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A36 near Bath to close for more than six months
PART of the A36 near Bath is to close from next month until spring 2025 for urgent embankment safety work after cracks appeared in a footpath.
National Highways says the work, which will cost around £5 million, is required to stabilise the southbound embankment to prevent further movement and to keep the A36 Warminster Road safe.
The section between Limpley Stoke and Monkton Combe will be fully closed from Monday 12th August, with diversions in place. Drainage improvement work will also be carried out to reduce the need for more closures.
A diversion will be in place for northbound traffic via the A361, A350 and A4.
Taller vehicles should use the A361, A350, M4, M32, A4174 Ring Road, A4 and A36. Southbound traffic should follow the same routes in reverse.
While work is carried out, access will be maintained to properties within the closure, with traffic marshals on hand to help. After cracking was first discovered in the footpath of the A36 between Limpley Stoke Viaduct and Limpley Stoke village, survey
works were undertaken to assess the cause and extent of the issue. The repair work will see the installation of a concrete piled wall and capping beam to stabilise the embankment, as well as new drainage and pavement. The work will require clearing vegetation and excavation of the cracked pavement sections. During the closure, the team will also install netting on the rock cutting above the northbound carriageway, as well as undertaking repairs to the viaduct and retaining walls in the area.
National Highways is a government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.
Hugh Campbell, senior project manager for National Highways, said: “Safety is our number one priority and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause but need to fix the root of the problem to ensure it doesn’t happen again and that motorists and pedestrians remain safe at all times.
“We understand that road closures are frustrating, but by
fully closing the road, we can get this scheme done safely and quickly, causing less disruption overall.
“Once it’s all complete, these improvements will benefit road users and the local community for many years to come.”
National Highways is working with Bath & North East Somerset Council and Wiltshire County Council, and says all diversion routes have been agreed to keep disruption as minimal as possible.
Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for transport at Bath and North East Somerset Council, said: “Unfortunately these are significant works to repair
an ongoing issue that will be disruptive for a period of time but what National Highways are doing is absolutely essential.
“We’ve worked closely with National Highways to make sure suitable diversions are put in place, the works cause as little disruption as possible and that residents will be kept informed throughout the project.”
Nine years ago the A36 was closed for several months for work to stabilise the bank underneath the A36 between Bathampton and Limpley Stoke.
Remedial repairs were carried out on the stretch from Hantone Hill in Bathampton to Brassknocker Hill in Monkton Combe.
McDonald & Dodds returns for a fourth series
THE popular ITV drama
McDonald & Dodds, which is set in Bath, returned on Sunday night, 21st July, with the first of three new two-hour episodes for its fourth series.
The detective series was filmed in locations in Bath and Bristol, as well as The Bottle Yard Studios, with assistance from both city’s Film Offices.
The new series consists of three feature-length episodes, each focusing on a different mystery.
Tala Gouveia and BAFTA-awardwinning actor Jason Watkins reprise their roles DCI McDonald and DS Dodds, joined by Claire Skinner as their boss, Chief Superintendent Ormond. Charlie Chambers returns as DC Goldie, while Bhavik C Pankhania joins the cast in the new role of DC Lee.
Guest stars appearing in this series include singer/songwriter
Pixie Lott, Toby Stephens, Lydia Leonard, Daniel Lapaine, Dipo Ola, John Gordon Sinclair and Ace Bhatti.
Production company Mammoth Screen based its headquarters at Bristol’s Bottle Yard Studios, where sets were built for the police station precinct.
Bath Film Office assisted filming in numerous locations in and
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around Bath where the drama is set, including the Temple of Minerva in the Botanical Gardens, Royal Crescent, Abbey Green, Bath Marina, Kelston Village and Compton Dando in the Chew Valley.
Veronica Castillo, Head of Production at Mammoth Screen, said: “We’re thinking of opening a Mammoth Screen branch
office at The Bottle Yard Studios as we’re a returner year on year! Very much a home from home. “TBYS is the perfect base for McDonald & Dodds, the consummate fit of great facilities, excellent studio space, highly talented local crew, fabulous and historic locations both city and rural within easy reach and a wonderfully supportive Bottle Yard team led by Laura, Katherine & Emma. Who wouldn’t want to come back again?”
In the first episode, titled ‘The Rule of Three”, McDonald & Dodds have just tied up a case after a local scandal-breaking journalist dies of anaphylaxis at a party, but their work isn’t over as a woman is separately found dead in a rented flat. McDonald & Dodds series 4 began on Sunday on ITV1. You can catch up via ITVX. Episodes are shown weekly.
THE Bath Quays North site, where the Avon Street car park currently stands, will now be developed by the University of Bath and Bath & North East Somerset Council, it has been revealed.
Following the expiry of the development agreement between the local authority and L&G, the new partnership has been formed to develop a vision for the future of the site.
Plans for Bath Quays North were approved in May following years of work, described as “the most significant development in Bath in a generation”.
The two organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to determine the development of the city centre land.
Leaders from the University of Bath and B&NES Council said they are “delighted” to begin their collaboration on a joint vision for regenerating the 2.2-hectare brownfield site.
Signing the Memorandum of Understanding allows conversations to start about possibilities including new space for research, innovation and enterprise activities, bringing important economic activity to the heart of the city.
The parties will use the existing outline planning permission for the Bath Quays North site as a
basis for these discussions.
Councillor Paul Roper, Cabinet Member for Economic and Cultural Sustainable Development, said: “The development of the Bath Quays sites – both South and North –are a key aspect of delivering our economic strategy for this authority.
“With the recent announcement of two significant lettings, Bath Quays South is now almost fully let and is securing hundreds of jobs in the city, generating real economic benefit and renewal.
“Delivery of the Bath Quays North site is now our focus and the recent planning approval marks a major development in delivering the scheme.
“This agreement marks a
significant milestone for the city and University, following the collaboration which resulted in the signing of our Civic Agreement and for the work of the Future Ambition Board.
“These commitments set out the case for our city’s anchor institutions to work in partnership with business, the public and third sectors to drive inclusive economic prosperity, create high value jobs and enhance public wellbeing, in line with the Economic Strategy for Bath and North East Somerset 2024-2034.
“We look forward to working with the University of Bath over the coming months to make our Bath Quays North vision a reality.”
Professor Ian White, President &
Vice Chancellor of the University of Bath, said: “This exciting opportunity could create a new dimension to a range of university activities, boosting our life-changing research and jobcreating innovation.
“This agreement marks the beginning of our conversations, but the site could enable more public involvement with our science and research, and help our city retain more of our graduate talent, start-up and spin-out businesses that begin life at the University of Bath and attract further inward investment.
“We at the University of Bath are deeply proud of our home city, and this agreement could unlock the next phase of the University’s development, one that is cocreated with partners, enabling us to play an even bigger role in building the vibrant and thriving city and region we seek.”
As conversations develop about new possibilities, the University and B&NES Council will explore opportunities and engage with potential partners, residents and other stakeholders.
Both the University of Bath and the council were signatories to the recent Future Ambition Civic Agreement, which brought together four of Bath’s anchor institutions after working over several years to develop effective ways to meaningfully collaborate.
Burger brand to open restaurant in city centre
Fyne restaurant, in May 2023.
AN award-winning burger chain is planning to open a new restaurant in Milsom Street in Bath.
Regarded as a cult brand, The Beefy Boys Holdings Ltd already has restaurants in Hereford, Shrewsbury and Cheltenham.
The company has now set its sights on 24 Milsom Street, which is on the corner with George Street, and was previously The Milsom restaurant and hotel.
In February we reported that The Milsom had closed permanently after being open for less than a year.
The gastro pub had been operated by the Metropolitan Pub Company, which is part of Greene King. It had opened in the Grade II listed building, formerly a bank and the Loch
The Beefy Boys’ planning application submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council is for works to the courtyard to erect a freestanding covered pergola, a dispense bar and a decorative fireplace.
It also seeks listed building consent for works to the listed building to fit out the ground-floor restaurant, and for advertisement consent for replacement signage.
A report submitted with the application says the proposed works will not have any harmful impact on the heritage significance of the listed building or the wider conservation area. No works are proposed to the upper floors of the building, and the existing extract and
ventilation system will be reused. The timber pergola will have open sides and be no more than 2.6 metres high. The area beneath it will be used for informal seating and dining and it will have a louvred roof to provide a measure of acoustic
screening for nearby residents.
The 2.5-metre-high bar will be next to the pergola and will be a steel-clad timber structure with a hatch.
The deadline for comments is 15th August. The planning reference is 24/02619/FUL.
Plans for stable block at Woolley near Bath
Plans to erect three stables on land at Woolley, near Bath, have been submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council. The site next to 3 Church Street is in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is currently used for horse grazing. The proposal is to build a “small block of stables” on land which is part of a large field. The application says the stables will provide accommodation for the horses during the colder months. It says the block will not be visible to properties in Church Street or the surrounding area and that nearby trees and hedges will remain undisturbed.
The planning reference is 24/02483/FUL. The deadline for comments is 12th August.
If you are a customer of either Schmidt Bath Limited or M&P Kitchens Limited (both trading as “Schmidt Bath”) of 1 Park Road, Bath, BA1 3EE, from 2020 to present, we would like to hear more about your experience. We would also like to hear from people who have received quotes for projects, as well as any suppliers to the two companies named above. Please get in touch with us by emailing schmidt@ beaconinvestigations.co.uk
Long range forecast: (2nd to 8th August)
Expected to be mostly dry and brighter as we head into August, with a chance of some rain. Temperatures close to or above average for the time of year.
Plans for six houses at woodland in Lambridge submitted
Becky Feather Reporter
PLANS to build six houses on land at Lambridge in Bath have been unveiled.
The planning application for land at Hicks Field, between 92 and 106 London Road West, has been submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council by Foxhills Group Ltd.
The site, which is not within the Green Belt, is described as having a “fair to steep gradient”.
Bailbrook House Hotel is directly to the north and to the south is Avon Rugby Football Club and the River Avon.
Access to the site is shown as being from a private road which in turn is accessed from London Road West.
The private road already provides access to the club and the recent development of six houses also
known as Hicks Field, which is on the site of a former nursery.
The planning application says “considerations such as flood risk, thermal performance, ecology, arboriculture, and highways logistics have been meticulously integrated” into the design of the proposed development.
All six homes are shown as detached with four bedrooms and two housing types are proposed.
There would be a total of 12 car parking spaces.
The application says this “overprovision” will ensure the risk of overspill from parking onto local roads is minimised and does not create any safety concerns.
The plans also show four cycle spaces per house. The scheme involves the removal of a “substantial” number of trees and shrubs including several large sycamores on the steep
embankment along the northern boundary.
However, most of the trees on the boundaries are to be retained with additional tree and scrub planting to improve screening. An area of wildflower meadow will be provided as well as an area of native species woodland mix.
Independent reports submitted as part of the application conclude that suitable mitigation measures can be incorporated to avoid or mitigate any potential ecological impacts and to demonstrate no biodiversity net loss, although it is understood that off-site mitigation will need to be secured to overcome the current deficit.
By law, a minimum 10% gain in biodiversity is a condition of planning although this is not always possible to provide on the site.
The planning application says that initial site clearance will
CEO of St John’s Foundation to retire after six years in post
DAVID Hobdey, chief executive officer of St John’s Foundation, is set to retire and will formally be stepping down later this month after six years at the helm.
Catharine Brown has been appointed as interim CEO in a move that coincides with the charity’s 850th anniversary and as it enters the second half of its 10-year strategic plan.
Established in 1174, St John’s Foundation is the oldest charity in Bath and the 11th oldest in England.
Having joined St John’s Foundation in 2016 as finance director, Mr Hobdey became CEO in 2018. During his tenure, he was instrumental in launching a new 10-year strategy for the charity in 2020.
This extended the organisation’s work to help under-served children in the region with the ambitious goal of narrowing the academic attainment gap.
Early data indicates encouraging improvements in literacy levels in primary school-age children and improving speech and language development in preschool-age children.
David Hobdey has also continued to lead the charity’s core work to support older adults in the community, including through St John’s almshouse accommodation and wider initiatives, as well as supporting individuals at a point of crisis.
He said: “I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to be part of this charity for eight years, and to lead it for the past six, including into this milestone year for St John’s which saw Queen Camilla join us in her capacity as patron in a special service at Bath Abbey in February.
“It is humbling to have played a part in the history of this vitally
important local institution.
“My decision to retire at this juncture has been long in planning and with the extraordinary senior sector experience in my interim successor, Catharine, the transition of leadership couldn’t be smoother.”
Catharine Brown joined the charity as a trustee in 2023 and has more than 20 years of experience in leadership roles at household name organisations, as well as marketing, fundraising, board and trustee positions within local, national and international charities, including as interim and permanent CEO.
Following an early career in marketing, including positions at Marks & Spencer and The Economist, she pivoted to the charity sector in 2005.
She has held long-term interim director roles at five national charities including Young Lives vs Cancer and Bath-based charities Ripple Effect (previously Send a Cow) and Designability, where she was permanent CEO for over four years, delivering transformational change for disabled people across the UK.
be supervised by an expert to minimise the risk of injury to priority species such as hedgehogs.
The dangerous plant Giant Hogweed is present on the site
and a programme of careful control and eventual eradication is planned.
The planning reference is 24/02712/FUL and the deadline for comments is 30th August.
1920s gala event held to mark library centenary
In addition to holding several interim director roles, Catharine has also established a consultancy business working with trustee boards and leaders to help them achieve greater impact.
Catharine has been living in Bath for over 20 years and is well versed with the city’s challenges, opportunities and networks.
She said: “I am delighted to step into the interim CEO role at St John’s Foundation and play my part in guiding this important charity as we move into the second half of our strategy.
“The eight months during which I have been trustee have allowed me to build up a detailed knowledge of St John’s work and the many stakeholders involved.
“My own long-standing experience of working and living in Bath will be extremely helpful and make the transition with David as seamless as possible, which is positive for our beneficiaries and all our stakeholders.”
MUSIC, dancing, drama and 1920s costumes featured in the gala celebrations at Bath Central Library to mark its centenary.
The first free public lending library in Bath was opened in July 1924 in the print room of the Victoria Art Gallery by the Mayor of the time, Alderman Chas Hacker, who borrowed the first book ‘The Heavenly Twins’ by Madam Sarah Grand.
The moment was recreated at the gala on Wednesday 10th July with the current Mayor, Councillor Michelle O’Doherty, borrowing the same book to kick off the gala evening.
The event included performances from local artists including BathTub Orchestra, Little Dancers, Acca Sulia and Bath Operatic & Dramatic Society, as well as schoolchildren from across Bath & North East Somerset performing readings from the library’s Centenary Collection of 100 books from 100 years.
The library started in 1924 with 9,200 books, with borrowers today having access to around two million items through the Libraries West Consortium.
Over the century it has gained a children’s library, study
areas, Exhibition Room, public computers and tablets, Wi-Fi, a sensory room, a virtual library and more – all free for residents and visitors to use.
The gala is the second key event in a year-long celebration of 100 years of library services in Bath and North East Somerset.
Midsomer Norton Library held the first event in April with Keynsham Library’s celebration to follow in October. Celebrations are also being held in community libraries and the Virtual Library.
An exhibition at the library will run throughout July and August, charting the history of all the public libraries in Bath and North East Somerset.
Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said: “Despite the changes we’ve seen across 100 years, lots of things have stayed the same.
“We offer a warm welcome at all of our libraries which provide a safe place to meet with others, enjoy activities and learn.
“Libraries are an integral part of our communities and it was fantastic to see past and present staff and volunteers, partner organisations and local children and artists come together for the celebrations.”
Cllr Karen Walker, Hilary Cox, Cllr Tim Ball and Cllr Michelle O’Doherty
Residents praised for not flushing the loo after every use
RESIDENTS across the region have been praised for their innovative water-saving efforts, including not flushing the loo after every use.
Bath-based Wessex Water has lifted the lid on some of the interesting water-efficient “hacks” being adopted.
A customer research panel found that more than half of residents are so dedicated to saving water that they don’t flush the toilet after every use, living by the saying: “if it’s yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown flush it down”.
The research also found that Wessex Water customers seemingly don’t mind scaling back on cleanliness in the name of saving water too, with 50% of customers saying they don’t shower or bathe every day, sometimes opting for a flannel
wash instead.
Kathy Thornton, customer engagement manager at Wessex Water, said: “Showering is one of the activities that uses the most water around the home, so it’s great to see that so many customers are looking at quicker alternative ways of washing to reduce their usage.
“Many customers also regularly keep their time in the shower under four minutes, or will turn it off when soaping up or shaving.
“If a family of four each spent just a minute less in the shower each day, they could save around £150 a year on water and energy bills.”
As summer is in full swing, many people across the region are being water savvy outdoors too, with 52% saying they reuse cooking water on their plants and 51% having a water butt in their
garden to harvest rainwater for use during drier periods.
More than half also say they are happy to not water their lawn and let it go brown during hot weather.
Kathy added: “Grass is very resilient and soon turns green again after some rain.
“Try keeping it a bit longer so that the soil is less exposed to the sun and the roots can retain moisture.
“Hosepipes and sprinklers can use up to 1,000 litres an hour – that’s almost seven times the amount of water the average person in the UK uses in an entire day.”
80% of motorists across the west rarely wash their car, preferring to let the rain do its job.
Wessex Water has advised using a bucket and sponge instead of a hosepipe.
Spaces recognised with Green Flag awards
SEVEN green spaces in Bath have once again been recognised as among the best in the country with awards of Green Flags for excellence.
Judges visited Royal Victoria Park, Bloomfield Green, Alexandra Park and Haycombe Cemetery and confirmed that they continue to meet the benchmark standard for well-managed green spaces that serve communities well.
Sydney Gardens, Henrietta Park and Hedgemead Park were also assessed in a ‘mystery shop’ by the judges and were found to meet the standard.
It’s the second year running that the seven green spaces, managed by Bath & North East Somerset Council, have received an award.
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the
benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.
Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said: “It is fantastic news that we have once again received seven Green Flags, which are testament to the hard work of our parks and cemetery grounds teams and the many volunteers who keep our green spaces looking beautiful all year round.
“It’s important that residents can access open spaces of the highest standard where they can relax, exercise or meet up with friends and family.
“Thank you to everyone who dedicates their time and energy to create such wonderful environments for us all.”
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Bath shortlisted for prestigious best small city accolade
BATH has made the shortlist for a prestigious national award for being the best small city in the UK, Europe and beyond thanks to its ambitious projects.
The city has been selected as one of three national finalists in the Great Town or Small City category of the 2024 Urbanism Awards which recognise the best, most enduring or most improved urban environments.
Following a nomination by a member of the public, Bath was chosen as a finalist by a panel by the Academy of Urbanism which is a not-forprofit organisation committed to creating, sustaining, and learning from great cities, towns, and neighbourhoods.
The city was chosen due to projects such as the Milsom Quarter Masterplan proposals to reimagine the northern part of the city centre by positioning the area as a fashion destination for the South West, including a new Fashion Museum in the Old Post Office building.
The panel also mentioned the city’s approach to tackling the
climate and nature emergencies. The Urbanism Awards have run every year since 2006 and recent winners in the Great Town or Small City category include Stromness in Scotland,
Dún Laoghaire in Ireland and Penzance in Cornwall. There are seven criteria which the finalists are assessed against: Leadership and Governance, Local Character, Amenity and
Housing, Commercial Success and Viability, Environmental Sustainability, Community, Health and Wellbeing, and Connectivity.
Bath and the other finalists Lewes
and Shrewsbury will be visited by the Academy of Urbanism later this year ahead of the winners’ awards ceremony on 13th November in London.
Councillor Paul Roper, cabinet member for economic and cultural sustainable development, said: “It’s fantastic that our projects to improve the urban landscape and environment of our communities are getting national recognition. To become a finalist for this award is a great achievement in itself. The recognition for our Regeneration Team at the council is well deserved. They have been working tirelessly on reshaping our high streets and town centres in Radstock, Keynsham, Midsomer Norton and Bath, securing invaluable grant funding and making a real difference to our communities. “We are looking forward to welcoming the Academy of Urbanism to Bath later this year to show them how our Bath Masterplan proposals are developing and demonstrate everything the city has to offer.”
The city was chosen due to projects such as the Milsom Quarter Masterplan proposals
More than half of residents said they are happy not to flush the loo after each use
Intoxicated detainees left naked in cells due to too few checks
Alex Seabrook Local Democracy Reporter
INTOXICATED detainees
“at risk of self-harm” were sometimes left naked in their cells after officers removed their clothing, according to a report.
Avon & Somerset Police said it has taken “immediate action” after inspectors found too few checks were being carried out on people detained in custody cells. Inspectors urged custody officers to carry out more frequent checks on the welfare of detainees. Another problem identified in the inspection was the levels of use of PAVA spray, which is similar to pepper spray, in confined cells and corridors.
The force was inspected in January by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, and the results were reported in May.
Sarah Crew, chief constable of Avon and Somerset Police, said the force has already changed its practices in response to the inspection, to make sure officers keep people safe in custody.
In the report, inspectors said: “We found there was an over-reliance on using anti-rip clothing to mitigate risks of self-harm rather than considering alternatives such as higher observation levels. We still have concerns about the levels of use of PAVA incapacitant spray, which is higher than we usually see.
“Detainees under the influence of drink or drugs aren’t always
placed on level two observations with rousing checks. Antirip clothing is used without considering higher observation levels as a more appropriate and proportionate way to manage the risk of self-harm. When it is used, it often leads to the use of force or restraint, sometimes more than once.
“When force is used to remove clothing from detainees at risk of self-harm, this isn’t always managed well enough to protect their dignity. They are provided with replacement clothing, but they don’t always put this on.
“Officers don’t always pay attention to whether detainees dress themselves, and some remain naked in their cells. This is especially the case with detainees who are intoxicated.”
Elsewhere, the force was urged to allocate a female officer to oversee the care and welfare of girls in custody, and to record the ethnicity of every detainee.
Inspectors also said custody staff show a “caring attitude”, keep centres well-maintained and clean, and are patient with violent and volatile detainees.
Prisoners with mental illnesses are diverted away from custody where appropriate, and the force is committed to keeping children out of custody where appropriate. Reading material and stress aids are available for detainees.
Ms Crew was grilled on the inspection during a police question time session on Wednesday, 17th July, by the new Labour police and crime commissioner, Clare Moody.
The chief constable said: “We had very little notice of the inspection, and when you look at how Avon and Somerset did against other police forces, we benchmarked really well.
“We had one cause for concern, which requires immediate attention, and 10 areas for improvement which need attention over time to address.
“Two things that were immediately put in place, when the inspectors were still here, were around the level of observations we give people when they’re intoxicated — how regularly we go in, rouse them, check that they’re OK and leave them. We’ve trebled the number of times we do that.
Firefighters to take on 1,000-mile challenge in aid of cancer charity
A TEAM from Avon Fire & Rescue Service will be at the SouthGate shopping centre in Bath this Saturday, 27th July, aiming to run and cycle an epic distance on treadmills and static bikes for charity.
Organised by firefighters from Blue Watch Bath, the crew are aiming to complete a total of 1,000 miles between 8am and 5pm. Four firefighters will also be running a full marathon in fire kit on treadmills.
Firefighter Matt Parson’s wife Jessica was diagnosed with breast cancer aged 36. He said: “We’re taking on this challenge to Ride Against Cancer in support of all those who have and will experience this cruel disease.”
Through their collaborative partnerships, cutting-edge research, and a multidisciplinary approach, the charity
Cancer Research UK drives groundbreaking discoveries in prevention, early detection, treatment, and care.
Watch Manager Rich Wheeler, who is one of those taking part, said: “This is going to be a tough challenge, but we’re all really excited to take it on and raise some important funds for a
great cause. We want to support the incredible work of Cancer Research UK, and if you are able to make a donation, it would be greatly appreciated.”
You can follow the team’s progress on the firefighters’ Twitter and Instagram pages and make a donation to their fundraiser at https://bit.ly/3Spy35J
“When people leave custody and they’re going into the court process, now we ensure that our custody sergeants personally do a handover of risk with the people who are collecting them.
“So as they leave police custody, and enter court custody, and perhaps later in the prisoner stage, there is no information lost around the risk that person might present to themselves or others.”
Avon and Somerset has 36 custody cells in Bridgwater, 48 cells in Keynsham and 48 cells in Patchway.
The force made almost 20,000 arrests last year, so custody centres are always busy.
Ms Moody said: “While the majority of people will not have experienced police custody firsthand, it does mean temporarily depriving them of their freedom.
“This is one of the strongest powers that the police have, so when somebody is in custody it’s essential that they’re treated fairly, and with dignity and respect.”
People are detained in custody so the police can investigate a criminal offence without suspects interfering with evidence, as well as safeguarding victims, witnesses, and also detainees themselves. The police are allowed to hold people in custody for 24 hours, extended to 96 hours with permission from a magistrates court.
Festival organisers seeking feedback
ORGANISERS of the annual Party in the Park summer festival, held in Peasedown St John near Bath, are seeking feedback from visitors to help shape future events.
Over 2,500 people attended this year’s Peasedown’s Party in the Park festival in June.
Visitors were able to enjoy over seven hours of live music and entertainment.
The event included an array of stalls and attractions, a dog show, hot food, and the return of the Peasedown Diamond cider.
As part of the early planning process for next year’s festival, the organisers want to gauge residents’ views and feedback on this year’s festival and how they thought it went.
Local councillors Gavin Heathcote and Karen Walker (Peasedown St John, Independents), who manage and put on the event, said: “Thank you to everyone who came along to support this year’s Party in the Park festival.
“It’s been fantastic to see the
This year's Peasedown festival
event grow over the last 15 years.
From a humble village fete to a festival with 2,500 people – we couldn’t have done it without the support of the local community.
“We’re always keen to receive people’s feedback though. If you attended the festival, we’d love to know what you think went well, and what could be improved for next year. Is there something you’d like to see more, or less of? Please get in touch with your feedback.”
To send in your feedback, email info@peasedownpartyinthepark. org.uk
Peasedown Party in the Park is one of the projects organised by the Peasedown Community Trust.
Concerns were raised that not enough attention was paid to detainees who had to remove their clothing
Becky Feather Reporter
Jess and Matt Parsons with their children and the fundraising team
IN January 1913, the Bath and District Farmers’ Association was formed to regulate the local milk trade. The idea was that surpluses could be controlled and the price of pure milk of good quality fixed. Constructing this depot meant that standards could be checked and improved if necessary.
At the new depot, if on any days there was a surplus, it was intended to be converted to dry milk powder. There were to be lockup shops to improve the appearance of the street, although none would be dairies, to avoid competition.
The work was carried on under cooperative principles, so that all farmers and dairies worked together for the good of all, including the public. By now, many of you may be wondering where this depot was. It was in Dorchester
Street, on the corner of Newark Street, looking out across to the station. Until 2005 the brick buildings, which faced the old bus station and were what remained of the works, were still there. So were the lock-up shops, although by then they had been converted to one premises. Perhaps surprisingly they survived the building of the new bus station after the war, and were still spared when Owen Luder’s Southgate was built.
But they were all swept away when the
whole area was demolished in favour of the new Southgate in 2007. Today, there is no remnant of them at all. St Lawrence’s Street cuts across the eastern end of the site, while the modern Newark Street is not even on the route of the old one. That lies beneath a coffee shop. So next time you have a latte in there, remember it’s the actions of organisations like the Bath and District Farmers’ Association over a hundred years ago that mean you can drink your milk knowing it is good quality.
WE are now fully in the swing of summer and while the weather this year has been unpredictable at best, we should (hopefully) see some warmer, dryer days ahead. This plus the fact that the school holidays are now here means that for readers who’ve yet to book a holiday but are nonetheless still eager to relax and for some adventures in a beautiful World Heritage city with arts and culture galore, then you are in luck! For when it comes to our summer holidays, there really is no place like home.
In fact, did you know that Bath has scooped first place as the best
‘medium-sized’ city in the whole country for a staycation break by consumer experts at Which. Who knew that the solitude of this great city could help recharge all our batteries?
Who realised that we could all feel reinvigorated by strolling through the gorgeous hills of the picturesque surrounding countryside - a walker’s paradise - from which you can see for miles?
And who appreciated that from nationally acclaimed galleries and museums to festivals and sporting activities - think those regular summer fixtures at Bath Cricket Club and Bath City FC -
all the family can have a healthy dose of wholesome fun right here in Bath?
The secret is now well and truly out. Bath may be a city stamped with Roman and UNESCO approval, but it is far from resting on the laurels. From play and learning at familyfriendly favourites like the Roman Baths to hidden gems that are Beazer Garden Maze, and St Stephen’s Church, as well as some of the country’s most exciting cooks and restaurateurs, this incredible city is jam-packed with top places to explore and enjoy. That’s why I am encouraging all of you to once
again make the most of our fantastic local attractions and sites and get behind them this summer.
My Explore Local campaign has already helped bring thousands of tourists back to our great region but there is a way to go yet. In fact, tourism numbers have gone up by around a fifth since I launched the campaign two years ago, but are still down slightly versus before the pandemic.
have locally. The UK has always been the staycation nation, but there is no better staycation destination than Bath!
And so, if this is the summer of the great British 'staycation', let’s take full advantage by visiting the truly amazing attractions we
We’re lucky to live in such a brilliant part of the world. Let’s all get out there, soak in the atmosphere (and sun, fingers crossed!) and enjoy a staycation like no other. And a big bonus of keeping it local and travelling less far is we can save some cash during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis which I know is still tough on residents, and help save the planet too. I hope you all get a great holiday.
The milk depot in the centre of Bath in 1913
COLUMN | Dan Norris MP, Labour Mayor of the West of England
Congratulations to Rachel Brooks for winning £20! You can find the answers to last issue's crossword on page 20.
Across
9 Unsettled (9)
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11 Cranium (5)
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14 Social or cultural surroundings (6)
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19 Animosity (6)
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25 Israeli port and resort (5)
27 As expected (2,3)
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13 Serving utensil or cooking measure (10)
16 Verse often beginning: "There was a ..." (8)
17 Showed up (8)
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21 Spanish fortified wine (6)
22 Souvenirs (6)
24 Drops from on high (4)
26 Piece of work (4)
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Food & Drink
Tasty Dates For Your Diary
Get acquainted with the moveable feast that is the Little Blue Pizza and Coffee van: perfect woodfired pizzas served fresh from... a beautiful vintage horsebox! The van rolls up at the historic Packhorse Inn (Southstoke) every Tuesday between 5pm-8pm, the super-pretty Fox and Badger (Wellow) every Wednesday from 5.30pm-8.30pm and the Oldfield Surgery car park (Upper Oldfield Park) every Thursday-Friday from 6pm-8.30pm (the latter being take away only as a car park doesn't quite lend itself to chilling out in as a gorgeous pub garden does!). littlebluepizzaandcoffee.co.uk
Thursday 1st August is World Albariño Day! Get the celebrations started at Corkage (Chapel Row) on Wednesday 31st
Sponsor our Food & Drink section! Get in touch via advertise@bathecho.co.uk
July when their Wednesday Wine Club Wine will be dedicated to this wonderful white wine made from grapes traditionally grown in Galicia (northwestern Spain) and northwest Portugal. While we're popping the Corkage corks, bear in mind that their Friday Set Lunch Deal (2-courses £20; 3/£30) continues throughout the summer. www.corkagebath.com
Make the most of lunchtime at the Marlborough Tavern (Marlborough Buildings): take your pick from two regularlychanging, deluxe dishes of the day for just £10 every MondayFriday between 12noon-4pm. www.marlborough-tavern.com
Canter up to Bath Racecourse on Friday 2nd August and let Lady
Recipe: Spanakopita
Luck guide your flutter on seven horse races against a backdrop fuelled by the sound, tastes and flavours of the Caribbean. Traditional Jamaican dishes such as jerk chicken, curried goat, rice and peas washed down with delicious rum-based cocktails dictate the refreshment vibe, and live Caribbean music turns the whole event into a totally tropical affair.
https://bit.ly/3LB3ZQP
Craving an escape to the country?
The handsome, historic Upton Inn (just off the Bath Road through Kelston/Swineford/ Bitton) has undergone a fabulous refurbishment of late, with a brand new, subtly quirky Lounge Bar, a sophisticated Parlour dining room, a chilled-out Snug and a cosy back bar to explore
and a choice of three spacious alfresco terraces to chillax in when the sun shines. Oh, and the menus have had a makeover too!
www.theupton.co.uk
Klaxon! The next Dumpling Dojo session at Budo (Bath's only Japanese Izakaya and Sake Bar, Argyle Street) takes place on Wednesday 21st August. Learn how to cook, create, and savour the most delicious dumplings and master the art of Japanese (and, sometimes, Korean) cookery in uniquely characterful surroundings. Are you a fan of sipping sake too? Check out the regular monthly sake sessions in Budo's events diary on their website. Kanpai! www.budobath.co.uk/events
Grab a pizza for just £10 every Monday from 12 noon to closing time and/or between 12noon6pm every Tuesday-Friday at the Moorfields (Third Avenue, Oldfield Park). Hungry for Moor? Order a burger from the Specials Menu every Thursday from 6pm and enjoy a complimentary house drink of your choice to accompany it. www.themoorfields.com
Melissa regularly reviews restaurants across Bath and the surrounding area. You can find out more at: www.theprandialplayground.uk
Follow Melissa on X Find her @ThePigGuide
This traditional Greek pie is the ultimate summertime flexible friend, perfect for picnics, parties or a light lunch; the exceedingly moreish combination of crisp flaky filo, succulent spinach and melted cheese is downright irresistible.
Top tips: be fast when working with the filo pastry, as it tends to dry out quickly if left out of the packet for too long, don't forget to pre-heat the baking tray on which you'll cook the pie (nobody likes a soggy bottom!) and resist the temptation to eat your Spanakopita hot as it's prone to meltdown, so allow the filling to settle for at least 10 minutes before slicing.
Serve at room temperature (preferably in the sunshine), accompanied by a large glass of chilled rosé. Yiamas!
Ingredients (makes one large pie, serves 4-6)
• 1 x 270g pack filo pastry
• 400g spinach, steamed until wilted and chopped
• 5 large free range eggs
• 350g feta cheese, crumbled
• 50g cheddar cheese, grated
• Around 175g sundried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
• Melted butter, for laminating the pastry
• Lemon juice, nutmeg, dried oregano and black pepper, for seasoning
Method
• Preheat the oven to 200c/gas mark 6 and place a baking tray on the middle shelf to heat up.
• Crack the eggs into a large mixing bowl and whisk briefly with a fork. Add both cheeses, the sundried tomatoes, the spinach, a splash of lemon juice and a generous sprinkle of dried oregano, nutmeg and black pepper. Stir well until all the ingredients are combined.
• Brush a large cake/pie tin (preferably springform) with a generous amount of melted butter. Unroll the filo and line the tin with 3-4 layers of pastry, brushing each layer with melted butter as you go, leaving a slight overhang around the top of the tin .
• Spoon the cheese/spinach mixture into the pastry case and top with another 3-4 layers of filo, again brushing each layer with melted butter, folding the pastry overhang in on the second layer to make a neatly encased 'parcel'.
• Brush the top of the pie with a final slick of melted butter, place onto the preheated baking sheet in the oven and bake for around 20 minutes until crisp and golden on top.
Melissa Blease Food Writer
Concern over compulsory land purchases for business park
John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter
SOMERSET farmers could soon be forced to sell their land so Bath & North East Somerset Council can build a £30 million business park on it.
The council wants to turn fields next to Midsomer Norton’s Old Mills Batch “volcano” into “an exemplar net zero green business park”.
The Somer Valley Enterprise Zone — or “SVEZ” — is intended to create 1,300 jobs but the plans have been hugely controversial, sparking protests in the local area and an emotional plea from the farmers affected for the council to abandon the plan.
In February, the council cabinet passed a “local development order” essentially granting planning permission in advance for companies to develop the site. Now the council cabinet has agreed to make a compulsory purchase order to force farmers to sell them the land if they will not agree to part with it.
Councillor Paul Roper, the council’s cabinet member for economic and cultural sustainable development, told the meeting of the council cabinet on 11th July: “This is not a decision to be taken lightly and if these powers are granted we will only use them absolutely necessarily and as a last resort.”
He said: “To deliver this scheme requires the acquisition of at least 47 separate parcels of land from 40 landowners.
“It is hoped that most if not all of the land purchases can be carried out on the basis of willing buyer and seller and negotiations continue to try and secure land on this basis.
“What we cannot allow to happen is for the scheme to fail because any one of the multiple land
interests cannot be acquired on a voluntary basis.
“It is therefore deemed necessary to have the powers to compel and these powers are enshrined in a compulsory purchase order.”
The council voted unanimously to make the compulsory purchase order. As well as the fields which will form the SVEZ, the CPO also covers areas around roads set to be affected by the plans on the edge of Midsomer Norton and in nearby Farrington Gurney.
Landowners will all be contacted with a questionnaire.
If landowners object to the proposed compulsory purchase order, the matter will go to a public inquiry.
Councillor Roper said: “What we are doing here is delivering an exemplar net zero green business park, creating around 1,300 jobs of the type that we aspire to.
“That’s good quality, secure, well-paid, fulfilling, and local employment. We are convinced that this will provide a muchneeded and significant economic boost to the local area and to the authority as a whole.”
Seconding the motion for the compulsory purchase orders, the council’s cabinet member for children’s services, Paul May, said: “Many of the traditional major employers in the area have disappeared. This has created a real community need for more employment, including to provide young people with local job opportunities and training.”
He added: “This local authority does not ever lightly use CPO powers but this is a case of the subregional need versus the local concerns.”
Concerned locals, including Bath and North East Somerset councillors Ann Morgan (High Littleton, Liberal Democrat) and Sam Ross (Clutton and Farmborough, Green), have twice held protests by the site against
the plans.
Campaigners have pointed out the area already has a low unemployment rate and warned plans for a pub on the business park could draw customers away from existing establishments.
Councillor Roper said: “I am acutely aware of the sensitivities of this and also the implications it has on the landowners affected. I am also aware of the continued resistance by some to the creation of this employment site.
“What we do believe however is that the benefits to the local communities associated with the creation of the SVEZ do justify the use of this land — indeed for the CPO to be successful we must pass certain prescribed tests for viability.”
The farm most affected by the plans is Royal Oak Farm, much of which will be absorbed by the business park which will “overshadow” the farmhouse and cut off access to the north part of their farm.
When the council cabinet passed the local development order to allow the SVEZ to be developed without planning permission in February, Barry and Morag
Flowers — whose family have owned Royal Oak Farm for over 70 years — travelled to the meeting in Bath to urge the council to drop the plan.
Ms Flowers told councillors:
“Barry took over the running of [Royal Oak Farm] at the age of 21. We have farmed and looked after this land for the last 54 years.
“We raised a family here and have a grandson of 18 who wishes to carry on the tradition of farming on the farm he has grown up on.
“The Somer Valley Enterprise Zone and this local development order tears apart our plans and aspirations for the future of our farm, especially our grandson’s.”
She added that the farm was grade one agricultural land and said that they had suffered “untold stress and anxiety” from the uncertainty over the project — which has been discussed for seven years. She warned that it would cut their yearly income in half.
Mrs Flowers said: “How can it be that B&NES is going to tear up this prime agricultural land that is used for food consumption to build an industrial park that the majority of local people do not
want or see the need for?”
At the meeting, councillor — and orchard owner — Matt McCabe (Bathavon South, Liberal Democrat) told Mr and Mrs Flowers he understood how they felt because he had previously had his land allocated in council plans, although it did not end up being developed.
But he said: “Is it really the case that we value a field of brassicas over the future prosperity of our young people?”
It is hoped that the first jobs at the “green business park” will arrive in three to four years, although it could take up to a decade for the site to be fully developed. The fields by Old Mills Batch were first allocated as land for employment by the council in 2007 but businesses did not step forward with plans for the site. It became an “enterprise zone” in 2017 but businesses will miss out on associated fiscal benefits, as these expired in 2022.
Councillor Roper said that landowners would receive a “fair price” for their land, even if forced to sell. The exact figure for how much the council is prepared to pay landowners to get the land was included in a report which was restricted from public view. However a report which went before the council cabinet in February said the council was requesting £9.3 million of grant funding from the West of England Combined Authority for “project development costs such as land assembly and detailed technical design”.
That report put the total cost of the next stage project at £29.9 million.
In the papers for Thursday 11th July’s council cabinet meeting, the costs of “highway and enabling works” were put at £19.6 million. This will be funded by grant funding won by the council from various sources.
Plans to redevelop Southdown garage for housing approved
PLANS to redevelop the Hill Rise Garage site at Englishcombe Lane at Southdown have been given the go-ahead by Bath & North East Somerset Council.
A terrace of three houses will be built to replace lock-up garages at the “backland site”, along with the change of use of the workshop itself to offices.
The plans were submitted by BHR Properties Limited. Previous permissions to develop the site had expired.
The application said that Hill Rise Garage has been operated for many years as a vehicle repair and MoT centre but the business has “rent arrears and is therefore no longer viable”.
It said the latest plans makes the most efficient re-use of the site in a sustainably located urban area. The access drive passes alongside the Tesco Express store.
The three-bed houses will be cut into the slope of the site. They are described as being “traditionally detailed” and built of Bath stone and will be “in scale and harmony with their surroundings”.
The application also said that each home will have a bike shed, “recognising that the site is sustainably located as part of the urban area of the city, where other means of transport than the private car are truly feasible for day-to-day living. There is also a regular bus service operating along Englishcombe Lane.”
The change of the use of the workshop involves raising the roof to provide a first floor with office parking for four vehicles at ground level. There will also be two spaces to serve the three houses.
The council received a small
number of objections to the plans, highlighting concerns which included parking, overlooking and overdevelopment of the site.
But officers said the scheme complied with planning policies. One of the conditions of the planning permission is an investigation and risk assessment of the nature and extent of contamination on the site before any development can take place.
The Lord Chamberlain’s Men invite you to join them this summer for the classic tragic tale of death and revenge. Featuring an all-male cast and Elizabethan costumes, music and dance.
Heathers the Musical
Theatre Royal
30th July – 3rd August
Following a smash hit West End run at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in 2018, two national tours and record-breaking runs at London’s The Other Palace, Heathers the Musical is back on tour.
Rum & Reggae Racenight
Bath Racecourse
2nd August, 15.50pm
Indulge in delicious rum cocktails and tantalise your taste buds with mouthwatering Caribbean cuisine. Later on, sway to the infectious rhythms of live reggae music.
Brief Encounter
The Mission Theatre
3rd – 7th September
Noël Coward’s Brief Encounter remains one of the screen’s greatest ever love stories, its timeless, sensitive portrayal of an impossible affair enthralling generations.
The Tartan Titan
Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park
27th July – 31st August
Challenge your family, sporting group, neighbours or colleagues to take on the Tartan Titan and see who has got what it takes to conquer it! Recognised as the world's longest inflatable assault course.
Summer Holiday Farm Club
Bath City Farm
30th July – 22nd August, 10-12pm
For 5 – 11 years. Spend your summer on the farm. 2 hour sessions feeding and cuddling animals, exploring the 37 acres in its summer glory, crafting, cooking, bug hunt, pond dip and more.
Bath Maize Maze
Newbridge Road
From 2nd August
With a new design and in a new location, but with the same summer holiday fun, Bath Maize Maze and Pick Your Own Sunflowers is back. Open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Let's Be Honest with Jess Phillips
St Swithin’s Church
5th August, 7pm
Join this evening of truth, lies, and politics with bestselling author and politician Jess Phillips MP to talk all about her new book, Let's Be Honest, at St Swithin's Church.
Friday 26th July - Thursday 8th August 2024
LEGO® Brick Paintings Exhibition
The Assembly Rooms
27th July – 1st September
The Tea Room will be open every day for you to visit this brand new exhibition featuring 16 original LEGO® brick paintings from two collections of artworks.
Summer Holiday Family Fun
No.1 Royal Crescent
31st July – 28th August, 10am -12.30pm
Every Wednesday this summer, there's a host of craft activities available. Make some historical headwear, try on some costumes or imagine yourself as a Georgian botanist.
The Birthday Party
Ustinov Studio
2nd – 31st August
Olivier Award, Tony Award and BAFTA nominee Jane Horrocks and TV star
John Marquez lead the cast in this new production of Harold Pinter’s classic comedy of menace, The Birthday Party.
Rachaele Hambleton Komedia
7th August, 8pm
The Sunday Times bestselling author and parenting personality comes to Komedia in Bath with a guide to finding your inner power and leading a life you love.
80,000 Suspects
Widcombe Social Club
28th July, 7pm
Bath on film! Following the recent sellout screening, FilmBath and Off the Wall Films are getting together to present a follow-up screening of 80,000 Suspects at Widcombe Social Club.
The ELO Experience
The Forum
1st August, 7.30pm
A sensational tribute to The Electric Light Orchestra Greatest Hits and More Tour. With string section, a stunning light show and large screen projection. A magical musical journey through time.
Summer Saturday Specials
Avon Valley Railway
3rd, 10th & 17th August
Take a trip to the ‘seaside’ on the heritage diesel service. Meet some donkeys, take a turn on the handoperated children’s roundabout and have a go at the vintage games.
Outdoor Theatre: Little Women
American Museum & Gardens
8th August, 6.30pm
Enjoy a summer’s evening of outdoor theatre in the spectacular gardens with valley views. Chapterhouse Theatre Company will be performing the classic story Little Women.
Summer Adventures
LEGO build & play weekends
Grimwood museum trail
Kids’ rave with the Super Pirates
Outdoor family theatre
Kids’ pottery workshop
Creative activities
Wild ower play area
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Bath City Farm launches £40,000 fundraiser in bid to meet costs
BATH City Farm in Whiteway has launched an online crowdfunding campaign to raise £40,000 to ensure it can meet rising costs.
The charity is asking members of the public and supporters to help it raise the funds, which are needed to cover running costs and help grow services.
Costs at the site have risen by around £80,000 this year, and the farm needs to maintain and expand services as well as keep the site free at the point of access.
The money raised would pay for core operational costs such as staff to manage the site, rising energy costs and maintaining
the 37 acres for the 50,000 people who visit each year.
Money raised would also pay for vet bills, animal food and shelter.
The animals play a vital role in targeted therapeutic work with participants of the farm’s health and wellbeing programmes.
For many, Bath City Farm is a place to recover from acute mental distress and rebuild a healthier lifestyle in connection with nature and each other.
It is also a free resource for many families on low incomes to spend a day out with children, experience and meet animals and access vital green space. Visitors can also access nature
trails around the site including woodland, ponds, a safe playground for children and allotments, all of which cost money to maintain.
Farm Director Brendan Tate Wistreich said: “We know it is a challenging time for everyone, but if you like what we do, please consider giving to this campaign to help us sustain our vital community work and reach our target of £40 000.
“Aviva Community Fund are generously match funding every donation up to £250 enabling us to raise even more.”
To donate, visit https://bit. ly/4cT24D5
Summit seeks ways of tackling housing crisis
Becky Feather Reporter
LOCAL housing providers, the council and developers, together with building and design professionals, have held their first summit aimed at tackling the housing crisis in Bath and North East Somerset.
The Housing Summit on Tuesday 9th July, which was organised by housing association and housebuilder Curo and Bath & North East Somerset Council, attracted more than 100 people, including speakers from Places for People, Alliance Homes, Bromford Housing, Avon Pension Fund, Bath Preservation Trust and Homes England.
Victor da Cunha, chief executive of Curo, set out the challenge facing housing providers. He said: “Bath and North East Somerset is an area with high property prices and belowaverage earnings.
“Average house prices are around £430,000 while average private monthly rents are around £1,549. Demand for social housing outstrips supply – currently 5,500 families are on the waiting list, while only 700 were housed last year. While we are building hundreds of homes every year, there’s so much more needed.”
Councillor Matt McCabe, B&NES cabinet member for built environment, housing and
sustainable development, told the summit: “Housing is broken. We can’t keep doing the same thing over and over again. Today, we’re asking all participants in the housing system: what can we do to effect change?”
He added: “We’re committed to working collaboratively with the sector and to helping improve people’s lives with the right homes in the right places.”
The council has embarked on a house-building programme and says it is committed to improving the availability of affordable housing, accessible to local jobs and services, as set out in its recent economic strategy.
Mr da Cunha said the new government has brought housing to the forefront of the national political agenda. “Early signs suggest that they look like they mean business on housing.
“It meaningfully mattered as an issue in the general election for the first time I can remember. In the first 72 hours we have seen them seize the day with announcements on housebuilding. Housing providers and councils need to capitalise on this momentum.”
Wayne Hemingway MBE, founder of Red or Dead and Hemingway Design, also spoke at the summit. He highlighted the need for radical solutions to issues such as land acquisition and blocks to planning, saying: “We need to bring back local developers.”
First major Pride event set to take place in Bath next month
BATH Pride 2024 will be taking place on Sunday 18th August, starting at midday at the Holburne Museum.
There will be a family picnic at the museum from noon to 5pm, which will include live music acts and charity stalls, along with the opportunity to sit and enjoy the summer weather.
From 1pm to 2pm, there will be a Pride march through the city centre. Everyone is being invited to join the march to celebrate the local LGBTQ+ community, to raise awareness, and to advocate for equal rights.
Larger groups who would like to march together can sign up on the Bath Pride website (www. bathpride.org).
The official after-party will be a WIG! drag cabaret from 6pm at Komedia, featuring local drag performers and the winner of Bath Drag Performer of the Year.
Tommy Parker, Bath Pride’s organising lead, said: “It’s so exciting to have our first major
Pride event in the city.
“Pride occurs in cities up and down the country, and it is long overdue for Bath to have a Pride event to call its own. We have organised a variety of events to cater to everyone. Giving an opportunity for queer people in Bath to show their pride, and advocate for equality and justice, is so important. Hopefully Bath Pride 2024 is the start of a regular feature of our city.”
Diomede, winner of Bath Drag Performer of the Year, said: “I am so excited to perform at the first official Bath Pride. There are so many talented queer artists in Bath, and giving the opportunity to showcase the vibrant and thriving drag community is both humbling and thrilling.
“Our city has so much to be proud of, and one of those is the active queer community we have. Having an event like Bath Pride to bring everyone together is important not just for LGBTQ+ people, but the wider
community.”
Councillor Shaun StephensonMcGall, who represents Timsbury and is B&NES Council’s Member Advocate for Active Travel and for LGBTQ+ issues, said: “Being able to attend Pride and march though the city I love and call home next month on the 18th will be so exciting and amazing.
“I have had the honour to have been the first openly gay Deputy Mayor, and Mayor of Bath, the first openly gay Vice Chair and Chair of Bath and North East Somerset Council, but in all four of those years there was never a Bath Pride for me to attend and celebrate who I was and what I and my fellow members of the LGBT+ community contribute to, and add to our fantastic city.
“I’ve lived through the Sexual Offences Act 1967, bullying through my teenage years, the cruel Section 28, the AIDS crisis, and very hostile elements of the press and media from the 70s to now, as well as state institutions
such as the police.
“The UK’s attitudes over the last 50 years have improved markedly, we now have the Equality Act, equal marriage, and seismic change from the state. However, more needs to be done.
“Our community is facing a hard right-wing backlash, and the climate facing our Trans community is heartbreaking, so
Follow us on X Find us @BathEcho The event will take place on Sunday 18th
please join us at Bath’s first Pride on Sunday 18th August 2024 and help us celebrate our LGBT+ history, fighting continued discrimination and honouring our difference.”
Invention that helps staff move patients to be trialled across UK
Becky Feather Reporter
A SPECIAL cushion created in Bath to help doctors and nurses safely move critically ill patients is set to enter a clinical trial at the RUH.
Designed by engineers at the University of Bath in collaboration with doctors at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust (the RUH), the Inflatable Prone Repositioning Device (IPRD) – known as the ’BathMat’ – is a flat, balloonlike cushion to help healthcare staff move the most critically ill patients in intensive care.
The clinical trial will begin later this year and run for 14 months, taking place at the Bath hospital as well as at other NHS trusts in the UK.
After receiving Research Capability funding from the RUH, as well as funding from the University’s Impact Acceleration Account, the project has received £357,000 from the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) to determine the effectiveness of the device and to explore its commercial potential.
Critically ill patients on the intensive care unit who are sedated and on a ventilator with a severe lung injury can benefit from being placed on their front. This can increase the oxygen levels in their blood and reduces their risk of death by up to 17%.
To avoid painful bed sores and
injuries to other parts of the body, national guidelines require these patients to be repositioned every two to four hours.
This is a complicated, manual task that requires up to seven staff to lift and carefully reposition the patient’s arms and head. Great care must be taken not to displace the tubes and drips keeping the patient alive. Currently, this is done using sliding sheets or hoists, with repositioning accounting for over half a million staff hours per year in the NHS. The researchers behind the device say they hope it will make it possible for just two staff to complete the process, and cut the time needed from over half an hour per position adjustment to less than 10 minutes.
Whilst substantially improving the safety of the procedure for patients, and releasing staff to perform other care duties, it also has the potential to reduce the risk of manual handling injuries
for staff.
Currently, 16,500 patients are cared for in this way in the NHS each year. A device such as the IPRD could reduce the likelihood of pressure sores and organ injury, potentially allowing for more frequent repositioning. The device could bring knockon benefits such as freeing up staff to perform other duties and protecting staff-to-patient ratios. The initial inspiration for the device came from Dr Jerome Condry, Anaesthetics Clinical Fellow at the RUH, who has extensive first-hand experience of the challenges of regular patient repositioning and is clinical lead on the project. He said: “The device has been carefully developed as a close collaboration over the past two years. We have received regular feedback from clinicians and patients alike, being described as a game changer and no-brainer by independent reviewers.”
Endoscopy unit plan to bring down waiting lists
PLANS to erect a temporary endoscopy unit near Sulis
Hospital Bath to bring down the region’s lengthy waiting lists have been drawn up.
The hospital, which is based at Bath Business Park in Peasedown St John, is a Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) hub.
The Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, which manages Sulis, has secured funding to increase diagnostic capacity within the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire health region, which currently has the largest number of patients waiting for endoscopy investigations in the South West.
Endoscopy procedures are essential for diagnosing serious conditions, such as cancer and heart disease.
The Sulis site isn’t big enough however for the extra capacity, so the trust has this week lodged
a planning application with Bath & North East Somerset Council for a parcel of undeveloped land at the rear of the nearby Care Fertility Centre at Roman Way. It seeks permission for groundworks to accommodate a temporary endoscopy unit which will be made up of three mobile trailers.
There will also be patient and staff parking, bin store provision and secure perimeter fencing. The proposal would complement the surrounding health facilities, says the trust. The site would be restored within two years.
The planning reference is 24/02757/FUL. The deadline for comments is 13th August. Earlier this year the council approved plans for a new orthopaedic centre at Sulis Hospital Bath to cut waiting times for patients in the city and wider region.
Residents being encouraged to get active over the summer
Becky Feather Reporter and cycling outdoors, the council is here to give advice and support.”
THE Chair of Bath & North East Somerset Council, Councillor Karen Walker, is encouraging people to get active this summer with free activities being offered by the local authority.
The Active Way initiative is a three-year pilot project offering free social prescribing activities to increase residents’ health and well-being through active travel. Councillor Walker (Independent, Peasedown St John) said: “The Active Way offers a range of free cycling and walking activities to Somer Valley and wider B&NES residents.
“We want to help you to become more active through how you travel.
“Whether you are looking for an opportunity to try something new, gain access to bikes or local infrastructure, or become more confident through meeting likeminded people whilst walking
Activities that residents can get involved with include:
• Active Steps: A 10-week walking and cycling programme provided by Sustrans, helping to build confidence and activity levels with access to a bike if you do not have one.
• All Cycles Bath & West: Inclusive and accessible cycling for adults and children with health, learning and social needs.
• Sporting Family Change: One-to-one or group-lead wellness walks that offer time to chat with staff or fellow walkers.
• Snap & Stroll: A creative well-being group led by two experienced photographers, strolling around the Somer Valley and taking photos.
• KiActiv: A 12-week programme that helps you monitor your everyday movement with the support of a health coach and wearable device.
• B&NES Bikeability team: Offering one-to-one adult and family cycle training.
• Go Jauntly: 30 miles of walking trails are being developed for the Somer Valley.
• Bike and e-bike hire: A month’s free hire will be coming soon to the Somer Valley.
• Sustrans and B&NES Bikeability team: Bike maintenance pop-up workshops and events to learn how to fix and maintain your bike. For more details about The Active Way, visit www. theactivewaybathnes.co.uk You can also visit Hope House Surgery in Radstock every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 10am and 3pm to meet members of the team.
Pupils excel at Swainswick’s ‘Outstanding’ primary school
SWAINSWICK Church School
has received Ofsted’s highest judgement following a visit in June.
In their report published this week, inspectors say the 80-pupil school is Outstanding across the board – for quality of education, leadership and management, children’s behaviour and attitudes, their personal development and the early years provision.
The primary school at Innox Lane in Upper Swainswick has been part of the Diocese of Bath and Wells Multi Academy Trust since 2019.
The report says the school “sits at the heart of the local community” and is an inspiring place to learn.
“Pupils are rightly proud of their school. They attend well and they thrive.
“Staff are highly ambitious for what pupils can achieve. Pupils live up to this.
“The warm and nurturing relationships between staff and pupils sit at the heart of the school’s effectiveness. Pupils are respectful and polite to each other and to visitors. Their conduct is exemplary.”
The inspectors highlight the “relentless drive” to ensure that all the children receive an outstanding education: “The
school has designed an exciting and ambitious curriculum with precision.
“Pupils consistently build new learning on secure foundations.
As a result, pupils excel.”
Staff ensure that all pupils have the understanding and vocabulary required to express their ideas and everyone’s voice is valued.
The school is said to be ambitious that every pupil will become a fluent reader and any pupil who falls behind is promptly identified and receives rapid support to help them to catch up and keep up.
The inspectors also say that the
school accurately identifies the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND): “Both the curriculum and the teaching of it are adapted accurately to meet these needs. Consequently, pupils with SEND achieve highly.”
Opportunities for pupils to develop their talents and interests are described as being of “exceptional quality”.
The school ensures that staff receive high-quality professional development and the trust and local governing committee are “extremely knowledgeable” and committed to the school, Ofsted says.
Marksbury School is ‘at the heart of the community’, says Ofsted
MARKSBURY CofE Primary School is “at the heart of the local community it serves”, says Ofsted following a recent inspection.
The 89-pupil church school is part of The Partnership Trust and has been rated as Good in all areas. It was the first visit by the education watchdog since the school became an academy in July 2017.
The inspectors said in their report: “Pupils describe the school as a ‘massive family’, where everyone is friendly and welcoming.
“They understand how the school’s values help them to develop resilience, make the right choices, and be understanding of others.”
The school is said to have “high expectations” for pupils’ behaviour and the youngsters follow the school rules well, both in and outside the classroom.
The report highlights that relationships between adults and pupils are positive: “Pupils trust adults to listen and help them resolve any worries or concerns
that they may have. As a result, they feel safe and cared for.”
The inspectors said the school is ambitious for what all pupils can achieve, and the inclusive curriculum has been designed well. Staff receive training which builds their confidence and subject expertise. The school identifies the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) promptly and individual pupil plans are precise and routinely reviewed.
Staff help these pupils to overcome any barriers to learning and they progress through the curriculum well because of this.
The school is said to manage attendance well, working closely with parents and external agencies to ensure that if attendance dips, it is addressed quickly.
The school is also praised in the report for planning a wide range of trips, visits and experiences to broaden pupils’ understanding beyond the classroom.
The report adds: “Local governors and trustees know the school well. They hold the school to account for its actions and fulfil their statutory responsibilities well. Staff talk positively about the team spirit that exists.”
At the school’s Ofsted inspection in 2012 it was judged to be Outstanding.
All Church of England schools receive a Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) inspection as well as the regular Ofsted inspection.
The last SIAMS inspection of Marksbury CofE Primary School took place in April 2018, when it was judged to be Outstanding.
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Go-ahead for resource base for autistic pupils
Becky Feather Reporter The development will not increase numbers at the 1,350-pupil school, and the planned admission numbers will remain the same.
PALLADIAN Academy Trust, which runs Ralph Allen School at Claverton Down Road in Bath, has been granted planning permission to build a new resource base for pupils with autism.
A resource base enables students with additional needs to be supported on a more individual or small group basis, but also to integrate into the mainstream curriculum and social life.
The extension to an existing block at Ralph Allen will accommodate up to 20 pupils with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
The 350sqm first-floor vertical extension will be built at the Design & Technology and IT teaching facilities and the project will also address areas in the building in need of refurbishment or upgrade.
The extension will not be connected to the site’s gas network. Instead renewable energy will be generated using a photovoltaic (PV) array that will provide low-carbon electricity throughout the year.
In approving the proposal, Bath & North East Somerset Council planners acknowledged the “clear need” for the proposed development to address the current shortfall in provision.
The school is in the Cotswolds National Landscape and the Green Belt where development is strictly controlled.
Planning officers noted: “The siting of the building in a central location on the existing school site avoids encroachment into the Green Belt and is considered the least impactful option in terms of causing harm to the Green Belt.”
Pre-school benefits from funding boost
A PRESCHOOL group in the village of Peasedown St John near Bath has received a funding boost thanks to a local charity.
The Peasedown Community Trust said it was impressed by the range of opportunities provided by ‘SJ’s Little Ones’, based at St John’s Church, for young children and their parents to explore play and take part in creative, educational activities.
On behalf of the charity, local councillors Gavin Heathcote and Karen Walker visited the preschool to meet service users and present them with a grant of £100.
The pair said: “All the research shows that investment in a child’s early years education is beneficial to them later in life.
“By taking part in play schemes
and pre-school learning, this hugely increases a child’s chances of having a more rewarding and fulfilling career, being in better health and achieving more in their later years.”
SJ’s Little Ones is open two mornings a week for parents to go along with their baby-to-preschool aged children.
Project coordinator Sarah Carney said: “Our aim is to see no new mother, father or carer isolated, no toddler without toys to play with and books to read and all to be included and welcomed at our group, and thriving at this challenging stage in life.
“We aim to create a welcoming, stimulating space where parents/ carers and their children can meet, be refreshed and feel encouraged.”
Ralph Allen School on Claverton Down Road in Bath
The village school is Outstanding in all areas | Library image
Becky Feather Reporter
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www.goughs.co.uk
Builder sentenced after duping victims in Bath
A BUILDER who duped victims out of £133,000 has been given a nine-month suspended prison sentence following a prosecution by B&NES Council’s Trading Standards Service.
At a previous hearing, Martin Brain, 52, of Blackhorse Place in Mangotsfield, trading as Olive Interiors Ltd, had pleaded guilty to one offence relating to the contravention of professional diligence under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
He took upfront deposits from four victims, including two Bath residents, for materials that he failed to supply.
Brain, who also previously operated from premises on Cork Street in Bath, must carry out 180 hours of community service and attend 18 rehabilitation days. Legal proceedings to obtain the criminal earnings from Brain will follow. At the sentencing at Bristol Crown Court on 11th June 2024, the defendant’s barrister said Brain was sorry for the harm he had caused and commented he had never intended to put his customers through this sort of ordeal.
The court heard how company finances had spiralled out of control and the business was run in a manner falling far below the standards of honest market practice.
Judge Peter Blair said that Brain’s actions had an incalculable impact on the victims and his conduct towards the victims in some people’s eyes could be seen as deliberate.
The council’s Trading Standards team received four complaints in relation to Brain.
Two consumers from Bath paid Brain a deposit of £133,890 for an extension and for materials which were never provided.
Olive Interiors worked for four days and then never returned.
A surveyor reviewed the work carried out and estimated the value at the consumers’ properties at no more than £9,683.
Requests for refunds were refused despite Brain having around £50,000 of the consumer’s money in his bank account.
A third consumer paid Brain for a kitchen and bathroom materials which were never provided and the work that was carried out was found to be substandard.
The consumer was left with financial losses exceeding £9,000. The fourth consumer did receive a kitchen from Brain, but not the one ordered and the job was never finished, leaving the consumer yet again at a financial loss.
Following the sentencing Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for neighbourhood services at Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “Residents should never pay large amounts of money upfront for building work. “We hope this prosecution sends out a clear message that our Trading Standards team will not hesitate to investigate and take
action against tradespeople who commit crime.”
The council runs an approved trader scheme called ‘Buy with Confidence’ where residents can search for local businesses which have been vetted and approved by Trading Standards.
Anyone looking for a local business to carry out some work is encouraged to visit www. buywithconfidence.gov.uk.
Anyone who thinks they might have fallen victim to a rogue trader, should report it to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service who work in partnership with Bath & North East Somerset Trading Standards. You can telephone 0345 40 40 506.
Maritime company latest tenant at Bath Quays
A GLOBAL maritime-orientated design firm has become the latest tenant to take up space at the Bath Quays development.
BMT has signed a lease for space on the second floor and the entire third floor at No.1 Bath Quays. The new tenant will join the software provider Altus and financial services consultancy Fidelius, who were the first companies to take space in the building, moving in last year.
Councillor Paul Roper, cabinet member for economic and cultural sustainable development, said: “We are pleased to welcome BMT to No.1.
“It is fantastic that we have been able to offer suitable space to a global company to allow them to bring their staff together in a modern building close to the heart of Bath.
“The Bath Quays project is key to the council’s commitment to support and regenerate our city centre.
“This new letting shows that there is demand for Grade A office space in this city.”
Phil Metcalfe, Regional Business Director for UK and Europe at BMT, added: “We are very much looking forward to moving into Bath Quays; a fresh, contemporary and sustainable office space which aligns with our values and growth ambition.
“This high quality office and collaboration space matches our flexible working approach while significantly improving sustainability and contributing to the BMT brand experience across all our sites. Good for our people, our customers and the environment.”
No.1 Bath Quays is sited within the 4.5-acre Bath Quays regeneration site that spans the
north and south banks of the River Avon, linked by a pedestrian and cycling bridge.
The Grade A building was the first new office block to be built in Bath for a generation.
Knight Frank acted as the agent for Bath & North East Somerset Council at No. 1 Bath Quays. The property and estate is managed by Savills.
Andy Smith, partner at Knight Frank, said: “Bath & North East Somerset Council’s bold move to speculatively construct No.1 Bath Quays has been really well received by the market.
“BMT have been looking for top quality space for a long time and the delivery of No.1 Bath Quays was an ideal solution.
“We are speaking to a number of interested parties about taking space at the building, however we would welcome calls from any occupiers who may be interested in the building/scheme.”
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Elliot
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A Business LPA can be a very useful planning tool to ensure that your business doesn’t suffer if you become incapacitated. Here at Goughs we can provide you with the specialist advice needed to look after you and your business should the worst happen.
Uncompleted work carried out | Photo courtesy of B&NES Council
Engineering firm gets go-ahead to expand
Becky Feather Reporter
ROTORK, the Bath-based global engineering firm, has been granted planning permission to expand its headquarters.
The firm, based at Brassmill Lane at Newbridge, is a market-leading provider of industrial flow control equipment.
The planning application submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council sought permission for a 1,382sqm temporary warehouse extension to Rotork House for a period
of up to five years, along with reconfiguring the car park, relocating the goods service yard and adding a new cycle shelter.
In its application, the company said the warehouse extension was needed to improve material handling and production flow.
Since the pandemic, the company said it has struggled with poor material delivery internationally and this is an opportunity to improve parts flow by increasing storage space to hold more stock, which in turn will help job security for the 450 staff based in Bath, and other employees elsewhere.
Lidl ‘fully committed’ to opening store despite pulling application
John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter
LIDL remains “fully committed” to opening a new store in Bath, despite pulling their planning application.
The discount supermarket chain has long planned to build a new store off London Road on the eastern edge of the city, which would have brought up to 40 new jobs to the area and made affordable food more accessible.
But neighbours protested at the plans to build the supermarket on a field dubbed an “inadvertent nature reserve” last summer and almost 1,200 people lodged objections to the plans.
The planning application was withdrawn earlier this month.
But 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.”
Joanna Wright, a 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 lodged objections to the plans on Bath & North East Somerset Council’s planning portal. 402 people lodged comments in support, while 23 people also left uncategorised comments.
ON Monday 8th July, the 412 Labour MPs elected in the landslide General Election met at Church House in Westminster.
The morning after, the new Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister met with England’s 12 regional mayors at No. 10. But Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner were not the only people in both meetings.
Dan Norris is now both a Metro Mayor and an MP. After losing his seat to Jacob Rees-Mogg in 2010, Mr Norris spent 11 years away from frontline politics before being elected West of England Metro Mayor in 2021.
In the 4th July General Election, he ran against Sir Jacob to win back his old seat (now redrawn and renamed North East Somerset and Hanham), winning it by just over 5,000 votes and later stating: “We got Mogg-xit done”.
But this leaves Mr Norris with two major political jobs to do. Now, speaking to ITV News West Country outside No. 10, he has confirmed he will “do both jobs” — at least for the next ten months. Before the election, Mr Norris had said he intended to do both jobs if elected.
But, speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service late at night after finding out he had won his old seat back, he said: “I now have to get some sleep and then reflect on what has happened and work out how I can best serve the people of North East Somerset and Hanham and the West of England.”
Now he has said he will remain
Metro Mayor, at least for the remainder of his term which runs until May 2025, and hinted he was considering running for Metro Mayor again if he found it was possible to do both jobs.
He told ITV News West Country: “Until at least next May I will do both jobs. And that makes sense because to call a by-election when you’ve got an electorate of about a million people is a hugely expensive thing, to have an election only to have it a few months later would be nonsensical.
“Also, to allow me to work out how I can do both jobs and whether that’s possible in the longer term and obviously I will be taking soundings. But there’s a lot of precedents in politics.
“Many MPs are ministers for example. I have done that myself and I think it’s very similar to being a regional mayor so I think it’s doable.
“But I’m not going to make a decision now. I don’t have to do that. I think it’s important to get a real sense of it and make an
informed and sensible decision.” Is it allowed?
MPs are allowed to be Metro Mayors of combined authorities and it has happened before. Dan Jarvis, who has been MP for Barnsley Central and later Barnsley North since 2011, was also the Metro Mayor of South Yorkshire between 2018 and 2022. If Mr Norris was a local councillor, instead of an MP, however he would be banned from doing the job. Councillors cannot be the Metro Mayor for a combined authority that the council they sit on is a part of.
MPs are banned from being police and crime commissioners. This means they cannot be Metro Mayors in areas where the Metro Mayor has those powers, such as Greater Manchester. But in the West of England, there is a separate Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner who covers a wider area than just the West of England. That is currently Labour’s Clare Moody, who ousted Conservative Mark Shelford in May.
‘The ones who know best’
The No. 10 meeting of regional mayors was the first in what has been promised to be regular meetings with England’s regional mayors.
Mr Norris said: “The Prime Minister meeting regional mayors is a positive example of the new government hitting the ground running.
“I have been delivering on skills, the environment and transport for the last four years, including Birthday Buses to get more residents to use the bus, and look forward to working with a Labour government with the same priorities.”
Mayors attending the meeting have been asked to draw up “local growth plans” to identify local specialisms to contribute to a national industrial strategy.
Mr Norris said the West of England’s local specialisms would include “creative industries”.
Sir Keir said: “My fundamental belief is that those with skin in the game are the ones who know best what they need. That’s why, for many years I have been in constant dialogue with metro mayors across the country about what works for their areas, and I will continue that now as Prime Minister.”
The West of England Metro Mayor heads the West of England Combined Authority, which includes Bath & North East Somerset Council, Bristol City Council, and South Gloucestershire Council.
Mr Norris’ North East Somerset and Hanham constituency straddles both the council areas of Bath and North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
The next metro mayor election will take place on 2nd May, 2025.
Blue Badge misuse goes under the spotlight
BATH & North East Somerset Council carried out almost 200 vehicle checks as part of a national day of action targeting the misuse of Blue Badges. The coordinated campaign saw 142 councils take part across the UK. In total, more than 10,000 badges were inspected, with 182 seized.
B&NES civil enforcement officers carried out 193 vehicle checks with additional support from the council’s partner OneWest, finding four instances of misuse and seizing two badges, meaning the vast majority are being used correctly.
Examples of misuse include using a badge when the holder is not in the vehicle, using a badge that belonged to someone who has died, or using an out-of-date badge.
There are currently more than 8,700 registered Blue Badge holders in Bath and North East Somerset.
The day of action on Friday 24th May was the third time
the campaign has taken place, with 82 councils involved in last year’s campaign when 5,145 Blue Badges were inspected and 39 stolen Blue Badges were seized across England and Wales. Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A GRANT OF PREMISES LICENCE UNDER THE LICENSING ACT 2003
Barbican Events applied to Bath & North East Somerset Council on 16/07/2024 for a licence for Royal Victoria Park Grass Area Opposite Cow Lane with these proposed relevant licensable activities:
• Live and recorded music licensed hours will be Friday (16:00-22:30), Saturday (11:00-22:30)
• On-Sale by retail of alcohol consumption Friday (16:00-22:30), Saturday (11:00-22:30)
Licence will only be applicable for a maximum of one weekend of the year - in either September or October.
Notification of the application made to the Licensing Authority is available on a register at www.bathnes.gov.uk/ licensing-register.
Representations should be made in writing to: Bath & North East Somerset Council Licensing Services Lewis House Manvers Street Bath BA1 1JG or by email to licensing@bathnes.gov.uk by 13th August 2024
Representations made will be disclosed in an open meeting should a hearing be necessary.
member for transport said:
‘This is the second year Bath & North East Somerset Council has supported the campaign as we continually tackle Blue Badge misuse. Access to disabled parking bays should always be proactively protected; although four instances of misuse were observed, we’re happy to see the vast majority of badges are being used correctly.
“Our civil enforcement officers will continue to monitor and challenge potential instances of misuse and fraud if identified.”
The council seized 46 badges during 2023 and has so far seized 16 this year.
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It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application and is subject to a fine of any amount on summary conviction for the offence.
Dated: 26/07/2024
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Sixteen blue badges have so far been seized in B&NES this year
Traffic restrictions to be introduced
Becky Feather Reporter
THREE new through-traffic restriction trials in the Lower Lansdown area of Bath will be installed from Monday 5th August, the council has announced.
The linked trials, which Bath & North East Somerset Council says will allow cyclists and pedestrians safer routes on Gay Street, Catharine Place and Winifred’s Lane, will be in place for a minimum of six months under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) and their impact will be monitored. People are encouraged to share their views at any point during the trials at www.bathnes.gov.uk/ lansdownetro
Consultation surveys will be available from the council’s website from Monday 5th August. No decision will be made on the future of the trials until the council has considered all the outcomes.
The council says the trials are the result of ongoing community engagement since 2021.
Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for transport, said: “Motorists often use the trial streets to avoid the main roads linking the south of Bath to the A46/A420/M4, so the aim is to address speeding and excessive through traffic in these central, residential areas.
“We also want to create a safe and pleasant active travel route through the area.
“I want to reassure residents and businesses that vehicle access to properties will be maintained during the trials, although some drivers may have to use a different route.
“We currently have other Liveable Neighbourhood schemes in place, and these have shown us that the best method of consulting on through-traffic changes is via an ETRO.
“It gives us time to monitor the impacts of the scheme and for people to respond to the interventions, having experienced the scheme, before we make a final decision on whether to make them permanent.”
At Winifred’s Lane, two rows of bollards will be installed preventing motorists (but not pedestrians or cyclists) from using the route as a shortcut from Monday 5th August.
The council is also introducing a no-right turn (except cycles) into Sion Hill (East) from the top of Cavendish Road.
During installation, the Sion Hill (East) junction will be closed in
all directions.
From Tuesday 6th August, northbound vehicles will not be able to enter Gay Street from its junction with George Street. Access to Gay Street, which remains two-way, will be from The Circus only.
On exiting, vehicles can turn and exit via The Circus, or turn left into George Street, but they will not be able to travel south towards Queen Square.
During installation, vehicle access and parking on this stretch of Gay Street will be suspended until work is complete.
From Thursday 8th August, a row of bollards will in installed on Catharine Place between Margaret’s Buildings and just before the junction with Rivers Street Mews to create a nothrough-route.
Some parking bays will be suspended temporarily during the works and during the trial to improve visibility and allow vehicles to turn.
Letters outlining what is happening have been sent to local residents and businesses.
The council secured £736,000 of funding from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (WECA) to implement the trials ahead of delivering the wider Liveable Neighbourhoods programme, the purpose of which is to develop a range of measures to improve streets.
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Work under way on city centre 5G network
INSTALLATION work for a pilot scheme to test a nextgeneration 5G mobile network in the centre of Bath is due to start later this summer.
The ONE WORD 5G Mobile Network Pilot, which is funded by the government, aims to address the connectivity and capacity issues relating to mobile network coverage which Bath experiences.
It has received a Certificate of Lawfulness of Proposed Works and will see a network of about 16 small low-power cell radio units installed in key locations on lamp posts in the centre of the city.
Councillor Paul Roper, cabinet member for economic and cultural sustainable development, who approved the cutting-edge pilot scheme, said:
“Many of us are familiar with the poor mobile phone reception areas in the city centre, especially on busy days when, with the current system, it is difficult to even send texts and make phone calls. We have carried out surveys and many residents cite connectivity issues, reliability and cost as a barrier to accessing services and information online.
“So it is great news that our area has been selected for this government-funded pilot which aims to address those digital inequalities and improve mobile connectivity in a highlychallenging World Heritage City.”
The £773,132 government grant will fund the pilot scheme, which
will involve between 200 to 300 volunteers, from a broad mix of local communities, testing the new 5G network.
If successful, there would be an opportunity to open up the network to the wider public following consultation in mid2025. During a pilot phase, a specific SIM card will be provided for users to test the network and at least 200 high-spec handsets will be provided to volunteers to test the network’s resilience and performance in managing high demand in a dense environment.
Two indoor locations, the Roman Baths and Bath Rugby Stadium, have also been identified as options to install additional radio units to test the network to benefit customer experiences. The radio units will operate at a radio frequency of around 4 gigahertz, while wi-fi routers operate at 2.4 or 5 gigahertz for comparison.
Currently the scope of the initial pilot focuses on central Bath, but there could be potential for additional networks to be added to the high streets of Keynsham and Midsomer Norton, increasing the benefits of the improved digital connectivity, coverage and speed across the authority area.
The Bath for Safe Technology campaign group has raised concerns about whether the trials will be truly safe and effective. On Sunday 7th July, they held a protest outside the Guildhall.
Bath City FC
Honorary degree for Olympic swimming coach
OLYMPIC swimming coach
David McNulty has said he is proud to accept the award of an honorary degree from the University of Bath, the institution where he has delivered his globallyrenowned training programme for the past 16 years.
David McNulty, who was heading to Paris this week for his sixth Games as part of the Team GB coaching staff, has guided swimmers – including reigning champions Tom Dean and Freya Anderson – to 11 Olympic medals during his time as Head Coach of the Aquatics GB Bath Performance Centre. McNulty, who was recently awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours, will be officially presented with the honorary degree during the winter graduation ceremonies. He has been based at the Team Bath Sports Training
Village (STV) since 2008 and has worked closely with the university throughout that time, particularly Director of Sport Stephen Baddeley, to ensure the swimming facilities are worldclass.
David McNulty has also made a significant contribution to the university’s reputation as one of the UK’s leading highperformance sport venues and the doctorate is the second recognition bestowed on him, following his induction into the University of Bath Hall of Fame for Sport in 2022.
He said: “Thank you to the University of Bath for this honour.
I’ve been here for 16 years and never tire of that feeling of walking into the STV, past the Hall of Fame and Team Bath Gym which is always busy.
“The great thing about the university and the STV is there are lots of sports under one roof and it is a true high-performance environment, while also having the buzz that comes from being on campus and using the
same facilities as the students, staff and public. I have always received tremendous support from the University of Bath. I have everything I need to deliver high-performance success and I wouldn’t want to be in any other place.”
Stephen Baddeley, who nominated him for the honorary degree, said: “David is a worthy recipient of this recognition. He is a pleasure to work with and has contributed so much to the university’s sporting culture, setting the standards for others to aspire to. He is also a hugelypopular figure around the STV and a fantastic advocate for the university.” Meanwhile the summer
graduation ceremonies took place last week, during which Leah Crisp, who is part of the Bath Performance Centre squad and will make her Olympic debut at Paris 2024 in marathon swimming, officially graduated in Economics and Mathematics.
Other prominent studentathletes graduating this summer include Future Roses netballer Hannah Passmore (Criminology) and Welsh Rugby international Archie Griffin (Sports Performance).
The University of Bath is one of just eight UK Sport-accredited Elite Training Centres in the country, recognising its role in helping Team GB and ParalympicsGB athletes and coaches achieve their full performance potential.
More than 20 athletes who train or study at the University of Bath have been selected to compete at this summer’s Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games including five members of McNulty’s Bath Performance Centre squad –Anderson, Crisp, Dean, Kieran Bird and Jacob Whittle.
Late call-up to the Modern Pentathlon squad
A STUDENT from the University of Bath has been called into the Team GB Modern Pentathlon squad for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as an injury replacement for team-mate Myles Pillage.
Charlie Brown, who studies Sports Management and Coaching, will make his Olympic debut alongside reigning champion Joe Choong in the men’s competition, which starts on Thursday 8th August with the final two days later.
The 21-year-old, who began studying and training at the
university in September 2021, the month after Choong and Kate French won Olympic gold in Tokyo, said: “I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity.
“To compete at an Olympic Games this early on in my career is something I am very proud of. I am extremely gutted for my team-mate and friend, Myles.
He is an incredible athlete who works exceptionally hard and I wish him all the best with his recovery.
“I have worked really hard over the last few years leading up to Paris, with the aim to compete
for Team GB for the Los Angeles 2028 Games. My results have really accelerated since my senior debut 18 months ago and I am so excited to represent Team GB and give it all I’ve got for the team.”
Pillage, a Biochemistry graduate, sustained a calf injury at the World Championships four weeks ago and, despite intensive rehabilitation, re-injured his calf upon returning to training.
Team GB Modern Pentathlon team leader Georgina Harland MBE said: “For Myles to have his dream of competing at the
Crossword answers - Issue 082 (12/07/2024)
Olympic Games taken away from him due to injury is devastating.
He has been such a valued member of the Performance squad throughout his career and fully deserved his place in Paris. We all wish him well in his recovery and will do all we can to support him through this.
“This has given Charlie an incredible opportunity which I know he will grasp.
“He is a great athlete with so much potential and has been preparing alongside the team, so we are confident he is ready to perform.”
Across: 8 Second year, 9 Buoy, 10 A s a p, 11 Ocean floor, 12 Thirst, 13 Hathaway, 15 Closer and closer, 18 Abingdon, 20 Sundae, 21 Programmer, 23 Edit, 24 Semi, 25 Even better.
