Seeds of hope for the reopening of allotments
Becky Feather Reporter
BATH & North East Somerset Council is “pursuing the acquisition” of the Combe Down Allotments which closed last November.
The council had leased 64 allotments from a private landowner on the land off Church Lane.
The site had been in continuous use for well over a century but in 2024 the landowner gave the council informal advance warning of his intention to end the lease in 2025.
The council signalled willingness to engage with the landowner, as well as its commitment to remain on the site, so the long history of food growing and allotments afforded to the community of Combe Down could continue.
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the acquisition of the Combe Down allotments site, with the intention of offering new allotment tenancies/licences if the acquisition is successful. This is a significant step forward for our campaign.”
Back in February, the Save Combe Down Allotments/Friends of Combe Down Allotments campaign asked local residents to register their interest in having an allotment through the council’s online form.
The campaign group said: “We were delighted by the fantastic response - thank you to everyone who took part.
However, the tenants were forced to leave their plots at the end of last October but posting on social media this week the Save Combe Down Allotments campaign group said: “We have some very encouraging news about our allotments.
“The council has now formally confirmed that it is pursuing
“As the acquisition process continues, the council has reached a stage where in order to continue, has asked us to demonstrate the current level of local demand.
“If you would be interested in having an allotment in Combe Down - whether you registered your interest previously or are doing so for the first time - please email CAM@bathnes.gov.uk by Friday 10th July, quoting “Combe Down Allotments Q1” in the
subject line or body of your email.
“This is not a commitment to taking on an allotment. It is simply a way of showing the council that there is strong and continuing community demand for allotments in Combe Down.”
The group added: “Every email counts, and the more people who respond, the stronger the case for securing this valuable community asset.
“Thank you for your continued support. Together, we can help ensure that Combe Down
THEREis a real mix of stories in this week’s newspapersome hopeful, some frustrating, and one or two that feel like a reminder of just how quickly life in our city can be turned upside down. Perhaps the most encouraging development is in Combe Down, where there are finally some genuine signs of hope for the future of the allotments. After the sadness and anger that followed the closure of the site last autumn, it is heartening to hear that Bath & North East Somerset Council is now formally pursuing acquisition of the land, though how this will play out, we will have to wait and see. For many people, allotments are
about far more than vegetables and flower beds. They are places of community, routine, wellbeing and shared purpose, as the allotment holders showed with their strong campaign to save them. If there is a chance to secure that future for the next generation, it is clear local people want it taken. Looking ahead, another story that will certainly get residents talking is the future of the Bath Christmas Market. Love it or loathe it, there is no doubt it has become a huge part of the city’s festive identity. Proposals to extend it from 18 days to 25 from 2027, and potentially spread it into places like Parade Gardens, Queen Square and Kingsmead
Square, will be welcomed by some and questioned by others.
retains its allotments for future generations.”
Councillor Sarah Warren, deputy leader and cabinet member for Sustainable Bath & North East Somerset, said: ”We are continuing our efforts to acquire the Combe Down Allotment site and have sent a survey to allotment holders. We encourage allotment holders to take part in the survey.”
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There is always that balance to strike between boosting the visitor economy and making sure the city still feels manageable for the people who live and work here every day.
Then there is the troubling situation outside The Empire, where plans to make a historic vault safe have been refused over heritage concerns. It is one of those very Bath stories where no issue is ever simple. On one side there is the understandable desire to protect the city’s historic fabric. On the other, there are residents facing huge costs, uncertainty and anxiety over a
problem they say was not of their making, and the potential for the pavement to collapse. And finally, last week’s extraordinary weather gave all of us plenty to think about. Scorching heat followed by violent storms, flash flooding, damaged roads and disrupted services - it was an extreme week by any standard. These are the sorts of events that no longer feel rare enough to dismiss as one-offs. In all fairness to the emergency services, local authority and organisations such as Curo, there was a very quick turnaround for sorting out issues, and praise should be given where praise is due.
From the Editor... Opinion, insight and the stories shaping Bath this week
Sebastian Hawker
Inset: The site before the closure | Above: The allotment site now
Christmas Market could run for an extra week
Becky Feather Reporter
BATH Christmas Market looks set to run for 25 days from 2027 and could expand in the future into Parade Gardens, Queen Square, and Kingsmead Square.
The proposals are revealed in a planning application from Bath & North East Somerset Council, owner and organiser of the event, which is recognised as one of the top Christmas markets in Europe. The application seeks to “regularise and secure the longterm operation” of the Christmas Market, which was founded in 2001 and started as a group of local businesses and artisans who came together to welcome in the festive period.
The council began running it in 2021. It now attracts more than 430,000 people each year over an 18-day period, and increases business turnover in the city by an estimated £64 million annually.
The council is seeking planning permission on a permanent basis for a temporary annual use of roads and public open spaces for the Christmas Market, which features more than 250 businesses and community groups.
Last year there were more than 180 festive chalets spread across the city centre, including Bath Street, Union Street, and the Abbey Quarter.
The proposed dates for this
year’s Bath Christmas Market are Wednesday 25th November (a residents’ evening will be held before the official opening on the 26th) to Sunday 13th December.
For the years following, it is proposed that the event will operate between November and December for up to 25 days each year, with set-up and dismantling periods of up to a combined total of 45 days.
The council says the permission would not limit the number of years the market can take place but would continue to control its temporary nature, duration and impacts through annual operational management, licensing and associated approvals.
The exact number and distribution of units may vary on an annual basis in response to site-specific constraints, operational requirements, and
considerations relating to public safety and event management.
The application seeks consent for temporary retail chalets, along with Christmas carts to support small local businesses, temporary catering chalets, dedicated catering pitches for mobile food vendors, and provision of The Lodge bar. The maximum combined number of units across the event will not exceed 260.
The application includes the “potential future expansion” of the market into Parade Gardens, Queen Square, and Kingsmead Square to support the continued enhancement of the visitor economy, help distribute footfall more evenly across the city centre, and enrich the festive atmosphere.
The council says Queen Square, already a popular event space throughout the year with events including Bath Boules, will
provide “a complementary space focused on a curated programme of activities and experiences” such as small-scale live performances and immersive installations. It will link visitor coach parking in Royal Victoria Park to the city centre and encourage footfall along Quiet Street.
At Parade Gardens, Searcys, as the current leaseholder of the café there, “intends to work in partnership with the Bath Christmas Market to deliver a programme of family-focused activities within the park”.
The council says: “In addition, the Gardens will host a curated selection of food and beverage opportunities, complementing the existing café offer.”
These will include artisan food stalls, warm winter refreshments, and informal dining options designed to appeal to a broad audience.
Meanwhile, “activities and animation” at Kingsmead Square during the Christmas Market will drive footfall to this area and support the economic development of businesses.
The council also says that “activation” of “under-utilised space” in New Bond Street, which forms part of the existing market footprint, will encourage footfall towards Broad Street and Walcot Street.
The planning reference is 26/02250/REG03 and the deadline for comments is 30th July.
Police appeal after 11-year-old sexually assaulted
AVON & Somerset Police have launched an appeal for witnesses after an 11-yearold girl was seriously sexually assaulted in Bath. The incident happened at around 5pm on Wednesday 24th June in a wooded area near the Clarks Way playground in Odd Down. Police say the investigation is being led by specialist detectives from Operation Bluestone, the force’s rape and serious sexual offences team, as efforts continue to identify the offender. He is described as white, believed to be in his 30s or 40s, and as having a distinctive neck tattoo. At the time of the incident he was said to be wearing a T-shirt, shorts and a cap.
Officers are reviewing all
available CCTV footage and have also been carrying out house-tohouse enquiries in the area.
The girl and her family are being supported by specially trained
officers, who are continuing to keep them updated on the progress of the investigation.
Detective Inspector Hannah Marsh said: “This is an incredibly
serious incident and a significant amount of resources are in place to support our investigation and we are prioritising efforts to identify the offender.
“I would urge anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area around the time of the incident, or anyone who matches the description provided, to contact us. Support will be in place for the victim for as long as it is needed, and we will keep her and her family updated as our investigation progresses.”
Anyone with information is being asked to call 101 and quote reference 5226174542.
Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or through its website.
A police investigation into alleged sexual offences which led to the arrest of MP Dan Norris has now been referred to the Crown Prosecution Service for a charging decision.
Avon & Somerset Police said on Wednesday, 1st July, that a file had been submitted to the CPS following enquiries carried out under Operation Bluestone, the force’s specialist rape and serious sexual assault investigation team.
The investigation began in December 2024.
In a statement, the force said:
“We’ve been carrying out an investigation into allegations of sexual offences which led to the arrest of a man in his sixties.
“The investigation, which is being led by officers with Operation Bluestone, our dedicated rape and serious sexual assault investigation team, began in December 2024.
“The allegations being investigated relate to rape against three women, sexual assault against a fourth woman, as well as voyeurism and upskirting against a number of women.
“All offences are alleged to have occurred between the 2000s and 2020s. As a result of our enquiries, a file has been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider a charging decision.
“We’ve updated the victims about this significant development, and we’ll continue to make sure they have access to any help or support they need.”
Weather Forecast
Long range forecast: (10th to 16th July)
Dry and warm conditions are set to continue, with temperatures above normal for the time of year. Not expected to be as hot and humid as last week.
Dan Norris sex offences case file sent to CPS
Photo © B&NES Council
The attack happened near the Clarks Way playground
Council blocks £200k plan to make vault safe over ‘harm’
Becky Feather Reporter
BATH & North East Somerset Council has refused permission for proposed structural remedial works to the historic vault area under the pavement outside The Empire in the city centre, saying heritage concerns outweigh the benefit to the public.
The Empire Bath RTM Company asked for listed building consent to pump foam concrete into the space, a similar process used to shore up the Combe Down stone mines.
The council had itself identified the “parlous” state of the void during a survey of city centre vaults and highlighted the “potential impact this could have on the public realm above”.
Temporary props, which were installed in 2021, are currently holding it up.
The application asking for consent for the foam concrete infill was lodged in November 2024, with the council being told that the work needed to be done quickly for safety reasons and that any further inflation would place a huge financial strain on the residents of The Empire, who had found themselves liable for the works.
The council finally announced its
decision at the end of May.
The architects who drew up the proposals and are acting as agents for the residents’ property management company had indicated in an email last October that an appeal would be likely if consent was refused.
They said the current temporary props are not a long-term solution, “as it would not address the underlying issues or meet public safety expectations”.
The architects said the foam concrete infill scheme, costing £200,000, would provide “a more robust long-term solution” than the option of a steel and concrete replacement which would be £500,000 and involve the closure of the restaurant at The Empire –
The Architect – for up to 24 weeks.
The Grade II listed building dates from around 1900 and was designed by the city’s architect.
It was originally a hotel but was requisitioned by the Admiralty at the start of the Second World War. It was returned to its owner, Bath City Council, in 1989 and converted into retirement apartments with restaurants in the mid-1990s.
The proposed structural remedial works are under the pavement near the south-east end of the Orange Grove façade.
The email from the architects said: “We wish to highlight a key concern of The Empire residents,
who are now facing a huge financial burden required to carry out the essential remedial works to this neglected undercroft space. Works that should have been properly undertaken by B&NES and the developer at the time of conversion in 1995.
“Residents were not informed of this liability when they originally purchased their apartments.
“This lack of disclosure is now impacting the ability to sell and/ or purchase apartments within the building. The substantial costs required to resolve this long-standing issue are entirely beyond the elderly residents’ control – causing considerable anxiety and uncertainty.”
The email also said that the applicant would be willing to commission surveys if there was a need for appropriate recording of the space or potential archaeological impacts.
The council’s decision notice says using the infill scheme “would result in ‘less than substantial harm’ (in the language of the National Planning Policy Framework) to the significance of the listed building” as it would make the space inaccessible and the contribution it makes to the historic development of the city unable to be understood or further explored.
The loss of historic fabric from creating and enlarging openings
and blocking others would add to the harm.
The notice adds: “There is no physical barrier proposed between the foamed concrete and the historic wall fabric (other than on two short walls which bound other usable spaces where a membrane system is proposed), potentially causing physical harm to the stonework and from preventing it from breathing, and there is no means by which the historic fabric can be inspected in this regard.
“Insufficient justification has been provided for the works when less harmful options are available.”
The notice concludes: “It is considered that, and giving great weight to the conservation of the heritage asset, in this instance,
the level of public benefit would not outweigh the less than substantial harm identified.”
The architects had made it clear in their letter last October that should the application be refused, “the applicants are likely to appeal, as they do not believe that the key technical, commercial and practical realities of the proposals have been fully considered in a sufficiently holistic and balanced manner”.
The Echo has approached the architects for comment.
We have also contacted B&NES for a response to the claim that the works should have been done by the council and developer, and concerns about the safety of the pavement in this busy part of the city centre.
Heatwave and storms leave Bath counting cost of extreme week
BATH and North East Somerset was left dealing with the impact of an extraordinary spell of weather last week, as extreme heat was followed by an intense thunderstorm that caused flooding, road damage and disruption to services across the area.
The week began with the Met Office issuing its highest level of heat warning for the South West, as temperatures were forecast to climb sharply and remain dangerously high for several days. An amber warning was in place on Monday 22nd June and Tuesday 23rd June, before a red warning came into force through to Thursday 25th June.
Forecasters said temperatures were expected to reach the low to mid-30s Celsius on the Monday before rising into the high 30s more widely over the following days, while overnight temperatures in urban areas were set to stay unusually high, with some places not falling below 20C.
Health officials warned that the conditions posed a significant threat not only to vulnerable people but potentially to the wider population too. A red heat-health alert was later issued across the region from the early hours of Wednesday 23rd June until 11pm the following day, indicating a significant risk to life even for otherwise healthy
people.
NHS Bath & North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board urged people to take simple precautions including drinking plenty of fluids, avoiding the sun during the hottest part of the day and keeping homes cool, while also checking on others who might be struggling.
Bath & North East Somerset Council also highlighted the availability of designated Cool Spaces where people could seek relief from the heat, including Bath Central Library, which reopened despite damage caused earlier in the week.
Before the hottest part of the week had fully taken hold, Bath was hit by a sudden and violent thunderstorm on Monday evening after a scorching day.
The storm brought 30mm of rain in just one hour between 6pm and 7pm - more than half of the city’s average total rainfall for the whole month of June.
The downpour left the council inundated with reports of incidents and flash flooding.
Roads including Wellsway and London Road were affected, while a large branch was brought down in Hedgemead Park, blocking one of the entrances. One of the most significant incidents was on Ralph Allen Drive, near the garden centre, where a 40-metre stretch of road was damaged and had to be
closed for resurfacing.
Twerton High Street was also damaged, with holes blown in the tarmac, although the road remained open.
Initial speculation on social media suggested lightning strikes may have caused some of the road failures, but the council later clarified that the damage was the result of burst water pipes after the drainage system was overwhelmed by the intense rainfall.
A council spokesperson said: “The intense rainfall overwhelmed the drainage system, causing burst pipes and damage to the road. Wessex Water will be carrying out repairs once weather conditions allow.”
Buildings were affected too. Bath Central Library was forced to close temporarily because of extensive
leaks, while housing association
Curo said its headquarters at The Maltings had been damaged in the storm and would remain shut the following day as a precaution. Curo warned that its out-of-hours service had become extremely busy, with longer waits expected on the phone lines.
Throughout the week, public services had to adapt to the conditions. Waste and recycling crews started their rounds earlier, at 6am, to avoid working in the hottest part of the day, and the area’s recycling centres closed earlier than usual at 2pm on the Wednesday and Thursday. The council said protecting frontline staff while maintaining essential services had become a priority, with extra breaks and water provided for crews.
The heat also raised wider
concerns about public safety. Residents were urged to avoid unnecessary exertion during the hottest hours, carry water, use sunscreen and hats, and enter water gradually rather than jumping in because of the risk of cold-water shock.
The mercury hit the mid-30s in courtrooms in Bath last Wednesday, leading to some hearings being cancelled that afternoon and the court being closed for the following two days due to the heat.
Avon Fire & Rescue Service appealed for extra caution in parks, gardens and open spaces, warning that hot, dry conditions meant even a small spark could quickly lead to a serious fire. People were told not to leave barbecues unattended, not to place them directly on grass or near flammable surfaces, and to dispose of cigarettes carefully.
Area manager Steve Quinton said: “With the hot and dry conditions we’re experiencing, even the smallest spark can lead to a fast-spreading fire.
“We’re asking everyone to take simple, responsible steps to protect our communities. Grass fires can ignite in seconds, and barbecues, if not used safely, can quickly get out of control.
The council said the Community Wellbeing Hub remained available for anyone needing extra support or welfare checks.
The Empire in Bath
Damage on Ralph Allen Drive, which has now been repaired
Plans lodged to turn church into 75-place nursery and offices
Becky Feather Reporter
A PLANNING application has now been submitted to turn Batheaston’s Catholic church into a day nursery and offices. The Clifton Diocese has been looking for a developer after securing planning permission from Bath & North East Somerset Council last July to demolish the Catholic Church of the Good Shepherd and build four homes on the site.
But as we reported last month, local construction firm Wraxall Builders Ltd is now the preferred bidder. If permission is granted, this rare example of Brutalist architecture in the Bath area will be preserved.
Designed by Bath architect Martin Fisher, the church at the junction of Brow Hill and Penthouse Hill was constructed in the mid-1960s but closed in 2020. Declining numbers attending mass meant it was judged to not be viable to reopen following the pandemic. The church is set over two levels, ground and lower ground, and is locally listed but Historic England dismissed two requests to add the building to its statutory list of designated heritage assets. The change of use application to adapt and reuse the building says it addresses the principal heritage concern raised throughout the prior application - that demolition should not have been required because the diocese had not sufficiently considered that it could be reused.
Demolition had been strongly opposed by B&NES Council’s conservation officer and urban design officer, as well as Batheaston Parish Council and many members of the public. However, B&NES Council planners considered
that the harm arising from the development would not significantly outweigh the benefits.
Wraxall Builders Ltd is currently based in the Bath Brewery building in Batheaston but says it has been looking for a new office for some time. The planning application also states that the proposed nursery responds to an identified community need.
The proposals are to reconfigure the space to create a children’s day nursery at ground-floor level and offices at lower ground-floor level.
The childcare setting, to be called
The Lookout Day Nursery, will accommodate up to 75 children along with 15 staff. The proposed operator is said to be an experienced early years provider with an established track record of delivering high-quality childcare and early education services across both England and Wales. The proposed operating hours are from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Proposed external works to the church include a covered entrance porch and lockable buggy store, along with a timber colonnade at the Brow Hill frontage.
An outbuilding accommodating three car parking spaces with EV charging points, a bike store, refuse store and plant room is also proposed. It will have solar panels and photovoltaic panels are also proposed on the main roof.
The 14-space car park will be made available for community use outside operating hours through a permit scheme, maintaining the informal community parking resource which the parish council and local residents have sought to preserve.
The application also highlights that there will be a benefit to the environment by preserving the embodied carbon in the existing building. The planning reference is 26/02348/FUL. The deadline for any comments is 30th July.
Police granted partial closure order of Snow Hill housing block
THE police have this week secured a partial closure order of Berkeley House, the 10-storey residential block in Snow Hill plagued by serious crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) problems.
Community protection warnings and notices have previously been given to prohibit offenders from attending the area but with issues ongoing, the police went to court on Wednesday 1st July to secure a closure order under the AntiSocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
had also been put up in the communal areas. No objections were received.
The order will give the police the power to make arrests if anyone who does not have the right to be in the communal areas is caught there.
The court heard that both Curo and Bath & North East Somerset Council’s community safety team were in support of the order. At the end of the three months the police may apply for another three-month order if necessary.
Bath magistrates heard that there have been problems for a number of years at Berkeley House, which is a Curo housing association property, but a “real escalation in recent months”.
Crime is having a major impact on residents’ lives with 107 incidents reported between November 2025 and April 2026.
The court heard evidence of drug dealing and use, of knives being found, people verbally abused and assaulted, and faeces, urine and blood in communal areas. Stairwells have been blocked by rough sleepers, and a fire was lit.
The three-month order closes the common parts of the block – the stairwells, lifts, corridors, communal rooms, laundry rooms and bin rooms - to all people except for those with a valid title deed or valid rental agreement, those visiting with explicit permission, anyone authorised by Curo, and any emergency services.
Avon & Somerset Police solicitor Jo Lush told the court that residents in the 44-flat block had been individually notified about the court hearing and 30 notices
Justyna Domalewska, antisocial behaviour coordinator at Avon & Somerset Police, said:
“The drug-related anti-social behaviour at Berkeley House has been a constant source of distress for residents, most of whom are vulnerable tenants, elderly people and families with young children. The behaviour became entrenched and didn’t cease despite various interventions by police and partners. The closure order aims to restore peace and give residents the respite they deserve. We’ll continue to work in close partnership with Curo and the council to provide support, as appropriate, and respond swiftly to breaches through increased police patrols.”
Andrew Snee, Curo’s director of housing and support, said: “The level of anti-social behaviour that some residents have been subjected to is horrendous and completely unacceptable. We must restore a sense of normality and safety here, and I’d like to thank our police partners for being equally determined to find long-term solutions for this community.”
Photo ©Avon & Somerset Police
Fault repaired after underground explosion led to cordon
REPAIRS have now been completed following the underground incident outside the Guildhall in Bath last week.
The area in the High Street was sealed off after an underground explosion late on Wednesday 24th June, which caused paving slabs to lift.
The blast happened shortly before 5pm. No injuries were reported. At the time, Avon & Somerset Police described the incident as a minor underground explosion and said it was not linked to a gas leak.
A cordon was put in place around the scene, with several roads closed including High Street, Bridge Street, Orange Grove, Bog Island and North Parade.
National Grid Electricity Distribution has now confirmed
that repairs to the underground cable have been completed and that work is continuing to restore the excavation area.
A spokesperson said: “Following a fault affecting our underground electricity network in Bath city centre on 24th June, our engineers worked alongside the emergency services and local partners to make the area safe.
“There was no loss of power to customers. Incidents of this nature are rare, and the network includes built-in safety systems to manage faults and limit wider impact.
“Repairs to the underground cable have now been completed and work is under way to reinstate the excavation area.”
The Church of the Good Shepherd | Photo © John Wimperis
Inset: The explosion caused paving slabs to lift | Above: The pavement outside the Guildhall
Crime & Court
Man ‘looking for a fight’ assaulted four people at Orange Grove
A 27-YEAR-OLD man has been sent to Bristol Crown Court for sentencing after admitting unprovoked attacks on four young men in the centre of Bath.
Matthew Chadwick, who has previous convictions for violence, appeared before Bath magistrates on Wednesday 17th June to admit the assaults at Orange Grove on 25th November last year.
The victims had been enjoying a night out together. They had been at a club and were going to get kebabs when Chadwick struck.
Prosecutor Michael Collins told the court the defendant had been “looking for a fight”.
Chadwick, of Bridge Court in Westbury, carried out two assaults causing actual bodily harm and two assaults by beating. The court was shown CCTV footage of one of the assaults, and in the background a young man can be seen lying unconscious on the ground.
In a victim impact statement that Mr Collins read to the court, that young man, who needed a CT scan, said the incident had left him shaken up and Chadwick had “no right” to assault him.
The magistrates also heard statements from the other
victims which included their concerns for their friend who had been knocked unconscious. The court also saw photographs of the injuries the victims sustained from Chadwick’s punches and headbutting.
Duty solicitor Bradley Axam said Chadwick now wants to turn his life around.
He highlighted the delay in the defendant being charged for these offences.
Chadwick is currently working with the Probation Service following his release on licence from prison for another matter. The licence is due to expire in July.
Men must pay £1k to stranger after attacking him in city centre
TWO men appeared in the dock at Bath Magistrates’ Court this week to admit assaulting a stranger in the city centre.
Jake Cottle, 21, of Southdown Avenue in Southdown, and 22-year-old Jack Bracken, whose address was given as Daisy Close in Frome, were each ordered to pay compensation to the victim whose long hair had caught their attention on the evening of Friday 13th February while they were intoxicated.
At the hearing on Monday, 29th June, magistrates watched CCTV footage of the incident in Stall Street and saw photographs of the victim’s facial injuries. He had been walking back from work when he heard a homophobic slur and had made a finger gesture in response but carried on walking. He was then chased and assaulted.
Afterwards a concerned member of the public guided the injured man to the railway station.
Cottle, of previous good character, admitted a second charge of intentionally causing
a police constable harassment, alarm or distress by threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour on the same date.
Magistrates told Cottle the assault was “a particularly vicious attack that was totally unwarranted”. They ordered him to pay the victim £600 compensation.
Cottle received a 12-month community order with a 60day alcohol abstinence and monitoring requirement. He must also complete 175 hours of unpaid work, pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 court surcharge.
Magistrates told Bracken he played a lesser role, but it was a “sustained and unprovoked attack” committed whilst he was under a community order for a previous violent incident.
They ordered him to pay the victim £400 compensation.
Bracken, who also admitted assaulting a police constable by beating on the same date, was given a community order under which he will wear an alcohol tag for 120 days.
He must pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 court surcharge.
Teen’s behaviour drove man out of his home
A probation officer told the court that Chadwick, a longterm cocaine user, had managed to abstain from the drug since last November and is currently being tagged as part of an alcohol treatment requirement which could continue.
The magistrates felt their sentencing powers (up to 12 months in prison) were not sufficient to deal with Chadwick. They asked the Probation Service for a pre-sentence report and sent the case to Bristol Crown Court for sentencing by a judge on 22nd July. Chadwick was granted unconditional bail.
A TEENAGER whose behaviour forced a man out of his home has pleaded guilty at Bath Magistrates’ Court to two offences.
Jack Greenwood admitted that on 12th May and 29th May at Merlin Way in Westfield, near Radstock, he intentionally caused the man harassment, alarm or distress by using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.
At the hearing on Wednesday 24th June, magistrates were told by the prosecutor that the incidents, committed while Greenwood was drunk, had left the resident fearful for his and his
family’s safety, and he has since moved out of the area.
The court heard from the duty solicitor that there had been complaints from residents about children playing football on a nearby patch of land and 19-yearold Greenwood had taken issue with the complainant about that. Magistrates remanded Greenwood, of Nightingale Way in Westfield, on conditional bail until his sentencing, which will be at the court on 26th August. They asked the Probation Service to prepare a pre-sentence report, including an alcohol treatment requirement (ATR) assessment.
Woman who spat in police officer’s face gets suspended sentence
A 40-YEAR-OLD Bath woman found guilty of assaulting an off-duty Met police officer by spitting in his face has this week received a 26-week suspended jail sentence. Raye Ball, of Meare Road in Combe Down, had been due to go on trial at Bath Magistrates’ Court on 22nd June. However, she failed to attend, and the case went ahead in her absence.
The incident happened at Greggs in Southgate Street in Bath on 1st March 2025. The officer had stepped in to challenge a suspected shoplifter carrying a bag stuffed with sandwiches and crisps and showed her his
warrant card.
An intoxicated Ball, who was outside, then tried to assist the woman.
The off-duty officer put his arm out and pushed Ball to stop her invading his personal space as he said she was about to spit at him. She stumbled and then spat in his face.
Under caution Ball had admitted spitting but during the formal interview, which last six minutes, she responded “no comment” to questioning. Her defence on the preparation for trial form was that she had been shouting loudly at the time and “small amounts of my saliva
may have left my mouth”. Magistrates ordered a warrant without bail for Ball’s arrest, and she appeared in custody at the court on Wednesday 1st July in front of District Judge Lynne Matthews. She jailed Ball for 26 weeks, suspended for 12 months, describing the spitting incident as “humiliating and degrading”. Instead of Ball paying a court surcharge and prosecution costs, the combined amount of £479 will go to the off-duty officer in compensation.
Ball must also complete up to 15 rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) days.
Orange Grove in Bath
Greenwood has been remanded on conditional bail
warrant without bail was ordered for Ball’s arrest
Bath landowner fined after admitting enforcement breach
A PHARMACIST who owns land at Upper Weston has been fined this week after admitting he breached an enforcement notice issued by Bath & North East Somerset Council.
Hisnain Mahmood, of Wallbank Court in Birmingham, appeared at Bath Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 1st July. He failed to ensure compliance with the notice, issued on 5th June 2025, which required the removal by 17th November 2025 of a caravan, associated residential paraphernalia and stored waste materials from the
land at Deanhill Lane.
In mitigation, Mahmood blamed his tenant for the waste and said he had tried to get the caravan moved. He also claimed there had been fly-tipping in the middle of the night due to a public right of way crossing his land.
The 32-year-old added that he had spent more than £5,000 on clearing the land.
Mahmood, who told the court he is a pharmacist but has not worked for the past year, was fined £672 and ordered to pay £609 prosecution costs and a court surcharge of £269.
Care worker pleads guilty to fraud charges
A 33-YEAR-OLD care worker has pleaded guilty at Bath Magistrates’ Court to three counts of fraud and one of theft.
Between 11th and 23rd January 2024 in Bath, Amy Bassett committed fraud with the false representation of a £21,000 cheque.
Also in Bath, she committed fraud between 1st March and 8th May 2024 by claiming a written reference was genuine.
Between 24th May 2024 and 7th May 2025 in Bath, she committed fraud by opening a Zopa bank account in another woman’s name and obtained credit on it. Bassett also stole two rings
Business Asset and Debt Recovery • Dispute Resolution
from another woman in the city between 1st November and 6th December 2024. They were worth approximately £1,350.
At her court appearance on Wednesday, 17th June, Bassett denied a further charge that on 12th January 2024 she burgled a house in Hansford Close in Combe Down and stole a cheque book.
Magistrates committed Bassett, of St George’s Road in Keynsham, to Bristol Crown Court where she will appear on 22nd July. She was granted bail with conditions including that she does not work in any care setting or with any elderly or vulnerable people.
Why do we ‘name and shame’ in our stories?
Since the introduction of our Crime & Court section, 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
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Trade Marks and Intellectual Property • Personal Asset and Debt Recovery
• Dispute Resolution • Employment
• Family Law and Divorce
• Residential Conveyancing
• Personal Injury
• Residential Landlord and Tenant Issues
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Property Dispute Resolution
• Wills, Trusts, Probate and Estate Administration
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Bath Magistrates’ Court
Hisnain Mahmood owns the land at Deanhill Lane in Weston
Pictures from the Past
Milsom Street, 4th June 1972
THIS week’s archive photograph features Milsom Street, and, although it is immediately recognisable, it is astonishing how different it looks today – and not just because it is uncluttered by bollards, bike racks and bins.
It was taken by the late Jean Fry on on 4th June 1972 – Sunday morning, and, as the clock on the corner shows, the time was 10.25, which suggests that the lady on the right was on her way to church. She certainly would not have been going shopping, because almost all shops were closed on Sundays back then. That explains why, even though parking was allowed on single yellow lines on
Sundays, very few cars were parked along the street.
It wasn’t just the shops that were closed; there was very little to do in Bath on Sundays back then.
The pubs did not open until twelve and had to close again at two, and Bath was far from being the mass tourist Mecca – or party city – it is today.
That was the reason Jean Fry took this
COLUMN | Clare Moody, Labour Police and Crime Commissioner
WITH the 2026 FIFA World Cup under way, many of us look forward to the sense of togetherness that comes with big international tournaments. Supporting your team, watching with friends and family, and being part of a shared national experience. But we also need to be honest about a less visible reality. We know from research and from policing data that domestic abuse can rise during major football tournaments. The combination of alcohol, heightened emotions
and match-day tensions can increase the risk of harm behind closed doors. Research from Lancaster University analysing domestic abuse data over three World Cup tournaments found incidents rose by 38% when England lost, and 26% when they won or drew. Domestic abuse is a serious and pervasive crime. It ruins lives. And while football does not cause abuse, it can act as a trigger in relationships where control and harm are already present. For perpetrators, my message
is clear: this is not acceptable. There is no result on the pitch that justifies violence, intimidation or coercive control. If you are worried about your behaviour, support is available to help you change. You can contact the Refuge Helpline for confidential advice by calling the Respect helpline 0808 8024040. To anyone experiencing domestic abuse, I want you to know this is not your fault. It is not because of anything you have done or because England have won or lost. Abuse is a choice and the
responsibility sits entirely with the person causing harm. You deserve to feel safe in your own home and in your relationships. Support is there for you.
Enjoy more archive photos every week by signing up for our newsletter. Head to www.bathecho.co.uk/subscribe
Across Avon and Somerset, I fund a wide range of services to ensure that support is free, accessible and available to anyone who needs it. In Bath and North East Somerset that support is provided by Southside who can provide support if you are being affected by domestic abuse.
To find out more go to their website southside.org.uk. If you are worried about someone you know, trust your instincts. Reaching out, having a conversation or seeking advice from a support service can make a real difference. We must not tolerate abuse being normalised - not in our homes, not in our communities, and not under the cover of a football match.
Kirsten Elliott Akeman Press
photo when she did – she wanted a record of what the city looked like uncluttered by people or vehicles, and on a sunny summer Sunday morning back then she had the streets more or less to herself.
Milsom Street as it looked more than 50 years ago
Congratulations to Dennis Clark for winning £20! You can find the answers to last issue's crossword on page 24
Across
1 Member of the Mob (7)
5 Smallest rooms (7)
9 Life’s work (6)
10 Nuts bail out waterside city (8)
11 “Riders on ___” (The Doors) (3,5)
13 Boggy areas (6)
14 “Dr. Zhivago” star Omar ___ (6)
17 Contradictory (8)
19 Largest Carmarthenshire town (8)
20 Stopped flowing (3,3)
22 Prepare to fight! (2,4)
24 Less important (8)
27 Inca descendant (8)
28 Biblical plague insect (6)
29 Andie to change, cutting down (2,1,4)
30 Sightseeing (7)
Down
2 Covered with water (5)
3 They’re “more powerful than guns” (Stalin) (5)
4 Woebegone (9)
6 Egyptian water lily (5)
7 Chinese revolutionary leader (3,3-3)
8 Herald (9)
10 “What I think is ...” (2,2,7)
12 Basque terror group (1,1,1)
15 Eve of All Saints’ Day (9)
16 “___ Sue” (Dion hit of 1961) (9)
18 Folder (9)
21 “Agnus ___” (Mass prayer) (3)
23 Pungent aromatic flavouring (5)
25 Slender fast-moving North American snake (5)
26 Fertile area in a desert (5)
Entering our competition - via email or post
For your chance to win £20, submit your full name, postal address and answers by email to puzzles@bathecho.co.uk or via post to:
Crossword Competition 0307 Bath Echo, PO Box 5395, Bath, BA1 0YA
The winner will be the first randomly opened entry with the correct answers on 15/07/2026. 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
Prepare to take your tastebuds on a unique flavour adventure!
Joe Fowler - head chef of Root (Shires Yard) - has opened the doors to his fascinating Koji Izakaya on the ground floor of the main restaurant itself. Open on Wednesday and Thursday evenings only, Koji celebrates Japanese flavours made from local and seasonal ingredients. www.kojiizakaya.co.uk
Forthcoming Tuesday Food Vans hitching up at the Packhorse (South Stoke) include the Go Greek crew on Tuesday 7th July and Black and Whites Hog Roast on Tuesday 21st July, both from 5.30pm-8.30pm.
www.packhorsebath.co.uk
Discover the authentic flavours of
Sponsor this section!
Get in touch with Rob Last via rob@mediabath.co.uk
Palestine at Zaytoun, set to open on North Parade any day now. www.zaytounbath.co.uk
If you’re very, very lucky, you might still just be in time to book for the Chai Walla popup at Picnic in the Park (Upper Bristol Road) on Friday 10th July (£35pp).
/picnicinparkbath
Thai yourself up in a main course served with jasmine rice for £11.95 or upgrade to a main course, rice, side dish and tea or coffee for just £15.95 every Monday-Sunday from 12pm2pm at longstanding Thai haven Salathai (Pierrepont Street). www.salathai-bath.co.uk
Take a trip to the Mediterranean
on your doorstep at the Wheatsheaf (Combe Hay) on Thursday 16th July: a Mediinspired menu celebrating local produce accompanied by wonderful wines served alfresco in the pub’s beautiful garden (£60pp).
https://bit.ly/3QypxUu
Float along to paradisical riverside hotspot the Bathampton Mill (Mill Lane, Bathampton) and enjoy a 2-course lunch from a superb seasonal menu for £21.95 (3/£25.95) every Monday-Friday from 12pm-5pm. Or, plunder the stunning Weeknight Escape Menu (2 courses from £22.95; 3 from £27.95) available every Monday-Thursday from 5pm. www.thebathamptonmill.co.uk
Melissa Blease Food Writer
A seasonal BBQ menu courtesy of one of Bath’s best kitchen teams, a glass of Pimm’s on arrival, garden games on beautiful lawns, dedicated Gin and Tattinger Bars and a live DJ: it’s all going on at the spectacular Summer Barbecue evening at the Royal Crescent Hotel on Saturday 25th July (£75pp).
https://bit.ly/4eMnrIr
The Victoria Pub and Kitchen (Upper Bristol Road) have added Inches Cider and Otter Ale to their £3.50 a pint all day every day line-up which already includes their very own Vic lager, all of which can be complemented by teamed free sausage rolls (yes, free sausage rolls!) every Friday from 5pm.
www.victoriabath.co.uk
Review The Halfpenny, Widcombe
17-18 Widcombe Parade, Bath BA2 4LD 01225 259601 www.thehalfpenny.co.uk
@thehalfpenny.widcombe
This month, The Halfpenny – the gorgeous little (but not that little) all-day café-bar on the north side of Widcombe Parade – celebrates its second birthday… and thriving for two years in the current hospitality industry climate is most definitely a landmark to celebrate. How do you continue to make your business stand out in a crowded market? How do you offer customers decent bang-for-buck without cutting quality corners? How do you turn what’s ostensibly a daytime neighbourhood merrymaking zone into a post-sunset destination well worth deserting the city centre for? Like this: We rolled along to The Halfpenny on the hottest night of the year in Bath so far: 35°c and counting.
We were fully prepared – in fact, almost looking forward to –chilling out inside the spacious, airy contemporary bistro pretending nothing untoward is going on with our weather (as I did when I last visited The Halfpenny, escaping the pouring rain for what I believe to be The Best Brunch in Bath just a couple
of weeks ago). But hey, the pavement tables here are, when the sun starts to recede at this time of year, in shade, glorious shade! And, y’know, if we were in, say, Andalucia, we’d make like a local, wouldn’t we?
Okay, so Widcombe Parade has little in common with downtown Ronda or uptown Seville. But
having said that, once The Halfpenny’s immediate kerb appeal has grabbed your attention it’s not too far of an imaginationstretch to allow yourself to indulge in the Mediterranean vacation vibe. The tapas/small plate selection (served from 4pm-8pm Wednesday-Saturday) further endorses such a mood, celebrating classic Iberian inspirations that waltz through meat, seafood and vegetable/ cheese options with the grace of an experienced Flamenco aficionado at prices that make you double-check they’re not actually in Euros. Where to start? Everywhere, all at once! Generous chunks of moist chicken thigh drenched in green herbs and garlic butter topped with proper pickled red onion? Tick. Pork belly rolled in smoked chilli crumble, the (naughty!) fat rendered to perfection, served with a hot honey butter sauce that I want to slather on pretty
Here we go again indeed on Saturday 25th July when the Mamma Mia! Bottomless Brunch at Komedia (Westgate Street) promises an all-singing, all-dancing, Abba-centric experience featuring a delicious brunch and 1.5 hours of bottomless drinks (prices vary). https://bit.ly/4bjS8DU
Klaxon! The Bath Chophouse, bought to us courtesy of the team behind the fabulous Chequers (Rivers Street), will officially open its doors on 8 Northumberland Place on Tuesday 4th August /bathchophouse
You can read more about the local food scene on Melissa’s dedicated website at: www.theprandialplayground.uk
much everything I eat from here on in? Got it! Salt and chilli squid, the squid super-moist inside its super-crispy overcoat, a creamy aioli calmly regulating the pungent piquancy of the classic fiery partnership? Addictive! Slices of crispy, golden breaded aubergine, succulent and silky within and drizzled with maple syrup, resulting in a grown-up version of American breakfast pancakes with an eggplant twist? Don’t overlook it.
We had a dish of green beans too, tossed around with garlic, parsley, sherry vinegar and almonds. And when is houmous not just houmous? When it’s Halfpenny houmous, nudged with (I’m guessing) cumin, coriander and other complementary spices and enriched by lashings of very good olive oil. The rosé was excellent, the beers properly chilled, the service utterly lovely. Happy birthday to The Halfpenny! As a whole, it’s doing everything right.
Pork belly with a smoked chilli crumble
Summertopia!
Avon Valley Adventure Park
3rd July – 31st August
Slip, slide and splash your way through the day on the Slip ‘N’ Slide Dig, paddle and play in the Beach Zone or in the Sand and Water Play Zone, where you can cool off in a swimming pool.
Summer Party
American Museum & Gardens
4th July, 10am-5pm
Join a fantastic day out celebrating the new Circus of Curiosities: An Exhibition of Moving Marvels, American Independence Day, and all things summer in the incredible gardens.
Bike Bath 2026
The Rec
Fawlty Towers
Theatre Royal
6th – 11th July
Fifty years since it first graced our TV screens, Fawlty Towers is now a brand new stage play adapted by comedy legend John Cleese. It’s a staycation you’ll never forget!
Mahjong at the Museum
The MEAA
7th July, 2pm
Working in collaboration with Milk Tea Mahjong, they will be hosting mahjong sessions on the first Tuesday of each month. No mahjong experience is necessary!
Rhythm of the Dance The Forum
Friday 3rd July - Thursday 16th July 2026
Haydn Youth String Orchestra
Bath Abbey
10th July, 1pm-2pm
Award-winning string orchestra from the Netherlands, the Haydn Jeugd Strijk Orkest will perform a lunchtime recital at Bath Abbey as part of their UK tour. Included in Abbey admission.
London Road Loops Tree Walk
Morrisons (London Road)
10th July, 10.30am
Following one of the routes from Bath’s Urban Treescape Trails, this walk explores the variety of trees that are found in amongst Snow Hill and along the river in Kensington Meadows.
Bath Carnival Sydney Gardens
Summer Evening Watercolours
Prior Park (National Trust)
13th July, 5.15pm
An art session inspired by the season. Enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the garden after visitors have gone. Begin with a short walk around the lakes for inspiration, followed by an art session.
Charity Race Day Bath Racecourse
15th July, 12.30pm
Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance
Charity invites supporters to join them for a fantastic day of racing and fundraising at Bath Racecourse, where thrilling racing meets a great cause.
Ebb & Flow Rondo Theatre
Public reassured over former fire station crest
THE historic Bath city crest from the front of the old fire station in Bathwick Street has been safely removed and placed into storage, following concerns that it may have been damaged during demolition work.
Avon Fire & Rescue Service shared photographs with the Echo showing the crest being stored, confirming that one of the most recognisable features of the former station has been preserved. The former fire station has been undergoing demolition as part of a major redevelopment of the site, with the old building being cleared to make way for a modern replacement.
particularly following the loss of the station’s tower and wider debate around the building’s historic importance.
The Bathwick Street station closed on 26th February after almost 90 years of service.
A farewell took place at the time, with fire engines and emergency vehicles lined up outside the building.
Although much of the structure is being removed, Avon Fire & Rescue Service had previously said some historic elements would be retained, including the original fireman’s pole and the crest mounted on the façade.
1937 under architect Alfred J Taylor. After his death in 1938, the project was taken over by his daughter Molly Taylor, who completed the building.
It was described as a very rare prewar project by a female architect and the only known fire station designed by a woman architect.
but the government ruled that it was not sufficiently special to receive heritage protection. The Twentieth Century Society also tried to prevent its demolition.
Avon Fire & Rescue Service has said the rebuild will modernise the facility to meet the needs of contemporary firefighting.
Leading the Way: Commissioning Darcy Gardens Care Home
The demolition prompted concern among some residents and heritage campaigners,
The fire station had long been regarded as a significant part of Bath’s civic and architectural history. Design work began in
Renamed charity opens new day centre in Bath
THE charity Alongside, formerly known as Julian House, has opened a day centre in Bath for people who are homeless or rough sleeping.
The new facility is on Corn Street in the city centre, occupying the space previously used by the charity’s bike workshop social enterprise, which closed last year. The day centre complements other existing daytime services for people experiencing homelessness in the city. It offers an accessible shower, laundry facilities, a café area serving hot and cold food, computers and internet access, a library and a private meeting room where clients can have support discussions with Alongside staff.
The service will act as a hub for a range of different support services, acting as a one-stop shop for people in crisis, or at risk of it, to get the help they need –whether to address poor mental health, debt troubles, substance misuse or domestic abuse.
Alongside will also organise activities to support client wellbeing and personal development, from art workshops to yoga and meditation, gardening and budgeting.
Chief executive of Alongside, Helen Bedser, said: “I am so pleased that we have been able to repurpose the bike workshop space into this vital service for local people.
“Our hostel and supported accommodation have been providing shelter and support for many years; now, we can add a dedicated daytime service to
our clients, and many others who have not previously accessed our support.”
The site has been developed thanks to the generous support of local donors and businesses, with some rolling up their sleeves to sand, paint and prepare the space for its new purpose in a week of volunteering in May Bath Building Society is one of Alongside’s corporate partners. Its chief executive Richard Ingle said: “We are incredibly proud to be a partner of Alongside, and to support the vital work they deliver across Bath and the South West. Their dedication to individuals facing complex challenges is humbling, and we have been pleased to support their work in our local community including the development of the new day centre – a transformational initiative that will make a meaningful difference to so many lives.”
The centre will be open Monday to Friday. Alongside staff will manage the facility and provide client support, but there are also opportunities for people who would like to volunteer. Find out more at www.alongsidecharity. org.uk/volunteering-hub Alongside supports people facing homelessness, housing insecurity, domestic abuse, trauma, addiction, and other forms of social exclusion.
It operates in Bath & North East Somerset and across the South West, with projects in Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset, Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire, Devon, Dorset and Hampshire.
The building replaced the old fire station behind the Guildhall and played an important role in protecting Bath during the Baedeker Blitz air raids of 1942.
Historic England had sought Grade II listing for the station,
During the redevelopment, crews have relocated to the former Unigate Dairies site at Roseberry Place off Lower Bristol Road in Twerton.
The new station is expected to open in summer 2027.
Courtyard garden to be created at museum
A NEW permanent garden is to be created at No.1 Royal Crescent, adding a fresh outdoor feature to the visitor experience at the Bath museum. The Contemporary Georgian Garden will be installed later this year and is intended to turn the museum’s currently underused courtyard into a planted space inspired by the surrounding Bath landscape.
Bath Preservation Trust, which runs No.1 Royal Crescent, said the new garden will offer visitors a calm setting from which to enjoy both the planting and the well-known curve of the Royal Crescent. A new stone bench is also to be included.
The project has been developed in collaboration with landscape architects Grant Associates and takes inspiration from Flora Bathoniensis, published by Charles Babington in 1834.
The container planting scheme will introduce a new part of the museum route focused on plant species native to the Bath area as recorded by Babington.
As well as extending the museum experience, the trust said the garden is intended to demonstrate how urban greening can respond to the climate and nature emergency by transforming hard surfaces into more biodiverse spaces.
Alex Sherman, chief executive of Bath Preservation Trust, said:
“We are excited to be extending our museum experience with the addition of this immersive garden space to be enjoyed by visitors and the many schools and community groups we work with.
“The new garden provides opportunities for storytelling about botany in the 18th Century, plant hunters, colonial expansion, and horticultural history, in addition to domestic, medicinal and culinary uses of plants found locally in the Georgian period.
“We are immensely grateful to the Anthony and Elizabeth Mellows Charitable Settlement for their kind donation, which has enabled its creation.”
Grant Associates is leading the design with support from specialists in ecological design, sustainable water management, procurement and construction.
Founder and director Andrew Grant said the scheme would show how a historic sunken courtyard could become an important green space for both people and wildlife, while also pointing to the broader need for more greening across Bath.
Installation of the garden is due to take place this summer, with opening planned for autumn 2026.
Opening a brand-new care home is a significant undertaking, requiring vision, leadership and dedication. At Darcy Gardens Care Home in Bath, Senior General Manager Aga has been at the heart of that journey, helping to transform a newly built home into a thriving community.
Commissioning a care home involves far more than opening the doors. From recruiting and developing a skilled team to welcoming the first residents and building strong relationships within the local community, every detail plays a vital role in creating a successful home.
Under Aga’s leadership, Darcy Gardens has quickly established itself as a warm, welcoming environment where residents can enjoy high-quality care, companionship and meaningful experiences. Since opening, the home has welcomed a growing number of residents, each contributing their own stories and personalities to the community. Aga has also focused on creating strong local partnerships, working closely with schools, churches, charities and community groups throughout Bath. These connections have enabled residents to remain engaged with the wider community while enjoying a varied programme of activities and events.
“Commissioning a new home is both challenging and incredibly rewarding,” said Aga. “Seeing residents settle in, make new friendships and truly feel at home is what makes all the hard work worthwhile.”
Recent highlights have included visits to local attractions, intergenerational activities with schools, live broadcasts with Bath Radio and a range of wellbeing initiatives designed to enrich daily life.
As Darcy Gardens continues to grow, Aga and her team remain committed to providing exceptional care while creating a vibrant and supportive community where residents can live life to the fullest.
With strong foundations now in place, the future looks bright for Darcy Gardens and the people who call it home.
01225 562409
Oldfield Lane, Bath, BA2 3NR www.barchester.com/home/ darcy-gardens-care-home
The crest is made up of three invididual pieces
Photo © Bath Preservation Trust
Roman Baths to host summer evening music beside Great Bath
THE Roman Baths will stay open late again this summer for a new programme of evening music sessions beside the Great Bath.
Summer Lates will run from 20th July to 31st August, with the historic site opening until 10pm every day and live performances taking place each weekend. The after-hours programme will bring vinyl DJs and live acoustic artists to the Grade I listed attraction, creating a more relaxed and sociable atmosphere after daytime visitors have left.
Organisers say the idea reflects the original role of the Baths in Roman times, when people would have gathered there not only for bathing but also for socialising, eating, drinking and relaxing together.
Amanda Hart, director of archaeology at the Roman Baths, said: “People came to the Baths in Roman times for many reasons, including socialising.
“They would have met friends, shared food and drink, and perhaps listened to music. While we can’t say for certain what music was performed, it was likely part of the sensory experience.
“Summer Lates taps into the social aspect, offering people a chance to experience the site in a different, more informal way.”
Fridays and Saturdays will focus on vinyl DJ sets curated by Bath Carnival, with music ranging from funk, soul and Latin jazz to global sounds.
The line-up includes Pete Cunningham of Bristol’s Ishmael Ensemble, broadcaster and DJ Tina Edwards, Poly-Ritmo, Awon, Katie Novo and Beavs.
One evening will also feature Ethiopian jazz and reggae in partnership with Fairfield House to mark the 90th anniversary of Haile Selassie’s arrival in Bath.
The vinyl sessions will be hosted by Stu Bacana and use a specially
designed sound set-up intended to create a surround-sound listening experience, without a fixed stage or audience area.
On Sundays, the focus will switch to acoustic performances curated by 7 Hills Festival, with artists including Steve Cradock, Hannah White, Robert Vincent, Gia Ford and True Foxes, alongside Young Martyrs, Matt Owens, Izzie Yardley, Jazz Morley and McGrath.
Councillor Paul Roper, cabinet member for economic and cultural sustainable development, said: “The Roman Baths is one of the UK’s most significant heritage sites, and it’s important that we continue to share it in ways that feel open, engaging and relevant today.
“We’re proud to support cultural experiences that celebrate Bath’s heritage while welcoming new audiences, and we look forward to seeing both residents and visitors enjoy the Baths in the evening this summer.”
Tickets include entry to the Roman Baths and museum, with a bath-side bar also open during the evenings. Live music will run from 5.30pm to 9.30pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
£1.8m gas pipe upgrade programme planned
A MAJOR gas network upgrade worth more than £1.8 million is set to be carried out across the north of Bath over the next year.
Wales & West Utilities said the investment will fund an intensive programme of mains replacement work aimed at helping secure a safe and reliable gas supply for customers for decades to come.
More than six kilometres of gas pipes are due to be upgraded as part of the scheme.
The company said it will work alongside Bath & North East Somerset Council to plan the projects carefully and manage any traffic measures that may be needed while the work is under way.
The programme will cover a number of locations, including Eldon Place, London Road, Highbury Place, Northfield Close, Morford Road and Grosvenor Bridge Road.
Mick Gallavin, who is managing the programme for Wales & West Utilities, said: “We’re investing in our gas network to ensure it remains safe, reliable and fit for the future for the customers we serve across North Bath.
“We’ll be keeping the local
community updated on these works and working with the local authority, and other key partners, to keep disruption to a minimum. We understand our work can cause disruption, but it is essential to maintain a resilient network that people rely on every day.
“While much of the gas network is out of sight, it plays a vital role in daily life – from heating homes to cooking meals and we know how important it is that gas is there when people need it.
“This investment will not only maintain today’s supply but also prepare the network to transport greener gases in the future.”
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Photo © B&NES Council
Gas mains will be replaced
Bath man becomes 1,000th volunteer in dementia study
A BATH-BASED dementia
research charity has reached a major national milestone in a study exploring whether blood tests could one day change how dementia is diagnosed across the NHS.
The landmark moment came at ReMind UK in Bath, where the 1,000th participant joined the READ-OUT study, a UK-wide project looking at whether a panel of blood tests could help doctors diagnose the diseases that lead to dementia earlier and more accurately.
The charity is one of 33 Dementias Platform UK centres involved in the study and acts as one of the national recruitment sites.
The participant marking the milestone was Bob Crampton, 75, a retired ITV presenter who lives in Bath. He referred himself to the memory clinic and, after a series of assessments, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease in 2023.
He is now under the care of Dr Tom Welsh, research and medical director at ReMind UK.
Originally from South Africa, Bob moved to the UK when he was 11 and has lived in Bath for 35 years. Before retiring in 2018, he spent 41 years working in television journalism and broadcasting for ITV, including his final years as a
weather presenter.
In retirement, he continues to volunteer at Radio Bath, spends time with his wife Lizzie and their wider family, and enjoys walking his dog Bertie.
Explaining why he decided to take part in the study, Bob said:
“I was very keen to take part in the READ-OUT study, and it is encouraging to see so many people from across the UK also choosing to get involved. I am certainly proud to be the 1,000th participant.
“If sharing my experience can help improve understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and support scientific progress, then I feel I’ve done my part.
“I have always believed in the importance of supporting science and research, and I am pleased to contribute to the aims of the Blood Biomarker Challenge.
“I want to do whatever I can to improve things for myself and for others living with memoryrelated conditions.
“What’s the point in sitting back and doing nothing? Research is vital to improving diagnosis, treatment and future care for people with Alzheimer’s disease, and I’m keen to help in any way I can.”
The READ-OUT study is examining whether a range of
new and existing blood tests can help identify Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies. Participants provide a blood sample and information about their cognitive health, allowing researchers to assess how well the tests work in real-world settings. The study is also designed to look at whether these tests perform consistently across a wide range of groups, including people from minority ethnic communities, older age groups and those with other health conditions such as kidney disease.
ReMind UK said the wider Dementias Platform UK network is aiming to recruit more than 3,100 participants from diverse backgrounds so that the findings reflect the UK population.
Dr Tom Welsh said: “Reaching our 1,000th participant marks a significant milestone for the study, and we are delighted that this was achieved at ReMind UK in Bath. We are hugely grateful to Bob, and to all the other participants, for helping us build the evidence needed to improve dementia diagnosis across the NHS.
“The people of Bath are making a vital contribution to research that has the potential to benefit
RUH backs major stroke study to help prevent future attacks
PEOPLE who have suffered a stroke caused by bleeding in the brain are being invited to take part in a major research study being supported by the Royal United Hospital in Bath.
The ASPIRING study is examining whether medicines such as aspirin or clopidogrel could help reduce the risk of further strokes, heart attacks and other serious health problems in people who have previously had a brain haemorrhage.
Researchers are looking for patients who have experienced this type of stroke and who are not currently taking bloodthinning medication.
After a brain haemorrhage, people can remain at risk of further serious health issues, including another stroke or a heart attack.
Researchers say around one in 10 patients experience one of these problems each year.
Medicines including aspirin and clopidogrel are widely used to lower the risk of blood clots, but the study is seeking to establish whether the potential benefits outweigh the small increased risk of bleeding in patients who
have already experienced a brain haemorrhage.
Darwin Catibog, stroke research nurse at the RUH, said: “This is a really important study that we hope will improve how people recover after a bleed in the brain.
“We’re recruiting now, so if you have had this type of stroke in the past and would like to join the trial, please get in touch.”
ASPIRING is a randomised controlled study, meaning participants are placed into one of two groups.
One group will begin taking aspirin or clopidogrel, while the
communities nationwide.”
Professor Vanessa Raymont, associate director at Dementias Platform UK, associate professor at the University of Oxford and co-lead of the READOUT study, said: “Reaching our 1,000th participant within the first 16 months since recruitment opened is a fantastic achievement, and we are deeply grateful to volunteers like Bob for taking part in this vital research.
“This milestone reflects the commitment of colleagues and partner sites. It brings us closer to our target of generating the evidence needed to support the introduction of more accurate diagnostic blood biomarkers in memory clinics across the UK.
“We are in an incredibly exciting period for dementia research, with new treatments emerging that can slow early Alzheimer’s disease.
“While these are not yet available
on the NHS, it is vital that we improve diagnosis so people can benefit as soon as they become available. Many people also want and need the greater accuracy in diagnosis that blood biomarkers could provide.”
The READ-OUT study sits within the Blood Biomarker Challenge, a multi-million-pound programme backed by Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer’s Research UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Research, Gates Ventures and Postcode Lottery players. Its aim is to bring blood tests for dementia diagnosis into routine NHS use by 2029.
Laura Chow, head of charities at Postcode Lottery, said: “This marks a pivotal moment in the progress of the Blood Biomarker Challenge and the fight against dementia.
“It highlights the value of funds raised by Postcode Lottery players. Early diagnosis is crucial, and we are delighted to support research with the potential to transform how dementia is detected and managed.”
Over the last year, the RUH has also been heavily involved in clinical research, taking part in more than 300 studies, opening 54 new studies and recruiting 4,840 participants across its trial portfolio.
Sessions help patients rebuild confidence
PATIENTS living with a stoma are being helped back into the water through specialist swimming sessions at the Royal United Hospital in Bath.
The monthly Water Confidence sessions, run by the RUH’s Stoma Therapy team, are designed to support people who may feel anxious about swimming after surgery and to help them regain confidence in a safe and understanding setting.
other will not start the medicines. Participants have an equal chance of being placed in either group, and both groups will continue to receive NHS care while researchers monitor their health for up to five years to see which approach produces better outcomes.
The study is being funded by the British Heart Foundation and is being led by the University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian.
The RUH has been involved in more than 300 studies over the past year, opening 54 new studies and recruiting 4,840 participants.
A stoma is an opening created during surgery which connects part of the bowel to the outside of the abdomen, allowing stools or urine to pass into a disposable bag worn externally.
Stomas can be temporary or permanent and may be needed for a range of reasons including some cancers, bowel disease or emergency surgery.
Although people with a stoma can swim safely, the RUH said many feel nervous about returning to the water, often because of worries about leaks or being noticed in changing rooms.
The sessions, held in the hospital’s outdoor community pool, were first introduced in 2025 and have now restarted after a winter
break. They are private and free to attend, with specialist stoma nurses available to offer advice and reassurance, including practical guidance on securing stoma bags before swimming.
Fiona Rogers, health care support worker in the Stoma Therapy team, said: “Although the physical benefits of stoma surgery are profound, learning to live with a stoma bag can be emotionally and mentally challenging.
“We noticed that, following their physical recovery, many patients lacked the confidence to take part in public outdoor activities.
“Swimming is one such activity. Whether it’s for the health benefits or just for the enjoyment, getting back in the pool or the sea after stoma surgery can be pretty daunting.
“Our private swimming sessions were set up to demonstrate to patients that, when following their usual stoma care practices, there is no reason that wearing the bag should prevent them from taking part.”
The RUH said feedback from patients showed that many felt more confident about using public pools or visiting the beach.
Bob Crampton | Photo provided
The Stroke Research Team at the RUH | Photo © RUH
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Ofsted turnaround for nursery based at Bath hospital site
Becky Feather Reporter
A BATH nursery has turned things around after being told to make improvements by Ofsted last summer.
The education watchdog’s latest report for Riverside Nursery was published on 25th June following an inspection in May.
The nursery is located within the Royal United Hospital at Combe Park at Weston, but is not affiliated with the NHS or the RUH.
Ofsted’s new report card system has been introduced since the nursery’s inspection last July.
There is now a five-point grading scale with exceptional at the top, followed by strong standard, expected standard, needs attention and urgent improvement.
Riverside Nursery, which has 54 places, is said to be of a strong standard for children’s welfare and wellbeing; behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines; and inclusion. It is of the expected standard for leadership and governance; curriculum and teaching; and achievement. Safeguarding standards were met.
The report says: “Leaders have effectively developed nursery practice since the last inspection,
considerably enhancing many areas.
“They have liaised closely with the staff team to develop the design and formation of the curriculum, consistently helping increase staff knowledge of the observation, assessment and planning cycle.
“Support for children’s personal, social and emotional development has progressed considerably, with increased training and support for staff implemented across the nursery.”
Inspector Rachel Parker highlights that parents are “very complimentary” about the nursery, leaders and the staff team and the difference they make to their children.
“Leaders work with other professionals to gain help and support for their team. This very much contributes to the highly effective outcomes for children with barriers to their learning and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.”
Children at the nursery are said to show they are happy and feel safe. They make effective progress from their starting points and gain many essential skills that prepare them well for their future.
Looking ahead, the inspector says leaders should increase support for staff’s teaching and help them improve their self-reflection to enhance children’s learning and outcomes further.
College students tackle online finance risks
BATH College students studying T-Level Digital have taken part in a workshop on online financial security, led by a researcher from the University of Bath.
The session, held on 17th June, was delivered by Katie Thomas, a postgraduate research student and member of the Institute for Digital Security and Behaviour, a multidisciplinary team at the university focused on responding to changing digital security risks.
The workshop examined how young people understand online financial harms and considered whether current banking technologies are fully meeting their needs.
Bath College said the sessions are designed to present learners with realistic challenges linked to online financial risk, helping them build both awareness and employability skills.
By working together on the tasks, students were also able to develop critical thinking, problem-solving and presentation skills.
Ray Cappi, lecturer in digital, enterprise and access at Bath College, said: “This is our second round of workshops with Katie from the University of Bath, helping raise awareness of financial issues affecting young people.
“The first session, delivered to our T-Level Media, Broadcast and Production learners, saw strong engagement.
“Students designed prototype apps to tackle online security issues and presented to a panel. Katie now returns to work with our T-Level Digital learners, bringing technical insight and further value.”
Katie Thomas said: “Young people today face financial risks across more areas of their daily lives than ever before, making it crucial that they feel confident in recognising and responding to them.
“By starting these conversations early, we hope to equip them with the knowledge and confidence they need to make safer financial decisions and better protect themselves in the future.”
The workshop gave learners an insight into real-world online security challenges and would help prepare them for the growing financial risks facing many young people.
The college said that it plans to continue working with the University of Bath so that more students can benefit from opportunities linking classroom learning with real-life issues.
Latin guide voiced by Stephen Fry launched at Roman Baths
A TEENAGE classics student has helped create an unusual new way to experience one of Bath’s best-known attractions, after translating part of the Roman Baths’ audio guide into Latin and persuading Sir Stephen Fry to narrate it.
The idea came from Florence Golding, a London student studying Latin for GCSE, after a family visit to the Roman Baths earlier this year.
While exploring the site, Florence was struck by the existing audio guide, which is available in 13 languages including Mandarin, Ukrainian and Japanese.
As a Latin student, she began to wonder what it would be like to hear the story of the Roman Baths told in the language most closely associated with the ancient world.
The Roman Baths would once have drawn visitors from across the Roman Empire, with languages including Latin, Brittonic and Germanic all likely to have been heard there.
Florence later contacted the Roman Baths team and began work on an abridged Latin
translation of the guide. She then took the project a step further by approaching actor, writer and classical enthusiast Sir Stephen Fry to ask if he would record it.
He agreed, inviting Florence and her mother Sarah to a recording studio, where he lent his voice to the guide.
Sir Stephen said: “I was enchanted both by Florence’s marvellous idea - to offer a Latin audio guide to the magnificent Roman Baths, one of Britain’s greatest treasures - and by her infectious passion for the classical word.
“I have been so thrilled to see over the past decade or so the notable rise in young people’s enthusiasm for the language, art, mythology, history and culture of Ancient Greece and Rome.
“I apologise in advance to any scholars or Roman ghosts who might raise their eyebrows at my Latin accent and pronunciations…”
The completed Latin guide is now available to download from the Roman Baths website, together with a written version and
English translation.
Florence said: “Visiting the Roman Baths was incredible, and I loved the audio guide, but I kept thinking how amazing it would be to hear it in Latin, right where the Romans once spoke it. I never imagined it would become a real project, or that Sir Stephen Fry would be involved. I hope it helps visitors feel even more connected
to the history of the site.”
The Roman Baths, cared for by Bath & North East Somerset Council, welcomes more than a million visitors each year and is built around Britain’s only natural hot spring.
Councillor Paul Roper, cabinet member for economic and cultural sustainable development said: “We are constantly inspired
by the ways visitors connect with this extraordinary site, but Florence’s idea truly stood out.
“Her passion for Latin and her vision to share the Baths in the language of its original visitors is both imaginative and deeply fitting.
“We are delighted to support this project and offer visitors a new way to experience the site.”
Library image
Inset: Stephen and Florence | Above: Florence Golding at the Roman Baths
Bath university among best for graduate jobs
THE UNIVERSITY of Bath has been named among the UK’s top institutions for future employment after new figures showed a large majority of its graduates moved into highskilled roles soon after finishing their studies.
Data from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey found that 87% of the university’s full-time UKdomiciled first-degree graduates who were in paid employment in the UK had entered high-skilled graduate jobs within 15 months of completing their courses. That result related to the 2023/24 graduating cohort and placed Bath sixth in the country among Universities UK member institutions.
The figure was also well ahead of the average for Universities UK members, which stood at 71%.
The results were published through the Graduate Outcomes Survey, produced by the Higher Education Statistics Agency, which tracks what graduates are doing 15 months after leaving higher education.
University of Bath officials said the findings reflected the strength of the support available to students as they prepare for
employment, as well as the efforts made by graduates themselves.
Helen Stringer, the University of Bath’s director of employability and student success, said: “We’re delighted that the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey reflects both the commitment of our students and the strength of the opportunities available to support their career development.
“The university’s continued focus on career readiness, underpinned by our Employability Strategy, encourages students to define their goals and develop the skills and experience needed to achieve them.
“To be recognised as one of the UK’s strongest universities for graduate jobs is a powerful endorsement of that work.”
The latest survey added to a run of strong performances for Bath in national rankings linked to career prospects. The university was placed third for high-skilled jobs in the Daily Mail University Guide 2026, joint fifth for career after 15 months in the Guardian University Guide 2026, and sixth for graduate prospects in both the Complete University Guide 2027 and the Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026.
WE TAKE THE DRAMA OUT OF MAKING A WILL.
Will Writing
Families help shape new B&NES plan for children with SEND
FAMILIES, carers, young people and professionals from across Bath and North East Somerset have helped draw up a new plan aimed at improving support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
The Local SEND Reform Plan was developed through a partnership convened by Bath & North East Somerset Council and set out how support would continue to improve so that children and young people could achieve, belong and thrive.
The document was prepared for submission to the Department for Education as part of the government’s national improvement programme and was considered by the council’s cabinet on 2nd July.
The plan was produced in response to rising demand for support. In 2025, around 18.8% of pupils in local schools had been identified as needing SEND support, a figure slightly above the national average.
It focuses on strengthening early identification and intervention, improving inclusive practice in every school, widening access to specialist support and specialist
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places, and making the system easier and more consistent for families to navigate.
The reform plan builds on work already under way through Our Plan for SEND, which was published in 2025.
That programme had already included measures to expand special school provision, improve inclusion in mainstream settings and raise the quality and efficiency of services.
Among the recent developments highlighted were proposals for a new 120-place special free school at the Culverhay site in Bath and the start of work on a new SEND resource base at Mulberry Park Primary School.
Parents and carers contributed through surveys, focus groups, community events and ongoing work with the Parent Carer Forum and Sendias BathNES, helping shape what good support should look like in practice.
Councillor Paul May, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “Families and carers have been central to shaping this plan, sharing their experiences and helping us understand where we need to do better.
“We are determined to build a
system that works for every child and young person, with the right support at the right time.
“This plan sets out how we will strengthen inclusion, improve access to specialist help and make services easier to navigate.
“By continuing to work closely with our partners and our communities, we can make sure more children and young people with SEND feel understood, supported and able to thrive.”
The plan covers support from early years through further education and into adulthood, setting out a shared ambition for a more inclusive system in which children and young people feel part of their local community and are supported to reach their full potential.
The Guildhall in Bath
Bath-based travel firm Groupia collapses into administration
Becky Feather Reporter
A BATH-BASED travel firm specialising in stag and hen dos has fallen into administration with some bookings cancelled.
Groupia, which began 24 years ago and has been used by more than 750,000 travellers, has its registered office at 213 London Road East, Batheaston.
An administration notice posted on Groupia’s website says: “Groupia Ltd (‘the Company’, trading as Groupia Golf, GoHen, StagWeb, Groupia School Trips and Company Away Days) entered Administration on 16 June 2026, with Nigel Fox and Christopher Marsden of S&W Partners LLP appointed as Joint Administrators.
“The Company has now ceased taking new bookings, and arrangements are in place with ABTOT to support customers with existing bookings.”
Groupia’s website says that all bookings departing on or before 31st August 2026 will proceed as planned.
All bookings departing on or after 1st September 2026 will be cancelled and subject to a refund claim.
ABTOT – the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust – is a UK government-approved travel protection scheme. It protects customer payments and ensures that, in the event of financial failure, bookings are either fulfilled or refunded.
ABTOT aims to process claims as quickly as possible, but claims may take up to six weeks to complete.
In a Corporate Insolvency Notice, Nigel Fox, Joint Administrator, says that creditors are required to prove their debts on or before 21st July 2026. Companies House shows Groupia has three directors
Concrete firm goes bust owing around £600k
KEYNSHAM firm 4Concrete firm has gone into voluntary liquidation, owing around £600,000 to creditors.
An insolvency notice published in The Gazette, the official public record, reveals that liquidators were recently appointed from Opus Restructuring LLP.
A statement of affairs dated 11th May on the Companies House website shows that 4Concrete’s creditors include HM Revenue & Customs who are owed £264,501.14. Companies House shows 4Concrete has two directors - Paul Roger James and Stephen James – and that the accounts are overdue.
Since 2019 when 4Concrete
opened at the site at Old Station Yard, off Avon Mill Lane, there had been a barrage of complaints from people living nearby.
The batching plant was set up without planning permission and although it was subsequently granted retrospectively, objectors said there was no environmental assessment and that no noise mitigation was initially provided. Over the years there were reports that the firm had broken planning restrictions and failed to comply with the site management plan on scores of occasions.
Last November we reported that 4Concrete had won an appeal to keep extended weekday working hours.
Store decision could still be months away
Becky Feather Reporter
A DECISION on Lidl’s plans to open a store at London Road West still looks months away. The budget supermarket chain submitted an application to Bath & North East Somerset Council in April 2025 after withdrawing its previous bid in July 2024 so it could carry out “vital highways surveys”.
road network, nor is it suitable for assessing the benefits of any proposed mitigation”.
At the time, it issued a “holding recommendation” for six months, asking the council not to grant permission until Lidl could submit more information “necessary to determine the impact on the continued safe operation or the strategic road network and its assets”.
– Simon Denning, Steven Roddy and Jonathan Stainer.
■ Petition to wind up operator A petition to wind up Bath tour operator River Adventures Ltd was presented by Commissioners for HM Revenue and Customs on 18th May. It was due to be heard at the High Court on Wednesday 1st July. A virtual meeting of creditors was held last Friday, 26th June. Companies House shows an active proposal to strike off the company, which has a registered address at 3 Edgar Buildings in George Street and one director, Paul Siddall.
Lidl is seeking full permission for a 2,283 square-metre store, with 81 car parking spaces, landscaping and access on land to the north of Bath Rugby’s Lambridge training ground.
Access would be provided from a new fourth arm added to the existing London Road / Gloucester Road signalised junction. The site is approximately 350 metres south west of the A46 London Road roundabout junction, which is managed and maintained by National Highways.
National Highways said its review of the application in May 2025 identified that the presented traffic modelling “does not reliably indicate the extent of increased queueing or the potential impact on the strategic
Last November, National Highways recommended the applicant be given another six months to allow it “time to complete the outstanding transport work”.
National Highways recently extended that holding recommendation by a further six months, saying: “This is to provide time for the applicant to submit further information necessary to determine the impact of the proposal on the continued safe operation of the strategic road network and its assets, and thereby allow National Highways to provide the local planning authority with fully informed advice.”
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Oldfield Park takeaway set to stay open until early hours
John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter
A BATH takeaway has won a battle with neighbours to serve students into the small hours.
Several long-term residents of Oldfield Park had urged Bath & North East Somerset Council to refuse Diamond Kebab & Pizza a licence to stay open until 3am.
The takeaway, which opened ten weeks ago on the corner of Moorland Road, has now been told it can stay open until 2.30am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Oldfield Park is the city’s main area for students, who are probably the most likely to be stopping off for late-night food. But the area also remains home to families and long-term locals who warned that they were already putting up with “disruptive conduct” by people returning from nights out — although none of their objections provided examples of any issues connected to Diamond Kebab & Pizza.
Objector Will Sandry told a hearing before Bath & North East
Somerset Council’s licensing sub-committee to decide the application on 18th June that Moorland Road was “a very residential area”.
He said: “I don’t feel in any way the application is going to increase crime, but I do feel that it’s going to create disorder.”
The applicant disagreed and said that the premises would have CCTV, a sign would be displayed asking customers to leave the area quietly and respect local residents, and doors and windows would be kept closed after 11pm.
Deliveries would be carried out by car, not loud mopeds, as neighbours had feared, and any music being played over car stereos would be turned off after 11pm to avoid disturbing neighbours.
Applicant Abdullah Argunaga said they wanted to open later for more trade due to the high rent and business rates. He said that they had applied for a licence to open until 3am, but would be happy instead to open until 1am through the week and 2am at weekends. The licensing
The takeaway will be open until 2.30am
sub-committee granted them a licence to open until 1am Sunday through Thursday and 2.30am Friday and Saturday. Domino’s, just across the street, is also open until 2.30am.
Chair of the licensing committee Councillor Steve Hedges, who began the meeting by declaring as an interest that he was friends with Mr Sandry, said: “We have tried to be as fair as possible to everybody.”
He told Mr Argunaga: “Thank you for your time and I hope you and your business does well.”
Groupia specialised in stag and hen dos
The 4Concrete site in Keynsham
Politics
Concern over boaters being moved for match days
John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter
THE footpath between Bath’s rugby ground and the River Avon could soon be closed on match days, at the same time as boaters are evicted from the water alongside it.
In May, Bath & North East Somerset Council warned that the stretch of the river next to the Recreation Ground was dangerous in bad weather and told houseboats moored there to leave. It said they would face legal action if they did not move on by September.
Now Green councillor Saskia Heijltjes (Lambridge, Green) has found that the council is also planning to start temporarily closing the footpath alongside the river, which boaters need to access their homes, when Bath Rugby is playing at the Recreation
Children’s
John
Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter
Ground. The council has insisted the two things are unrelated.
Councillor Manda Rigby, the council’s cabinet member for communications and community, said: “A match day towpath closure in the interests of public safety is currently under consideration. This is not connected with the council’s removal of unauthorised boats.”
An order allowing the footpath alongside the Recreation Ground to be temporarily closed from 12.30pm to 8pm on match days “to prevent obstruction” was published in April.
The Green group said that council officers had informed them it would begin to be used from September.
Green group leader Councillor Joanna Wright (also Lambridge) said: “The path closure from September is coincidentally at the same time in which the council is actively pursuing the
eviction of boat-dwellers moored along the same riverside stretch.
“No evidence has been provided that there has been adequate assessment for boaters to have safe access to their vessels during the eviction process in relation to the match day closure.”
Councillor Heiltjes said: “People are facing the loss of their homes at the same moment a public path to those homes is being closed for a private sports club. That cannot be right.”
She said: “This is a well-used riverside path — by local residents, leisure centre users, and tourists. The council is closing a public right of way so that a rugby club can manage its matchday operation.
“We need to understand the legal basis for that, and who else is being affected.
“We are not opposed to Bath Rugby Club hosting matches, but the council has a duty to ensure
that public rights of way are only closed where there is clear justification, and that no one – including people in the most precarious housing situations – is left without access to their home as a result. We are asking for transparency, not obstruction.”
Boaters told the Local Democracy Service in May that the “Pulteney stretch” is not less safe than other moorings on the river.
Percy Walton, who has lived there for four years, said he would stay as long as he could and try to fight the eviction legally.
Mr Walton said he felt the boats were really being moved on because of the redevelopment of the riverside set to take place as part of the plan to build a permanent rugby stadium on the Recreation Ground.
Mr Walton said: “I don’t think we fit in with their designs for the future. It’s a bit discriminatory against us.”
social worker pay dispute comes to end
but a separate dispute involving over 200 social workers remains unresolved.
A PAY dispute which saw children’s social workers go on strike at Bath & North East Somerset Council has ended. 28 team managers and deputy team managers in the council’s children’s services department carried out four days of industrial action in as many months over a pay regrading which put them on the same grade as some of the staff they manage. Now the council and trade union Unison have struck an agreement,
A spokesperson for Bath & North East Somerset Council said:
“After constructive and focused discussions in recent weeks, the council and Unison have reached agreement on the pay dispute relating to the roles of deputy team managers and team managers in children’s services.
“Achieving a joint solution is important for us all as this supports the service to work together to deliver great outcomes for children, young people and families in Bath and
North East Somerset.” Team managers and deputy team managers voted in February to take industrial action. They went on strike for a single day in March, followed by three days in a row in May, with a picket held outside the council offices at Keynsham Civic Centre.
Although the pay dispute is resolved, there is a separate dispute regarding a restructure of the children’s services department, which will see several existing teams deleted, five people made redundant, and staff moved into different roles. 229 people could potentially go
on strike over the issue.
161 people voted in that strike ballot in May, a turnout of 70%.
90% voted in favour of strike action, while 97% voted in favour of taking action short of a strike. Unison says it will decide whether to use its strike mandate based on what the council does with its proposals.
It is partly driven by the government’s “families first” social work reforms, which require the creation of new multidisciplinary family help teams.
The council says it should mean that families experience fewer changes in social workers.
COLUMN | Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council
AS I write, we are in the middle of the second heatwave of the year, which has seen record-breaking high temperatures. We are also dealing with the aftermath of a sudden, intense storm. This has been an extremely challenging time for our community, especially for vulnerable residents and people providing frontline support services.
The heatwave has caused widespread disruption, including to schools and the transport system. Flash flooding and lightning strikes damaged buildings and roads.
Our council workers responded quickly to the storm and are continuing to deal with disruptions.
The impacts on people are still emerging, but we know that health services, including hospitals and ambulance services, have been under strain.
The rare red heat-health alert warned of a risk to life for even the healthy population. It’s true that we’ve always had heatwaves and storms. However, we know that extreme weather is now becoming more severe and more frequent due to climate change.
So, what can we do?
We know we have to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels. As a council, we have already made a commitment to tackle the Climate and Ecological Emergencies, working towards a district that is nature positive, net zero and climate resilient. Many
communities, organisations, businesses and individuals are already acting at pace to tackle these emergencies too. Alongside this work we need to adapt our physical environment and behaviours to take climate change into account. We’ll be hearing more about “climate resilience” and we will all have a part to play.
Adaptation can mean simple things like adjusting the timings of waste and recycling collections, so our crews can finish their rounds before the heat of the day. Or the community and council working together to provide free ‘cool spaces’ where people can go to cool down, rest and stay safe. However, some problems will need much bigger interventions. Much of our infrastructure
Public Notices
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR THE GRANT OF A PREMISES LICENSE UNDER THE LICENSING ACT 2003
Bath Pride applied to Bath & North East Somerset Council on 02/07/2026 for a licence to use the premises at Sydney Place, Bathwick, Bath, BA2 6NH for live and recorded music, various performances, retail and food & beverage stalls, operating between the hours of 12:00 and 21:00 on Saturday 22nd August 2026.
Notification of the application made to the Licensing Authority is available on a register at www.bathnes.gov.uk/ publicregisters
Representations should be made in writing to: Bath & North East Somerset Council Licensing Services Lewis House Manvers Street Bath BA1 1JG or by email to licensing@bathnes.gov.uk by 29/07/2026
Representations made will be disclosed in an open meeting should a hearing be necessary.
It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application and is subject to a fine of any amount on summary conviction for the offence.
Dated: 03/07/2026
Planning Round-up
Plans to build houses in property’s back garden
Plans to build houses in the grounds of Charlcombe Grange at Larkhall have been submitted. The scheme is for two split-level detached houses in the “extensive rear garden” of the property.
in this country wasn’t designed for extreme weather.
That includes roads and railways which were designed years ago for ‘normal’ British levels of heat (whereas hotter countries use different materials and engineering designs).
It includes drainage systems that can’t cope with a month’s worth of rain in one hour even though they are improved and well maintained. And it includes older buildings that quickly overheat in higher temperatures, becoming uncomfortable and even unsafe. That includes many schools and hospitals.
The council is already embedding climate adaptation into organisational planning and
decision-making and acting to improve our buildings, including care homes and day services. However, the government must also act to urgently prepare the country for more extreme weather – for example by investing in cooling for hospitals and schools. Our new Climate & Nature Strategy will directly address future resilience of services.
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Harrison ‘grateful and honoured’ to be named top player
Richard Briggs Reporter
TEAM Bath’s star defender Daisy Harrison says she is grateful and honoured to be named NXT Gen League Player of the Season for 2026.
University of Bath sporting scholar Jayda Pechova was also recognised as she swept the board in the Netball Super League awards, winning the Players’ Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and Fans’ Player of the Year accolades.
Harrison, who plays goal keeper, was voted by the NXT Gen clubs as that competition’s standout star after a stellar campaign in which she featured prominently in the rankings for interceptions, deflections and gains.
“My ability to adapt my game to each shooter I come up against has really improved too.
“The support I’ve received from my team-mates and coaches has been invaluable.
“The environment we’ve created has been incredible and makes me want to put my best foot forward in every training session and match.
“My team-mates constantly push me in training to be better – and my coaches have provided valuable guidance and feedback.
I’ve learned so much from them this season.
“I challenged myself to keep improving each week, and I’m proud of how I took on feedback from my coaches and made an impact when I was on court.”
what we can do next season.
“As a player, I want to continue building my consistency and ability to make an impact in crucial moments of the game.
“As a team, we can continue to build on connections and the culture we’ve created, as well as the ability to put out consistent 60-minute performances.”
Former Team Bath defender Pechova has also excelled defensively during 2026, her 88 gains and 75 deflections helping Nottingham Forest achieve a topfour finish in only their second Super League season.
She is graduating this summer from her sports performance undergraduate degree course at the University of Bath, where she has been supported in her dual careers by a Trendell sports scholarship.
“I’m happy with how my confidence developed throughout the season. That definitely played a huge role in my performance.
The 21-year-old was presented with her award in the Fan Zone during Saturday’s Netball Super League Grand Final at Manchester’s Co-op Live, where AO Manchester Thunder pipped a London Pulse side featuring University of Bath Bill Whiteley scholar and management student Sophie Kelly. Harrison, who has excelled since returning from a longterm anterior cruciate ligament injury in April 2025, said: “I’m incredibly grateful and honoured to be recognised for this award. It’s such a nice way to end an incredible season.
Bath 1st XI beat league leaders, Lansdown 1st XI defy Downend
Richard Briggs Reporter
BATH 1st XI climbed off the bottom of West of England Premier League Premier 1 by inflicting a shock defeat on table-topping Burbage & Easton Royal 1st XI on Saturday 27th June.
The city side prevailed by 19 runs at North Parade to record only their second victory of the league season and move into penultimate place after nine rounds of matches.
Wiltshire team Burbage & Easton Royal’s loss was their first in the division this year.
They came to Bath having won seven of their previous eight league fixtures and must have been confident of success.
But the hosts posted 241-9 in their 50 overs after being asked to bat.
Jack Scrivens fell cheaply but his fellow opener Ben Wells made 72 from 69 balls, the knock containing a six and 11 fours.
Wells was fourth out, Bath having 147 runs on the board. He featured in a fourth-wicket stand with Ben Church that yielded 67 runs – the biggest partnership of the match.
Church hit 36 and skipper Harry Ellison, in at number six, scored
37.
Bath were 236-6 with seven balls remaining but Ellison was run out and was followed back to the pavilion by Louis Brown (26) and Spencer Gammon.
Jonny Sadler (3-48 from 10 overs) and Andrew Rasemene (3-46 off eight overs) were the most successful visiting bowlers. There was one scalp for former Somerset all-rounder and exBath City footballer Peter Trego, whose eight overs went for 37 runs.
Wickets fell at regular intervals during the Burbage & Easton Royal reply.
Opener Trego – who is now aged 45 – scored a restrained 37 from 66 deliveries and finished as top-scorer, number seven Sadler contributing 33 off 32 balls.
But the end came after 48.3 overs, when Rasmene (24) was run out.
The guests were dismissed for 222.
Gammon pocketed 3-33 from 9.3
overs and there were two wickets apiece for Sam Young and Brown. Lansdown 1st XI got the better of Downend 1st XI by four wickets with almost 20 overs to spare in a West of England Premier League Premier 2 Bristol / Somerset encounter at Combe Park on 27th June.
The second-placed Bath side inserted the men from South Gloucestershire and ripped them out for 105 in 36.1 overs.
Downend were 36-1 but collapsed to 83-9. However, final pair Henry Cheal (18 not out) and Abdul Sami (8) frustrated Lansdown and took the visitors into three figures.
Cheal’s total was matched by extras – but only one player, number three Ben Ford, fared better. He made 20.
Luke Charlesworth snapped up 4-21 in 10 overs and Alex Bindloss returned 3-23 off 8.1 overs.
Lansdown progressed to 54-1 in reply.
But they tumbled to 91-6, Praneel Choughule (36) the only batter to score more than 15, and relied on an unbroken seventh-wicket partnership between Noah Davis (9 not out) and Marc Lezar (6 not out) to see them home. Victory was achieved at 106-6 from 30.1 overs, Matthew Jackson (2-23 in 10 overs) and Cheal (2-29 off six overs) bagging the bulk of the wickets.
Harrison, who was named U19 Netball Performance League Player of the Year in 2023, is a graduate of the Team Bath Athlete Development Centre in Exeter, Devon, and has represented the Blue & Gold across all age groups. And she is looking forward to continuing her netball education with Team Bath in 2027.
She said: “I’m really excited to see
After receiving her three awards, Pechova said: “I definitely didn’t expect it, especially the Players’ Player award.
“That one probably means the most because it’s voted for by the people you’re playing against. To have that recognition from them really means a lot.”
Midfielder Russe leaves City to stay in league
Richard Briggs Reporter
MIDFIELDER Luke Russe has left Bath City – to remain in Enterprise National League South.
The 26-year-old, who gained League One experience with Bristol Rovers, joined the Romans in 2023 and made more than 120 appearances in black and white. But with Bath having been relegated during the spring and building for what is expected to be a Pitching In Southern League Premier South promotion challenge during 2026-27, Bristol-born Russe has moved to Salisbury.
The Wiltshire outfit finished in 17th place in National League South last term, 10 points clear of the drop zone.
A statement from the Romans said: “Bath City FC can confirm the departure of Luke Russe to join Salisbury FC on a permanent transfer.
“Luke joined us in the summer of 2023 and made over 120 appearances in three seasons. “He departs Twerton Park with thanks for his efforts for the club and everyone’s best wishes for the future.”
Bath boss Scott Bartlett said: “Luke has been a good servant to
the club and goes with our best wishes.
“We didn’t get to work together for long but he is an infectious character and a pleasure to be around.
“This move freshens things up for him and gives us the opportunity to strengthen further as we prepare for the new season.”
A statement from Salisbury said: “The club are delighted to announce that the experienced defensive midfielder Luke Russe has signed for the Whites from Bath City. The 26-year-old started his career with Bristol Rovers as an U18, before his promotion to the U23s in the 2018-19 season, where he worked with [current Salisbury] manager Brian Dutton.
“Luke spent two seasons on loan with Gloucester City, before another loan move to [our] Wiltshire rivals Chippenham Town.
“After spending three seasons at the Bluebirds, the defensive midfielder made the move to Bath City for the 2023-24 season.
“Over the span of five years playing in the National League South, Luke has amassed 231 appearances and over 16,000 minutes.
“Luke becomes our fifth signing of the summer, adding a wealth of league experience at the base of midfield. Welcome to the Whites, Luke.”
Team Bath’s Daisy Harrison, left, with the NXT Gen League Player of the Year award – and University of Bath sporting scholar Jayda Pechova with her three Netball Super League gongs | Photos © Morgan Harlow
Photo © Richard Briggs
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Bath’s Samuel pushes seed to brink on Wimbledon debut
TEAM Bath Tennis player Toby Samuel came within touching distance of a memorable Wimbledon upset as he produced a battling performance on his senior men’s singles debut.
The wildcard took 15th seed Jakub Mensik to five sets in an intense contest on Court 3 before eventually losing in a final-set tiebreak.
Mensik, a French Open semifinalist, edged through 5-7 6-3 6-3 3-6 7-6 (10-7) after three and a half hours of high-level tennis. Samuel, who is coached by Ian MacDonald and Tiarnan Brady at the University of Bath, pushed the Czech all the way and finished the match having won only two fewer points than his opponent, 157 to 159.
The 23-year-old was a break up in the deciding set and looked on course for a huge result before Mensik fought back. Samuel had
earlier taken the opening set while losing just five points on serve, and later forced the match into a decider by claiming the fourth after his opponent had turned the contest around.
The fifth set swung dramatically, with Samuel breaking for a 3-1 lead before losing four games in succession.
He then broke Mensik to love just as the Czech was serving for the match, sending the contest into a tense deciding tie-break.
There, both players exchanged mini breaks before Mensik narrowly pulled away to seal victory.
After the match, Mensik praised Samuel’s display, saying: “Toby played some unbelievable tennis.
The level that he was performing, he didn’t give me any free points.
He did an incredible job.”
Samuel arrived at Wimbledon in strong form after reaching the semi-finals of the ATP Lexus
Eastbourne Open, where he beat two top-60 players. His latest performance continued a rapid rise over the past year, during which he has climbed
Avon and Oldfield find out dates of games at CHAMP-standard ground
Richard Briggs Reporter
AVON and Oldfield Old Boys now know when they will play against fallen giants Bridgwater & Albion at the impressive College Way ground.
The Sedgemoor side will compete in Counties 2 Tribute Ale Somerset in 2026-27 after the latest in a series of relegations that have seen them tumble to Level 8 from Level 4.
Albion were members of the Level 4 National League Two South until losing their place in 2010.
This spring they dropped down from Counties 1 Tribute Ale Western North.
Their facilities – which are easily up to CHAMP standard – were opened in the mid-1990s when the club were looking upwards rather than contemplating 1st XV matches against teams such as Imperial and Yatton.
Oldfield will be the first of the Echo-area sides to take on Bridgwater at College Way, making the trip on Saturday 12th December.
Avon will follow suit on Saturday 9th January.
Albion will face Avon at Hicks Field on Saturday 26th September.
And Oldfield will receive Bridgy at Shaft Road on Saturday 3rd April.
Avon finished seventh in the league last season, with Oldfield one place behind.
The derby rivals will face off at Hicks Field on Saturday 21st November – and the return will be in Monkton Combe on Saturday 6th March.
Avon’s 2026-27 Counties 2
Tribute Ale Somerset fixtures:
■ September: 12th Keynsham 2nd XV (A), 19th Taunton 2nd XV (A), 26th Bridgwater & Albion (H).
■ October: 3rd Imperial (A), 17th Minehead Barbarians (H), 24th Clevedon (A), 31st Hornets 2nd XV (H).
■ November: 7th Yatton (A), 21st Oldfield Old Boys (H).
■ December: 5th St Bernadette’s Old Boys (A), 12th Wells (H), 19th Taunton 2nd XV (H).
■ January: 9th Bridgwater & Albion (A), 16th Imperial (H), 30th Minehead Barbarians (A).
■ February: 6th Clevedon (H), 13th Hornets 2nd XV (A), 27th Yatton (H).
■ March: 6th Oldfield Old Boys (A), 20th St Bernadette’s Old Boys (H).
■ April: 3rd Wells (A), 10th Keynsham 2nd XV (H). Oldfield Old Boys’ 2026-27 Counties 2 Tribute Ale Somerset fixtures:
■ September: 12th Imperial (H), 19th Minehead Barbarians (A), 26th Clevedon (H).
■ October: 3rd Hornets 2nd XV (A), 17th Yatton (H), 24th Keynsham 2nd XV (H), 31st St Bernadette’s Old Boys (A).
■ November: 7th Wells (H), 21st Avon (A).
■ December: 5th Taunton 2nd XV (H), 12th Bridgwater & Albion (A), 19th Minehead Barbarians (H).
■ January: 9th Clevedon (A), 16th Hornets 2nd XV (H), 30th Yatton (A).
■ February: 6th Kenysham 2nd XV (A), 13th St Bernadette’s Old Boys (H), 27th Wells (A).
■ March: 6th Avon (H), 20th Taunton 2nd XV (A).
■ April: 3rd Bridgwater & Albion (H), 10th Imperial (A).
Samuel was handed a wildcard |
more than 1,000 places in the world rankings to a career-high of 123.
Following a second successive Grand Slam appearance and a strong grass-court season, Samuel is now set to turn his attention to the American hardcourt swing as he targets a place at the US Open.
Two players picked for Commonwealth squad
TWO Team Bath Netball players have been selected for Team Wales ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, while the University of Bath will also be represented on the coaching bench.
University of Bath student Lowri Windsor and fellow Team Bath player Poppy Tydeman have both been named in the 12-player Wales squad for the Games, which take place from 23rd July to 2nd August.
Team Bath Academy and NXT Gen head coach Natalie Roddy has also been chosen as assistant coach to Bath alumna Emily Handyside.
For Sports Performance student Windsor, the selection caps a rapid rise during her first year at the University of Bath. The 19-year-old represented Wales at the Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar last September and only made her first NXT Gen League start for Team Bath in late March.
She went on to establish herself in the wing attack position during the second half of the season with
a series of standout performances and was later named the club’s Most Improved Player.
Tydeman, who plays at wing defence or goal defence, was voted Team Bath Fans’ Player of the Year for 2026 after what was described as a major season both on and off the court. She made her senior Wales debut in November 2024 and has already earned seven Test caps. The Commonwealth Games will be the last tournament for Wales head coach Emily Handyside, who is stepping down afterwards to focus on her full-time role as coaching lead for UK Coaching. Handyside has strong links to Bath, having been part of the Team Bath Super League coaching setup between 2008 and 2017. She also studied Coach Education and Sports Development at the University before completing a Masters in Education.
Roddy, who will work alongside her in Glasgow, currently leads Team Bath’s academy and is also joint head coach of the Blue and Gold NXT Gen League side with Anya Le Monnier.
Toby
Photo © Team Bath
Avon and Oldfield Old Boys now know the dates when they will face Bridgwater & Albion here at the superb College Way ground | Photo © Richard Briggs
Poppy Tydeman and Lowri Windsor| Photos © Josh Le Feuvre
Promoted Combe start league with longest trip
Richard Briggs Reporter
PROMOTED Combe Down’s Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South campaign will get under way with their longest trip of the season.
The Down made an immediate return to Level 7, winning the Counties 2 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts North title last season following relegation in 2025. And they will kick-off 2026-27 by making the 128-mile round trip to Bestwall to take on Dorset club Swanage & Wareham on Saturday 12th September.
Walcot, who took the Southern South runners-up spot last term, have been handed a home derby in their opening match – against Corsham at Albert Field.
The first meeting of Combe Down and Walcot during the new season will be at Holly’s Corner on Saturday 12th December. The return fixture will be in Lansdown on Saturday 3rd April. Combe Down’s 2026-27 Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South fixtures:
■ September: 12th Swanage & Wareham (A), 19th Corsham (A), 26th Devizes (H).
■ October: 3rd Dorchester (A), 17th Trowbridge 2nd XV (H), 24th Melksham (A), 31st North Dorset (H).
■ November: 7th Salisbury (A), 21st Chippenham 2nd XV (H).
■ December: 5th Frome (A), 12th Walcot (H), 19th Corsham (H).
■ January: 9th Devizes (A), 16th Dorchester (H), 30th Trowbridge 2nd XV (A).
■ February: 6th Melksham (H), 13th North Dorset (A), 27th
Salisbury (H).
■ March: 6th Chippenham 2nd XV (A), 20th Frome (H).
■ April: 3rd Walcot (A), 10th Swanage & Wareham (H). Walcot’s 2026-27 Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South fixtures:
■ September: 12th Corsham (H), 19th Devizes (A), 26th Dorchester (H).
■ October: 3rd Trowbridge 2nd XV (A), 17th Melksham (H), 24th North Dorset (A), 31st Salisbury (H).
■ November: 7th Chippenham 2nd XV (A), 21st Frome (H).
■ December: 5th Swanage & Wareham (H), 12th Combe Down (A), 19th Devizes (H).
■ January: 9th Dorchester (A), 16th Trowbridge 2nd XV (H), 30th Melksham (A).
■ February: 6th North Dorset (H), 13th Salisbury (A), 27th Chippenham 2nd XV (H).
■ March: 6th Frome (A), 20th Swanage & Wareham (A).
■ April: 3rd Combe Down (H), 10th Corsham (A).
Derby for Odd Down in league cup, Devs start friendlies at Tunley
Richard Briggs Reporter
ODD Down will face derby action in the first round of the Jewson Western League’s Les Phillips Cup.
The Down will travel to Hanham, South Gloucestershire, to take on fellow Division One outfit AEK Boco, the tie to be played on Tuesday 20th October.
The team from the Lew Hill Memorial Ground have been accepted into the FA Vase again and will discover their first qualifying round opponents when the draw is published on Friday 3rd July.
Last season, the Down were beaten 2-0 away to Berkshire side Thatcham Town at this stage of the national competition.
Odd Down Development have confirmed five pre-season friendlies as they gear up for life in the Trophies of Radstock Mid Somerset League Premier Division following promotion.
The Devs will begin their warmup programme by visiting near neighbours Tunley Athletic on Saturday 25th July.
Next up will be a trip to Radstock Town Reserves on Wednesday 5th August.
A game at Saltford Reserves awaits on Saturday 15th August, before Odd Down entertain Larkhall Athletic opposition in their first home match – on Tuesday 18th August.
The Down will be back on their travels on Saturday 22nd August, when they go to Pilton United.
Crossword answers - Issue 132 (19/06/2026)
Upcoming Fixtures
Bath Cricket Club (1ST XI)
Saturday 4th July – 12pm Bath 1st XI v Bristol (Home) WEPL Premier 1
Saturday 11th
There also will be a friendly at the Lew Hill Memorial Ground on Saturday 29th August, but the Devs’ opponents have still to be confirmed.
Odd Down’s open session for under-18s has been rescheduled.
The session at Odd Down Sports Ground was due to be held on Wednesday 24th June but has been put back to Wednesday 8th July (6.30pm to 8pm).
To register attendance or for more information, email the club’s youth boss Will Humphries at w.humphries1999@gmail.com or call 07926 275030.
Promoted Odd Down Women now know their opponents in the 10-team Somerset County Women’s League Division One for 2026-27.
The reigning Division Two champions will play Banwell Ladies, Bath City Women Development, Cheddar Ladies, Frome Town Women, Ilminster Town Ladies, Nailsea United Women, Paulton Rovers Ladies Reserves, Pen Mill Ladies and Wellington Wildcats.
Across: 1 Borrows, 5 Spore, 10 Aberdare, 11 Menace, 13 Tidy, 14 Beneficial, 15 Gaps, 17 Obstructed, 19 Candidates, 20 Echo, 22 Rheumatism, 23 Ices, 26 Snooty, 27 Referral, 28 Stars, 29 Aspects.
Down: 2 On end, 3 Ride, 4 Warren Beatty, 6 Previous, 7 Realistic, 8 Ragtag, 9 Be glad, 12 Restlessness, 16 Pentecost, 18 Diameter, 19 Corpse, 21 On sale, 24 Carat, 25 We’ve.
STAIRLIFTS
Saturday 11th
– 12pm Lansdown 1st XI v Twyford House 1st XI (Away) WEPL Premier 2
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Odd Down Devs will begin their programme of pre-season friendlies here at Tunley Recreation Centre | Photo © Richard Briggs
Combe Down will kick-off their return to Level 7 here to Bestwall on 12th September | Photo © Richard Briggs