Bath Echo - Issue 100 - 28/03/2025

ECHO

Friday 28th March - Thursday 10th April 2025

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Issue No. 100

Local air ambulance costs rise to £5m/year Page 20

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We're proud to be celebrating our 100th issue!

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JOLLY'S TO REOPEN

Historic store to return in 2026 after millions spent on repairs - P3

ECHO ECHO Parade Gardens' entry fee to be scrapped following pilot - P4

Nominations are now open for our first ever community awards! P10

Plans for Locksbrook Road tip recommended for approval - P5

Panel backs decision to keep Sydney Road restriction - P6

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Celebrating 100 issues of the Bath Echo newspaper

In this issue...

Top Stories

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Pictures from the Past

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Crossword

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Food & Drink

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What's On

P16

Community

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Health

P20

Education

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Business

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Politics

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Sports & Fixtures

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Our front covers from issue 001 in August 2019 through to issue 099, published on 14th March 2025

Sebastian Hawker Editor

A

S you may have noticed, we've reached a special milestone here at the Bath Echo - our 100th issue.

Looking back over the past five years that we've been in print, there have certainly been some highs and lows, including the COVID-19 pandemic just months after we launched, taking on our dedicated offices for our team in Weston village in 2022, and acquiring nearby title The Week In back in January 2024.

Over the past 100 issues, we've covered a vast array of stories that impact many of us, from the introduction of Bath's Clean Air Zone, through to the implementation of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) and the proposed Stadium for Bath at the Recreation Ground.

It's very important to say we wouldn't have reached this point without our readers, advertisers

and supporters. Most importantly are our family and friends, who have to put up with us jumping in the car at all hours of the day to cover a breaking news story!

Thankfully this doesn't happen

to our readers. At a time when newspapers across the country are continuing to increase their cover prices, or add paywalls to their digital services, our small team are working harder than

The Echo team: Becky Feather, Leah Hamilton, Sebastian Hawker and Rob Last

all that often, but we do what we can to ensure our coverage of what's happening in Bath is the best it can be.

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Our only source of income is from advertising, so if you have the opportunity to promote your

business of event on our website or here in print, please do get in touch - it's certainly more budgetfriendly than you may think.

From writing news stories, selling advertising, compiling the newspaper, having it printed and then distributed across Bath, I'm incredibly proud of what we achieve between us every fortnight - I promise you it comes round very quickly. How is it the end of March already? I'm sure it was only just the New Year!

I know many of you enjoy picking up the newspaper and are regular readers, some of you are already subscribers and take advantage of the newspaper being delivered through your door. To all of you, thank you for your support.

This November sees us mark another milestone, as it will be the Bath Echo's 10th birthday.

This, along with our 100th issue, makes 2025 a very special year.

We've chosen this as our year to launch the Bath Echo Community Awards, so please do read more and get involved if you can.

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Issue 100

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Your City, Your News - Bath Echo

Morleys to take over Bath's historic Jolly’s store THE historic Jolly’s department store in Bath is set to reopen in spring 2026 after being taken over by Morleys Stores Ltd. Morleys operates eight department stores and offers a range of products across fashion, beauty and homewares.

The announcement comes following 18 months of talks between landlord Bath & North East Somerset Council and Morleys Stores.

Jolly’s closed its doors under former owner Frasers Group in February 2025.

The store will open in two phases with an initial launch in March 2026, followed by a full completion and grand opening in October.

Allan Winstanley, Chief Executive of Morleys Stores, said: “We are thrilled to start preparations to open up in Jolly’s and restore this heritage store to its former glory for Bath.

“Our business treats all our stores as unique independent stores, designed to serve their local community with curated and considered product collections and store experiences.

“We will strive to provide an outstanding shopping experience for the community of Bath and its visitors and I’m sure people will be pleased to know we are keeping the name Jolly’s.”

A programme of works by B&NES Council, costing millions of pounds, is currently taking place

Cllr Mark Elliott, Cllr Kevin Guy, Jess Merritt-Johns and Allan Winstanley

at the property on Milsom Street.

In November, the council’s cabinet member for resources, Councillor Mark Elliott, agreed to approve capital spending of £10 million into “properties within the Milsom Quarter Masterplan area”.

Work required at the property includes internal and external work such as re-roofing, repairs to external walls, extensive window and door repairs/replacement, stormwater repairs and upgrading, and the upgrade and replacement of mechanical, electrical and public health services installation.

Councillor Kevin Guy, leader at

B&NES Council, said: “Morleys Stores will bring an exciting shopping experience to residents and visitors alike and I am delighted to welcome the business to our vibrant city and to one of the most loved stores in Bath. Milsom Street has always been a very special shopping destination and Morleys Stores is a fantastic fit for the area.

Morleys’ decision complements the investment the council is making in the Milsom Quarter.

“The council has been working hard over the past 18 months to secure the future of this flagship store and a significant element of

the plan is to make it once again the anchor store for Milsom Street.”

Councillor Elliott added: “We set out the council’s commitment to the local economy in our tenyear Economic Strategy and this investment is a very positive recognition of the great retail offer our city has and the work the council has undertaken to support it.

“I join others in welcoming Morleys Stores to Bath.”

With strong demand for leading brands in the region, Morleys will introduce exclusive names never seen before in the city. The new Jolly’s store will feature a fullservice beauty experience and food and beverage offering.

Morleys says it prides itself on ensuring each store is uniquely tailored to serve its local community. In line with this commitment, Jess MerrittJohn, the former Jolly’s store manager, has been retained and will oversee a dedicated heritage space within Jolly’s throughout the renovation.

This space will showcase the store’s rich history and future, sharing plans, renovation updates, and introducing Morleys to Bath’s residents and visitors.

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Council set to spend millions repairing roof John Wimperis

Local Democracy Reporter

JOLLY’S new occupants say the store will be restored to its “former glory”, but there will be a year’s wait for the store to reopen while the council carries out multi-millionpound repairs to its roof.

Morleys' chief executive Allan Winstanley told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Jolly’s will be returned back to its former glory as a premium end branded department store.”

But the store will be closed for about a year first while essential restorative works are carried out on its roof by Bath & North East Somerset Council, which owns the building and is the store’s landlord.

Asked what the work would cost

the council, the council cabinet member for resources Mark Elliott said: “We honestly don’t know yet. It will be millions of pounds. We honestly don’t have a price yet.”

The storefronts of Jolly’s stretch for about 50 metres along Milsom Street and the shop runs all the way through the buildings to John Street, with a complicated maze of old pitched roofs, modern flat roofs, and glass roofs at various levels connecting the two.

Councillor Elliott said that most of the council’s spending would be on the roof, while interior work such as the new fit-out will be largely covered by Morleys.

The building is expected to be handed over to Morleys in February 2026, ready for an initial opening of part of the building in March 2026.

B&NES Council leader Kevin Guy

said: “Milsom Street has always been a very special shopping destination and Morleys Stores is a fantastic fit for the area.

“Morleys’ decision complements the investment the council is making in the Milsom Quarter.”

The announcement that Morleys would be taking the shop came just weeks after Frasers closed the store, but the council said it had been in talks with Morleys for 18 months about taking it over.

Councillor Guy told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “We have been working very hard because we knew House of Fraser was struggling.”

Morleys was founded in 1927 and has seven other department stores in London and Newbury.

Despite the difficult economic climate for the high street, Mr Winstanley said: “We trade well.

“We are a community-based

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store chain. We are not reliant too much online; it’s a smaller part of our business. We are actually a brick-and-mortar classic retailer but we are very customerfocused and we are very servicefocused as well. We provide high service which our brand partners appreciate.”

James Jolly founded his drapery store in Kent in 1811 and opened his first store in Bath in 1823.

Since then, the department store has become Bath’s most iconic shopping destination.

Jess Merritt-John, the store’s former manager, said that former staff were keen to return to the store. She said: “I have got a queue of people who are desperate to come back.”

She added: “I think they feel very passionate about it being the best department store it could possibly be.”

News in Brief Bath charity seeks IT donations Bath Area Play Project, a charity which works with children and young people who are disabled or have additional needs, is on the hunt for donations of computers, monitors and laptops for its office staff. It says: “A lot of our computers, particularly our monitors, are very old and are not fit for purpose, and due to cuts in funding we're having to prioritise this money elsewhere.

“If any businesses or individuals have any old computers/ monitors/laptops that you would like to donate, please email lottiecypn@bathareaplayproject. co.uk for more details.”

Cash and jewellery stolen during burglary A flat above a commercial property on Corston Lane in Corston was burgled between 6.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday 22nd March. The window of the back door was forced to gain entry. Cash and jewellery were stolen. If you have any information about this incident, especially CCTV images, call the police on 101, giving reference number 5225083989.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Two new zebra crossings installed Two new zebra crossings, at St Luke’s Road and Englishcombe Lane, have been installed on Bloomfield Road in Bath to help improve safety for pedestrians.

Weather Forecast Fri 28th Sat 29th Sun 30th Mon 31st Tue 1st Wed 2nd Thu 3rd

13°c 12°c 16°c 17°c 18°c 20°c 20°c

Long range forecast:

      

(4th to 10th April) Expected to be mostly dry with clear or sunny spells during the start of the month, warming up with a chance of unsettled weather with rain at times.

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Friday 28th March - Thursday 10th April 2025

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Parade Gardens' entry fee to be scrapped following pilot event

Sunny weather blamed for dead fish in canal

THE entrance fee to visit Parade Gardens in the centre of Bath will be removed for the coming year following a successful pilot event.

The move comes after an ‘open doors’ event was held during the October 2024 half term, which attracted more than 29,000 visitors to the park.

The pleasure gardens, which provide a home for community events, weddings and bandstand performances, and the Colonnades were opened for Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Bath Central Riverside regeneration project to trial the gardens being accessible to everyone.

The October event allowed visitors to explore the Gardens, Colonnades, Undercroft and vaults under Grand Parade, and the Medieval East Gate on Boat Stall Lane, with activities including sculpture from local artists, a pop-up living maze and a winter garden installation.

Footfall exceeded expectations with more than 29,000 people visiting Parade Gardens over eight days, including 803 visitors in one hour at its peak.

The council is now trialling the removal of the entrance fee, currently £2.50 for adults and £1.50 for children and

RECENT sunny weather has been blamed for the algal bloom which saw a significant number of fish found dead in the Kennet and Avon Canal through Bath.

Members of the public took to social media last week to share their concerns after a large number of dead fish were taken from the water.

The Canal & River Trust, which looks after the stretch of the canal, said it had been monitoring the situation after being made aware, and had been investigating the cause.

The Environment Agency confirmed that the warm and sunny weather had caused an increase in algae in the water, which consumes high levels of oxygen, leading to areas where aquatic life cannot survive.

Specialist equipment was readied to help increase oxygen levels within the water and carry out fish rescue if necessary.

A spokesperson for the charity Canal & River Trust said: “Thank you to everyone who has shown concern for the fish in the canal.

It is always very upsetting to see wildlife in distress.

“The Environment Agency has confirmed that, in this instance, the issue is a naturally occurring algal bloom caused by the recent prolonged sunny weather.

concessions, for this coming year.

Fees are usually chargeable from Easter to the end of October.

The move aims to make Parade Gardens accessible and inclusive for everyone, as well as test the effect of free entry on footfall, over a longer period.

The council is also planning to open the Colonnades once again for visitors during the weekend of 30th May and 1st June, alongside a food and drink outlet.

A coffee cart piloted at the open doors event run by Chandos Deli reported higher sales than expected.

Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said: “We are extremely proud of the iconic Parade Gardens which are renowned for their stunning flowerbed displays, magnificent views of Pulteney Weir and Bath Abbey

and being the location for many romantic weddings.

“We are pleased to announce that we are trialling making them more accessible for everyone by removing the entrance fee this year from April.”

Councillor Paul Roper, cabinet member for economic and cultural sustainable development, added: “Our ‘open doors’ event last October was hugely popular across the board, with some visitors expressing support for making Parade Gardens free for everyone.

“Thank you to all our partner organisations who helped make the event such a resounding success.

“Revealing hidden histories of the Colonnades and other spaces clearly captured public imagination and we plan to build on this interest by providing more exciting activities in the gardens later this year.”

Bath Central Riverside was awarded £548,000 of grant funding from the West of England Combined Authority in 2023 with £232,000 of match funding from the council.

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Library image

“Algal blooms can cause oxygen concentrations in the water to drop which has unfortunately caused a number of fish to die.

“Our charity has been monitoring the situation since the first reports of dead fish, and due to the unusually warm and sunny weather we became increasingly concerned for fish welfare and so were on site with specialist equipment ready to aerate the water and carry out a fish rescue.

Fortunately this wasn’t required.

“We recovered all dead fish present, but there is a chance that some may be seen in the canal over the next few days.

“So please do not be alarmed if you see a few dead fish, but if you see lots then please contact the Canal & River Trust emergency number on 0800 47 999 47 or the Environment Agency on 0800 80 70 60.

“We are hopeful that the situation will return to “normal”, but our charity will remain vigilant until we are sure.”

Issue 100

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Plans for tip at Locksbrook Road recommended for approval Becky Feather Reporter

CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new council recycling centre at Locksbrook Road in Bath are being recommended for approval.

The site is lined up to replace the recycling centre at Midland Road, where there is planning approval for 176 new affordable and market homes.

Bath & North East Somerset Council has said the Locksbrook Road site was chosen after more than 50 others within and around the city had been considered, but there have been 189 objections.

The site currently comprises the council’s street cleansing depot and a car park used by the nearby VW garage. The proposals involve a change of use and operational development of the site whilst retaining the street cleansing operation.

The Liberal Democrat-controlled council made manifesto commitments to improve recycling rates, prioritise the climate emergency and provide a like-for-like replacement for the site at Midland Road.

But concerns have been raised which include increased traffic congestion, noise, accessibility, site safety, the impact on jobs, growth and the local economy, flooding and environmental health.

The case planning officer says the proposed recycling centre is unlikely to have any significant impact on local roads and access and parking arrangements are acceptable; neither is it considered that the plans will lead to unacceptable noise for local residents, or harm air quality.

Odour will be “negligible” beyond the site boundary, the environmental monitoring officer is satisfied with the gull management strategy, and the plans are said to be policycompliant in terms of flooding and drainage.

A biodiversity gain and habitat management plan will be secured by condition of any permission.

Rather than the decision being delegated to a council planning officer, Liberal Democrat ward councillors Samantha Kelly and Michelle O’Doherty (Newbridge) and Paul Roper and George Tomlin (Kingsmead) asked that the planning committee considers the proposals.

Planning committee chair

How the redeveloped site could look | Image © B&NES Council

Councillor Ian Halsall (Liberal Democrat, Westmoreland) and vice chair Councillor Lucy Hodge (Liberal Democrat, Lansdown) have agreed.

The Bath Echo reported last autumn that the council was warned it would face a legal challenge if the plans were approved.

Andy Ridings, of Waste Recycling @ Bath Ltd at Odd Down, said the council’s cabinet had unanimously agreed three years before that his facility was the only suitable replacement for Midland Road centre.

The Stop the Locksbrook Tip residents’ group has welcomed the decision to call in the application for debate but said it was “deeply disappointed” that the case officer has recommended the application for approval.

“Decisions like these always rest on narrow, technical grounds and ignore the bigger picture: increased flood risk, rising emissions, the use of a gantry system with increased risks for aged and disabled residents, and a dramatic reduction in recycling provision. Ultimately, the real problem with these plans is political and beyond the technical review of the case officer: the Lib Dems have gone for a cheap solution and B&NES taxpayers will pay the price, as too will all local businesses that united together to publicly condemn the plans as a threat to the viability of their operations.”

The campaign group said that the new National Flood Risk Assessment, which shows that far

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more of this already flood-prone site is now classified as medium and high risk, has been ignored.

It added: “The officer’s report references a site selection process, but where is it? Sadly, B&NES has refused to release this document despite multiple Freedom of Information requests.

“Council officers have repeatedly promised to share it but never have. In its response to a recent FoI request, B&NES admitted that the last site selection process actually took place in 2021.

residents a ‘like-for-like’ replacement for Midland Road, but the proposed plans deliver nothing of the sort. The new site will only accept nine categories of waste, down from 31 at Midland Road.

“This means residents can no longer recycle batteries, paint, textiles, cooking oil, light bulbs, furniture, electrical goods, and more.

“As kerbside collections charge for many of these categories of goods, or fail to collect them when

Protestors outside the proposed recycling site on Locksbrook Road

“And we all know the result of this process, as B&NES helpfully told us: ‘Previous option assessments and sequential testing of sites only point to a single location suitable for the permanent relocation of a full replacement for the Midland Road Household recycling centre at Odd Down.’

“So why is B&NES recommending Locksbrook? What changed? And why is the council so desperate to keep this information secret?

“B&NES has repeatedly promised

left out, residents will be forced to drive miles out of Bath to Pixash Lane (at Keynsham) to do their civic duty, adding to congestion, pollution, and carbon emissions.

“This council declared a climate emergency and yet it is deliberately pursuing a plan that increases emissions. It says one thing and does another.

“So far, nearly £500,000 of public money has been spent on this disastrous project. And with a total budget of £840,000,

that’s nearly a million pounds of taxpayer money wasted on a site that fails on flood-risk grounds, reduces recycling provision instead of improving it, and increases emissions and congestion in the middle of a climate emergency.

“How much more will be wasted before B&NES admits it has got this wrong? If the planning committee approves these plans, the next step is court action.

Residents and business have already publicly committed to pursuing judicial review and council defending this legal action will add to the total of public funds being wasted on this project.

“The Lib Dems really have to take responsibility and do a complete rethink on this recycling centre.

This isn’t just bad planning. It’s actively harmful to the local economy.

“Nineteen local businesses, including Bath Spa University and Horstman Group, have publicly opposed the plans.

These businesses contribute hundreds of millions of pounds to Bath’s economy and support thousands of local jobs.

“They say that the proposed tip will reduce access, increase congestion, and remove vital parking, making it harder for businesses to operate.

“This directly contradicts B&NES’s own planning policies, which earmark Locksbrook as a hub for productive enterprise and creative industry.

“Even the council’s own economic strategy says this site should be supporting businesses, not driving them away.

“This is a reckless, hypocritical, and economically damaging proposal that ignores flood risk, environmental impact, and the needs of local residents and businesses.

“The planning committee now has the chance to look at the facts afresh, listen to the evidence, and reject this indefensible plan.

“We urge them to do the right thing.”

The planning committee next meets on Wednesday 9th April.

As the planning application is being made by Bath & North East Somerset Council, a spokesperson for the local authority declined to comment on the recommendation for approval.

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Friday 28th March - Thursday 10th April 2025

Scrutiny panel backs decision to keep Sydney Road restriction Becky Feather Reporter

THE decision to make an experimental through-traffic restriction in New Sydney Place and Sydney Road permanent has been upheld by a panel of councillors – but could face a legal challenge.

A Bath & North East Somerset Council scrutiny panel met on 13th March to review the decision made last month by Councillor Mark Elliott, Liberal Democrat cabinet member for resources, to make the Liveable Neighbourhood (LN) scheme permanent.

Twelve opposition councillors requested the call-in. Councillor Shaun Hughes (Independent, Midsomer Norton), who was one of them, addressed the panel at the start of the meeting, saying: “Public perception is that this council has designed a scheme that benefits a minority of more affluent residents, rather than the majority.”

He added: “My hope is that today’s call-in will adopt a common sense, non-political approach as the alternatives such as judicial reviews are not in anyone’s interests especially this council.”

The trial was installed last April under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO).

Bollards prevent drivers from cutting through to avoid the A36/ Bathwick Street junction.

Speakers in favour of the LN at the meeting included travel behaviour change expert Sarah Toy who said: “To make Bath’s streets safer and healthier, there needs to be change and that change can only come from car drivers.”

She said the Sydney Road filter has seen people changing their behaviour “as evidenced by the 3,000 vehicles per day that have disappeared”.

She continued: “The neighbourhood is measurably safer, quieter, cleaner and more convivial, with more children walking to school via Sydney Road. These are markers of the success as set out in the council’s original scheme criteria.”

She added: “As a transport professional, I am confident the council’s consultation process has been robust, fair and inclusive. The reason for calling in this scheme is political, not evidence-based. The vocal minority campaign against has been delivered in an aggressive and bullying way which I know has frightened people away from publicly supporting the scheme.”

One of the other speakers in favour of the LN was Alistair Gavin Douglas who said he and his wife remembered the many “perceived inconveniences” when previous Bath access roads were changed, for example Union Street and the Royal Crescent, which are now “sacrosanct” for preserving a safe space for pedestrians, the disabled and cyclists.

Robin Allan there are “green shoots of progress” from the ETRO, with over 70% of children at the local primary now walking to school, while at King Edward’s School in North Road, transport services have been adapted and this has already delivered a 30% increase, removing a lot of car drop-offs and pick-ups.

Speakers against the LN being made permanent included Dr Ian Orpen from Bathampton who until three years ago owned a property in Sydney Road.

He said the engagement process fails the legal standard known as the Wednesbury principle and the consultation is likely in breach of the Equality Act because of an inadequate Equalities Impact Assessment (EQIA).

He called for further engagement which would remove the road closure and replace it with traffic calming measures which would still deliver a LN “but without the harmful consequences of the current arrangement of displaced traffic onto boundary roads”.

Neil McCabe from UNSUNG – the United Sydney Unliveable Neighbourhoods Group – said the council’s “failures” in closing the Sydney Road branch of the A36 leave it “wide open” to legal challenge.

He said: “Data for the last 25 years show the A36 Sydney Road branch carried one third of A36 traffic much more safely than the Beckford Road branch. In addition, traffic has increase 20% to 50% on highly unsuitable roads such as North Road and Sham Castle Lane.

“B&NES has therefore deliberately breached its legal obligation to secure safe traffic movement by pushing traffic onto less safe routes.”

He said perhaps the most damning evidence in court would be that of the head of Bathwick St Mary Church Primary School who “believes it is imperative to reopen Sydney Road to keep children safe”.

Mr McCabe urged any decision on the ETRO to be deferred until the full effect of traffic resuming on the A36 has been analysed, and the council has assessed its “liabilities”.

Bathwick resident Jon Avent listed 12 “failures” of the council, including to engage, listen and consult effectively with local residents, to deliver net benefit by ignoring significant congestion and increasing the safety risk on boundary roads, and to achieve public support.

He claimed cabinet members and the LN team have failed to act in line with the Nolan Principles (standards in public life) and that council leader Councillor Kevin Guy (Liberal Democrat, Bathavon North) is “open to scrutiny”.

Mr Avent said Councillor Guy had written to a Sydney Place resident confirming his “personal commitment” to deliver the scheme and had mentioned that Councillor Manda Rigby (Liberal Democrat cabinet member for highways who represents Bathwick) “could not

The bollards on Sydney Road in Bath

have worked harder” to keep the project at the top of the list.

Mr Avent said: “Despite the scheme being 12th on the shortlist with marginal, if any, benefit in delegating authority to Councillor Rigby, the scheme suddenly became the fourth to be rolled out. This was clearly a politically-driven fait accompli, led by Councillor Guy.” Lead call-in member Councillor Colin Blackburn (Independent, Westmoreland) told the panel: “I was first made aware of this LN in late 2023 when a ‘closed’ consultation was taking place, directed at only a select few properties, all in line to benefit from this road closure, not a modal filter or other method of improvement previously discussed when this area was consulted on more generally.

“I was surprised, to say the least, that this even appeared on the horizon – seemingly bumped up the list after a private email between the council leader and a resident; promises were made. I wasn’t as surprised though as the hundreds of residents this was about to affect, who had no idea what their elected council was up to.”

Councillor Blackburn added: “An LN is meant to bring improvements to air quality, not pass it on and increase it elsewhere.” He said there had been “manipulation of consultations and data”.

Councillor Elliott told the panel: “A key part of the LN policy is to keep through traffic off minor roads and on main roads. This scheme obviously achieves that.

“It has been implemented correctly, legally. That is the advice from our legal team. So, the only question becomes does the disadvantages of the scheme outweigh the meeting of the policy aim. The data shows the disadvantages of the scheme are not significant… I therefore decided to agree with the officer recommendation and make the scheme permanent.”

It had been claimed at a recent public meeting that the council would have to repay the cost of the project – £306,000 – to the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) if it wasn’t pursued, but Councillor Elliott

said that is not the case.

He also told the panel: “All the elements of the scheme are temporary, contrary to what has been said. For example, the build-out at the bottom of North Road will have some adaptions for cyclists.”

He said his decision couldn’t be delayed because of the purdah period in advance of the West of England Mayoral election on 1st May; after the election would be too late to accord with the ETRO’s 18-month timescale.

Councillor Elliott called the decision “constitutional” and said it has been the council’s most consulted-on programme.

He said: “WECA told us to stop consulting and get on with it.”

He acknowledged the 76% against the scheme from the wider area but said that crucially within the neighbourhood directly impacted by the scheme, 72% of residents support the measures.

He said Beckford Road has experienced a 35% to 40% increase in traffic which has only translated into journey times being between five and 13 seconds longer.

The longest is 50 seconds in peak hours on Bathwick Street.

He added that the data clearly shows that concerns about traffic displacement have been “exaggerated” and can be effectively mitigated; trial data had been “independently verified”, and the council had not relied on data collected when the A36 was closed.

He dismissed insinuations that there has been anything other than “sound decision-making”.

Councillor Elliott added that assertions made by First about delays to bus services “are not backed up by evidence” for this scheme. He also highlighted its strong economic value and said active travel has already increased by 18%.

He said there is no evidence showing business losses directly due to this scheme, and the council remains committed to working with businesses to support any adaptations needed.

The cabinet member also said the recent announcement that a government study says lorries and motorway traffic heading to the south coast should avoid Bath

and go via Wiltshire means traffic will likely significantly reduce on the A36 in the city.

How the panel voted The panel faced three options: to agree with the call-in and ask Councillor Elliott to reconsider, to ask for the decision to go to full council, or to reject it.

Panel member and Labour group leader Councillor Robin Moss, (Westfield), said it was the second time in 13 months that the panel had visited issues around LTNs (the first being Southlands at Weston) and on both occasions the need for a circulation plan for Bath had been highlighted.

Councillor Joanna Wright (Green Party, Lambridge) brought forward the policy of LNs on the council at the time when she was a member of the Liberal Democrats.

She said it was about getting the right measure in the right place and a circulation plan for the city is needed as there is no coherent joined-up thinking.

Councillor June Player (Independent, Westmoreland) said so many residents feel not engaged and urged the panel to call for the decision to be reconsidered.

Councillor Jess David (Liberal Democrat, Moorlands) felt a “reasonable decision” had been made by Councillor Elliott. She said the divisiveness caused was regrettable and that a city plan would supply a framework.

Panel chair Councillor Andy Wait (Liberal Democrat, Keynsham East), said he was impressed with the passion of the speakers, particularly Alistair Gavin Douglas, and said the centre of Bath is far better now.

He supported the dismissal of the call-in, saying: “We are trying to educate people to move away from the motor car.”

The panel’s six Liberal Democrat members voted to dismiss the call-in. Councillors Player and Moss agreed with it and Councillor Wright abstained.

After the meeting, Councillor Elliott said: “I am pleased the panel dismissed the call-in, having heard that the decision had been made after careful consideration, with the right processes in place and following wide consultation.”

‘We have lawyers involved’ Neil McCabe, spokesperson for UNSUNG, said he was “disappointed” at the decision, but it was not unexpected.

“This is very much framed by the proponent as motorist versus pedestrian. They’ve completed ignored all of the residents getting the additional traffic going around the area.

“The next step is to seek our options on legal action terms of whether this was an unreasonable decision in terms of Wednesbury, if they have breached transport law and if they have breached the Equality Act. “We do have lawyers involved in this who think we are chances of success are pretty good.”

UNSUNG is currently fundraising for a legal challenge.

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Overnight closures for Milsom Quarter scheme exploratory works

£60m spend thanks to Bath Christmas Market

OVERNIGHT road closures will be taking place in the centre of Bath in April as part of efforts to create a new public space outside St Michael’s Church on Broad Street.

The Milsom Quarter Public Realm (MQPR) scheme is part of B&NES Council’s Milsom Quarter Masterplan, a wider project to bring a new Fashion Museum to the Old Post Office building, more housing, improved streets and public spaces and to attract more creative makers and retailers.

The scheme will initially improve public spaces to complement the environment and create green spaces, including a new public square at the front of the new Fashion Museum and St Michael’s Church.

It is hoped the scheme will provide better space for people around the proposed Fashion Museum, as well as creating an outdoor space for events.

Initial ideas for the Milsom Quarter were consulted on in May 2024, following on from the Masterplan consultation in 2022 where feedback from public and stakeholders included: • Support for the removal of some private vehicles to create people-priority spaces.

• Need to ensure physical accessibility of the public space

THE 2024 Bath Christmas Market saw a £60.4 million associated spend in the city, along with a £41.5 million turnover for businesses and support for over 500 jobs, a survey has found.

An estimated 444,000 visitors to the annual event resulted in a strong economic boost for Bath, including a record-breaking number of local stallholders taking part.

A report on the survey commissioned by Bath & North East Somerset Council also found that the average visitor spend per person per day went up to more than £31 in 2024, compared with less than £27 in 2023.

73% of the overall visitors said the event was their main reason for visiting the city.

Visitors staying overnight in Bath during their visit to the Christmas Market stayed for an average of at least two nights. 91% of these said they would consider returning to Bath for a short break at another time of year.

The number of local residents made up 21% of the visitors, an increase on the previous two years. 58% of all visitors lived in the South West of England and 4% of visitors were from overseas.

The report found that whilst attendance was slightly lower in

An artist’s impression of the how the changes may look | Image © B&NES Council

through the Milsom Quarter, including for Blue Badge holders.

• Requests to improve the air quality and the environment in the Milsom Quarter.

• Support for greening of spaces in the city, whilst respecting the historic environment and ensuring accessibility.

The council is considering how traffic currently moves around the streets that surround the proposed public square and how this could be improved in line with the consultation feedback received. The exploratory surveys are expected to begin in April and are expected to take 20 nights.

Some roads will be closed overnight in phases, including New Bond Street, Broad Street, Milsom Street, Walcot Street and

adjacent roads.

Signage will be in place to inform motorists of the diversion routes.

The surveys will not require any digging or excavation.

Councillor Paul Roper, cabinet member for economic and cultural sustainable development, said: “Through the Milsom Quarter Public Realm scheme we are aiming to create a greener, accessible public space with plenty of community character, linking to the overall improved public realm around the new Fashion Museum.

“The area in front of the Old Post Office and St Michael’s Church is currently a busy intersection for traffic that isn’t welcoming or easy for pedestrians to navigate and we want to make it a place that people spend more time in.”

2024 compared to the 451,000 visitors in 2023, a peak day’s trading was lost when the market was forced to close on Saturday 7th December due to Storm Darragh.

The highest-ever number of traders were based in the South West at 85% of the 230 traders attending. 40% of the traders who signed up for first time were based in Bath and surrounding areas.

Paul Roper, cabinet member for economic and cultural sustainable development, said: “We are delighted to receive these results showing another successful and popular Bath Christmas Market which brings new money into the city and supports local trade.

“The overall £41.5 million turnover for businesses and more than 500 jobs supported wouldn’t have happened without this magical event taking place.

“Despite the loss of a peak Saturday’s trading due to storm events, it’s clear that the market continues to grow and we are looking forward to celebrating our 25th anniversary. Planning for Bath Christmas Market 2025 is already well under way and we hope to welcome many residents once again, as well as visitors from further afield.”

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South Stoke housing planning appeal dismissed by inspector John Wimperis

Local Democracy Reporter

A PLANNING inspector has ruled on the side of Bath & North East Somerset Council that developers should not be allowed to build 290 homes on beloved fields on the southern edge of Bath.

The Hignett Family Trust had wanted to build 290 homes, known as the “Sulis Down” development, on land they own on the South Stoke plateau.

B&NES Council’s planning committee went against the advice of their own officers to refuse planning permission in 2024.

The Hignett Family Trust said this was “chaotic” and “unreasonable” and appealed to the government’s Planning Inspectorate to overturn the decision.

The 290 homes would have included 40% affordable housing. However the Planning Inspectorate has said that councillors were right to refuse planning permission and has dismissed the appeal.

Alongside Bath & North East Somerset Council, campaigners South of Bath Alliance (SOBA) raised £13,000 and teamed up with South Stoke and Combe Hay parish councils, to send their own

lawyer to fight the plans.

The group said: “This is a major success for Bath & North East Somerset Council, South Stoke and Combe Hay parish councils and for the community members who have worked tirelessly over the past 12 years to oppose this excessive development.

“SOBA thanks the many volunteers who contributed specialist knowledge, distributed leaflets, and built community support.

“We appreciate the many financial contributions which enabled the parish councils, supported by SOBA, to participate in the appeal and ensure the community’s voice was heard.”

The planning inquiry sat for seven days in January and February.

Announcing his decision, planning inspector Tom GilbertWooldridge said: “The proposed development would be contrary to the development plan taken as a whole, and there are no material considerations to indicate that planning permission should otherwise be granted.”

The land where the Hignett Family Trust had wanted to build had been taken out of the Green Belt ten years ago for a “mixeduse” development of up to 300 homes.

171 homes had already been built there in the first phase of the development, meaning the

The South Stoke Plateau | Photo © Ned Garnett

new homes would exceed this figure by more than half, but the 300 homes figure is not a cap if all other placemaking strategies are met.

But Mr Gilbert-Wooldridge did not agree that all placemaking policies were met, as he warned it would have an adverse effect on the Cotswolds National Landscape.

He said: “It is unlikely that any amount of suitable planting would be sufficient to visually screen the housing during the day or night. Therefore, there

would be an adverse effect on the special qualities of the [Cotswolds National Landscape] in terms of views of the escarpment and high wolds landscape as well as dark skies.”

The fields are a beloved walking route for people living in South Stoke and Combe Down, with paths lacing across the field boundaries towards the Millennium Viewpoint.

However, in documents that were submitted to the inquiry, the agent for the Hignett Family Trust warned that all public access to

the fields would be blocked if the homes were refused.

A paragraph in one of their submissions said: “If the appeal is dismissed, that the appellant will then take immediate action to prevent further public access.

“That will take the form of closing access points, removing signage and replacing signage to clearly indicate that access is no longer permitted.”

Campaigners say they now expect the Hignett Family Trust will submit new plans, but they will stay vigilant.

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ECHO ECHO

We're shining a well-deserved spotlight on the people, groups and charities that make Bath such a special place to live!

Our city is rich in history, culture, and stunning architecture, but what truly makes it exceptional is its community - the dedicated individuals who go above and beyond to support, uplift, and inspire those around them.

The Bath Echo Community Awards have been created to recognise these unsung heroes - the volunteers who give their time selflessly, the charities that change lives, and the community groups that bring people together.

Whether it’s through acts of kindness, tireless campaigning, or innovative projects, each of our nominees will have made a meaningful impact on our city.

In a world where challenges can often seem overwhelming, these individuals remind us that positive change begins at a local level. Their efforts strengthen our neighbourhoods, provide support to those in need, and create a sense of belonging that defines our community spirit.

We're seeking nominations for seven different categories, created to celebrate the most deserving individuals and community groups. Whether it's a charity that has supported you or your family, a young person in your family who has gone above and beyond to give back to the community or a carer who has made such a difference to a person you know, we want to hear from you.

Our winners will be invited to an awards reception in central Bath on Thursday 24th July, where they will receive their trophy. They will also receive a prize of up to £500, as well as extra gifts thanks to our generous sponsors!

Nominations are now open, and you've only got until Tuesday 1st July to submit them. Don't miss out!

Once we receive all the nominations, a shortlist will be created and public voting opened to select our winners.

Find out more and submit your nomination at www.bathechoawards.com

Awards Timeline Friday 28th March: Bath Echo Awards launch!

Tuesday 1st July: Award nominations close Wednesday 2nd July: Nominee shortlist revealed Monday 7th July: Public shortlist closes Thursday 10th July: Winners are notified!

Thursday 24th July: Awards reception in Bath Friday 1st August: Winners revealed in issue 109!

If you're interested in sponsoring an award, providing a prize or want to get involved, please get in touch with Rob Last via rob@ mediabath.co.uk or give us a call on 01225 585484. We look forward to hearing from you.

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 Volunteer of the Year Marking the dedication given by a member of the Bath community to a local cause/s

 Young Person of the Year Sponsored by Bath College Celebrating a young person in Bath (12-16 years old) who has benefitted the community

Prize: £250

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 Carer of the Year  Public Service Award

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Whether it was saving a life or providing support, we want to celebrate someone who has made a difference

Celebrating the dedication provided by a resident who cares for others in the city

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Our Sponsors Headline Sponsor - Noad Roofing Noad Roofing Ltd is a family-owned business that has proudly served Bath and surrounding areas since the 1920s. For four generations, we have been dedicated to delivering premium residential roofing services. Our offerings include everything from minor repairs and complete roof replacements to leadwork projects, roofing carpentry, and bespoke roofing solutions tailored to each homeowner's needs.

We take immense pride in our craftsmanship and reputation. In our commitment to uphold our legacy, we feel it is important to actively engage with our community and support Bath's residents, proudly serving as headline sponsors of this awards programme to foster local partnerships.

Carer of the Year

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Stone King has been providing expert legal advice in Bath since 1785, and while it now operates nationally, it will always be rooted firmly in this beautiful city.

We take great pride in the work we do with Bath’s care providers, advising them on a wide range of matters so they can concentrate on the smooth running of the services that are so integral to supporting the local community.

We also advise individuals looking for help for themselves, relatives, friends, and carers of those who require support.

It is therefore our honour to sponsor Carer of the Year.

Bath College, located in the heart of Bath and North East Somerset, offers a vast array of courses, whether you are leaving school and taking your next steps towards your chosen career, considering upskilling in your current role, thinking about a career change, or simply wanting to acquire new skills.

We are delighted to sponsor the Young Person of the Year at The Bath Echo Community Awards 2025. The awards are a fantastic way to acknowledge the positive impact people have on our city.

As a water and sewerage company we provide essential services to 2.9 million customers across the south west of England.

Located in Bath, our Operations Centre provides a workspace for hundreds of our dedicated employees who also live in and around the area. Our Wessex Water Foundation also provides funding to projects that strengthen communities in Bath and beyond. This is why we are delighted to sponsor the Community Group of The Year award. We look forward to celebrating all the fantastic local community groups and recognising the great work they do for the city.

Submit Your Nomination or visit bathechoawards.com/nominate Your Details: (Fields labelled with a * are required)

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Pictures from the Past

Kirsten Elliott Akeman Press

The Golden Age of Motoring THIS week’s archive photograph dates from the early 1920s, when parking in Bath was not an issue.

The car was made by the Swift Motor Company at their Quinton Works in Coventry. The location is the Circus, little changed today apart from the removal of the railings that enclosed the central area, the covering over of the setts with tarmac and the absence of any other vehicles. The trees in the centre were over a hundred years younger as well. The identity of the proud owner of the vehicle – or his passenger – is unknown.

The Circus in Bath, around 100 years ago

COLUMN | Clare Moody, Labour Police and Crime Commissioner

I

RECENTLY welcomed the latest report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services into the effectiveness and efficiency of Avon and Somerset Police, published in February.

One of my main responsibilities as your Police and Crime Commissioner is the scrutiny and governance of the police service, which means monitoring and challenging the Chief Constable to ensure that Avon and Somerset Police is delivering an effective and efficient service to you and

our communities.

The Police Efficiency Effectiveness and Legitimacy Inspection, or PEEL as it is known, provides important additional evidence to support me in my scrutiny role and guide the focus of that scrutiny alongside the main oversight delivered through my Police and Crime Plan.

I’m pleased that the report noted that Avon and Somerset Police were found to be Good in two areas: preventing crime and police powers and public treatment. However, the report

highlighted that Avon and Somerset Police is only Adequate at developing a positive workplace and that their service Requires improvement in five areas: responding to the public; investigating crime; protecting vulnerable people; managing offenders and leadership and force management.

These are all key areas I have already identified for Avon and Somerset to focus on, and they are also within the five priorities of my Police and Crime Plan, which gives me confidence that

my plan is focusing on the right things to deliver a more effective and efficient service for you. I will continue to monitor closely the progress Avon and Somerset Police is making against all the Areas For Improvement (AFIs) within this report, paying particular attention to the observation regarding the same areas that still require improvement since the last HMICFRS PEEL inspection.

I asked the Chief Constable

questions around the report in a recent Police Question Time session, which was live streamed through Facebook, LinkedIn and added to YouTube.

You can find out more and watch the session back on my website – search ‘PQT’ www. avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk Please feel free to reach out to me and my office with any questions, concerns, or suggestions you may have at www.avonandsomersetpcc.gov.uk/contact

Issue 100

P13

Your City, Your News - Bath Echo

Crossword

Congratulations to James Matthews for winning £20!

You can find the answers to last issue's crossword on page 28

Complete our crossword for your chance to win £20!

Across 1 Ozone-destroying chemicals (4) 4 Committee leader (10) 9 Insolent (6) 10 Ultimate net value destroyed (8) 11 Indian independence advocate (6) 12 Hitting the horn (7) 14 Life story (9) 16 Kind of seaweed (4) 19 Common type of residence (4) 20 Its practitioners look up (9) 22 Tendered (7) 24 Lifts (6) 27 Loss of traction (8) 28 Loosened (6) 29 Overstate (10) 30 Cleanse (4)

Down 2 Developmental (9) 3 Covered with a sealing substance (5) 4 One who might have a guest for dinner (8) 5 In the sack (4) 6 Staggered (6) 7 Frank (9) 8 Once more (5) 13 Treasure holder (5) 15 Lab animal (6,3) 17 Without bounds (9) 18 Cinema distributed share-out (3,5) 21 Threaten (6) 23 Cartoon cat (5) 25 Accompanying (2,3) 26 Not fully developed software version (4)

Entering our competition - via email or post For your chance to win £20, submit your full name, postal address and answers by email to puzzles@bathecho.co.uk or via post to: Crossword Competition 2803, Bath Echo, PO Box 5395, Bath, BA1 0YA The winner will be the first randomly opened entry with the correct answers on 09/04/2025.

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Food & Drink

Sponsor this section!

Get in touch with Rob Last via rob@mediabath.co.uk

Melissa Blease

Food Writer

Tasty Dates For Your Diary New to lovely, lively Moorland Road: Aradaella, an authentic, wallet-friendly Mediterranean bistro (mezze, shawarma, fish, pastries, et al) served up in vibrant, welcoming surroundings. Give it a go! aradaella.netlify.app Race along to the Royal Crescent at 11am on Monday 7th April to cheer on teams of local Bath hospitality industry heroes who will be supporting the brilliant Hospitality Action initiative by participating in the unique Waiters' Relay Race… and starting the Bath Restaurant Week launch celebrations at the same time! https://bit.ly/4kWH1Eg Responding to popular demand, Noya’s Kitchen (St James’s Parade) have supplemented

their regular opening hours with lunch served from 12-3pm every Sunday, when dishes such as Summer Rolls, An’s Vietnamese Chicken Curry, Bún Bò, Cha Cá Cod Cheeks and Vietnameseinspired ice cream (from a regularly-changing menu) put a whole new spin on the joy of Sunday lunch. Booking highly recommended. www.noyaskitchen.co.uk Cool foodie haven the Beckford Canteen (Bartlett Street) will be presenting their very first Tasting Menu event on Thursday 10th April, when Head Chef Joe Lacey will present 5 seasonal courses for just £75pp. To make that allimportant booking, email iss@ beckfordcanteen.com or call 01225 338470. www.beckfordcanteen.com

Friday 11th April is Cheese Fondue Day! Who knew? Well you do, now - and Comptoir+Cuisine (George Street) have known all along; their amazing Savoyarde Fondue, made with Comté Gruyère, and Emmental, is the cheesiest dream you’ll ever encounter. Get yourself along to C+C on Cheese Fondue Day and enjoy 20% off all the fondues on the menu. www.comptoirpluscuisine.com Whodunnit? Only those who attend the Royal Crescent Hotel’s Regency-themed Murder Mystery Dinner celebrating Jane Austen’s 250th anniversary on Thursday 24th April will find out!

Indulge in a 3-course feast seated alongside key characters from Austen’s novels, and uncover tantalising clues between courses

to solve an unthinkable crime committed at Bath’s most iconic address. Want to dress the part?

Guests wearing regency attire are welcome! (from £120pp). https://bit.ly/41VYZy6 The first legal whisky and gin distillery on the Hebridean Isle of Raasay is (legally!) visiting the Hideout (Lilliput Court, North Parade Passage) on Thursday 24th April to present 5 of their legendary drams for your exclusive delectation, starting with a welcome cocktail to get the party started (£25pp plus £2.50 booking fee). https://bit.ly/41X6eFY Bath superchef Dan Moon/Yuzu is popping up at the Boston Tea Party (Kingsmead Square) on Friday 25th/Saturday 26th

April … and there’s more to this fabulous event than the fabulous food. The feast will support the wonderful Lily Foundation (www. thelilyfoundation.org.uk) which helps to fight mitochondrial disease, a life-limiting illness that affects thousands of families across the country.

Enjoy a stunning 7-course menu showcasing the best of spring’s fresh produce while supporting an amazing cause - what’s not to love? (£85pp). www.yuzubydanmoon.co.uk Melissa regularly reviews restaurants across Bath. www.theprandialplayground.uk Follow Melissa on X Find her @ThePigGuide

Recipe: Asparagus, Red Pepper and Goat’s Cheese Tart It’s time to ditch the stodgy comfort food and revitalise your menus with lighter, brighter seasonal dishes… and, perhaps, start planning some alfresco dining fun in the sun?

If double cream is a little too indulgent for your tastes, use a reduced fat variety, or even reduced fat crème fraîche. And if you’re not a fan of goat’s cheese, feta works well too. Go on - spring out!

Ingredients (serves 6) • 1 x 320g sheet of ready-rolled, all-butter shortcrust pastry • 1 x bunch of asparagus (around 200g), chopped into bite-sized pieces • 1 red pepper, seeded, roasted and chopped into bite-sized pieces (or, use the jarred variety) • 4 spring onions, finely sliced • 3 large eggs • 280ml double cream • ½ a bunch of fresh chives, finely chopped • 100g goat’s cheese, sliced or cut into small pieces Serving suggestion: new potatoes; steamed new season spinach

Method • Preheat the oven to 190c/gas mark 5 and line a lightly-greased 23cm fluted flan/tart tin with the pastry, trimming the overhang to create a neat edge.

• Cover the pastry case with baking paper, fill with baking beans or uncooked rice and bake for 15 minutes before removing the baking paper and beans (or rice) and baking for another 8-10 minutes or so, until the pastry is lightly golden brown.

• Remove the pastry case from the oven, set to one side, reduce the oven heat to 180c/gas mark 4 and preheat a baking tray.

• Blanch the asparagus (including the tips) in a pan of boiling salted water for 2 minutes, drain into a large sieve and refresh under cold running water. Pat the asparagus with kitchen paper to remove any excess water and tip into a large bowl with the spring onions and roasted red pepper. Stir to combine and scatter across the base of the pastry case.

• Whisk the eggs, cream, chives and seasoning together in a jug, gently pour the mixture across the vegetables and dot the goat’s cheese across the top.

• Bake the tart on the preheated baking tray for 30-40 minutes or until the filling is lightly set (a bit of ‘wobble’ is good) and golden brown on top.

• Allow to stand for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serve with new potatoes and steamed, new season spinach.

Issue 100

Review

Bardacious, Quiet Street

8-9 Quiet Street Bath BA1 2JN 01225 698600 www.bardacious.co.uk Swerving all those careworn clichés that Mexican restaurants in the UK force-feed us (y’know: dodgy folk art knick knackery; neon signs telling us to “salsa your way to happiness”; plastic cacti everywhere) in favour of a cool modern vibe that’s far more downtown Santa Monica than uptown Bath, Bardacious feels fresh, new, authentic and exciting from the get-go: shiny and dynamic, with a subtly exciting vibe.

You can tell from the super-smart array of tacos, quesadillas, salads, ceviches et al - let alone the clear views into an open kitchen at the rear - that there couldn’t possibly be any behind-the-scenes shenanigans involving freezerto-plate sorcery or ingredients of mysterious provenance here.

The abundance of fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, fish and seafood, mellow spice, piquant pickles and vibrant herbs is attention-grabbing in the liveliest possible way; you just know that not only is this food that’s good to eat, but food that’s good for us to eat too.

On the drinks front, the restaurant even has its very own Agaveria

P15 15

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The utterly delightful ceviche tostada at Bardacious

(the agave plant being the source of Tequila and Mezcal) putting its in-house brand of ultra-premium Tequila (Uxmal) front and centre alongside an array of premium spirits, with fruit juices that are 100% freshly pressed on-site in every muddle-up.

It’s all very grown up yet laden with cross-generational appeal (and by the way, kids under 11 eat free here all day MondayThursday)... and great fun for people who are serious about eating really, properly good food.

Following the restaurant’s recommendation to mix’n’match three dishes each from the sharing array on the left side of the menu (one-pot rice and

salad bowls, ready-to-roll sharing platters and hearty burgers/ steaks dominate the right hand side), we started with two small plates: crispy calamari in a light batter reminiscent of doughnut batter but without the stodge, and an utterly delightful ceviche tostada featuring pinky-soft tuna, a chilli-mango salsa and liberal sprinkling of pomegranate jewels served on an earthy tortilla.

On from that, two quesadillas: a classic birria (slow-cooked brisket) with smoky salsa rosa adding yet more depth to the already deeply umami, super-soft beef with feta cheese bringing a radiance to the whole affair, and an equally complex herb

chicken variety, fully-loaded with mozzarella, super-herbaceous salsa verde and a groovy limejalapeno slaw, both served on corn tortillas; we were already on the guest list for fascinating foodie heaven.

But the tacos, for me, really told the Bardacious kitchen’s tale in full: buttery, nutty sesame tuna crudo, the sweetness of the fish offset by red cabbage and lively pickled ginger, and a glamorous lobster and whole, crispy soft shell crab incarnation perfectly partnered with subtly seasoned Tajin mayonnaise and pickled apple/fennel slaw that, though both characterful in their own

right, still allowed the creamy, delicate personality of the seafood to stand front and centre.

Cocktails? Oh please, don’t overlook them; my Spicy Margerita in particular floated my good times boat with spice, citrus and smoke, working together in perfect harmony. Churros?

Oh come on! When in Rome (or rather, the Mexican border, in Bath) they’re a necessity - so too the Dulce de Leche mousse with chocolate caramel and beautifully-seasoned smoked almonds. Return plans? Already made.

Reviewer: Melissa Blease

Lobster and soft shell crab tacos

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What's On

Friday 28th March - Thursday 10th April 2025

Trio Paradis: Spring Song

Spring Craft Fair

Great Big Tiny World

In Bloom

St Michael’s Church 28th March, 3.30pm March's programme is inspired by the season of spring and includes the recently rediscovered Trio by Austrian Jewish composer Carl Frühling, Gaubert Spring Morning and more.

Weston Free Church 29th March, 12-4pm Over 25 craft stalls selling handmade and unique gifts, perfect for Mother’s Day and Easter. Free children’s activities and homemade food from the church café. Free entry, all welcome.

The Egg 29th & 30th March Welcome to this great, big, tiny world.

It may be very old, but for us it’s brand new. Settle in amongst hundreds of real plants, to watch, hear and feel the world come to life all around you.

The MEAA 1st April – 20th December Discover how flowers have inspired generations of artists across East and South East Asia through a display of floral-themed objects from the museum’s collection.

Picasso: Le Monstre Sacré

Bath Comedy Festival

Season Opener

Rock The Tots: Transport

Various Locations 3rd – 19th April The festival focuses on creating new audiences and discovering venues and exciting possibilities for participation and comic imagination in the heritage city of Bath.

Bath Racecourse 4th April, 11.55am Get ready for an electrifying start to the racing season as Bath Racecourse comes alive once again. Feel the energy, excitement, and pure adrenaline of live horse racing in the fresh spring air.

The Rondo Theatre 4th April, 11am Gigs for little ones… and their grownups! Beep beep! Rock The Tots returns, and this month’s theme is all about modes of transport. They will have all your favourite vehicles in there.

Annual Spring Fayre

Austen Family Fun Day

Easter Egg Hunt

Alice in Wonderland Trail

Bath City Farm 5th April, 11am – 3pm Head along for full day of fun at Bath City Farm in Whiteway. Including Bath Show Choir, Pitch Pirates, Intro to Composting Workshop & Kittiwake Border Morris Dancers.

Bath Abbey 5th April, 10am-4pm You are invited to join Bath Abbey’s Learning team and new characters from the Natural Theatre Company for special days to celebrate the anniversary year of Jane Austen’s birth.

Dyrham Park, National Trust 5th – 21st April This spring, treat the whole family to a world of adventure at Dyrham Park on an Easter trail. The special trail will take place around the parkland and include 10 activity stations.

American Museum & Gardens 5th – 21st April Jump through the looking glass into the world of Alice in Wonderland at Easter time! Follow the white rabbit and have an enchanting day out to remember this spring.

Wild Garlic Foraging

Aquapella

The Haar

‘The Challenge of Migration'

Chapel Arts Centre 9th April, 8pm This Anglo/Irish folk band brings the singing talent of All-Ireland Scór na nÓg winner Molly Donnery combined with three of the most exciting instrumentalists on the folk scene.

St Andrew’s Church, Combe Down 9th April, 7.30pm A talk from Peter Holden MBE. A lifetime spent enthusing the public about birds has earned the RSPB's Peter Holden an MBE in the New Year Honour's list.

Ustinov Studio 2nd – 5th April A visceral, uncompromising portrait of Pablo Picasso 50 years after his death. Brilliantly incarnated by Peter Tate, Picasso passionately defends his reputation.

Prior Park, National Trust 5th – 27th April Visitors are welcome to forage for wild garlic at Prior Park. There will be bags to use, information cards for foraging tips and health and safety, and recipe cards to take home.

Komedia 6th April, 7.30pm Bath's renowned a cappella group returns for another spectacular night of vocal music. Founded in 2011 and based in Bath, Aquapella are the 2017 National Champions of A Cappella.

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Community

Decision due to be made on Fairfield House lease renewal A DECISION will soon be made on whether or not a new lease should be granted to protect the former Bath home of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia.

A council report sets out the proposed lease for Grade II listed Fairfield House to a not-for-profit Community Interest Company, Fairfield House Bath CIC. The company was founded to protect and celebrate the legacy to Bath of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie.

The house, owned by Bath & North East Somerset Council, is used as a lively community hub, day care centre for the elderly and is a heritage attraction for visitors worldwide.

A single-member decision report before Councillor Paul Roper, cabinet member for economic and cultural sustainable development, and Councillor Alison Born, cabinet member for adult services, seeks approval for the granting of a new lease.

If approved, the new lease would allow the CIC time to prepare a

Pauline Swaby Wallace, Princess Esther Selassie Antohin, Prof. Shawn Naphtali Sobers & Cllr Kevin Guy | © B&NES Council

business plan and secure funding and resources for a Community Asset Transfer for the properties and land, which would be considered in accordance with democratic processes.

The granting of a new lease would also allow for the transfer of ongoing occupational costs such

as utilities and rates, council tax, repairs and insurance from the council gradually, with the aim of Fairfield House CIC assuming full responsibility by the end of the lease.

Councillor Roper said: “We will consider the proposal to grant the lease carefully. Doing so would

Moorland Road branch of Morrisons to close in mid-April

The store on Moorland Road in Bath

Becky Feather Reporter

MORRISONS has announced plans to close some of its convenience stores over the next few months, and the one in Oldfield Park is on the list.

The Morrisons Daily store in Moorland Road includes the local Post Office.

Along with 17 convenience stores, Morrisons plans to close 52 cafés, all 18 Market Kitchens, 13 florists, 35 meat counters, 35 fish counters and four pharmacies.

The business says that as it enters the second year of its programme

of renewal, it is making changes and adjustments to its stores and operations to accelerate growth, optimise its operations and to help mitigate recent significant cost increases.

Although the “significant majority” of colleagues affected by the changes are expected to be deployed in suitable roles elsewhere in Morrisons, there will be a total of around 365 colleagues at risk of redundancy.

A Post Office spokesperson said: “We have been informed by Morrisons that they have made the difficult decision to close the Morrisons Daily store where Moorfields Post Office is located.

“The store is due to close in mid-April and we are currently finalising the date when the Post Office will close.

“We fully recognise the inconvenience this will be for our customers. Whilst we assess nearby provision of Post Office services, we would encourage our customers to use Southdown Road and Twerton.”

The full addresses of alternative branches are: • Southdown Road Post Office, 101 Southdown Road, Bath, BA2 1HL, distance 0.96 miles • Twerton Post Office, 105 High Street, Twerton on Avon, BA2 1DB, distance 1.22 miles

enable a much-loved local facility to be retained for the community in the short term and allow the tenant to further promote and invest in the building including measures to improve its energy efficiency.”

The Fairfield House site comprises two buildings: an

‘Italianate’ 19th century, Grade II listed villa at 2 Kelston Road and a post-war residential detached bungalow at 27 Burleigh Gardens.

From 1936 to 1941 the villa was the residence of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, who gifted the property to Bath Corporation (a forerunner of Bath & North East Somerset Council) in 1959 as a home for the aged in gratitude for the warm welcome he received from the citizens of Bath. The bungalow was built to provide caretaker accommodation.

Fairfield House was used as a residential care home until 1993, when new room size requirements made it unsuitable for future use.

From then it has been used as a day centre by a number of groups including since 1993 by the charity Bath Ethnic Minority Senior Citizens’ Association (BEMSCA).

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Green credentials at crematorium praised SERVICES offered at Haycombe Crematorium in Bath are excellent, with one of the highest environmental scores seen nationally, a new report has found.

An inspection of the crematorium earlier this year by the Federation of Burial & Cremation Authorities (FBCA) found it complies with three key standards and provides an excellent service overall.

The inspector looked at Haycombe’s cremation and administration facilities and environmental credentials, to ensure that residents continue to receive high standards of service.

Haycombe, which is run by Bath & North East Somerset Council, provides bereavement services to people of all faiths and beliefs, or none, and designs services that are accessible to everyone.

Cremations are carried out in an open, honest and dignified way with a range of services available to support families as they plan their final goodbyes.

The council recently made improvements to reduce carbon emissions and help tackle the climate emergency at Haycombe, including installing a filtration system to eliminate nitrogen oxide and increasing biodiversity with new woodland, wildflower meadows and a beehive.

In 2023 the FBCA awarded Haycombe an Environmental Policy Statement for operating sustainable services.

As part of its inspection feedback this year, the FBCA said: “It

Councillors Kevin Guy and Tim Ball Photo © B&NES Council

was noted by our CEO that the environmental score was one of the highest we have seen for some time, so well done to all on a great achievement.”

Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for neighbourhood services at B&NES Council, said: “It was a real pleasure to receive the FBCA’s report and be reassured that the council is continuing to provide excellent support and services for residents at the worst times in their lives.

“This is down to the commitment and passion of our team at Haycombe who do exceptional work all year round.

“Increasing sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, so it is also pleasing that Haycombe’s high environmental credentials were noted by the inspector.

“Well done to everyone who helped us achieve this excellent rating.”

Issue 100

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Council accused of ‘victimising’ people over boat salvage Becky Feather Reporter

A CHARITY says the decision to make the owners of sunken boats pay for them to be recovered from the River Avon in Bath is “victimising” some of the most vulnerable people in the area.

As we reported earlier this month, Bath & North East Somerset Council announced it would be carrying out a recovery operation near Pulteney Weir where five sunken boats were causing a hazard to river users as well as a posing pollution risk.

The council said it would be seeking recovery of £72,600 for the removals once the operation had been completed.

Julian House has responded by a publishing a statement on its website, saying it seems that prejudice against travelling communities has become the last ‘acceptable’ bastion of discrimination in England, and it wants to tackle this “head-on”.

The charity says some media outlets had reported how “selfish’ people had left their abandoned sinking boats to rot in the river, forcing the council to pay for their removal.

It says: “At a time when the council is having to make deep cuts to public services in order to

stay financially afloat, it is clear why this spend – seemingly to clear up the mess of a small subsection of the community – may cause frustration.

“But we need to take a step back and remember that, behind each of these sunken boats, is an individual who has lost everything. These boats were generally people’s homes.

“There are myriad reasons for living on a boat, but a small minority of those taking this step do so to solve an accommodation crisis and avoid or escape rough sleeping.

“Some of these boat owners are known to Julian House: they were surviving on very low incomes, lacking the means to keep their boats in good repair and have anything more than the most basic insurance, if they had any at all.

“They certainly could not afford salvage fees when the worst happened. They were not selfish; they were vulnerable and struggling. “ The charity adds: “We have seen a marked increase in these cases in Bath over the recent years – we believe as a direct impact of the cost of living and housing crises.

“These people feel they have no alternative but to take on whatever shelter they can access – often these boats are in poor condition, unsafe and

uninhabitable; the new owners lack the means to improve them.

Many are not experienced in boat handling and maintenance.

“We regularly meet people living in leaky boats with no heating, electricity, running water or toilet facilities, but they feel they have nowhere else to go.

“Often these people have additional support needs, which means they struggle to comply with the strict regulations of the inland waterways; many have previously faced enforcement action by Canal & River Trust.

“This drives them to stretches of river like the area downstream of Pulteney Weir, which is not managed by a navigation and licensing authority.”

Julian House says its Gypsy, Roma, Traveller and Boater (GRTB) Outreach Service is almost unique in the country in terms of the support it provides for vulnerable people to overcome systemic barriers to support and benefits – yet it is only funded to employ one part-time staff member covering all travelling communities in B&NES. “The demand for support often outstrips our capacity. Despite limited funding, our small but mighty team is still providing incredible support. In 2023-24, across B&NES and Wiltshire, we supported 139 people in travelling communities; referred

One of the sunken boats that was removed | Photo © B&NES Council

more than 180 people to receive support winter food and fuel costs; and helped 30 boaters with chronic health conditions or disabilities to apply for adjusted cruising patterns.

“We are limited by our funding, but we can offer compassion and support to help vulnerable individuals live independently and with dignity in sustainable accommodation of their choice – be that accessing support to make their boats safe, habitable and fully licensed/insured, or navigating them back to a housing pathway, whilst addressing any underlying support needs.”

Julian House adds: “Pursuing these individuals for recovery of the salvage costs is likely to be a very expensive, and ultimately fruitless exercise for the council.

If the owners are traced, they are

unlikely to be able to pay these costs.

“It only serves to further victimise some of the most vulnerable people in B&NES.” Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for neighbourhoods at Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “We have been in talks with the boat owners and discussed the direct needs of each one to ensure that we have provided support as necessary – none was needed.

“We are not able to continue to tolerate the pollution and impact of having a number of sunken boats, many for an extended number of years, within this stretch of the river and were forced to take action as a last resort. We want to thank those boat owners who have cooperated with us during the removal.”

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Health 16-bed Intensive Care Unit opens at Royal United Hospital A NEW intensive care unit (ICU) has opened at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, providing space for 16 patients.

The new unit provides care for some of the sickest patients at the hospital, including those recovering from major surgery, heart attacks and strokes or lifethreatening infections such as sepsis.

Margi Jenkins, RUH Matron for Intensive Care and Critical Care Outreach, said: “We’re delighted our new ICU will support us to deliver the very highest standards of care for our community, at what is often a very difficult time for the people we care for and their loved ones.

“Our team has fed into the design process at every step of the way, to create the best environment for everyone using or working in our new unit. From more natural light and better ventilation through to the very latest equipment and improved facilities for visitors, we are very proud of what the team has achieved.”

The new unit includes ceilingmounted pendants to house equipment used to care for patients.

The majority of the pendants were funded by RUHX, the RUH’s official charity, and Friends of the RUH, an independent charity which also raises funds to provide facilities, support services and equipment for the RUH. Rhyannon Boyd, RUHX Associate Director, said: “This is a proud collaboration between RUHX and the Friends of the RUH to enable the purchase of this new world-class ICU equipment at a cost of almost £225,000.

“Each of the beds in the unit has a new ICU pendant, which will help provide extraordinary intensive care treatment in the critical hour of need where every second matters. Thank you to all our supporters who helped make it happen” Bernard Rymer, Chairman and Deputy Treasurer of Friends of the RUH, added: “It’s been a real privilege to join forces with RUHX to ensure our new ICU includes this equipment.

“The money we raise from the shop and café we run at the RUH allows us to target areas that will provide the most benefit to patients and the hospital – whether that’s wall clocks for patients with dementia, providing emergency toiletry packs for patients or funding significant pieces of equipment such as the ICU pendants.”

Ahead of officially opening, staff, donors and those closely involved in creating the new ICU gathered to mark the successful completion of the project.

They were joined on the day by Bath Rugby player Tom Dunn, who has close links with the RUH following his time as a volunteer at the hospital during the COVID epidemic.

Tom’s wife Jen also worked as pharmacist in the unit, so Tom is well aware of the big difference the new ICU will make.

Tom said: “Whenever I have been to the RUH in the last few years, whether to visit or to help out, the thing that really strikes me the most is all the different people pulling together in the same direction to do the best for patients – whether porters,

Tom Dunn, Andrew Hollowood, Margi Jenkins and Dr William Headdon | Photo © RUH

pharmacists, nurses or the estates team.

“The unit is an incredible facility with all the latest equipment but it’s the people who really make it and this ICU is an example of the best kind of high-performance environment.”

The new ICU replaces an old existing ground-floor unit and a temporary unit that was built to provide additional support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bringing staff and services together in one carefully designed space will ensure a safer and more efficient service, making much better use of resources.

The new unit also includes:

• Negative and positive pressure rooms, where patients who are infectious or at risk of infection can be cared for safely.

• Improved facilities for loved ones and visitors, to provide a better environment including: • Dedicated kitchen and lounge • Calm and welcoming quiet space for private conversations or reflection • Improved access to information to support families and friends • Improved access for people with disabilities, including a disabled toilet within the unit.

• Tailored wall displays to highlight some of the

equipment you might see or hear when on the unit, and clear explanations of what the equipment is used for.

• Separate staff and visitor entrances to enhance security and to ensure that visitors can quickly access the unit.

• Better staff facilities, including a meeting room, changing facilities and space to take a break.

The new ICU is expected to provide care for over 1,000 patients a year and is jointly run by an experienced group of specialist doctors and nurses, supported by therapists, technicians and support staff.

Cost to run air ambulance rises to more than £5m each year RISING costs mean the Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity now needs to raise more than £5 million each year to continue providing its lifesaving service.

Last year the charity was called to a record number of 1,343 missions, highlighting the need for their critical care has never been greater.

More than half of all missions (51%) were attended with doctors on board, enhancing the level of medical care that can be provided to the patient.

However, this comes at a cost, especially at a time when the charity continues to feel the pressures of rising utility bills, fuel, and the increase in National Insurance contributions from April.

Chief executive David Philpott said: “We know the demand for our medical expertise has never been greater and that puts understandable pressures upon the charity.

“Just like people across

Photo © Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity

the country, we have been experiencing sharp rises in our utility bills, as well as fuel for our helicopter.

“It is part of our long-term strategy to ensure critical care doctors are part of our aircrew as much as possible, as they can carry out much-needed surgical procedures and medical

interventions.

“To be able to attend the majority of our missions with doctors on board is amazing for the people of Wiltshire and Bath. However, that adds further cost pressures to deliver the enhanced clinical care a doctor brings.

“We are very fortunate that the people of Wiltshire and Bath

have supported our charity for 35 years, digging deep to donate the necessary funds needed so we can continue to be there for those people who need us most.”

Critical care doctors have been part of Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity’s crew since 2019.

They can carry out procedures

such as repairing heart wounds, caesarean sections and anaesthetising patients.

Medical director Maria Smith said: “Having doctors on board massively enhances the level of critical care we can provide, enabling us to carry out complex surgical procedures, advanced pain management, and lifesaving interventions directly at the scene.

“Essentially, we can bring the hospital to the patient, and every mission we undertake represents someone’s loved one – a parent, child, sibling, or friend. Ensuring we have the resources to deliver the best possible care is our priority.

“We are so grateful to the people of Wiltshire and Bath for their generosity and ongoing support over the years. Now, more than ever, we need that support to sustain our vital service.”

Operating since 1990, Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity celebrates its 35th anniversary this month.

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Education

Friday 28th March - Thursday 10th April 2025

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Ofsted praise for ‘happy and Kingswood hosts 34th inclusive’ primary school near Bath annual Model United Nations conference

Headteacher Becky Hayter and pupils | Photo courtesy of BWMAT

Becky Feather Reporter

A PRIMARY school near Bath has been given a glowing inspection report by Ofsted, including a judgement of ‘Outstanding’ for the work done in the personal development of pupils.

Bathford Church School at Dovers Park, which is led by headteacher Becky Hayter, is part of the Bath and Wells Multi Academy Trust (BWMAT).

In the other four areas that Ofsted inspects – quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and early years education – the school is rated as ‘Good’ following the inspection in January.

It was the first time the school had been inspected since converting to an academy in 2018. When the school was last inspected in 2015 it had been judged to be Outstanding.

Since last September, schools have not been awarded an overall effectiveness grade.

In their report, the inspectors say: “Pupils enjoy coming to this happy and inclusive school, where staff create a feeling of belonging successfully.

Consequently, pupils attend regularly.

“They know they can speak to any of the caring adults and be listened to.”

The report continues: “Pupils aim to be the ‘best they can be’ in line with the school’s vision.

“Pupils rise to the high expectations the school has of them. They achieve well across a wide range of subjects.

“Pupils understand the school’s values of ‘grow, care, serve, share’.

Typically, pupils have positive

attitudes towards their learning and want to learn.”

The inspectors note that pupils value having a meaningful voice; for example, they have the opportunity to make key decisions, such as to change the name of the school’s houses to reflect significant people who are important to them.

They are empowered to follow their interests and have an insightful understanding of equalities.

The “ambitious curriculum” is highlighted in the report along with the support given for pupils with special education needs and/or abilities.

There is particular praise for the wider development of pupils and the inspectors note the range of activities and opportunities available, which contribute to their wider understanding of the curriculum.

The inspectors observe that pupils understand the school’s clear rules and routines, and effective support is provided for any pupils who struggle to manage their behaviour.

The school takes “robust action” to ensure it focuses on improving pupils’ attendance.

As a result, the rate of attendance has increased.

Staff are said to be proud to work at Bathford Church School and those responsible for governance hold leaders to account “diligently” for the quality of education: “Together, the school, trust and those responsible for governance are ambitious for every pupil to achieve their potential.”

The inspectors also highlight an area where improvement is needed, saying some staff do not identify and correct errors in pupils’ writing so misconceptions

can persist.

Responding to the report, Becky Hayter said: “We are absolutely delighted to see the impact of our school vision and values reflected both in the inspection report and in the ‘Outstanding’ judgement for personal development.

“Our school vision is to help children to grow by equipping them with the knowledge, skills and values they need both to make sense of the world and to become caring, responsible global citizens.

“We are proud to see this work recognised through the glowing comments about personal development at Bathford.

“It was also heartening that the inspectors recognised the dedication of our wonderful staff team and the extensive work done to grow our ambitious curriculum.

“We look forward to continuing to build on the positives reflected in the inspection report, doing all we can, working in partnership as school leaders, staff, governors, volunteers, our supportive parent community and the trust, to be the best that we can be.”

BWMAT chief executive officer Nikki Edwards said: “The superlatives in this report really do reflect the reality of life at Bathford.

“This is a school with a clear vision which is lived out every day and which is supporting all the children to become the best version of themselves.

“In particular, the ‘Outstanding’ judgement for personal development highlights the work which goes on in key areas such as equality and fairness.

“Within BWMAT, we know the work done by Becky and her team has been of the very highest standard.”

MORE than 400 students took part in the 34th Bath International Schools’ Model United Nations (BISMUN) conference, held at Kingswood School last week.

The event saw students drawn from schools across the city and the wider country, and for this year, the conference also welcomed a group from Mexico.

The delegates represented over 60 member states of the United Nations in a series of debates on some of the major issues facing the international community, including the conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, the challenges presented by climate change, and the rights of women and LGBTQ people.

The students had to represent accurately the views of the countries they were assigned, as well as show a mastery of the issues under discussion.

Craig Woodgate, Head of Sixth Form, said: “Few activities can rival the value of MUN. Not only did students have to grapple with some of the big issues facing the world today, but they also had to

engage in debate from the point of view of a country whose views may have been very different from their own. They also developed a range of valuable skills, from public speaking and research to teamwork and consensus building. To watch over 400 students from 30 schools engaging enthusiastically with the issues on our agenda was immensely impressive, and showed that today’s young people were eager to have their say at a time of immense uncertainty in global affairs.”

Kingswood student Gala Marrack, this year’s Conference Secretary General, said: “BISMUN was an incredible opportunity for both delegates and chairs to experience what it was like to be part of a global challenge bigger than themselves. This year, it was great to see so many delegates grow in confidence over the weekend, and I found all their debates very thought-provoking.

“I loved how there was such an exciting buzz in the air as everyone was so enthusiastic about getting involved.”

Pupils thriving at Oldfield Park school PUPILS at Oldfield Park Junior School made a good impression during a recent Ofsted inspection.

The school in Lyemore Avenue has 248 pupils and is part of Palladian Academy Trust.

The inspector’s report, published this month, says the school has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. It was judged to be Good for overall effectiveness in 2019.

The latest report says: “Pupils thrive in this safe, friendly school.

They know that any worries will be dealt with quickly by a trusted adult. Parents and carers value the caring community the school engenders. They rightly say their children love going to school.

“Pupils are kind and enjoy positive relationships with each other and the staff. They have a thirst for knowledge and strive to achieve the ‘Learning Hero’ award each term. They are focused on their learning and keen to contribute.”

Children achieve well and by Year 6 are ready for the demands of secondary school. They are also very well prepared for life beyond school, and emotional and mental health are prioritised.

The report adds that play is an important part of the school’s

ethos and pupils learn to take safe risks, such as building a trolley cart to drive on the playground or climbing trees.

The school’s curriculum is described as “engaging and ambitious” and teachers have strong subject knowledge. The school champions and supports pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who are disadvantaged.

The library is the “epicentre” of the school and pupils benefit from extra reading sessions to help them catch up if needed.

They acquire a rich vocabulary which they use effectively in their writing.

The inspector says leaders have a secure understanding of the strengths and priorities of the school. Alongside the trust, they work together to ensure everyone flourishes.

She points out that in a few subjects, the school does not provide sufficient challenge for pupils to extend their knowledge and understanding so some pupils don’t reach their full potential.

The school is asked to ensure that teachers design learning activities to include demanding tasks that stretch all pupils to deepen their knowledge and achieve the best possible outcomes.

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Business Work finally begins at former Bath Press site for 146 new homes WORK has begun at the former Bath Press site to create a mixeduse development incorporating new homes and office space.

Independent housebuilder City & Country acquired the land in March 2024 for £13.8 million.

Formerly the headquarters of Pitman Press, founded by Sir Isaac Pitman, inventor of the famous shorthand system, the 5.3-acre site will become Bath Press, featuring a range of apartments and townhouses.

The redevelopment of the site includes the preservation of part of the print work’s Classical and Art Deco façade and chimney, a well-known local landmark that will be incorporated into the design.

The development features threestorey townhouses, which reflect the city’s Georgian architecture, alongside more contemporary one to three-bedroom apartments which will be more industrial in character. The first phase will comprise a total of 146 new homes.

The mainly four-storey apartment blocks will be set among landscaped gardens, with a mix of

Premier Inn set to build 152-room hotel

internal courtyards, surrounding green spaces, roof terraces and a playground.

Meanwhile, on the ground floor fronting Lower Bristol Road, there will be 16,200 sq ft of new modern office space.

Shelley West, Group Sales & Marketing Director at City & Country, said: “Pitman Press has a famous history, both for the development of shorthand and for more modern printing – bestsellers Andrew Morton’s

Diana: Her True Story and Margaret Thatcher’s The Downing Street Years both rolled off the presses here.

“Now it is time to turn a new page, and transform the area into new homes and businesses that will bring the buzz back. As heritage experts, we are looking forward to incorporating the historic façade in the design, as well as creating beautifully finished, comfortable and spacious new homes in this superb city location.”

Makeover plans submitted for Hilton on Walcot Street Becky Feather Reporter

THE DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at Walcot Street in Bath is set to get a makeover.

An application seeking planning permission has been submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council to upgrade the appearance of the hotel at the ground-floor level along Walcot Street.

Bronze effect cladding is proposed, which it is said will complement the existing stoneeffect blockwork on the façade.

Entrance alterations with new feature lighting and planting are also proposed, with the aim of the scheme being to create a “refreshed and welcoming

Demolition work is ongoing at Beazer House | Photo © John Wimperis

Breaking ground at the Bath Press site | Photo © City & Country

How the proposed changes could look at the Hilton Image © AWW Architects / DoubleTree by Hilton

appearance” for guests.

Other changes include relocating the existing ground-floor plant to the first-floor roof level with new acoustic enclosures and adding

photovoltaic panels for the top roof on the fifth floor.

The planning reference is 25/00694/FUL and the deadline for comments is 10th April.

John Wimperis

Local Democracy Reporter

THE former offices of an iconic Bath company on the Lower Bristol Road are being demolished to make way for a second Premier Inn for the city.

Post-war office block Beazer House has been largely stripped out and is awaiting demolition.

Planning permission was granted in September to knock down the building and build a 152-room hotel in its place.

The planning application avoided mentioning who would run the hotel, with artists’ impressions of the building simply showing signage which said “New Bath Hotel”.

But now it has been revealed it will be a Premier Inn, after the hotel company applied for a licence for its bar.

Neighbour Matthew MiltonMeakin from Oak Street, next to where the bar would be, questioned why the hotel had applied for an off-premises licence in an objection to the council.

He said: “Although we are not against the development in its entirety, this licence application appears to further increase the risk to public nuisance/public order in the area, potentially baking in conflict with local residents, complaints and damage to the hotel brand.”

But Tim Shield, a licensing solicitor representing Premier Inn, told Bath & North East Somerset Council’s licensing

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sub-committee on 6th March that the hotel had applied for an offlicence so that guests could take drinks purchased at the bar back to their rooms, or people having dinner at the restaurant could take a partially-drunk bottle of wine home with them. He said: “[It’s] not a local off licence.”

He said: “I hope all the committee have heard of Premier Inn and know their reputation. They do not have problems with crime and disorder.”

He said that it would create 31 or 32 careers for people in the local area. The sub-committee granted the licence, although removed a part allowing the hotel to serve hot food outside late at night.

The new hotel will be the second Premier Inn in Bath, with the first just a ten-minute walk away on James Street West.

The planning application described Beazer House as “one of Bath’s least attractive buildings” — but some people have positive memories of the site.

Beazer House was once the offices of iconic Bath cranemakers Stothert & Pitt. Local resident Jon Avent worked in the building as an apprentice for the company in the 1970s.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “It was a great building to work in.” Is he sad to see it go? He said: “Times change.”

The site was most recently occupied by L&C Mortgages, which occupied the offices for around 20 years before moving to Newark Works in 2023.

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£18 million investment to make over 1,000 homes cheaper to run

Some of Curo’s properties with solar panels installed | Photo © Curo

HUNDREDS of Curo customers will be getting upgrades to their homes to make them warmer and cheaper to run, thanks to an £18 million investment.

It was announced on Tuesday, 11th March, that the Bath-based housing association has been awarded £5 million from the Government’s Warm Homes scheme, and Curo will be adding an extra £13 million.

The project, known as the Great Green Upgrade, will run for threeand-a-half years, and Curo says it will see around 1,066 households across Bath and Bristol getting improvements to their homes.

These could include solar panels, improved insulation, new windows and doors, and upgraded heating systems.

Curo’s director of procurement and asset management, Matt Steele, said: “We’re delighted that we’ve been awarded this funding, which will allow us to

make energy-saving upgrades to these homes. We know that rising energy bills are a concern for many of our customers, so it’s brilliant that we’re going to be able to make these improvements.

“Customers have also told us that sustainability is important to them, and these changes will also make the homes greener and reduce their carbon footprint.

“All homes need to have an energy efficiency rating of at least EPC C by 2030, and the Great Green Upgrade is part of our work to make sure that we can achieve this.”

Curo completed its first energysaving home improvement project last summer, with 22 homes in Pensford and Compton Dando benefiting from a range of upgrades which saw their energy efficiency rating improve from D to B. The estimated reduction of carbon emissions across all the homes every year is roughly

equivalent to the amount that would be produced from driving around the world more than 10 times or leaving a 100W light bulb on for 275 years.

The project was featured on ITV’s Tonight programme in November 2024, with Curo customers Robin and Lucy White talking about the difference the improvements had made to their lives.

Robin told the show that since the work had been completed, their electricity bill had almost halved.

He said: “I can say quite categorically that our house is much warmer than it was two years ago. And the money that we have saved on those electricity bills has helped enormously.”

A second project involving 74 homes in Bath and Bristol is due to be completed next month.

It is hoped that the first phase of this latest project will be completed by the summer.

Planning Round-up Seven-bed HMO approved in Weston

School’s outdoor plans get the go-ahead

Plans to turn a small house in multiple occupation (HMO) in Upper Weston into a large one have been approved. Having secured planning permission last year to turn the mid-terrace family home at Southlands into a six-bed HMO, Rivers Birtwell, a company specialising in accommodation for students and young professionals, then applied to split one of the bedrooms into two to create enough space for seven sharers.

A HMO is considered small if it has up to six bedrooms and large if it has seven or more.

The council keeps a register of HMOs as it acknowledges that a cumulative impact can impact communities. The plans for 20 Southlands passed the relevant tests of HMO density and no property ‘sandwiched’ between HMOs. There is no off-street parking at the house, but the initial application said HMO occupiers are generally less likely to have access to cars than families, and any harmful increase in on-street parking would be unlikely.

Play improvement plans for part of the grounds of the Grade II listed Royal High Prep School at Cranwell House in Weston Park East have been given the go-ahead. As well as a new playground shelter, the scheme includes resurfacing play areas to include artificial grasses and rubber mulch safety surfaces, and new hedgerows.

Additional features include the replacement of external lighting bollards, some freestanding planters and the planting of a new magnolia tree.

Towards the rear of the building, a new handrail will be installed to run parallel with a pathway and steps, with the addition of bollard lights.

Twerton self-storage site wins permission for Sunday opening A Bath self-storage centre, which recently secured planning permission for a major refurbishment, has now been given the go-ahead to open on Sundays. Safestore, based at Bellotts House in Twerton, applied to Bath & North East Somerset Council to extend its opening hours to include Sundays from 10am to 4pm. The opening hours had been limited to 8am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday. Council planners said evidence available suggests that noise levels created by the site are low. The council has not received any complaints about noise from the centre. The planning officers acknowledged that being able to operate on a Sunday will remove a considerable constraint for users of the site which will have an economic benefit.

Odd Down bungalow demolition planned A proposal to knock down a twobed bungalow at Odd Down and build a “contemporary” twostorey house with four bedrooms on the site has been lodged. The application relates to 186 Old Frome Road. It says an integral garage is proposed and the driveway will accommodate at least two further parking spaces, ensuring a minimum of three off-street parking spaces. The planning reference is 25/01054/ FUL and the deadline for any comments is 10th April.

More HMO proposals An application to change the use of a three-bed family house in Whiteway to a six-bed house in multiple occupation (HMO) has been submitted. The plans are for 39 Garrick Road. The planning reference is 25/00833/FUL and the deadline for comments is 7th April. Meanwhile Savundra Property Ltd is proposing to turn Flat 3 at 7 Abbey Green into a HMO. Currently a twobed apartment, there are plans to make it a three-bed HMO by converting the living room to a bedroom. Consultation closes on 15th April. The planning reference is 25/00965/FUL.

Legal Expert Priscilla Macleod Associate

Upcoming stamp duty land tax changes: what you need to know

Stone King LLP

In the Autumn Budget, significant changes to the UK’s Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) system were announced. Some of the changes have already come into effect, but further changes will come into effect on 1st April 2025.

These reforms will affect residential property buyers, particularly first-time buyers.

Understanding these changes is crucial for anyone involved in property transactions in the coming years.

One of the most impactful changes is the reduction of the Nil Rate Band threshold.

Currently, the Nil Rate Band is

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set at £250,000, meaning that properties valued below this threshold are not subject to SDLT. However, this threshold will be cut in half, dropping to £125,000 starting in April 2025. As a result, anyone purchasing or buying a share in a residential property for more than £250,000 will face an additional £2,500 in SDLT costs.

This change is expected to affect a significant number of homebuyers, particularly in areas where property prices are higher, such as Bath.

For first-time buyers, the government is also tightening the rules for SDLT relief. Currently, first-time buyers can claim SDLT relief on properties worth up to £625,000, with no tax charged on the first £425,000, and a 5% rate applied to the portion of

the property’s value above that amount.

However, from 1st April 2025, the threshold for first-time buyer relief will drop to £500,000, with the 5% rate applying to properties between £300,000 and £500,000.

The 0% rate will still apply up to £300,000, but this reduction means fewer first-time buyers will benefit from the same level of tax relief.

Additionally, the SDLT higher rate, which applies to the purchase of second homes, will continue to affect buyers of additional properties.

This higher rate already increased for second homes and certain purchases by corporate bodies, and while these increases will remain in place, they will not apply to contracts exchanged

before or on 30th October 2024. Buyers who have already exchanged contracts will not be subject to the new rates, which provides some relief for those already in the process of purchasing property.

These changes indicate a shift towards a more stringent SDLT system, particularly for highervalue properties and first-time buyers. It’s essential for anyone planning to buy property in the UK after April 2025 to be aware of these upcoming reforms and to factor them into their financial planning.

With the reduction in relief thresholds and the new tax burdens, property buyers should plan ahead and ensure their finances are sufficient to cover these Stamp Duty costs.

P26

www.bathecho.co.uk

Friday 28th March - Thursday 10th April 2025

Politics Five-year vision for Heritage Services approved by council A FIVE-YEAR vision to grow visitor numbers to the district and enrich what’s on offer has been approved by councillors at Bath & North East Somerset Council.

The Heritage Services Business Plan sets out priorities for the next five years, focusing adapting to economic challenges, developing the Fashion Museum and investment in new research to strengthen local visitor attractions.

The report highlights “outstanding” financial performance at The Roman Baths and Victoria Art Gallery in 24/25, and further growth expected in 2025/26.

Over the past year, The Roman Baths has generated more surplus return to the local authority than ever before. This will amount to approximately £145 per council tax household in Bath and North East Somerset. This income plays a vital role in funding essential council services across the district.

The introduction of guided tours, a new audio guide, and events such as silent discos and torchlit evening openings have enhanced the visitor experience, meeting demand for immersive and memorable experiences.

The Victoria Art Gallery has also had a standout year, with ticketed exhibition visitors increasing by over 55% year-on-year.

Toulouse-Lautrec and the Masters of Montmartre became the most successful paid exhibition in the gallery’s history, drawing nearly 30,000 visitors.

Meanwhile, conservation work on the historic roof is nearing completion, ensuring the longterm protection of the Grade II*

The Roman Baths | Photo © B&NES Council / Chris Wakefield

listed building.

Councillor Paul Roper, cabinet member for economic & cultural sustainable development, said: “Bath’s heritage is one of its greatest assets, and it’s fantastic to see The Roman Baths and Victoria Art Gallery thriving in a challenging climate.

“Their continued success not only enhances our cultural offering but also directly supports council services that benefit residents across the district.

“This report reaffirms our commitment to protecting, investing in, and sharing our world-class heritage for future generations.”

The report outlines Heritage Services’ five-year business plan, setting out priorities to achieve its vision: “Learn from the past, understand the present, and shape the future.”

Heritage Services is also committed to delivering social value, aligning its work with the council’s economic strategy and joint health and wellbeing strategy. This includes opening

a new learning and community engagement space at the Victoria Art Gallery, expanding the Discovery Card scheme and growing the volunteer programme.

Environmental sustainability remains a priority, with efforts focused on improving building efficiency, adopting sustainable procurement practices, and encouraging public and active travel.

The safety, security, and conservation of heritage buildings and collections will continue to be at the forefront, reinforced by The Roman Baths’ full accreditation from Arts Council England in 2024.

A major capital project over the next five years will be the relocation of the Fashion Museum to the Old Post Office.

The project will focus on audience engagement, research, collections care, social value, and financial sustainability.

A provisional capital budget has been allocated, with key milestones set for 2025/26.

MP calls for more to be done to provide affordable housing BATH MP Wera Hobhouse has called for more to be done to provide affordable housing in the city, after funding concerns were raised by local housing association Curo.

During Business Questions on Thursday 13th March, Mrs Hobhouse urged the government to do more to address the housing crisis, especially the lack of affordable homes in Bath.

It comes after Curo drew the Bath MP’s attention to the extent of the funding issues they were facing.

Currently, the government sets the cost of social rent, which is the main revenue source for housing associations.

This income stream must be used to cover the costs of maintaining the tenant’s home, partially funding decarbonisation upgrades, implementing new fire safety measures and delivering new social housing.

The Bath MP told the Leader of the House of Commons that these circumstances made it “nigh on impossible” for housing providers to maintain existing homes while building new ones.

Wera Hobhouse stressed the importance of ensuring tenants were not left to pay the price for these growing costs.

She urged the government to look at solutions that support providers to continue delivering affordable housing, while protecting tenants.

The Leader of the House, Lucy Powell, told the city’s MP that the government were committed to supporting tenants while building new and affordable housing.

Bath MP Wera Hobhouse

However, she did not specifically address Curo’s concerns with the current funding streams for social housing.

Wera Hobhouse said: “Everyone deserves a safe, secure roof over their heads – and I’m grateful for all of the work Curo does to deliver affordable homes in our city. But housing associations are having to stretch resources to the limit to maintain tenants’ homes while providing new social houses. It’s nigh on impossible to do both.

“That’s why I’m calling on the government to enable housing providers to both support tenants and address the housing crisis by reviewing these funding streams.”

Victor da Cunha, Chief Executive of Bath-based Curo, said: “We’re very grateful to Wera for raising this crucial issue in the House of Commons. Funding for affordable housing is the most important issue to get right if we are to meet the Government’s 1.5 million house-building target while ensuring our residents’ homes are safe, warm and comfortable.”

COLUMN | Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath

I

kicked off this month by marking International Women’s Day on the 8th of March and celebrating all the social, economic, cultural and political achievements made by women.

In Westminster, we honoured the occasion with all the current female Members of Parliament in the House of Commons. But while this Parliament has seen the greatest number of women ever elected as MPs, we are still a long way off gender parity. Only 40% of seats are held by women.

So, this International Women’s Day, I called on my fellow female MPs to use their platform to amplify women’s voices and

encourage greater representation in Parliament.

One of the reasons that it is so important to have true gender representation in Parliament is so there are MPs in the Commons fighting for the issues that matter to you. When I first proposed my Bill to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace, I balloted for it using the number 461. This was my lucky number as I had been elected as the 461st female MP. My Worker Protection Bill has since changed the law, requiring employers to take steps to prevent sexual harassment at work. I was so pleased to see the new Labour government pick up where I left off with the Act this month, when

proposing their Employment Rights Bill. This means we will finally have measures in place that protect employees from third party harassment such as harassment from clients and customers.

Turning to Bath, our city has always been vocal in championing inclusivity. I recently paid a visit to The Motability Foundation - a charity set up in 1977 to support disabled people to make the journeys that they choose. It was a pleasure to hand over the keys to local resident Rose White for her new Motability vehicle. I hope she can enjoy many hours of convenience, freedom, and independence in it.

Disability should not be a barrier in life – especially not when it comes to education.

That’s why I recently teamed up with celebrity chef Jamie Oliver to fight for better, and more inclusive, education for children with dyslexia. Just like three children in every classroom, Jamie Oliver’s dyslexia made his school years incredibly difficult. We must enable children to thrive in the classroom – and beyond – by ensuring teachers have the tools to support them. As a former school teacher, I know how important this is and I will keep pushing to make it a reality.

The education system should work for every young person. But sadly in the South West, we have the biggest attainment gap in the country. By the end of secondary school, pupils are 18.1 months behind the national average. That’s why I’ve also been calling on the government to work with local councils to improve education standards and close this appalling gap.

No child should be left behind because of where they live – it’s time we fixed the system.

You can contact Wera's team via office@werahobhouse.co.uk

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Minister hails potential for attracting UK visitors

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

John Wimperis

Local Democracy Reporter

BATH and Bridgerton could play a key part in hitting the government’s target of attracting millions more to the UK, the tourism minister said on a visit to the city.

Chris Bryant MP, minister of state for creative industries, arts, and tourism, who was touring Bridgerton filming locations in Bath on Tuesday 18th for English Tourism Week, said that the government wanted 50 million international visitors a year to come to the UK by 2030, 9 million more than currently come.

He said: “If they are going to come to the UK they can’t all come to London. They have got to come to other parts of the UK. “Bath is a classic instance of one of the places that people love to come. International visitors know loads about it, partly because of the Roman history but also the Bridgerton presence, let alone the Jane Austen 250th anniversary.

“So it’s got so many different things bound in to why you should celebrate this part of the country that I wanted to celebrate English Tourism Week by coming here.”

He added that he was working on a national tourism strategy, which had never been done before.

He said: “We have kind of always let tourism do its own thing and I think that’s a mistake because you need to make sure there is the connectivity. If you get off

Runway East has applied to Bath & North East Somerset Council on 21/03/2025 for a Premises Licence to use the premises at Kings Court, Parsonage Lane, Bath, BA1 1ER for the sale by retail of alcohol on Monday - Sunday between 12:00 - 23:45.

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

Tourism minister Chris Bryant at the Holburne Museum in Bath | Photo © DCMS

an aeroplane at Bristol Airport or whatever, how do you know where to go?

“How physically do you get to anywhere? Is there going to be a train. Is there going to be a bus?

Do you need to hire a car? So we need to do better at that.”

He added: “I think we’ve also got to do better at making sure that tourism businesses/visitor economy businesses can really prosper.

“You’ve still got to make sure there are staff with skills and that warm welcome you want in the visitor economy, and that’s part of the kind of work we are putting together now as part of our national tourism strategy.”

Speaking backstage at the Theatre Royal, Mr Bryant said the creative industries were a “really important part” of why people came to the UK. He said: “What they’ve been telling me here in the Theatre Royal in Bath is what has really worked for them is the Theatre Tax Credit, which means they can afford to put on shows which simply otherwise would not be possible for them — and they have had phenomenal successes.”

Mr Bryant was touring the theatre at the same time as his Labour colleagues in Westminster announced a plan to save £5 billion over the next five years by cutting or restricting sickness and

disability benefits.

Asked if he was comfortable with this, as a Labour MP, Mr Bryant said: “In my patch in South Wales we have a lot of people who back in the Tory years under Mrs Thatcher were completely left on the scrap heap because the mines were closed and basically everybody was left to go on sickness benefits.

“That isn’t a real quality of life for lots of people and there are lots of people who would dearly love to get off benefits and into work — that’s why we’ve got to make sure there are incentives there, or at least there aren’t perverse incentives for people to rely too much on benefits.”

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Sport

Upcoming Fixtures

Thousands hit the streets for 2025 Bath Half MORE than 11,000 people crossed the finish line at this year’s GetPRO Bath Half Marathon on Sunday 16th March, taking full advantage of the sunny weather and cheering crowds.

Thousands of participants joined the city’s biggest annual sporting event, with their enthusiasm matched in equal measure by crowds at the road side.

Residents were also treated to a thrilling elite race earlier in the day in the chase to qualify for the World Athletics Road Running Championships.

Abbie Donnelly secured qualification for the half marathon at the championships, which will take place later this year, with a run of 69:54, six seconds inside the qualification time, while Jake Smith won the men’s race in 62:20.

Joanna Wales, Event Lead for the GetPRO Bath Half, said: “It has been an incredible weekend in Bath, concluding with the GetPRO Bath Half.

“We saw the very best of the city and its people – both on the course and at the roadside – including the elite runners who got us under way and the thousands in the mass field who

Photo © London Marathon Events

brought colour, fun and a feeling of real community throughout.

“We expect the 2026 GetPRO Bath Half, on Sunday 15th March, to be even more popular and we are already looking forward to making it bigger and better than ever.”

The flag for the half marathon was dropped by the University of Bath’s Karolina Pakenaite, who will attempt to become the first deafblind person to climb Mount Everest next year.

Participants exited Royal Victoria Park, heading west along the north of the River Avon, and looping back towards the city at Great Pulteney Street. There was a second loop past Royal Victoria Park, before the grand finish on

Royal Avenue.

It is the first time the biggest charity fundraiser in South West England was organised by London Marathon Events, the UK’s leading mass participation events organiser.

Participants were decked out in the colours of more than 100 charities as they raised millions for causes close to their hearts, including the three charity partners Alzheimer’s Society, Cancer Research UK, and RUHX. Entries for the 2026 GetPRO Bath Half, on Sunday 15th March, are open now, with early bird entry costing £51.50. You can find out more at https://bit.ly/42gAHA1 The entry process will once again include the option to donate to

the Bath Half Marathon Fund which, in the history of the event, has distributed more than £570,000 to good causes across Bath and North Somerset in the last 22 years.

Earlier in the day, Abbie Donnelly and Jake Smith triumphed in the men’s and women’s fields in the official trial race for the 2025 World Athletics Road Running Championships Half Marathon.

Smith finished in 62:20, ahead of Omar Ahmed (62:43) and Dewi Griffiths (63:03), while in the women’s field, Donnelly ran 69:54, the third fastest winning time in Bath Half Marathon history.

Donnelly finished ahead of Natasha Phillips (72:06) and Annabel Gummow (72:26).

On the Saturday, hundreds of families took part in the inaugural GetPRO Bath Miles presented by Bath College.

The free event welcomed children and young people to run, walk, jog or wheel around a one-mile route in the grounds of Royal Victoria Park. Entries for the 2026 GetPRO Bath Miles, to be held on Saturday 14th March 2026, are already open, and you can sign up via Let’s Do This for free at https://bit.ly/3Y0OV5u

British champ named as Athlete of the Month JUSTIN Davies has been named as the latest Team Bath Rengen Athlete of the Month after a month which saw him smash national records, win a first British title and qualify for the European Athletics Championships.

The athlete, who trains and studies at the University of Bath, has enjoyed an strong winter campaign which has seen him slice nearly four seconds off his

800m indoor personal best.

His winning time of 1:45.78 at the inaugural Keely Klassic in Birmingham broke a Welsh record that had stood for 13 years, and the Alumni Fund Sporting Scholar followed that up with a victory at the British Indoor Championships, improving on the bronze medal he had won 12 months earlier. Those performances earned Davies a first GB selection for a major

championship and he went on to reach the semi-finals at the European Indoors in Apeldoorn, gaining invaluable international experience.

Davies was the unanimous choice of the judging panel for the February award.

He said: “I’m incredibly honoured to be Athlete of the Month. There are so many fantastic athletes based here, so to be recognised like this means a lot.

“The season has been really good.

The highlight for me was the British Championships, winning that was something I didn’t think would be possible.

“Getting to represent GB on the global stage was fantastic too, it was eye-opening to see the calibre of athletes and totally inspiring.”

Davies is the second winner of the new award, following wheelchair fencer Susie Seddon-Cowell.

Crossword answers - Issue 099 (14/03/2025) Across: 1 Flush, 4 Ascension, 10 Inverclyde, 11 Acts, 12 Chernobyl, 13 Slash, 15 Eiffel, 17 Uniforms, 19 Reproach, 21 Canada, 22 Their, 24 Plausible, 27 W W II, 28 Eighteenth, 29 Assessing, 30 Stung.

Down: 2 Lunchtime, 3 Sheer, 5 Says you, 6 Even, 7 Small-town, 8 Oaths, 9 Schoolday, 14 Discounts, 16 Fertilise, 18 Middleton, 20 Halogen, 23 Howls, 25 Inept, 26 Pegs.

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Bath City FC Saturday 29th March – 3pm Bath City v Hemel Hempstead Town (Home) League Saturday 5th April – 3pm Bath City v Hampton & Richmond Borough (Away) League Sunday 6th April – 2pm Bath Women v Bitton (Home) League

Bath Rugby Saturday 29th March – 3.05pm Bath Rugby v Harlequins (Home) Gallagher Premiership R13 Friday 4th April – 8pm Bath Rugby v Pau (Away) European Challenge Cup R5

Team Bath Netball Saturday 29th March - 1.30pm Team Bath v Leeds Rhinos (Away) Friday 4th April – 7pm Team Bath v Birmingham Panthers (Home)

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