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THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset 24th August 2022

Issue 744

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What next for site after waste plant developer withdraws appeal? The company which has been trying to build a giant

appeal.

anaerobic digester (AD) plant near Keynsham has

“POKE would also like to thank the community,

abandoned its appeal.

parish councils, local councillors and all those

Developer Resourceful Energy Anaerobic Limited

that have supported us. We would also like to

(REAL) had appealed after Bath & North East Somerset

thank The Week In for their excellent and

Council’s planning committee refused permission in

objective reporting on this issue.

March to almost quadruple the previously approved

“However, the matter is not closed because the

capacity at the Green Belt site in Charlton Field Lane

unauthorised development is still there, and the

where unauthorised development has taken place.

site should be returned to open countryside.

More than 800 people had objected to the scheme.

POKE looks forward to working with the council

Campaign group Protect Our Keynsham Environment

through enforcing the extant enforcement notice

(POKE) has been at the forefront of the fight, raising

which requires the removal of the anaerobic

funds to pay for expert witnesses at the inquiry that had

digestion plant buildings and taking further enforcement

The site is in the Saltford ward and the appeal withdrawal

been scheduled for October.

action to ensure that the site is restored as approved in

has been welcomed by the two local councillors. Cllr

This week POKE’s chair

previous planning permissions.”

Alistair Singleton said the plans would have led to great

Kerry Morgan said: “POKE

This week B&NES councillor for Keynsham South, Alan

harm to local communities as well as the environment.

has been advised via B&NES

Hale, said: “An extremely big thank you has to be paid

Cllr Duncan Hounsell added: "I now wish to see existing

Council that REAL have

to the outstanding work and efforts of Kerry Morgan and

planning enforcement cases continue to be pursued and

withdrawn their appeal to

POKE. Kerry has been working constantly to foil the

the site restored.”

build a supersized anaerobic

appeal and her efforts have won through to the benefit of

Paul May, B&NES councillor for nearby Whitchurch and

digester facility at the Queen

everyone who would have been adversely affected by

Pensford, said: “The appeal has cost the council and

Charlton quarry site. This is

this development which would have brought odours,

POKE considerable costs and dedication. We have seen

good news that the appeal has

wind-blown spores and HGVs infesting the local roads.

before that defeat of inappropriate applications does not

been

POKE

“There are a number of digesters in the region and none

mean the end so we need to remain vigilant and seek

would like to thank the

are running at capacity. To have fed this one, maize was

other options for this site which has already been abused

council officers and our own professional team for

going to be grown purely for feeding the digester and all

in planning terms.”

submitting statements of case strong enough to convince

fuel stuff would have to have been carried in by almost

The region’s Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: “Well done

the appellant that they had no prospect of winning the

100 HGVs per day.”

all who have resisted this unwelcome development in our

Kerry Morgan

withdrawn.

Green Belt. The fight continues until we are certain there is a good outcome.”

Also in this week’s issue

Plans to demolish footbridge in Keynsham Park . . . page 2

Firearms cabinet stolen from Keynsham . . . page 3

New foodbank for Staple Hill . . . page 4

Council is asked 30 times to lower hedge in Cadbury Heath . . . page 9

Plans to demolish park footbridge are revealed Plans to demolish the footbridge over the River Chew in Keynsham Park have been revealed, almost three years after it was closed because it was considered unsafe. Bath & North East Somerset Council wants to remove the bridge, which is near the bandstand, this autumn. A separate planning application for a replacement bridge is planned for next year. The council says it has a fully funded budget in place. The bridge was closed in October 2019 after a visual inspection revealed that beams had decayed. Barriers were put up at both sides of the bridge and alternative routes signposted. At the time the council said the bridge would remain closed while its condition was fully investigated and a decision taken on the next steps. At the end of 2020 local councillors started a petition calling on the council to get on and repair the footbridge, highlighting

Party in the Ponds A community event showcasing all that is great about Fishponds will be taking place in Vassals Park at the Oldbury Court Estate on Saturday 3rd September. Party in the Ponds is being billed for the whole family, with children’s entertainment, stalls, food, performances, live music and a guest appearance from Channel 4’s Gogglebox. The event will run from 11am to 7pm.

how inconvenient the closure is to a great many people who used it. Now a planning application which has been lodged says that following a detailed appraisal of the bridge’s condition by the project engineers, Curtins, it has been confirmed that existing structure is beyond repair. “Alternative routes take pedestrians out of the park and onto Bath Hill and requires the use of the west side of Avon Mill Lane. It is acknowledged The bridge over the Chew has been closed for almost three years that this is an unsatisfactory situation for pedestrians and to take part in a survey about the issues and priorities for users of the park.” investment. B&NES is working with the town council to The timber deck will be removed during the demolition by a make improvements to the park which includes the areas crane. The concrete central pier will be broken down and known as Keynsham Memorial Park, Abbey Park and Chew removed in pieces. Restraints and braces will be applied to Park. the central pier so that it cannot fall towards the river during While budgets to maintain the parks are tight, B&NES said the demolition. it understood that there might be priorities for regular users The abutments will be kept and stabilised, with minor including replacing the footbridge, that the river above the modifications made as part of subsequent works for a new weir is filling with silt, and that the play area equipment is deck as part of a future replacement bridge planning old. application. The bridge demolition planning reference is Earlier this year the council asked people who use the park 22/03255/REG03.

The Week in • Wednesday 24th August 2022

Health and safety concerns about neglected ponds There are concerns that two neglected ponds in the Warmley area are posing risks to both people and wildlife. We have previously featured stories about the poor state of the pond in Felicity Park, which is one of the Siston Commons, and the one in Warmley Forest Park which for some years now has been covered by a carpet of duckweed. Until last week’s rainfall, there was no water in the pond at Felicity Park, but several feet of silt which one local resident told us could be dangerous should a child or dog try to walk on it. He believes it should be fenced off. Former South Gloucestershire councillor Ian Adams has also been in touch with The Week In about the state of the pond at Felicity Park

and has been in talks with the Friends of Siston Commons. An approach has now been made to South Gloucestershire Council about the possibility of securing some funding, such as from the National Lottery or landfill tax, to restore the pond after many years of neglect. Mr Adams is also concerned about the duckweed that is still choking the pond in Warmley Forest Park. We first featured the problem in November 2019 (Issue 602). The pond was built for flood alleviation when the nearby Avon Ring Road was created. The sluice gate, which controls the flow of water, has been broken for several years which has resulted in the pond being in the state it is. This week Mr Adams told us that he fears the

Warmley Forest Park pond

pond also poses a safety risk, citing a case in June last year in which a three-year-old boy almost drowned in the moat at Nunney Castle near Frome which was covered by green algae which he mistook for grass. We raised the concerns with South Gloucestershire Council and this week a spokesperson told us: “We have recently appointed an ecologist to advise on the future management of a number of ponds within the district, including Felicity Park and Warmley Forest Park. “Following the success of desilting works in Bradley Stoke and Emersons Green, we are

now focusing on restoring ponds in the wider Kingswood area, an area which is included in our Commons Connections project. “We are currently exploring options to secure funding to desilt these ponds and deliver further improvements, including the reintroduction of pollarding and trimming the trees that overhang the ponds.” The spokesperson added: “The sluice gate at Warmley Forest Park is owned by the Environment Agency (EA). Our officers have been in touch with the EA and we have been informed that they are seeking funding to repair this structure.”

Felicity Park pond before the recent rainfall

Locked firearms cabinet stolen Police were called last Wednesday to a burglary at a home in Charlton Road in Keynsham in which a locked firearms cabinet was among the items stolen. Entry had been forced at some point between 4pm and 5.15pm. Avon & Somerset Police said there were no reported injuries. Other items reported stolen included jewellery.

This week they said: “Enquiries, including CCTV and house-to-house, are being undertaken. Neighbourhood officers have been made aware so patrols can be conducted in the area going forward. “Anyone who witnessed people acting suspiciously in the area at the time of the burglary should call 101 and quote reference number 5222198196.”

Outstanding rating for pre-school Mangotsfield Pre-School has been rated as Outstanding by Ofsted. The privately-run pre-school is based at Emersons Green Primary School in Guest Avenue and there are 48 children on the roll. The report was published this month following a visit by the education watchdog in July. The inspector found the pre-school to be Outstanding in terms of the quality of education, the children’s behaviour and

attitudes, their personal development and its leadership and management. The report said staff are extremely caring and knowledgeable, and meet all children's needs exceptionally well. All children, especially those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make excellent progress and feel extremely safe and secure. They behave exceptionally well and develop excellent communication and language skills.

The Week in • Wednesday 24th August 2022

Van fire after litter bin collection A member of South Gloucestershire Council’s StreetCare team had a lucky escape after fire broke out in his litter bin collection van in Longwell Green recently. The staff member was fortunately outside collecting sacks at the time that the flames took hold. The council reminds people that potentially hazardous items must be disposed of safely. All cigarettes must be stubbed out before binning and make sure all barbecues are cold before disposing of them. Vapes and batteries can be safely recycled in a bread/freezer bag with the rest of your recycling.

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.

New foodbank for Staple Hill Staple Hill has a new foodbank in the High Street to support people in crisis. Ignite Life has set up the volunteer-run foodbank at No 41. The charity says it will continue to deliver food parcels to the families it already supports, but will now be able to support even more people in need in the community. Ignite Life said: “Thank you to all our volunteers for their hard work, to Sainsbury's for donating all the shelving, racking and new sign and for installing it, to FareShare South West for continued support with access to food, to Morrisons for monthly donations of essential items, and to everyone who has ever donated, volunteers or supported us - with your help we will be able to help many more people in food poverty.” Official opening days and times are due to be Keynsham firm 4Concrete is organising a announced soon. charity raft race from the town’s marina to Hotwells in Bristol this Sunday (28th August). Five rafts are taking part and the local companies sponsoring the event are 4Concrete, Vanbase, Another Level Projects, Born IT Solutions, K&C Garage, Supreme

Firms sponsor raft challenge Lounge,

CWM

Services,

AJM

Groundworks, Bratton Transport Solutions Ltd, RJ Scaffolding, IJ McGill Transport and Severn Civils. The race will begin between 8am and 9am from the marina and will be raising money for two charities – the British Heart Foundation and Different Strokes.

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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

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

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The Week in • Wednesday 24th August 2022

Schools and colleges tell of immense pride as students collect results Students receiving their A-level, T-level and BTEC results last Thursday have been praised in their first year of sitting exams after the disruption caused by COVID. The results are the first in two years where students have sat exams, following teacher-assessed grades during the pandemic. St Brendan’s Sixth Form College in Brislington says that even with the disruption to education over the last couple of years, students have managed to achieve a pass rate of 97%, including 857 high grade passes. The college, which takes students from more than 70 different schools and five counties, says a total of 59% of grades achieved by students taking Level 3 BTEC and Applied General courses were either Distinction or Distinction* which is the highest grade possible; and more than 20% of this year’s cohort achieved high grades across all of their subjects. More than 500 students applied through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) this year and the majority will be going to their first choice university. And a record number of students have secured apprenticeships in many different fields including accounting, law, business and engineering. At Wellsway School in Keynsham, principal Rob Pearsall said: “We are immensely proud of our Year 13 students and all their achievements throughout their time in Wellsway Sixth Form. This comes after a time of unprecedented change and challenging examinations, where our students have consistently shown that they are adaptive and resilient as they tackled their studies head on. “Overall, 65% of Wellsway students obtained a grade B or higher, and 87% a grade C or higher; this shows a good improvement since our last set of formal examination results in 2019. “We have always been mindful that for this cohort these are the first formal exams that many of them have sat. Whilst it has been a tough two years for everyone, nothing should distract us from the celebration of this point in their lives; our priority has been to do everything we can to support our

IKB students Weibo Ng & Dawid Kawka with head of school Debbie Gibb

The Week in • Wednesday 24th August 2022

students and to help them achieve their aspirations. “We are pleased that almost all students have achieved grades which have enabled them to successfully progress to the next stage of their chosen route in either education, training or employment.” At the IKB Academy in Keynsham, head of school Debbie Gibbs, said: “In a year where the press warned us of lower than expected grades and braced students for disappointment I am delighted to say that this is not the case at IKB. Our students excelled, gaining fantastic qualifications and securing dream places at university and on apprenticeships. “As a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) specialist centre we Happy Wellsway students Oliver Taviner, Harry Campbell & Joe Snarr are particularly delighted that all the A-level after collecting their results sciences, maths and computing yet again achieved a 100% pass rate. Our most popular Level 3 Double CEO and principal Diane Dimond said: “Students have Engineering students also achieved a 100% pass rate with an responded well to the changes that the pandemic created and impressive 75% of students achieving the highest Distinction have worked hard, remaining committed to their studies.” The college’s director of further education Pasquale Fasulo and Distinction* grades. “We must remember the context of these achievements, not commented: “Students have worked exceptionally hard this only two years of disrupted learning due to COVID, but also year and we are very proud of their achievements.” that this was the students’ first experience of external • We will report on the GCSE results, due out tomorrow examinations. At IKB we are proud of the resilience shown (Thursday) in our next issue. by all our students and will always be here to support every individual as they make choices for their future.” The Sir Bernard Lovell Academy in Oldland Common has seen an improvement in outcomes for A-levels and similar Level 3 qualifications in 2022. Results are up on 2019 and the school says it has seen excellent individual performances. Head of school Simon White said students have accepted fantastic university offers and pathways into employment. Downend School said its Year 13 students should all be congratulated on their excellent results. “They have all shown such determination and resilience, and as a result have all received the grades they needed to progress onto their first choice destinations. We are very proud of all of their achievements and wish them well as with their next steps.” South Gloucestershire and Stroud College said: “The past two years have been exceptionally challenging for students, teachers and the wider community, but today SGS Sixth Form students are celebrating some truly outstanding results. “A significant number of Year 13 students were awarded A*/As with 65 in total, many making extraordinary progress based upon their grades on entry. In the sixth form, 69% of students achieved grades (A*- C) with an overall pass rate of 97%.” Students were welcomed into City of Bristol College as they received their results to celebrate with their tutors and get advice and guidance on their next steps, as well as to enrol onto higher education programmes. The college’s interim

St Brendan’s student Samuel Jackson from Keynsham achieved three As in his Alevels. He is now going on to do a law apprenticeship

Free helpline If you didn’t get the results you were hoping for or you need help or advice around your exam results and next steps, contact the free and impartial National Careers Service Exam Results Helpline on 0800 100 900. It is open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 10am to 5pm on Saturdays.

‘Extra bus cash from Government won’t solve the driver crisis’ The West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris has “cautiously welcomed” last week’s Government announcement of an extra £130m funding for buses in England but has warned that there will still be cuts in October due to the driver shortage. He said the “11th hour change of direction” by the Government will see COVID emergency funding extended for a further six months, which bus companies can use to run services when money from fares does not cover running costs. But Mr Norris cautioned that local people will still see some bus routes axed from October as there are not enough bus drivers to drive all of the current routes. He was reviewing the situation with First over the weekend. He said: “I should warn people that even with this new cash, which of course I welcome, it doesn’t necessarily follow that cuts won’t happen. The huge, huge problem is and remains

Have your say Following the ‘Big Choices on Buses’ community meeting organised by The Week In in Keynsham two weeks ago, another one organised by the town council is taking place tomorrow (Thursday) from 7pm to 8.30pm at The Space. People are asked to register their interest by emailing deputytownclerk@keynsham-tc.gov.uk

that there are just not enough bus drivers to drive the buses, and that will continue to be the case even with more funding. “We are on to that, with campaigns to recruit drivers and then train them up, but it's not a short-term solution. I need to level with people that we still face tough choices ahead. My first action was to ask the Government if they could divert some of this cash to driving training.” Responding to concerns that bus services in Bath & North East Somerset may still be cut, despite the extension of Government funding, Cllr Sarah Warren, the council’s Cabinet member for Climate & Sustainable Travel, said: “Cancelling routes this autumn would lead to a gap in provision before alternatives, such as demand responsive services, can be developed. This would leave some people stranded, with no access to transport, whilst others will give up and start making their journeys by car, creating a vicious cycle of rising congestion and air pollution and declining public transport. “We need the Government to step up with and provide a sustainable, long-term funding deal for buses. One which will prevent the need for any further cuts, and most vitally support driver recruitment and retention. Without this the Government is simply driving bus companies into cutting the routes upon which local people rely. “Ultimately, we believe that the bus service system, as currently organised, is fundamentally broken. Transport authorities need the powers and ambition to directly intervene in the public transport market, either through their own wholly-owned bus companies or through franchising.”

Dan Norris

Cllr Toby Savage, leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said: “We are delighted that the Government is committing an extra £130m in funding support for vital bus services. This is encouraging news for our bus network and something we have been calling for for some time.”

Metro Mayor’s public engagement over buses is ‘too late’, says South Glos Council South Gloucestershire Council has criticised

is being taken, noting the fact that no WECA

Mayor’s survey around the bus levies

the ‘Big Choices’ community meetings that the

transport officers were in attendance at the

reportedly paid by combined authorities.

region’s Metro Mayor has been holding to

recent meetings in South Gloucestershire”.

“The figures your survey has provided are for

discuss bus services.

Cllr Reade, who is the Cabinet Member for

areas that fund more than just bus services and

Dan Norris, who runs the West of England

Regeneration,

Strategic

are paying more to fund other modes of

Combined Authority (WECA), has been asking

Infrastructure, writes: “We feel that this

transport – such as light rail or trams – and so

people questions such as whether they would

engagement has come far too late, given the

you are not providing a fair and direct

accept fewer services as long as they are

number of vital bus services in South

comparison.”

reliable, what it would take for non-bus

Gloucestershire that have been cut since May

Cllr Reade says his council believes that

passengers to not use their cars, and to what

2021, and are unsure how this can play a

WECA should look to drop its “expensive and

degree bus services should be supported by

significant role this late in the day into the

unnecessary office plans” and better utilise

public money.

network review process being carried out by

taxpayer money by freeing up millions of

South Gloucestershire Cabinet member Steve

WECA officers.”

pounds to support local bus services.

Reade has written to Mayor Dan Norris to say

Environment

that while the council welcomes the decision

‘Factual inaccuracy’

by WECA, as the regional transport authority, to engage with the public on bus services, it has “significant concerns around how seriously this

Steve Reade

“We believe WECA should not be hoarding its reserves amidst a cost-of-living crisis We

as appears to be the new normal under your

The Cabinet member says he and his

believe WECA should be doing more to save

leadership.”

colleagues are also concerned by the “factual

bus services at risk, rather than just allowing

• The survey on WECA’s website has the

inaccuracy of statistics” featured in the

them to be cut without any public consultation,

deadline of 31st August.

The Week in • Wednesday 24th August 2022

Second phone mast goes up The second phone mast that was approved on appeal on the pavement by the shops in Cadbury Heath went up last week. A planning inspector appointed by the Secretary of State allowed the appeal earlier this year for the 15-metre high 5G phone mast after South Gloucestershire Council had rejected it, saying it would harm the area and that not enough information had been provided to show that no suitable alternative site was available.

The second mast on the right

The Week in • Wednesday 24th August 2022

Appeal over council’s refusal for Keynsham industrial estate plans The developer whose plans for a new industrial estate just off the A4 Bath Road in Keynsham were blocked by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s planning committee last December – against officer advice - has now lodged an appeal with the Secretary of State. The committee had voted six to four against the outline planning application by Places for People Strategic Land for up to 5,700sq m of flexible use, including light and general industrial and storage and distribution. In 2014, when the land was removed from the Green Belt and earmarked for employment purposes, access was shown from Worlds End Lane, which links from the industrial areas of Pixash Lane, Ashmead Road and Unity Road. But the planning application showed vehicular access from the layby near the Esso filling station on the A4, with only pedestrian and cycle access onto Worlds End Lane. Most of the concerns from residents, plus Keynsham Town Council and Saltford Parish Council and Saltford Environment Group, were about highway safety. But a representative for the developer told the committee the scheme was “safe, sustainable and deliverable”, and maintained: “A main vehicular access from Worlds End Lane is not technically possible due to the narrowness of the country lane and pinch points in land ownership that prevent widening.” He also said the proposals fitted into the allocation-wide

masterplan agreed by the planning committee last July as part of the council’s Pixash Lane waste and recycling centre planning application. The committee’s reasons for refusal were that the application was not accompanied by a comprehensive masterplan that had been subject to public consultation and that the access was not via Worlds End Lane as the policy initially stated. The committee felt that access onto the A4 would mean exiting vehicles experiencing excessive delays which could lead to drivers making unsafe manoeuvres. Arguing that the council “acted unreasonably” in refusing the application, the developer says the recommendation for approval had been agreed in principle with a schedule of 26 conditions prior to the committee meeting. Those conditions included a contribution of more than £104,000 towards improving the walking and cycle route on Bath Road or other sustainable transport measures to mitigate the increase in trips generated by the development, and a contribution of £14,625 towards local bus services.

LETTERS Bus pass income is better than nothing Dear Editor In their fulsome praise of our bus service (Letters, Issue 743) your correspondent speaks, as we all do, from personal experience and these experiences will vary widely from good to horrendous. My own sits somewhere between the two, with my main criticism relating to reliability. Timetables are there to enable travellers to plan their journeys, some of which could be important while others might not matter quite so much. But with some services now down to one every hour, failure to arrive at all, as has happened to me on at least two occasions, is totally unacceptable. And whilst I sympathise with the staffing problems experienced by First Bus and others, there has been enough time now for these companies to find a way to overcome them. But the main point of my letter is this: far from pensioners' free bus passes being considered as a drain on First Bus's income, they are now urging us pensioners, via advertisements on prime-time television, to apply for theirs and enjoy the luxury of being able to travel for

recently to encourage more pensioners to

until Tuesday.

the letter writer states.

apply for free bus passes and leave their car at

I make it that this is potentially 72 working

Repeat prescriptions can also be ordered over

home.

hours (not elapsed hours) before the

the telephone with your local pharmacy if they

All very well. But what discourages many

prescription is seen by a doctor and how many

offer that service.

pensioners from using the bus service is the

more hours before it is processed and passed

The practice also say that it is possible to

vexatious restriction which forbids pensioners

to the pharmacy?

extend a repeat medication to three months

using their passes until after 9am Monday to

I know in other parts of the country that repeat

rather than one; however, this depends on the

Friday.

prescriptions are issued for up to three months,

medication and how closely a patient requires

I was waiting at a bus stop in Kingswood

rather than the one month at Hanham Health.

monitoring.

recently when a bus arrived at one minute to

Is there a reason why this could not be

9am. I could see only a handful of passengers

implemented to reduce staff workload?

Praise for repair café

on board. I approached the bus, showing my

I am told that prescriptions could be handed in

Dear Editor

pass to the driver whose response was “Sorry

at the Hanham Surgery or entered online, this

I went along to the Keynsham Repair Café

mate, you’ll have to get the next one.”

is all OK for those who can reach the Hanham

which is hosted at the Baptist Church in the

Some drivers use discretion and allow you to

Surgery or have internet access, which

High Street once a month, on the same day as

board a few minutes before 9am and you

excludes some of the more elderly population.

the farmers’ market.

A concerned patient

I took along an old record player that wasn’t

end of your journey, so First Bus doesn’t lose

Editor’s note: Hanham Health say that to

working and an electrical expert was able to

the fare.

maximise efficiency, they began centralising

get it working. This service is free but

Fewer people are using public transport to get

the repeat prescription service from 1st

contributions are appreciated if for instance

to work. Passenger numbers are 25% down on

August. Paper prescriptions handed in by

new parts are necessary.

pre-pandemic

this

patients are actually now being transferred

I was very impressed with this friendly service.

unnecessary restriction could help reverse

three times per week to Hanham, not two as

Bryan Garlick

levels.

Abolishing

declining passenger numbers. Providing a more inclusive bus service would be a huge benefit for those pensioners who, for a variety of reasons, need to travel early. Philip Gannaway

free! Obviously First have realised that with receive via the bus pass deal is better than

Concern over delayed repeat prescriptions

nothing. My only criticism is that these passes

Dear Editor

are valid only after 9am on weekdays - a

When checking why a prescription was not at

restriction which seems to me to be

the local pharmacy, I was told by a member of

unnecessary, given that the extra income they

staff at the Oldland Surgery of Hanham Health

would hope to get from the very few of us who

that any prescription handed into the Oldland

would wish to travel any earlier than 9am must

Surgery is sent to Hanham for signing by a

be almost negligible.

doctor as there is no one at Oldland now doing

Mike Openshaw, Hanham

this.

dwindling passenger numbers the income they

That is not the end of the story, as prescriptions

Lift restriction that bans early bus pass use

are only transferred to Hanham from Oldland on Tuesdays and Thursdays, creating an artificial delay in processing. For example, a

Dear Editor

prescription handed in on Thursday after the

A TV advertising campaign was launched

transfer time to Hanham will just sit at Oldland

Garden centre’s summer show returns Fonthill Garden Centre in Bitton held its eighth flower and vegetable show on Saturday. It was the first time that the popular show, which was free to exhibit and open to gardeners of all ages and abilities, had been held since the start of the pandemic. The cup and trophy winners were: Graham Lees (Vegetable Trophy and most points); Martin Pullin (The Robert Allen Trophy);

The miniature gardens

Sylvia Rogers (Flower Trophy); Alan Studley (Pompon Dahlia Trophy); Christine Gulledge (Best in Show Trophy); Callum Pullin (Children’s section under 7); and Jack Pullin (Children’s section aged 814). The public were asked to vote on the best miniature garden in a seed tray class and the winner was Wendy Pullin with ‘Grandma’s Garden’.

The Week in • Wednesday 24th August 2022

Resident contacts council 30 times over hedge that blocks light A Cadbury Heath resident says she has contacted South Gloucestershire Council 30 times since May 2018 about a high hedge that blocks light into a row of bungalows. Amanda Sharpe-Machin, of Brereton Way, contacted The Week In to highlight the problem as she and her neighbours are fed up of having to keep the lights on during the day, especially with the rising cost of fuel bills. Amanda also says that if the height is reduced, she and her neighbours will be able to enjoy the view on the other side of the old Warmley pitch and putt course. Amanda, her mum Jill Nicholson who lives next door, and another neighbour Verna Lines, are all unhappy that the council has not properly cut back the hedge that dominates their homes and small rear gardens and makes them feel claustrophobic. Amanda did not move to Brereton Way until September 2019 and complained initially to the council on her mum’s behalf. She says that when work has been carried out by the council, the hedge has only been skimmed. Workers last came out in June but only cut as high as they could reach on foot. The residents would like to see the wire fence lowered as well as the hedge as they say it does not need to be as high as it was when there was a golf course and balls were flying around.

Council leader Toby Savage and ward councillor Sam Bromiley visited Brereton Way last month and Amanda was initially told that a cherry picker would be sent out to lower the hedge within two weeks. She said that was then changed to October, with the delay blamed on the nesting season. But neither Amanda nor her neighbours are convinced the work will actually take place so contacted us. We approached the council and this week a spokesperson told us: “Whilst we are unable to cut back the hedge during nesting or growing season to protect wildlife and the underlying health of the plant, we have discussed the matter at length with residents and have informed them that we would be returning in October to trim the height, having already trimmed the sides to clear the pathway.” Cllr Sam Bromiley, who represents Parkwall & Warmley, said: “Having seen the issues being faced by residents first hand from their perspective after standing in Ms SharpeMachin’s back garden and speaking to several other residents along the road, I completely agree that something needs to be done and have pressed the council for action at the earliest possible opportunity. I am pleased council officers have agreed to return in October and will be keeping in touch with them over the coming weeks to ensure that this timescale is met.”

Amanda & Jill

Bereavement

The hedge pictured some years ago

Amanda on the old golf course

Sudoku 1-Easy

SUNDAY CHEMISTS Sunday 28th August

2 -Hard

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) 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 24th August 2022

Plans for news elective care centre at Southmead to cut backlogs There are plans for a new elective care centre at Southmead Hospital to cut long waiting lists but health chiefs admit that finding the 300 extra staff needed to support it will be a challenge. The centre would include four theatres, 40 beds, 12 medirooms and an X-ray and release space in the main Brunel building. The Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care System has identified a “significant requirement” to increase elective care capacity. The system pre-COVID was not meeting NHS standards (18 weeks maximum) and this has worsened because of the pandemic. Currently, North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT), which runs Southmead, has 12,700 patients who have waited more than 18 weeks for treatment and nearly 4,000 have waited over a year. The numbers of long waiting patients will grow further during 2022/23 as available capacity is not sufficient to address the backlog. Subject to approval from National Health England for money

Dog show St James’ Church in Mangotsfield is hosting a dog show and craft fair on Saturday 3rd September from 11am to 3pm at the church hall in Richmond Road. The fun dog competition will have eight classes and owners can register on the day.

Crossword

from the Targeted Investment Fund, and a planning application, the new facility could be up and running in July 2024. The proposals will provide more capacity and cases will be shared with the neighbouring health trust that runs the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI), as happens now. Explaining the proposals at the last meeting of South Gloucestershire Council’s Health Scrutiny Committee, Tricia Down, from NBT, said around 300 full-time staff would be needed to support the centre (330 on a head count basis). She said: “Because the elective centre is likely to be quite attractive to staff, there is a risk we might have staff who would rather leave working in the Brunel building and perhaps the BRI and will move over to working in the elective centre.” She added that a flexible approach might see roles spread across different sites so as not to disadvantage other parts of the system. Kingswood councillor Andrea Reid spoke about the challenges of finding staff and asked: “You’ve got quite a team here that you want to recruit. How are you going to meet

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Conjecture (7)

1. Isolate (8)

8. Bewilder (7)

2. Trimmed (5)

9. Faultless (7)

3. Musical drama (5)

10. Reckoned (7)

4. Course at dinner (6)

11. Bureaucracy (3,4)

5. Cut (4)

14. Allow (3)

6. Obvious (7)

16. Tangle (4)

7. Second-hand (4)

18. List of options (4)

12. Row (4)

19. Give out (4)

13. Stopper (4)

20. Large jug (4)

15. Canvas shelter (4)

21. Information (inf.) (3)

16. Pottery oven (4)

23. Kitchen tool (7)

18. Significance (7)

26. Have within (7)

22. Castrated male (6)

28. Joining (7) 29. Madman (7)

24. Expel from property (5)

30. Small axe (7)

25. Rustling sound (5)

17. Dusk (8)

26. Pay a short visit (4) 27. Prefix denoting self (4)

The access

those challenges?” Tricia Down said: “This is the very early stage of the project. We intend to do a substantial international recruitment campaign. It is not going to be easy but we believe in terms of supporting patients who have been on long waiting lists, it is worth doing whatever we can to try to solve this.” NBT has written to residents near the hospital to advise them of the intention to submit a planning application.

Kingswood teenager jailed for drugs offence A Kingswood teenager who attempted to import a kilo of cocaine from Brazil concealed inside car parts has been jailed for four years and three months. Gabriel Coelho, 19, from Courtney View, Gabriel Coelho appeared at Bristol Crown Court last Tuesday after pleading guilty to importing the Class A drug. It follows an investigation by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SW ROCU), supported by UK Border Force. Coelho was arrested in February after the package was intercepted by UK Border Force officers at East Midlands Airport. The package contained four black metal car suspension arms which had been tampered with and were found to contain a total of 1kg of cocaine, with a street value of up to £100,000. Temporary DCI Charlotte Tucker, of SW ROCU, said: “The initial interception by colleagues at Border Force and the response led by SW ROCU officers not only meant the drugs were prevented from reaching our streets, but the offender was swiftly identified and ultimately pleaded guilty.” The Week in • Wednesday 24th August 2022

Sports day fun for Mencap members and their families Keynsham Mencap held its first ever inclusive sports day event for children with learning disabilities and autism at Wellsway School in Keynsham. More than 50 children and their families tried new activities and taking part in a variety of sports and games including archery, wheelchair

business PBTA (Perpetual Business and Tax

basketball, rugby, golf, football, dancing and

Advisors) made the day happen as they

dodgeball. Activities were provided by Nova

sponsored the event.

Sports & Coaching, In2sport, Bath Rugby

The event was so successful a bigger version

Foundation and Flamingo Chicks. Local

is being planned for next year.

Walking netball team’s success Keynsham Roses are the walking netball group started by Keynsham Women’s Institute in 2018. Walking netball is for all ages, abilities and experience. There is no running or jumping allowed sometimes a difficult concept for those who have played netball before! If you are free on a Thursday evening and would like to have a go email keynshamroses@gmail.com Our team were recently successful in a local tournament, winning all of their

matches. They are pictured sporting their medals. Sue Netherton

16 teams compete for pétanque trophy Keynsham’s Ship Inn Pétanque Club, now in its 25th

Held alongside the Masters was a competition for the

year, held its annual Ship Masters competition earlier

‘best of the rest’ called the Plate. Victors representing

this month when 16 teams from as far afield as Royal

The Wheatsheaf in Corston were Ed Gregory and Seb

Wootton Bassett and Gotherington, north of

and Alex Church. The picture shows Alan Hulme,

Cheltenham, battled for the Bristol Blue Glass

president of The Ship Inn Pétanque Club, presenting

Masters Trophy. After eight hours of competition

the trophy and Bristol Blue Glass wine goblets to

Team Grand Cru from Bath claimed the trophy for the

Chris Garrett, Andy Briggs and Gary Lee. The Ship

fourth time. Runners-up were a strong team from the

Inn Pétanque Club has an open morning most fine

City of Bath Club. Two teams from the Ship Inn club

Tuesdays from 10.30am to 12.30pm when newcomers

both reached the semi-finals.

are welcome to have a go.

THE TILE AND BATHROOM WAREHOUSE

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6 Eldon Wall Trading Estate, Bristol BS4 3QQ The Week in • Wednesday 24th August 2022

Web: thetileandbathroomwarehouse.com | Tel: 01179 770011 11

The Community Page

Saltford Parish Council Speed limit into Saltford reduced to 40mph Vehicles speeding into the village on the A4 Bath Road is a concern for many. SPC requested B&NES Council reduce the speed into Saltford (from the direction of Bath i.e. from the Globe Roundabout) from 50mph to 40mph, before it turns to 30mph through the village itself. SPC is pleased to share that a new 40mph speed limit will be operational on Friday 26th August onwards. New signing

and line painting works will take place earlier in the week. The reduction in speed limit follows the outcome of a B&NES public consultation held in December 2021. SPC will discuss safer pedestrian crossings over the A4 Bath Road - close to where the speed limit reduces from the new 40mph to 30mph - at its September meeting.

SPC gives wildflower seeds to local care home SPC is pleased to have given free wildflower Beebombs to Kingfisher Lodge Care Home, a part of Barchester Healthcare, for the enjoyment of Saltford’s older residents who reside there. This donation was part of Saltford PC’s Wildflower ‘All You Seed is Love’ project to support and increase the number of pollinators locally., SPC’s wildflowers can also be viewed in many public areas around the village. Look out for the numerous ‘Let’s Get Buzzing’ signs in

Saltford (as pictured) marking long grass and wildflower areas.

Check out Saltford Parish Council’s ‘News’ section for updates! For information about SPC actions and decisions, plus key matters affecting residents, please view the ‘News’ section of Saltford Parish Council’s website www.saltfordparishcouncil.gov.uk SPC’s ‘News’ section is updated regularly and complements information in SPC’s meeting minutes (under ‘Parish Council’) and frequent social media posts (available on the right-hand bar of our website). Recent examples of news shared: - New ‘Share the Path’ signs – joint SPC & Sustrans initiative - Outcome – Traffic Regulation Orders in Saltford 2022 - Fair Fares for Saltford – SPC acts following First Bus response - ‘Big Choices on Buses’ WECA survey – have your say on bus travel across the region

- Tell A&S police where you don’t feel safe using the ‘StreetSafe’ tool - Keynsham Recycling Hub project: Planned roadworks inc A4 Bath Road & Pixash Lane - Please help water Saltford’s newest trees! - BART Riverblitz! Volunteers needed to gain snapshot of river water quality in Saltford - Police and Fire Service updates for Saltford area - SPC Summer 2022 E-Newsletter SPC is keen to share news effectively with residents. Publicity content is discussed at every other meeting. Further to above, SPC shares information on its noticeboard, produces a quarterly e-newsletter, has a page in each edition of Saltford Community Association Newsletter (SCAN) and of course is appreciative of its free quarterly page in ‘The Week In’!

Remember Bristol and Bath Railway Path is a shared path (not just a cycle path!) Saltford PC is appreciative to Sustrans (and especially Sustrans volunteers, pictured) for producing and putting up 'Share the Path' signs on the Bristol and Bath Railway Path in Saltford. This joint SPC and Sustrans initiative to improve user consideration followed safety concerns on the busy Saltford stretch being raised by residents.

The B2B Path is often mistakenly thought of as ‘the cycle path’ whereas in fact this former stretch of Midland Railway Line is a shared path for all users to enjoy. More about its past history as a railway line, which opened in 1869, can be found on SPC’s website under ‘History of Saltford (19th Century)’.

Keep yourself safe near open water The stretch of river in Saltford has a tragic history of fatalities and many reported instances of illness by those who use the river for recreation. Please remember if entering the water to avoid swallowing or splashing water into your mouth and if you become ill after swimming to seek medical attention. For information about water safety and river water quality (including storm drains in

Saltford) please visit our website. SPC thanks B&NES Council for displaying new signs in Saltford reminding people to stay safe near open water. Visitors to the area are reminded that parking is limited. SPC thanks B&NES Parking Enforcement teams for their regular visits to river side areas to ensure emergency vehicles have good access if required.

SPC gives grant to Saltford Santa Dash 2022 You may be feeling far from chilly and Christmassy as you read this, but hopefully you will be by the time this great community event takes place! SPC's pleased to share that it has given a grant of £225 to the Saltford 12

Santa Dash 2022. Funds will go towards new re-usable start and finish line field banners. Save the date of Sunday 4 December 2022 – even if you are not up for a run it will be great to see so many ‘Santas’ about!

The Week in • Wednesday 24th August 2022

‘Help turn the tide on energy crisis’ The energy price crisis should lead the Government to look again at harnessing tidal power in the Severn Estuary, says West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris. At The Week In Community’s annual meeting earlier this month, members agreed that supporting the development of tidal energy in the Estuary should become editorial policy. Mr Norris has backed the comprehensive plan to deal with rising energy prices announced by Labour leader Keir Starmer last week, including looking again at the case for a tidal lagoon ‘pathfinder project’ recommended in a 2017 report by former Energy Minister Charles Hendry. The Hendry report backed a small-scale tidal energy project to unlock larger tidal lagoon programmes, but it was never delivered. Hendry concluded that tidal lagoons could play a cost-effective role in the UK energy mix,

producing huge amounts of clean, green electricity and cutting energy bills too. The Government has been reluctant to put money into tidal power, citing value-formoney concerns. A strategy to achieve net-zero carbon, published last October, did not mention tidal energy at all, and tidal power got only a meagre mention in the long-awaited energy strategy published in April. However, with energy prices now skyrocketing, the idea of a reliable, sustainable and green supply of energy on our doorstep should be seen as a “no brainer”, Mr Norris said. He said the Severn Estuary project was the perfect scheme to kickstart the “age of tidal”, creating hundreds of new, skilled jobs. According to the Institution of Civil Engineers, a Severn Estuary tidal project could provide up to 7% of the UK’s energy needs.

Diamond wedding celebrations for well-known couple A well-known Keynsham couple have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary. Eric and Margaret Church started working together in Church’s in 1961 and married on 6th August 1962. They have been retired for about 25 years, and the shop then continued to be run by their children, Wendy and Nigel. Eric and Margaret still do enjoy many holidays around the world. They are very actively involved in Probus and Keynsham Bowls Club. They say they feel incredibly lucky to have reached this amazing milestone and still be able to enjoy their love of holidays and socialising with friends over coffee and days out. Eric and Margaret have four grandchildren, Thomas, Matt, Seb and Gabby. They have also recently become greatgrandparents to Theo.

The couple celebrated their 60th anniversary with immediate family over Sunday lunch at Lucknam Park Hotel with a bigger party for family and friends held at Hayward’s at the Grasmere in Keynsham.

Harvest auction The Bitton and Oldland branch of the Royal British Legion are holding their annual harvest auction on Monday 5th September at 8pm at The Upton Inn, Upton Cheyney. The fundraising evening will feature music from Oldland Brass Auction purchases are payable by cheque or cash.

Eric & Margaret Church pictured celebrating and the couple on their wedding day in August 1962

Situations Vacant

Extended opening hours at museum Kingswood Heritage Museum and William Champion’s Gardens will open for extended hours over the August Bank Holiday weekend. The museum at Tower Lane in Warmley will open from 11am to 5pm this Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday. William Champion’s Gardens will be open from

The Week in • Wednesday 24th August 2022

11am to 4pm on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday. Combined entry to both museum and gardens is £6, or they can be visited separately for £4 each. All children under 12 can visit for free. Parking is free and refreshments will be available in the museum.

Sudoku Solutions 1-Easy 4 9 1 7 5 3 6 8 2

2 3 6 8 4 1 7 5 9

8 7 5 9 6 2 4 1 3

1 6 7 4 3 5 9 2 8

Crossword Solution

2-Hard 5 8 9 2 1 7 3 6 4

3 2 4 6 8 9 5 7 1

9 5 8 1 7 4 2 3 6

6 4 3 5 2 8 1 9 7

7 1 2 3 9 6 8 4 5

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The Week in • Wednesday 24th August 2022

The Week In - Issue 744 - 24th August 2022