The Week In - Issue 761 - 21st December 2022

THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset

21st December 2022

Issue 761

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Old mines in South Glos could become source of renewable heat South Gloucestershire Council is investigating the potential use of old mine workings as a source of renewable heating and cooling for homes and businesses.

With the need for affordable and non-polluting alternatives to energy sources such as gas and oil never being greater, the council is asking whether part of the solution could lie beneath our feet.

South Gloucestershire has an extensive mining heritage as revealed by old maps and place names such as Coalpit Heath.

Under Mangotsfield, Westerleigh and Kingswood alone there are 42 coal seams and more than 1,000 mine entrances. Most of these were worked in the 19th century but a few remained in use up until the 1920s.

The old mines are filled with floodwater which is naturally heated by underground geological activity. Using heat pumps, the water temperature can be raised to the level required for space heating and domestic hot water. This could then be used to supply buildings such as schools, hospitals and offices, or a heat network serving multiple buildings or a district.

The extent of the heat resource is to be determined but the council estimates that 20,000 to 26,000 homes and businesses are located in the vicinity of former mine workings with a potential heat resource. In addition to providing heat, mine water can also possibly be used to provide cooling during summer months.

An initial study of records of local disused and abandoned coal mines was carried out by the Coal Authority in July, which identified a number of areas of interest. The council is now looking to secure funding to undertake a further study of areas with the greatest potential heat resource. The aim is to better understand the size of the energy resource and investigate how it could be best utilised.

Cllr Toby Savage, the leader of the council with cabinet responsibility for climate change, said: “As we move away from oil and gas to cleaner and more affordable alternatives, I am excited about the potential to make use of renewable source of heat from the local area.

“That’s why we asked the Coal Authority to investigate

Brandy Bottom Colliery was a 19th century steampowered colliery. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and lies next to the Dramway

whether disused mines could be part of the solution to finding alternatives to fossil fuel heating, and to coping with much higher summer temperatures. One hundred years after South Gloucestershire’s mines closed, they may yet be part of the solution to the climate and our move towards becoming carbon neutral.”

The old Frog Lane Colliery in Coalpit Heath

Also in this week’s issue

‘Best compromise’ reached over Temple Street parking . . . page 3

Man fined over Hanham fly-tip . . . page 4

Latest on bus network concerns . . . page 5

Spotlight on Keynsham Festival’s future . . . page 13

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The Week in • Wednesday 21st December 2022

Temple Street parking ‘compromise’ reached More car parking spaces are to be kept in Temple Street in Keynsham after traders and disability campaigners flagged up their concerns about plans to make it a more vibrant place.

On Monday Bath & North East Somerset Council announced that public feedback has informed changes to the original design which now retains more spaces whilst also providing more greening and cycle parking.

Work is due to begin in the week of 9th January and last until May. The council has said it will be working with contractor Volker to keep disruption to residents and businesses to a minimum.

New natural stone pavements will be laid on the west side of the street, as well as upgraded lighting and drainage, increasing the pavement width and improving disabled parking bays to meet modern standards.

New planters and parklets (see picture below) will also be installed to increase greenery on the Riverside development side, along with new seating and cycle parking.

The changes to car parking consist of two large bays being altered on the east side of the street to introduce additional seating and greening. These are being installed on a trial basis before the council decides whether to seek further funding to make the changes permanent. On the west side approximately

8.4m of parking will be altered to extend the size of disabled car parking bays, and preparation works will be carried out for a new pedestrian crossing as part of a future phase. The Temple Street Improvement Project is part of Keynsham High Street Heritage Action Zone Programme funded by Historic England, B&NES Council and Keynsham Town Council.

This week Cllr Andy Wait, chair of Keynsham Town Council, said: “The steering group for the Temple Street improvements have listened very carefully to all who have taken part in the consultation around this work. It is an impossible task to satisfy all requirements. We have had many serious discussions and are confident that we are close as we can be to the best compromise. I believe that most people will enjoy the extra facilities and freedoms the new space will offer.”

Last month some local businesses and disability campaign group Access B&NES had voiced concern about the impact of reduced parking on customers and trade. One of the main critics was Chris Oliver, of Keynsham Hardware. This week he said that after raising concerns last month about the loss of half the street’s parking spaces, the council had told him he had not been referring to the up-to-date designs, although

Temple Street

it had not specified the actual number of spaces there would be.

He said: “They state that I received a ‘hard copy’ of these (designs). I found it pushed through the letter box on a Saturday morning.

The diagram is so poorly printed that it is all but illegible. Going online to the website helps very little either as it turns out the original is also so lightly printed that it is not possible to count how many parking spaces are proposed.”

After this week’s announcement Mr Oliver said it appears to be “better news” but that

the council is still not categorically stating how many parking spaces there will be.

He added that he had been told that the loading bay proposal for outside St Keyna Court is a “future plan”. “That's B&NES speak for we aren't getting a loading bay and if we ever do, outside St Keyna Court is hardly in close proximity. That's no use to delivery drivers if they cannot pull up relatively close to the shops as they do now.”

He understands that the proposed crossing will be a zebra one on the corner of Carpenters Lane.

From The Week In team This is the last edition of The Week In for 2022 - thank you to our readers and advertisers for all your support this year.

We will be monitoring phone calls and responding to emails and will be back in print on Wednesday 4th January 2023.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The Week in • Wednesday 21st December 2022

3

Man ordered to pay £564 over fly-tip A Bristol man has been ordered to pay a

Environmental

enforcement

officers

total of £564 after South Gloucestershire

inspected the waste and found labels and

Council prosecuted him for waste offences

receipts relating to the Bargainz shop in

following a fly-tip in Hanham.

Redfield. Following further investigations,

Dana Ali, 31, of Vining Walk in Easton,

the shop’s owner Dana Ali was visited at his

pleaded guilty to the offence of failing in his

premises and interviewed under caution.

duty of care when he appeared at Bristol

He identified the waste in the fly-tip as

Magistrates’ Court last Monday. He was

coming from his shop, stating that the

fined £230, along with £300 in costs and a

packaging was from where they had recently

£34 victim surcharge.

stacked the shelves. He claimed that an

The court heard that on Tuesday 8th March,

unknown man approached him and offered to

a fly-tip was discovered at the nature reserve

remove the waste and packaging for £70. Ali

at Conham Hill, a known fly-tipping hotspot.

said he agreed and assumed the man, for

There were two piles of cardboard and other

whom he had no details, would get rid of the

packaging materials a short distance from the

waste properly.

road.

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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.

Assault outside nightclub Police want to hear from anyone who may have been outside Kingswood nightclub Chasers about 1am on Sunday 11th December and witnessed an assault that left the victim needing to go to hospital.

The victim, who is in his 40s, sustained an eye injury and a chipped tooth. A 36-yearold man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault causing actual bodily harm and later released on bail.

CCTV footage is being reviewed and nightclub staff are supporting police inquiries.

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4

The Week in • Wednesday 21st December 2022

Combined authority meeting is postponed over bus network concerns The latest meeting of the West of England Combined Authority committee last week was cancelled at short notice due to concerns over the future shape of the local bus network.

December’s meeting of the Regional Mayor Dan Norris and the leaders of Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire councils was due to take place at The Space in Keynsham last Friday but it was postponed on Thursday morning.

The agenda was largely taken up with bus issues, the most pressing of which was to agree funding for supported bus services in the area from next April. Bus services which are deemed necessary but not financially sustainable are the responsibility of the local transport authority – in this case the West of England Combined Authority (WECA). It puts these services out to tender and then supplies financial subsidies to the bus operators which win the bids.

Currently, there are about 80 services which

receive financial support and existing contracts are up for renewal next year. As has been well publicised, several other bus routes which have been run historically on a commercial basis by companies such as First and Stagecoach have been cancelled in the last 12 months on the basis that they no longer make money.

Last week’s meeting was due to approve contract awards from a larger than normal list of tenders but in the preceding days it became apparent that some services were not being retendered, potentially leaving some parts of the region without any bus services at all.

Matters came to a head last week when protesters targeted South Gloucestershire Council’s meeting in Kingswood last Wednesday, complaining about the poor state of bus services. There were also calls on the council to back moves to bring in a Londonstyle bus franchising system for the West of England.

Transport campaigner David Redgewell

The Week in • Wednesday 21st December 2022

Campaigners at Kingswood Civic Centre

highlighted the problem facing South Gloucestershire residents with the West of England supported bus service proposals, with the absence of the Y3, Y4, 5 and 47 routes. It is understood the decision to postpone Friday’s meeting in Keynsham was to spend more time ensuring there were no more gaps in the local bus network. As a consequence, there are now concerns over timing with the delay in awarding contracts.

Successful bus companies have to register the new services with the Traffic

Credit: Wong Yat Him

Commissioner and for contracts commencing on 2nd April the deadline for doing so is 20th January. At the time of going to print, no new date had been announced for the meeting.

• Bristol City Council passed a motion last week calling for support for bus franchising and asking WECA to take the first steps towards it by launching a feasibility study.

The motion passed with support from all parties other than the Conservatives, who voted against.

5

Town council secures plots for community space Keynsham Town Council has sealed the transfer documents for two plots of land that it plans to preserve for long-term community use.

The first is The Paddock, a small piece of land behind St John’s Church, which once belonged to 3&4 Park Road, and was purchased by the Ministry of Transport in the 1960s for the Keynsham Bypass work but was never used.

The piece of land remained under the care of Wansdyke District Council and then Bath and North East Somerset Council and has been

Fox and Hounds green space

6

maintained as a small garden area planted with trees. The Paddock will look for ongoing support by a local community group, or collection of groups working together, to put the land to good use. Several

Hounds pub and was subsequently maintained as a nature reserve by a community association of local residents.

The land fell into disrepair for nearly 50 years but now supports a wide range of flora

recently restored the existing stone wall that surrounds the space and assessed the trees to ensure their safety. Work to maintain the grounds by the Fox and Hounds Lane Action Group remains ongoing.

organisations have previously presented their ideas for future development of the site to the town council. If your organisation is interested in putting forward a project, the council would be pleased to hear from you.

The second plot is the Fox and Hounds Lane green space which was historically part of the orchard garden of the previous Fox &

and fauna including a rare plant species.

Ongoing work is required to ensure the Fox and Hounds Lane green space is safe for the community, as well as the plants that grow there. As part of this work, B&NES Council

“I’m very pleased that the Keynsham Town Council has secured these two plots of land which will be available for the community for years to come,” said council chairman Cllr Andy Wait.

The Paddock

The Week in • Wednesday 21st December 2022

‘Elegant’ new bridge planned for Keynsham Memorial Park A planning application for a new footbridge over the River Chew in Keynsham Park has been lodged, more than three years after the old one was closed because it was considered unsafe.

The footbridge has been cordoned off since October 2019 after a visual inspection revealed that beams had decayed.

A year later a petition was started calling on Bath & North East Somerset Council to get on and repair the footbridge because of the

inconvenience caused by the closure.

Alternative routes take pedestrians out of the park and onto busy Bath Hill and they have to use the narrow footway on the west side of Avon Mill Lane.

A planning application to demolish the old bridge, which has aging timber beams and rotten bearings, was finally submitted earlier this year and is pending consideration.

Now the council has lodged a separate planning application for a replacement bridge

which will be manufactured off-site.

Removal of the central pier to the existing two-span bridge will enable the replacement to be single span and a “more elegant design”, improving the appearance of this part of the Keynsham Conservation Area. It will also reduce flood risk. The abutments will be retained and stabilised with minor modification for a new deck made out of durable and robust fibre reinforced polymer.

The planning reference is 22/04946/FUL The deadline for comments is 29th January.

New warm space A warm space will be opening at the church room at St Stephen’s in Soundwell on 10th January. There will be a warm welcome every Tuesday from 9am to noon with a hot drink and the opportunity to meet and chat with others.

Festive welcome The Warm Place at Community at 67 in Queens Road, Keynsham, will continue to run over the Christmas period on Tuesday 27th December from 12.30pm to 4.30pm.

The sessions at the community centre are very popular with local people who come in for a chat, do jigsaws, read and relax. Free refreshments are available.

Organiser Clare Hudson said: “Community at 67 was keen to support local people who wanted somewhere to go that is warm and welcoming. We are grateful to our friendly group of volunteers who support the sessions.”

The Week in • Wednesday 21st December 2022

7

LETTERS Lighting concerns at old golf course Dear Editor Having read your article on page 9 last week regarding plans for the new Jubilee Park in Cadbury Heath I went onto the South

to shop. Yet there are still some idiots who seem

it could have been much more serious.

www.organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 23

incapable of putting their waste into one of the

I must agree with Nick Gould’s comment in

23.

many litter bins nearby.

Issue 760 that Bath & North East Somerset

Please tell your family about your decision so

We badly need litter enforcement and policing

Council need to make this area safe for all, and

that they know what you want.

on our streets. The law-abiding and decent folk

in my opinion sooner rather than later.

Anthony Clarkson

should not have to continue to put up with this.

Chris Darch, Keynsham

Director of Organ and Tissue Donation and

M Bridges, Kingswood

Gloucestershire Council website to 'have my say' before the 19th December deadline but the As per a letter from a reader in a previous issue,

Community support and concern

there had been funding available from Central Government for making spaces safer for women

consultation had already closed.

Transplantation NHS Blood and Transplant

Top effort Dear Editor Can I thank the person who decorates the post

Woke culture

Dear Editor

box in Longmeadow Road in Keynsham. They

Dear Editor

Just to add to the sad catalogue of stories

have done it for the Jubilee and now for Father

I was very sorry to read the letter in Issue 759

(in the wake of recent high profile rapes and

concerning falls in Keynsham High Street, I

Christmas.

about the residents in a village in Dorset having

murders) but South Glos didn't bother applying

witnessed one such incident on Monday 12th

to cancel their pantomime because the names

for any. The lighting in place across the old golf

December.

Chop Chop and Wishy Washy were offensive to

course and on the approach to the allotments and

An elderly lady fell off the pavement on to the

ethnic minorities.

skatepark is totally inadequate, and so I emailed

cycle path just outside Costa Coffee. She was

I have never heard such rubbish in my life. It’s

both of my local councillors (who had just put a

badly shaken, was bleeding from a wound on her

about time that the woke minorities woke up.

leaflet through my door asking residents to get

face and soon had a badly swollen cheek.

Sorry for the pun, none intended.

in touch about any issues) and my MP Chris

What was remarkable and worthy of comment

Surely it’s about time that common sense started

Skidmore. None of them deigned to even reply.

was the response from the good people of

raising its head again. If we are not careful we

I rang South Glos Council, raised the issue, and

Keynsham. Staff from Costa were on the scene

soon won’t be allowed to even breathe! I’m

they replied saying no money was available. Yet

immediately with blankets and a warm drink; a

getting fed up with having to be careful how one

they have money for more frivolous purposes

pharmacist from Lloyds took over the care of the

expresses oneself.

such as spending £500,000 tarting up the park.

lady; a passer-by and his wife rang for an

M D Stenner

Is it really too much to ask that sufficient lighting

ambulance (at least an hour's delay was

is put in place to make the area safer, or do we

forecast!) and another shopper spoke to the lady

need another tragedy to spur anyone into action?

and was able to use her phone to contact her

Mrs L Vockings, Oldland Common

husband. After 10 minutes or so the lady was

Disgust at litter in planters Dear Editor On a recent visit to Kingswood shopping centre, I was disgusted to see that the flower planters are being used as litter bins.

Volunteers give up their spare time and work hard to make Kingswood a more attractive place

Write to us

assisted into the warmth of the Costa shop to

Many people stop to take a photograph of it and

await the ambulance. Several other passers-by

it always brings a smile to a cold day.

offered help and comfort.

Sheila Bullock

The whole episode provided a heart-warming example of spontaneous community support and

The greatest gift of all

concern. Well done Keynsham.

Dear Editor

A sad aspect of the event was hearing that it was

More than 6,800 people in the UK are spending

by no means an isolated occasion and that,

the festive season waiting for an organ transplant

despite many complaints to the council, these

– and over 220 of these patients are children.

falls are frequent occurrences. Something needs

These mums, dads, wives, husbands, partners,

to be done before a tragedy ensues.

daughters, sons can only be saved by someone

John Hunter, Keynsham

giving them the greatest gift, the gift of life.

At a time of giving, let people know you want to

8

The Week In is independent of any political or commercial interest. We aim to produce a balanced and accurate view of local news and welcome comments from our readers.

Normally, we will publish letters in full but reserve the right to shorten or clarify the contents or to refuse publication. Please try to keep letters under 300 words and supply your full name and address for reasons of authentication. Only the name and district where you live will be reproduced.

Anonymity is possible under certain circumstances.

Another fall victim

save lives. Signing up to be an organ donor is

Dear Editor

quick and easy and makes it easier for families

Last week I too saw another victim claimed by

if they know what you want.

the cycle path pavement in the High Street. This

Give hope to the thousands of people and

mail and should arrive at our offices no

time it was a lady carrying a toddler. Both

hundreds of children on the transplant waiting

later than 9.00am on the Monday of each

seemed unhurt, more shocked than anything, but

list. Join the NHS Organ Donor Register at

week. E-mail to:admin@theweekin.co.uk

Copy can be sent by post or, preferably, e-

The Week in • Wednesday 21st December 2022

Dinosaurs’ latest donation to children’s hospice £1,818 has been handed over to the Children’s Hospice South West from talks and exhibitions held by three former workers at the Fry’s/Cadbury’s factory in Keynsham known the ‘Chocolate Dinosaurs’.

One of the trio, Mike Burt from North Common, died earlier in the summer (as we reported in Issue 739) but his widow Kay joined member Hugh Evans at the handover at the hospice at Wraxall in North Somerset.

Hugh said: “Mike would have been really proud of the amount we raised this year for our chosen charity. He Hospice fundraiser Lucie Perryman, centre, accepts the cheque from is a sadly-missed member of the Hugh Evans & Kay Burt Dinosaurs.”

The total raised by the Dinosaurs over the last four years is Mike I would continue raising money in 2023 with Alan so if you want a chocolate-related talk or exhibition to your local £5,210.

The third member is Alan Hillman. Hugh said: “I promised group, just let me know on hughevans@sky.com”

Plans to turn kennels into houses Plan to turn Latchets Kennels in Chewton Keynsham into four detached houses have been submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council.

The Redlynch Lane site was originally a poultry rearing holding which was converted into kennels more than 40 years ago. The site until recently also operated a pet care store, pet grooming shop and dog training facilities. The wider site includes caravan storage, which will be

removed.

The planning application says that the site is now nearing closure due to the owners’ retirement, and permission is being sought to convert the kennels into houses, which involves partially demolishing structures that link the buildings.

It adds that the scheme will significantly improve the openness of the Green Belt.

Sudoku 1-Easy

2 -Hard

Sarah’s

❄

Short Cuts ❄ ❄ Barbershop ❄

NO APPOINTMENTS NECESSARY GENTS cuts from £18.00 BOYS cuts from £14.00 OAP cuts from £9.00 Christmas opening hours:

Xmas Eve 9am-2pm; open between Xmas & New year Thursday 29th, Friday 30th & New Years Eve all 10am-2pm Closed for the first week of January

Open as normal from Monday 9th January 2023 Far end of the High Street, opposite Keynsham Church

No. 9, Station Road, Keynsham, Bristol BS31 2BN

Pharmacy opening times over Christmas & the New Year Here are the opening hours for local pharmacies over the Christmas and New Year period.

Christmas Day (Sunday 25th December) Keynsham Pharmacy, Station Road, Keynsham (10am-1pm) Jhoots Pharmacy, Pool Road, Kingswood (1.30pm-3.30pm) Boots, High Street, Keynsham (3pm-5pm) Boxing Day (Monday 26th December) Boots, High Street, Keynsham (10pm-4pm) Asda, Craven Way, Longwell Green (10am-4pm) Lloyds Pharmacy in Sainsbury’s, Emersons Green (10am-4pm) Boots, The Village, Emersons Green (10am-4pm) Asda, Oatlands Avenue, Whitchurch (10am-4pm) Boots, Gallagher Retail Park, Longwell Green (10am-4.30pm) Jhoots Pharmacy, Pool Road, Kingswood (1.30pm-3.30pm) Christmas Day Substitute (Tuesday 27th December) Boots, High Street, Keynsham (10pm-4pm) Morrisons Pharmacy, Fishponds Road, Fishponds (10am-4pm) Asda, Oatlands Avenue, Whitchurch (10am-4pm) Lloyds Pharmacy in Sainsbury’s, Emersons Green (10am-4pm) Boots, The Village, Emersons Green (10am-4pm) Asda, Craven Way, Longwell Green (10am-4pm) Boots, Gallagher Retail Park, Longwell Green (10am-4.30pm) Jhoots Pharmacy, Pool Road, Kingswood (1.30pm-3.30pm) Keynsham Pharmacy, Station Road, Keynsham (4pm-8pm) New Year’s Day (Sunday 1st January) Keynsham Pharmacy, Station Road, Keynsham (10am-4pm) Asda, Craven Way, Longwell Green (10am-4pm) Asda, Oatlands Avenue, Whitchurch (10am-4pm) Boots, Gallagher Retail Park, Longwell Green (10.30am-4.30pm) Lloyds Pharmacy in Sainsbury’s, Emersons Green (10.30am4.30pm) New Year’s Day Substitute Monday 2nd January Boots, High Street, Keynsham (10pm-4pm) Asda, Craven Way, Longwell Green (10am-4pm) Asda, Oatlands Avenue, Whitchurch (10am-4pm) Morrisons Pharmacy, Fishponds Road. Fishponds (10am-4pm) Lloyds Pharmacy in Sainsbury’s, Emersons Green (10am-4pm) Boots, The Village, Emersons Green (10am-4pm) Boots, Gallagher Retail Park, Longwell Green (10.30am-4.30pm) Jhoots Pharmacy, Pool Road, Kingswood (1.30pm-3.30pm) Keynsham Pharmacy, Station Road, Keynsham (4pm-8pm) For pharmacies further afield visit: https://www.england.nhs.uk/south/info-professional/pharminfo/pharmacy-opening-hours/

The Week in • Wednesday 21st December 2022

9

Spotlight on cost of new councils The row over a new town council for Kingswood and a new Staple Hill & Mangotsfield Parish Council continues to rage, with the spotlight on the cost facing residents already struggling to pay bills.

During question time at South Gloucestershire Council’s meeting last Wednesday, Labour group leader Pat Rooney said that from next April, residents of Kingswood and Staple Hill and Mangotsfield would be facing an extra £170,000 and £240,000 respectively to finance the new town and parish councils being “imposed” on them.

Pat Rooney

The Labour group said they took the figures from council budget papers showing the current costs for ‘special expenses’, which are paid by council taxpayers to fund things that a town or parish council would do, such as public toilets.

Crossword

Quizzing council leader Toby Savage, Cllr Rooney said: “This new precept will be on top of the predicted 4.99% rise on council tax, meaning the most deprived neighbourhoods in South Gloucestershire face a disproportionately higher tax increase compared to the rest of South Gloucestershire residents during the current cost of living crisis.

“How much do you calculate the annual precept for a household in these new town and parish councils will be, compared to the average weekly electricity or food bill for a struggling family?”

In his response, Cllr Savage said that a new town council would help give effect to the regeneration programme identified as part of the Kingswood Masterplan to which 2,000 people had responded. He added: “It is also noteworthy that in the consultation on the community governance review, more people than not said that a town council could help improve their neighbourhood area and more people than not said a new town council would give their community a stronger voice.”

He disputed the figures that Cllr Rooney quoted, saying. “The 2023/24 precepts for the new parish and town councils are being developed by officers as part of the budget process.

Special expenses will also be redistributed across the newly parished areas, further adjusting council tax in 2023/24.”

Cllr Savage added that financial support for residents in financial difficulty would continue in 2023/24.

After the meeting Cllr Rooney said that in the public consultations carried out as part of the review, both areas had voted a resounding 'No' to the new councils but residents’ wishes had been ignored by the Conservative administration.

More than 21,900 residents in Kingswood were consulted about whether they wanted a town council. Just 320

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Unconventional (9)

2. Stereotyped phrase (6)

9. Hunting expedition (6)

3. Newspaper boss (6)

10. Pacific island state (4)

5. ---- of Skye (4)

11. Light source (4)

7. Young cow (4)

12. French engineer (6)

8. Hats, headgear (9)

13. Principle (7)

(6,3)

16. Scorch (4)

14. Simple (4)

17. Auction (4)

15. Creates (5)

18. Play on words (3)

18. Stance (4)

20. Attempt (3)

19. Encourage (7)

21. Always (4)

22. Neglectful (6)

23. Russian emperor (4)

23. Emotional shock (6)

25. Confidentiality (7)

27. Thick slice (4)

26. Make certain (6)

28. Relieve (4)

Toby Savage

responded and half wanted no change while 42% were in favour. Those against had concerns about cost and layers of bureaucracy.

The support that Cllr Savage cited at the meeting were the findings that 40% (128 respondents) felt that a town council could help improve the neighbourhood, compared to 39% (123) who did not, while 17% thought it was a possibility.

And 39% thought a new town council would give the community a stronger voice, compared to 38% who didn’t, while 4% were undecided, 20% said ‘possibly’ and 4% didn’t know.

In Staple Hill and Mangotsfield there were 274 replies to the consultation (2.5% of those who were asked) with 49% preferring no change, compared to 39% who backed a new parish council. Those against cited cost, bureaucracy and transparency in decision making, as well as satisfaction with existing political arrangements and representation.

There were also negative responses in the second round of consultations about the proposed electoral arrangements.

4. Bleats (anag.) (6) 6. Cupboard (7)

13. Blood-sucking insect

24. Energetic (6)

29. Cab (4) 30. Single entity (4) 31. Foliage (6) 32. Journal (9)

10

The Week in • Wednesday 21st December 2022

Measuring the impact of post office closure When the residents of Stockwood received the news last month that their post office was to close, supermarket giant Morrisons was initially cast as the villain.

Stockwood Post Office is located within the McColl’s on Hollway Road, which is one of around 30 nationwide earmarked for closure. Earlier this year, McColl’s had slipped into administration and faced being closed down completely until a rescue deal was agreed with Morrisons.

But provision of Post Office services remains the responsibility of the Post Office through its charter agreement with the Government. Although run as a stand-alone company, the Post Office is wholly owned by the Government and meets its obligations through its network of sub-post offices or commercial agreements with large retail outlets, such as WH Smith and McColl’s. Crown Post Offices employing Post Office staff are almost an extinct species today.

The Government owns the Post Office and the size of the network is determined by the access criteria it sets. The Post Office has to meet the following six criteria: • 99% of the UK population to be within three miles of their nearest Post Office outlet; • 90% of the UK population to be within one mile of their nearest Post Office outlet; • 99% of the total population in deprived urban areas across the UK to be within one mile of their nearest Post Office outlet; • 95% of the total urban population across the UK to be within

The Week in • Wednesday 21st December 2022

one mile of their nearest Post Office outlet; • 95% of the total rural population across the UK to be within three miles of their nearest Post Office outlet • 95% of the population of every postcode district to be within six miles of their nearest Post Office outlet.

Prior to Covid-19 and lockdown, the Post Office met all the conditions, except the last one. But here, the devil is in the detail. Distances referred to in those conditions are measured ‘as the crow flies’. When Citizens Advice conducted a review into the Post Office access criteria, they argued that if road measurement was used, rather than a direct line, the Post Office would fail to meet four of the six access criteria, not just one. But the Government remained firm that ‘as the crow flies’ was a far fairer way to assess the situation on a nationwide basis.

But to return to the forthcoming closure of Stockwood, Post Office Ltd told The Week In last month that customers would find their nearest alternative branches at Knowle. As the crow flies, Knowle Park is actually 1.66 miles from Stockwood and

the Knowle branch 1.82 miles.

For any crows wanting to post a parcel or pick up their pension, Holmoak Road in Keynsham is actually the closest option at 1.55 miles. Although by road, it is a journey of almost four miles while the two Knowle alternatives are a mere 2.5 miles.

The good news is that there’s a bus route from Stockwood to Knowle. The bad news is that it’s the No 2, which features regularly in our reports of First’s failing bus network.

• The Stockwood branch closes on Sunday 15th January.

11

Christmas lights raise a smile and funds for good causes Christmas light displays are raising money for good causes and bringing festive cheer to local communities.

A teenage boy from Downend is once again supporting Macmillan Cancer Support by lighting his house in memory of his sister.

This is 15-year-old Jake Skinner 's fifth year of supporting the charity in memory of his sister Stacie who passed away on Christmas Day 2015, aged 17. Her lights are part of the annual display at the family home in Sutherland Avenue which Jake designs and installs.

Jake has already beaten last year’s total which was £4,500. To donate go to https://tinyurl.com/2aj922x8 And at Boscombe Crescent in Downend, Mathew Grimsby’s display is in aid of the Wallace & Gromit's Grand Appeal for Bristol Children’s Hospital. There is a QR code and a donation bucket. Lights are on between 5pm and 10.30pm until Sunday 1st January.

Several houses in Fountains Drive in Barrs Court are also lighting up again this year in aid of St Peter’s Hospice. Lights are on until 31st December from approximately

5pm to 9pm. There is a QR code, collection bucket or you can donate at https://tinyurl.com/384mye3p Others include a festive garden display in California Road, Oldland Common, which is

raising money for Bristol Children’s Hospital. There is a QR code so that people can make a donation and donation buckets too. The lights are on from 4pm to 10pm over the festive period.

California Road

Fountains Drive

Sutherland Avenue

Boscombe Crescent

Situations Vacant

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The Week in • Wednesday 21st December 2022

The Community Page

Help needed to keep Keynsham Music Festival going Keynsham Music Festival is without doubt the highlight of the summer programme of events in the town and has entertained tens of thousands of people since its inception in 1997.

All of us have memories of extraordinary musical and circus performances, but as Mike May, chair of the Festival Committee explains, a lack of finance is beginning to significantly affect our summer ‘gem’ to the point where there is real concern that it may fold altogether.

Mike joined the festival committee, made up of local volunteers, in 2014 after having attended the event since its start. He was invited to ‘have a say’ in the selection of the music and such was his enthusiasm that within a year he had become the chair of the event.

Ava Lily

He said: “It was the committee’s desire to provide the most professional environment for local artists to perform in public that really inspired me. We are so proud of those that have gone on from here to be professional and even international artists. Ava Lily from Wellsway School now records in London and will perform with us again this coming year.

Louisa Baker performs internationally. We are privileged to Louisa Baker

The Week in • Wednesday 21st December 2022

have been able to contribute to the careers of those young performers.

We are also very proud of the fact that we put on (and continue to do so) the first full opera in Keynsham.”

The festival provides music for everyone’s tastes and develops new appreciations too. It’s not the only thing Mike has been proud of: “In 2018 we commemorated the 50th anniversary of the devastating flood that hit Keynsham. We resurrected the music that had been used for a previous commemoration and had a tightrope walker above the audience’s heads at the height the water level reached. A real Back row from left, Mike May, Jade Dunbar, Andy Wait, front row Sheila community highlight.”

Whittle, Helen Bancroft and Sue Paulley But the festival sustained a significant loss this year. Mike says that a combination of year. There is no other festival where you can get so much things led to that: “Rising costs in the entertainment industry entertainment for just a few pounds.” meant things were 30% more than we had budgeted for; I asked if a ticketed event on Saturdays and Sundays might sound equipment, marquee hire and fuel and generator costs be the answer but Mike was clear: “It would be easy to do to mention just a few. And we can’t ignore the fact that Covid that and it has often been discussed, but the committee remain had a significant effect on those that provide the tools and firm on the point that no one should be left out: everyone equipment needed for putting on festivals like ours. It’s a ‘gig should be able to come.” economy’ for them and Covid had put so many out of Keynsham Music Festival is now looking for more sponsorship. Mike said: “We are so grateful for the fantastic business.”

The present economic climate does not help. According to sponsors we have but we certainly need more. Cash is king Mike, the committee simply don’t know what state people’s after all, but it doesn’t need only to be cash. Our timber fronts finances will be in in 2023 and whether the usual festival to the bars need replacing, for example, and there is a whole goers will choose not to attend. Festivals such as Upfest in host of different ways that local businesses could support us.

Bristol have already been cancelled next year “due to rising We believe this festival is hugely important to the Keynsham community and anyone who feels that they might be able to costs in the entertainment industry”.

Mike acknowledges that the committee want to keep the help with sponsorship, volunteer with buckets or add festival free for local people who can’t afford the huge prices themselves to our committee really should get in touch. The of other festivals: “We often have the discussion about the rewards are not monetary, but the memories last forever.” nature of being free. All of us have a genuine desire to have Contact him at mike@keynshamfest.co.uk a festival that can be attended by everyone, but this can lead Dave Biddleston to some confusion. The festival is not ‘put on by the council’ as such and could not survive in the way that we have it presently if we relied solely on the grant from the town council.

“The committee genuinely want those who cannot afford to pay not to have to pay but yes, it does mean that those that can afford to put money in the buckets really need to do so. We rely on this money very much and cannot survive without it.

Collections were down this year, largely due to the Saturday morning events being hit by torrential rain, but we also have a lack of volunteers Ellis Grover, tightrope walker, at the commemoration of the 50th anniversary to hold buckets. I’d really like to ask of the flooding for volunteers please for this coming 13

Changes to inn ‘respect heritage’ & North East Somerset Council to make

Fencing plan at listed pub

changes to the New Inn on Bath Hill in

The Grade II listed Old Bank pub in

Keynsham.

Keynsham High Street is applying for

Listed building consent is being sought for

retrospective planning permission for

external alterations, with new signage, lighting

wooden fencing to border the garden area

and colour. The pub is Grade II listed and the

at the rear.

application says the designs respect the

Applicant Western Inns says the fencing

building’s

does not have any negative impact on the

Stonegate Pub Company has applied to Bath

heritage

and

position

within

Keynsham Conservation Area.

setting of the listed building.

How the pub will look

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Crossword Solution

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

3 2 4 6 8 9 5 7 1

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