The Week In - Issue 786 - 21st June 2023

THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset

21st June 2023

Issue 786

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Two teens charged with murder of Mikey Two teenagers have been charged with the murder of Mikey Roynon from Kingswood who was stabbed to death at a party in Bath.

There has been an outpouring of grief in the 16-yearold’s home community and well-wishers have so raised more than £18,000 to support his family following the tragedy on Saturday 10th June.

Emergency services were dispatched to an address on Eastfield Avenue in Weston shortly after 11pm after reports that a 16-year-old boy had been stabbed.

Members of the public provided Mikey with first aid before paramedics arrived but he died at the scene.

A post-mortem revealed he died from a single knife wound. Eleven teenagers were arrested in connection with the killing, but nine were later released without charge.

A 35-year-old woman was also stabbed during the incident and attended the Royal United Hospital in Bath for treatment before being discharged.

A major investigation was launched involving more than 100 officers and staff. Last Thursday police announced that a 15-year-old boy from Dorset and a 16-year-old boy from Wiltshire had been charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon.

They are being held in youth custody and cannot be named for legal reasons.

Detective Inspector Mark Newbury, the senior investigating officer, said that around 50 to 60 people, the majority of whom were children, who had been inside the property in Eastfield Avenue at the time of the incident “sadly witnessed things no one would want them to see”.

Mikey Roynon

He added: “As a result, we are working closely with our partners to ensure they have access to support, including specialist counselling.”

The GoFundMe page set up for Mikey – who was also known as YM, says: “As you can imagine his mum and Continued on page 2

Also in this week’s issue

Mixed reaction to new parklets in Temple Street in Keynsham . . . page 3

Spotlight on Green Belt boundaries in South Glos . . . page 5

Two mayors vie to be Labour candidate for new Bristol North East constituency . . . page 10

Plans for block of flats in Kingswood town centre . . . page 11

Two teens charged with murder of Mikey Continued from page 1 dad are distraught, their son will forever be 16.

“Mikey was such a kind, loving and thoughtful soul who cared so much about his friends and family. He was so funny and fearless. This money will more than

likely go towards the expenses his family now need to pay out, loss of earnings, funeral, headstone, etc. anything of their choice.”

The link to the page is https://www.gofundme.com/f/towardsthe-tragic-death-of-mikey

Among those donating to the appeal and offering her support has been Viv Clifford whose grandson Ramarni Crosby was stabbed to death in Gloucester in December 2021.

A Mikey Roynon Fun Day including a football tournament is being organised in his memory. It will be held at Barton Hill Rugby Club on Sunday 9th July from noon.

Tensions at vigil in park

Van collides with house

The evening after Mikey’s

Avon Fire & Rescue Service were called

More boarding up of the property was

at Southey Park in Kingswood

to Rock Road in Keynsham on Saturday

taking place last Friday.

for a vigil.

death up to 150 people gathered

10th June after reports of a dangerous

The

structure.

memorial event. An Avon &

police

attended

the

A van had collided with a house near the

Somerset Police spokesperson

mini-roundabout by Iceland.

said: “A number of individuals

A crew from the Hicks Gate fire station

had brought fireworks to the

attended and spent time making the scene

gathering and let some of them

safe by isolating the gas and electricity.

off in the direction of and close to other members of the public

2

and police. There were no reported

grounds of public safety.

injuries.

“Those officers remained in the vicinity in

“A senior officer felt our presence at this

case of any further incident, before

memorial event was proving to be a cause

resuming patrols at about 9.15pm when

of tension and so they made a decision for

the number of participants had reduced

officers to step away from the park on the

and no other concerns had been raised.”

The Week in • Wednesday 21st June 2023

Mixed opinion on street’s new parklets There has been a mixed reaction to the two

“Without the paving the parklets are exposed

new parklets that were installed in Temple

and dangerous. I don't think anybody realised

Street in Keynsham last week.

how narrow the road was going to be.”

The original plans for the green seating

There have also been dozens of comments on

areas show them as being on an extended

social media in response to the installation.

pavement on the Riverside development

They include:

side of the street. However, they have been

“It would have been a lot safer to put it on

placed on the road itself as there is no

the pavement, rather than in the road!

funding as yet to make those pavement

Don't fancy sitting there with cars, buses

improvements.

and lorries passing close by.”

New bike racks and planters have also just

“Change can, and often is, a great thing.

been installed as part of the Temple Street

Getting people to sit in random points of a

they stay in good condition.”

being on holiday.”

Improvement Project.

busy road with nothing than a bit of metal to

“Did the people who fitted them not have

B&NES Council has confirmed that two

The project is part of the Keynsham High

protect them doesn’t feel like the positive

a level?! Can’t wait to sit on one of the

large parking bays have been altered on the

Street Heritage Action Zone Programme

change and heritage feel the planners were

stools slanted as they are now.”

east side of the street to introduce the

which involves Historic England, Bath &

after.”

“Love it. Too many negative comments.

additional seating and greening on a trial

North East Somerset Council and Keynsham

“We sat there the other evening, they were

Doesn't anyone like change? More planters

basis before deciding whether to seek further

Town Council. The aim is to improve the

okay. It was only for five minutes. Didn't

please, I'll be ready for cocktail hour. Like

funding to make the changes permanent.

street for everyone who lives in, works in or

realise they were going to be metal. In the

visits the area. A natural stone pavement has

heat those plant roots will get cooked.

been installed on the historic side of the street

Slightly unsettling that they jut out, into

and the project also includes better disabled

the road. Would be nice with some trees

parking.

along there in tree pits of course.”

This week one Temple Street trader told us:

“I had a nice little sit down there… I hope

The new parklets are on the road

Strike action by bin workers Around 150 workers employed by Suez

11.4%, this is a significant real terms pay

emptying bins in South Gloucestershire

cut. Bin loaders in South Gloucestershire

have begun a summer of strike action.

earn £11.53 per hour.

Black bin (household waste) collections

Members of both the Unite and Unison

went ahead last week but recycling and

unions

garden waste collections were affected by

Gloucestershire

the industrial action.

Kingswood Civic Centre last Monday.

Normal collections resumed this week but

Social

a second phase of industrial action is

therapists who are members of Unison

planned from Monday 26th June to

have so far taken six days of strike action

Sunday 9th July. The union Unite has

“for safe staffing levels and quality social

warned that if the dispute is not resolved,

care services for our communities”.

strike action will intensify over the

The dispute started after a decision by the

summer.

council to award staff in children’s

Staff voted to strike by 89% after rejecting

services an additional temporary £3,000

an eight per cent pay offer from Suez. The

payment on top of their basic annual

union says that with the real rate of

salary. This uplift was not offered to those

inflation the Retail Price Index (RPI) at

doing the same job in adult services.

The Week in • Wednesday 21st June 2023

held

a

workers

lobby

of

Council and

South outside

occupational

This illustrative plan showed the pavement width increased to accommodate the new parklets and the road width reduced although with two-way traffic still maintained

Major waste changes in South Glos South Gloucestershire Council is to

reduces waste going to landfill and

launch a public consultation this summer

controls costs.

over proposed changes to waste services

The cabinet has also asked officers to

which could result in less frequent black

explore ways to further reduce costs and

bin collections and the annual green waste

to report back in the autumn. Food waste

subscription rising from £30 to £75.

currently accounts for 12.5% of waste in

The council’s 25-year contract with Suez

black bins, while soft plastics account for

ends in 2025. The recycling rate has

33% so that is almost half of volume

increased from just 6% when the contract

which could be taken out of black bins

started to 59.9% in 2022-23.

through

Discussions have been under way in

Gloucestershire is currently taking part in

recent months and the council’s cabinet

a national pilot to collect soft plastics at

has this week agreed a direction of travel

the kerbside. The aim is to roll that out to

towards agreeing a new contract.

all homes in the district by the end of

The new arrangements would see kerbside

2025. Taken together, the council says

waste and recycling collection services re-

these measures would dramatically reduce

tendered to an external contractor, whilst

the amount of waste in most black bins so

the operation of the Sort It centres and

collections could drop to every three or

materials handling would be brought ‘in

four weeks.

house’ and undertaken by council staff.

Other proposed options to help the council

The council will now ask potential

cover the increasing costs of delivering

providers to demonstrate how they would

waste services include bringing the green

provide those services in a way that meets

bin subscription charge into line with

residents’ needs, drives up recycling rates,

neighbouring local authorities.

increased

recycling.

South

3

Betting shop to close Keynsham betting shop Betfred on Bath Hill is to close.

Betfred told The Week In: “We monitor the footfall at all our shops and have reluctantly decided it is no longer viable to continue operating at that particular site.

“We aim to redeploy staff involved as far as possible.”

It is understood it will close within the next three to four weeks and that staff were only told recently about the closure.

Rebrand for convenience store McColl’s in Chandag Road in Keynsham is to become a Morrisons Daily store.

The shop will close its doors for the last time as McColl’s tomorrow (Thursday) at 5pm and the premises will be shut for seven days to undergo a refit, reopening on Friday 30th June.

The Post Office branch will be remaining in the new store.

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.

Would-be intruders flee Three people tried to break into a garage on Manor Road in Keynsham at approximately 1.40am on Tuesday 13th June. Their attempt set the burglar alarm off and they were seen running down the drive to the top of the road. All were wearing black clothing. The reference number for this crime is 5223138223. If you have any information, especially CCTV images, contact the police on 101, Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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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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4

The Week in • Wednesday 21st June 2023

Council accused of redrawing Green Belt boundaries As the number of objections to Redrow’s

“The preparation of the council’s new Local

providing a greater level of detail than the

Objectors to the

plans to build on protected land at

Plan requires all the policies of the existing

earlier piece of work. This will enable the

plans for 149

Hanham

Conservative

plan to be reviewed, including those relating

council to assess the relative and cumulative

homes on the

councillor has said that the new coalition

to the Green Belt. The council’s programme

impact

by

Green Belt land

running South Gloucestershire Council is

for the new plan was started, and then last

developers though the Local Plan’s ‘call for

known as The

planning to redraw Green Belt boundaries

formally confirmed by the Conservative-led

sites’ process. Once this work is completed,

Batch in Hanham

in the district.

administration in October 2022. The new

it will be published to support the next stage

have highlighted

Conservative

council administration is in the process of

of policy development in our new Local Plan.

that

councillor for neighbouring Longwell Green,

reviewing that programme to ensure it meets

This approach will provide the evidence

should be protec-

was speaking at the Hanham & Longwell

its objectives but has already stated its

necessary to enable the council to justify

ted as it is Green

Green Community Engagement Forum

determination to ensure that development

policy decisions to be made in the new South

Belt and raise concerns about the threat to

meeting on Thursday.

proposals are guided by a new up-to-date

Gloucestershire Local Plan.

ecology and wildlife, as well as the impact

He said: “It has become apparent that the

Local Plan in as short a time period as is

“These pieces of work are necessary for all

on already overstretched services and local

new Liberal-Labour administration are going

possible.

local authorities who have Green Belt land

roads.

to review the Green Belt and redraw the

“The review of the Green Belt policies will

and is consistent with ensuring the council

There are also eight comments backing the

boundaries.”

be based on two pieces of evidence. The first

meets is statutory requirement to prepare a

scheme. One supporter said: “Affordable

Cllr Murphy reassured residents that he and

is work carried out at West of England-wide

sound Local Plan.

housing is in short supply. Without building

his newly elected colleague for Longwell

level: The Green Belt West of England Study

“The current Local Plan programme

many more houses, they will never be

Green Carol Strange would be holding the

(Stage 1) 2022, which has already been

envisages that there will be two further

affordable. It's a tiny patch of scraggy field,

coalition to account to protect the Green Belt.

published. This divided the Green Belt into

opportunities for community views to be

not inhabited directly by anything special,

This week a South Gloucestershire Council

strategic parcels and considered the extent

sought and taken into account before the plan

and developers have to make at least a 10%

spokesperson said: “The council’s position

each parcel met the five purposes of the

is

improvement to biodiversity; the council

has not changed in relation to the Green Belt.

Green Belt but did not consider the

examination.”

We are continuing work to develop a new

individual or cumulative harm to the Green

Local Plan which will help protect South

Belt of specific development proposals.

Gloucestershire

“The second piece of work will therefore be

Kris

tops

Murphy,

700,

the

a

new

from

speculative

and

unplanned development.”

of

taken

development

forward

for

proposed

independent

the

land Kris Murphy

could always stipulate more than this.”

a South Gloucestershire-specific study

One of the fields at The Batch

Bigger multi-let planned Plans to turn a small house of multiple

alterations including converting the

occupation (HMO) in Downend into a

garage

large one have been submitted to South

accommodation.

Gloucestershire Council.

According to the latest HMO public

3 Hurstwood Road, which is a semi-

register on the council’s website, this is

detached house, has been used as a five-

the only multi-let in the immediate

bed HMO but the owners now want to

vicinity.

turn it into an eight-bed HMO with

The planning reference is P23/01833/F.

The Week in • Wednesday 21st June 2023

to

create

more

living

5

Changes to bus funding rules may not save rural services Campaigners seeking to reverse cuts to subsidised bus

designed to deliver long-

services were buoyed by a Government announcement on

term service improvements.

funding last week. But as with many ‘Government

Last June, the Bus Minister

announcements’ there are caveats.

at the time, Baroness Vere,

After discussions with local transport authorities around the

told Parliament that the

country, the Department for Transport (DfT) changed the

money was explicitly for

conditions attached to grants made last year under its Bus

innovation in bus travel and

Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). The West of England

could not be used “to prop

Combined Authority (WECA), along with North Somerset

up existing services”. This

Council was awarded £105m from the £1bn fund which was

proved problematic locally where WECA and the three

A nationwide problem

unitary

When Luke Hall, MP for

shire and Bath & North East

Thornbury & Yate, spoke

Somerset

were

at

in Parliament on 8th June

loggerheads

over

the

in support of rural bus

financing of subsidised bus services (those deemed socially

that it will review requests from local transport authorities on

services

necessary but not financially sustainable).

a case-by-case basis. It also warns any authorities considering

Gloucestershire, one thing

Although WECA is the local transport authority for the

making such an application to “carefully consider and

became clear – he was not

region, it has no tax-raising powers. It is therefore the local

confirm whether supporting existing routes would provide

alone.

authorities which set the budget for supported bus services

better value for money compared to their previous plans, and

and pay WECA via a transport levy. Having earlier agreed to

whether the routes they wish to support are likely to become

In

a

in

debate

South

on

bus

services, he asked Mark

authorities

of

Bristol, South Gloucester-

a request from WECA to increase that levy by 10%, the

sustainable in the long-term”. Given the ‘cost per passenger

Harper, the Secretary of

council leaders subsequently refused to hand over the extra

journey’ of some of the recently withdrawn or threatened

State for Transport: “Rural bus services such as the 84,

money and drew up a list of bus services they would no

supported bus services, demonstrating their longer-term

85 and 622 services in South Gloucestershire are vital

longer support.

sustainability may well prove a challenge.

for residents to commute to work, get to school and

Faced with a backlash from voters ahead of the forthcoming

See Letters, page 8

attend health appointments, but they are under real

council elections, money was found to provide temporary

pressure. South Gloucestershire Council has stepped in

extensions to some of the threatened bus services but many

to provide a temporary fix for the 84 and 85 services,

of those have, or are about to, expire. One of the arguments

but will the Secretary of State urge the council and the

used by the council leaders for not increasing their transport

West of England Mayor to work together to find a

levy to WECA was that the Metro Mayor had just received

Concern over suspended bus stops

permanent solution for those services, using the

millions in BSIP funding. But Baroness Vere had made clear

Roadworks in Memorial Road in Hanham look set to

improvement plan subsidies provided to them, so that

this money could not be used to keep existing services afloat

affect First Bus’s 44 and 17 routes for several weeks.

residents in villages such as Charfield, Wickwar,

and the Mayor was using BSIP funds to trial new projects,

Notices appeared last week on bus stops along

Hawkesbury Upton, Rangeworthy and Tytherington are

such as WESTlink and free ‘birthday bus’ travel which he has

Memorial Road and Whittucks Road saying that they

not cut off from having any bus services at all?”

subsequently introduced.

are suspended from Monday 19th June until Sunday

The Minister responded to say he expected West of

But now the Department for Transport has changed its view,

23rd July.

England Combined Authority and local councils to

declaring that it is minded to allow BSIP money to be used

One local resident told us that he was going to contact

work together in ensuring connectivity for rural areas.

on existing bus services. However, that is not a simple green

the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) to

During the short Parliamentary session, he then

light. WECA will not simply be able to divert funding

see if a WESTlink service could be temporarily

received almost identical questions from MPs

allocations the way council leaders such as Kevin Guy at

introduced to help those who will be cut off from

representing areas the length and breadth of the country.

Bath & North East Somerset have been calling for.

Hanham High Street and further afield during the

Notes issued by the DfT on the announcement make clear

coming weeks.

Luke Hall

WESTlink is the new, on-demand bus service to connect outlying areas with the wider transport network.

6

The Week in • Wednesday 21st June 2023

Two mayors vie to be Labour’s candidate for new Parliamentary seat Two high-profile politicians have declared

being at a General Election next year.

that they are running to be the Labour

It will include wards from both South

candidate

Gloucestershire

for

the

proposed

new

and

Bristol,

namely

Parliamentary seat of Bristol North East.

Kingswood, New Cheltenham, Staple Hill &

Last Thursday the Mayor of Bristol Marvin

Mangotsfield, Woodstock, Hillfields, Frome

Rees announced that he has formally applied.

Vale, Eastville and Lockleaze.

The next day Damien Egan, who is currently

The current Kingswood MP, Conservative

the elected Mayor of Lewisham, threw his

Chris Skidmore OBE, has announced his

hat into the ring. Mr Rees was born and

intention to stand down at the next election.

raised in Bristol and Mr Egan grew up in the

Last May Bristolians voted in a referendum

Kingswood and Staple Hill area.

to scrap a directly elected Mayor and return

The new constituency, expected to be

to having a council leader and committee

formally

Boundary

system at City Hall from May 2024, which is

Commission review which will see the

when Mr Rees’s second term comes to an

Kingswood seat disappear, would come into

end.

agreed

under

a

Damien Egan

Marvin Rees

Can you help the children of Myrcha? villages, or from the nearby town of Borodyanka, the scene of some of the worst fighting.

As the Russian forces retreated, the school and kindergarten were looted of all equipment and the buildings damaged to the extent that they remain largely unusable. The village constructed a basic bomb shelter which has simple benches, two bio-toilets and a small wood-fired stove to provide light and heating. This is where the entire school and kindergarten pupils, aged from three to 18, are currently being educated. Although the area is back under Ukrainian control, the situation is far from stable and missile and drone attacks are frequent.

The charity is currently providing emergency equipment such as generators, LED lighting, and proper heating. It is also supplying a wifi hub, laptops and printers to help the children’s education. The students are returning to school on 1st September after their summer break and the charity is hoping to have this equipment in place ready for the new school year.

The next phase of the project will be to

The charity formerly known as Chernobyl Children’s LifeLine, now renamed The Helping Hand for Ukraine, has spent 30 years providing Ukrainian and Belarusian children with respite holidays to the UK, allowing them a break from the radiation emitted by the world’s largest nuclear disaster in 1986.

However, at the outbreak of war in Ukraine, the charity was forced to immediately transfer all activities to providing emergency supplies to affected Ukrainian people. The charity has recently partnered with the local council in the Ukrainian village of Myrcha, around 60 miles north west of Kyiv.

Myrcha is home to around 130 children, most of whom attend the village’s only school and kindergarten. These buildings are also used as the village’s primary medical care centre and ambulance point.

Myrcha and the surrounding area was occupied by Russian forces from February to May 2022. The village has been extensively bombed, shelled, and been the location for open tank battles. There were nearly 1,200 people trapped in Myrcha during the occupation as they escaped from nearby

restore the school buildings and set up a psychological support unit within the kindergarten to help the children to cope with the trauma they have experienced during the

war. The charity says that small donations really can make a huge difference. Visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/ccllmyrcha-ukraine

S

Break-in foiled A resident of Great Leaze in Cadbury

Handstones before the police arrived.

Heath was disturbed by an attempt to drill

If you have any information about this

the door lock of a garage at approximately

incident, especially CCTV images, call

2am on Friday 9th June. There were two

101,

offenders, both male and wearing dark

5223135077. Alternatively call Crime-

clothing. They left in the direction of Long

stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The Week in • Wednesday 21st June 2023

giving

reference

number

7

LETTERS Carbon reduction must be world’s top priority Dear Editor The notion that humanity is on the brink of mass extinction is one for the birds, isn’t it? Or is it?

Recalling

last

summer’s

record-breaking

heatwave, most people agree that our planet is getting hotter. I often get the impression that a significant minority are in denial about the scale of climate change and resist confronting the seriousness of global warming and its gathering consequences. I even overheard on the bus recently a man talking to his friend about global warming and dismissing the issue as a “grotesque exaggeration”. I disagree.

Here in Britain we’re fortunate we don’t (as yet) suffer the devastating impact of climate change which is causing chaos in many countries outside

Of course I hope this bleak scenario never

routes instead.

kindness to her. In the week commencing 5th

happens. But if we continue to disregard scientific

As there is such clear need for these vital bus

June, Marilyn was standing at the bus stop in

evidence warning us of what the future has in

services, I am working with leaders of

Caernarvon Road in Keynsham waiting to board

store as a result of global warming, mankind’s

neighbouring councils, and with councillors from

a 349 bus to take her to the town centre. On that

existence could become threatened.

across North East Somerset, to encourage the

day two had been withdrawn and when the third

In his recent detailed article on climate change

Metro Mayor to reinstate lost services. Our

arrived, it was almost full. The driver left his seat

(Issue 781) publisher Stephen Rodgers sums up

communities need a properly functioning public

and, telling Marilyn she could board, he took her

the general public’s apathy regarding the climate

transport system, with regular, reliable buses

shopping trolley and lifted it on to the luggage

emergency with his headline ‘Climate action is

connecting larger towns and villages, particularly

rack. Although seats were occupied other

fine, as long as it doesn’t inconvenience us’. Well

in the morning and evening. In between those

passengers generously offered theirs to Marilyn.

put.

times and in smaller places with no public

She would like to thank everyone who showed

For future generations’ sake, the public needs to

transport, an “on-demand service” might well

her kindness on that day but particularly to the bus

be made more aware about the danger of

work. But without regular, familiar bus services,

driver who went beyond the call of duty.

continuing to pollute the atmosphere. Otherwise

the new “on-demand” system is not fit for

Mike Barrow

our intrepid scribe Stephen might have to start

purpose.

writing sequels charting the gradual decline of

We know that using public transport is great for

human beings losing their prevailing dominance

our mental and physical health, not to mention its

of planet Earth.

environmental benefits. I am also particularly

The Week In is independent of any political or

Philip Gannaway

concerned for rural residents without access to

commercial interest.

cars. So, it is crucial now that the Metro Mayor

balanced and accurate view of local news and

listens to reason - please do the right thing!

welcome comments from our readers.

Lib Dem Cllr Sarah Warren

Normally, we will publish letters in full but

Bathavon North ward, Deputy Leader

reserve the right to shorten or clarify the contents

of B&NES Council with responsibility

or to refuse publication. Please try to keep letters

for Climate & Sustainable Travel

under 300 words and supply your full name and

our shores.

Already this year many nations including Spain, suffered severe heatwaves. Also wildfires are

Time for Metro Mayor to do the right thing

becoming a frequent nightmare, causing misery

Dear Editor

and devastation for millions of terrified citizens.

I share our residents’ real concerns about the loss

Glacial ice caps are melting at an alarming rate.

of vital, regular local buses in North East

Ocean

causing

Somerset. They have told me how this is

horrendous ever-recurring hurricanes, cyclones,

impacting their ability to get to work, to school,

typhoons and tornadoes around the globe.

Thailand, India and the Horn of Africa have

temperatures

are

rising,

Write to us We aim to produce a

address for reasons of authentication. Only the name and district where you live will be

to medical appointments and other essential

A big thank you from Marilyn

Extreme precipitation is also causing vast areas

journeys.

Dear Editor

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

of land to become flooded, forcing millions to

Responsibility for public transport now rests with

I am writing this on behalf of Marilyn Evans who

and should arrive at our offices no later than

seek refuge until the water recedes. At the same

the West of England Combined Authority Mayor.

lives in Dartmouth Walk in Keynsham who would

9.00am on the Monday of each week. E-mail

time, due to a lack of rainfall, many countries

Whilst Bath & North East Somerset Council took

like to thank those who recently showed great

to:admin@theweekin.co.uk

endure severe drought – leading to widespread

hard decisions to increase to £1m the financial

famine. Carbon reduction must become the

levy we pay WECA for bus services, the Metro

world’s urgent top priority. Unless world leaders

Mayor has at his disposal a £57m fund, dedicated

seize the initiative to reduce our dependency on

solely to improving buses. So, it’s astonishing that

fossil fuels, the global upheaval will continue –

he decided not to support and enhance regular

and get worse!

services, but instead to bring in an untested, “on-

Aeons ago, we inherited a relatively safe and

reproduced. Anonymity is possible under certain circumstances.

Join the arts trail The first ever BS4 Arts Trail is happening

community-run swimming pool Jubilee

this weekend (24th and 25th June).

Pool in Knowle.

demand” service, WESTlink, for the whole of

There are four venues, three of them in

The venues will be all be open from 10am

beautiful planet. In recent centuries however, as

North East Somerset, with no consultation or

Brislington.

to 4pm each day.

a result of mankind’s greed and selfishness, this

marketing.

They are the creative community hub St

Find out more about the trail and the

heritage has become grievously undermined. Our

WESTlink does not currently have the bus or

Anne’s House, Holymead Hub next to

exhibiting

uncertain world is now caught in a self-

driver capacity to meet demand, despite the lack

Holymead Primary School on Rossall

https://bs4artstrail.co.uk/the-trail/

destructive spiral. Reversing the impending

of public awareness of it. If B&NES had control

Road, and St Cuthbert’s Church Hall on

The website also has details of food and

global disaster is becoming less likely as global

over the Government bus service improvement

Sandy Park Road. The fourth venue is the

drink hotspots to visit during the trail.

warming continues to wreak havoc.

funding, we would use it to reinstate lost bus

8

artists

and

makers

at

The Week in • Wednesday 21st June 2023

‘Glowing’’ Ofsted report for academy Broadlands Academy in Keynsham has

effect.

retained its Good Ofsted rating following

Those with special educational needs and/or

a recent inspection.

disabilities (SEND) are identified early and

The secondary school has been part of the

achieve well.

Academies Enterprise Trust since 2012.

The report also said that staff feel well

At the previous inspection, in 2016, there

supported and leaders make sound decisions

were 430 pupils. There are currently 502

to ensure workload is manageable.

children on the roll.

Ofsted did highlight that some pupils,

Ofsted said that leaders at the school,

including

working closely with the trust, have made

backgrounds, have low attendance which

many changes over the last few years. They

hinders their learning, and said leaders

have created a new ambitious curriculum

should take further steps to improve pupils’

which aims to help all pupils achieve highly.

attendance.

Pupils say that they feel cared for, and

The trust’s director of education Phil

relationships between pupils and staff are

Humphreys called it a “glowing report” and

Signs go up at Keynsham bottleneck

strong. Leaders have introduced a new

thanked the whole team, led by principal

New signs clearly explaining who has

The signs show that motorists heading

behaviour policy, which has had a good

Louise Hamilton.

priority in the narrow section under the

down the hill towards the bridge have to

railway bridge at Avon Mill Lane in

give way to drivers coming in the opposite

Keynsham have gone up.

direction.

those

from

disadvantaged

New bridge hoisted into position Avon Mill Lane in Keynsham was closed

brought into Memorial Park.

on Sunday to allow for the deck of the

The opening of the new polymer bridge is

new footbridge over the River Chew to be

expected to be at some point in July.

Sudoku

SUNDAY CHEMISTS

1-Easy

Boots, Gallagher Retail Park, Longwell Green

Sunday 25th June

2 -Hard

(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 21st June 2023

9

Block of flats proposed in town centre Plans to build a block of flats on a redundant car park close to Kings Chase Shopping Centre in

Volunteers jazz up care home and garden A team of eight from

Kingswood have been submitted Gloucestershire South to

NHS Shared Business

Council.

Whitehorse Homes Ltd have lodged the application for nine flats in a two-storey detached block on

recently carrying out

the site which sits between Dorset Road and Gilbert Road.

7-9 Dorset Road is a single-storey light industrial building which has

paid volunteering days

a large service/car parking yard.

The existing access from Dorset Road which serves the site would be retained and continue to serve 7,8, and 9 Dorset Road. The proposed access to the new development would come off Gilbert Road.

The planning application says the proposal seeks to make

Services spent a day voluntary work at a Mangotsfield care home.

Employees receive three per year to give them the opportunity to give back to local communities.

Set up in 1986, Milestones Trust assists individuals with

better use of a large plot and does not cause any overlooking issues.

Twelve car parking spaces are proposed. There would also be a bike store in the rear communal gardens with 12

mental health needs, learning disabilities and complex

spaces.

Charnhill Crescent, one of the trust’s residential care

behavioural needs. It supports more than 550 people in specialist, nursing and supported living services in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. home in Mangotsfield, provides 24-hour support for

More hedgerows set to be lost Wessex Water is planning to remove more established

development.

hedgerows in connection with works at its wastewater

Mitigation works are planned including planting a new

treatment plant in Saltford.

species-rich hedgerow measuring 258 metres.

The utility company has already been granted permission

As part of its new access road and bridge scheme that is

to remove a hedgerow measuring 161 metres in connection

under way, Wessex Water removed a large swathe of

with a landscaping bund to mitigate the look of new control

hedgerow on either side of the A431 near Swineford.

equipment.

The bridge for Wessex Water traffic will also include a

It has now applied to remove two more hedgerows

permissive footpath linking to the River Avon Trail. The

measuring 136 metres in total to create access to this new

scheme includes landscape planting and a wetland scrape.

adults with mental health needs.

The volunteers painted the communal spaces to refresh them and outdoors they weeded and planted to create colourful displays.

Don’t miss your appointment As part of Cervical Cancer Screening Awareness Week (19th to 24th June), doctors are reminding those who have received a cervical screening invitation to book an appointment with their GP practice.

Crossword

One in three don’t take up their invite. Dr Glenda Beard, GP and Clinical Lead for Cancer at Bristol, North ACROSS

DOWN

Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care

1. Piercing (6)

1. Security (6)

Board (ICB), said: “Early detection really is the best

4. Remnant (6)

2. Order to be detained (6)

form of defence. Sometimes people can feel

3. Lime tree (6)

practice nurses who do the cervical screening test will

5. Wall painting (6)

support you through what is a quick and simple

6. Root vegetable (6)

procedure.”

8. Food shortage (6) 10. Great fear (6) 11. Plunges (5) 12. Leather worker (6) 14. To the other side (6)

10

embarrassed or unsure about having the test but GP

7. Songbird (6) 9. Republic of Ireland (4)

16. Eat a meal (4)

10. Nipple (4)

17. Sound a horn (4)

13. Fertiliser (5)

River litter pick

19. Scottish hillside (4)

15. Perch (5)

The Conham Bathing group which is campaigning to

22. As well (4)

18. Utters (6)

end raw sewage discharge at Conham River Park is

26. Mucous secretion (6)

19. Carefree (6)

organising a paddle litter pick on Sunday 16th July.

20. Ancient (3-3)

The group says that over the last couple of months there

27. Collect (6)

21. Islamic ruler (4)

have been reports of litter caught in trees along the

28. Sea duck (5)

22. Matures (4)

River Avon including plastic, toilet roll and ‘flushable’

29. Writer (6)

23. Lasso (6)

wipes, which is indicative of the use of combined sewer

30. One flank leading (4-2)

24. Words of dismay (2,4)

overflows.

25. Violent excitement (6)

Volunteers in canoes, kayaks and standup paddle

31. Regular (6)

boarders will be meeting at 10am at Hanham Lock, next

32. Floor (6)

to The Chequers Inn.

The Week in • Wednesday 21st June 2023

Exploring the Cotswolds After the rain and cold in May, suddenly sun, greenery and hot weather arrived and summer tumbled in.

On a whim we decided to book a weekend in the Cotswolds, staying in the pretty little town of Winchcombe. The weather was set fair and we arrived at our accommodation at lunchtime after stopping for coffee in Painswick at a hotel directly opposite the church. We had front row seats at the roadside window and admired the 99 yew trees said to grow adjacent to the ancient Cotswold stone building.

jungle setting. Life-size polar bears as well as gorillas and giant hedgehogs appear from behind trees and shrubbery and appear to roam the tropical terrain.

The present castle owner is Lady Elizabeth Ashcombe and her two children. She has lived at the castle for more than 50 years since marrying her first husband Mark Ashcombe in 1962. It is due to her and her husband that the castle has kept its relevance. We met a group of Americans who were overwhelmed by the beauty and history of Sudeley. One of their relatives had moved from Winchcombe to the States more than 100 years ago. To them it must have seemed a magical experience; to us, lucky enough to live with so much history, it’s a good day out plus a chance to brush up on the last wife of Henry VIII. Life-size elephants made from bamboo in the castle grounds

Sudeley Castle & grounds

Winchcombe is very close to Sudeley Castle. Our cottage, with its almost kerbside lounge and tiny kitchen, boasted all mod cons and a beautiful back garden. Rickety steps led to a high terrace with distant vistas across the valley. The view of lichen-covered roof tiles gave way to luscious fields of greens and yellows which in turn merged in the shimmering hot sunshine with the distant blue-green hills and sky beyond.

Once unpacked we made our way to Sudeley Castle. Here there is much to see and admire. The last of Henry VIII's wives, Catherine Parr, is entombed in St Mary's Church, close to the ruins of the original castle. She lived at Sudeley and was very involved with the upbringing of Elizabeth l who also spent much of her childhood there. Even when she became Queen, Elizabeth visited the castle often and celebrated the defeat of the Spanish Armada there with an elaborate three-day party.

Much of the English nobility found itself either visiting or living at this celebrated castle, Richard III, Henry VII and Lady Jane Grey being just a few of them. During the English Civil War the castle was a military base for Charles l and Prince Rupert. However, Parliamentarians managed to seize it in 1649 and raze it to the ground to ensure it would never again be used as a military post.

For 200 years the castle lay in ruins until the Dent glove manufacturing family bought and restored it to much of its former glory. During the Second World War the Tate Art Gallery used it for storage, keeping their treasures safely away from the Blitz. Part of it was also used as a Prisoner of War camp with inmates providing labour for the local farming community.

A new enterprise in the grounds is the introduction of many full-size replicas of African animals. Children will be awestruck by the 100 bamboo elephants that can be seen in the The Week in • Wednesday 21st June 2023

The following day we went to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway. It is managed by 900 volunteers and runs from Cheltenham Racecourse to Broadway in the heart of the Cotswolds. As one of its stops is just outside Winchcombe, we made a bee line for this local tourist attraction. The station is typical of wartime England with old vehicles and machinery placed strategically around the environs.

In 1981 British Rail agreed to sell the route to the newly formed Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway Plc and the long process of rebuilding the line began. The track was completed in 2003 and opened by HRH The Princess Royal.

Once on the platform, we waited expectantly for the huge green engine. As it came into view, trainspotters and photographers raced to catch its magnificent beauty.

Steaming smoke and clanking gears finally stopped it in its tracks and with mounting excitement we boarded the mighty beast complete with its re-upholstered carriages and overhead

Winchcombe Station

The signal box at Broadway Station

luggage racks. The station master blew his whistle and our journey began. Picking up speed, with the smell of steam and smoke permeating the carriage, we were thrown back to an age of leisurely relaxing travel. One of the highlights of the journey is the Stanway Viaduct, a structure 50ft high with 15 brick arches crossing the valley below like an elaborate giant toy.

At Broadway Station we alighted to be met with sticky summer heat and then walked the mile or so into the small Cotswold town. The hostelries were not too busy and we succumbed to a cool drink before exploring briefly what Broadway had to offer. During the 1600s this was a major coaching stop on the road from Worcester to London and had more than 30 public houses. However, with the arrival of the railway at nearby Evesham in 1852, travel by stagecoach stopped almost immediately and the village became a backwater. Today it is a mix of small shops, hostelries and cottages that front on to public grassy lawns; it is a chocolate box setting and a favourite stopping-off place for ramblers.

I realised the walk back to the station would be too tiring in the heat, but at that moment we were lucky enough to find a centrally situated bus stop and within minutes boarded a number 606 bus that took us back to the station.

We returned to Winchcombe and spent the final evening dodging a local thunderstorm which threw spectacular lightning and torrential rain on to a parched but pretty part of England. It had been an extremely interesting and educational weekend but not surprisingly finished with a typically British downpour that only served to make the Cotswolds even more exciting. A wet weekend in the Cotswolds it certainly wasn't.

Christine Rogers

Catherine Parr's tomb at St Mary's Church at Sudeley Castle

11

Gloucestershire

and families. The cool packs follow the

Council’s ongoing cost of living support,

success of free warm packs which were

Phone mast plan outside pub is blocked

free cool packs containing items to help

distributed during winter 2022/23, with

A bid to put a 15-metre high phone mast

neutral comments and one in support. The

people keep cool and well in warm

500 being collected as temperatures

outside a Downend pub has been blocked

concerns raised included that it would be an

temperatures are now available to collect

dropped and residents faced higher energy

by South Gloucestershire Council.

eyesore in a residential area, was too close to

from local libraries and children’s centres.

bills. The packs also contain lots of

Telecoms giant CK Hutchinson Networks

homes and that there were more suitable sites

Each pack is made up of an insulated

information about financial support

(UK) Ltd was seeking prior approval to install

elsewhere; it was also felt that there is already

picnic bag and contains a handheld fan,

available as well as advice to help

a monopole with six antennas and three

a reliable 5G signal in the area.

insulated cooling bottle, two caps and ice

maintain good mental health if you have

equipment cabinets on the verge between

There were also concerns about harmful

packs. Specific bags for older people also

financial

also

Badminton Road and Blackhorse Lane,

radiation; however, the applicant had

include a cool gel pad to aid sleeping in

information about health tips for warmer

immediately to the west of The Trident pub.

submitted a declaration of conformity with

hot temperatures and bags for families

temperatures and free things to do with

The mast being proposed would be much taller

international radiation guidelines.

include ice lolly moulds and fun recipe

children during the summer. The council

than all the other development and trees in the

The council refused to grant prior approval on

cards to make with children as well as

also has a range of grants to help residents

area and twice the height of nearby street

the grounds that the siting and design were not

caps and water bottles for kids.

who are struggling financially, and staff

lights. The council received 26 letters of

acceptable in the attractive open space in a

In total, 1,000 cool packs will be available

can help access national support for the

objection from local residents as well as two

residential area.

over the summer for adults, pensioners

rising cost of living.

Keep your cool As

part

of

South

concerns.

There

is

Concert at church Some tickets are still available for Bath Gilbert & Sullivan Society’s performance of The Mikado at St Mary’s Church in Bitton on Saturday (24th June) at 7.30pm. Call 07970 325927.

How you can support The Week In For the last 15 years The Week In has been

genuinely local publication.

The Week In will always be free but the size

readers and members of the community.

the voice of the community. Whether

Much has changed over the last 15 years.

and number of copies printed will continue

Other initiatives will be unveiled during the

informing, celebrating or holding decision

Technology has changed the way people get

to be dictated by its advertisers. The world

course of this year aimed at making The

makers to account, the newspaper is still

their news and The Week In has also

is changing and The Week In has to change

Week In a relevant asset to the community

eagerly anticipated each Wednesday by

adapted its output for a digital audience.

with it. You will already be aware of some

for the coming 15 years and more.

many in the community. What’s more, The

Retail business has also undergone a

of those changes. The most significant has

Independent local journalism is vital to a

Week In is free, thanks to the support of

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Become a supporter A lot of people tell us they support and are grateful for what we do at The Week In but they do not want to become member shareholders of the society.

They do however want to contribute to our aims and this is possible through a simple donation. If you have a smart phone, you scan the QR code and simply pay what you like online.

Alternatively, you can send a cheque to The Week In Community at 8 Temple Court, Keynsham, BS31 1HA. We would like to express our sincere thanks to those readers who have already done so.

The Week in • Wednesday 21st June 2023

The Community Page

Saltford Parish Council Follow us on Facebook, Twitter or check out the ‘News’ page of SPC’s website

New Saltford Parish Council Chair and Vice Chair At the first meeting of the newly elected

more

information

please

visit

the

Saltford Parish Council (SPC), Cllr Jon

‘Councillors’ page on the parish council’s

Godfrey was elected as Chair with Cllr

website.

David Halton as Vice Chair. Cllr Phil

The image shows Chair Jon Godfrey (top

Harding continues as Chair of Planning

right); next row from left, Julie Austwick,

Committee, with Cllr Shayan Aziz

Shayan Aziz, Dudley Bartlett, Gary

appointed as the committee’s Vice Chair.

Graveling and David Halton (Vice Chair);

Councillors are members of committees

in the bottom row from left are Phil

and working groups, as well as being ‘Link

Harding, Emma Hughes, Andy Rice, Paul

Members’ with local organisations. For

Smith and Sally Turner.

Temporary traffic regulation order on High Street Please be aware that if driving in the ‘old village’ area in Saltford that ongoing temporary restricted parking measures and stop/go boards are in place during 2023 to allow heavy plant vehicles access to and from the Wessex Water Saltford Recycling Centre site in Mead Lane.

Wessex Water’s stewards will be present at key operational times. Expect delays. SPC will welcome Wessex Water representatives to present at its July meeting to give an update on the site works, and appreciates continued communications with Wessex Water about the

Saltford Sports Club goes from strength to strength SPC was delighted to be invited to Saltford Sport Club’s official opening of their new pétanque court and patio. SPC gave a grant of £2,000 towards pétanque court costs, with Cllr Phil Harding enjoying trying out the new court at the opening (pictured).

Thanks were expressed by those at the club to SPC as well as the many people and businesses who helped achieve this project.

over the playing fields and are just some

The new court and patio, along with the

of the great improvements made at the

substantial refurbishment of the sports

club in recent years for the benefit of the

Saltford’s buzzing!

club’s bar area, provide fantastic views

community.

Saltford Parish Council was delighted to be a named partner in Bath & North East Somerset

Grant to Saltford Santa Dash

Council’s successful application to the West

Though thoughts of Christmas during

for several weeks already! SPC was

of England Combined Authority (WECA) for

these hot summer days seem far away, the

pleased to award this great local initiative

‘Community Pollinator’ funds. Funding was

Saltford Santa Dash Committee have been

£275 at its June meeting to help them on

utilised to engage with Year 4 children at

busy planning their December 2023 event

their way.

project.

Saltford Primary School in May. Workshops led by B&NES Council and Avon Wildlife

Sewage in river continues to be a concern

Trust included children finding out about how

Scouts and Saltford District Guide groups

they could use the natural environment in

wildflower seedballs to mark the Coronation

The sewerage network discharges treated

for B&NES Council to take the lead on a

Saltford to encourage more insects and

last month. More than 350sq metres of

sewage and overflows of untreated sewage

‘safer, cleaner river’.

wildlife to the area.

wildflowers seeds were distributed to younger

into the River Avon at Saltford. Water

SPC has been informed that Wessex Water

The children also investigated the different

members of both groups. SPC thanks B&NES

quality in the River Avon in Saltford

is

types of insects in the school surroundings

Council for supporting the environment by

continues to be a concern for many. The

improvements to increase capacity at one

and completed collage work linked to this

leaving sections of longer grass in the village

parish council raised this with the B&NES

of the several storm drains in Saltford.

theme. Further activity in the village is

to thrive (as seen at ‘Admirals Park’ in the

Council WaterSpace Project Officer and

Users are reminded that if they become

planned so watch this space! SPC was also

photo). SPC views this action a great balance

the Catchment Partnership Officer at its

unwell after entering the water to call 111

pleased to give members of the Saltford

between access and letting nature thrive.

recent meeting following SPC’s request

or visit www.nhs.uk to seek medical help.

The Week in • Wednesday 21st June 2023

planning

some

storm

overflow

13

Crossword Solution

Sudoku Solutions 1-Easy

2-Hard

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Keynsham Music Festival – Saturday in the Park Over the past few years, the festival organisers have been

politics,

developing the Saturday of the festival so there is so much

pretentions much will strike a

more for the whole family to enjoy together.

chord with today’s audiences.

Festival Saturday (1st July) now complements the traditional

customs

and

Eco Village

and ever-popular music and dance of Sunday to make it a Big

Another

Weekend in the Park.

Keynsham Eco Festival was

This year the action revolves around many areas: the

set up three years ago to raise

Truespeed Top Stage where you will find all of the Family

awareness locally about the

Festival entertainment, the Crystal Clear Abbey Stage where

global climate crisis and what

the Bath Gilbert & Sullivan Society will be performing The

ordinary people can do to make a difference now and for

Mikado, the Meryton Place Wellbeing Village, and the M G

future generations. It also helps local community eco groups,

Estate Agents Folk & Roots Stage where you will find a

charities, organisations and businesses connect and work

superb range of folk and acoustic music going on well into

together on common projects to build community resilience.

the evening.

On Saturday there will be an Eco Village – a carnival of

first

this

year,

Family Festival

colourful interactive stalls along by the river with wide appeal

Compered by JoJo Sparkles, the stage will see performances

for all the family, highlighting what local eco groups and

from KLOGS, Phoenix Youth Theatre, and Razzamataz. In

businesses offer and how to get involved and make a

between these acts there will be a variety of performance

difference.

Art Zones

artists including Boom Circus, Circomedia and even Wonder Woman will be appearing!

This year we are very grateful to Flourish of Glenavon Farm

Outside there will be a variety of workshops including circus

for enabling us to extend our arts to four distinct zones.

skills, hula hoops, willow weaving and clay modelling and

1. The Willow Project

walkabout entertainers.

You can get involved in the building of a giant willow

Making their first appearance at the festival are Super Pirates

mushroom. Led by the young people at the Nova Youth Arts

– providing entertainment for 3 to 10-year olds.

Festival, the structure highlights the positive impact that the

They are an energetic team of playworkers, actors and

humble fungi have in combating global warming.

dancers, who know all about putting smiles on faces. Nobody

2. Clay Modelling

They will be performing on both Saturday and Sunday from

leaves a Super Pirates play area without feeling more

This popular workshop encourages your artistic side in

3:00pm to 4:30pm at the top end of the park.

awesome about themselves.

making something personal to you. You can then take your

You will see aerial hoop, strap and trapeze work.

The Mikado

work to Flourish and paint it. See Flourish for a token.

Meryton Place Wellbeing Village

The award-winning Bath Gilbert & Sullivan Society makes

3. Spray Painting

The Wellbeing Village, makes a welcome return to the family

its debut at this year’s festival with a concert performance of

Try your hand at spray painting with artist Nick (who painted

day at the festival. There will be an impressive mix of local

one of the most popular and successful shows of all time.

the mural at the Pocket Park). Limited spaces available.

wellbeing providers on offer that you can try out for yourself

It boasts some of Sullivan’s greatest musical achievements

4. The Gallery

throughout the day.

including ‘Three Little Maids’, ‘Tit Willow’ and the famous

Keynsham’s local artists will be at the Festival on Saturday

Weather permitting, we will have an outdoor area

‘Little List’ song.

and Sunday with ArtSpace.

demonstrating different forms of pole fitness. If you’re

Although Gilbert’s plot pokes fun at Victorian British society,

16

Circomedia

looking for something less active, why not treat yourself to

Again this year, we welcome more students from Circomedia

one of our taster sessions from our local massage therapists

showcasing their skills.

or reflexologists.

The Week in • Wednesday 21st June 2023