The Week In - Issue 717 - 16th February 2022

THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset

16th February 2022

Issue 717

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Ashton Way toilets in Keynsham to reopen Bath & North East Somerset Council has announced that the Ashton Way toilet block in Keynsham is to reopen, more than seven years after it closed as part of a cost-cutting exercise.

The refurbishment is expected to be completed this spring. Funding of £12,000 has been agreed to provide a disability-compliant facility.

All council-operated public toilets cost 20p to use and are cleaned and maintained by the council’s contractor Healthmatic. The charge helps to off-set some of the running costs.

Cllr Jess David, B&NES Cabinet assistant for Neighbourhood Services, said the refurbishment was another step in the council’s overall investment into modern, accessible public toilet provision in B&NES. The block in Ashton Way Car Park closed in January

Also in this week’s issue

2015 when new facilities became available at the One Stop Shop/Library, built as part of the Civic Centre redevelopment.

Those toilets are only available during opening hours, as are the ones at Keynsham Leisure Centre.

There are also toilets by the café in the Memorial Park – winter opening hours are 7am to 6pm (otherwise 7am to 9pm).

The need for public toilets in Keynsham has been raised on our Letters page and last August we reported that a campaign to reopen the Ashton Way loos had been started by local councillors Andy Wait and Hal MacFie, with hundreds of people signing the petition. The councillors said the most common complaint they had received since being elected more than two years previously had been about the town’s lack of toilet facilities.

They have introduced a toilet scheme in which four town centre businesses – Temple Street Canteen, The Ship, Grounded and Café Dahlia - allow people to use

New home found for gymnastics club . . . page 4

S. Glos Council imposes new parishes . . . pages 4 - 7

their toilets for free when they are open.

Meanwhile B&NES Council says that work was completed last week on reopening a disabilitycompliant toilet at Charlotte Street Car Park in Bath following a £12,000 investment.

The upgrade of the toilet at the entrance to the car park has enabled it to be fully modernised with new flooring, tiling, fixtures and a contactless payment reader.

A further four unisex units, one of which is also disability-compliant, are available at the rear of the car park.

Heritage railway celebrates 50th anniversary . . . page 9

Charity comedy night in Keynsham . . . page 10

2

The Week in • Wednesday 16th February 2022

Threatened gymnastics club lands a new home A leading gymnastics club that’s been facing an uncertain future is celebrating the news that it looks set to get a permanent home as part of the refurbishment of the old Grange School site in Warmley.

Majestic Gymnastics is currently based in a rented unit on the industrial estate at Longwell Green that will be razed as part of a proposed major redevelopment.

The only TeamGym specific club in the South West, Majestic draws gymnasts from not just South Gloucestershire but Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, Wiltshire and Wales.

Hundreds of recreational gymnasts pass through the doors each week, plus some 90 national gymnasts who train there for 12 hours a week. The club also caters for pre-school gymnasts and runs parent and toddler sessions.

Now South Gloucestershire Council’s Cabinet has agreed £3.84m of funding to create new gymnastics and netball facilities on the former Grange site.

Candice Littleton and Michelle Prideaux, owners of Majestic Gymnastics, said: “It is fantastic news that the council has been able to make this substantial investment to deliver brand new and exciting sporting facilities at the former Grange School.

“We are truly grateful for all the effort the council continues to put into helping us find a permanent home, with this investment being a very big step.”

The Grange closed in October 2016 because of dwindling numbers and the poor state of its buildings which would have needed an estimated £13m spent on them.

Work is currently under way on the site to enable new homes, a new primary school and improved walking and cycling infrastructure. This latest addition of new sports facilities will add further enhancements to the development.

A planning application is due to be submitted soon for the refurbishment of the former sports hall. The proposed works include the addition of a single-storey extension, the addition of a café, improved accessibility and general repurposing of the existing facilities. The building’s fabric will also be repaired and upgraded.

The site is already home to the Digitech Studio School and on the southern part of the land the council has identified the location for a new two-form entry primary school, which will ultimately accommodate 420 children. The aim is for the school’s construction to begin in 2023 and for the first pupils to be able to start lessons in September 2024.

The northern playing field will be redeveloped for housing, generating between 150 and 200 units; 35 per cent will be affordable and a further proportion will be custom/self-build homes, for which

Cllr Savage celebrates with the gymnastics club

there is a growing demand in South Gloucestershire. The council anticipates that, subject to the formal planning process, people will be able to move into the new homes in 2025.

The council says work is continuing to progress well on the wider site with demolition works including the removal of fire-damaged elements. Detailed design of the new bridge, including the obtaining of planning consent, is under way and installation is expected by the end of spring 2023.

The club’s current home in Longwell Green

Council leader Toby Savage said: “We’ve held a longstanding ambition to redevelop this brownfield site in Warmley and I am delighted we have been able to approve this funding which will provide excellent new sports facilities alongside the plans for new housing and a brand new school.

“The council has been working hard to help the outstanding Majestic Gymnastics club find a new home and this decision is certainly a step in the right direction.”

He added: “As plans come forward and planning permission is sought, the community will have the opportunity to have their say on proposals. We are already engaged with local people, which has helped shape our vision for the site and how it links to the wider Warmley area.”

The new sports elements will cost £3.84m and are part funded by a Section 106 developer contribution of £435,000. The total investment for the Grange site is now £10.51m including grant funding of £4.65m from Homes England and £2.02m from the Brownfield Land Release Fund via the West of England Combined Authority’s One Public Estate programme.

Posthumous honour

Former Brislington East councillor Mike Langley, who passed away in 2019, is to be posthumously made an Alderman of the City of Bristol at a city council meeting on Tuesday 15th March.

The Labour councillor drove buses in Bristol for many years.

Club night Community at 67 in Queens Road in Keynsham runs hiphop, grime and drill club nights called Da Beats for young people in school years 7 to 11.

The next one this Friday (18th February) will be to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The event starts at 7.30pm and ends at 11pm, Tickets are free with scanning required to gain entry. Club goers, who can have one drink, a packet of crisps and a chocolate bar for free, can also enjoy a chill out zone.

The Week in • Wednesday 16th February 2022

3

South Glos gears up to welcome the world’s top cyclists again Some of the world’s top cyclists will be speeding though South Gloucestershire again as part of the Tour of Britain race in September.

The organisers have announced the various host regions for this year’s prestigious cycle

through Pucklechurch, Bridgeyate, Oldland Common, Bitton, Swineford and Kelston on

host stage three on Tuesday 6th.

Stage four (Wednesday 7th) is in Redcar &

race which is a centrepiece of the sporting calendar as the country’s largest free-to-

their way to the finish at Royal Victoria Park in Bath. On the penultimate day of the eight-

Cleveland and North Yorkshire, and stage five (Thursday 8th) in Nottinghamshire.

watch live sporting event, attracting more

stage race, Bristol hosted a double stage including both an individual time trial and a

Stage six on Friday 9th will be in Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire.

than a million spectators to the roadside with many hundreds of

circuit race, taking in some of the city’s most iconic sites.

Stage one of this year’s Tour of Britain will

Stage seven on Saturday 10th will take in Dorset and the eighth and final stage on Sunday 11th September will be on the Isle of

thousands more following on television

be on Sunday 4th September in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. Stage two (Monday 5th

Wight.

More route details are due to come in the

and online around the world.

In September 2016, as part of stage 5 from Aberdare to Bath, around 120 cyclists came

September) will be in Scotland while the North East of England and Sunderland will

spring.

Find out www.tourofbritain.co.uk

Cyclists going through Bitton in the Tour of Britain in 2016

THE WEEK IN Barrs Court, Bitton, Brislington, Cadbury Heath, Compton Dando, Corston, Downend, Emersons Green, Fishponds, Hanham, Hillfields, Keynsham, Kingswood, Longwell Green, Mangotsfield, Marksbury, North Common, Oldland Common, Pucklechurch, Saltford, Staple Hill, Stockwood, St George, Warmley, Whitchurch, Wick, Willsbridge.

more

at

Where to go stargazing Do you fancy the idea of stargazing but not

The top 12 observation sites include

sure where to go to get away from the glare

Troopers Hill nature reserve in St George,

of the streetlights?

Overscourt Wood Car Park at Siston and

The Avon and Bristol branch of the

Lansdown Park & Ride. Find out more

countryside charity CPRE have a new free

about these and the other best places at

leaflet with local astronomers’ ideas of the

https://www.cpreavonandbristol.org.uk/ne

best places to go.

ws/stargazing-location-guide/

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Verified pick-up rate of 97%.

The Week In Community Ltd, 8 Temple Court, Keynsham. BS31 1HA 0117 986 0381 www.theweekin.co.uk ISSN: 2052-9767 Publisher Editor Contributors

Stephen Rodgers admin@theweekin.co.uk Becky Feather 07403 273967 Christine Rogers

Advertising

Tracy Broderick 0117 986 0381 sales.theweekin@gmail.com @theweekineditor

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4

The Week in • Wednesday 16th February 2022

‘Consultation risks making South Glos Council a laughing stock’ Despite no clear mandate from local residents, Kingswood

a town council and just 320 out of almost 22,000 residents

number of you tell us not to’.

will get a town council and a parish council will be set up

responded.

That isn’t consultation.”

for Staple Hill and Mangotsfield.

Fifty per cent of those 320 were against and 42% in favour.

Cllr

People in Kingswood were quizzed about whether they wanted

Three per cent expressed a preference for joining a

Kingswood consultation had

neighbouring parish, 3% stated no preference and 2% didn’t

involved a direct mailing to

know.

close to 22,000 residents, plus

In Staple Hill and Mangotsfield there were 274 replies (2.5%

drop-in sessions, and the

of those consulted) with 49% of respondents preferring no

overall response worked out at

change, compared to 39% who backed the creation of a parish

around 1.5%. “Of those 50%

council. Six per cent of respondents wanted to join a

clearly said they didn’t want to

neighbouring area, 4% stated no preference for any option and

change.”

2% did not know which option they preferred.

He continued: “The leaflet that went out, let’s be honest, was

The community governance review was organised by South

very biased in favour of persuading the people of Kingswood

Gloucestershire Council and ran from mid-October to 9th

that a town council would be good for them – and the people

January. The extra tier of local government will start at the

of Kingswood have told you that they are not very interested.”

2023 local elections. At Thursday’s Regulatory Committee

He said the Labour group was not against town and parish

meeting, when the proposals were agreed, Cllr Kim

councils in principle “but they have got to have a level of

Scudamore, who represents the New Cheltenham area of

popular support and at the moment there is simply not that

Kingswood, said he and his Labour colleagues believe the

support in Kingswood”.

council risks being made a “laughing stock” as a result.

His fellow ward councillor Sandie Davis said a lot of people

He said: “Any claim to be a council that listens to its residents

they’d spoken to on the doorstep had been very concerned

or engages in community conversations has no credibility if

about the financial implications of another council because of

our policy basically seems to be, ‘We are going to tell you

the rising cost of living.

what we are going to do and we’ll only not do it if a significant

The Week in • Wednesday 16th February 2022

Scudamore

said

the

Kim Scudamore

Continued on page 6

5

Continued from page 5

are. That is the result of the consultation.”

they think a town or parish

Meanwhile Cllr Michael Bell, who represents the Staple Hill

Cllr Bell added that South Gloucestershire Council prides itself

council will automatically

and Mangotsfield ward on South Gloucestershire Council, said

on being democratic but was “going against the wishes of the

lead to higher council tax bills.

the public are “very cynical” about consultations: “They think

people who you want to carry screaming into a parish council

There is no evidence to

the decision has already been made before they even respond

we don’t want”. He predicted that people would not bother to

suggest that is the case. We

to any consultation – and this is a worst example. You have

reply to future council consultations because “what’s the point

already levy special expenses

got 2.5 per cent of people who responded and of those, the

in replying when we are over-ruled?”

on to local households – they

majority – 49% - are opposed to it.”

Cllr Toby Savage, who leads the Conservative-controlled

are higher than some parish

He said there are community groups that are already rapidly

council, said the community governance review “was never

councils

improving the area, including Mangotsfield Residents’

likely to hugely enthuse people”. He said that looking at the

Gloucestershire.”

Association, the Staple Hill Partnership, Staple Hill Hub, the

concerns respondents had raised, “we are able to evidence how

Cllr Savage also said that a

Friends of Page Park, the traders’ association, and the

we have listened to that”.

town council was “part and

Community Engagement Forum. “We are quite happy as we

“We know one of the principle concerns people have is that

parcel of the regeneration of

within

South

Toby Savage

Kingswood and I do not want to see that enormous success that we had in amassing that level of investment into the centre of Kingswood to all go to waste because we deprived

Michael Bell

the community of one of the tools that every other community in South Gloucestershire has.”

But Cllr Scudamore pointed out: “Kingswood is getting that investment without a town council.”

Cllr Mike Drew, who represents Yate, said he and his Lib Dem colleagues supported town and parish councils: “It just gives you far more flexibility and to be able to react far quicker to what concerns local people.”

He said that in Yate the town council had chosen to spend £250,000 on youth services.” We don’t have to worry about South Gloucestershire cutting youth services – we can pick it

6

The Week in • Wednesday 16th February 2022

Support from MP During the debate Cllr Sandie Davis said she was aware that a letter about the proposals had been sent by local MP Chris Skidmore to a lot of residents and there had been only seven replies.

Cllr Kim Scudamore said that the letter had gone out on 22nd January, but the consultation ended on 9th January: “If he felt that strongly about it, why did he not write when the consultation was still open,” said Cllr Scudamore.

Council leader Toby Savage told the meeting that a number of supportive comments had come through after the consultation had ended.

Following the meeting Mr Skidmore said: “I am delighted that the proposals to create new parishes for Kingswood as well as Staple Hill and Mangotsfield have been approved. Such organisations not only give more people the opportunity to play an active part in their community, but it gives areas greater independence, investment and control of their own destiny.” up. Same with any other service.”

At Thursday’s meeting it was also decided that Charlton Hayes will become independent of Patchway Town Council, while Stoke Park and Cheswick will separate from Stoke Gifford Parish Council.

With the approval to create the new parishes now granted, South Gloucestershire Council will begin a further round of consultation on boundaries.

The Week in • Wednesday 16th February 2022

Advertising feature

Keynsham solicitors introduce new team member FDC Law has welcomed a new recruit to the family law department at the Keynsham office.

Associate solicitor Julia Sacco qualified in 2012 with a specialist family law firm in Cardiff and has continued her legal career with a national law firm and more recently as a consultant with a firm specialising in family law and mediation. Julia is a member of Resolution, a community of family lawyers who work with families and individuals to resolve issues in a non-confrontational way.

She said: “I am passionate about helping people and started a career in law because I wanted to help find solutions for people in difficult times. I have been fortunate to be able to help people that have been victims of abuse or experienced relationship breakdowns and I am looking forward to continuing my journey with FDC Law. “I live locally with my two young children and enjoy spending my spare time walking, doing arts and crafts and baking with them.”

Marjorie Taylor, partner and head of the family law department, said: “At FDC Law, we feel that being able to support families in our local communities, when faced with difficult situations, is important. We are therefore pleased that Julia, with her wealth of expertise, has joined us in Keynsham.”

Julia Sacco

7

LETTERS More antics on the ‘throughabout’

Litter and dog mess blight our community

Dear Sir

Dear Becky

Last week I witnessed another first at the

Pictured are four of our 10 volunteers who

‘magic roundabout’ on the ring road. A car

picked up litter in hedges and undergrowth

joining from Tower Lane bound for Warmley

around Cossham Street in Mangotsfield on

negotiated the first set of traffic lights but

Saturday 5th February.

instead of crossing the junction to re-join the ring road, the driver executed a sharp right turn on reaching the dual carriageway and carried on towards Warmley without a care in the world.

It did make a change from the spectacle I more often witness – vehicles in the righthand lane travelling between Aspects and the ‘magic roundabout’ clearly intent on turning

Litter, flytipping and dog mess are a blight

right into Tower Lane before realising they

on our community and to be honest show

should be in the far-left lane and promptly

little sign of reducing despite increased fines.

cutting across the carriageway.

Plastic bottles in particular seem to be

Do we really have to wait for 5 years like the

discarded without any thought into roadside

experts

kerbs or thrown into hedges, on many

have

said

before

motorists

understand how to use this wonderful

occasions within sight of a waste bin.

solution to a problem that only existed for a

I

couple of hours a day?

Scandinavian countries a deposit is paid

A concerned motorist

when purchasing the bottle and can be

understand

that

particularly

in

and that local councils will be issuing

certain what folk a few thousand miles away

council tax rebates to try and help people

know about Bristol Airport and its impact,

make ends meet. As part of its budget this

either positive or negative, on the Bristol

year, South Gloucestershire Council is also

area. Incidentally, the Ontario Teachers’

continuing its Community Resilience Fund

Pension Plan represents the pension interests

for a further year, having created it last year

of 331,000 active and retired teachers so

to help more residents get financial support

even if 1,000 of them are "appalled" by what

during the pandemic if they had previously

is happening locally, it is with respect a

been ineligible – to find out more about this,

pretty small minority, as most protest groups

call the contact centre on 01454 868009 or

tend to be. Let me conclude by saying that I

visit

am not supporting the expansion of Bristol

www.beta.southglos.gov.uk/commu

nity-resilience-fund.

Airport, but I am a supporter of truthfully

What I don’t understand, however, is that at

assessing any given situation which I don't

a time when public money is being used to

think the recent statement from Stop Bristol

help so many, why is the WECA Mayor

Airport Expansion did.

accepting a £20,000-a-year pay increase

Mike Barrow, Keynsham

when this funding could quite easily be used to support bus services? He seems content to cut the likes of the No 18 in our area without any consultation due to there not being enough funding, but quite clearly there is.

Cllr Brenda Langley, Hanham ward

Airport decision no surprise Dear Editor Why should anyone be ‘dismayed’ by the decision to allow expansion at Bristol

Airport protest analysis

Airport (your article in last week’s paper)?

The local councils didn’t want it, Green

Dear Editor

Bbelt and countryside campaigners didn’t

I read with interest your comprehensive

want it, ordinary people signed petitions and

article last week concerning the proposed

took part it protest marches because they

expansion of Bristol Airport, which included

didn’t want it. But the airport and a few

opinions against and in support. I found one

business owners wanted it so suddenly this

of the statements from the Stop Bristol

was more important than reducing carbon

Cllr Michael Bell

Airport Expansion Group very interesting -

emissions or protecting the Green Belt.

that being “we have received messages of

Indeed, it appeared that whole economic viability of the South West was at risk if the

were appalled by what OTTP is doing".

airport was not allowed to increase its

There are many professionals and local

Helping people make ends meet

support from many Canadian teachers who OTTP of course is the Ontario Teachers’

capacity by as much as a third.

residents who feel the expansion of Bristol

Dear Becky

Pension Plan being the airport owners. I sent

It wouldn’t be the first time that this

Airport should have already happened, and

As with many other people across the

an email to Stop Bristol Airport Expansion

Government has said one thing and done

is not against local democracy, and will bring

country, I have been quite alarmed by the

asking for clarification as to how many is

another. The Prime Minister’s warnings at

many commercial benefits to the South West

reports in the media of how the cost of living

“many” and have been advised that they

COP 26 last year were for others, not us it

of England.

is set to rise this year due to energy price

understand it is several hundred, but maybe

would appear. Even Mr Johnson’s pledge to

And as a whole, common sense prevails that

increases and am worried about the financial

four figures.

lie down in front of the bulldozers to prevent

the environment will improve with less

impact on households at such a difficult time.

They do not have a detailed answer as the

a new runway at Heathrow will sadly go the

transport journeys to London.

I am pleased to see that the Government are

opposition is being organised by local

way of many other promises.

B Chris

providing contributions towards energy bills

teacher activist groups in Canada. I am not

D James

retrieved when placing it back empty into

Support for Bristol Airport expansion Dear Editor Does West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris only listen to professional advice, and the advice of local residents who agree with him (The Week In, Issue 716)?

8

designated collection points. There has been talk of this happening in this country, but I have yet to see one, and we remain the litter kings of Europe.

The Week in • Wednesday 16th February 2022

Help and advice at Keynsham forum

Can you help heritage railway celebrate 50 years of preservation?

Residents in the Keynsham area who are struggling with the rising cost of living can

provide advice and support for people struggling to make ends meet and during

find out about local support and advice services at the Keynsham Area Forum meeting tomorrow (Thursday).

the meeting residents will be able to find out more about their work.”

The Keynsham Area Forum is open to

Speakers at the meeting, which starts at 6pm and will be held via Zoom, include

anyone and focuses on the communities of Keynsham, Compton Dando, Corston,

The heritage railway at Bitton is celebrating 50 years of preservation in

Citizens Advice Bath and North East Somerset, B&NES Council Welfare

Marksbury, Saltford and Whitchurch.

To take part go

to

2022, firstly as the Bristol Suburban Railway Society and later as Avon Valley

Support, Great Western Credit Union, Gambling Awareness and Stop Loan

https://tinyurl.com/y8dywd33 and enter the meeting ID 936 3064 1475 and

Railway.

Avon Valley Railway Heritage Trust says it

Sharks.

Cllr Kevin Guy, leader of the council, said:

password nwhjncjuJ4 You can watch the meeting live, or at a later time on the

is beginning the process of cataloguing and digitalising all the items in its collection

“With inflation currently at 5.4% and energy prices rocketing, many families are feeling the pressure on their finances.

council’s YouTube channel.

The Forum is one of five within Bath and North East Somerset. The others are Bath,

using special software provided by a grant from the National Lottery.

“In doing so we realise that there are some

There are lots of organisations locally that

Chew Valley, Bathavon and Somer Valley.

items which are not in our collection and we are appealing for people to come forward with any items they might care to donate to the museum.

“This could take the form of signs, advertising boards, old timetables, British Rail/GWR/LMS correspondence concerning

Sirona keeps its Good rating Sirona care & health has retained its overall rating of Good following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Chief executive Janet Rowse praised staff for their commitment, dedication and passion in delivering services during the challenges of the pandemic which coincided with the organisation’s rapid growth.

CQC inspectors, who have just published their report, visited the service in November to inspect community inpatients and urgent care services and to look at whether the organisation was being well-led.

The report highlighted how Sirona was:

staff safe and well during the pandemic.

Person-centred care was at the heart of all their work. Staff worked well together for the benefit of people and advised them on how to lead healthier lives and were committed to improving services by listening and learning when things go well and not so well.

Sirona is a not-for-profit social enterprise providing NHS and local authority-funded community health care services for adults and children in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

Care was provided for people by Sirona teams across all of this geography from April 2020 – just one week after the country entered its first lockdown due to

committed to keeping service users and

COVID-19

Sudoku 1-Easy

the line between Mangotsfield and Bath, and photographs or memories.”

The trust has compiled a list of items that it would like to see, either donated or loaned.

The list includes LMS enamel station signs for Mangotsfield, Warmley, Bitton, Kelston and Weston (Bath) and signal box nameboards for Ashley Hill junction, Warmley, Bitton and any of the Mangotsfield boxes.

Also on the wish list is a Bath (Green Park) to Bristol carriage board; Bath (Green Park) totem sign or any other Green Park station signs; a Bitton signal box register; any card railway tickets or luggage labels from the line; a poster closure notice for the branch; and locomotive smoke box plate No 43734.

If you can help contact Alan Matthew, AVR

SUNDAY CHEMISTS

2 -Hard

Sunday 20th February

Boots, Gallagher Retail Park, Longwell Green (10.30am-4pm) Asda, Longwell Green (10am-4pm) Boots, Emersons Green Retail Park (10.30am-4.30pm) Sainsbury’s, Emersons Green Retail Park (9.30am-4.30pm) Stockwood Pharmacy, 78 Hollway Road, BS14 8PG (9am-7pm) Keynsham Pharmacy, 15 Station Road, BS31 2BH (10am-4pm) Tesco, Callington Road, Brislington (10am to 4pm) Morrisons, 688-718 Fishponds Road, Fishponds (10am-4pm) Boots, Avonmeads Retail Park, St Philips Causeway (11am-5pm)

The Week in • Wednesday 16th February 2022

9

A belly full of pizzas and laughs Comedy made a welcome return to B Block in Keynsham last month with guests at the sold-out gig getting their fill of pizza and laughs.

More than 80 guests came to B Block

Police last week issued an appeal for witnesses and information following a homophobic assault in

at The Chocolate Quarter for woodfired pizzas and a showcase of top

Soundwell.

A man in his 50s was attacked by two men in the

comedy talent, including Priya Hall, Roger O'Sullivan, Jasmine Olivia-

Leicester Square area of Soundwell at approximately 10.30pm on Tuesday 7th December.

Morton, Eleri Morgan, Denis Len and Gavin Osborn.

The offenders got out of a small older-style red Nissan prior to the incident which police are treating as a hate

The brainchild of legendary Bristolian comic Mark Olver, Belly Laughs saw

crime due to the language one of the offenders used.

The victim, who sustained injuries to his legs, has told police one of the attackers was white, aged in his 30s,

some of the UK’s best comedians tour Bristol’s small independent food establishments throughout January raising money for good causes, such as the Julian Trust and Fareshare.

Belly Laughs was created in 2018 to showcase the city’s vibrant food and comedy talent in a month where both industries are typically slow, while supporting local charities.

The return to B Block was even more special for Mark as he volunteered in St Monica Trust’s Charterhouse Care Home during the pandemic, which is also located in The Chocolate Quarter.

Mark said: “When everything shut during the lockdown, I saw an advert asking for people to help out in the care

Police appeal after man is injured in homophobic attack

about 5ft 8in and of slim build. He spoke with a west country accent, was clean shaven and wore a navy hoody,

home. Remembering how much I enjoyed meeting the residents here during previous Belly Laughs, I became

Crossword

a ‘helping hand’ and worked there for two days a week supporting residents and staff.”

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Roofing material (6)

1. Irritable (6)

4. Molest (6)

2. Bear the expense (6)

blue denim jeans and black trainers.

The other attacker is described as mixed race, aged in his early 30s, about 5ft 11in and slim with short black braided hair. He wore a grey long-sleeved jumper, green/black camouflage trousers, a black padded coat and white trainers.

House-to-house and CCTV inquiries have been carried out as part of the investigation into the incident. The victim has also been provided access to specialist support services.

Anyone who witnessed what happened, or who recognises the description of the offenders, is asked to call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5221287682. You can alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

8. Non-stick surface (6) 3. Velcro (anag.) (6) 10. Hamper (6)

5. Hands on hips (6)

11. Poison (5)

6. Fervour (6)

12. Viral skin disease (6)

7. Fairy (6)

14. Sudden (6)

10. White frost (4)

16. Loose earth (4) 17. Bellow (4)

13. Mountaineer's spike (5)

19. Sufferings (4)

15. Shaving device (5)

22. Blemish (4)

18. Fairground game (4-2)

26. Citrus fruit (6) 27. Strength of purpose (6)

10

9. Bird's home (4)

19. Type of wood (6) 20. Departure (6)

28. Brute (anag.) (5)

21. Visionary (4)

29. Mull over (6)

22. Soot (4)

30. Pill (6)

23. Edible tuber (6)

31. Bear witness (6)

24. Garment maker (6)

32. Vulgar (6)

25. Heavy mallet (6)

The Week in • Wednesday 16th February 2022

Rotary Club of Kingswood honours community heroes Kingswood Rotary Club has launched a new award scheme for non-Rotarians – the Kingswood Rotary Community Service Award.

Its purpose is to recognise and thank an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the local community, demonstrating their commitment to the Rotary principle of ‘Service above Self’. In addition to a certificate, the recipient

of the award is given £100 for the charity of their choice.

The first two recipients are Jim Whittaker and Eunice Hawkins.

Jim received the award for leading pioneering work with the Friends of Kingswood Park. He encouraged a team of dedicated volunteers to maintain and improve the park and has also worked to enhance the Regent Street shopping area with hanging baskets and planted pots.

He instigated a monthly ‘walkabout’, bringing in a variety of local decision-makers to inspect Regent Street and to resolve

Jim Whittaker receiving his award from club president David Lewis

The Week in • Wednesday 16th February 2022

to deal with issues such as graffiti, fly-tipping and empty shops.

Kingswood Rotary Club president David Lewis said: “Jim followed up these ‘walkabouts’ with notes to ensure action was taken. This commitment to getting things done, his persistence and resourcefulness marked Jim clearly as a Friend of Kingswood, a Friend of Kingswood Park and of the community.”

Jim has donated his £100 to WaterAid. The other award-winner Eunice Hawkins has worked at Kingswood Community Association (KCA) for more than 37 years, mostly as the administrator with multiple responsibilities ranging from finance to room hiring.

Eunice Hawkins receiving her award from club president David Lewis

Mr Lewis said: “Her dedication, professionalism and enthusiasm have been vital in keeping the centre a successful and important hub in the Kingswood community. Although she decided to retire three years ago, with the problems caused by COVID and the death of the KCA chairman, she agreed to continue until a new team is established.”

In memory of the late KCA chairman Albert Rankin, Eunice has donated her £100 award to Pancreatic Cancer UK. Kingswood Rotary Club hopes to make this Community Service Award annually and is keen to hear of any potential future recipients.

11

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The Week in • Wednesday 16th February 2022

Golf club withdraws plans to extend floodlighting hours Controversial plans for extended floodlighting hours at Stockwood Vale Golf Course have been

wildlife, including birds, bats and moths: “Furthermore, poor lighting creates a general undesirable nightglow

withdrawn.

Use of floodlighting on the driving range is currently limited by condition until 8pm on weekdays and 6pm

which we understand can, in this case, be seen from a long distance away across the valley.”

at weekends. An extension until 9pm on weekdays and 9pm on weekends and bank holidays was being proposed.

Applicant Family Golf Centres Ltd told Bath & North East Somerset Council that it had never been made aware of any complaints about the use of floodlighting.

Keynsham Town Council also objected, citing the nightglow and the adverse effect on wildlife.

Compton Dando Parish Council said that extending the light during the evening would affect moths and bats and would have an adverse impact on the Green Belt.

But the Avonside branch of the countryside charity CPRE had objected to the proposal, saying that they

After B&NES Council’s ecologist said that insufficient information was available to enable the local planning authority to properly assess the potential impact of the

have been trying to publicise the harmful effects of light pollution on the countryside and the behaviour of

proposal on ecology and protected species, the proposal has been formally withdrawn.

Plans for five homes near B&NESBristol border

Tree-planting ceremony The Friends of Avon Valley Woodlands and Cllr David Smith have planted a red acer tree on Hanham Common on behalf of Hanham Abbots Parish Council to replace the ash tree that was recently felled there due to ash dieback.

Situations Vacant

There are plans to build five homes on a site known as the ‘woodland area’ at Ridgeway Gardens in Whitchurch.

Chapel Hill Homes Ltd have applied to Bath & North East Somerset Council for permission in principle for the infill residential development. This is an alternative way of obtaining planning permission for housing-led development.

The application says that the site is within the Green Belt and outside of any defined settlement boundary but adjoins the Bristol settlement boundary to the north and west.

To the east is an electricity substation and to the south lies open countryside The consultation deadline is 5th March. The planning reference is 22/00238/PIP.

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