The Week In - Issue 747 - 14th September 2022

THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset

14th September 2022

Issue 747

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Remembering Her Majesty The Queen People across our area have been paying tribute to Her Majesty The Queen as books of condolence have opened and services have been taking place.

Flags were flown at half-mast following the announcement of the monarch’s death last Thursday, aged 96. Flags were raised on Saturday for the proclamation of His Majesty King Charles III and then returned to half-mast. They will stay at half-mast until after The Queen’s funeral on Monday (19th September).

On Sunday local proclamation services were held at Kingswood Civic Centre, the Guildhall in Bath and City Hall in Bristol. Following the reading in Kingswood by Cllr Sanjay Shambhu, the Chair of South Gloucestershire Council, wreaths were laid in Kingswood Park where members of the public have also been laying flowers.

Other places where floral tributes have been placed include Keynsham Park and the Dame School in Mangotsfield.

Also in this week’s issue

The book of condolence at St John's in Keynsham

The Salvation Army-led service in Staple Hill

Also on Sunday Staple Hill Salvation Army invited the community to Fountain Square for an open-air service and time of reflection for The Queen.

Books of condolence have opened in many churches and council offices including St John’s Church, Victoria Methodist Church and the library in Keynsham, at Saltford Hall and at Kingswood Civic Centre.

Among those paying tribute have been West of England Mayor Dan Norris who said Her Majesty had been an “exemplar” who always put service first. “As so many across the country mourn this huge loss, I send my deepest sympathies and those of residents of the West of England, to The King, Queen Consort and everyone who loved this most remarkable woman.”

Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees said: “My thoughts and those of people across Bristol are with His Majesty The King, his children, and the wider Royal Family.”

NE Somerset MP put in charge of energy crisis . . . page 3

Owner speaks out after nursery closures . . . page 3

Cllr Shaun Stephenson McGall, Chair of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “On behalf of the council, and the people of B&NES, I would like to express our deepest sympathy to the Royal Family. We are truly saddened to learn of the death of Queen Elizabeth II who visited our area on a number of occasions and was much admired by the people of B&NES.” In their tribute Cllr Alastair Singleton and Cllr Duncan Hounsell, who represent Saltford on B&NES Council, said: “We join the huge outpouring of emotion from the people in our villages and countryside who share both grief and the gratitude we all owe her.”

The Chair of South Gloucestershire Council Cllr Sanjay Shambhu said: “On behalf of all councillors and staff, I would like to express our deepest condolences to the Royal Family at this very sad time.” In their statement the Labour Group on the council praised The Queen for her “unwavering dedication to her duty and the many, many communities she served, both here and abroad”.

See also page 10

Enforcement probe over Hanham wedding venue . . . page 5

End of an era as Staple Hill factory closes . . . pages 6 & 7

2

The Week in • Wednesday 14th September 2022

Council goes ahead with ‘half-baked’ plan for Wellsway Bath & North East Somerset Council is under fire for not heeding calls to extend the reduced speed limit of 30mph on Wellsway in Keynsham to include the blind bend and junction at Uplands.

The new signage was being introduced this week as part of a traffic regulation order (TRO) which reduces the limit from 40mph to 30mph only as far as just south of the Courtenay Road junction.

Cllr Alan Hale, who represents Keynsham South and is the council’s member advocate for road safety, said he was “very disappointed”. He said: “During the conversation with the senior traffic engineer, I was given assurance that they would however carry out various measures to raise awareness of the homes and junction, such as signing, and road edge marking that would be broken across the lane. I also suggest that there should be a ’SLOW’ sign painted on the road on the approach to the junction.

“In my role as member advocate for road safety I hope that God willing, there will not be anyone killed or serious injury road traffic collisions in the future on this stretch of the road that might otherwise have been prevented by the extension of the speed limit.”

Ward councillor Andy Wait said his view has

always been that the 30mph should be extended out to the Keynsham sign but that would mean the whole TRO process would have to start again which would cause a delay until next April at the earliest.

He said: “It was decided by the B&NES Cabinet member to go ahead with what officers proposed, otherwise all speed limit reductions may have been lost.” He added that if re-elected next year, he would be calling for an increase in the 30mph zone to the Keynsham sign “as soon as possible”.

Lead campaigner Rachel Stokes, who in March presented a petition to the council calling for the speed limit to be reduced to 30mph for the extra 700 metres to the ‘Welcome to Keynsham’ sign, told us: “Obviously, we are incredibly disappointed with the council’s lack of response to our campaign and petition. I find it amazing that they even failed to respond to the concerns expressed by Alan Hale, with his years of experience and extensive qualifications linked to road safety.

“While Andy Wait’s response appears promising, the fact that the TRO would have to be rewritten is not an acceptable reason for pushing ahead with a half-baked plan which ignores the most dangerous section of Wellsway. If the council had paid proper

Rachel Stokes & Cllr Alan Hale

attention to its constituents - who first requested the reduction in 2019 - this would not have been an issue.

“We would rather traffic officers ripped up this TRO and started again if they were going to get it right this time. As it is, they appear

determined to continue with their insufficient and unsafe plans.” She added: “Although the council said they will ‘keep it under review’, we believe this is an empty promise.

However, we intend to continue to campaign on this issue.”

New Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg lifts fracking ban

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North East Somerset MP Jacob Rees-Mogg is now in charge of resolving the country’s energy crisis after being given the role of Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in new Prime Minister Liz Truss’s Cabinet.

One of his first announcements was that he would lift the ban on the controversial process of fracking.

He said: “I am announcing urgent action to reform the UK’s broken energy market. This

Jacob Rees-Mogg

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The Week in • Wednesday 14th September 2022

3

‘I want the truth to come out’ The owner of the Leaping Lambs chain, which has called in the liquidators, says he hopes the truth comes out about why Ofsted suspended the nurseries last month.

Leaping Lambs at Elim Church in Balmoral Road in Keynsham and at Jarretts Garden Centre in Willsbridge were

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.

initially suspended over safeguarding concerns; a few days later Ofsted also suspended the registration at Leaping Lambs at Bath Road in Swineford as well as Caterpillars at Combe Park in Bath, which Mike and Rebecca Lewis also ran.

The couple have also had to scrap their plans to open another nursery at Broadlands Academy in Keynsham.

Writing on Facebook in response to speculation, Mike Lewis said that more than 90 employees have been laid off and received risk of redundancy letters. He said they have been advised that they will all be paid for August and a month’s notice if they have not been able to find alternative work, plus any holiday owed.

Mr Lewis said that parents who have not had refunds would be added to the list of creditors.

He added: “I’m afraid I am unable to tell you any more information than I already have. We want the end result to be that the truth comes out. I want that more than you could ever imagine.”

As we revealed last week, the Balmoral Road and Willsbridge nurseries have been under investigation by “outside agencies” and Ofsted had not started its own investigations there.

Meanwhile the owners had been working with Ofsted to address the actions needed following welfare requirements notices that were issued for Swineford

and Caterpillars.

The owners told parents that they had explored all the different options but that with no possible opening date, they had to cease trading and had instructed liquidators.

Weekend closure of A37 Bath & North East Somerset Council is advising that people plan their journeys this weekend as the A37 through Pensford will be closed for essential resurfacing works. The closure will start at 7pm on Friday (16th September) and the road will remain closed until the works are completed early on the morning of Monday 19th September.

The council says it will take advantage of the road closure to complete additional road patching repairs, repainting road lines and markings and coordinating with BT to allow them to carry out street works which will prevent future disruption. Diversion routes for traffic will be in place and advanced notices have been positioned along the route to warn road users of the road closure. The council expects there to be higher than usual volumes of traffic passing through Stanton Drew.

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4

The Week in • Wednesday 14th September 2022

Why is wedding venue still operating after council refused permission?

Questions are being asked about why wedding receptions are still taking place at a Hanham farm after change of use was refused in 2020.

When an initial planning application was submitted in June 2019 for a marquee attached to a barn at Bickley Farm to allow change of use for a wedding business, the structure was already in place.

South Gloucestershire Council rejected the plans, saying the case put forward for very special circumstances to allow development in the Green Belt wasn’t very special, nor outweighed the harm. It was considered it would also harm

Bickley Farm

The Week in • Wednesday 14th September 2022

Hanham Abbots Conservation Area. The council also felt that not enough information had been supplied to decide whether the proposal would have a prejudicial noise impact on neighbours, or a severe impact on local roads.

At last week’s Hanham Abbots Parish Council meeting Cllr Chrissie Cushing said that wedding business Bickley Barns was “blatantly” carrying on. The firm’s website describes “a stunning marquee suitable for up to 120 day guests and 150 evening guests between 1st April and 30th September”.

She said that last month fireworks at a wedding reception in a double marquee at the farm had been “heard at the other end of Hanham” and the noise was so bad that a horse bolted and broke a five-bar gate.

She said she had checked with Avon Fire & Rescue and the fireworks were held legally but she questioned the decision to let them off during the hot spell when the fields were so dry.

Parish councillors asked their clerk to make inquiries with South Gloucestershire Council about enforcement action.

Of the wedding with the fireworks last month, Bickley Barns’ Facebook page said: “We have made the decision to no longer allow them at any weddings going forward.”

This week a spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council told us: “Our planning enforcement team will be contacting the proprietors to establish exactly what is taking place and to determine if any planning regulations are being breached.

Any breaches will be dealt with in line with our planning enforcement policy and procedures.”

The Week In has asked Bickley Barns if they wish to comment.

5

End of an era for Staple Hill company An renowned internationally Staple Hill company is relocating after more than a century.

Bristol Uniforms, a specialist in protective clothing, particularly for firefighters, and its 75 staff are starting to move out of the buildings in Wathen Street this month and will be gone before the end of the year. No posts are being made redundant.

Queen Mary visiting the factory

6

The company's predecessor, clothing manufacturer Wathen Gardiner & Co, moved in at the turn of the 20th century. Bristol Uniforms was bought by the US firm MSA Safety last year and the new owner is moving operations from Staple Hill to its site at Beeches Industrial Estate in Yate. The company is now known as MSA Bristol.

The Yate site is being upgraded for the nearly

200 Bristol employees who joined MSA through last year’s acquisition. This includes enhanced office spaces and meeting rooms and more modern and more comfortable break areas, internet access for all associates, a first aid room and expanded parking areas.

There will also be a new showroom of MSA

products for customers.

MSA says it has been in contact with potential buyers for the building in Wathen Street but no contract has been signed as of yet. It says it is optimistic that the facility will be sold.

Memories of a former worker, see opposite

The factory today

The Week in • Wednesday 14th September 2022

The factory that helped to save lives This month sees the sad end of a very old uniform tailoring factory, Wathen Gardiner in Staple Hill, writes Duncan Gill.

Many local people worked there, a lot of them being female sewing machinists. Most of the workers that I knew will now be mothers, fathers, grandmothers, and grandfathers.

I started in December 1951 and worked there until September 2000, when I retired. I’m not the oldest though. To those who worked there during this time, your efforts were not wasted or lost as all your hard work lives on in the brand name Bristol Uniforms.

As I remember, it began with Mr Pat Hill, working on aluminium silver suits and fleet suits for fire station and airport firefighters and oil tanker workers, both with head, hand, and feet protection coverings. Following the Kings Cross Underground fire, where the firefighters’ leggings melted in the intense heat, changes were introduced to improve the level of fire protection clothing, with flame, heat and water protection.

The first one-off and largest order of thousands of the suits came from the London Fire Service. They were made by Wathen Gardiner, with the help of others, under our inspections. These new suits included a new maroon colour, new materials, and new-style jacket and trouser with braces.

The outer material was a flame-resistant, waterproof, and breathable cloth, a waterproof liner, and a quilt inner. These closed with zips and Velcro fastenings, reflective strips on

The Week in • Wednesday 14th September 2022

the body, sleeves, and trousers.

These fire uniforms continued to be ordered from other European countries and other parts of the world.

Wathen Gardiner also produced bullet-proof vests for lightweight body armour. These were made with Kevlar panels, special threads, and various strong stitching patterns.

To keep up with the demand and quantity of garments that needed to be produced, we had to seek out modern computerised machines. For the design process, we needed a computer that would create shapes such as overalls etc., so we turned to a German computer called Assyst for all of our design and lay making.

For the cutting process, we found a French computer called Lectra. We also added a hanging rail system in the factory to help with the ‘to-make’ and ‘made-take off’ processes.

Mr Hill, and the people who worked for him, searched out the tools and supplied the best testing to supply uniforms in boxes that were specially made. This is how Wathen Gardiner Bristol Uniforms was created. So when you see a local

Wathen Gardiner in Staple Hill

firefighter, be reminded that what they are wearing, from top to bottom, came from you. You, working at Wathen Gardiner, were making this happen.

Though the factory is gone, you are not forgotten. What you achieved is all around the world as Bristol Uniforms and you are still helping to save lives. On behalf of Mr Hill, who is unfortunately no longer with us, I would like to thank you all for your hard work and loyalty.

7

LETTERS Helping people in Ukraine prepare for a cold winter

Protecting the environment

at what cost?

Dear Becky In the next few weeks, we will have the opportunity to send our second 40ft trailer to the Ukraine. We have six pallet loads of materials left to source and we are expectant that the items will come into our resource centre at I J McGill’s in time for the load to leave later this month.

The load will arrive just before the winter sets in so the materials can be distributed to those who have been displaced from their homes in the country, where temperatures can fall below -7C. This cold weather has allowed us to step into the need, and we will be sending five portable generators. These have been requested by our contacts in Chernivtsi as the energy supply is intermittent. They will be used with great effect amongst the most vulnerable within the nation.

The war still continues, the news reports are not a front page item, but the need is great and despite the challenges we are all facing in the UK at the moment, people’s generosity is amazing.

Goods have come into our hands from so many places, and we would like to thank again all those in the Keynsham district for their continued support.

Steve Lewis, Chair, Hope for Ukraine https://hopeforukraine.org.uk/

Dear Becky The letters from Sue Jackson and John Howlett (The Week In Issue 746) epitomise the traffic situation in Keynsham. I sympathise but would like to offer a simple reason why B&NES Council allow such an appalling situation. I believe they do it deliberately.

Arguably an outrageous comment, but the evidence I refer to is a letter from Cllr Alan Hale. This was in response to my previous letter published 19th February 2020 in The Week In. The paragraph in question reads: “With the new administration running the council, things that invest in greater use of the motor car, as we all seek to address the climate emergency, would be a non-starter, I suspect.”

Can one presume, in an attempt to reduce the presence of motor cars, is to make life as difficult for them as possible, including parking charges? Can it also be construed that Keynsham`s businesses are in a minority of importance to the ruling body’s self-chosen priorities?

What a perfect scenario to reduce traffic! Reduced public transport availability, closed shops, an environmental perfect atmosphere. But no people or businesses!

Roger Tilley Oldland Common

Walking festival is free to join Keynsham Walkers are Welcome are organising a Keynsham Mini Walking Festival from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th September.

On Friday they will be teaming up with the Keynsham & Saltford Local History Society for a short walk around the town centre, detailing places of historic interest. Meet at St John’s Church at 6pm.

On Saturday walkers are invited to meet at 10am at the Memorial Park gates for a five-mile circular walk to Compton Dando and Burnett and back.

At 2pm on Saturday a two-mile circular walk to Chewton

Keynsham and back starts at the park gates.

And people are invited to meet at noon on Sunday at the park gates for a five-mile circular walk around Hanham, which includes a refreshment stop. This walk supports the BBC Children in Need Countryfile Ramble and donations in an envelope are appreciated.

All walks are free and suitable for children and dogs under control. Everybody is welcome. Suitable footwear is essential as it could be muddy.

For more information call Dave on 0786 644 0968 or visit https://e-voice.org.uk/keynshamwalkersarewelcome

Keep in touch, let us know what you think, send us your news www.facebook.com/theweekin

8

New street trees proposed for Keynsham and Saltford More trees are planned for streets across Bath and North East Somerset to improve the local area and help tackle the climate and ecological emergencies.

Residents are being asked to have their say on where trees should be planted in Keynsham and Saltford, as well as Bath, Peasedown St John, Paulton and Camerton in a four-week consultation launched last week.

The council project aims to plant trees that will provide a wealth of benefits for people and nature, underpinned by the ‘right tree, right place’ principle.

In October 2019 the council agreed to develop a strategy for planting trees across B&NES and a target to plant 100,000 by next May in collaboration with partners and communities.

In Keynsham the street trees project proposes planting around 30 in the Coronation Avenue area; a further 14 are proposed around Stratton Road in Saltford.

If feedback from the consultation supports the proposals, the council will work with the Forest of Avon Trust on a funding application to the Government’s Trees for Climate Grant.

The proposed locations for each tree can be viewed on a map on the consultation page - bathnes.gov.uk/street-trees-project The consultation closes on 3rd October. Anyone not able to access the consultation online can request a paper copy by calling Council Connect on 01225 394041 or by emailing treeplanting@bathnes.gov.uk

Fundraising festival An English wine and food tasting festival is taking place at Avon Valley Railway in Bitton on Friday 23rd September.

Like many other organisations and businesses in South Gloucestershire, COVID hit Avon Valley Railway Heritage Trust very badly. They are now anxious to put on more events to build up funds again.

The event will take place from 6pm to 9pm with tickets priced £15. The station’s buffet and shop will be open.

The Week in • Wednesday 14th September 2022

Alerts over raw sewage dumped in Keynsham Clean river campaigners say there were four incidents of untreated sewage being discharged into the River Avon at Keynsham last week – three in one day.

Wessex Water’s first storm overflow alert was on Monday and lasted 50 minutes. The second was on Thursday morning for 33 minutes. That afternoon there were a further two, together lasting 90 minutes.

The river is often awash with dangerous levels of bacteria.

Community group Conham Bathing have been preparing an application to Defra (the Department for Environment, Flood & Rural Affairs) for designated bathing water status at Conham River Park and Eastwood Farm Nature Reserve, an historic bathing spot that is also popular for paddleboarding, kayaking and boating.

The Environment Agency would then monitor the levels of sewage pollution at the site and be responsible for implementing improvement measures if the water is of persistently poor quality. The group need Bristol City Council’s permission to submit the application as it is the landowner of the site. However, a by-law prohibits swimming in the harbour, including the stretch of river at Conham River

Park, despite it being some distance away.

Last month the group presented a 5,200-name petition to the council asking for support for their campaign and for the by-law to be amended. It was due to be debated by the council this week.

‘Human remains’ found Police were called to the site of the Keynsham Abbey ruins in Memorial Park on Sunday after possible human remains were found. A scene was put in place while awaiting a specialist but it is believed the bones are historic. The Augustinian Abbey was founded in circa 1166. The Abbey site was open on Saturday as part of the Keynsham Heritage Open Days. Many other places in the town that had been due to take part were being rescheduled in light of the news of The Queen's passing.

When events are rescheduled, they will be shared at https://tinyurl.com/2f435aud

Clairvoyant returns to Hanham Popular clairvoyant and medium Steve Holbrook makes a welcome return to Hanham Community Centre on Sunday 2nd October as part of his nationwide tour.

His shows there are always packed and his ability to pass on messages of reassurance to people who have lost loved ones is blended with an uplifting and cosy presentation.

One of Steve’s best friends is singer and TV presenter Jane McDonald. When they first met at a spiritualist church

many years before the TV documentary The Cruise, he predicted she would become a star. Jane dedicated her autobiography to Steve.

Steve has published three books and uses his tours to help raise funds for charities.

The show starts at 7.30pm and tickets, costing £17, can be booked at www.steveholbrook.co.uk or by calling 01823 666292.

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SUNDAY CHEMISTS Sunday 18th September

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 14th September 2022

9

Mourning The Queen Floral tributes in Kingswood Park

Black flags in Hanham

The book of condolence at St Mary's in Bitton

The sign outside St John's

Meeting the new King’s Lord-Lieutenant It was with heavy heart I decided to visit Bristol Cathedral and sign the book of condolence that was open for all who wished to commemorate the life of our late Queen Elizabeth II. However, as I heard the celebratory peal of bells for the new King Charles III at the Cathedral, my eyes alighted on the Lord-Lieutenant Peaches Golding OBE. Peaches had served as Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the County and City of Bristol since 2017.

Wearing her formal regalia and a friendly smile, I decided to engage her in conversation. She was extremely happy to

Crossword

talk and I congratulated her on her new position. I asked if she had been in contact with King Charles and she replied that there is constant communication with the Royal Family in all matters relating to our area.

I asked if I could take a photo of her looking so impressive and she replied: “Only if you will be in it too.”

We will adapt to changes in the monarchy with the continuing presence of the Lord-Lieutenant of Bristol, Peaches Golding.

Christine Rodgers

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Embarrassed (8)

1. Rotate (4)

5. Burden (4)

2. Roof overhang (5)

9. Account, bill (7)

3. Gripping tool (6)

10. Banishment (5)

4. Pace (4)

11. Seize wrongfully (5)

6. Natural simplicity (7)

13. Part of garment (6)

8. Stomach (5)

15. Morose, grumpy (5)

13. Slumber (5)

17. Wealthy (4) 19. Fish eggs (3) 20. Short note (4) 21. Effluent drain (5) 23. Three times (6) 24. Outmoded (5) 28. Monk (5) 29. Idiotic (7)

Christine Rogers & Peaches Golding OBE

7. Bony structure (8)

12. Food pulp (5)

14. Honest (8) 16. Quarrel (3) 18. Genial (7) 21. Disdain (5) 22. Repair (anag.) (6) 25. Skid (5) 26. Head of hair (4) 27. Encounter (4)

30. Lie about (4) 31. Most tired (8)

10

The Week in • Wednesday 14th September 2022

Man beaten up by robbers More Keynsham Police are appealing for witnesses after a group of teenagers attacked a man in Kingswood and tried to steal his e-scooter.

A man in his 40s was assaulted by several teenagers in Kingswood Park and on Edward Street between 5.15pm and 5.30pm on Friday 2nd September.

The offenders, who all wore dark clothing, attempted to take

the victim’s e-scooter but only made off with the key.

The victim sustained bruising and several suspected fractured ribs during the incident. Anyone who witnessed the robbery, or who has any other information which could help, is asked to call 101 and provide the call handler with the reference 5222212361. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Good rating for extra care housing services The Care Quality Commission has rated the five extra care housing services in Bath & North East Somerset as ‘Good’ in the first inspection since they were taken over by the council.

The services were inspected by the independent regulator earlier in the summer and the report has been published, showing all five assessment areas - safe, effective, caring,

responsive and well-led – as Good.

The services are based at Hawthorn Court in Keynsham, Greenacres Court in Midsomer Norton and Avondown House, The Orchard and St John’s Court in Bath.

The extra care services were taken over by the council in October 2020 and are delivered in partnership with landlords Guinness, LiveWest and Curo.

Work begins on new slip road Work was getting under way this week on a new dedicated slip road into the waste and recycling site at Carsons Road in Mangotsfield.

The centre is South Gloucestershire’s busiest and at times

The Week in • Wednesday 14th September 2022

traffic can back up to the Ring Road.

The council has said that public access to the recycling centre will be maintained wherever possible to minimise disruption.

roadworks Hawkfield Homes say they will be carrying out drainage works which will serve the new housing development on Bath Hill in Keynsham. The work is due to start on Monday 19th September and is expected to finish around 7th October.

Traffic will be managed by three-way traffic signals on Bath Hill, Bath Road and Wellsway. The bus stop on Bath Road will be suspended for the duration of the works.

The developer says: “We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience these works may cause to those travelling in this area and sympathise that these may incur delays in traffic flow; we will do our utmost to make sure that the works conclude as soon as possible.”

Duck racing People are invited to the annual duck race organised by St Anne’s Church in Oldland Common this Saturday (17th September).

The first race will be at 3.30pm. Meet at the ‘Clapper Bridge’ over Syston Brook at the bottom of California Road. There will be a barbecue at the finish.

Ducks are available on the day for £1 each or contact Ernie Parry on 0117 9325456.

11

Public Notices

Allotment celebrates first decade Transition Keynsham’s Plot in the Park has celebrated its 10th anniversary.

The shared allotment is in the heart of Keynsham’s Memorial Park behind the café.

Lucie Gray from the group said: “We had a wonderful day, we were able to share a modest harvest from the courgettes, beans and potatoes.

“We were given a gift of a thornless blackberry which was planted by Dave and Liz, our newest members. We also enjoyed some apple ginger cake, mincemeat fruit cake and

chocolate brownies.

“Over the years we have grown a huge variety of vegetables and fruit; as well as the usual peas, beans, onions, potatoes and courgettes, etc., we have tried more exotic vegetables, such as the South American yacon.

“We have also planted a Mirabelle plum tree to celebrate receiving a prize from Keynsham In Bloom.”

Find out more at https://www.transitionkeynsham.org/

Fundraising auction The Bitton and Oldland branch of the Royal British Legion held their annual harvest auction at The Upton Inn in Upton Cheyney last week.

The fundraising evening, which featured music from Oldland Brass, raised £1,421.

The items that were auctioned

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The Week in • Wednesday 14th September 2022

The Community Page

Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council

Bromley Heath Park and Playing Fields My name is Sharon Herniman and I have been Chair of the Friends of Bromley Heath Park and Playing Fields Group since 2016. Within that time the following has taken place:· June 2017: Resurfacing of the flooring around the train/toddler play area; · June 2017: Train tidied and damaged section removed; · February 2018: Basketball and tennis courts repainted; · February 2018: Basketball nets replaced; · July 2018: Skate park improvements – Refurbishment of ramps and Tarmac; · April 2019: Repainting of park play equipment, using Member Award Funding from South Gloucestershire Councillors; · 2019: Footpath installed; · 2019: Bins replaced; · June 2021: Resurfacing of flooring around the climbing frame section.

This has all be achieved working with Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council, South Gloucestershire Council and Downend Men in Sheds. A summer family picnic was also held in 2015 which was a huge success and we have attended Heathfest and South Glos Park Forum Groups to talk about

the park and playing fields.

Having been Chair for 6 years now, I feel the time is right for me to step aside for others to bring some new life and ideas into the Friends Group. The current Treasurer, Simon Shellard, who has done a great job with keeping track of finances for the Friends Group, will also be stepping down.

We are now looking for volunteers, who can spare a little time to help out and become part of the Group – the key roles would primarily include Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer plus ideally someone to look at grant applications and anyone else who might be able to give some time to the Group.

A meeting was held two weeks ago and attended by four members of the public, plus two Parish Councillors and the Chair of the Neighbourhood Watch. It was a useful meeting, with some great ideas but to move the Friends Group forward and revitalise it, volunteers really are needed. We also have the upcoming refurbishment of the pavilion, which will be a great development. This is being undertaken by Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council, but it would be great to also have input from the Friends Group.

The Park and Playing Fields are a huge part of Bromley Heath and used by most within the community - toddlers and young children, dog walkers, tennis players, basketball players, footballers, cricketers, friend/family meet-ups – the Friends Group play a vital part in interacting with the community, South Glos Council and Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council. They also have the ability to apply for grants in order to bring new things to the area.

There will be a further meeting on TUESDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER, 7.30PM AT BADMINTON ROAD METHODIST CHURCH to which I would encourage as many as possible to attend, so as to ensure the Friends Group remains active and a functioning Group. If you use Bromley Heath Park & Playing Fields, please do come along and offer your support.

Downend CCTV cameras The three cameras in Downend High Street have proved invaluable to the Police since they have gone live. So far, they have been used to confirm details of an assault that occurred on the High Street and to identify the circumstances in which a vehicle was abandoned at a bus stop. Footage from one of the cameras is currently providing evidence in a case of criminal damage and attempted robbery. The investigation is ongoing so further details cannot be provided at this time.

High-value car thefts The Police are reiterating the advice that car owners ensure their vehicles are always locked when unattended and that keys are stored away from doors and windows, possibly in a metal box if the car can be started without placing keys in the ignition. There is a force-wide priority to address this issue.

The Week in • Wednesday 14th September 2022

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