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Christmas Market countdown gets under way
THE countdown is under way for the Bath Christmas Market, which will be marking its 25th anniversary year when it opens on 27th November.
People visiting the city centre will be transported to the scene of a winter fairytale with stallholders, charities and catering suppliers offering artisan food, drinks and gifts in twinkling chalets.
Bath Christmas Market started as a collection of local businesses and artisans who all came together to welcome in the festive period.
Since then, it has evolved to become one of the UK’s most beloved festive events that last year saw an estimated 444,000 visitors create a £60.4 million turnover for businesses, support for more than 500 jobs and a £48.9 million associated spend in the city.
Bath & North East Somerset Council began running the Christmas Market in 2021 and this year, more than 250 businesses, 65% of which are from Bath and surrounding areas, will join the 2025 event with six Christmas Carts showcasing Bath and Bristol-based micro-businesses.
Sustainability measures are an important part of the market, with stallholders required to use biodegradable packaging and
re-use decorations wherever possible.
New for this year is a reindeer trail around the outside the footprint of the market, encouraging visitors to explore more of the double-UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bath and its wide-ranging retailers offering something for every budget.
Daily Park & Ride bus services will be running at an increased frequency during the Christmas Market and timetables will be published nearer the time.
Staff will be present at all Park & Ride sites and central stops throughout the Christmas Market period to support queuing and
ticket sales.
Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for communications and community, said: “The 25th anniversary of Bath Christmas Market is a proud moment for the city as we reflect on how the event has grown in popularity.
“We know the event has an impact on people living in the city and would like to thank you for your cooperation and support each year.
“Although the market is a largescale event with traders joining us from the wider region, it also helps local businesses with their growth and resilience.
“It’s a significant boost for the
local economy, creating seasonal jobs and bringing extra vitality to the heart of the city.
“This year we’re encouraging local residents to explore the market at a more relaxed pace during weekdays when the market is quieter.
“Whether you’re shopping for gifts, sampling local food or simply soaking up the seasonal ambience, we look forward to welcoming you.”
The special preview evening for residents returns on Wednesday 26th November, from 5pm to 7pm. Residents who hold a Discovery Card are eligible for discount at all chalets, Monday to Friday. Offers will be on display in each chalet and listed on the website. Discovery Card holders are also eligible for free heritage visits and discounts on a range of other purchases in B&NES, all year round.
People with sensory needs or who would like a calmer experience can take advantage of quieter shopping periods from 10am to noon on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with no entertainment scheduled between these times.
There will also be a quiet and warm space available at Bath Central Library over the Christmas period.
200-unit co-living development being planned
Becky Feather Reporter
A DEVELOPER wants to build up to 200 co-living units at The Smallholdings off Claude Avenue in Bath, it has emerged. Planning consultants for Martin Grant Homes are asking Bath & North East Somerset Council whether an environmental impact assessment (EIA) will be needed.
They say the majority of the site has been used for a variety of industrial uses over the last 100 years.
The site is currently not densely developed, being partly vacant and partly occupied by a warehouse and several outbuildings.
The warehouse is currently in use as a gym and the adjacent open area as storage and parking. Land in the north-western part of the site comprises former allotments. Access to the site is off the Old Track, an unadopted road which runs between Oldfield Park Junior School and The Church of the Ascension. Co-living units are purpose-built, providing private bedrooms and bathrooms and ‘community’ living spaces with shared amenities such as kitchens, living areas, a gym, co-working spaces and some form of concierge service.
They are aimed at single-person households wishing to live in an urban area as a vibrant and affordable option for houses in multiple occupations (HMOs) or
self-contained flats. Tenancies often vary in length and often include some relatively short-term lets and may include services such as cleaning and bed linen.
The proposed units on the site would be in three buildings, varying in height from three to
four storeys. No vehicle parking spaces for the residential units are proposed apart from accessible parking spaces, and an “appropriate” level of secure community bicycle parking. The site is said to be very wellplaced to access the sustainable transport network within the city As the site is just over one hectare in size, a flood risk assessment is mandatory and will be submitted in support of the planning application. Immediately east of the site is Moorfields Sandpits Park. There is a public right of way running to the south of the site and the Bath Two Tunnels cycle route passes along the northern boundary. The council is due to make a decision on the EIA by 17th October.
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Plans to reduce car dependency in new strategy
Becky Feather Reporter
BATH & North East Somerset Council will be launching a public consultation next week on its new “Movement Strategy” for the city.
Currently, around 294,000 trips are made every day on Bath’s transport network, made up of journeys within, to and from, and through the city.
With the expected population growth in the region over the next 10 years, forecasts suggest that if no intervention is made, there will be an increase of 21,000 additional daily trips (7% growth).
A council report says: “When considered alongside the wider West of England region, congestion is estimated to cost the regional economy approximately £800,000 per day, driven by lost productivity, longer journey times, and reduced reliability
across the transport network.”
In 2023, the council pledged to introduce a circulation plan for Bath but since then this commitment has evolved into a comprehensive Movement Strategy.
The council report says: “This shift reflects a deeper understanding
of what the city needs to thrive - it’s not just about congestion, but about how people move, how space is shared, and how we can shape a more sustainable, inclusive future for Bath.”
The new strategy recognises Bath’s historic layout and constrained road network and
“sets out a shift away from decades of car dependency by prioritising sustainable travel options such as walking, wheeling, cycling, and public transport”.
This will not only reduce transport emissions and congestion but also enhance the quality of life for everyone who lives in, works in, or visits the city.
The long-term blueprint “reimagines how we use, and view, our streets” and aims to “rebalance the city’s transport network to better serve residents, businesses and visitors, while supporting our climate goals”.
The council says the Movement Strategy represents the next critical step in achieving the carbon reduction targets set out in the Journey to Net Zero.
The public consultation is due to run from Tuesday 14th October to Friday 28th November.
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GWR fined £1 million over fatal train incident
GREAT Western Railway (GWR) has been fined £1 million and ordered to pay more than £78,000 in costs following a fatal incident in Bath in 2018.
28-year-old Bethan Roper was hit on the head by a tree branch while leaning out of a carriage window near Twerton on Saturday 1st December 2018.
The train, a Great Western Railway service from London Paddington to Exeter St David’s, was travelling at approximately 75 mph at the time of the impact.
Ms Roper sustained significant head injuries, and despite the best efforts from staff and passengers with “extensive medical qualifications and experience”, she was later pronounced dead at Bristol Temple Meads station. GWR pleaded guilty to breaches of health and safety law, following an investigation and prosecution by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).
Ms Roper placed her head outside a droplight window of the GWR train, which was struck by a tree branch. Droplight windows, found on trains with slam doors, can be lowered to open.
In 2016, a passenger died in a similar incident near Balham, south London. Following that accident, the Rail Accident
Investigation Branch (RAIB) issued safety recommendations in May 2017.
Although GWR was already aware of a number of previous incidents, the company did not produce a written risk assessment for droplight windows until September 2017.
That assessment identified the hazard as one of the most significant passenger safety risks. However, ORR later found the assessment to be neither suitable nor sufficient and wrote to GWR to highlight its shortcomings. The assessment was not revised in light of ORR’s concerns, and the actions GWR had identified to reduce the risk were not implemented before the fatal accident in 2018.
Following Ms Roper’s death, further safety recommendations were issued across the rail industry, to prevent passengers from leaning out of droplight windows.
As a result of these measures, all rolling stock operated by train companies that had droplight windows has since either been withdrawn from service or fitted with engineering controls to prevent windows being opened while trains are moving.
Richard Hines, ORR’s Chief
Inspector of Railways, said: “Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Bethan Roper.
“Her death was a preventable tragedy that highlights the need for train operators to proactively manage risks and act swiftly when safety recommendations are made to keep their passengers safe.
“Our investigation found that GWR fell short in its responsibilities, and this prosecution reflects the serious consequences of that failure.
Gas works road closure
A temporary road closure order has been granted to allow Wales & West Utilities to carry out gas main upgrade works at The Avenue in Combe Down. The road will be closed from the junction with The Firs to the Church Road junction from Monday 27th October for a maximum of six months. The road will only be closed when signs are in position. It is anticipated the project will take seven days. A diversion will be in place.
Closure of Sion Hill
Part of Sion Hill in Lansdown is to close later this month for utility works. The temporary closure will affect a 30-metre stretch of the hill from the junction with Cavendish Road.
National Grid will be carrying out link box replacement works from Monday 20th October for a maximum of six months. However, the road will only be restricted as and when traffic signs are in position which is anticipated to be for two weeks. A diversion will be in place.
Warm welcome to upcoming energy event
Bath and West Community Energy is organising a Home Energy Evening at The Space in Keynsham on Tuesday 14th October. Whether you’re after simple, low-cost energy tips or advice on upgrades such as heat pumps, there will be information for your home and budget. The event runs from 7pm to 9pm and entry is free.
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is the independent economic and safety regulator for Britain’s railways, and monitor of performance and efficiency for England’s strategic road network.
First Greater Western Ltd was issued a fine of £1 million. It was also ordered to pay ORR’s full costs of £78,444.19 and a victim surcharge of £175.
“We welcome the actions taken since by GWR and the wider industry to reduce the risks. Safety must always remain the first priority across Britain’s railways.”
Long range forecast: (17th to 23rd October)
Some rain and drizzle, though a mostly dry start to the week. Most areas will enjoy spells of sunshine, though there's a chance of unsettled weather at times.
Bethan Roper died after being struck on the head by a branch
The strategy will look at reducing the number of cars on Bath's roads
Council backs Bathwick LTN despite residents’ opposition
Becky Feather Reporter
THE controversial Liveable Neighbourhood trial in Bathwick became permanent on Wednesday 1st October with both the cabinet member and senior council officer who signed if off expressing confidence in the decision.
More than 3,200 vehicles a day, including HGVs, used to use Sydney Road and New Sydney Place as a short cut to avoid the junctions on the A36.
Bollards were installed at the junction of the two roads as a trial measure in April 2024 to prevent motorists from using the two residential streets as a short cut to avoid the Bathwick Street/ Beckford Road A36 junction and creating a safer, quieter, and healthier street for those walking, cycling, or wheeling through the area.
The majority of respondents to the consultation about making the ‘low traffic neighbourhood’ permanent were against it. Bath & North East Somerset Council said that in the official survey, 60% of respondents (190 out of 315) opposed the proposal, and 40% (124 out of 315) supported it. The consultation results showed a high level of support among people living in the Liveable Neighbourhood (Sydney Road and New Sydney Place).
Of the 49 respondents who replied from the trial area, 46 wholly supported the proposal, two objected and one partially objected.
In the wider Bathwick ward, 105 people responded. Of those, 65 objected (62%) and 40 (38%) were in support. Objections were most keenly felt from respondents who lived outside the Bathwick area; 161 responses were received from outside the ward; 122 objected (73%) and 38 supported (24%).
As well as receiving 315 responses via the official public consultation and eight by email, the council had 682 responses in a letter from United Sydney Unliveable Neighbourhoods Group (UNSUNG) against the proposals.
A lawyer for UNSUNG had written to the council last month to say the proposals to make the scheme permanent were flawed. She highlighted “errors” in the drafting of the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) which she said prevented making permanent the works conducted under the
Carols
Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO).
She also advised that the council should not be making a decision during the purdah period for the Lyncombe & Widcombe byelection.
But the council has gone ahead with making the scheme permanent.
A report said: “The results of our air quality and traffic monitoring show that impact on surrounding roads has not been significant enough to outweigh the benefits of the scheme in providing this safe and equitable access for those who wish or have no other choice to travel actively.
“There has been little impact on air quality and the impact of journey times on surrounding roads are small and varied.”
Responding to concerns raised
that the council had not followed Department for Transport guidance, council officers said they were confident that the guidelines for the ETRO and subsequent TRO consultation had been met and that there was sufficient support in the LN area for the ETRO trial initially. In confirming his support for the scheme to become permanent, cabinet member for sustainable transport strategy Councillor Joel Hirst (Odd Down) said he had reviewed all the information and that the experimental trial was “the right thing to do” in line with the various policy directions the Lib Dem administration and council had set out, including the Journey to Net Zero, the Climate Emergency, air quality and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods strategy. He said the Liveable
The cost of the scheme
The Liveable Neighbourhood (LN) scheme was funded by the Sustainable Transport Settlements - government money awarded and distributed to local authorities by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA).
New Sydney Place and Sydney Road was one of 15 areas that was successful in its application.
The council says there has been no escalation in the costs for the Sydney Road as approved by WECA: “The LN received an early allocation of £306K to install the scheme temporarily. £833K was then formally awarded to the council in September 2024 (following the full business case submission for the programme).”
“This award included the costs of the trial (£306K), the work to make the trial permanent should the TRO be successful, and complimentary measures, such as the continuous crossing proposed for the Sydney Place junction with New Sydney Place.”
in Bath Abbey - 11 Dec
substantial.
“This has ensured that even when views on the scheme are mixed and on occasion polarised, the reasons for the objections and the counterarguments are clearly set out and assessed fully before the decision was made.
“The real impacts on residents and visitors of the road closure and how the changes to historic travel patterns affect individuals and families were fully understood, including the additional equalities data as part of the wider objection from the UNSUNG group, and this was balanced against the size and context of the changes made to the network.”
He also recognised that the scheme’s costs and the complexity of the processes the council is required to do are “at least partly, driven by the scale of objection seen to such schemes when even small changes are made to the network for the benefit of users other than motor vehicles”.
Neighbourhoods processes and programme had been well designed and there was a “very bottom-up approach”.
“I am satisfied that the council has gone above and beyond to consult appropriately and with an open mind and has tried to address any process concerns and challenges appropriately.”
He added that the report’s conclusion and analysis “are clearly drawn from the data and analysis and the conclusion seem like a good representation of the evidence presented”.
Councillor Hirst was critical of UNSUNG campaigners, saying the language they had used in their survey “devalued their data and tool as it was clearly not a balanced or unbiased contribution. I therefore put less weight on its conclusions.”
The council’s Director for Place Management Chris Major said the arguments both for and against the scheme were clearly identified and considered fully as part of the decision-making process before he made the final decision.
He said: “The level of monitoring and evidence provided, and the analysis of the evidence, ensures that the decision taken is based on the facts of the scheme and the context in which the scheme sits from a policy perspective.
“The evidence of the engagement and communication with many stakeholders, residents, and interested parties has been
He added: “I further note that the issue of deciding whether to implement any scheme is a matter of broad judgement, rather than a purely mathematical analysis of the numbers of positive or negative responses. On this occasion I support the changes proposed and their implementation.”
UNSUNG’s website says it was set up to challenge council decisions which do not value honesty. It adds: “We are campaigning against the New Sydney Place LTN.
“Our team is committed to making a positive impact and bringing about a more just, equitable and environmentallyfriendly community.”
Following the announcement that the scheme was being made permanent, UNSUNG’s spokesperson Neil McCabe criticised the council for “again following dogma rather than data” and ignoring the majority opposition to the LTN.
He highlighted the nearmisses at the Beckford Road/ Bathwick Street junction due to the increase in traffic there as a result of the LTN and that the “legitimate legal objections” to the LTN being made permanent had been ignored by the council. To underline the “success” of the council’s LTNs, he pointed out that Bath is in the top five most congested cities in the UK, with the second slowest traffic speed after London.
The traffic restriction at Sydney Place in Bath
Stadium decision is not called in
John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter
BATH Rugby’s new stadium in the middle of Bath is set to go ahead after the government decided not to call in the application.
Bath & North East Somerset Council’s planning committee had given the scheme their support, but had been told to wait for “specific authorisation” before granting planning permission so that the government could decide whether it wanted to call in the application and decide it itself.
But on Friday 26th September, Bath Rugby says it has been told by the Secretary of State that he would not call in the scheme. It means that Bath & North East Somerset Council’s decision to support the granting of planning permission can stand, and the council can formally issue the planning permission.
Bath Rugby CEO Tarquin McDonald said: “We are thrilled to have received this news so swiftly. This is testament to the quality of our proposals which received no objections from any statutory consultees, including UNESCO World Heritage.
“We will continue to keep our passionate and loyal supporters updated at every step of the
journey.”
The plan will see the current temporary stands on the Recreation Ground replaced with a 18,000-seat stadium.
Construction of the stadium would take three years.
Bath Rugby would continue playing at the Recreation Ground during construction.
The letter telling the council to wait for authorisation, known as an “article 31 direction,” was sent on 26th August while Angela Rayner was the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government.
But by the time the decision was made, she had been replaced by Steve Reed after underpaying £40,000 of tax on her second home.
The letter was issued by her officials under delegated powers.
Nine councillors voted in favour of giving their backing to the planning permission when it came before the planning committee on 17th September, with only one voting against.
5,086 people wrote to the council in support of the plans, while 368 people lodged objections.
So great was the number of comments the council received that planning officers decided to use AI to summarise them rather than read them all.
Mr McDonald told the planning committee at the meeting: “This
new stadium would support us in launching a professional women’s team — and would have enabled us to host Women’s Rugby World Cup matches this year. We have undertaken thousands of hours of consultation “We have evolved and refined the design over years, taking on board everyone’s feedback.”
The council chamber looked overwhelmingly blue and black as the council considered the plans, as supporters dressed in Bath Rugby shirts watched proceedings.
Former Bath Rugby player and England international Jeremy Guscott was also spotted in the council chamber watching the committee.
But the plan also has high-profile objectors. Ken Loach, the “Kes” and “I, Daniel Blake” director who lives in Bath, has lodged objections to the plan and joined a protest against the scheme earlier this month.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service at the protest, he said: “Bath Recreation Ground was a gift to the people of Bath in 1956 and it should be an open green space forever. A mini Wembley Stadium in the middle of these Georgian houses is a travesty.”
Find the latest updates on the development on our website
Replacement buses during railway works
Becky Feather Reporter
ALL train services between Bath and Bristol will be affected by Network Rail track renewal works between Monday 27th October and Thursday 30th October.
Hourly trains between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads will use an alternative route via Bristol Parkway, not stopping at Chippenham or Bath Spa.
Trains will also run every hour between London Paddington and Bath Spa via Chippenham.
Replacement buses are planned between Bristol Temple Meads and Bath Spa. Valid rail tickets will also be accepted for travel on First West of England buses.
Replacement buses cannot stop near Oldfield Park or Keynsham railway stations.
Instead in Oldfield Park the replacement buses will use the Bellotts Road bus stop on the A36 Lower Bristol Road (towards Bath Spa) and the bus stop on Windsor Bridge Road (towards Bristol Temple Meads).
In Keynsham buses will pick up or drop off at the stop outside St John’s Church (towards Bath Spa)
and the bus stop on Bristol Road opposite the church (towards Bristol Temple Meads). Yellow signage will be in place to direct customers between the station and the bus stops. All changes have been uploaded into online journey planners and GWR says it is also making customers aware at stations and on board through announcements and posters. For more information visit gwr. com/upgrade
Trains will still run between Bath Spa and Westbury, Portsmouth Harbour, Frome or Weymouth; and Bristol Temple Meads and Cardiff Central or Gloucester.
New application for ‘improved’ homes at Bath Press site
a dynamic and visually engaging frontage along Lower Bristol Road and Brook Road.”
NEW blocks of flats with a modern “mansion house” look could soon be built on the historic Bath Press site on the Lower Bristol Road.
Work began on building flats behind the iconic facade on the eastern half of the former print works in March after developer City & Country bought the site last year.
Now the developer has submitted a separate planning application to “improve on and supersede” what had been planned for the as yet unbuilt western half of the site.
City & Country wants to build 220 homes with a unique style on the western half of the site.
The new planning application said: “The scheme introduces a series of contemporary mansion houses, varying in height and architectural detailing, to create
The planning permission granted for the whole Bath Press site in 2016 would have seen terraces and blocks of flats built across the western half of the site.
In their place, the new application seeks planning permission to build six Superman shieldshaped blocks surrounding two courtyards. A separate terrace of affordable housing would run alongside Brook Road. The courtyards will be diagonal to the road in order to “maximise solar efficiency”.
The planning application said: “These sheltered, green amenity spaces provide high-quality communal areas for residents, supporting both wellbeing and social interaction within the development. Bath Press West has been carefully designed to act as a sensitive transition between the emerging developments along Lower Bristol Road and the
established residential character of Oldfield Park to the south.”
Redevelopment has been a long-awaited chapter in the long history of the site. Pitman shorthand inventor Sir Isaac Pitman first opened a phonetic institute on the site in 1889, which became Pitman Press and later Bath Press.
The building went through several changes, with the Art Deco facade built in phases until 1926. The Bath Press closed in 2007 and the building was demolished ten years later, with just the facade and chimney left standing.
Today, this stretch of the Lower Bristol Road is one of the most rapidly changing areas of Bath. Alongside the Bath Press development, new student accommodation and the Bath Western Riverside are being built across the street.
You can view and comment on the planning application at https://bit.ly/3IZIuLP
Concerns over tipper trucks using short cut
TIPPER trucks taking waste material from the Bath Press site to Wick Quarry in South Gloucestershire have been using the A431 as an unofficial short cut.
The Bath Press site on Lower Bristol Road is being redeveloped for housing by developer City & Country and construction traffic should be using the A4.
But instead heavy vehicles belonging to various contractors have been travelling along the A431 through the villages of Kelston, Swineford and Bitton, and then along the A4175 through Oldland Common.
The Echo understands that there are between 150 and 200 daily trips, with as many as 19 trucks working on the job.
We have seen videos of lorries, sometimes in convoy, travelling in both directions along the A431 through Swineford and Bitton, as well as arriving at and leaving
Fully laden, the trucks are believed to weigh some 32 tonnes.
Concerns have been raised in Bitton about the speed that some of the vehicles have been travelling, particularly at school rush hour, and about the impact on the bridge over the River Avon in the village, as three years ago it was revealed that it might need strengthening or even replacing. It is understood that South Gloucestershire Council has been liaising with Bath & North East Somerset Council about the tipper trucks.
This week Councillor Matt McCabe, the cabinet member for built environment and sustainable development at B&NES Council, told the Echo that the developers have been asked to remind all of their contractors of the approved vehicular route.
“We will monitor the situation in case any further issues arise,” he added.
Council consultation begins on sites for thousands of houses
John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter
PEOPLE are to be asked to have their say on where thousands of new housing developments should be built across Bath and North East Somerset. Bath & North East Somerset Council is trying to find space to put the more than 27,000 houses which the government has said need to be built in the area by 2043.
The council has launched a public consultation on which sites to designate for new housing in its latest Local Plan.
The Local Plan is a major document lasting until 2043, which will set out the policies that all planning decisions will be based on and which will say where new developments should go. Without a Local Plan in place, the council has far less power to refuse developments in unwanted areas.
The consultation is an early step in the process of setting a new Local Plan, and sets out the options of which sites could be allocated for development in the plan. The council carried out a previous consultation on where to put half as many houses in spring 2024 — but that summer Labour was elected to government and doubled the council’s housing target. Now it has to run the consultation again to decide on more sites.
Speaking at a council cabinet meeting on 25th September when councillors agreed to put their Local Plan options document out to consultation, the council’s cabinet member for built environment, housing, and sustainable development Matt McCabe said: “Most of these are sites put forward by developers but with four large sites being brought forward by the council.
“All these sites now need to be tested against local knowledge and that is the local evidence
from our residents and that’s what we need.”
He told the meeting: “At the very outset of this reset we made the decision that scattering 27,000 houses across Bath and North East Somerset was not an option.
“If we are to fulfil our aim to create a fairer, more prosperous and sustainable economy and maximise delivery of housing that is affordable, then we need to plan around these large sites.”
The four large sites identified by the council for development are Hicks Gate, Keynsham North, West of Bath, and Somer Valley above Midsomer Norton. The sizes of allocations of these sites ranges from potentially as little as 900 homes on the West of Bath site to possibly as many as 2,400 at the Keynsham North site, a location which would mean having to relocate the Avon Valley Adventure Park to an area next door.
Councillor McCabe said: “These sites are not without
their challenges but the West of England’s emerging growth strategy is focusing on the A4 corridor between Bristol and Bath and on the Somer Valley.
“And that means the infrastructure investment planned for these regionally important sites can also unlock housing for our residents.”
Meanwhile other large sites in the plan put forward by developers could see around 1,000 or more homes built at sites referred to as West/South West Keynsham, East Whitchurch (Horseworld and Woollard Lane), South East Whitchurch, North Radstock, and Writhlington. Smaller sites are also proposed in many of the villages around the district.
The consultation on the planned options is set to run until 14th November. All comments people submitted to the council’s first consultation on the Local Plan options in 2024 will still be taken into account.
In a message shared online
with the consultation, council leader Kevin Guy said: “As your local council, we are not NIMBYs. We know there’s a housing affordability crisis in our area — but we also know that development has to come with the right services, infrastructure, and employment opportunities to create sustainable communities.
“We want to see the right homes in the right places and we believe growth should be focused on strategic sites, not scattered randomly across the district.”
The council will run another consultation when it has picked the sites and written up its draft Local Plan in spring/summer 2026. The plan will then need to go to the government for examination before it can be approved by the council, with the council expected to finally be able to approve the plan and bring it into effect in the summer of 2027. You can respond to the consultation at: https:// bathnesplaces.co.uk/localplan/
Trial in Bath collapses as police evidence proves ‘fatal’ to case
A TRIAL at Bath Magistrates’ Court was abandoned halfway through after the prosecution admitted the case was “fatally wounded”.
Travis Brooks, who had been arrested after colliding with a police car and a wall in Weston Farm Lane in Upper Weston on 20th September last year, had denied failing to provide a specimen of blood.
But after the court heard evidence given by two police officers at the trial on Wednesday 25th September, the Crown Prosecution Service asked the magistrates to dismiss the charge. The court heard that police officers had been called to Weston Farm Lane after men were seen climbing on scaffolding.
Police spoke to Brooks, who was seen in a Fiat Scudo van in the lane, but he accelerated at speed and collided with a police vehicle and a wall.
Brooks, of Lower Court in Trowbridge, had stated that a friend had driven him to the lane and then gone to a caravan nearby; the van had been left in the middle of the road and Brooks said he had only driven it to move it.
Following the collision, the court heard that the 25-yearold scaffolder was arrested and handcuffed, but as he was complaining of dizziness and pain to his leg, police took him to the Royal United Hospital.
The first police constable told the court that Brooks’ driving that night had been “evasive” and “dangerous” and he suspected that Brooks might be intoxicated. Under cross-examination, solicitor Ned Kemp asked the officer why he had not carried out an initial roadside breath test. “I don’t know why I didn’t,” the officer replied.
The officer admitted that Brooks had not smelt of alcohol. The court heard that at the
hospital the officer had filled out part of a form requesting a drink/ drug-drive evidential blood sample even though he had not completed the relevant training under force policy.
The second police officer said he had been at the hospital at the time on another matter and was qualified to fill out the form, which the other officer had assisted him with.
Brooks had asked for an appropriate adult to be with him as he has autism. An appropriate adult safeguards the interests of a child or vulnerable person’s interests, including their rights, entitlements, and welfare.
The second officer admitted that after Brooks asked for an appropriate adult to be present, he had told him: “You don’t need one.”
The officer said it would have hindered getting evidence.
After a recess, the prosecutor Sue Cameron told the magistrates that she had spoken to the Crown Prosecution Service and it was acknowledged that the case was “fatally wounded”. The charge was dismissed.
Brooks then changed his plea for two other charges he was facing from not guilty to guilty.
He admitted driving without due care and attention and failing to stop the vehicle after being required to do so by a constable in uniform. He had already indicated guilty pleas to charges of having no insurance or driving
licence.
Ms Cameron said that Brooks had “quite frankly, an appalling driving record” with three previous convictions already for driving whilst disqualified. Mr Kemp concurred.
Magistrates banned Brooks from driving for four years and six months. He was given nine penalty points, which with six already on his (provisional) licence, totted up past the 12, which triggers an automatic ban.
The ban was said to be “greatly aggravated due to previous driving record and nature of driving in this case”.
Brooks was fined £270 for careless driving and £108 for failing to stop. For the insurance offence he was fined £120. He was also ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a surcharge of £199.
Echoing the comments of both prosecution and defence, the chair of the bench Susannah Hanson told Brooks he had a “terrible driving record”.
She told him he could have killed someone by the way he had been driving that night. And she warned him that if he drove while disqualified again, there would be a very good chance that he would go to prison.
The surcharge explained
The victim surcharge, often referred to as just the surcharge, applies to any person sentenced. The surcharge was introduced in 2007 as a flat rate for any person sentenced with a fine. It has since been expanded to apply to all sentences.
It is mandatory and applies to adults and children. It is used to fund services that support victims and does not go directly to the victims of a crime.
The amount depends on a range of factors, such as when the offence was committed, the type of sentence, and whether the offender is under 18.
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Man sobs in court after being spared jail over indecent images
A BATH man who had hundreds of indecent images of children and was also in possession of animal porn sobbed in the dock after hearing that city magistrates were suspending a 12-month jail sentence.
Anthony Phippen, of Pennsylvania View, Lansdown, had admitted making 302 indecent images of children rated as category A – the most serious –as well as 158 images in category B and 83 in category C. He also admitted being in possession of 19 extreme pornographic images involving a dog.
All the offences took place between January 2022 and the start of August 2023 at his Lansdown home. Phippen had been granted unconditional bail after his first appearance in court on 20th August this year, when magistrates had ordered a presentence report and adjourned the case until 1st October.
At his sentencing on Wednesday 1st October, the court heard that Phippen had used a Kik account to access the images.
An internet child abuse officer had attended his home on 1st August 2023 and Phippen had been arrested the same day.
Solicitor Ned Kemp, representing Phippen, clarified to the court that making images is akin to being in possession of them.
He said the first incidents dated back almost four years and since the investigation, there had been a “drastic impact” on Phippen’s mental health.
He had demonstrated “remorse and shame”, accepted his responsibility and had been engaging constructively with the Probation Service.
Although the custody threshold had undoubtedly been passed, Mr Kemp asked the magistrates
to suspend any sentence and impose “robust rehabilitation requirements”.
The court heard that Phippen has been assessed as being at low risk of further offending.
The 42-year-old had his head bowed for most of the hearing. When magistrates said they would be suspending a 12-month jail sentence for two years, Phippen covered his face with his hands and sobbed.
He was placed under a 12week curfew with electronic monitoring from 7pm to 7am. Magistrates imposed a 12-month mental health treatment requirement with up to 18 rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) days. Phippen will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for five years and will be on the Sex Offender Register for 10 years. He must pay a surcharge of £187 and prosecution costs of £85. Magistrates also ordered that his Samsung phone and SD card that were seized will not be returned to him.
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Illegal immigrant found with cocaine hidden in his boxers
AN illegal Albanian immigrant, believed to be part of a criminal organisation, appeared before Bath magistrates after being found with 28 bags of cocaine in his boxer shorts.
The court heard on Wednesday 1st October that Algert Vatoci, who gave an address in Chapter Road in Brent, North London, had been in a vehicle in the car park of Bath City FC in Twerton at 11.30pm on Monday 29th September. Prosecutor Sadie Waits said that a police officer had been in the area looking for a person on an unrelated matter when he saw a Mazda and noted a strong smell of cannabis.
The defendant, who was hiding under coats, was said to have a “glazed expression”.
He was detained for a stop and search. Cannabis was found in the glove compartment, and there were also two mobile phones and £500 cash in the vehicle.
Vatoci was arrested and taken to Keynsham Police Centre, where a strip search revealed the bags of cocaine weighing 10.64 grams.
He admitted possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply and that he had 2.1 grams of cannabis, a Class B drug, in his possession.
He had pleaded not guilty to a
third charge under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 of being in possession of criminal property, namely the £500 cash. The prosecution offered no evidence and the charge was dismissed.
The court heard that Vatoci first came to the UK from Albania in 2020 in a small boat and was voluntarily returned in October 2024. He returned here a few weeks ago in the back of a lorry. The 23-year-old has previous convictions for drug supply. Magistrates committed Vatoci to Bristol Crown Court in custody for sentencing. A pre-sentence report will be prepared before his appearance on 29th October.
The car park at the Bath City FC stadium in Twerton
Bath Magistrates' Court
He was given a suspended sentence
20-year-old admits attacking woman
A 20-YEAR-OLD man from Odd Down who punched a woman in the face at a Bath nightclub, knocking her to the ground, has appeared in court.
Ethan Clarke, of Clare Gardens, admitted he had assaulted the woman at Labyrinth at North Parade on 1st June, causing her actual bodily harm.
At the hearing at Bath Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 1st October, prosecutor Sadie Waits said the defendant and victim had not been known to each other and it had been a “random assault”.
The young woman had been in the smoking area and was planning to make a TikTok video when the assault occurred.
Miss Waits said that the victim was taken to A&E with cuts and bruises and was told that her
nose was not broken. However, she has since been told at the Royal United Hospital that her nose was likely broken and the bump she’s been left with may never subside. She has a referral to the ENT department.
The court heard that Clarke is of previous good character, and alcohol had been an aggravating factor in the assault.
Magistrates told him it was a “serious matter” and ordered a pre-sentence report to be prepared. He was remanded on unconditional bail.
Clarke’s victim, who was visibly distressed, was in court for the hearing. She will also be attending the sentencing on 29th October, when she intends to read a statement explaining the impact of Clarke’s attack on her.
Drink-driver caught after visit to girlfriend
A MAN was caught drinkdriving on his way home from visiting his girlfriend in Bath, magistrates heard.
James Haley, of Fosseway at Clandown, was in court on Monday 29th September to admit driving near his home while over the alcohol limit.
Prosecutor Kevin Withey said that on 4th September a police officer on patrol in a marked vehicle had seen a Citroen being driven “erratically”, swerving across the carriageway and coming close to street furniture.
When the vehicle stopped, the officer spoke to Haley, who was the sole occupant, and smelt an intoxicant.
Haley was said to be cooperative and took a roadside breath test which he failed. He was arrested and taken to Keynsham Police Centre where he gave a specimen of breath which revealed he was “not far over” the limit. He had 43 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 mgs.
A warrant without bail had been issued on 25th September for Haley’s arrest as he had failed to attend his court hearing, but it was officially withdrawn.
Lisa Rowley, representing Haley as duty solicitor, said the 53-yearold had got his dates confused
Woman sentenced for six assaults on emergency workers in Bath
A BATH woman who admitted assaulting six emergency workers expressed her remorse as she was sentenced at Bath Magistrates’ Court last week. Five of the offences committed by Victoria St John Howe had taken place at the Royal United Hospital on 26th May where she assaulted two security guards, a police officer and two paramedics. The court had heard that police assistance had been requested after St John Howe was seen performing an indecent act at the hospital.
The 54-year-old, of Chantry Mead Road, had initially denied the five assaults, as well as pleading not guilty to using threatening, abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress outside The Assembly Inn in Bath on 10th March and assaulting a police officer on the same date.
But at a court appearance in August, magistrates were told that following a psychiatric report she had accepted her guilt as although she has “very significant” mental health issues, she had consumed alcohol.
At that hearing magistrates asked the Probation Service to prepare a pre-sentence report.
St John Howe was back in court on Wednesday 1st October to be sentenced.
Her assaults on the two police
officers involved spitting at them and prosecutor Kevin Withey told the court that “officers say they would rather be punched in the face than be spat on, it’s vile”.
St John Howe’s solicitor Ned Kemp said she suffers from severe mental health difficulties “which is like a life sentence in itself”. Her conditions include psychosis, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and unstable personality disorder.
Mr Kemp asked the magistrates to suspend any sentence they might be considering and “give her the opportunity to get the help she needs and deserves.”
Magistrates told St John Howe that five of the offences she had committed had been whilst on bail, and to be spat at is
and had thought he had to attend on 29th September.
She said that on 4th September Haley had drunk two bottles of Budweiser and eaten a pasta meal at his girlfriend’s home in the Twerton area of Bath before driving home; he had been “naive to think he was not over the limit”.
Miss Rowley said Haley denied driving erratically and that there had been temporary traffic lights which had meant cars were braking suddenly.
He had also recently broken some ribs, which might have impaired his driving, she said.
Magistrates banned Haley from the road for 13 months but that will be reduced by 25% as he intends to do a drink-drive rehabilitation course.
He was also fined £480 and ordered to pay a surcharge of £192 and prosecution costs of £85.
Why do we ‘name and shame’ in our stories?
Since the introduction of our Crime & Court section in July, we've been contacted by concerned members of the public, defendants and guilty parties regarding the inclusion of their names, ages, and partial addresses. We are proud to be able to provide court coverage of cases at Bath Magistrates' Court, something that many local newspapers are unable to do due to restricted time for their reporters. Reporting court cases acts as a deterrent against crime. Printing a defendant’s age and address stops anyone with the same name from being defamed. We do not have access to police or CPS files regarding cases, so everything reported is based on what the prosecution and defence say during a court hearing. HM Courts & Tribunals Service encourages and facilitates media access to courts and tribunals. We have the right to attend and report on proceedings held in open court, unless a statutory restriction applies, or a court order prevents this. Our stories are governed by the regulator IMPRESS, the Independent Monitor for the Press. We follow their dedicated Standards Code, which can be found at https://bit.ly/4n0d9qN
Man hurls homophobic slurs and various items
A MAN hurled homophobic comments and items including a stiletto, ham sandwich and some compost into a garden where there were guests, Bath magistrates heard.
Shane Crouch, of St John’s Road in Timsbury, was in court for sentencing last week having previously admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour, causing harassment, alarm or distress.
“abhorrent”.
They ordered her to pay £100 compensation to the two police officers. They made a 12-month community order with a 12-month mental health treatment requirements with the hope of changing her behaviour patterns. They also fined St John Howe £180. There was no separate penalty for the other offences. Distressed and expressing her remorse in the dock for the offences, which she said she could not recall, she told the magistrates: “I can’t turn back time.”
The chair of the bench told her: “We are only looking forward. We can see the remorse.”
The court heard that on the evening of 27th April a man and his wife had a few gay friends over and among the comments Crouch made towards him was “long-haired gay boy”. With items being thrown into the garden and scared that Crouch’s behaviour may escalate, the police were called.
In a statement the victim said Crouch’s behaviour had made him angry and had made him realise how his friends have been feeling all their lives.
After Crouch’s guilty plea in August, magistrates had ordered a pre-sentence report.
At the sentencing on Wednesday 1st October, solicitor Ned Kemp, representing Crouch, said the 35-year-old was “very remorseful”.
He said Crouch had been subject to a previous mental health treatment requirement order
and had engaged well but that had ended in March and he had reverted to alcohol as a coping mechanism.
Mr Kemp observed: “It sounds like something out of a comic sketch - neighbours arguing, throwing a ham sandwich – but there is something more insidious to this as there is homophobic language.”
The court heard that Crouch, who was diagnosed in January with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), has 24 previous convictions for 61 offences.
Magistrates imposed a oneyear community order with a nine-month alcohol treatment requirement and 15 rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) days. They fined Crouch £400 and ordered him to pay £200 compensation. He must also pay a £114 surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.
LAURA Place was originally conceived as an open space.
In his 1819 book of Walks through Bath, Pierce Egan wrote that ‘in the middle of Laura Place is a small enclosure, with iron rails, which gives it rather the look of a square’.
The first attempt to build something
Below: The design for the 1832 Reform Column
grander came in 1832, when a subscription was raised to erect a 125-foot high column, topped by a statue of King William IV, to celebrate the passing of the Reform Act. Work on it got under way, and was progressing well, until local residents ‘interfered, and all which projected above the surface was pulled down, and the
railings and grass plot were removed at the same time’.
The next attempt came in 1850, when the council proposed building a fountain. Thirty years later, on 14th July 1880, it was finally unveiled. Built of granite and Portland stone, its style was, apparently, ‘that which prevailed in Italy in the 13th century’, and it cost £600. In the 1940s the fountain was taken down
after becoming unsafe, but was reinstated in a modified form in 1960, before finally being removed in 1977 and replaced by the minimalist fountain that is still there today.
These archive images below show what Laura Place looked like before the fountain was built, the design for the 1832 Reform Column and workmen maintaining the original fountain.
COLUMN | Clare Moody, Labour Police and Crime Commissioner
BRITAIN at its best is a country where diversity is celebrated, where communities look out for one another, where children grow up feeling they belong.
But recent events across Avon and Somerset, and across the country, show how quickly that sense of belonging can be undermined.
Too often, discussions about hate crime are reduced to arguments about offensive comments on social media, but we must not lose focus on when hate crime moves beyond digital spaces into
physical attacks that leave lasting trauma on victims and their families.
Recently in Bristol, a nine-yearold girl was shot with an airgun and subjected to racist abuse.
Thankfully she will be physically ok, but she and her family have been left fearful and distressed.
I know this has left many people, especially black and minoritised communities, feeling fearful about being targeted, and that fear is real and understandable.
This attack didn't happen in isolation.
This month we also saw the
racially aggravated attack of a young women in the Midlands; this reflects a worrying trend. Most people in this country are not racist. Most people take others as they find them and treat their neighbours with fairness and respect. Yet, we cannot ignore that recent far right led demonstrations, and by some the misuse of national flags, risks emboldening those who are racist, giving them licence to act on their hatred.
I am committed to investing in neighbourhood policing that not only increases police visibility
but also builds relationships of trust with communities. This helps people feel safe where they live, ensures crimes are disrupted, and gives victims the confidence to come forward and report when these things happen. But this is not a challenge the police can meet alone. Nor can it be solved solely by charities or community groups. It requires all of us, in every town and city, to play our part.
I am proud of our country, but pride carries responsibility. This
means checking in on neighbours who might feel vulnerable. It means challenging prejudiced comments when we hear them, not leaving that burden to those targeted.
It means teaching our children that diversity strengthens rather than threatens our communities. We cannot allow fear, suspicion, or division to take root. The UK must show in every community and in every generation that hate has no home here.
Above: Laura Place before the fountain was built Below: Workmen maintaining the fountain Kirsten Elliott Akeman Press
Congratulations to Richard Privett for winning £20! You can find the answers to last issue's crossword on page 28
9 Cat breed (9)
10 G sharp (1,4)
11 Get Lara out on the town (2,5)
12 Deductive (1,6)
13 For a time (6)
14 Natural home (7)
17 Amply supplied with (5)
18 Mischievous person (3)
20 Have the helm (5)
21 Small computer (7) 24 Wrestling hold (6) 26 Bright red (7) 28 Slacker (7) 29 Sag (5) 30 Angularity (9)
1 He was nearly a filicide victim, in Genesis (5)
2 Accord with someone (6,4)
3 Infinite time (8)
4 Unassisted viewer (5,3)
5 Christmas circle (6)
6 Capital of Croatia (6)
7 "___ Rhapsody" (Brahms vocal work) (4)
8 Constraint (9)
15 Heretics OK with changing American chain (3,7)
16 Adjoining (9)
19 Discovers (5,3)
20 They play by themselves (8)
22 Coral makers (6)
23 Advanced years (6)
25 Roof support (5)
27 Common river name, which means "river" (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:
The winner will be the first randomly opened entry with the correct answers on 22/10/2025. 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
Celebrate Diwali at Sarthi (Walcot Street) on Sunday 19th October with a group/family-friendly unlimited vegetarian/vegan Diwali Buffet packed with vibrant flavour (adults £18.95; children 5-12 £10.95; under 5s free).
www.sarthi.co.uk
Following on from the restaurant’s huge success in both Bristol and Wells, modern plantbased oasis Root will open in Milsom Place this month bringing stunning menus championing local suppliers and producers to an equally stunning split-level restaurant featuring a rooftop terrace (reservations taken from 16th October).
www.rootrestaurants.co.uk
Glorious neighbourhood Italian pizzeria/ristobar Napulé (Windsor Villas, Lower Weston) have unveiled pipeline plans for regular Dinner Evenings with
Recipe
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Get in touch with Rob Last via rob@mediabath.co.uk
dishes such as Duck Ragu, Steak Frites and Rhum Baba on set menus that positively scream “eat me, now!”. Final dates are yet TBC; call 01225 462211 or email info@napule.co.uk for details. www.napule.co.uk
Game on at Beckford Bottle Shop (Saville Row) on Thursday 23rd October when their Autumn Supper Club celebrates the best local produce of the season with game pushed to the foreeveryone’s a winner! (£75pp). https://bit.ly/3VNGiKc
Mehekti Anjeer Scones, Royal Nibbles, Butter Kheema Crunchwich, Masala Chailike, wow? Indeed! Experience Afternoon Tea Indian style every weekend between 2pm-5pm at The Mint Room (Lower Bristol Road) courtesy of talented new Head Chef Chinar (£28pp). bath.themintroom.co.uk
It’s the Supper Club that everybody’s talking about… so book today for the next Dinner With Goldstone at The Curfew (Clevedon Place West) on Wednesday 29th October (£55pp). Tel: 01225 251505. @Goldstonefood
Pootle into the (nearby) countryside and cosy up at the atmospheric Redan Inn (Chilcompton) where Head Chef Rhys Brooks will be flaunting his creative genius with regular Tasting Menus including a Halloween-themed feast on Thursday 30th October followed by a Game-centric spectacular on Thursday 27th November, both paired with spectacular wines. www.theredaninn.co.uk
Indulge in a taste of luxury at the elegant Bath Spa Hotel (Sydney Road) where new head chef Alex Manger is bringing “a
Melissa Blease Food Writer
creative fusion of traditional and contemporary English cuisine” to the hotel’s AA Rosette-awarded Vellore Restaurant kitchens. https://bit.ly/3IUDBUe
Free Cheese Thursdays are back at the Kingsmead Bottle Shop (Kingsmead Square)!
Nibble on a free portion of cheese (plus, apparently, ‘fixings’) with every drink purchased between 6pm-9pm on the last Thursday of every month.
https://bit.ly/4o1sK9W
A brand new chef has joined Picnic in the Park’s legendary pop-up party schedule!
Meet chef Marc Russell when he presents his vibrant Celebration of Somerset menu at PitP (Lark Place, off Upper Bristol Road) on Friday 31st October.
@picnicinparkbath
“Bath’s freshest Taproom” lands
Apple and Blackberry Crumble Muffins
at Milsom Place this autumn courtesy of the legendary Electric Bear team; follow @electricbearcub on Instagram for updates. www.electricbearbrewing.com
The already-legendary Landrace Pizza (Landrace Bakery, Walcot Street) is officially open for business every TuesdaySaturday from 5pm - 9.30pm (Walk-ins only, no reservations, takeaway available). www.landrace.co.uk
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
Two of October’s fabulous fruits bought together in perfect muffin harmony! You could, if you so wish, use blueberries instead of blackberries - and you could, should the urge take you, serve your muffins warm with custard as a comforting pudding.
Ingredients (makes 12 muffins)
For the crumble topping:
• 25g butter
• 25g self-raising flour
• 25g soft brown or demerara sugar
For the muffins:
• 300g self-raising flour
• 190g caster sugar
• 210ml semi-skimmed milk
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 100g butter, melted
• 1 large Bramley apple, peeled, cored and chopped into blackberry-sized chunks
• 150g blackberries
Method
• To make the crumble topping: use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the sugar and ‘work’ the mixture, still using your fingertips, until it forms little nuggets. Set to one side.
• To make the muffins: line a muffin tin with 12 muffin cases. Whisk the egg, milk and melted butter together in a jug and tip the flour and sugar into a large mixing bowl. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until combined (it’s fine if it’s still a bit lumpy.) Add the apple and blackberries and stir again.
• Distribute the mixture between the muffin cases, sprinkle with the crumble topping and bake for 20-25 minutes until risen and golden on top.
Allow to cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes before serving warm or cold.
Review Browns, Orange Grove
Old Police Station, Orange Grove, Bath BA1 1LP
01225 461199
www.browns-restaurants.co.uk
@brownsbath
One of the original forerunners of the brasserie/wine bar revolution that hit the UK in the early 1970s, Browns Brasserie and Bar continues to thrive and maintain a solid reputation for serving smart brasserie menu classics at down-to-earth prices alongside impressive wine and cocktail lists.
The Bath branch of Browns magpied into the impressive space vacated by Bath’s historic, listed former cop shop on Orange Grove almost 30 years ago, and still kicks the new kids on the brasserie block to the kerb based on location alone.
Inside, it’s a gloriously stylish, split level mecca of conviviality, laden with opulent art deco style flourishes and luxurious furnishings and offering views of Bath Abbey from big picture windows and/or the spacious, covered terrace. It’s a superadaptable space, too: casually bright and breezy, elegantly smart and businesslike or seductively romantic depending on your reasons for turning yourself in. On our visit, Browns’ new British
Brasserie Classics menu (two courses for just £26 - see what I mean about down-to-earth prices?) almost had our names all over it.
The lure of Steak Tartare, however - a Browns menu stalwart for very good reason - was too strong. And so it came to pass that a generous disc of chopped, briefly-seared, perfectly-seasoned fillet steak enriched with raw egg yolk and accompanied by crispy sourdough shards opened our feast, with a second starter of Baked Scallops snuggled back into their shell, bathed in a lemon and thyme velouté and topped with a herby crumb further endorsing Browns’ reputation for epitomising timeless brasserie fare on a distinctly au courant theme.
For mains, for him, a massively flavoursome ribeye steak cooked to exacting standards which he chose to partner with tenderstem broccoli and pine nut granola instead of the (no doubt perfect) chips. If you think broccoli might be a boring substitute, think again - and think of it drenched in the smoky peppercorn sauce that perfectly complemented the steak too.
Meanwhile, my aromatic Tandoori Monkfish maxed out on uniquely meaty-ish ‘poor
man’s lobster’ and came with an earthy/creamy Black Lentil Dhal, fluffy pilau rice and a super-fresh mint raita.
If you’re wondering if my Indianthemed choice was a bit odd for a British brasserie supper, consider this: when Browns opened their very first branch in Brighton back in 1973, critics balked at the prospect of Fish Pie, or Caesar Salad, or a Browns’ Burger, all of which remain to be established firm favourites on today’s array. Is today’s Tandoori Monkfish tomorrow’s Browns classic? I reckon so.
But another established Browns classic dominated our imaginations at dessert time: the indulgent, sugar-shard topped Vanilla Crème Brûlée that my dad and I used to make a beeline to Browns for some 25+ years ago; today, the buttery, crumbly Sable biscuits that accompany it have become my own memory bank version of Proust’s madeleine. Happy days? Right here, right now, on Orange Grove. If you’ve got your own memories of Browns, it’s time to reacquaint yourself. If you haven’t, it’s time to make them.
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Above: The ribeye steak
Below: The monkfish curry
The Bell reopens share offer
THE Bell on Walcot Street in Bath, a popular and historic pub in the city, has reopened its Community Share Offer, with new and existing patrons invited to help its continued success.
The pub was saved by the community back in 2013, after £768,000 was raised through its first-ever open share offer. Since then, the pub has continued to thrive, has built up financial reserves and paid interest on members’ shareholdings annually. It also donates a minimum of £12,000 per annum to local good causes supporting music or the arts.
While financially secure, The Bell’s Board has been motivated to maintain its deep community roots.
Arron Whan, manager of pub, said: "The Bell is, first and foremost, a community pub, and we want our customers to be involved in its long-term future.
“Following the departure of many original members since 2013, the pub is seeking to strengthen its membership base.”
This year, the Board has decided to open a share offer to counteract the natural
attrition of original members and to support ongoing improvements to the pub.
Mr Whan continued: “The Bell has been a brilliant success story, proving a pub can be a vibrant, commercially sound business while remaining the heart of the community.
“However, to ensure we can continue to adapt and make necessary improvements, we are delighted to launch this new share offer. We want to give everyone a chance to own a piece of this special place”.
The share offer is fully open to both new and existing members. Individuals can purchase shares ranging from a minimum of £200 to a maximum of £20,000.
Becoming a member of The Bell is not just a financial investment. It grants each member a voice in the pub's democratic governance, regardless of the size of their shareholding.
Anyone interested can find more information and apply for shares by visiting https://thebellinnbath.co.uk/ shares
Angus Trott blends live-looped guitar, bass, trumpet, percussion, and beats to craft original tracks that ebb and flow like the tides.
Jimmy Anderson
The Forum 15th October, 7.30pm
England’s greatest ever fast bowler, Jimmy Anderson is returning to the stage in 2025 for an unrivalled evening of never-before-heard stories from inside the changing room.
Song School Soirée
Bath Abbey
17th October, 7pm
A chance to meet the Abbey choristers and musicians at an exclusive recital of solos, hosted by Huw Williams, Director of Music. Come and hear the children sing and play their chosen pieces.
Rosemary Wylde Live
The Bell Inn
21st October, 8.30pm
Rosemary draws on folk traditions, Americana and spirituals from a place of early instinct matched with rich life experiences to create a sound unique yet familiar. Often described as “timeless”.
Chocolate Sundays
Avon Valley Railway 12th & 19th October
Enjoy a ride on the iconic restored locomotive from the Fry’s Chocolate Factory, returning for a limited series of dates. Join retired Fry’s employees with displays about the local history of Fry’s.
Troubled Waters
Ustinov Studio 16th - 17th October, 7.30pm
Created & performed by Corinne Harragin. This vibrant new tapestry of transporting tales winds through stories that have shaped our relationship with rivers, the lifeblood of our landscape.
BSA 120th Open Exhibition
Victoria Art Gallery
18th October – 10th January
Attracting almost 1,500 entries every year, the Society’s Open exhibition is a highlight of Bath’s cultural calendar, with a mix of paintings, prints and sculptures in the widest variety of styles.
Curious About Quilts Session
The American Museum & Gardens
21st October, 11am & 1pm
This Curious about Quilts session is an incredible opportunity to view up close some of the quilts not on display in the museum, and learn more about the history of quilt-making in America.
Friday 10th October - Thursday 23rd October 2025
Sabrina Ghayour's Persiana Easy
Topping & Company Booksellers 13th October, 7pm
A hotly anticipated new cookbook from Sabrina Ghayour: Persiana Easy. Every recipe in the book balances irresistible Middle Eastern flavours with accessible cooking.
Who Bloody Dunnit??
The Mission Theatre 16th – 17th October, 8pm
The Blank Slate Ensemble presents pun-packed naughty noir killer comedy. Witness two twisted tales tipping over with crime, curmudgeonry and Agatha Christie crashing out of her grave.
Love and Loss in Arcadia
St Mary’s Church, Bathwick 18th October, 2.30pm
Songs and duets with archlute and baroque guitar exploring the pleasures and pains of pastoral love – a popular theme of vocal music from 17th century England, France and Italy.
Death on the Nile
Theatre Royal Bath
21st – 25th October
Bitter rivals. Buried secrets. A love to die for. Starring as Poirot is Mark Hadfield who will be joined on stage by Glynis Barber and Bob Barrett. This brand-new adaptation is not to be missed.
Shed-ache
The Egg 14th – 15th October
Shed-ache is a seriously silly dance theatre show that transports little ones and their grown-ups to a world that sits somewhere between reality and make believe.
Bath Film Festival
Various Locations
17th – 26th October
Returning for its 35th edition – ten days packed with over 50 films, events and immersive experiences. From historic venues to unexpected spaces, it's worldclass cinema in the heart of the city.
Newton Faulkner + Special Guests
Komedia Bath
19th October, 7pm
Newton Faulkner’s latest chapter in his career is his most authentic yet. He is finally relishing in being exactly who he wants to be. A natural born artist, he has belonged in the room from day one.
SIX: Teen Edition
Rondo Theatre
22nd – 25th October
His-story's about to get overthrown... again! Back by popular demand, this is a full-length adaptation of the phenomenon SIX, modified for performance by teen actors.
Sponsored by Howden Bath
www.howdeninsurance.co.uk/bath
£20m investment in Twerton is ‘great news’
PLANS by the Government to invest £20 million in the Twerton area of Bath over the next 10 years have been welcomed as ‘great news’.
The £20 million investment will come from the Government’s Pride in Place programme, which aims to empower local people to help build stronger communities and create thriving places.
Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “We welcome this great news for Twerton which will give local people the opportunity to decide how £20m funding is invested in their neighbourhoods.
“The announcement builds on the amazing opportunities for economic growth in our region that were highlighted last week in the new and ambitious tenyear West of England Growth Plan which makes the case for more investment in our region, and I’m pleased Twerton has already been identified by the Government through Pride in Place.
“Our Economic Strategy for B&NES aims to unlock opportunity for everyone by delivering the infrastructure that neighbourhoods need to thrive, as well as investing in prevention
across all services to tackle inequalities in local areas.
“We’ll be supporting our communities to bid for this new funding for projects that matter to them and we look forward to hearing from the Government on what the next steps will be, so we can help drive this positive change forwards.”
The Pride in Place Programme was announced in March, delivering up to £20 million of funding and support over the next decade into 75 places from across the UK.
The funding makes good on promises made to each of these places, all part of the last
Approval for new wildlife pond in village
PLANS to create a new wildlife pond at a public open space in Peasedown St John have been given the go-ahead by Bath & North East Somerset Council.
A planning application had been submitted by Peasedown St John Parish Council for the new 10-metre-wide pond at Ecewiche Green in Linear Park, between Underleaf Way and the bypass. The pond will be on the north side of the footpath, which runs through the park, and a new gravel pedestrian path will connect the pond to the existing path. There will be protection fencing and three bench areas.
In a letter of support for the plans to B&NES Council, a local resident said: “As a very keen
wildlife supporter I think this is an excellent idea.
“It will bring lots of wildlife to the area and somewhere for children to see what can live in a pond.
“There is so much important wildlife around this area and we must try our best to promote it for the future.
“The benches will be an added bonus for older people to come and seat for a while.”
Ecewiche Green is one of several protected Open Green Spaces in the village.
The others are The Green in between Albert Avenue and Frederick Avenue; Eckweek Lane Play Park; The Orchard Way orchard (next to French Field Road); and Beacon Field.
government’s Long Term Plan for Towns, but puts power in the hands of communities to shape the future of their area.
Announcing the news, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “For too long, people have watched their towns and streets decline – powerless to stop boarded-up shops and neglected parks. That ends now.
“We’re investing in the UK’s future, by backing the true patriots that build our communities up in neighbourhoods across every corner of the country. Because it’s people who bring pride, hope and life to our communities.
“This is a huge investment, but
what matters most is who decides how it’s spent: the neighbours, volunteers and parents who know their communities best –the people with real skin in the game.
“We’re choosing renewal over decline, unity over division. This is our Plan for Change in action – giving power and pride back to the people who make Britain great.”
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said: “Launching our new ten-year Growth Strategy on Wednesday [24th September], I talked about the need for investment to deliver real change that local people can see and feel in their communities –particularly in places that have been overlooked in the past.
“The government announcement of some £20 million for Twerton, on top of the £20 million for Hartcliffe, over the coming decade shows that they, like us, are serious about making that happen here in the West of England.
“Local people here in Bath and Bristol will be able to have their say on how to invest this £40 million funding as part of a decade of national renewal, and I can’t wait to see the difference it makes.”
More canal towpath improvements planned
THE Canal & River Trust is proposing improvements to the Kennet & Avon Canal towpath between Sydney Wharf Bridge and Bath Top Lock.
The trust has submitted a consultation request to Bath & North East Somerset Council for the 254-metre stretch, which currently has an unbound stone surface.
The plan is for a tar spray and chip surface on this stretch, which will have a width of approximately two metres.
The works will tie into the existing surface beneath Sydney Wharf Bridge (Bridge 188), and the bottom of the steps at the towpath access point from Bathwick Hill. Stone blocks at the base of the steps will be taken up and rebedded to provide a level surface.
The trust says that following the existing layout, the pathway will be resurfaced to tie into the top of the steps leading to Rennie Close/Lime Grove Gardens. The works will stop at Bath Top Lock (Lock 13).
The canal bridge at Bathwick Hill and Bath Top Lock are both Grade II listed, as are the cottage and footbridge next to Bath Top Lock.
The trust says: “It is acknowledged that replacing the existing unsealed stone towpath surface
with a sealed surface represents a slight change to the character of the conservation area.
“It is considered that this work will present a positive enhancement to the character and appearance of the conservation area.
“The proposed work is a continuation of a previously approved phase carried out via the Bathwick Towpath Improvement Scheme in 2020.
“The colour and texture of the spray finish shall match that of the previously approved scheme which has been well received by the local authority project partners and by the local community.”
The planning application reference is 25/03728/CONSLT.
The deadline for comments is 17th October.
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!
We recently we held our debut networking event at our lovely neighbours, Boston Tea Party Alfred Street and it was a fantastic turnout!
Thank you to all who came and helped make it a success. A special shout-out to Bath Echo’s own Rob Last for forever doing all he can to support us.
We will be hosting more of these moving forward so if you want to be part of this growing group please do get in touch or look out for future announcements here in the Echo.
Now that we have transitioned into the cosy seasons, we also thought it would be fitting to welcome you all into our recently refurbed branch by hosting an autumnal coffee morning, on Thursday 16th October, 9-11am. There’s no need to sign up, just pop in whenever suits you. Enjoy a coffee (or hot beverage of your choice) from our snazzy new machine…word has it some of our team trained as baristas in a previous life so you’re in for a lovely treat!
It’s also a chance to have a chat about your cover, and the positively personal advice we can provide for your life and business, and enter our autumn hamper giveaway – full of seasonal goodies.
The new 10-metre wide pond will be created at Ecewiche Green
A tar spray and chip surface is planned
THE Rebecca Fountain statue in Abbey Church Yard in Bath has been cordoned off for repair work.
A safety notice on hoarding around the Grade II listed statue says: “Due to recent damage, this area has been temporarily fenced off to protect public safety.
“Restoration work is under way to reset the stonework. Thank you for your understanding.”
The marble statue, which has a sandstone base, dates from the first wave of public drinking fountains.
It was erected in 1861 by the Bath Temperance Association to improve public hygiene and promote abstinence from alcohol.
It depicts the Old Testament figure Rebecca, who is holding a jug from which, when it worked, water poured into a bowl. However, the fountain has not been in use for many years. Significant elements of the statue were last refurbished about 20 years ago.
Dedicated Bath charity worker Jennie makes headlines again
Becky Feather Reporter
THE Children’s Hospice South West charity has paid tribute to one of its most dedicated supporters, Jennie Noakes from Bath, who celebrates her 80th birthday in a few weeks.
For 19 years, Jennie has been a devoted volunteer with Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW), a journey that began in 2006 when she retired from her career as a paediatric nursing sister and midwife.
And for the past 17 years, she has served as a street pastor in Bath, volunteering from 10pm to 4am once a month to support homeless people and those facing difficult circumstances. Jennie was named Volunteer of the Year at the Bath Echo Awards in July, a recognition she describes as “amazing” and “very humbling”.
She said: “There are so many incredible people who give their time to charities. I was honoured just to be nominated.”
Jennie first became involved with CHSW after hearing about the construction of its Charlton Farm site at Wraxall, near Bristol. She arranged a visit and instantly
signed up.
Whether she's volunteering at the Bath Half Marathon, Santas on a Bike, the Strength in Style fashion show, or helping behind the scenes at corporate events at Bath Racecourse, the charity says Jennie “brings warmth, energy, and grace to every event”.
She supports the fundraising team, gives talks about legacies, collects donations, and welcomes visitors on tours of the Wraxall hospice.
CHSW supports children with life-limiting conditions and their families. Its three children’s hospices offer respite stays, specialist play, sibling support, and compassionate end-of-life care. With less than 11% of the £14 million annual running costs funded by the government,
CHSW relies heavily on public donations.
Among Jennie’s most treasured memories is meeting Queen Camilla during a royal visit to Charlton Farm last year.
But for Jennie, the most enduring joy comes from meeting the children and families who rely on the hospice. She says: “It’s such a wonderful charity. Those families need us and I feel lucky to be part of that.”
Heidi Roberts, CHSW area fundraiser, said: "Jennie is so passionate about CHSW. She has been spreading the word about the charity through talks and tours for nearly 20 years. She inspired me to apply for the area fundraiser role covering the Bath & North East Somerset area and West Wiltshire, and she has been a huge support to me since taking on the role four years ago. “She lightens up an event with her presence and is a joy to be around. Thank you, Jennie, for all your hard work and support, it is so appreciated.”
As she approaches her 80th birthday in December, Jennie will be celebrating with her family in Cornwall, before heading off on a cruise in January with her husband, a joint celebration of her birthday and wedding anniversary.
The Rebecca Fountain statue in the city centre
Jennie at the Bath Echo Awards
Firewalk event raises more than £7,500 for Bath hospital charity
NEARLY 30 people took on a special firewalk fundraiser last month, raising more than £7,500 for Bath hospital charity RUHX.
This year’s firewalk took place at Lansdown Cricket Club, which has recently been supporting the charity as part of their 200 for 200 campaign.
Participants included former and current patients, family members of patients and colleagues from local business Dotty Ink to celebrate their 10-year anniversary.
People walked barefoot over glowing coals with temperature readings of 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit (640ºc), next to a blazing fire.
Some of the brave ‘soles’ even took the opportunity to challenge themselves across the coals for a second time.
Supporter Sally Cross, from Chippenham, who raised £490, was moved to take part after witnessing firsthand the tremendous care that her late partner received back in 2022. She said: “RUH was exemplary
in the way everyone treated my partner and me.
“It is such an asset for the community”.
Laura Piner, Events & Community Co-ordinator, said: “We want to say a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of our Firewalkers for supporting the RUH Bath.
“Not only have they left with a real sense of achievement knowing they have helped their local hospital, but they have been empowered by overcoming fears and walking across the hot coals.
“Every penny we receive at RUHX means we can go further to bring new technologies to the RUH and support our hospital staff to do what they do best, to improve health and wellbeing for everyone in Bath and beyond.
“We’re so grateful to everyone who donated to make a real difference for our community.”
RUHX’s next after-dark event, the Glow Run, is taking place on Friday 24th October.
Tickets are on sale now at ruhx. org.uk/events/glow-run
New fruit and veg stall at Combe Park site
A FRESH produce stall has been introduced at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, offering staff, patients and visitors the opportunity to pick up some fruit and vegetables.
The RUH has teamed up with local grocer Dean Cooper, from Wild About Fruit and Veg, to provide the stall at the hospital’s Combe Park site in Weston.
Located outside the Brownsword Therapies Centre, Dean and his team have a range of fresh fruit and vegetables for sale, from the familiar carrots, potatoes and strawberries through to more unusual items such as dragon fruit.
The stall is on site every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, from 10am to 3pm, and is already proving popular with staff and visitors.
Barry Fennell, Senior Catering Lead at the RUH, said: “Staff told us they would love to be able to pick up a few essentials during their busy day.
“As a hospital we are all about supporting healthy choices, so I’m delighted we’ve been able to
work with Dean to bring fruit and veg right to our doorstep.
“The stall is open to all, you don’t have to work here or be a patient at the RUH, anyone from the local community is welcome to pop by for some lovely fresh produce.
“I know Dean and his team have lots of ideas in the pipeline, starting with fruit baskets which would make great gifts for patients.”
The fruit and vegetable stall is the latest addition to the RUH to provide patients, visitors and staff with more food and drink choices when they are at the hospital.
The well-established Friends of the RUH Café, Lansdown Restaurant and Oasis Café continue to provide hot and cold meals, drinks and snacks to eat in or take away.
The well-stocked Friends of the RUH shop at the main entrance offers cupboard essentials such as tea and coffee and tinned goods alongside sandwiches, newspapers and magazines and toiletries. Two new coffee carts have also taken up residence at the RUH site in the last year.
RUH introduces policy to support staff diagnosed with cancer
THE Royal United Hospital in Bath has introduced a new policy designed to support staff who are affected by cancer. The hospital trust has teamed up with Working With Cancer (WWC) to develop the policy. Estimates suggest that on average someone is diagnosed with cancer at least every 90 seconds in the UK.
As one of the biggest employers in the area, there will be people working for the RUH who have cancer or who are caring for someone with a cancer diagnosis. The RUH worked closely with WWC, a specialist not-forprofit social enterprise which supports employers to manage cancer in the workplace, to look at the impact of a cancer diagnosis and put in place clear and compassionate support and guidance.
Alfredo Thompson, RUH Chief People Officer, said: “I’m proud to
launch our Working With Cancer pilot initiative that lays out how we, as leaders and colleagues, can stand beside our staff when they need us most.
“This policy is more than process; it’s about compassion, flexibility, and dignity. It’s one of life’s most challenging journeys, and as a Trust, we want to be a place where people feel supported, not just professionally, but humanely.
“We want the RUH to be a place where people feel they can be themselves, ask for help, and trust that we’ll do the right thing. We want our people to know that they matter.”
The new policy is intended to support team members who receive a cancer diagnosis whether they are in treatment, remission or managing recurrence, someone caring for a loved one with cancer, or anyone working alongside colleagues affected by cancer and wondering
how best to help.
Baz Harding-Clark, UNISON Bath Health Branch Secretary, who co-signed the new policy, said: “We’re incredibly proud of what’s been achieved. It is a significant milestone, not only because of the policy itself, but because of the way it was developed.
“This was a truly collaborative process with staff wellbeing at its heart. We developed the new policy with input from across the Trust, under the guidance and support of Working With Cancer.”
Veronica Foote, Working With Cancer’s Head of Policy and Consulting, worked with the RUH to support the development of the new policy. She reviewed existing policies and created a working group which included representatives from different departments across the Trust, union leadership and people who had been affected by cancer.
Veronica said: “We estimate there
are now more than a million people of working age with cancer in the workforce, and that number is increasing.
“Advances in treatments means that many more people want to continue working, or return to work, if cancer enters their lives.
“But research we carried out last year with the Institute of
Employment Studies found that 96 per cent of organisations do not have a dedicated cancer policy.
“The RUH initiative is a groundbreaking and best practice policy for NHS employees as it will make a significant difference for those affected by cancer, not only in Bath but potentially for employees across the NHS.”
The new policy covers everything from pay through to workplace adjustments, support for carers and return to work plans where appropriate.
Staff are already benefiting, with one colleague reflecting: “This policy will mean a lot to anyone going through a diagnosis of cancer or to those caring for someone they love.”
The RUH will now take the learnings from developing the policy and over time will expand the policy to apply to other longterm health conditions.
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Bath Spa University continues expansion with second London site
BATH Spa University is continuing to expand, with the opening of a second teaching centre in London.
The latest site follows the opening of BSU London, in Hackney, in 2020.
The new site is situated in Canary Wharf, in the heart of the city’s financial district. It will be home to over 2,000 adult learners who are already studying BSU degrees in Health and Social Care Management, Business and Management and Computing.
Vice-Chancellor of Bath Spa University (BSU), Professor Georgina Andrews said: “BSU is embedded in our communities locally, nationally and globally.
“The opening of our second centre in London demonstrates our commitment to supporting diverse cohorts of learners through strategic investment and sustainable growth.”
Professor Andrews continued:
“Student experience, inclusion, and accessibility are at the heart of the plans for Bath Spa University London (Canary Wharf), and I am proud of how
this move reflects our standing as an institution providing life-changing opportunities to learners across the UK.
“Our new home in London demonstrates our commitment to directly supporting student success, enhances our presence in the capital city and helps us to ensure our long-term sustainability.”
The new BSU London site will complement the offering at Bath Spa University London (Hackney) - the home of the innovative University Centre in partnership with New City College.
In a recent sector-leading Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) report which advocated for a shift
to a more collaborative approach in education, BSU’s partnership with NCC is highlighted as an example of innovation between higher and further education institutions.
Flexible timetables allow learners to fit full-time study around other commitments by studying two full days a week or three to four evenings a week.
The news of the BSU expansion comes after the announcement that Bath Spa University is the fastest rising university in the Guardian University Guide 2026, where BSU rose 47 places in one year.
This summer BSU also secured ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted ratings for innovative adult skills provision delivered by its Short Course unit and for Inclusive Community Learning, which have supported over 2,000 adult learners.
Professor Simon Haslett, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Partnerships) at BSU, said: “Bath Spa University London (Canary Wharf) builds on over five years of success since BSU first opened in London in 2020.”
Play area upgrade at Alice Park is welcomed
THE opening of new play equipment at Alice Park in Bath has been welcomed by children and families, following a major upgrade by the Alice Park SubCommittee.
The new features, which were opened in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on 20th September, include rope trail swings, timber play equipment for under-fives and impact-absorbing surfacing to give a more natural look and feel to the park.
The perimeter fence has also been moved to create extra picnic space under the pine trees.
The improvements are the first phase in a project to upgrade the park after £125,000 funding was secured by the Alice Park Trust, which manages the site on behalf of the council. The funding includes £75,000 allocated by the council from the 16th round of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) for Bath.
Councillor Sarah Warren, cabinet member for sustainable B&NES, said: “It is wonderful that so many families are enjoying the new play features at Alice Park,
SIXTH FORM
which reflect our commitment to creating welcoming, inclusive spaces where children can have fun and connect with nature.
“The new play area is a great example of how CIL funding makes a real difference in our community and how partnership working can successfully transform our green spaces.”
The trust is planning Phase 2 of the works which will be focused on facilities for older children, particularly girls aged between nine and 14.
Councillor Joanna Wright, chair of the Alice Park Trust, said: “This project shows what partnership between the Trust, local families and our contractor can achieve.
“The new play area looks wonderful, feels safer and more welcoming, and sits naturally within the park. Thank you to everyone who supported Phase 1 and to the contractor, Playtime by Fawns, for completing the works ahead of schedule. To discuss sponsorship or community partnerships, please contact me via email at Joanna_Wright@ bathnes.gov.uk.”
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Controversial changes to business waste collections begin
John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter
CONTROVERSIAL changes to how waste is collected during the “busy early evening” in Bath have come into effect.
Bath & North East Somerset Council has changed the timings of the evening business waste collection in the city centre in a bid to keep the Georgian city cleaner during the early evening when tourists and local people are out on the town. But the change could come with a major financial sting for some businesses.
Starting from 6th October, the window for shops to put their waste out is now 6pm to 8.30pm instead of the previous 5pm to 8.45pm.
But the council’s own analysis warns that it could cost shops which shut at 5pm £3,089.13 a year in additional wages for someone to stick around for another hour to put the bins out. The change has come in as a 12-month pilot, alongside requirements for waste to be bagged and contained in reusable
gull-proof sacks or bins, and for all waste and recycling containers to be marked with the business’s name and address. The morning waste collection times of 7.30am to 10am remain unchanged.
Council cabinet member for resources Mark Elliott said:
“We have a vibrant heritage city with unique, world-leading attractions, but that does mean lots of businesses generate large volumes of waste.
“Even though we know businesses are working with their suppliers to cut down on excess packaging, currently the early evenings are blighted with packaging strewn over the pavements, attracting gulls, and looking very unsightly.
“The 12-month pilot aims to address this for the benefit of everyone. The change in policy for business waste collections will aim to improve the visual appeal of central Bath to visitors and residents alike, during shop opening hours and the busy early evening period.
“We have aligned these times to the hours of operation of the city centre security scheme.
“We have listened to feedback, and looked at the evidence from
the consultation, which leads us to the conclusion that better containment of non-recyclable waste in labelled reusable sacks will help guard against the mess and noise that gulls can cause within the city.
“We hope the pilot will prove successful in making Bath’s streets even more attractive for visitors and residents to spend time and shop in.”
The council said it was working
Broad Street shop fears locks will be changed over unpaid rent
John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter
A RECORD and plant shop in Bath fears the council will change its locks in a row over thousands in unpaid rent.
Chapter 22 on Broad Street had been told by its landlord Bath & North East Somerset Council that it would have to close unless it repays a “substantial amount of unpaid rent,” its owners have said.
Now Nicola Taylor, who runs the shop alongside Dean Brown, fears the council will change the locks.
Ms Taylor said the shop had always paid rent until six months ago, as they faced “dire trading conditions” over the summer with few shoppers on Broad Street.
She said that the shop was just about to enter its busy period, as people shop for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Mother’s Day, and would be able to pay back the rent then.
But Ms Taylor said the council had refused to let the shop set up a rent repayment plan in a meeting on Monday, 29th September.
She said: “We just wanted to discuss a repayment plan but they wouldn’t have any of it because they said we said that before. We aren’t asking for a rent rebate. We are asking if we can pay our rent over the next busy period.”
Chapter 22 has been open for four years and has won a gold award at Bath in Bloom three times.
Ms Taylor said its loyal customers were “outraged and devastated.”
She has worked as a florist in the city for 34 years and said: “It’s my city. I want to do something nice
for my city.”
Ms Taylor and Mr Brown said Broad Street had become nicknamed as “Grim Street” due to a lack of customers.
They have longed warned that it is due to poor signage compared to other parts of the city centre.
She said: “We have asked for the last two years for more signage of the street.”
The council’s cabinet member for resources, Mark Elliott, has said: “We are unable to comment on individual cases, but can confirm we only consider moving to enforcement action after a long period of time, discussion, negotiation and all avenues have been exhausted.
“We have a responsibility to our residents to ensure we collect all monies owed to the council, whether by an individual or a business.”
closely with local waste contractors to ensure they have ample time to plan for these changes and support their customers in central Bath.
But shopkeepers have warned the plan to change the waste collection timings will be “unworkable”.
Charlie Dalton-Ball, of familyrun jewellers S. P. Green & Co on Green Street, said: “On paper this might seem achievable but
in reality it is entirely unworkable for many businesses, including ours.
“Our business is staffed from 10am until 5.30pm, which means there is now no legal window for us to place out our waste while the business is staffed.”
Mr Dalton-Ball warned it could cost some shops double the council’s £3,089.13 figure for shops where two people were required to be on site and the real cost would be even higher when National Insurance contributions and pay above minimum wage were taken into account.
He was speaking at a meeting of a council scrutiny panel convened specially to scrutinise the plans in July after nine backbench councillors called in the “unsustainable” plan.
Councillor Elliott insisted at that meeting that the figure was the “worst case scenario” and said that he suspected the “very very small” number of responses meant most businesses were not that concerned.
The council contacted 1,126 city centre businesses and heard back from just 87 — 93% of whom were opposed to the plan.
Plans for Timpson pod in Sainsbury’s car park
Becky Feather Reporter
THERE are plans for a Timpson pod in the car park of Sainsbury’s next to Green Park Station.
The planning application submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council shows the pod will be in the section close to the crossing to the north west of the store.
Three customer parking spaces will be removed to make way for the concession pod, says a report accompanying the planning application. Bollards will be installed to protect the building and those who use it. The pod will have a gross internal floor space of
approximately 15 square metres.
The report says: “The addition of a Timpson's concession pod at the food store will provide ancillary facilities for existing customers, enabling them to access dry cleaning, key cutting, engraving, and watch repair services whilst shopping at the store.
“Similar service concession facilities are well established in similar food stores across the UK.”
Three internally illuminated fascia signs and 10 wall signs on the front and sides of the pod are proposed.
The planning reference is 25/03781/FUL and the deadline for comments is 11th November.
Major refurbishment of White Hart pub given green light
PLANS to refurbish the vacant White Hart Inn at Widcombe, including adding more guest rooms, have been approved by Bath & North East Somerset Council.
The Grade II listed pub is said to be in “urgent” need of restoration, having fallen into disrepair. It closed in 2024 and the site was sold to hospitality company the Walcot Group.
The group’s first pub was the award-winning Pear Tree at Whitley followed by the Methuen Arms in Corsham. Currently it operates Green Street Butchers, Mother & Wild in Corsham, Little Walcot in Frome and Solina Pasta in Bath, as well as its flagship Walcot House, which is a restaurant, bar and events business and where there are currently plans for seven boutique guest rooms.
In March the Walcot Group submitted applications to the council for planning and listed building consent for the “C21 evolution of The White Hart”.
The project involves interior and exterior works of restoration, remodelling, extension and landscaping along with changing the use of the residential unit, former gin distillery and retail unit at 1a Prior Park Road to create an enlarged pub and bar area, separate dining and private dining, new kitchen with backof-house areas, new toilets, staff changing facilities and bin store, as well as increasing the number of guest rooms from six to 10.
The council received five comments of support for the proposals including from the Widcombe Association Committee.
One supporter observed: “The pub is an important community asset for many years being part of a vibrant Widcombe community. It has been missed since its closure 18 months ago and Widcombe will benefit from its reinstatement as an
important destination and the expanded facilities planned in this application will be welcomed by many in the community.”
There were four letters of objection. One told the council:
“The venue as a pub and wedding venue was already very noisy, especially when hosting weddings and having drink bottles collected at 5am. The planned extensions now seem to be creating a full-blown hotel venue which will lead to further traffic congestion, late-night lighting and noise, let alone the sheer amount of work planned on a listed building which will rumble on for months and months.”
They added that plans to lift the building’s height and add numerous more windows would reduce their privacy.
Concerns were also voiced by objectors about traffic issues and the noise from waste collections. In their analysis of the plans, council planners said the use of The White Hart as a pub with guest accommodation is well established and the proposed development would result in an expansion of dining and accommodation. “As such an increase in noise, activity and footfall is likely.”
They said the proposed alterations and extensions will follow an established line of change, adaptation, and additions at the
8 tips for ensuring children are heard during separation
When parents separate, their children may feel confusion, sadness, fear, and sometimes even relief if there has been conflict. Amid the practical and emotional upheaval, it’s essential to ensure that children feel seen, heard, and supported. To help with this, we have collated eight ways to make sure their voices are respected during this time.
1. Create safe spaces for conversation Children need to know it’s okay to talk about their feelings. Let them know they can ask questions or express emotions without judgment. Choose calm, quiet moments to check in, and listen more than you speak.
Redevelopment for empty retail units
retail spaces” on the ground floor.
site and by consolidating and removing parts of the building that detract from its character and appearance, it will have a positive impact overall.
The officers added that in response, and to address concerns raised, amendments to the scheme such as the removal of a balcony, reduction in window size and conditions intended to protect neighbours’ amenity, have been secured.
The conditions include that the courtyard shall not be in use after 10.30pm or before 9am to safeguard people living nearby, and that no waste and/ or recycling shall be collected outside the hours of 8am and 6pm. A council transport officer had concluded that the proposal will unlikely create an issue on local roads and it was noted that existing traffic restrictions are in place around the premises where there is no on-site parking, which should deter travel by private cars.
The planners’ report highlighted the “demonstrable and substantial economic and social benefits associated with this proposal which will involve the creation of jobs, as well as providing a vibrant community asset. Additional visitor accommodation is being provided, which is beneficial in this sustainable location within Bath.”
Legal Expert
2. Use age-appropriate language Tailor your explanations to your child’s age and developmental stage. Younger children may need simple, reassuring messages, while older children might want more detail. Avoid overwhelming them with adult concerns.
3. Validate their feelings
Whatever your child expresses – whether it’s anger, sadness or confusion – acknowledge it. Validation helps children feel understood and less alone.
4. Encourage expression through play or creativity
Not all children are verbal communicators. Drawing, storytelling, role play, or journaling can help them process emotions in a way that feels natural to them. Pay attention to themes in their play, as this
A PLANNING application has been submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council to demolish four retail units in Oldfield Park and build two new commercial units and five apartments. Applicant PGF Investments South West Ltd is proposing a redevelopment of 133 to 139 Coronation Avenue at the junction of Chestnut Grove.
The four units on the site are currently vacant and a report submitted by architects with the planning application says that finding suitable tenants has been “hampered” by their condition, configuration and providing level access for customers.
It says: “The existing buildings are composed of four small commercial units that were originally designed as part of the wider 1920s masterplan to provide local convenience stores to supplement the surrounding residential development along Coronation Avenue.
“These commercial units have proven to have limited viability in this location and are currently unoccupied.”
To maximise the potential for the development site, the scheme provides five build-to-rent apartments which will provide “high-quality homes for local people”, above two “flexible-use
The accommodation includes one two-bed duplex apartment, two two-bed apartments and two three-bed apartments.
Two car parking spaces are proposed along with storage for 12 bikes, and refuse and recycling storage areas.
The report says: “Car parking provision would be strictly limited to two spaces to the rear of the buildings, for residential parking. Any other parking is anticipated to take place onstreet.
“Whilst the findings of the parking beat survey identified that there was little on-street capacity at present, it also identified very little change in that over the course of the daytime period and into the evening.
“It is therefore envisaged that the existing parking demand in the area closest to the application site is likely to be taking advantage of the fact that the site remains vacant.
“With the above in mind, it is considered likely that were the application site to become operational again, a level of turnover of parking capacity should become available again.”
A new on-street loading bay is proposed on Chestnut Grove to ensure that deliveries are able to take place without obstruction.
The planning reference is 25/03761/FUL.
The deadline for comments is 22nd October.
can often reflect what’s going on inside.
5. Involve them in ageappropriate decisions Giving children a sense of agency can be empowering. Let them make small decisions for themselves, like which toys to bring between homes or how to decorate their space. It helps them feel more in control during a time of uncertainty.
6. Be consistent and honest Children need stability and truth. Avoid false promises or vague answers. If you don’t know something, it’s okay to say, “I’m not sure yet, but I’ll let you know as soon as I do.” Consistency builds trust.
7. Check in regularly Feelings change over time. Make it a habit to ask how your children
are doing. You might say, “How are you feeling about everything lately?” or “Is there anything you want to talk about?” Consider using a child inclusive mediator to help them have their voices heard.
8. Consider professional support Sometimes, children need a neutral adult to talk to. A child inclusive mediator, child therapist or counsellor can provide a safe space for them to explore their emotions and develop coping strategies. At Stone King, we have a dedicated team of experts who are able to help throughout all the stages of separation and offer mediation services.
If you would like more information, please do get in touch.
The White Hart in Widcombe
Becky Feather Reporter
The four retail units are currently unoccupied
Politics
Cost
of works after A37 oil spill is around £300k
Becky Feather Reporter
THE cost of dealing with a massive oil spill on the A37 has been put at around £300,000, which Bath & North East Somerset Council intends to recoup from the insurers of the tanker it leaked from.
The vehicle delivering kerosene suffered a leak on Thursday 25th September, causing it to spill onto the road between Pensford and the Chelwood roundabout.
Passing vehicles spread the spill further and about 800 metres of the road was affected.
Officers from the council’s highways teams, police and fire service attended the scene, and the road had to be closed, with diversions put in place.
Oil on a road surface presents a significant safety risk as it creates slippery conditions, as well as weakening the structural integrity of the surface and its materials.
The highways teams worked round the clock and more
than 6,000 square metres of highway was resurfaced - an area equivalent in size to 23 tennis courts. The A37 was reopened on Saturday 27th September.
A report from the council’s Director of Place Management
Chris Major said that despite the initial clean-up on site, a materials specialist had advised the council that the road surface had been damaged by the kerosene, and it was necessary to remove the contaminated surface and replace it.
Mr Major said: “Due to the high volume of traffic carried by the A37, which is part of the national Primary Route Network and a major route through Somerset into Bristol, it was imperative to get the road reopened as soon as possible.
“The signed diversion route was long and some drivers were using inappropriate local rural lanes to avoid the closure. A major bus route serving Wells, the Somer Valley and Bristol was affected, together with a local Chew Valley
bus service.
“We used the services of our term highway contractor to arrange for a suitable diversion and traffic management to be put in place, as well as for the damaged road surface to be taken up and replaced.
“The cost of the works and associated management is estimated to be £300,000.
“It is necessary to uplift the Highway Maintenance Capital Budget by this amount to cover the cost.
“We will be seeking recovery of the cost in full from the insurers of the company that operated the tanker from which the kerosene leak occurred.”
Councillor Lucy Hodge, the council’s cabinet member for sustainable transport delivery, described the emergency response from the highways teams as “really impressive”.
She said: “I’d like to thank them and all the contractors that came together so quickly and worked into the night to get the road resurfaced and reopened just two days after a large oil spill.”
‘Greedy’ plans for six-bed Twerton HMO rejected
COUNCILLORS have unanimously blocked “greedy” plans to turn a three-bedroom house in Bath into a sixbedroom HMO.
Developer Rivers Birtwell wanted to turn a three-bedroom prefabricated home in Twerton into a six-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) — the legal name for a shared house where unrelated adults live together.
But when it came before Bath & North East Somerset Council’s planning committee on 24th September, the committee unanimously refused to grant planning permission for the “overdevelopment”. It comes less than a week after the council called for stronger powers to stop “family homes” being turned into HMOs. The council is proposing introducing a new policy in its new Local Plan to ban turning three-bedroom homes into HMOs where they could otherwise be suitable for families and first-time buyers — but this is not yet in force.
Planning committee member Ian Halsall (Oldfield Park, Liberal Democrat) said: “It is not a month goes by without us having to consider an HMO application.” Rivers Birtwell wanted to turn the upstairs of the house into four bedrooms, turn the conservatory to fit the living area so another bedroom could fit in the current
living room, and enlarge the current side extension to fit another bedroom.
Brian Maddocks, who has lived next door for 40 years, had told the committee he was “devastated” at the idea.
He said: “All these greedy people are coming in, snapping up these places, making extreme profits and you are going to make my life hell and my wife’s hell because it will always remain a student house.”
His local councillor, Sarah Moore (Twerton & Whiteway, Liberal Democrat), warned that the party wall between the homes was “paper thin”.
The homes are made of metal frames and wire mesh.
The plans involved soundproofing, but councillors warned this would not be enough.
Councillor Shaun Hughes (Midsomer Norton North, Independent) said: “There’s not much to like about this application.
“I appreciate they have, as a token gesture, reduced it from seven bedrooms to six. But six is still an overdevelopment.
“This house was never intended to be six bedrooms to accommodate six adults. That was never the intention of this estate.”
Councillor Paul Crossley
Planning Round-up
Crane required for proposed work at hotel
An application has been submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council to install a replacement air conditioning unit on the roof of the Royal Crescent Hotel. The application for listed building consent says the unit is currently not operational, and until replaced, the five suites it serves remain without air management and ventilation. To avoid the need for internal alterations, the proposals include using a mobile crane to lift and manoeuvre the replacement unit into place within the central roof valley gutter of No.15 Royal Crescent. A road closure, estimated between three and four hours, will be required on the Crescent to allow for the work, the council is advised.
Solar scheme for church hall roof is approved
B&NES Council has said that plans to install PV solar roof panels on St Barnabas Church Hall at Mount View in Southdown amount to permitted development. An application seeking prior approval had been submitted to the council.
Recycling firm seeks Certificate of Lawfulness
A metal recycling firm is seeking a Certificate of Lawfulness for its use of a unit in Keynsham. Luna Metal Recycling Ltd has applied to Bath & North East Somerset Council regarding the use of unit 11F-G on Broadmead Lane Industrial Estate.
Planning consultants for Luna say: “The certificate is sought as one of the myriad of conditions and requirements imposed on the applicant as part of their environmental (waste carrier) licensing regime.”
(Southdown, Liberal Democrat) added: “We can’t just say it must stay as a family house because that’s not a planning consideration for the moment.
“But it is a real issue and it is something as a council that we have to much more seriously address — and at speed, because of the speed with which these applications are coming in.”
Councillors turned down the plan on the grounds of overdevelopment and loss of amenity to neighbours.
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They say Luna’s operation involves large industrial-scaled machinery, which would not be possible from a light industrial premises. They note there is “no obvious planning history for the property” which is part of a former soap factory built in the late 19th century. Before the applicant purchased the unit, it was host to a firm registered as DJF Industrial Coatings Limited but trading as Keynsham Industrial Coating.
The consultants’ report says: “There have been no apparent lawful changes of use or alternative permissions on the site, and this application is made on the basis that the unit has been in continuous use for industrial purposes.”
The report adds: “It is hoped that the council will be satisfied that the applicant is merely continuing the lawful industrial occupation of the unit, and a certificate can be issued confirming this.”
The planning reference is 25/03737/CLEU. The deadline for comments is 23rd October.
John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter
The property on Shaws Way in Twerton
The road was closed for resurfacing after the incident
Major solar farm scheme is refused over landscape harm
John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter
BATH & North East Somerset Council’s planning committee has blocked plans for a major solar farm, despite the local authority having declared a climate emergency.
The proposed 28.2 hectare solar farm would have generated enough electricity to power 5,763 homes and increased the renewable energy being generated in the area by twofifths.
But people living in the 22-home village of Burnett, next door to the planned farm, said their landscape would be “blighted with an industrial scale eyesore”. Planning committee member Councillor John Leach (Walcot, Liberal Democrat) disagreed.
He said: “I don’t see it as an eyesore and I think future generations will be even more likely not to see this as an eyesore but to see it as a possible sign of our efforts to deal with a crisis as a crisis.”
He said the council should be doing as much as it could to generate renewable energy. Bath & North East Somerset Council declared a climate emergency in 2019.
The agent for the applicant told the planning committee debating the plans on 24th September that the scheme was a “direct response” to the council’s climate emergency declaration — but local councillor Duncan Hounsell (Saltford, Liberal Democrat) said:
“Solar is not a trump card.”
Bath & North East Somerset Council has a target of generating 110MW of renewable energy by 2029.
As of 2023, an estimated 47MW of renewables had been installed since 2010, although another 86MW has planning permission to be built. This solar farm would have generated 22.6MW.
Councillor Hounsell told councillors on the planning committee that the impact on the Green Belt outweighed the environmental impacts, stating: “The target for renewable energy
scheme would have powered more than 5,700 homes
is an aspirational target and it’s not the case that you should permit any such planning application until that target is met.
“On your site visit you saw the panoramic view from Gypsy Lane. Even in driving rain the vista was magnificent.”
The planning committee voted to refuse planning permission on the grounds of inappropriate development in the Green Belt, significant harm to the landscape, and adverse visual impacts.
Planning committee member Councillor Paul Crossley
(Southdown, Liberal Democrat) said the scheme was “just far too large, far too impactful on the rural landscape.”
Burnett local Rosemary Turner had told the committee she had concerns about flooding and said: “Residents chose to live here for its beauty.
“Nobody wants to see this rural idyll destroyed.”
Philippa Paget of Compton Dando Parish Council added:
“The increasing number of solar farms and proposed solar farms locally have a cumulative effect of industrialisation on the local
natural beauty and precious Green Belt.”
The agent for the applicant had told the planning committee that the land was grade four, considered poor quality agricultural land.
In June, the council had granted planning permission for a solar farm on grade 3a agricultural land near Paulton despite warnings that it would mean losing quality farmland.
The total side of the farm located south of Gypsy Lane between Burnett village and Burnett Business Park, would have been 28.2 hectares although solar panels would only have covered 18 hectares of the site, with other parts of the site including supporting infrastructure and biodiversity enhancements. The plan would have increased biodiversity on the site by 54%, above the required 10%.
Bath & North East Somerset Council also has a target of generating 12MW of power directly as a council to cover the council’s own power usage. The council has already delivered 1.5MW of electricity generation through rooftop solar projects, and installed heat pumps at two council care homes.
The city’s natural hot springs are also used to heat the Roman Baths and Pump Rooms complex, Bath World Heritage Centre, and Bath Abbey.
The council is also looking at installing a small hydroelectric power scheme next to Pulteney Weir in the centre of Bath when it replaces the Pulteney Radial gate.
The
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Club throws support behind Lewis Moody after MND diagnosis
Richard Briggs Reporter
BATH Rugby have thrown their support behind their former player and ex-England captain Lewis Moody MBE, who has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
Moody, 47, played the vast majority of his club rugby with Leicester Tigers but spent his final two seasons at The Rec. A back row, he won the World Cup with England in 2003 and went on to skipper his country, including at the 2011 tournament.
Motor neurone disease (MND) causes muscle weakness that gets worse over a few months or years. It is usually life-shortening and there is currently no cure – but treatment can help manage the symptoms.
Scotland rugby legend Doddie Weir OBE, theoretical physicist Prof Stephen Hawking and actor David Niven are among the famous names to have died from motor neurone disease.
A GoFundMe campaign has been created by Moody’s former Leicester team-mates Geordan Murphy and Leon Lloyd to support him and his family. Posting on social media, Moody said: “I’m writing to share some tough news. I have recently been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Motor Neurone Disease
(MND).
“This has been incredibly hard to process and a huge shock to me and my family.
“I feel fit and well in myself and I’m focused on staying positive, living life and dealing with the changes I will experience as they come.
“I am being well supported by my family, friends and medical professionals and I’m truly grateful to those who, in their time, helped progress research to support others, like me, living with this disease.
“Since retiring from the sport I love, and alongside my wife Annie, I’ve been able to dedicate much of the past 12 years to fundraising for The Lewis Moody Foundation in support of those
affected by brain tumours.
“My plan is to continue with this but to also create an opportunity to support a charity closer to my current situation.
“I would be so grateful for your help with this and look forward to sharing more, once I am clear on what this looks like.
“For now, please know I feel your love and support; all I ask is that I am given some space to navigate this with my wife and sons, and those closest to us – but without doubt, I will continue to embrace life and grasp opportunities in the same way I always have.”
A statement from the Blue, Black & White on Monday 6th October said: “Bath Rugby is deeply saddened to learn that former player Lewis Moody has been
diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
“Lewis, who represented Bath Rugby between 2010-2012, was hugely respected at the club. He was a highly influential Test player, British & Irish Lion and World Cup winner.
“He represented his country 71 times including a role in all of England’s matches which culminated in winning the World Cup in 2003.
“Fiercely competitive, known for his passion and enthusiasm on the pitch, Lewis is also recognised as a true gentleman and has continued to inspire others since retiring from the game through his charitable foundation [The Lewis Moody Foundation].”
Bath chief executive Tarquin
McDonald said: “This is heartbreaking news and our thoughts and best wishes go out to Lewis, his immediate family and wider circle of friends and loved ones.
“Lewis is, and always will be, part of the Bath Rugby family as a former player who has laid down roots in the local community, and a true ambassador for the sport.
“His charitable work through his foundation, dedicated to raising awareness and funds to improve the lives of those needing help and support, is inspirational.
“This is a devastating illness and we stand together as a club to offer our full support to Lewis, his
family and friends.”
RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said: “We are all deeply saddened and distressed to learn that Lewis Moody has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
“Lewis represented England, the British & Irish Lions and his clubs Leicester Tigers and Bath Rugby with both brilliance and distinction – one of the toughest and most fearless players ever to don a back-row shirt in the game, earning the respect and admiration of team-mates, opponents and supporters alike all over the world.
“His contribution to rugby, both on and off the field, reflects the very best of our sport’s values.
“Our thoughts are with Lewis and his family and friends at this very difficult time as they come to terms with this diagnosis and I know the entire rugby community stands with them and will support them.
“We are ready to offer practical and emotional support to the Moody family in whatever way is needed and appropriate.
“We encourage people to show their support through the fundraising initiatives now being set up and available through GoFundMe.”
To donate to the GoFundMe page for Lewis Moody MBE, you can visit https://www. gofundme.com/f/lewis-moodyfundraising-appeal
Romans held at Farnborough, women second after home win
Richard Briggs Reporter
A LAST-GASP equaliser from the spot denied Bath City a vital victory at Farnborough in Enterprise National League South on Saturday 4th October. And the Romans, who had taken the lead with two minutes to go, needed a great save from keeper Harvey Wiles-Richards to ensure they returned to the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park with a point, the game ending 2-2.
Farnborough, who went into the match in 20th spot in the table, took the lead after only three minutes in front of a 745-strong crowd at the Saunders Transport Community Stadium. Teddy Collis was the scorer, firing into the top-left corner of the net after good work by Mason Bloomfield. However, City deserved their 55th minute equaliser. Luke Russe crossed and Brad Ash knocked the ball past home custodian and skipper Jack Turner.
And Bath appeared to have secured three points when, with 88 minutes gone, Joe Raynes latched onto a clearance, cut inside and drilled past Turner. Farnborough were given a way
back into the match in the first minute of injury-time when they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Jack Young.
Ex-Championship player
Dominic Poleon made no mistake from 12 yards.
The Hampshire team then had two excellent opportunities to claim victory.
First, Poleon burst clear but was sent wide by Wiles-Richards who then blocked the former Leeds United first-teamer’s shot.
And then a Farnborough corner caused mayhem in the Bath box, the ball hitting the inside of a post and Wiles-Richards making a one-handed save.
But the game ended level and the visitors’ unbeaten away record in the league continued.
The result kept Bath in 18th place in the standings.
On the bench for the Romans was 21-year-old former Ipswich Town keeper Charlie Binns who has joined on non-contract terms to provide further back-up for Wiles-Richards.
With loanee Issac Finch returning to Bristol City, Bath brought in former Millfield School pupil Binns who spent two years with Ipswich before being released by the Suffolk club this summer. Binns played for Ipswich’s
under-18s and under-21s and turned out in the senior teams at Bishops Stortford and Felixstowe & Walton United.
The Romans’ next fixture is on Tuesday 14th October, when they will entertain Jewson Western League Premier Division outfit Bridgwater United in the first
round of the Francis Hillier Somerset Premier Cup. Kick-off at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park will be at 7.45pm.
Bath had been due to entertain Tonbridge Angels in the league on Saturday 11th October but the match has been rescheduled due to the Kent side’s involvement in the Emirates FA Cup. The City versus Tonbridge clash is now due to be played on Tuesday 11th November.
The Romans attempted to arrange
another fixture for Saturday 11th October but were unsuccessful, meaning they will have a blank weekend.
Bath City Women moved up to second place in Shield Services Group South West Regional Women’s Football League Division One North by seeing off Downend Flyers 2-1 at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park on Sunday 5th October.
Maddie Brown and Bex Fry netted in the first 28 minutes for the Romans, only for the guests from South Gloucestershire to pull one back shortly afterwards. Fry’s goal was her first for Bath, who now have no game until they entertain Mangotsfield United in the league on Sunday 26th October.
Bath City Women Development drew 3-3 at Banwell Ladies in Somerset County Women’s League Division One on Sunday 5th October, Phoebe Walls and Hajrija-Hari Sabic among the guests’ scorers. Bath’s tally was completed by an own goal.
The mid-table Romans will continue their league campaign when they take on Middlezoy Ladies at Peasedown St John Recreation Ground on Sunday 12th October (2pm).
Lewis Moody spent his final two seasons with Bath Rugby
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Bath-Gloucester derby will be pretty special, says van Graan
Richard Briggs Reporter
BATH Rugby are gearing up for their first Gallagher PREM derby of the season this weekend – and head of rugby Johann van Graan says it will be “pretty special”.
The Blue, Black & White will take on Gloucester Rugby at The Rec on Saturday 11th October, the second day of the PREM’s Derby Weekend (Friday 10th October to Sunday 12th October).
Bath go into the match with two five-point victories under their belt, while the Cherry & Whites have lost both of their games – 2710 at Sale Sharks in their opener and, on Sunday 5th October, 37-35 at home to Northampton Saints after recovering from a 31-7 interval deficit.
During Bath’s pre-Derby Weekend press conference on Tuesday 7th October, van Graan said: “I’m South African, South Africa is the big Bulls-Stormers derbies, Transvaal versus Western Province. When I was at Munster, the big one was the Munster-Leinster one.
“And certainly from a Bath point of view, the Gloucester-Bath one is pretty special, whether it’s at The Rec or down at their place.
“I think it’s played in good spirits. I think there’s mutual respect. I respect George [Skivington, Gloucester’s head coach], we get along really well.
“I think they want to play positively, we want to play positively. I think that’s one of the real feel-good stories of the Premiership.
“Both teams will go out for 80 minutes and afterwards we’ll shake hands and have a beer together.”
Bath hooker and fans’ favourite Tom Dunn has played in his fair share of matches against
Gloucester, and he recalled receiving an unconventional drenching during a derby at the Cherry & Whites’ Kingsholm Stadium.
The 32-year-old, who made his debut for the Blue, Black & White in 2012, said: “There was an occasion when The Shed poured cider on us on the bench. It’s all tongue-in-cheek stuff but there’s a bit more spice to it.
“I’m very literal with my rugby, whether it’s a final or a preseason game, it’s 80 minutes, there’s a pitch and 15 blokes, so ultimately that takes care of that.”
Derby Weekend, Round 3 of the 2025-26 league season, will see the launch of the Bravery Starts Here campaign, a new mentalhealth drive by PREM Rugby and official charity partner Mental Health UK.
Bravery Starts Here, which will get under way on World Mental Health Day (Friday 10th October), is a season-long initiative that will harness the strength and solidarity of the rugby community to redefine what it means to be brave.
It will use rugby as a tool to equip fans, players, coaches and staff with the support, connections and skills they need to be their brave, bold and determined selves on and off the pitch.
Bravery Starts Here will champion every act of courage –whether it’s playing 80 minutes of high-impact rugby in front of thousands of spectators or simply getting out of bed during a tough spell.
Laylla Stanley, PREM Rugby’s strategic lead – social impact, and diversity and inclusivity, said:
“Our partnership with Mental Health UK demonstrates our commitment to using rugby as a force for good beyond the pitch.
“The sport is perfectly placed to be used as a tool to help people be their brave and bold selves.”
Try on home debut is ‘dream come true’ for Henry Arundell
Richard Briggs Reporter
SCORING on his home debut for Bath Rugby was a “dream come true” for new signing Henry Arundell.
Winger Arundell showed a trademark burst of electric pace to run in the Blue, Black & White’s first try against Sale Sharks at The Rec on Friday 3rd October, his side going on to win the Gallagher PREM Round 2 game 28-16.
Of his seventh-minute touchdown, which was set up by Ollie Lawrence, Arundell – a former pupil of Beechen Cliff School in Bath – said: “That’s my dream come true for me. My parents were certainly happy.
“I was glad Ollie heard me because I thought he had his head down and was going to run it himself, but he heard me [and passed to Arundell].”
Arundell, 22, acknowledged the quality of the PREM – and he said he will have the same approach this season, regardless of whether he might be in the frame for further England caps.
“The quality is incredible every week,” said Arundell, who spent the past two years with Paris club Racing 92 in France’s Top 14 following a spell with London Irish.
He said: “Before [in the PREM] there were games where you can kind of rotate a lot more, whereas it feels like here every week is a bit like the Top 14, every week is kind of a big battle and going to war again. So you need everyone on it. The whole squad has to be ready for it.
“It’s on me when I get the opportunities to deliver and give my all because I’m joining the best team in the Premiership from last season, so if I want to contribute and we want to go
and win it again, I’ve got to do my part.
“[Playing for England] is always part of the ambitions but I don’t control that. My job is to perform here and if it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, I’m still going to perform here to the best of my ability. Whatever happens, I’ve got to have the same approach.”
Arundell spending his childhood in Bath means his joining the Blue, Black & White has sent his life full circle.
He said: “It’s quite bizarre. We had a season launch earlier in pre-season and that was a crazy moment seeing young kids running around in Bath shirts knowing that was me when I was 10 years old.
“So I’m kind of having that fullcircle moment that now it’s my turn to do what I can on the field so that maybe one day there’s another kid who can fulfil his dream and play for Bath.”
Bath name ex-RL star Gleeson their new backs and attack coach
Richard Briggs Reporter
MARTIN Gleeson has been named backs and attack coach at Bath Rugby.
Wigan-born Gleeson, 45, joined the Blue, Black & White on Monday 6th October, having most recently been assistant coach at Warrington Wolves in rugby league’s Betfred Super League.
As a centre, Gleeson played for a host of rugby league clubs including the Wolves, Wigan Warriors, Salford City Reds, St Helens and Huddersfield Giants. He also represented Great Britain and England. He has coached in rugby union with Wasps and,
COLUMN | Ben Hicks, Clerk of the Course - Bath Racecourse
Our fixture here at Bath Racecourse on Tuesday 30th September proved the busiest and arguably one of the most enjoyable meetings of the season so far. We staged nine competitive races and welcomed a total of 98 runners – a fantastic turnout, an ever more common theme as we approach the conclusion of the flat turf season. Along with bright sunshine for much of the afternoon, it was a very enjoyable meeting for everyone.
The racing itself did not disappoint. The card concluded with the final Arabian race of the year, which had a competitive 10-runner field.
Arabian racing continues to bring an added element to our race programme, and we’re proud to host these races each year.
One of the undoubted highlights came courtesy of the British European Breeders’ Fund Future Stayers Race, which produced an impressive performance from Item, trained by Andrew Balding for owners Juddmonte.
The Frankel colt was making just his second career start but showed maturity and class beyond his experience to record his second successive victory. Item is entered in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy, and all of us here at Bath will be following his progress with great interest.
One of my favourite parts of being at Bath is seeing future stars in their early days before going on to compete at the top level.
Following our two-day fixture earlier last month, we were able to carry out important remedial
under Eddie Jones, the England senior men’s team.
Bath said farewell to their previous backs and attack coach Lee Blackett after their Gallagher PREM victory at Harlequins on Friday 26th September. Blackett left the Blue, Black & White to join the England coaching set-up.
Johann van Graan, Bath’s head of rugby, said: “We’re excited that Martin has joined our journey and we’re looking forward to what he’ll add to this team of ours.”
Gleeson said: “What’s not to get excited about? I’ve been watching with a keen eye the team that Johann has put together and the journey they have been on over these last couple of years.
“There are a lot of people here
that I already know so that was a big factor behind me coming here and I’m really looking forward to building on what Lee has put in place.”
works on the track.
We gave the surface a light scarify and vertidrain, which helps relieve any compaction and improves aeration of the turf.
This is a key step before applying the final fertiliser treatment of the year, ensuring the surface goes into the winter in excellent health and ready to bounce back strongly for next season.
The track came back looking great for last Tuesday’s raceday, and the sunshine only enhanced it!
As always, credit goes to the team for their hard work behind the scenes – their efforts are vital in keeping the track in top condition.
As evenings draw in, and mornings become darker, the torches will be out for our concluding raceday morning track walks. But the sunrises we are lucky to witness here make you wonder is there a better way to start the day?
You can read all of Ben's columns at www.bathecho.co.uk/sport
THAT’S two Gallagher PREM games, two show-stopping moments for Bath Rugby’s stand-in fly-half Max Ojomoh this season.
The 25-year-old made a stunning long, looping pass to present Henry Arundell with a try at Harlequins in Round 1 – and he followed up by bagging a fabulous score of his own when Sale Sharks came to The Rec on Friday 3rd October.
With time running out on the Blue, Black & White’s bid to secure a fourth try – and the resultant bonus point – in wild weather conditions, Ojomoh timed his run to perfection to dive onto a chip from Ben Spencer and touch down deep in the in-goal area, just inside the dead-ball line. Television match official Dan Jones ruled that the 77th-minute try stood, Spencer converted and the hosts won the Round 2 encounter 28-16 in front of another capacity crowd of 14,509.
The result could be considered harsh on the visitors, who defended superbly in awful weather conditions – they made an energy-sapping 190 tackles and had a success rate of 88%.
But the wider statistics told a different story. Bath had 64% of the possession, 67% of the territory and entered the Sale 22 on 16 occasions. The Sharks got into the home 22 only three times. The Blue, Black & White gained 320 metres across the evening, whereas their guests made 192 metres.
Storm Amy held off until fans were in the stadium – and then she let rip. A swirling wind and driving rain made conditions on the pitch very difficult and emphasised the dedication of the
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thousands of spectators watching the action, and roaring on their team, from the uncovered stands. With the wind behind them in the first half, Sale took a third-minute lead with a 39-metre penalty, from just to the right of the posts, by George Ford.
Bath responded with a marvellous try four minutes later.
Ollie Lawrence picked up the ball and surged 35 metres down the left, offloading to Henry Arundell.
The winger burst away 35 metres out and dotted down to the left of the posts for a try on his home debut, having grabbed a brace against Quins a week earlier.
Spencer majored and the Blue, Black & White were 7-3 ahead.
The arrears were reduced when Ford dropped a goal from 30 metres in the 20th minute.
But the hosts notched their second try five minutes later, Miles Reid punching a hole through the defence following a line-out and passing to Cameron Redpath to run in from 12 metres and score behind the posts.
Spencer again landed the extras and Bath led 14-6.
Ford tried his luck with a 52-metre penalty from in front of the posts in the 33rd minute. But his windassisted effort hit the left stick. However, Bath’s clearance went straight to him and he dropped another goal, this time from 47 metres, to make it 14-9.
Ernst van Rhyn, the Sharks’ captain, was sin binned shortly afterwards.
Then Beno Obano bulldozed over from close range – another decision for the TMO – in the 36th minute and Spencer converted to send Bath in at half-time with a 21-9 cushion.
With the weather no doubt taking its toll on the teams, the second period was less of a spectacle. But Sale scored their only try of the match in the 48th minute, Nathan Jibulu touching down
from short range on the right. England centurion Ford booted the two points and the Sharks were right back in contention at 21-16 adrift.
Spencer was narrowly off target with a 38-metre penalty from slightly to the left of the posts in the 75th minute. But two minutes later, he combined with Ojomoh to make the game safe for Bath and earn that crucial fifth point on the night. There was still time for Sale replacement WillGriff John to be yellow carded, this after his second instance of head-to-head contact. As he approached the bench, the Wales prop seemed to revel in Bath fans’ displeasure at his actions.
Some bad news from the match for Bath came in the form of injuries to forwards Charlie Ewels, Quinn Roux and Ted Hill. But Dan Frost made his debut when he came on as a replacement, and Alfie Barbeary – who earned cult status after stripping down to his swimming trunks for the club’s victory parade in June – arrived off the bench for his 50th appearance as a Blue, Black & White. Spencer was named winner of the Pol Roger Performance of the Match award.
answers - Issue 113 (26/09/2025)
Bath starting XV: 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Vilikesa Sela, 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Charlie Ewels, 6 Ted Hill, 7 Guy Pepper, 8 Miles Reid, 9, Ben Spencer, 10 Max Ojomoh, 11 Henry Arundell, 12 Cameron Redpath, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 15 Tom de Glanville.
Bath replacements: 16 Dan Frost, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Archie Griffin, 19 Ross Molony, 20 Sam Underhill, 21 Tom Carr-Smith, 22 Will Butt, 23 Alfie Barbeary.
Sale starting XV: 1 Bevan Rodd, 2 Nathan Jibulu, 3 Asher OpokuFordjour, 4 Ben Bamber, 5 Hyron Andrews, 6 Ernst van Rhyn, 7 Ben Curry, 8 Sam Dugdale, 9 Gus Warr, 10 George Ford, 11 Tom O’Flaherty, 12 Sam Bedlow, 13 Rob du Preez, 14 Tom Roebuck, 15 Joe Carpenter.
Sale replacements: 16 Ethan Caine, 17 Simon McIntyre, 18 WillGriff John, 19 Tom Burrow, 20 Tristan Woodman, 21 Dom Hanson, 22 Arron Reed, 23 Marius Louw.
Bath lie second in the Gallagher PREM table, level on points with leaders Saracens.
Round 3 brings the Blue, Black & White their first league derby of the season – against Gloucester Rugby at The Rec on Saturday 11th October (5.30pm).
Down: 2 Idols, 3 Dahl, 4 Accumulating, 6 Road rage, 7 Intensive, 8 O P E C, 9 Herschel, 12 Life-and-death, 15 Variable, 16 Initiated, 18 Be silent, 23 Waste, 24 Must, 25 H T T P.
Saturday 11th October – 5.30pm
Bath Rugby v Gloucester Rugby (Home)
Gallagher Prem – R3
Saturday 18th October – 3.05pm
Bath Rugby v Leicester Tigers (Away)
Gallagher Prem – R5
Bath City FC
Tuesday 14th October – 7.45pm
Bath City v Bridgwater United (Home) SPC1
Saturday 18th October – 3pm
Bath City v Hornchurch (Away) League
Tuesday 21st October – 7.45pm
Bath City v AFC Totton (Home) League
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