government to make sure that your voices are always heard.

Thank you.

Issue 082

P23

Your City, Your News - Bath Echo

Work ‘without consent’ at Royal Crescent Lawn

Planning Round-up HMO plans for properties in Whiteway and Combe Down

Becky Feather Reporter

BATH & North East Somerset Council has submitted an application for work it carried out without consent more than a decade ago at the lawn in front of the Royal Crescent.

The application, which was posted on the council’s planning website, seeks consent for the supply of an underground electrical cable and installation of an electrical pillar on the lawn in front of the Grade I listed crescent.

The power supply is used for maintenance and public events.

On the application form, it says the work took place between October 2011 and November 2012.

Work was done in collaboration with and with the full agreement of the Crescent Lawn Company (CLC) and the Royal Crescent Society (RCS), says the council.

It formed part of a community project jointly funded by the

Two more proposals to turn family homes in Bath into houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) are currently out for consultation.

Kinden Property have plans to change the use of 1 Kelston View in Whiteway from a four-bed family home to a six-bed HMO including a rear extension and small side extension, and with new storage for up to six bikes.

The application submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council for the two-storey semi says all the bedrooms will be larger than the HMO licensing standard requirement and that well-considered communal amenity spaces will be provided.

The deadline for comments is 25th July. The planning reference is 24/02526/FUL. There is also a bid to turn 39 Hawthorn Grove in Combe Down into a four-bed HMO. The application has been lodged with the council by Zest Property Services Ltd. It is said that the proposal will not result in a residential house being ‘sandwiched’ between HMOs and would bring the concentration of HMOs with a 100-metre radius to 8.6%, falling within the 10% threshold.

The planning reference for this proposed HMO is 24/02520/ FUL with the same deadline for comments of 25th July.

An electrical point was installed on the Royal Crescent Lawn back in 2012

residents’ association, the council, Historic England, and Heritage Lottery Fund.

The project included repairs to the ha-ha, the railings and reinstating the footpath as paving. That work had consent.

CLC holds the title to Crescent

Lawn and its boundaries, managing their upkeep on behalf of the RCS, which represents the interests of residents.

The power cable crosses land owned by both the council and CLC/RCS. The application details its approximate route.

The application also seeks permission for any subsequent electrical upgrading that may be required.

Anyone who wishes to comment on the application has until 1st August. The planning reference is 24/02286/REG13.

Alcohol licence approved for café outside gym John Wimperis

Local Democracy Reporter

A CAFÉ outside a gym in the centre of Bath has been given the green light to serve alcohol, despite neighbours’ concerns.

The Mjolk Float coffee truck outside FLY Fitness on Bath Street is an offshoot of Bath’s popular Nordic café Mjolk, on the Bath Abbey courtyard.

Director Chris Clinton said: “Normally the clientele we serve is a family having coffee.”

But the company applied for a licence to serve alcohol at the café too. Fellow director Joe Suckling added: “For us, it’s just about being able to offer something seasonally — an Aperol Spritz in nice weather.”

The pair were speaking as they defended their plans at a hearing over the application before Bath

FLY Fitness is based on Bath Street | Photo © John Wimperis

& North East Somerset Council’s licensing sub-committee, held after neighbours objected.

Ann Crooke who lives nearby said that, despite the city centre location, it was still “a quiet street in the evening.”

She said: “It’s a quiet residential area and this is all going to

change. We start off with a few drinks during the day and as happened with FLY, it gets bigger and bigger.”

She added that she was concerned there would not be enough people to keep order. Mr Clinton told Mrs Crooke: “I just want to give you my guarantee

that my staff will have your back.”

Mr Clinton and Mr Suckling said they wanted to have the opportunity to do some events around Nordic food at the coffee truck, but large events would happen at the main Mjolk premises.

He said: “What we are trying to offer is something very small, quiet, and respectful to those who live in the area.”

Councillors voted to grant the licence.

But licensing sub-committee chair Councillor Steve Hedges added: “I would strongly, strongly encourage you to talk to each other because you solve more problems that way than it creates.”

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A controversial planning application for another building at the Peggy Dodd Centre in Combe Down has been approved.

The day centre for people suffering from memory loss applied to Bath & North East Somerset Council to erect a “much-needed” garden room for patients. The centre, which is based at Brierley House in Summer Lane, said the new building would not require any further parking spaces but would enhance the caring of existing patients. It will be used for art therapy sessions, crafts, quiet time and assessments.

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P24

Friday 12th July - Thursday 25th July 2024

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Cricket club’s 600-mile fundraising journey Becky Feather Reporter

TWENTY riders and five support staff from Lansdown Cricket Club will be embarking on a huge challenge next year to raise funds for Dorothy House Hospice Care and RUHX, the official charity of the RUH. Starting in Durham, a team of cyclists will ride to every test cricket ground in England before finishing up at their Combe Park ground on the evening of Friday 30th May. The riders come from all parts of Lansdown Cricket Club, with current First XI players, former players, parents of junior players and officers joining together for the epic 600-mile ride over four days.

Lansdown Cricket Club celebrates its bicentenary year in 2025. It is Bath’s oldest cricket club and in the last two centuries, 28 test cricketers have played for the club, notably including WG

Saturday 13th July – 3pm Bath City vs Bristol Rovers (Home - Twerton Park) Pre-Season Saturday 20th July – 3pm Bath City vs Port Vale (Home - Twerton Park) Pre-Season Tuesday 23rd July – 7.45pm Bath City vs Melksham Town (Away) Pre-Season

Bath Cricket Club The team set to take part in the charity ride | Photo courtesy of Lansdown Cricket Club

Grace, EM Grace and Sir Vivian Richards in 1973.

The club has launched its 200 for 200 campaign to coincide with the bicentenary. It has a target of raising £200,000 for the 200 years of the club’s history by the end of 2025.

Club chairman Scott Longstaff: “2025 is a huge year for the club with lots of celebrations planned.

“At the centre of it, we wanted to create something which reflects the core values of our club, beyond the expanse of sport and community access that we provide.

“The 200 for 200 campaign does that and brings together all ends of the club’s friends, neighbours and members.

“A huge thanks to the team of

cyclists taking on this massive challenge – it’s a big ask but one that I am sure will raise a lot of money for great local charities.”

There are other fundraising events planned throughout the remainder of 2024 and next year – keep an eye on the club’s website at www.lansdowncricketclub. co.uk and social media channels for details of what’s going on.

Delight for Team Bath Netball over new licence TEAM Bath Netball has this week confirmed that it has been granted a licence to deliver the South West performance pathway on behalf of England Netball.

Following the outcome of the NSL 2.0 tender, where Team Bath was not successful in securing a licence for the newly launched Netball Super League from 2025, England Netball presented an opportunity in which Team Bath could still retain a licence to deliver the performance pathway and compete in the National Performance League, including the newly-formed U23/feeder

Bath City FC

league.

After several weeks of discussions with England Netball, the University of Bath is pleased to confirm its support of the continuation of the Team Bath Netball performance pathway, and the network of Athlete Development Centres which serve more than 200 young netballers every year.

Emily Siddy, Team Bath’s Netball manager, said: “We are delighted that we’ve been able to accept this offer from England Netball, and that we will have the opportunity to keep the Team Bath Netball legacy alive through

the continuation of the pathway.

“The University of Bath has a deeply rooted history of supporting high-performance netball and this opportunity not only demonstrates our ongoing commitment to young aspiring netballers in the region, but also represents the first steps towards our long-term ambition of supporting the return of elite netball to the South West.

“We have been overwhelmed by the support and messages we’ve received from right across the region in recent weeks, and we know this news will be wellreceived amongst our fans and

wider netball community. We are looking forward to working with England Netball, Netball South West and other partners to ensure this pathway and those that progress through it achieve all the success they deserve, and we hope our fans and those across the South West will continue to support us on the next steps of this journey.”

Further information about the structure of the Team Bath Netball pathway, the Athlete Development Centre network and associated trials will be released in the coming weeks at https://bit.ly/4coNq6t

Crossword answers - Issue 081 (28/06/2024) Across: 83 Taffeta, 8 Kimono, 9 Noir, 10 No man, 11 Allergic, 12 Eric, 16 Twirled, 20 Abandon, 21 Wit, 22 Unify, 23 Iraqi, 24 L E M, 25 Dutiful, 26 Sceptre, 30 Deco, 34 Implicit, 36 Ripen, 37 Chic, 38 Needed, 39 Ascribe.

Down: 1 Fill, 2 No fear, 3 Tongue, 4 Finch, 5 Elms, 6 Anne, 7 Wi-fi, 11 Astounded, 13 Radiant, 14 Continent, 15 Satire, 17 Idiotic, 18 Lay off, 19 Dwell, 20 Atoms, 27 Capone, 28 Prizes, 29 Sinai, 31 Echo, 32 Orca, 33 Epic, 35 Item.

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(1ST XI)

Saturday 13th July – 12pm Bath vs Burbage & Easton Royal (Away) WEPL Saturday 20th July – 12pm Bath vs Bristol (Home - North Parade) WEPL

Lansdown Cricket Club (1ST XI) Saturday 13th July – 12pm Lansdown vs Bridgwater (Home - Combe Park) P1 Sunday 14th July – 2pm Lansdown (W) vs Wembdon (Home - Combe Park) Somerset Women's T20 Blitz Saturday 20th July – 12pm Lansdown vs Taunton St Andrews (Away) P1 Sunday 21st July – 2pm Lansdown (W) vs Lodway (Home - Combe Park) Somerset Women's T20 Blitz

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