Morrisons joins chorus against second Lidl store
Becky
MORRISONS has joined retailers Waitrose and The Cooperative Group in formally objecting to the latest plans for a new Lidl on London Road in Bath.
Morrisons, which already has a store on London Road, has warned that a Lidl would see turnover at its Southgate Street store plummet by 25% – which could put the future of the store in doubt and have a knock-on effect on the city centre.
Lidl’s original proposals to build a second supermarket in the city (it already has a store on Lower Bristol Road) were met with a protest and more than 1,500 comments on the application. But last summer the budget supermarket chain withdrew the planning application for the site east of Bath Rugby’s training ground, coming back in April with a new application designed to mitigate any impact on traffic on London Road.
“Of particular concern is the potential level of impact on Larkhall, which we note is particularly dependent on its convenience stores.”
waiting rooms and local libraries.
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Hundreds of comments have again been posted on Bath & North East Somerset Council’s planning portal, the majority against the plans, but also many in favour.
Lidl’s planning consultants have estimated that the impact of a new store on London Road would reduce turnover at the Morrisons in the city centre by almost 10%.
But consultants for Morrisons say the store is not achieving the turnover level estimated by Lidl, and the actual level of impact would be much higher – at almost 25%.
They say: “This level of impact could bring into question the continued viability of this location for Morrisons.
“A reduction in the number of shoppers using the city centre for convenience shopping and/ or a reduction in the choice and range of convenience stores have the potential to adversely affect the overall health of the centre.
“The same point applies to the network of local centres in Bath, all of which are anchored by their convenience stores, including the Morrisons stores in Bathwick Street, Combe Down and Twerton.
They add: “In summary, it is considered that the applicant has not satisfied the planning policy requirements of demonstrating that there are no alternative sequentially preferable sites that could accommodate the proposal and that the proposed Lidl store would not have a significantly adverse impact on the vitality and viability of centres in the local area.”
Morrisons’ consultants have also submitted a highways objection prepared by Exigo, saying that Lidl’s application “significantly underestimates” the effect of the proposed development on the road network.
Meanwhile planning consultants for Waitrose have said it has the only large supermarket within the city centre and is an “anchor store”.
“We have identified several concerns with the planning and retail statement which has been submitted as part of the planning application, in respect of a number of assumptions in regard to the assessment of retail impact.
“We consider the financial impact assessment as currently presented does not clearly demonstrate that a ‘significant adverse’ impact will not arise on Bath city centre.
“Our client’s store plays a key role in supporting overall vitality and viability of Bath city centre and is likely to support footfall and linked trips spending within the wider city centre.
“The impacts arising against our client’s store therefore present a significant planning consideration for the authority in their determination of the application.”
The proposed Lidl would be almost four times the size of the Co-op in St Saviour’s Road in Larkhall. Planning consultants for the Co-operative Group say it’s recognised that commercial competition is not a material planning consideration, and it only objects to proposals for retail developments that are “clearly contrary” to national and local planning policies that seek to ensure the vitality of town centres and support the role that these centres play in the heart of their local communities.
The Co-op report says the proposed Lidl is not sustainably located and relies wholly on shopping trips by car. It describes Lidl’s retail impact assessment as “flawed”.
Vehicular access to the new store would be from a new arm at the Gloucester Road signal-controlled junction, with pedestrian and cycle provision also made from the same location.
The new store would have parking for 81 cars and there would be 12 cycle spaces. There would also be local bus stop improvements.
As well as concerns about impact on nearby local shopping centres, other comments of objection on the planning portal highlight increased congestion, the impact on air quality and the river corridor, the erosion of the “green ring” surrounding Bath, and the harm to the Conservation Area and Bath’s World Heritage status.
Bath’s MP Wera Hobhouse and the two Green councillors for the Lambridge ward, Joanna Wright and Saskia Heijltjes, are among the objectors.
But supporters of a new Lidl store say the east side of the city needs a budget supermarket and less traffic would have to travel through the city if there was a new Lidl at Lambridge.
One Batheaston resident says in her objection on the planning portal: “Currently I drive either to other supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl in Chippenham as it’s sometimes quicker for me to do so than sit and crawl through urban traffic to get to my other nearest main supermarket Morrisons off the London Road; the traffic can be dire at certain sections of the London Road primarily because of the traffic lights by Grosvenor, Upper East Hayes and Cleveland Bridge junction.”
She adds: “I realise that there are other supermarkets such as Coop in Larkhall, but these serve the local community there and I think the competition would be good.
“I recall when Safeway (now Morrisons) was built and the same arguments were put forward that it would damage trade in Larkhall, but I beg to differ, it didn’t, and I believe this area of Bath can handle another supermarket.”
B&NES Council is due to make a decision on whether to grant planning permission for the Lidl by the end of the year.
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How the new store could look | Image © Lidl GB
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Roman Baths named as one of UK's top attractions
THE Roman Baths has been recognised as one of the country’s top attractions, after earning a spot in Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice® Awards Best of the Best for 2025.
Ranked No. 7 nationally, the rating puts The Roman Baths among the top 1% of attractions worldwide on Tripadvisor.
Welcoming around one million visitors annually, the attraction is one of the UK’s most iconic historic sites.
The announcement comes as The Roman Baths launches its summer season, featuring extended evening openings and, for the first time, live music performances every Friday to Sunday.
Set beside the waters of the Great Bath, the ambient sessions offer a magical way to experience the site after hours.
The Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards are based on reviews and ratings from travellers around the world over a 12-month period, making them a trusted reflection of visitor satisfaction and experience.
Councillor Paul Roper, cabinet member for economic and cultural sustainable development at Bath & North East Somerset Council said: “We’re incredibly proud to be recognised as one of the UK’s top attractions in Tripadvisor’s Best of the Best Awards.
“This accolade is a reflection of the passion and dedication of our fantastic team, and the timeless appeal of The Roman Baths.
“It’s wonderful to see how much our visitors value their experience here, and we’re grateful to everyone who took the time to share their glowing reviews.”
Kristen Dalton, president of Tripadvisor, said:
“Congratulations to The Roman Baths on its recognition in Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best for 2025.
“Ranking among the top percentage of businesses globally means you have made such a memorable impact on your visitors that many of them took time to go online and leave a glowing review about their experience.
“Travellers rely on Tripadvisor’s Best of the Best lists to help them navigate the myriad things to see, eat and do across the globe. We hope this recognition continues to drive business to you in 2025 and beyond.”
The Roman Baths opens after hours for Summer Lates until 31st August, inviting visitors to experience the site in a completely new light.
Alongside a programme of music, guests can enjoy the magical ambience of torchlit evenings, a pop-up bar beside the Great
Bath, and a relaxed, atmospheric setting every night of the week.
As dusk falls, the ancient stones are bathed in soft torchlight.
From Monday to Thursday, The Roman Baths will remain open until 8pm. On Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and the August Bank Holiday Monday, the site will stay open until 10pm.
Live music sessions will take place beside the Great Bath from 5.30pm to 9pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, offering a unique blend of heritage, culture, and summer atmosphere.
30-year-old admits killing his father in Whiteway
A 30-YEAR-OLD man has pleaded guilty to killing his father in the Whiteway area of Bath earlier this year.
Peter Monro, 73, was attacked at his home address by his son Christopher Monro on Tuesday 11th February.
Christopher Monro pleaded guilty at Bristol Crown Court to one count of murder on Monday 11th August. He has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on Friday 7th November.
Emergency services were called to the property in Kelston View shortly after noon by a carer, who found Peter wounded in a bedroom.
Police were called at 12.12pm, and the first officers arrived at the scene approximately 10 minutes later. Paramedics recorded the time of death shortly afterwards. During the early stages of the investigation, officers received information that Monro had been staying with his father the weekend before, with several people reporting having heard an argument two days before.
Detectives traced Monro’s
movements, and he was subsequently arrested at his home address in Osney Lane, Oxford, by Thames Valley Police in the early hours of Wednesday 12th February. He was transported back to the Avon and Somerset force area and later charged with murder. Peter’s family has said their lives will never be the same again.
Peter’s daughter shared the following as a testament to her father’s talented and beautiful way with words: “One should obey only the tug on one’s heart, the sudden fleeting day when all
the swallows head south.
“For it is their course they are following and they have no words to reason it away’.”
A tribute from his family said:
“Peter Monro was an incredibly eccentric, funny, intelligent and unique man. He refused to be anything other than himself. A man of his own time. No one else’s.
“His love of literature carried him through life and his sharp mind was impossible to beat.”
They added: “This has been an extremely challenging time for Peter’s loved ones. We hope he is
now with the swallows and thank Avon & Somerset Police for their professionalism and support through all of this.
“While life will never be the same again for Peter’s family, we can now move forward with greater dignity and a deeper understanding of the need for compassion and faith.”
Detective Inspector Neil Meade, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “The past six months have been incredibly painful time for Peter’s family and their touching tribute to him is an indication of how loved he was.
“This guilty plea comes following a comprehensive police investigation and we’re grateful to Peter’s family for their support while that process took place, and the kind words they have said publicly.
“We also wish to thank those people who provided us with information in the early hours of our investigation that linked Christopher Monro to this crime.
“That crucial detail enabled us to work quickly and effectively with our counterparts at Thames Valley Police to ensure Monro was apprehended at the earliest opportunity.”
News in Brief
Temporary road closure for gas main works
A temporary road closure order comes into effect in Southdown in Bath later this month so that gas main upgrade works can be carried out.
Southdown Road will be closed from its junction with Lymore Avenue to the junction with Oriel Grove.
The order begins on Tuesday 26th August. Wales & West Utilities will be working for an anticipated 12 weeks but the order will be in place for six months.
The road will only be restricted when traffic signs are in position. Access will be maintained for residents.
The alternative route for drivers will be via Lymore Avenue, Lymore Terrace, Coronation Avenue, Sladebrook Avenue, Englishcombe Lane and Southdown Road, and vice versa.
Spotlight on businesses in and around Bath
Here at the Echo we’re expanding our coverage of all things Bath and are keen to bring more business news from in and around the city to our growing readership - both online and in print.
We’d love to help you showcase what you are doing, whatever size or sector you are.
Send your editorial contributions to reporter Becky Feather at becky@bathecho.co.uk. And if you’d like to find out more about our advertising and marketing opportunities, contact Rob Last at rob@ mediabath.co.uk
Long range forecast: (22nd to 28th August)
Staying fine and dry with spells of sunshine for many. Some showers, heavy and thundery, are possible, with longer spells of rain in the region at times.
The torchlit Great Bath at the Roman Baths | Image courtesy of B&NES Council
Left: The crime scene | Above: Peter Monro
Controversial waiting restrictions are approved on 12 Mulberry Park roads
Becky Feather Reporter
CONTROVERSIAL plans to bring in ‘no waiting at any time’ restrictions to stop parked cars hindering a new bus route on the Mulberry Park estate have been approved, along with a 20mph limit across the development.
The No.2 bus service, which is operated by First and runs between the city centre and The Hub at Mulberry Park, is being extended around the new estate.
The double yellow lines affect Bradford Park, Brinkworth Road, Fox Hill, Hillyer Grove, Janes Grove, Kellaway Lane, Mulberry Way, Naish Road, Patch Street, Willis Road, Williams Road, and Whitaker Road.
The local residents’ association was in support of the route extension but representatives of around 150 people living on the Curo development contacted the Bath Echo in February to say their concerns about the proposals had not been heeded and there was nothing wrong with the current well-used service. Although the route extension was part of the plan when outline permission was granted for Mulberry Park on the old Foxhill MoD site in 2014, the residents who contacted us said this was not disclosed to them at the time of purchase or lease.
The extended bus route will take the No.2 along Whitaker Road, then across Naish Road and up Williams Road before joining Whitaker Road again. A secondary bus route is planned along Wratislaw Road. A new bus stop is proposed at the green at Whitaker Road.
First Bus has said that no bus will use the extended route before 7am and after 7.30pm on a weekday, with a later start at weekends.
In response to Bath & North East Somerset Council’s decision to go ahead with the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), the representatives of the objectors told the Bath Echo that the outcome was “disappointing”.
They said: “Despite our desire to discuss our concerns on parking displacement, inadequate parking for visitors, accessibility and it not being in keeping with the character of the area, we have been faced with a lack of interest
from the parties we contacted.
“Our letter of petition was sent to Curo, B&NES and First Bus in November 2024 in regard to the bus route.
“Their responses failed to answer our concerns. We requested meetings on several occasions. These requests were ignored.
“We note that the TRO decision notice references our petition; however, the TRO response regarding the public objections raised does not answer the concerns on safety, noise, traffic, security and housing blight to name a few.
“Furthermore, the response doesn’t even mention the proposed bus route extension which is the TRO’s primary purpose. Instead, the decisionmakers have chosen to focus on the reasons why the parking restrictions will result in minimal impact to the residents.”
The objectors said the fact
remains that if the extended bus route was withdrawn, parking restrictions wouldn’t be needed: “81% (131 residents) that are directly impacted do not want the extended bus route so we cannot understand why this TRO has been approved as these views are clearly not important to B&NES.”
They added: “We believe that the Mulberry Park development has not been designed adequately in the first place, nor has its proposal been fully considered with the implementation of a bus route further into the development.
“We feel that the incorporation of double yellow lines is an attempt to provide a solution to a problem that should not have existed in the first place and therefore causing further issues elsewhere.”
Council officers note in the TRO report that “ample parking opportunities are still retained within the Mulberry Park development”.
Curo’s car park plans are branded ‘excessive’
A decision by B&NES Council planners on Curo’s application for a 22-space permanent car park to serve the community hub at Mulberry Park was still pending this week although a strong objection has been voiced by the highways team.
When the former Ministry of Defence site at Combe Down was redeveloped for housing, The Hub was intended to be the focus, but it has been so successful that people from further afield are coming too, and not all are using sustainable transport.
The Hub has 14 allocated parking spaces for visitors, and there are four general parking spaces along Mulberry Way
Land at Foxhill opposite Bradford Park Road is currently being used for temporary parking for 19 vehicles for Hub staff, but as we reported in April, Curo said that without making it permanent, the facility’s future is at risk and overspill parking would impact residents and “compromise” the bus service.
The land has consent to become a community park. Curo has stated that there are no changes proposed to the park, and the overall design of the car park element is unchanged other than a different surface intended for more regular use and a “slight reconfiguration”.
The council warned Curo before it submitted the application that only if there is “no alternative” would it consider the principle of allowing the creation of additional car parking.
And a recent report on the council planning portal from the highways team says the proposal includes “an excessive number of car parking spaces” in conflict with policies which seek to ensure that unnecessary car use is reduced and that sustainable transport is a more attractive choice.
Council pulls the plug on TV screen next to busy Bath junction
THE developer who put up an 88-inch TV screen near a busy crossroads in the city to advertise new homes at the Bath Press site has been refused permission to keep it.
Concerns were raised back in June by some drivers who felt the brightly-lit screen on top of the sales office could be a hazard for motorists at the junction where Windsor Bridge Road and Brook Road meet Lower Bristol Road.
At the time Bath & North East Somerset Council told the Echo it would be talking to developer City & Country as no planning application had been received.
The developer said most of the temporary advertising signage came under permitted development but subsequently put in a retrospective application, maintaining that the digital display on the corner of Lower Bristol Road and Brook Road is not a “prominent” feature and would not impact on nearby homes or road users.
This week council planners said that although the totem sign, billboard signs and flags are acceptable, they were refusing advertisement consent for the large screen three metres up which faces signalised crossroads on a major arterial route and could impact public safety, as well as cause harm to the area.
They say in their report: “The World Heritage Sites derive value from the high quality, homogenous Georgian townscape, landscape setting and carefully managed nature of the overall urban environment which contributes to recreation and relaxation within the historic spa city.
“The digital advertising display would be an overtly commercial and modern feature, appearing prominently throughout the day and night, announcing commercial interests.
“It would not reflect high quality and traditional Georgian townscape, the landscape setting of the city or the carefully managed nature of the overall urban environment.”
The modern style of advertising, which includes regularly changing video and imagery that is backlit, was described as “at odds” with historic architecture nearby, including the façade and
chimney of the former Bath Press printworks, as well as the Royal Oak pub.
The report also highlights there are recent residential developments immediately opposite the site such as Signal Box Yard and Spring Wharf: “The digital advertisement will be visible from windows of adjacent residential properties, especially in hours of darkness due to illuminated nature.
“This will increase awareness of the advertisement to surrounding occupiers including in sight from neighbouring homes.
“This will be harmful to the visual quality of the area as perceived by the people living there.”
The display is described as an “unsympathetic and incohesive” installation projecting from the roof of the sales office building, and the brightness exceeds the nationally advised level by the industry body.
The planning report also notes that the council’s transport development team objected as the constantly changing imagery and text increase the risk of driver distraction, and therefore the likelihood of collisions.
“This is a particular concern for those motorists approaching the signalised junction from Windsor Bridge Roaf.
“It is noted that there is evidence of higher number of road accidents at this junction prior to installation of the digital display, indicating it is a location where full attention on road conditions is required to ensure public safety.”
The developer was advised that the application was being recommended for refusal but chose not to withdraw it.
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The new screen installed at the site
The No.2 bus in Mulberry Park
Developer tells residents to rip out their allotment
RESIDENTS of a new estate
in Bath who’ve turned a small area of scrubland behind their homes into a communal allotment have been told by the developer that they must rip it out.
Elizabeth Heggart and her neighbours
Paul and Donna Anstee say the narrow strip of land behind their homes at Harrison Down on Vistry’s Sulis Down development was a mess when they moved in about 20 months ago. They knew it was not their land but decided to improve the look of it. Over a year ago they began clearing it – picking out the stones, clearing weeds, levelling the earth and building waste, laying grass and caring for the shrubs and trees that had been planted by the developer but “left to die” like others on the development. Paul estimates that between them they have spent about £1,500 on the land.
Council’s policy to increase the provision of local food growing.
Council planners have meanwhile indicated to the residents that they would be in favour of what is known as a nonmaterial amendment (NMA) to change the official use of the land to an informal community allotment.
But even though the residents say that they would reimburse Vistry for any costs involved in doing that, the developer has refused to budge.
Vistry gave the residents a deadline of 28th July to vacate the land but agreed to defer it until 12th September to ensure their planting efforts don’t go to waste, and they can enjoy the produce they have grown. All items apart from wildflowers must be removed by the end of that day.
Plan to prevent further flooding at historic mill
After serious flooding caused damage to two homes in a village near Bath last year, measures to prevent it from happening again have been drawn up following advice from the Environment Agency.
On 4th January 2024, high flows caused serious flooding in Dunkirk Mill at Rosemary Lane in Freshford, which also comprises Middle House.
Two floors of both properties were flooded, and the restoration works are still ongoing.
The Grade II listed former cloth mill is in a valley containing a tributary of the River Frome, which discharges into the river at Freshford.
In addition to growing vegetables there is a rockery, a flower garden and a greenhouse.
They say their efforts have fostered community spirit with crops being shared with other neighbours in their road. While fencing at the rear of the strip was erected by the developer, the residents have also put up some temporary fencing to stop teenagers on motorbikes who were charging down the strip of land that goes behind other properties at Harrison Down.
The residents’ offer to adopt, rent or buy the small area has been refused, with Vistry maintaining that it is public open space. However, the area is only accessible by a private driveway, rather than being open to the public, and there is only a limited view for anyone passing by.
The residents say the informal allotment space is in line with Bath & North East Somerset
Public open space at the site is due to be handed over to management company Trustgreen to maintain but it is not as yet known when that will be. It is understood that Trustgreen will not be able to deviate from the approved plans.
Vistry has not responded to the Echo’s request for a comment.
The land is not yet managed by Trustgreen which was not in a position to comment.
Formal allotment space is included at the Sulis Down development but has yet to be created.
A flood relief channel is being proposed, which will allow low flows to continue through the mill pond, but higher flows will bypass the pond and homes and flow through the garden, mimicking the route taken by the watercourse during last year’s flood, but diverted around the mill building.
Both planning and listed building consent are being sought from Bath & North East Somerset Council.
The deadline for comments is 29th August. The planning reference is 25/02798/FUL.
Becky Feather Reporter
Inset: Before the land at the site was cultivated
Above: Elizabeth Heggart on the left with Donna & Paul Anstee
New flags proposed on facade of Jolly’s store
Becky Feather Reporter
THE retailer taking over Jolly’s in Milsom Street in Bath is seeking permission to erect nine flags to promote the business.
Morleys Stores Ltd has applied for planning and listed building consent from Bath & North East Somerset Council to put up the flags at the front of the historic store which stretches from 7 to 14 Milsom Street.
The Grade II listed building is owned by the council which is currently carrying out extensive restoration and repair work. Jolly and Son opened their ‘Bath Emporium’ at 12 Milsom Street in 1831 and the business expanded over the years, joining together eight terraced buildings.
Jolly’s was bought by House of Fraser in the 1970s and taken over by Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group six years ago.
Following the store’s closure in February of this year, Morleys Stores and Bath & North East Somerset announced plans in March to reopen Jolly’s, preserving the iconic name and restoring the store to its former glory.
Morleys propose to reinstate
the nine flags on the façade on flagpoles similar to those erected and then subsequently removed by House of Fraser.
Each white fibreglass flagpole will be 3.2 metres long, fixed to a galvanized steel bracket and capped with a gold finial.
Each flagpole will display a 1.37 metre wide by 2.63 metre high flag in an aubergine colour, to match the painted store front, and printed with the traditional ‘Jolly’s’ logo on the lower third of the flag and ‘Est 1831’ in a smaller font below.
The planning reference is 25/03021/FUL. The deadline for comments is 12th September.
Transformation of old phone box is testament to community spirit
AFTER nearly six years, Saltford Parish Council has announced the successful completion of turning an old red phone box into a floral feature and emergency lifesaving station. What began in 2019 as a simple idea to adopt the kiosk on the corner of Norman Road from BT for £1 grew into a testament to the village’s community spirit.
After delays caused by the pandemic, the parish council had by late 2021 tendered to have the phone box repainted and repositioned – only for it to be completely destroyed when it was struck by a vehicle in early 2022.
The parish council remained committed to its vision, however, and sourced a refurbished ‘K6’ phone box to replace the one that had stood at Norman Road for decades.
When the council bought the refurbished box in 2023, the team at local business Mobius Group, led by founder and CEO Lee Bignell, prepared a new base and oversaw its installation entirely for free.
Lee also gave his expert advice and support for the remainder of Becky Feather Reporter the project.
During the summer of 2023 the team at Flourish Foodhall and Kitchen created planters for the new phone box and filled them with beautiful flowers as a gift to the community.
Ever since, the flowers have been regularly tended by Mary Stoate who lives nearby, and Flourish replaces the flowers twice a year.
An emergency bleed kit was added by the parish council last December as part of a wider project to install five such kits around the village.
Finally, with thanks to the landlord and team at The Crown, the project has culminated this summer with the addition of a battery-powered defibrillator, funded and maintained by the
pub.
The defibrillator and bleed kit are accessible to the public at all times and registered on national networks for use by the emergency services too.
Councillor Jon Godfrey, chair of the parish council and lead of the Phone Box Project Working Group, said: “This project shows what’s possible when a community works together.
“It’s now a place of nature, heritage, and potentially life saving importance – all thanks to the incredible generosity of Saltford businesses.
“Thanks also to Mary, whose dedicated volunteering keeps the flowers in bloom – as enjoyed by both residents and everyone passing through Saltford.”
From left, Lottie from The Crown, Rosie Crocker from Flourish, Cllr Phil Harding, Anita Bignell from Mobius, Mary Stoate, Cllr Jon Godfrey and Cllr Paul Smith
Jolly's under scaffolding
20mph speed limits proposed on city roads
B&NES Council planning to build homes on ‘surplus’ NHS land
A PUBLIC consultation is under way on plans to reduce the speed limit on the A36 Pulteney Road and North Parade Road from 30mph to 20mph.
Bath & North East Somerset Council says those to benefit will include coaches manoeuvring into and out of the dedicated parking bays and supporters going to cricket and rugby matches, as well as people heading for leisure activities on the canal. Also set to benefit are children attending Widcombe Infant School and the local play area, and the area’s student accommodation. The proposal is to reduce the
existing 30mph speed limit on Pulteney Road from the St Matthew’s Place signals to the Raby Place/Bathwick Hill roundabout.
On North Parade Road, a 20mph limit is proposed from the junction with Pulteney Road up to the existing 20mph east of North Parade Bridge.
Bathwick councillors Manda Rigby and Toby Simon, and Widcombe & Lyncombe councillors Alison Born and Deborah Collins, have all voiced their support for the plans. Objections and representations from the public must be made to the local authority by Thursday 21st August.
Becky Feather Reporter
THE leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council is being asked to approve a £3.2 million loan to buy land at Keynsham Health Centre and develop it for housing.
The council has a development loan facility agreement in place with Aequus Construction Limited (ACL), a company it owns.
ACL has been working on a number of site opportunities and the report being considered by Councillor Kevin Guy says: “The site at Keynsham Health Centre has been subject to positive engagement and discussion over the past 12 months with NHS Property Services Ltd.
“This has led to a number of potential opportunities being identified and the ability for Aequus, as a wholly-owned council company, to acquire identified surplus sites directly from the NHS.”
Part of the health centre site at St Clements Road has been identified as “surplus” and, subject to planning permission, has the potential for up to seven family homes. All the homes would be “good
quality” and developed to meet the council’s sustainability planning policy standards.
Councillor Guy is being asked to approve the development loan borrowing of up to £3.2 million on the commercial terms set out in the business case.
This is an exempt part of the report which has “commercially sensitive” information. The decision is set to be taken on or after this Saturday, 16th August.
Earlier this year planning permission was granted to redevelop Treetops, the derelict nursing home site next to the health centre in St Clements Road.
Since Treetops closed in 2018, there had been several attempts to redevelop the land, both for housing and for a care home.
In February the council’s planning committee voted to grant outline planning permission for 36 flats on the site in two three-storey blocks.
The development will not include any affordable housing as the council’s officers agreed with the developer’s assessment that it would not be financially viable.
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Keynsham Health Centre, where there is ‘surplus’ NHS land
There are plans to reduce the limits from 30mph to 20mph
Crime & Court
Shoplifter is jailed for 12 months after admitting offences
A HABITUAL shoplifter at the Co-op in Julian Road in Bath has been jailed for a total of 12 months by magistrates.
Caroline Beaverstock appeared in custody at Bath Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 30th July to admit 26 offences.
The 35-year-old had been convicted in June of 30 thefts for which she had received a 12-month conditional discharge and was given a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) banning her from entering several shops across the city. She had been warned that if this was breached, she would be brought back before the court.
Beaverstock, of Combe Park at Weston, breached the CBO 13 times – on 16th July, three times on 18th July, on 20th July, twice on 21st July, again on 22nd July, twice on 23rd July and on 24th,
27th and 28th July.
She also admitted 13 thefts from the store over that period. On 16th July she took two barbecue kebabs worth £18.50 and on 18th July there were three separate thefts – of five jars of coffee worth £35.88; four bacon kebabs worth £26.50; and four bacon and cheese turnovers worth £9.
On 20th July, she took two
Drink-driver wrote off car after hitting ice
Becky
A DRINK-DRIVER hit black ice on his way home from a night out and wrote off his car, Bath magistrates heard.
Appearing in court on Wednesday 23rd July, Joshua Blanchard, from Lippiatt Lane in Timsbury, admitted drink-driving on Bungays Hill at High Littleton. He had 115 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80.
The court heard that the incident happened on 11th January. Blanchard had thought he was fine to drive home from Midsomer Norton after consuming two cans of Spanish lager.
The 22-year-old’s car hit black ice and he crashed. The vehicle
automatically sent a SOS call to the police, who turned up to see him going past in a taxi which he said he’d called to take him home so he could get help.
Officers were concerned that Blanchard was injured, and he was taken to hospital. He had been the sole occupant of the car, which was written off.
The court was told that Blanchard works as an apprentice electrician for a housing association and will be able to keep his job, despite inevitably losing his driving licence.
Magistrates banned Blanchard from the road for 14 months, but that will be reduced by 14 weeks as he intends to do a drink-drive rehabilitation course.
He was fined £276 and ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £110 surcharge.
later an eight-pack of Dr Pepper cans worth £3.75. The next day she shoplifted two tiramisu gelatos worth £9.50.
On 27th July she stole pork pies worth £2.45 and finally on 28th July she stole two sandwiches, a bottle of Lucozade and a can of energy drink worth £9.50. She was arrested outside the shop on 29th July and brought before the court in custody the following day.
community order, having been convicted previously of racially aggravated behaviour, criminal damage and assault.
Magistrates jailed her to “protect the public” and because of her “persistent and flagrant disregard for the law”.
When she comes out of prison, she will have to pay a surcharge of £187 but magistrates made no order for court costs or compensation.
sandwiches, a bottle of Lucozade and a can of Red Bull worth £10.75. On 21st July she stole a can of Red Bull and a bottle of Lucozade worth £4.15 and on a separate occasion that day a sandwich worth £3.30.
On 22nd July Beaverstock stole two tubs of ice cream worth £11.30, followed the next day by a can of Red Bull worth £2.25 and
The court heard that Beaverstock has had a “negative peer influence” and been forced to steal by an individual as she had not wanted them to break up with her.
The magistrates were also told that she suffers from bipolar and EUPD (emotionally unstable personality disorder) and misuses substances; she has a care coordinator for mental health support and struggles with structured intervention, but was prepared to undertake rehab.
Beaverstock was also under a
Driver on M5
Neighbourhood Sergeant Tom Allwood-Coppin said:
“Beaverstock is a persistent offender and her repeated shoplifting is having a significant impact on businesses in Bath.
“It’s something we’re taking incredibly seriously and is one of our main areas of focus.
“Criminal Behaviour Orders are an important tool in helping us deal with prolific offenders. The breaches of her order have meant she’s now been handed a significant prison sentence.”
feared that pursuing police officer was a ‘nutcase’
A JAGUAR driver who was holding up traffic in the outside lane of the M5 told Bath magistrates he did not realise that the “aggressive” motorist trying to get him to move over was in fact a police officer.
The special sergeant, who was travelling in his own car, told the court that he had shown his warrant card as he drew alongside Robert Baylis, who was at the wheel of the black X-Type.
Concerned that the speed at which Baylis was travelling –which he estimated to be 60 to 65mph – could cause road rage from drivers stuck behind, the officer told the court he’d called for a marked unit to be dispatched, in the meantime continuing to observe Baylis as he drove southwards.
But Baylis, who was in court charged with not being considerate to other road users, said he had been travelling at about 72 to 73mph and had not been able to pull over for some time without the risk of cutting up other drivers, although he admitted he had not signalled to show his intention to leave lane three.
The 74-year-old, from Wokingham in Berkshire, defended himself when he came before the court on Wednesday, 30th July in relation to the incident on 20th March last year.
The police officer told the court that he had been in uniform at
the time, but Baylis accused him of “lying through your teeth”.
Baylis said his wife, who’d been in the passenger seat at the time, had seen the man holding something up, but she “would not know a library card from a warrant card”.
He said he was eventually followed off the M5 and along the A38 in Somerset by the unmarked car. “I thought we were being followed by a nutcase,” he told the court.
Baylis said he had done a full 360-degree manoeuvre at a roundabout after coming off at Junction 26 to establish that he was indeed being followed.
Fearing he could end up getting “beaten up” at the roadside, he’d asked his wife to call 999 to plan a rendezvous with police.
Baylis admitted he had been “agitated” when stopped by a police car a short time later, but had calmed down when it was confirmed to him that the man following him had in fact been a police officer.
Giving evidence in court, the police constable who had stopped Baylis corroborated that the special sergeant had been in uniform.
The special sergeant admitted in court that he had told Baylis that he would produce dashcam evidence of what happened; however, it turned out his memory card was full, so no footage was available.
The body-worn footage by the police constable was also not available as it had been wiped after 30 days as the officer had gone on long-term sick leave. Finding Baylis guilty of not being considerate to other road users, magistrates said they found the special sergeant to be a “credible and clear witness” and believed his account.
They told Baylis that although they did not consider he was lying, he had not really addressed the issue of his driving and had not used lane one over a distance of 27 miles.
Baylis, who told the court he has an annual pre-tax income of £140,000, was fined £1,728 and ordered to pay £650 prosecution costs and a surcharge of £691. Adding six penalty points to Baylis’s licence, the chair of the bench told him: “You will need to drive carefully.”
After being told he could leave the courtroom, Baylis proclaimed: “That will teach me to argue with the police.”
Caroline Beaverstock | Photo © Avon & Somerset Police
Becky Feather Reporter
Becky Feather Reporter
Feather Reporter
Blanchard was banned from driving for 14 months, but this could be reduced
Magistrates grant restraining orders after campaign of harassment
Becky Feather Reporter
A 26-YEAR-OLD woman has been handed three restraining orders by Bath magistrates after her campaign of harassment, including a phone call threatening serious harm.
The court heard that between 1st October last year and 16th March this year, Chelsea Taylor harassed the sister of the man she used to date, bombarding her with messages and calls. She made threats to damage property and to harm the woman, who lives in Combe Down, and her associates.
On 16th February, she sent a message threatening to stab her and her partner.
Taylor, of Lilac Court in Keynsham, was before the court for sentencing on Wednesday 6th August. She had pleaded guilty in June to harassment and making a threat of serious harm, and the case had been adjourned for a Probation Service report.
The court heard that Taylor used different accounts to maintain contact with the woman, who said in a statement that her mental health had been impacted, and she’d had to increase her
antidepressants.
She said she had never provoked Taylor, whose comments included telling her victim to kill herself.
Taylor’s solicitor said there had been a lot of messages “fairly nasty in nature”. However, Taylor had never intended to carry out any of the threats but was expressing what she was feeling.
He said she doesn’t make friends easily and had been cut out of the family’s lives after the relationship ended.
He said Taylor has learning difficulties and is likely on the autism spectrum.
The court heard she works as a cleaner and has support from adult social care, as well as from
Hospital porter may lose job after conviction
A PORTER at the Royal United Hospital in Bath might lose his job after being convicted of drink-driving, city magistrates heard.
David Taylor, 59, of Redland Park in Twerton, appeared in the dock on Wednesday 6th August to admit the offence.
He had been at the wheel of his Ford Focus on 20th July in Redland Park, not thinking he was over the drink-drive limit at the time.
He took his eyes off the road for a moment when an alert came through on his phone, only to collide with a parked vehicle.
No one was injured, but an ambulance had to be called because Taylor suffered a cut to the head after reportedly being assaulted by a member of the public. The police asked for a breath test, which Taylor
refused, so he was arrested. After receiving stitches at the Royal United Hospital, he was taken to Keynsham Police Centre where the lower reading he gave was 54 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms.
The court heard that Taylor had been feeling down since the death in April of his father, who had dementia; Taylor’s manager had sent him home when he went back to work after the drink-driving incident and had suggested he get bereavement counselling, which he is now considering.
He had told his employer that he was going to court. He drives vans as part of his role at the hospital, so might lose his job.
Magistrates fined him £450 with a £180 surcharge and £85 costs.
He was banned from driving for 14 months but that will be reduced by 25% as he intends to do a drink-drive rehabilitation course.
Witness appeal after air rifle incident in Bath
other agencies and her family. She had been abiding by 11 bail conditions while awaiting sentence.
Magistrates told her the offences were “serious” but felt a community order would not work as it would set her up to fail. They told her they wanted her to improve herself and move on. They fined her £384 for each offence and ordered her to pay a surcharge of £307, plus prosecution costs of £85. They said they did not think compensation was appropriate. They granted multiple two-year restraining orders banning Taylor from having any contact with the victim, the victim’s mother, and the victim’s partner.
AVON & Somerset Police have launched an appeal for witnesses and information after receiving reports of an incident involving an air rifle in Bath.
Officers received a report of two boys, believed to be in their early teens, discharging an air weapon in the direction of vehicles and properties in Bloomfield Road and Wellsway at around 5.50pm on Monday 28th July.
The first boy is described as white and wearing a black cloth cap and tank top.
The second boy is described as black and wearing a light blue T-shirt.
Police are now appealing for
witnesses or anybody who can identify the two boys to come forward.
Inspector Dudley Bond, of the neighbourhood policing team, said: “We have not received any additional reports of this kind, and we believe this to be an isolated incident.
“It is crucial for air rifle owners to act responsibly and familiarise themselves with the relevant legislation.”
Witnesses and those with information are asked to call 101 quoting reference number 5225212830, or complete the online appeals form at https:// bit.ly/3UYjZks
Man caught with over half a kilo of cannabis was taking it for his ADHD
Becky Feather Reporter
MAGISTRATES have ordered the destruction of over half a kilo of cannabis which a Bath man claimed he’d bought to ease his ADHD.
Lewis Read appeared in court on Wednesday 6th August to admit being in possession of 551.5 grams of cannabis in Bath on 2nd October 2024.
Bradley Axam, defending Read, said police had not found any paraphernalia indicative of
The 31-year-old said it was cheaper for him to buy the cannabis in bulk
supply, such as cellophane or scales, at the address where the cannabis was discovered, it was a case of simple possession.
He told the court that Read, who is a father-of-four, self-medicates with cannabis for his ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) as it is the only thing that slows his brain and allows him to function normally.
The 31-year-old had such a large amount as it is cheaper for him to buy it in bulk.
Read, currently of Victoria Bridge Road, who is self-employed and works in the events industry,
also suspects he is on the autism spectrum but does not have a formal diagnosis, and suffers from bad anxiety, magistrates heard.
Mr Axam said that although a child had been present at the property in Bath where the cannabis had been discovered, the largest chunk, weighing 470 grams, had been stored up high and there were no concerns from social services.
As well ordering the forfeiture and destruction of the drug, magistrates fined Read £403 with a £161 surcharge and £85 costs.
An air rifle was being discharged towards vehicles and properties
Becky Feather Reporter
Pictures from the Past
The railway through Sydney Gardens
WITH news that the iron bridge over the railway in Sydney Gardens is finally to be restored, this week’s archive pictures look back to the early days of this historic structure.
The first is an engraving by JC Bourne, showing broad gauge tracks being laid through the gardens shortly before the line opened on 30th June 1841. The second is a photograph from fifty years later, when the line from London was still mixed gauge, showing a standard-gauge train heading towards Bath.
Mixed gauge tracks had been laid through Bath in 1874, but, after the last broad gauge train ran on 20th May 1892, a final conversion – to standard gauge only – was carried out.
The story of the battle of the gauges and of the building of the line through Bath is told in The Ringing Grooves of Change by Andrew Swift, available in bookshops or direct from www.akemanpress.com
and Crime Commissioner
Ihave joined with the antislavery charity Unseen to strengthen how we respond to modern slavery, by awarding them funding over five years to support victims of modern slavery and exploitation.
The funding will enable Unseen to provide specialist support to modern slavery victims across Avon and Somerset.
Working in partnership with other services, providers and the police, Unseen will advocate for
victims and help them rebuild their lives. The support provided will involve input from those using the service to make sure it works for them.
The funding will enable Unseen to:
• Deliver a coordinated range of interventions for victims
• Provide new technology and performance frameworks that measure outcomes for potential victims living in the community, such as the
impact on their mental health, improved resilience, feeling empowered to report to the police
• Capture feedback and learning from to help continually improve the service and ensure that the survivor voice remains central to the work.
I am deeply grateful that we will continue to build our longstanding relationship with the team at Unseen who will be delivering this much-needed
modern slavery and human trafficking service for victims of this complex crime.
It is vital that we have specialist frontline professionals that can offer tailored support and signposting for people in vulnerable positions within our communities. We want victims to know that they can access this support, regardless of whether the crime has been reported to the police, and that
they have access to a safe space to genuinely feel heard, valued and supported.
To award this funding, I followed a researchdriven commissioning process that put victims and their voices at the heart of tackling modern slavery.
To find out more about the services I commission for victims, please visit my website: https://bit.ly/41nkQz5
Above: Tracks being laid in Sydney Gardens in 1841
Below: A train heading through Sydney Gardens in 1891
COLUMN | Clare Moody, Labour Police
Kirsten Elliott Akeman Press
Crossword
Congratulations to Penny McPherson 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!
1 Baby bed (4)
4 Above suspicion (10)
9 One-third of a triangle, maybe (5,5) 10 Cereal food (4)
11 Boundless (9)
13 Stingy one (5)
16 "Ratatouille" rat who aspires to be a chef (4)
17 Military student (5)
21 Aquatic mammal (5)
22 Drowned river valley (3)
23 Assert emphatically (3)
24 Cousin of your daughter (5)
25 Kisses (5)
28 Capital of Fiji (4)
31 Military training centres (5)
34 Getting (9)
Poisonous Javanese tree (4)
Analgesic (10) 38 Old style audio accessory (4,6)
Basic idea (4)
Down
2 Circular building (7)
3 Apiary (7)
4 Largest of what used to be the Sandwich Islands (6)
5 Quantity (6)
6 Ash containers (4)
7 Got up (5)
8 It used to be spoken in Rome (5)
12 Research deeply (5)
13 What's yours is mine and what's mine's ___ (2,3)
14 Ancient Mexican (5)
15 Fenced areas (5)
17 Sarcastic doubter of sincerity and merit (5)
18 Wild fancy (5)
19 What Rapunzel grew (5)
20 Caterpillar (5)
26 Stopper to keep out noise (7)
27 Doghouses (7)
29 Keenness of vision (6)
30 Reinforced underground shelter (6)
32 Dominant (5)
33 Deputised group (5)
35 Gemstone (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 1508, Bath Echo, PO Box 5395, Bath, BA1 0YA
The winner will be the first randomly opened entry with the correct answers on 27/08/2025. They will be notified using the details they provide when entering the competition. Winners will be given the option of receiving a High Street shopping voucher or be provided the £20 via a BACS transfer.
Food & Drink
Tasty Dates For Your Diary
The Mint Room (Lower Bristol Road) is currently hosting Weekly Regional Menus putting the spotlight on regional feasts You Do Not Want To Miss! Monsoon Coast (Kerala) is available for booking until Sunday 17th August, followed by Desert Royalty (Rajasthan) Monday 18th - Sunday 24th August, and Zamindar Table (Bengal) Monday 25th August – Sunday 31st August (all feasts £45pp). bath.themintroom.co.uk
New to The Curfew (Cleveland Place West): the super-exciting Goldstone Food headed up by superchef Liam Goldstone, now open for lunch and dinner every Wednesday - Saturday, a ‘headline grabbing’ roast every Sunday from 12-4pm and a monthly set-menu event Dinner With Goldstone already setting tasteful tongues wagging across
Sponsor this section!
Get in touch with Rob Last via rob@mediabath.co.uk
Bath (next date: Wednesday 27th August). @Goldstonefood
The Coret Coffee Flight Club: there are no rules apart from the fact that you mustn’t miss it! Next stop: a South African Wine Flight guided by legendary local wine expert Angus (Wolf Wine) Perkins at Coret Coffee HQ in Milsom Place (£18 plus small booking fee).
https://bit.ly/45K72kv
The new early evening Prix Fixe menu at the Green Rocket (Pierrepont Street) brings 3 courses of vibrant, indulgent plant-based food for just £25 to the table every Friday and Saturday between 4.30-6.30pm. www.thegreenrocket.co.uk
Fieldfayre is coming to The Old Crown (Kelston)! An alfresco
Review Sydney's
23-24 Monmouth Place, Bath BA1 2AY 01225 260260 www.sydneysbath.co.uk
@sydneysbath
The Scallop Shell (Monmouth Place, est. 2015); Noah’s (Cumberland Basin, Bristol (2023): if you have the opportunity to eat at one of the Rosser family’s restaurants, don’t pass on it! Even without my bidding, it’s unlikely that you would; each one of the triumvirate easily tops all manner of the ‘most recommended in Bath and Bristol charts’... for very good reason. And, as of July of this year, Sydney’s — right next door to The Scallop Shell, in the pub formerly known as The New Inn (now beautifully refurbished for a whole new audience) — offers further opportunities to make merry with the Rossers. The family’s new venture is named after family head honcho Garry Rosser’s wife Lisa’s dad, aiming to honour the legacy
Melissa Blease Food Writer
screening of cult movie classic Grease on Friday 22nd August (£15pp), live music, garden games and gourmet hot dogs on Saturday 23rd August (free entry) and, on Sunday 24th August, the spectacular Mediterraneanthemed Asado grill Viking Feast (yes, really! £40 per adult, £20 per child to include all food and a glass of Dinton Folly Sparkling Rosé; minimum booking 2 people).
www.oldcrownkelston.com
Hot news from the Rose and Crown (Larkhall): a terrifically tantalising Tapas menu is now available every ThursdaySaturday from 4pm-10pm while the bi-monthly Wednesday Pop-Up kitchen puts a rotating spotlight on talented guest chefs and global flavours. Keep an eye on the R&C’s website for details of forthcoming pop-
of “a big-hearted family man who loved nothing more than bringing people together and a couple of drams of whisky before bed.” Garry and Lisa have done him proud, offering a range of buoyant breakfasts and, later on, seasonal sharing plates complimented by a well-stocked bar served up in chic-but-cosy surroundings with a linger-long, laid back vibe… and featuring
ups.
roseandcrownlarkhall.co.uk
A hog roast, craft ciders, live music and good vibes all day long from 12pm-late: it’s all happening at the Victoria Pub and Kitchen (Upper Bristol Road, opp. Royal Victoria Park) on Sunday 24th August when their Pork and Cider Festival celebrates the last Bank Holiday weekend of 2025. www.victoriabath.co.uk
Go back to school in the most tasteful (literally!) way at The Cookery Studio (Milsom Place). Dates for international ‘dinein experience’ classes are trending now, alongside baking experiences, child/teen and adult/child cookery classes hosted in a beautiful customfitted studio purpose built for interactive cookery experiences. www.thecookery-studio.co.uk
Celebrate 10 glorious years of the Electric Bear Brewing Co on Saturday 6th September when their “biggest, boldest birthday party yet” brings amazing brews, sumptuous street food and live music to their Brassmill Lane HQ. www.electricbearbrewing.com
Big changes in the pipeline at The Claremont (Claremont Road): new management, new menus and new raft of local produce incoming - exciting times indeed! www.theclaremont.pub
Melissa regularly reviews eateries across Bath and the surrounding area. You can find out more on her dedicated website at: www.theprandialplayground.uk
Follow Melissa on X Find her @ThePigGuide
a gorgeous alfresco roof terrace that offers a fresh perspective on Bath’s ‘typical’ urban vistas. The view from Sydney’s terrace reminds me of suppers-goneby in, say, Lucca, or Reims, or Palma: ancient stone walls laden with Gothic melodrama with a rose window and a c.18th century (I think?) Octagon in the mix; this is indeed Bath, but not as you knew it… in more ways than one.
Prices at Sydney’s are very, erm, “un-Bath”, to say the least. Meatballs, chicken skewers and fishcakes (of which more later) are priced in single format (£2.50, £3.50 and £3 respectively), which makes a sharing feast really easy to negotiate depending on tastes while also taking good care of single diners. A bowl of chips comes in at £2 (£2!) and only the fresh fish dish on the evening we visited swam up to £9.50. Whichever way your budget/tastes take you, your investment is richly rewarded with very generous portions of familiar favourites dotted hither and thither with cheffy flair: potato salad is finished off with a muscatel dressing, there’s aubergine caviar casually accompanying a roasted portobello mushroom, chickpea and sweet potato pakora comes burger-style, in a sesame bun.
We opted for a duo of juicy meatballs stuffed with feta resting on a puddle of punchy tomato sauce, two moist chicken thigh
skewers enlivened by an uplifting chimichurri, a massive tumble of whole North Atlantic prawns with a creamy/tangy cocktail sauce and a neat, meaty slab of ovenbaked Silver Mullet fillet, fresh from Dorset and perfectly teamed with a super-herbacious salsa verde: heaven on four plates. But oh, the smoked salmon fishcakes! Savoury/sweet and smoky, rich and smooth, crisp then soft, served with the kind of creamy, pickle- and caper-laden tartare sauce that most kitchens can only ever aspire to. We had chips along the way too (oh come on, this is the Rosser family in the kitchen! You’ve gotta do it, haven’t you?), shared a plate of Keen’s Cheddar with fennel chutney and divine little biscuits at the finale — and the whole experience was just lovely, from vibe and decor to service and food.
The Rosser family have, it seems, done it again. Lucca, Reims or Palma? Save the air fare and land at Sydney’s.
A selection of the food on offer at Sydney's
Recipe
Sticky Plum and Custard Cake
Great British plums are at their great British best right now. Make the very most of them with this sticky, moreish traybake cake, perfect as an afternoon tea treat or pudding after an easygoing supper.
Ingredients (serves 10-12)
• 250g soft, unsalted butter
• 250g caster sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 250g self-raising flour
• ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 75g ready-made thick custard
• 15 ripe but firm plums (5 chopped, 10 halved, all destoned)
• 50g flaked almonds To serve: golden syrup; thick cream
Method
• Pre-heat the oven to 180c/gas mark 4 and grease a rectangular baking tin (minimum 5cm deep) with baking paper.
• Whisk the butter and sugar together in a large bowl (an electric whisk is your best friend here) until pale and fluffy then beat the eggs in one by one, adding a little flour with each before gently folding in the rest of the flour and the bicarbonate of soda. Fold the vanilla extract, custard and chopped plums into the mixture, then pour the mixture into the cake tin and smooth the top.
• Bake for 25 minutes, then very gently remove the tin from the oven and lightly lay the halved plums (cut-side up) on top. Scatter with the almonds, then bake for another 45 minutes or until golden, covering loosely with foil if the cake browns too quickly. You can test if the cake is ready by pushing a knife or skewer into the middle – it should be slightly sticky but not wet.
• Remove the cake from the oven, drizzle with golden syrup and leave in the tin for 10 minutes before removing, placing onto a wire rack to cool completely or serving warm.
What's On
As You Like It
Theatre Royal Bath
15th August – 6th September
Dylan Moran, Patrick Robinson and Charlie Rowe join the previously announced Dame Harriet Walter and Gloria Obianyo in the new production of Shakespeare’s comedy.
This is Floyd
Bath Pavilion
16th August, 6.45pm
The band that receives 5-star reviews from thousands of dedicated fans, is celebrating the double anniversary of Pink Floyd's famous albums, PULSE and Wish You Were Here.
Kenya X Kelston
Bath Soft Cheese, Park Farm
22nd August, 5pm-9.30pm
A vibrant evening of food, music, dance, and celebration as they shine a spotlight on Kenyan culture at the farm. A familyfriendly event packed with flavour, rhythm and joy, perfect for all ages.
Family Apple Day
Bath Skyline
24th August, 11am-2pm
Head to Richens Orchard on the Bath Skyline for a fun-filled day for all the family. Enjoy apple picking, a scavenger hunt, decorate an apple medal and hear more about the orchard.
British Bird of Prey Day
The Bird of Prey Project 16th August, 10am-4pm
Be inspired by British wildlife as The Bird of Prey Project celebrates native raptor species. Native species flying displays, guest speakers, stallholders, experts panels and more.
Mini Makers: Leafy Designers
Victoria Art Gallery
19th – 21st August, 10.30am-3.30pm
Let your creativity bloom in this expertled workshop, where young artists will use leaves and natural materials to make an animal design inspired by the Lost Spells exhibition.
Ocean Colour Scene
The Forum
22nd August, 7pm
A rip-roaring live show, deemed one of the most extraordinary sights in modern rock - communal outpourings of hope and joy which boast the most lifeaffirming sing-a-longs you’ll ever hear.
Open Farm Day
Newton Farm
25th August, 10am-4pm
Guaranteed to be a great family day out, there will be live music from the Twerzels, tractor-trailer rides, Chuffy the Train, inflatable slide, straw pool, local artisan stalls, games and more.
Friday 15th August - Thursday 28th August 2025
Rum & Reggae Racenight
Bath Racecourse
16th August, 3.40pm
The ultimate summer party returnsback by popular demand! Experience an unforgettable evening filled with live racing, tropical cocktails, and irresistible reggae rhythms.
Kodachrome + Butane Skies
Komedia
20th August, 7pm
Kodachrome are an emerging Rock Prog/Pop band from Bristol, led by 18-year-old twins Ava & Conan. No nepo-babies, this talented group of young musicians have paid their dues.
A
Midsummer Night's Dream
The Egg
22nd – 23rd August, 2pm & 6pm
Lord, what fools these mortals be!
As four young lovers are faced with the prospect of an unhappy life they flee their home and stumble into an enchanted forest.
Fiddler on the Roof
Bristol Hippodrome
26th – 30th August
A theatrical triumph, winner of 3 Olivier Awards including Best Musical Revival, Fiddler On The Roof is coming to Bristol for 1 week only in what is set to be the theatre event of 2025.
Magic Show at the Farm
Bath City Farm
16th August
The Adam Allsortz show is a family variety magic show for all ages. Hilarious, engaging routines and audience participation, and of course, the magic.
Museum Late Opening No.1 Royal Crescent 21st August, 4.30pm-8pm
Wander the twilit museum and take in the story of the house from a fresh perspective. With standard admission, you will enjoy after-hours access to the museum’s self-led immersive tour.
Sing with the Spirit
Christ Church
23rd August, 7pm
Celebrate the joy of singing with the 90 young people taking part in this year's annual summer course. Ranging in age from 8 to 21, and coming from the UK's parish churches, cathedrals and schools.
Playing With Prints
BRLSI
28th August, 10am & 2pm
Play with various printing techniques to represent your ideas about fossils, bones & rocks. Free for children, £5 for accompanying adults – book a ticket for every person that is attending.
Rush Hill Mews care home, Bath
Rushfest
Saturday 30th August 2025, 11.30am - 5pm
Join us for a fun family afternoon of live entertainment and tuck into delicious barbecue, cold buffet food, and refreshing drinks in our gardens.
Knit and natter
Every Thursday, 2pm - 4pm
Trusted to care
To attend please call 01225 685 676 or email
millie.haines@careuk.com
Whether you are an experienced knitter or just starting out, everyone’s welcome to join us. This is a perfect opportunity for you to create your own knitted items, chat to new people, and of course it’s all for a good cause. Complimentary refreshments will be on hand, including freshly baked cakes prepared by our Head Chef.
Sponsored by Howden Bath
www.howdeninsurance.co.uk/bath
Campaign sees over 200 Blue Badges checked
MORE than 200 Blue Badges were recently checked in Bath & North East Somerset as part of a national day of action to tackle their misuse.
The coordinated campaign saw 77 councils from across the UK take part, with the aim of protecting disabled motorists and parking bays by removing as many misused Blue Badges as possible.
Blue Badges make it easier and safer for people with mobility issues to stay active and go about everyday activities like shopping, attending social events and medical appointments. They allow drivers and passengers to park in designated bays closer to their destination, helping them access goods and services which can be vital for those with mobility limitations.
There are currently almost 10,000 registered Blue Badge holders in Bath & North East Somerset.
B&NES Civil Enforcement Officers carried out 204 vehicle checks, with additional support from its partner, OneWest, including vehicles entering through the security bollards at Cheap Street.
Checks found the majority of Blue Badges were being used correctly, but several instances of misuse were identified.
Three badges were seized (1.4% of all badges checked), one more than the council seized in last
year’s day of action.
Across Bath & North East Somerset, there are 196 offstreet and 175 on-street disabled parking bays.
The council allows Blue Badge holders to park all day for free at on-street pay & display locations, as well as in resident permit holder bays. Examples of Blue Badge misuse include:
• Using a badge when the badge holder is not in the vehicle
• Using a badge that belongs to a
deceased person
• Using an out-of-date/expired badge
Councillor Joel Hirst, cabinet member for sustainable transport strategy, said: “Blue Badges are an immense help to their holders, allowing them to go about daily life whilst minimising the impact of their disability.
“That’s why our continued participation in the Blue Badge Day of Action, alongside the daily routine checks our Civil Enforcement Officers carry out,
is so important and shows our commitment to tackling Blue Badge misuse.
“Almost all of the Blue Badges we checked were being used lawfully, which is really great to see.”
It is the fourth time the campaign has taken place, with 142 councils involved in last year’s day of action where 10,040 Blue Badges were inspected, 182 of which were seized.
The council has seized 86 badges in the last three years.
Disruption likely as bus drivers ballot for strikes
Branch Advisor
Howden Bath
Abi Brinkhurst here, Branch Advisor at Howden Bath; your friendly, local high street insurance broker.
We love being a part of the Bath community and in this regular column will be bringing you advice and insights into the insurance market.
We’ll also let you know about what’s on in branch, from our fundraising efforts to our community boot exchange!
MORE than 1,000 drivers who work for First West of England, including at the Bath depot, could take strike action after rejecting an “unsatisfactory” pay offer.
Drivers are being balloted at the three Bristol depots – Bristol Bus Station, Lawrence Hill and Hengrove – which provide innercity bus routes as well as services for Bristol Airport, the local universities and Amazon’s Bristol warehouse; the other three depots being balloted are the one at Weston Island in Bath, Wells and Weston-super-Mare.
The dispute comes after the drivers, who are members of the Unite union, rejected a two-year pay deal, which would give them £1 an hour extra of pay per hour from now until March 2026, then a 30p hourly increase from April 2026.
Unite says new starters will be offered 50p extra on the hourly rate, which goes up by just 10p next April.
Unite says the drivers will also lose out financially, as despite the pay anniversary date being April, First West of England has not Becky Feather Reporter
committed to giving backpay for the past four months of the wage increase.
First West of England is part of First Group PLC, which last year had an operating profit of £204.3 million and share dividends were increased by 45% compared to the previous year.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is yet another example of a profitable company prioritising greed and the needs of its shareholders over hardworking members who do a difficult job driving buses every day – Unite will not stand for this.
“Any disruption is entirely the
fault of First West of England and our members will have Unite’s full support during this dispute.”
The ballot at Lawrence Hill and Hengrove closes on Tuesday 19th August, while the one at Bristol Bus Station, Bath, Westonsuper-Mare and Wells closes on Thursday 21st August.
As First West of England is the main bus operator in Bristol, any industrial action is likely to be extremely disruptive with delays and cancellations of services expected.
Unite regional officer Amy Roberts said: “We appreciate local residents may be concerned
to hear of potential strike action, but First West of England has failed to put forward a meaningful pay offer to our members.
“Drivers at First West of England do a vital job for the general public and deserve to be paid fairly. We urge First West of England to come back to the table with a better offer to avoid any disruption.”
Doug Claringbold, managing director for First Bus in the West of England, told the Echo: “We’re disappointed that Unite has chosen to ballot some employees for industrial action while we continue to engage in constructive negotiations.
“Our-above inflation pay offer reflects the value we put on colleagues and demonstrates our commitment to protecting staff from the rising cost of living –even in the challenging financial environment we operate in.
“We remain open to having constructive discussions at any time and urge Unite to continue these talks so we can reach a fair resolution for our colleagues and the customers across the area we serve.”
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On Thursday 24th July I had the absolute honour of attending the inaugural Bath Echo Community Awards. A lovely afternoon full of community spirit and recognition for those that go the extra mile to make our local community shine that little bit brighter, hosted by the incredible team at Bath Echo of course! It truly was heartwarming to see our local unsung heroes getting the spotlight. Various categories were open for nominations including grassroots sports group of the year, charity of the year, public service award, young person of the year and the list goes on. Lots of worthy nominees and of course well-deserved winners! However, a standout winner for me was Volunteer of the Year, Jennie Noakes. A phenomenal lady that has dedicated decades of her life to being a volunteer paediatric nurse at a children’s hospice. A role that I’m sure many of us would agree deserves the upmost respect and admiration. I would be lying if I said listening to her story didn’t warrant a tissue or two. It was an honour to be in a room with so many amazing individuals.
As a Proud Principal partner, a massive hand is also due for the British & Irish Lions team who came home triumphant! A series of matches that had us on the edge of our seats many times, but we got the ultimate victory and lifted the silverware at the end of the tour.
Howden Bath 7 George Street, Bath, BA1 2EH 01225 788044 www.howdeninsurance.co.uk Abi Brinkhurst
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An enforcement officer checking a Blue Badge in Bath | Photo © B&NES Council
The Weston Island bus depot in Bath | Photo © LDRS / Stephen Sumner
Fundraising pilgrimage planned from Bath Abbey to Wells Cathedral
SOMERSET’S former LordLieutenant is about to embark on another charity challenge, this time leading 50 walkers on the 30-mile journey from Bath Abbey to Wells Cathedral in a wheelchair.
Breaking her spine in a near-fatal riding accident more than 20 years ago has not deterred Annie Maw from fundraising for charity. Last year she ascended Glastonbury Tor in her wheelchair, carried by a crew of firefighters.
This year’s challenge, which will be taking place on the weekend of 13th and 14th September, will be raising money for the vulnerable elderly at home and in war-torn Eastern Ukraine.
Annie is patron of Somertonbased Festival Medical Services, who provide volunteer doctors and nurses to Glastonbury Festival and have taken two ambulances full of medical supplies to Ukraine this year. She revealed details of the challenge at the City of Wells Almshouses, where the Bishop of Bath and Wells had just rededicated their 15th century Becky Feather Reporter
chapel after major renovation.
Annie said: “Six hundred years ago our Bishop Nicholas Bubwith left a bequest for the foundation of the Wells Almshouses because he cared about the vulnerable elderly.
“We are following his example as we continue his support for elderly people in here and, as he would have wished, we are also supporting elderly people in Ukraine who are suffering great difficulties, danger and deprivation because of the invasion by Russia.”
The aim is to raise £20,000. Annie is appealing for people to either join her on the challenge or sponsor her via her GoFundMe page at https://bit.ly/3UsK37c
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Michelle Thomas, chief executive of the almshouses, said: “We are deeply grateful to the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the many other donors who made the restoration of this wonderful historic chapel possible.
“Now we will ensure it is well used for the benefit of our community in Wells. And we will be working with Annie on her fundraising campaign.”
Each of the 50 walkers will be asked to raise £1,000 of sponsorship which will go to the two charities – three-quarters to Ukraine and a quarter to the Wells Almshouses.
Anyone interested in joining the walk is invited to email stephanie. sutcliffe@festival-medical.org
SURPLUS fire and rescue equipment will be on the way to the city of Odesa in Ukraine following approval from the Avon Fire Authority.
Two fire engines, a hovercraft, and vital rescue equipment to help firefighters in the Ukrainian city will be delivered in collaboration with specialist aid charity, Fire Aid and International Development.
The donation will support the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, whose teams have suffered devastating losses during the ongoing war.
Many fire stations and vehicles have been destroyed, and countless firefighters have been injured or sadly lost their lives.
Councillor Paul Goggin, Chair of Avon Fire Authority, said: “This donation reflects the compassion and solidarity of our community.
“It’s a powerful example of how UK fire services can help those facing unimaginable hardship.”
The donation includes surplus equipment from Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS), two fire engines, a hovercraft, personal protective gear, water rescue tools, and road traffic collision equipment.
The items are part of AF&RS’s retiring fleet and equipment that are no longer required or fit for purpose locally, meaning the
donation will have no impact on frontline services or existing commitments. Later this year, a team of local firefighters will drive the fire engines to Odesa, and Councillor Goggin will join them on the journey.
Councillor Goggin added:
“Travelling with our crews to deliver this equipment is a privilege. This isn’t just about vehicles – it’s about people. We want the people of Ukraine to know they’re not alone.”
Fire Aid and International Development, which has coordinated several successful missions to Ukraine, will handle logistics and customs, ensuring everything reaches the right hands safely and efficiently.
Chief Fire Officer Matt Cook said: “I’m incredibly proud of our team.
“With Fire Aid’s support, we’re making sure this life-saving equipment gets to where it’s needed most.”
The effort was also inspired by the Bristol Ukrainian Community, who helped build a friendship link between Bristol and Odesa in 2024 and requested support for emergency services.
Ukraine Aid and Welfare (UAW) have been instrumental in building relationships between Bristol and Odesa.
Annie Maw (centre, right) during a trek | Photo provided
Cancer services at RUH are praised for care and support
THE care and support offered to people receiving treatment for cancer at the Royal United Hospital in Bath has been praised.
The results of the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2024 show a continued year-onyear improvement at the RUH, with the hospital trust’s overall ‘experience of care’ rising to 9.1 – above the top ‘upper expected’ range.
For 18 questions in the survey, the trust scored above the ‘expected’ (average) range and there were no questions where the score was below the expected range.
Patients said that staff provided them with relevant information on available support, and that their family or carer was involved as much as they wanted them to be in decisions about treatment options.
The trust also scored highly for treating patients with privacy and dignity and for team working. The RUH was also praised for helping patients control pain, and the support available to
patients to manage side effects from treatment.
Ros Helps, Lead Cancer Nurse, said: “This is really positive feedback, and shows that we are making sure the people we care for have the support they need when they need it most.
“Our new Dyson Cancer Centre is providing our patients with enhanced care, acting as a cancer services hub for over 500,000 people in the South West as well as providing an exceptional working environment for our fantastic staff.
“We are committed to making sure the people we care for feel safe, understood and always welcome.
“These results are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff and our determination to consistently deliver the highest quality care and outcomes for our patients.
“While we are pleased to receive such positive feedback, we are not complacent and are always looking to identify ways to further improve the experience we offer
our patients.”
The National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2024 is commissioned and managed by NHS England. It aims to monitor progress on
cancer care, provide information to support local quality improvements and to assist commissioners and providers of cancer care.
The 2024 survey involved 131
NHS Trusts and over 64,000 people responded to the survey. You can find a breakdown of results on the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey website at https://bit.ly/4mdtVT9
Residents warned not to ignore symptoms of type 2 diabetes
RESIDENTS across Bath are being urged to learn more about the risk and symptoms of type 2 diabetes, with new research revealing a lack of awareness of the condition among adults. Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition requiring constant management, which can lead to life-altering complications such as sight loss, strokes and heart attacks.
A survey by Tesco and Diabetes UK revealed that 61% of in the region have never considered their risk of type 2 diabetes, while 39% are concerned about developing type 2 diabetes now or in the future.
Signs and symptoms can be difficult to spot, meaning people can live with type 2 diabetes for several years without realising. But with the right support, about half of all cases of type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed, and in some cases, put into remission. Tesco is continuing its partnership with Diabetes UK to support people in Bath living with diabetes and those at risk of
61% of people in the region haven't considered their risk of type 2 diabetes
developing the condition.
One in five adults are currently living with diabetes or prediabetes, yet despite the rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes and its seriousness, public awareness of the condition is surprisingly low.
People can also complete Diabetes UK’s free online Know Your Risk tool – https://riskscore. diabetes.org.uk/c/start – to find out their risk of type 2 diabetes and how to lower it.
The survey revealed that the biggest blockers to eating more healthily are the cost of healthy eating (30%) and lack of time to prepare food (22%).
To support this, Tesco and Diabetes UK have developed a new meal planner that will help people living with or at risk of type 2 diabetes to shop for, and prepare, their meals.
Together they have created a range of healthy, affordable summer recipes, alongside healthier versions of meals the nation loves, to help everyone living with or at risk of type 2 diabetes enjoy food.
The most common enquiry topic in 2024 for customers contacting the Diabetes UK Helpline was eating well and physical activity, representing 35% of all enquiries.
Jonathan Bridgett, Tesco Pharmacy Services Manager, said: “We are committed to making a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of all our customers.
“By continuing to work in partnership with Diabetes UK,
we hope to provide the resources and support to help people understand and manage their risk of type 2 diabetes, as well as those living with any type of diabetes, this summer and beyond, with our trained colleagues.”
Douglas Twenefour, Head of Clinical at Diabetes UK, said:
“With one in five UK adults now living with diabetes or prediabetes, knowing your risk has never been more important.
“Type 2 diabetes is a complex condition with many risk factors, but with the right support, it’s possible to lower your risk and, for those with the condition, it’s possible to live well.
“We are delighted to continue our partnership with Tesco to raise awareness and provide practical tools that can make a real difference in people’s lives.”
For more information about the signs and symptoms of diabetes, visit diabetes.org.uk
The Dyson Cancer Centre at the RUH | Photo © RUH
“Bath Echo”
Dementia care home planned near Bath
A NEW 70-bed care home for people with dementia is being proposed in a village near Bath. The plans have been submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council for the Greenhill House site at Timsbury, that was previously a 37-bed Leonard Cheshire Disability home.
The scheme also includes 13 assisted living/extra care flats for those who need that type of supported accommodation but are not yet ready to move into a care home.
The applicant is First Timsbury Ltd, a company owned by Mitesh Dhanak, who has been in the care sector for more than 25 years, operating award-winning care homes and supported living services around the UK.
The proposals aim to retain, refurbish and repurpose the three-storey Georgian house into
seven assisted living/extra care flats and demolish and replace the ad hoc care home buildings that date from the late 1970s and early 1980s with “modern, future-proofed, sustainable and energy-efficient buildings of high quality”.
Facilities will include a café, bistro, central hub, a shop for residents, hair salon, hydrotherapy, lounges, private dining and a terrace.
A new detached block of six assisted living/extra care flats is also proposed in the grounds. The plans also include improvements to the main existing access via Loves Hill.
A total of 31 car parking spaces and the same number of cycle spaces are proposed.
The planning reference is 25/03014/FUL. The deadline for comments is 12th September.
Dental clinic accepting new patients
We spoke to the JB Dental & Denture Clinic team to find out a little more about them
Tell us about the team and where you are based
JB Dental & Denture clinic is a private and independent dental clinic based on the London Road in Bath with a close knit team consisting of 9 members of staff. Starting with the warm and friendly Georgina at reception who has an extensive knowledge of dentistry and an innate propensity to make even the most nervous of patients feel at ease.
Jaime Brain (Clinical Dental Technician) and Kevin Milne (dentist) are the denture experts and together with Gary Crocker, the laboratory technician, they make sure the patient needing dentures is looked after throughout all the stages as the dentures are made in-house. Their experience allows them to help even the most difficult cases.
Nyla Abraham and Georgina Saunders are our wonderful and very experienced dentists who provide general dentistry. Both dentists always make sure their patients feel at ease together with Kim Romero, our caring and highly skilled dental nurse.
Juliette Andrade is our friendly dedicated hygienist and Tiziana Brain is the Practice Manager. What treatments do you offer?
JB Dental & Denture Clinic offers general dentistry as well as in-house bespoke dentures. Treatments include: dentures, general dental check-ups, fillings, extractions, hygiene appointments, teeth whitening. Are you currently accepting new patients?
JB Dental & Denture Clinic is currently welcoming new private patients and looks forward to answering any questions you may have with regards to specific treatments. What advice do you have for nervous patients?
Jaime and Tiziana have been running the family practice together for the past 12 years and pride themselves in making sure that each patient is looked after
and made to feel comfortable from the moment they walk through the door. All treatments options are fully explained and solutions are considered in the best interest of the patient while striving to help each individual feel like they are truly looked after.
What payment options are available?
Depending on the treatment required: Full payment, agreed instalments or finance over 12 months at 0% for treatment over £500.00.
JB Dental & Denture Clinic www.jbdental.co.uk 01225 311681 info@jbdental.co.uk
Georgina Saunders Nyla Abraham
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Good Ofsted rating for council-run children’s services
Feather
CHILDREN in Bath and North East Somerset continue to benefit from good quality support, help and services that have a positive impact on their lives, says Ofsted.
The inspection of the local authority’s children’s services was carried out in June and the report was published last week.
It says: “Senior leaders have a thorough understanding of the quality of support and services, and have continued to make improvements since the time of the last inspection in 2022. This includes how well families are supported to keep children living with them when safe to do so, and the quality of work to reunify children with their families.
“Although some action has been taken by leaders to address the areas for improvement noted at the last inspection, these are not embedded or having the impact they need to.
“The response to children who go missing, the consistency of support to care leavers aged over 21 and the quality and impact of
supervision and management oversight are not fully effective.”
Children who need help and protection are said to have “meaningful and trusting relationships” with social workers who know them well.
Early help is timely and swift action is taken when there are significant concerns, with social workers working collaboratively with partner agencies.
The report says that the council’s innovative Fostering Families service has provided creative support to enable children to remain living at home, removing the need for higher levels of support.
Children in care are supported to stay in touch with family members via the Lifelong Links service and their educational needs are effectively identified through the virtual school which ensures personal education plans are in place to help them make progress.
The inspectors also say that care leavers develop trusted and positive ongoing relationships with their personal advisors (PAs) and are supported to develop strategies that help them to stay safe in the community.
Other findings include:
• Most children live in safe and suitable homes that meet their needs, and they make good progress.
• Disabled children receive bespoke help and support from knowledgeable social workers who understand their unique needs and vulnerabilities.
• Care leavers who arrived in the UK as unaccompanied asylumseeking children receive support from knowledgeable and caring PAs who ensure they are fully supported to make applications regarding
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their immigration status and to settle in the UK.
• Social workers enjoy working for B&NES Council and speak positively about their experiences.
Following the report being published, Councillor Paul May, cabinet member for children’s services, said the report is testament to the work and dedication of the children’s services team, who work hard to get the best outcomes for children in very difficult circumstances.
He said: “We are proud of our ‘good’ rating across the board
and the areas in which the team is especially achieving great outcomes for children, such as spending quality time with them and making sure they receive the right help.
“We are expecting a new director of children’s services starting in August and these strong foundations enable us to deliver on our ambitions of continuous improvement and to deliver the best care and support to children and young people and their families.”
You can read the report in full at https://bit.ly/3V3Clk1
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Councillor Paul May (centre) with members of the local authority’s children’s services team | Photo © B&NES Council
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Plans to reinstate grand entrance at Grade I listed Bath hotel
Becky Feather Reporter
THE new owners of Grade I listed Dukes Hotel in Bath have submitted proposals to reinstate the grand central entrance to its former glory.
An application seeking listed building consent has been submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council to remove the lobby at the hotel at 53 and 54 Great Pulteney Street that was put in during the 1980s. Aaron Evans Architects have prepared drawings for the works on behalf of the Kaleidoscope Collection who purchased the hotel in 2024.
The architects say: “In the first instance, the owners are seeking to remove an existing lobby inside the central entrance on Edward Street, post-dating 1984, to reinstate the grand stair hall to its original configuration.”
They add: “The general aim of the current owners is to re-position the status of the hotel as a luxury boutique hotel in keeping with their core brand values. The
removal of the existing 1980s lobby is the first step on this journey.”
The report says the proposed alterations will only remove late 20th century additions and won’t harm or remove any of the historic building.
“The removal of the lobby will reinstate the original internal elevation, allowing the double entrance doors, side lights
Green light given for cladding replacement
PLANS to reclad a Twerton apartment block where chunks of stone have fallen off have been approved by Bath & North East Somerset Council.
The Mill at Spring Wharf in Roseberry Road was completed by Deeley Freed in 2019 and Legal & General (L&G) Property then took possession of the buildto-rent block.
But it was discovered that the stone cladding was delaminating in places and the adhesive seemed to be failing as sections were falling off.
It was understood that the stone product had not been fully tested for use on a building with a steel frame structure.
L&G Property arranged for scaffolding and netting to be installed to prevent any falling
stone from hitting pedestrians.
A survey was also undertaken by a contractor to identify and remove loose stone.
Deeley Freed proposed a new stone cladding option, which was approved by the council in March 2023. But as L&G Property was due to start the works it emerged that this product was also unsuitable for the steel frame structure without mechanical fixing.
With an alternative cladding solution “urgently required”, architects acting on behalf of L&G Property submitted a planning application for a mechanically fixed slate tile cladding which is a similar colouring and texture to the original stone.
The latest plans have now been approved by council planners.
and fanlight above to be fully experienced from within the stair hall for the first time in over 40 years.”
The deadline for comments is 29th August. The planning reference is 25/02918/LBA.
Kaleidoscope also own The Bird in Pulteney Road in Bath, Homewood near Hinton Charterhouse and Bishopstrow near Warminster in Wiltshire.
Investigation over unauthorised seating
THE enforcement team at Bath & North East Somerset Council is investigating after a raised seating platform was recently constructed outside Treetop Café in Royal Victoria Park without consent.
There are steps up to the seating area, where there are six tables and chairs as well as bench seating.
The wooden structure includes
planters and also has fake grass. Excel runs the café along with the tennis courts, bowling green, mini golf and events space in the park.
B&NES Council told the Echo:
“The planning enforcement team is aware of this matter and is actively investigating.”
We contacted the café to ask if it wished to comment, but did not receive a response.
Proposal submitted to convert struggling hotel into two houses
Becky Feather Reporter
PLANS to convert a struggling hotel on the edge of Bath into two houses have been drawn up.
The proposal is to reinstate the original pair of semi-detached houses at Lower Swainswick, which have been used as Bailbrook Lodge Hotel in recent years.
A planning application, and one seeking listed building consent, have been lodged with Bath & North East Somerset Council for the conversion of 35 and 37 London Road West.
A statement from the planning consultants involved says: “The hotel has been struggling for
many years and offers only 15 potential rooms.
“It has direct competition from the large Bailbrook House Hotel immediately next door and is of course sited outside of the city, where many visitors arrive without cars, and make increasing use of the low-cost Airbnb type accommodation that is now most prevalent there, and the more centrally located hotels.”
The consultants say that
reinstating the original two houses will involve only minor changes – reversing the knockthrough, removing some ensuites and providing a new doorway to match the attached property. Their report notes: “The new chapter of use is likely to be unnoticeable, other than there will be a removal of transient visitors, and reduced associated traffic, and the hotel signage will be removed.”
The premises are Grade II listed. It is proposed that existing parking facilities will be kept.
The planning reference is 25/02927/FUL, and the deadline for any comments is 29th August.
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Dukes Hotel on Great Pulteney Street in Bath | Photo courtesy of Savills
Application for dog exercise field is refused
Becky Feather Reporter
PLANS for a dog exercise field in the Chew Valley have been refused by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s planning committee.
The councillors voted against the controversial scheme to change the use of an agricultural field at Moorledge Lane to a secure exercise area, with a new access track, gravel parking, fencing, a timber shelter and dog poo bin. Council planning officers had recommended the scheme, on which work had already started, for approval.
But at the meeting on 30th July, the plans were rejected by a majority of committee members who said the development was in the wrong place.
There had been nine comments of objection and 16 in support of the planning application from Paws Up! Chew Valley Dog Adventures.
Local ward councillor David Harding objected, as did Chew Valley Parish Council.
The opening hours being requested were 8am to 4pm during the winter months, and 7am to 8pm in the summer.
Access was being proposed via an existing gateway on Moorledge Lane with parking for three to four cars, although only one or two cars were expected to be on site at any one time due to the booking system restricting user numbers to a maximum of six per session. The council’s highways team had not raised any objection.
The report to the planning committee said that anticipated noises would not be dissimilar from dogs playing in a garden,
or barking at passers-by, or using local footpaths.
Project architect Barney Paul Bonner told the planning committee meeting: “Secure dog walking fields are becoming very popular and offer a safe environment for dogs to play, exercise and be trained without external influences.”
He said there were numerous precedents in the Green Belt across B&NES and North Somerset, with a good example being the one next to Flourish farm shop at Saltford.
He said a “comprehensive management plan” had been drawn up for the site at Moorledge Lane.
Mr Bonner observed that the field is surrounded by a network of public right of ways that are regularly used by dog walkers.
He also said the access had been in use “for decades” without any incident.
He highlighted that measures were in place to enhance biodiversity, including 95 metres of new hedgerow and new wildflower meadows, and that the land is classified as Grade 3 agricultural land, with no part
being the top Grade 1 or 2.
Mr Bonner added: “I would also like to point out that we have a signed letter of apology from the chair of Chew Magna Parish Council which admits to misunderstanding the process and wrongdoing in the handling of this application.”
He said the reason the planning application had been brought to committee was because of “shenanigans”.
The apology letter is on the B&NES planning portal and refers to the chair’s “clear misunderstanding of the declaration of interests”.
The letter adds that the parish council would be seeking guidance and training from the Avon Local Councils’ Association. The parish council stated that its views were not influenced by the chair’s personal view of the planning application.
Councillor David Harding (Liberal Democrat) spoke to the committee on behalf of the parish council and local residents, highlighting concerns about the access, sustainability and that the development would likely cause “significant disturbance” to people living nearby. The nearest
home is 50 metres away.
He said a single dog bark is between 80 to 100 decibels and can easily be heard hundreds of yards away; in this case there could be up to six dogs at any one time.
Councillor Harding said hedges would provide some buffering of noise but the effect would only be quite small. He said people would not walk to the field: “Owners of dogs that need a secure site will clearly drive.”
He also said there are no passing places on some stretches of the narrow lane.
During the debate on the land’s agricultural classification, a planning officer clarified to committee members that the land is in fact 3A.
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) designates Grade1, 2 and 3A as high-quality agricultural land; this differs from the council’s Local Plan which only classifies Grade 1 and 2 as the highest grade.
The meeting was told that planning officers had taken a “pragmatic approach” as although the proposed dog exercise field would see the land lost for agricultural use, it was not being developed as such and would be reversible in the future if the use ceased.
But in refusing the plans, committee members said the development would harm the amenity of nearby residents as a result of excessive noise during long periods of time each day.
The other two reasons were the unsustainable location and the development would result in the loss of ‘Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land’ as defined by the NPPF.
Concrete firm appeals to keep working hours
A CONCRETE firm has appealed after Bath & North East Somerset Council refused to allow its trial extended weekday working hours to become permanent.
The 12-month trial was to allow Keynsham-based 4Concrete to prove it could control noise levels and stick to a site management plan.
But despite no objection from the council’s environmental health team, council planners listened to the concerns of people living nearby who said that making the extended operating hours permanent would cause “significant harm” due to the increased noise and disturbance.
Following the council’s decision in February, 4Concrete, which serves the Bath and Bristol area, has now appealed to the Secretary of State in a bid to get the council’s decision overturned.
People living near Old Station Yard, off Avon Mill Lane, have been complaining about 4Concrete since the company moved to the site in 2019.
The batching plant was set up without planning permission
(it was subsequently granted retrospectively), but objectors say there was no environmental assessment and no noise mitigation was provided initially.
The company then won permission on appeal for large acoustic barriers with a condition that extended hours – starting at 6.30am instead of 7.30am and finishing at 6.30pm instead of 5.30pm – could operate on a temporary basis to prove the system would deliver the promised noise reductions and that 4Concrete could work in accordance with the site management plan.
The trial started in August 2023.
But people living nearby said that 4Concrete had broken planning restrictions and failed to comply with the site management plan on more than 70 occasions.
The application to keep the extended hours was submitted to B&NES Council in August 2024 at the end of the trial.
4Concrete’s agent had said that monitoring by its appointed noise consultant had shown that operational noise was significantly reduced and told
the council that the extended hours were “vital to the function of the business and its continued operation”.
A senior environmental health officer said that “in the absence of evidence to demonstrate a breach of the limits relevant to the extended hours”, he was unable to object.
But the council planning report said: “A number of objections have been received from local residents, regarding noise and disturbance experienced during the temporary permission period.
“In the early morning hours, objections raise issues of raised voices and vehicle engine noises of staff arriving prior to the start time, and noise from
Rebecca Eels Partner Stone King LLP
Eight
tips for talking to your children
about
separation
Separation can be a difficult time to navigate, especially for children.
At Stone King, we recognise the uncertainty and anxiety that can arise when parents make the difficult decision to separate, and have collated these eight quick tips for how you can talk to your children about separation.
1. When talking to children about separation, talk to them together and give ageappropriate, clear explanations which they can understand. Be prepared to answer any questions they have honestly.
2. Provide clear messaging that you both still love your children, remain their parents, and what has happened is not their fault.
3. Understand that reactions to the news of separation are entirely normal. Allow children time and space to process and express these emotions at their own pace.
4. Children are creatures of habit – provide stability and continuity to the children’s routines wherever possible.
5. Children need time with each parent. Openly support and do not obstruct time with the other parent.
mixing operations, including the sound of aggregate and cement churning in the drum, and bangs and high-pitched noises which disturb sleep.”
The planning report added that “just because a complaint has not been verified as a statutory nuisance, does not mean that harm is not being experienced, nor that breaches have not occurred.
“Considerable weight must be given to the lived experience of those residents who are most impacted by the development and the account from neighbours is one of frequent disturbance from industrial noise … Given discrepancies between acoustic report findings, disturbance reported by neighbours, reliance on modes of operation, and a site management plan which does not cover all activities, officers are not confident that the conditioned noise limits are, or can be, consistently met.”
The appeal was lodged last month. Any comments must be submitted by 25th August. The planning appeal reference is APP/F0114/W/25/3369086.
6. If you have more than one child, consider their needs as individuals. One size does not fit all.
7. Practice self-care – prioritising your wellbeing is the best example you can set for your children.
8. The golden rule – keep conflict away from children under all circumstances. Research has shown that it is not the separation of parents that negatively impacts children’s wellbeing but, rather, witnessing their parents engaged in conflict which can have long-lasting and damaging consequences.
At Stone King, we have a dedicated team of experts, who are able to help throughout all the stages of separation. If you would like more information, please get in touch with our team today.
01225 337599
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Upper Borough Court, 3 Upper Borough Walls, Bath BA1 1RG
Legal Expert
Committee members said the site would cause excessive noise for neighbours
The 4Concrete site
16-home Tufa Field development will cost over £10 million
Becky Feather Reporter
THE cost of building a supported housing scheme of 16 properties on a rare ecological site in the south of Bath will cost more than £10 million, it has emerged.
Last September Bath & North East Somerset Council secured planning permission for a social rented development on the site known as the Tufa Field, which it owns.
The land is behind 89-123 Englishcombe Lane and the scheme is part of the B&NES Homes Programme.
The houses have been specifically designed to enhance the lives of adults with learning difficulties and /or autism spectrum disorder by minimising potentially distressing environmental factors and supporting the residents in reaching their full potential.
The council has said that extensive consultation and engagement was carried out in the lead-up to the planning application being submitted, which significantly influenced the scheme’s design.
The development includes 10 one-bed single-storey houses; five two-bed houses, of which
one will be single-storey and four two-storey; a three-bed singlestorey house and a community hub for residents. All will be built to ensure accessibility and adaptability for wheelchair users.
The site adjoins Stirtingale Farm, which is a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI), and that designation extends to the land that will be developed. It contains Tufa flushes, a rare type of limestone spring, and is
home to a variety of wildlife. It is also the natural drainage slope for the hill of Odd Down.
The council has said the landscape-led scheme will protect the ecology of the site and incorporate flood and drainage considerations.
The principle of development on the field was accepted five years ago when the council’s planning committee granted permission, subject to completion of a legal
agreement and compliance with 34 planning conditions, for 27 open-market homes. That was shelved in favour of the subsequent planning application for a supported living development.
The plans received 46 objections and five comments of support for the proposals.
The key areas for objection were that is it an unsuitable location for the proposed use; harm to ecology
and biodiversity; loss of trees; harm to the area’s appearance, character and heritage; increased flood risk; overlooking and harm to neighbours’ amenity; highway safety issues on Englishcombe Lane; issues with storage and collection of bins; crime and security concerns; and the possibility that it will pave the way for future development.
But the council’s conservation, landscape, archaeology, highways, ecology, arboriculture, drainage and flooding, sustainable construction, environmental health and contamination teams all reviewed the application and raised no objections.
The site will have eight car parking spaces and six cycle spaces. Access will be a revised version of the existing one from Englishcombe Lane between numbers 87 and 89.
Nine trees will have to be removed and there will be buildouts to improve visibility.
Construction, which it is anticipated will take 20 months, had provisionally been scheduled to start this summer.
Now the cabinet, which next meets on 11th September, is being asked to agree the allocation of £10.122 million capital funding for the proposed development.
Villagers set to challenge decision to demolish unique church
PEOPLE living in a village near Bath say they are planning to launch a challenge against the decision to demolish its unique church.
Bath & North East Somerset Council granted planning permission in June for the brutalist Church of the Good Shepherd in Northend in Batheaston to be knocked down and replaced with four houses. Built in 1967 and in use until 2020, the small catholic church is a rare example of brutalist architecture in the Bath area.
The building may be loved and hated in equal measure, but the plan to demolish it has met with overwhelming opposition. Now people in Northend say they are investigating how to challenge the decision.
Village local Caroline Spicer said: “The decision seems to have been rushed through to favour national housing targets over local needs and protections.” 120 people had lodged objections to the plans, with just one person voicing their support.
Batheaston Parish Council also objected while the council’s own conservation officer had the church locally listed as a heritage asset.
Bathavon North councillor Sarah Warren (Liberal Democrat) had called the plans in to the council’s planning committee, but instead the decision to permit the demolition was made by the council’s planning officers without a vote being cast.
Local man Nick Cooper said:
“The planning department seems to have completely ignored the views not only of local people living in this village, but also of the council’s own conservation officer.
“What is the point of us all paying for an expensive official like the conservation officer if their input counts for nothing?”
Not everyone in the village is attached to the church. While its bold design has been seen by some as an “important historical statement”, others see it as an “eyesore” and “the village joke”.
But even people prepared to see it knocked down had raised concerns at the housing planned in its place.
Ms Spicer added: “Residents said they would gladly accept plans for smaller affordable housing or continued use as a community facility, in keeping with the character of the conservation area.
“Instead three large 4-bedroomed houses and one slightly smaller house have been approved which few people in this village will be
able to afford.”
Michael Birkett-Jones added:
“Batheaston is a village of charming roofscapes, unexpected views and ancient groupings of buildings, that have evolved over centuries out of the natural topography of the Avon Valley. Monks used to walk this route 600 years ago going from St Catherine’s Monastery to Bath Abbey.
“The site is part of the Batheaston Conservation Area and the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding National Beauty.
“We’re not against housing per se. But any new development must be sympathetic to this unique setting. But the scheme that’s been passed seems oblivious to residents’ concerns.
“Its footprint will extend beyond the existing Church – taking a reference high-point close to the line [of] the (soon to be demolished) Church of the Good Shepherd ’spire’.
“This will significantly change the views across the valley for those who live here and for the many walkers and visitors who walk along the Batch and who approach Batheaston from Bathford.”
The plans for the homes to replace the church have been repeatedly revised to be less tall, but the council’s conservation officers warned they still failed “to
respond to the local vernacular.”
The Catholic church was designed by Bath architect Martin Fisher, who was also behind the design of St Peter and Paul’s in Combe Down, and consists of poured concrete blocks.
It does not have a traditional spire, but instead its square roof slopes up to the south east corner, reflecting the tent of a travelling pilgrim.
Rather than stained glass, it uses blocks of a material called “Kalwall”, which look almost concrete-like from outside. Their coloured pattern can be
seen from the inside as the light shines in through the window but is only revealed to people outside when the church is lit up from within.
Emblematic of the changing face of the Catholic Church, the Church of the Good Shepherd was the first church in the area built after the major changes of Vatican II and adopted the now iconic brutalist style of the times. Three years later, similar ideas would lead to the construction of Clifton Cathedral in nearby Bristol, a building which was Grade II* listed in 2000.
How the development will look | Image © Arcadis / Bath & North East Somerset Council
John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter
The Church of the Good Shepherd in Batheaston
WECA's new communications director could earn £138,000
John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter
THE next head of communications for the West of England Mayor could rake in £138,000 a year and get discounted bus tickets.
The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) has been advertising for a new director of communications and corporate affairs for a hefty salary of £102,000 to £138,000, depending on experience.
The top salary is £50,000 more than Metro Mayor Helen Godwin earns herself, but will still come with discounted bus tickets.
WECA wants someone to “define and amplify the region’s voice.” The job advert stated:
“You will be an accomplished professional and a collaborative communicator with a strategic mindset and proven political acumen.
“Your experience of leading a high-performing communications function in a complex public-facing or political organisation will be critical to our success.
“As this role comes with genuine breadth and depth, we need a leader capable of both successful delivery of reputation-shaping campaigns and of effectively handling media crises and managing reputational risk.”
The high salary is understood to have been established through
benchmarking against similar jobs at the same level at similar organisations.
The lucky candidate will also get 31 paid days of annual leave on top of bank holidays.
The discounted bus tickets are available as WECA is a member of the First Bus Commuter Club, which companies can join for free to get discounted tickets for staff in the region.
Other organisations which subscribe to the scheme include local councils, the Avon Fire and Rescue Service, and Aardman Animations.
It comes after WECA chief executive Stephen Peacock told the combined authority’s scrutiny panel on 14th July that WECA had breached its own procurement rules, although not the law around public procurement, when it brought in two consultants to address issues in communications and the
overall organisation.
WECA spent £150,000 to bring in the head of former Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees’ office, Kevin Slocombe, between July 2024 to March 2025, and spent £118,200 to bring in Bristol’s former Clean Air Zone communication and engagement director Nicki Beardmore from July 2024 to June 2025.
Mr Slocombe has since been appointed deputy to Labour Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Clare Moody. Created in 2017, WECA is made up of Bristol City Council, South Gloucestershire Council, and Bath and North East Somerset Council. Its main role is as the regional transport authority, ensuring public transport covers the area, but has a major role in several areas of local government which will only get significant under the Labour government’s “English Devolution” plans.
£40m recycling centre recognised with award
THE construction of the £40 million Keynsham Recycling Hub has been recognised for its approach to improving sustainability with a prestigious building award.
The recycling hub, which was completed in early 2024, scooped first prize in the Building Project of the Year Over £5m category at the Construction Excellence South West Awards 2025.
It was one of five schemes shortlisted in the category, with the entries narrowed down to three following a public vote, and the winner announced at the awards dinner at Aerospace Bristol on 17th July.
Councillor Mark Elliott, cabinet member for resources, at B&NES Council, said: “I’d like to thank all those who took the time to vote and everyone involved in the project. This award recognises the contribution that Keynsham Recycling Centre makes to the built environment of the South West and the premise of the development, which was sustainability in society through improved access to public recycling, increased capacity and material variety for recycling, reducing waste to landfill, promoting re-use and educating the public.
“It was a significant investment by the council, but the resulting facility is a highly efficient and future-proofed operational hub that can process over 150,000 tonnes of waste for reuse,
recycling and disposal, ensuring that we can meet current and future demand in our area.”
The recycling hub was submitted to the awards by SRA Architects, the Bath-based company that acted as lead designer for the council.
Andy Battle, Director at SRA Architects, said: “Recognition has to be given to the council for their commitment to the vision for this project, and to all the team who contributed to a development that has set a new standard for reuse and recycling and is taking sustainability beyond the built form by changing public attitudes towards responsible material use.”
Keynsham Recycling Centre will represent the South West in the National Finals, which take place later in the year.
West of England Metro Mayor Helen Godwin | Photo © John Wimperis
Photo © B&NES Council
Injury-time equaliser hands Romans fine point at Worthing
Richard Briggs Reporter
BATH City Football Club
grabbed a dramatic late equaliser to ensure they opened their Enterprise National League South campaign with a fine away draw.
Substitute Mitch Beardmore headed home in injury-time to give the Romans a 1-1 stalemate at Worthing, who went into the final day of last season in the running for the championship but ended up fourth and were beaten by Maidstone United in the play-offs.
The Rebels’ 29th-minute goal looked to be enough for victory at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium on Saturday 9th August, despite captain Joel Colbran being shown a straight red card for fouling Luke Russe.
Bath boss Darren Way said: “They’re well coached. They know how to win. We knew it was going to be difficult.
“We had to be really brave in our press, which I thought we were, and we were unlucky to be 1-0 down at half-time.
“Overall I’m extremely pleased to come away to Worthing and come back with a point.
“Worthing are full-time now. They’re on the training field probably 50% more than we are – but we finished the stronger team.
“Mitch needed that goal. It will lift his confidence. It was a fantastic well-worked goal. The cross was delivered and it was nice for Mitch to finish that one off.”
Of the 40th-minute sendingoff, Way said: “I was standing right next to the tackle. It was a sending-off.
“If it was one of my players, it was one of those you have to accept.
He’s lunged into one of our players, his foot was in the air.
“That gave them the opportunity to sit back behind the ball.
Probably the only frustration was at times we found it very difficult to break that down.”
In front of a 2,028-strong crowd,
Brad Dolaghan pivoted 10 yards out and shot past City keeper Harvey Wiles-Richards to hand Worthing the lead.
Shortly afterwards, Bath’s Joe Raynes saw his 20-yarder parried by home gloveman Seb Stacey, who is with Worthing on a season-long loan from EFL League Two outfit MK Dons. But it could have been 2-0 early in the second half, Dolaghan shooting wide from a good position after a slip by Jack Batten.
City had a great opportunity to level in the 71st minute, Scott Wilson’s drive charged down by the onrushing Stacey. But the hosts went agonisingly close in the 75th minute, Joe Cook smashing a header off a post following a corner. However, with the 90 minutes up, the Romans struck. Will Jenkins-Davies crossed from the right wing and the unmarked Beardmore headed in from close range.
Yet that was not the end of the drama. Wiles-Richards had to be alert to push a Razzaq Coleman De-Graft header onto the bar. Bath starting XI: Wiles-Richards, Raynes, Greenslade, Tomlinson, Batten, Parselle, Jenkins-Davies, Wilson, Clark, Tillson, Russe. The Romans will kick-off their National League South home programme on Saturday 16th August when they take on Dover Athletic at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park (3pm).
Odd Down settle for Western League point in home opener
Richard Briggs Reporter
ODD Down’s first home match of the Jewson Western League Division One season ended in derby stalemate.
The Down took on Radstock Town at the Lew Hill Memorial Ground on Tuesday 12th August, held an interval lead but had to settle for a 1-1 draw.
Town went into the game stuck at the bottom of the table. But their point lifted them above Cheddar and Welton Rovers.
The hosts were dealt an early blow when skipper Dominic Walter had to leave the pitch with what appeared to be a serious knee injury following a challenge from behind that earned the tackler a yellow card.
Odd Down were the more dominant side in the opening half, with the Miners posing little threat in the final third of the pitch.
The deadlock was eventually broken after 28 minutes when a
flicked header by Alfie Andrews set up Jake Curtis to beat the advancing keeper for a welltaken finish. Several more good opportunities fell the Down’s way before the break but were not converted.
The home team started the second half well but Radstock grew stronger and levelled with
a 58th-minute close-range diving header from Luke Ingram. Both sides made changes and the closing half-hour became a largely scrappy affair. Odd Down thought they had the ball over the line following an 85th-minute goalmouth scramble – but the referee ruled otherwise.
An end-to-end finale failed to produce a winner.
The Down will be back in league action on Saturday 16th August, when they visit Bristol Telephones (3pm).
Meanwhile, Odd Down Women were hammered when they faced South Gloucestershire outfit Mangotsfield United Women in a
friendly on Sunday 10th August. The Mangos romped to an 8-0 home victory, six of the goals coming in the second half.
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Scott Wilson on the attack for Bath at Worthing | Photo © Simon Howe
Jake Curtis gets the better of a defender | Photo © Odd Down FC Curtis wheels away after putting Odd Down 1-0 ahead | Photo © Odd Down FC
Don't
Summer vibes and Caribbean beats on offer at Bath Racecourse
Richard Briggs Reporter
SUMMER vibes and Caribbean beats will come to Bath Racecourse on Saturday 16th August when the Lansdown circuit stages its Rum and Reggae Racenight.
There will be a six-race card, starting at 5.40pm with the £8,000 BetWright Bet The Wright Way Handicap Stakes (Bath Summer Stayers’ Series Qualifier). Following up will be the £6,600 Ryano Plant Limited Equestrian Construction Handicap Stakes at 6.15pm, the £6,800 BetWright Bangers N’Cash EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes at 6.46pm, the £8,000 BetWright All Bun & Games Handicap Stakes at 7.16pm, the £6,600 Weatherbys Stallion Book Handicap Stakes
at 7.46pm and the closing £8,000 BetWright Safer Gambling Handicap Stakes (Bath Summer Sprint Series Qualifier) at 8.16pm.
Going is expected to be firm.
For the first hour after gates opening at 3.40pm, there will be 50% off draught drinks including soft drinks, lager, cider, bitter and Guinness, and £10 off any bottle of house wine, Prosecco, Champagne or a jug of Pimms. Caribbean cocktails and cuisine including spicy jerk chicken will be available.
Dappa Don & The Playaz will bring authentic Caribbean vibes to the stage, while Terrace Soul and DJ Rob Mason will keep the party going at the Final Furlong stage.
Children will go free when accompanied by an adult (exclusions may apply).
Children do not require a ticket
in advance. A free ticket will be issued on the day.
Concessions’ discounts are only available on the day.
The racecourse is billing Rum and Reggae Racenight “the ultimate summer party”.
Bath’s last meeting, ABBA Party Racenight on Friday 1st August, attracted a crowd of 5,000 and saw Blue Hero – trained by Adrian Wintle at Rodley in Gloucestershire and ridden by Finley Marsh – become the track’s most-winning horse.
The seven-year-old secured his ninth career victory at Bath when successful in the BetWright Safer Gambling Handicap.
AdrianWintleRacing.com wrote on social media: “We are so proud of Blue Hero, who gave his connections a special win. Finley, you timed it to perfection and deserved that win together.”
Six straight wins for Lansdown 1st XI as showdown looms
Richard Briggs Reporter
LANSDOWN 1st XI won for the sixth game running in West of England Premier Cricket League Premier Two Bristol/ Somerset to keep the pressure on leaders Midsomer Norton with three rounds of matches to go.
The Down – unbeaten in the league since they lost at Congresbury on Saturday 28th June – lie in second place, 33 points behind Norton.
The top two will lock horns at Withies Lane on 23rd August, the penultimate Saturday of the campaign.
Lansdown’s latest success was an 84-run demolition of Westonsuper-Mare at Combe Park on Saturday 9th August.
Choosing to take first knock, the hosts were shot out for 219.
Skipper and opener Jordan Smith made 37 – but when he departed, Lansdown were 65-3 from 12.1 overs.
Luke Charlesworth (37) and Noah Davis added 61 for the fourth wicket, and Dan Lezar made 29 batting at number seven. Lezar and Davis put on 57 for the sixth wicket.
The Down progressed to 2166 – but then Davis was trapped in front by Lachie Bailey for a 79-ball, 12-boundary 73 and it marked the start of a dramatic collapse.
In the space of six deliveries they lost four wickets and were dismissed in 43 overs, Bailey swooping for 3-42 off nine overs.
Harvey Richards weighed in with 2-43 from nine overs and Tahmid Ahmed returned 2-44 in seven overs.
Weston crashed to 5-3 off 2.1 overs in response, Josh Smith ousting Bailey, Richards and Shabel Ahmed in the space of seven balls.
Chasing a revised target of 215 in 38 overs, the seasiders slumped to 70-8 from 18.6 overs and were skittled for 130.
Smith finished with 4-21 off eight overs and Sam Pearce snapped up 3-31 in six overs.
There were 18 extras in Weston’s 25.3-over stay at the crease, number five Tahmid Ahmed the best of the batters with 33 from 49 balls.
Number nine Eden Wardle made 28 off 22 deliveries, putting on 30 with final batter Matt Knight (16 not out).
Lansdown will visit lowly Bishopston in the league on Saturday 16th August.
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Young slams ton as Bath bounce back to beat table-toppers
Richard Briggs Reporter
SAM Young starred with a ton as Bath 1st XI bounced back from their defeat at Thornbury to overcome table-topping Bridgwater in West of England Premier Cricket League Premier One on Saturday 9th August.
The city side are now level on points with third-placed Thornbury – their conquerors on Saturday 2nd August – after condemning the Sedgemoor team to only their second loss of the year.
Bath triumphed by three wickets at North Parade after restricting Bridgwater to 233-9 in their 50 overs. The guests, who elected to bat, lost opener James Reghan early on – but that brought number three Cameron Harding to the crease. Former Wiltshire and Somerset 2nd XI right-hander Harding finished with an unbeaten 105 off 132 balls, his knocking including 12 boundaries. However, he did not get much
support. Opener Harminder Singh made 24 and put on 47 with Harding for the second wicket. And number eight Luke Pearson-Taylor hit a run-a-ball 40 – featuring a six and five fours – and shared a seventh-wicket
stand worth 83 with Harding. Nobody else scored more than 12, although there were 22 extras. Spencer Gammon pocketed 3-50 in 10 overs and Joe Heywood returned 3-39 from seven overs.
Bath made a dreadful start to
their reply, crashing to 2-2. Surviving opener Brad Porteous was joined by Young and they put on 84 for the third wicket. The duo were separated when Porteous was caught by Harding off Jamie Ogborne for 18. Anything that Harding could do with the bat, Young could do better. The number four plundered 136 not out – including four sixes and 13 boundaries –from 146 balls, steering Bath to 234-7 with an over to spare. Young and skipper Harry Ellison (30) put on 67 for the fourth wicket but the home side plunged from 153-3 to 175-7.
It was left to Josh Sutton (17 not out) and Young to see Bath to victory.
Harding was the most successful member of the Bridgwater attack, snaring 2-55 from 10 overs. Bath will visit Bristol in Premier One on Saturday 16th August.
Bath Racecourse will stage its Rum and Reggae Racenight on Saturday 16th August | Photo © Richard Briggs
Bath 1st XI recorded an excellent win over table-toppers Bridgwater at North Parade on Saturday 9th August
Bath City FC
Mud Dock’s Jewitt is Mid-Summer Series champ
Richard Briggs Reporter
WILLIAM Jewitt of Mud Dock Racing won this year’s Bath Cycling Club Mid-Summer Series for elite, first- and second-category riders.
Boosted by victory in the first round of the series, he finished the competition with 94 points.
Luke Barfoot (Primera-TeamJobs) took second place in the series, with 88 points, and William Metcalf (Ride Revolution) came third, with 80.
Charlie McFadzean (Friction Racing) was fourth, with 78 points; Joe Reeves (Reflex Racing) came fifth, with 76; and Oliver Featherstone was sixth, with 62. The third and final round on the Odd Down circuit got under way with the third- and fourthcategory riders in action.
Morgan Curle entered the race as the series leader with 62 points. But the top 10 riders were all in contention for the overall podium.
The race started aggressively, with the bunch immediately strung out.
Jonah Bryant (Avid Sport) ignored team orders and launched an early solo attack, holding off the pack for a lap. He was soon followed by a flurry of activity from Ross Dewar (University of Bristol CC), Reuben Dando, Isaac Pearcey (both Avid Sport) and Bailey Rafferty (VC St Raphael), all keen to animate the race ahead of the first intermediate sprint.
Intermediate Sprint 1 results: 1 Reuben Dando, 2 Ross Dewar, 3 Andrew Henderson, 4 Danny Puig Nieves (Bath Cycling Club). Dando’s win in the sprint brought him closer to the general classification leader, adding 10 valuable points to his tally.
Intermediate Sprint 2 results: 1
Mark Aldred (Kingston Wheelers CC), 2 Ross Dewar, 3 Reuben Dando, 4 Bailey Rafferty.
Dando’s consistency in both sprints moved him within 15 points of Curle in the general classification standings. Despite numerous break attempts over the following laps, none managed to stick. After 18 laps, the field regrouped, with 32 out of 42 starters still in contention for the win.
Race results: 1 Tristan Stevens (PDQ Cycle Coaching Property Elite), 2 Thomas Hurst (Reflex Nopinz), 3 Scott Pearce. The final bunch sprint saw fresh legs triumph, as none of the main general classification contenders made the top five after their efforts in the earlier sprints.
Dando was the best placed among them, finishing sixth and securing second place overall in the series. Curle crossed the line in seventh spot, doing just enough to retain his overall lead.
Henry Bond, who placed 17th, slipped from second to third in the general classification.
Final general classification: 1
Crossword answers - Issue 109
Morgan Curle (Pronto) 81 pts, 2 Reuben Dando 67 pts, 3 Henry Bond (Bath Cycling Club) 61 pts, 4 Tom Heathcote (Bath Cycling Club) 56 pts.
Best fourth-category rider was Puig Nieves, with Christopher Phibben top over-50 and Steven Cottington (Bath Cycling Club) best over-60.
The final race of the night featured the elite, first- and secondcategory riders – and it was set to be a showdown, with 13 of the top 15 in the general classification on the start line.
Coming into the race, Jewitt, Barfoot and Featherstone were separated by just eight points. Meanwhile, Charlie McFadzean, Reeves and Metcalf were close behind and knew that strong intermediate sprint performances could launch them into podium contention.
The opening laps were tense, with every attack quickly shut down.
Jewitt and Barfoot kept a close eye on one another, marking each other’s moves.
When the first intermediate sprint arrived, Reeves took full
(01/08/2025)
advantage, claiming maximum points. Crucially, Barfoot and Jewitt also scored, keeping the title race alive.
Intermediate Sprint 1 results: 1 Joe Reeves, 2 Luke Barfoot, 3 William Jewitt, 4 Oscar Hutchings (Schils-Doltcini RT).
The action ramped up after the sprint. A strong breakaway formed, featuring McFadzean and Metcalf, who launched off the back of the sprint.
They were soon joined by Josh Smith and Will Duffy, forming a well-organised quartet that worked smoothly together and looked like a potential racewinning move.
The second intermediate sprint went uncontested within the break, with McFadzean needing the points and the group obliging.
Intermediate Sprint 2 results: 1 Charlie McFadzean (Friction Racing), 2 William Metcalf, 3 Josh Smith (Avid Sport), 4 Will Duffy (Bath Cycling Club).
Thirty points were still available for the final finish and the top six riders were within 20 points of each other, so the series title was still wide open. With three laps remaining, Featherstone made a bold move, launching a solo attack in a bid to avoid a bunch sprint. Though ultimately reeled in, his aggressive riding earned him the Topps Performance Most Combative Rider award.
The race concluded with a bunch sprint, and it was Metcalf who powered across the line first, followed closely by Smith and Mohammad Ganjkhanlou.
Race results: 1 William Metcalf, 2 Josh Smith, 3 Mohammad Ganjkhanlou (Reading CC), 4 William Jewitt, 5 Luke Barfoot, 6 Joe Reeves, 7 Charlie McFadzean.
As the riders crossed the line, none of them was sure who had taken the overall series title. The winner was ultimately revealed as Jewitt.
Across: 8 Chromium, 9 Mid-may, 10 Old, 11 Armchair, 12 Shut, 16 Drawl, 19 Alcoholic, 21 Exposed, 22 Realism, 23 Serviette, 25 Sugar, 28 Eons, 32 Spenders, 34 G Ps, 35 Primal, 36 Labelled.
Down: 1 Thor, 2 Moscow, 3 Lilac, 4 Amoral, 5 Cmdr, 6 Ides, 7 Oahu, 11 Addressee, 13 Helping, 14 TV cameras, 15 Shoals, 17 Aspirin, 18 Lassie, 19 Audit, 20 Curse, 24 Tussle, 26 Unduly, 27 Herbs, 29 Okra, 30 Semi, 31 Ugly, 33 Reel.
Saturday 16th August – 3pm
Bath City v Dover Athletic (Home) League
Tuesday 19th August – 7.45pm Bath City v Salisbury (Away) League
Saturday 23rd August – 3pm
Bath City v Eastbourne Borough (Home) League
Monday 25th August – 3pm Bath City v Ebbsfleet United (Away) League
Bath Cricket Club (1ST XI)
Saturday 16th August – 12pm Bath 1st XI v Bristol (Away) WEPL – Premier 1
Sunday 17th August – 1pm Bath Wanderers 1st XI v Devizes (Home) WEPL – Womens Premier League
Saturday 23rd August – 12pm
Bath 1st XI v Downend (Home) WEPL – Premier 1
Lansdown
Cricket Club (1ST XI)
Saturday 16th August – 12pm Lansdown CC – 1st XI v Bishopston CC – 1st XI Prem 2 – Bristol/Som
Saturday 23rd August – 12pm Lansdown CC – 1st XI v Midsomer Norton CC – 1st XI Prem 2 Bristol/Som
Get Involved
Whether you'd like us to include your upcoming fixtures in the newspaper, or submit a match report for publishing, we'd love to hear from you. Send fixtures lists to sport@bathecho.co.uk and we'll add your next event to our calendar. If you have photographs that we can use, we'd also like to include them within these pages. Please send match reports to sport@bathecho.co.uk with the subject Match Report.
Action from the third round of the Bath Cycling Club Mid-Summer Series | Photo © Bath Cycling Club