The Week In - Issue 793 - 9th August 2023

THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset Issue 793

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9th August 2023

Read by more than 40,000 people each week

What happened to Denise?

Police have renewed their appeal for information about

jogs their memories.

Kingswood woman Denise Jarvis who mysteriously

“Every piece of information is

disappeared a year ago.

important in our efforts to find out

They hope the anniversary appeal will help jog memories in

what happened to Denise. Our

their hunt for 44-year-old Denise. The last confirmed sighting

investigation will be subject to regular

of her was on the evening of Wednesday 3rd August 2022 in

reviews and we’re ready to respond to

the Southey Park area.

any new lines of enquiry which come

Senior Investigating Officer Det Chief Insp Ben Lavender

in.”

said: “We know how devastating this continues to be for

A thorough investigation has seen

Denise’s loved ones and our thoughts remain very much with

officers complete more than 700

them. We want to use this first anniversary as a reminder that

actions and speak to more than 90 of

we’re still appealing for information from the public. People

Denise’s contacts in the hope of

have annual routines and events they may attend, so we’d ask

finding her.

them to think back to the same time last year to see if that

It is understood that Denise is a Denise in the coat she was wearing when she was last seen

mother of one and worked in the mobile phone industry for many years, having graduated with a degree in maths. It has been

Extensive searches of the area where she was last seen have

reported that she had been going through a divorce and was

also been carried out, as well as other intelligence and Police

suffering some sort of breakdown.

Search Advisors (POLSA)-led searches, some of which have involved the use of police divers and a drone, while CCTV from the area has also been reviewed. Police have been unable to locate any CCTV footage of her following the last confirmed sighting.

Continued on page 3

Denise

Also in this week’s issue

South Glos bin workers accept 10.1% pay offer . . . page 2

Man charged after police pursuit ends in Willsbridge . . . page 3

Outstanding rating for Keynsham’s newest primary school . . . page 4

Denise with her mum Bernadette

Truespeed looks to shed jobs . . . page 10

South Glos bin workers accept 10.1% pay offer in

South

He added: “We ask that people present their

accepted

the

recycling on the normal collection day but

improved pay offer from waste contractor

can’t guarantee that they will be collected on

Suez.

the normal collection day, but don’t expect

Around 150 members of the union Unite had

them to be collected the next day. We are

been in dispute over pay levels. Bin loaders

asking Suez to keep to their schedule.”

earn £11.53 per hour and said they hadn’t

Residents should however report any missed

received a wage rise in line with inflation for

black bin collections.

more than two decades.

Mr King said there had been a lot of talk

They took strike action from 12th to 18th

about the need for the council to fine Suez.

June and there was a second phase initially

He explained that it is the only contract like

scheduled from 26th June to Sunday 9th July,

it in the country. A PFI (private finance

but a couple of days into that period it was

initiative) contract, it began in 2000 and runs

announced that the strike would be extended

until 2025. It is supported by a Defra

until 3rd September unless a settlement was

(Department for Environment, Food and

reached. With an offer of 10.1% having been

Rural Affairs) grant and Suez collect, sort

recommended by the union, industrial action

and dispose of the material and the council

was suspended from Monday last week while

pays a monthly fee.

the

Striking

refuse

Gloucestershire

members

workers have

The

In normal circumstances the council fines

announcement that members had accepted

were

Suez for NCIs (non-compliant incidents)

the offer came last Wednesday.

such as missed bins. But under the measures

Speaking at an online public briefing last

of the contract, provided Suez has kept the

Wednesday,

Mark

balloted.

the

South

council informed of the situation before and

director

who

during the industrial action, uses its best

manages the waste contract through Suez,

endeavours to continue provision of a

said that a recovery plan was being

service, and pays for any out-of-pocket

implented, including the workforce accepting

expenses, the council has no means to fine

overtime.

Suez or withhold money, he explained.

He said: “You will have to bear with us

Band D council tax payers pay about £2.20 a

during this period because it’s going to take

week for the waste service, and black bins

us a couple of weeks to catch up. As you can

continued to be collected throughout the

imagine there is a lot of recycling and a lot

strike period, Sort It Centres had been open

of green bins they’ve got to catch up on.

(other than the Little Stoke one) and

Those bins will be heavy as it’s been some

temporary bring sites had been set up, said

time now since they were last collected.”

Mr King.

Gloucestershire

King,

Council

Spotlight on fly-tipping Fly-tipping in South Gloucestershire generally stayed at its normal level during the strike, apart from a slight increase at the end of July.

There has been fly-tipping at the now decommissioned bring sites that operated during the industrial action, including Warmley Community Centre and The Batch Community Centre in Cadbury Heath. The council has warned it will take action against offenders.

CCTV is in place and signs discourage it.

Warmley Community Centre

2

The Week in • Wednesday 9th August 2023

What happened Man charged with five offences following police pursuit to Denise?

Continued from page 1 CCTV images on the day before she went missing show the coat she was wearing when she was last seen in the park – a grey, thigh-length sleeveless coat.

Police also released images last week of two of Denise’s bags (see below) which were found in the park, but they

A 21-year-old man from Cadbury Heath has been charged with five offences - including failing to stop for a police officer and dangerous driving - following a collision on the A431 Bath Road in Willsbridge last

Thursday.

The main road was closed in both directions following the collision which happened shortly after 1pm and involved a number of vehicles.

Jordan Innes Marsh has also been

charged with using a vehicle without insurance, driving while disqualified and failure to provide a specimen (blood).

He is due to attend Bristol Magistrates’ Court on 19th September.

know she had other bags with her which have not been found.

If you know where Denise is or have seen or spoken with her since 3rd August last year, call 999, quoting reference 5222186376, or call 101 with any other information.

Police have also set up an online portal featuring the appeal - https://mipp.police.uk/operation/5222C16-PO1 - which allows people to send information direct to officers working on the investigation.

The Week in • Wednesday 9th August 2023

Flagship store at risk of closure There is a question mark over the

jobs at risk.

future of one of the flagship stores in

The retailer has reportedly hired

Kings Chase Shopping Centre in

property agent CBRE to negotiate

Kingswood.

with landlords over reducing store

Discount chain Wilko, which has 400

rents. Kings Chase Shopping Centre is

shops across the UK - including at

owned by South Gloucestershire

Kings Chase and Avonmeads Retail

Council.

Park in St Phillips in Bristol - has filed

As we reported in Issue 791 the New

a notice of intention to appoint

Look store at Kings Chase is closing

administrators, putting around 12,000

today (Wednesday).

3

School rated as outstanding in its first Ofsted inspection Keynsham’s newest primary school has been awarded Ofsted’s highest grade in its first inspection.

Two Rivers C of E Primary School, which opened in 2020, has been rated as Outstanding in all areas – for quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision.

Pupils flourish at the school which they describe as a welcoming place where everyone is kind and respectful.

The inspectors’ report says: “Staff give pupils the courage and confidence to try new things.

All pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve extremely well.

“Pupils consistently meet the high expectations adults have of them. They behave extremely well, both in and outside the classroom. As a result, the school is a calm and purposeful place to learn.”

The inspectors were impressed with both academic standards and progress and children’s wider development: “Leaders and staff have the highest ambitions for every pupil. They have created a curriculum that is designed exceptionally well.”

Ofsted also praised the school’s governors and Futura Learning Partnership for their support of the school.

Futura Learning Partnership opened Two Rivers in 2020 to serve the growing population of east Keynsham. The school

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.

was initially based in temporary accommodation at the campus in Chandag Road, with staff and pupils moving into their new environmentally-friendly buildings on the new Hygge Park development last year.

At the time of the inspection the school had 62 pupils aged four to seven. This September it is welcoming 21 children into its reception class and its oldest pupils have started Key Stage 2.

Headteacher Matt Filer said: "This Ofsted report is a lovely endorsement of the culture of our entire school community. We look forward to further success for all pupils at our growing school with these strong foundations upon which to build."

Andrea Arlidge, chief executive of Futura, said: “I am immensely proud of this Ofsted outcome at Two Rivers, which is developing into an exceptional school.”

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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

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4

The Week in • Wednesday 9th August 2023

Ancient right of way is restored Campaigners in Hanham are celebrating after an ancient right of way was reinstated.

The pathway, which had been obstructed for several months due to ploughing and the planting of maize by a local farmer, stretches approximately 200 metres and connects Common Road to Hencliff Wood.

The land is part of the Green Belt site where plans to build 149 homes are currently being considered by South Gloucestershire Council. There have been 779 objections and just nine comments of support of the plans

from Grass Roots Planning Limited on behalf of Ashfield Land Limited and Redrow Homes.

Obstructing a public right of way is not only an inconvenience to the community but also a criminal offence. Government guidelines say that cultivating a cross-field footpath is to be avoided entirely. However, if it becomes unavoidable, landowners are required to ensure that the footpath remains clearly visible with a minimum width of one metre, free from any crop obstructions.

Hanham District Green Belt Conservation

From Common Road looking towards Hencliff Wood before the path was restored

Hanham District Green Belt Conservation Society members walking on the restored path on Sunday

Society, which is vigilant in protecting the area's natural heritage, brought the obstructed pathway to the attention of the public rights of way (PROW) officer at the end of June.

The officer engaged with the farmer and last week gave a 48-hour ultimatum to restore the pathway. The farmer cooperated and the right of way was reopened to the public at the weekend.

A local resident told The Week In: “The farmer has been obstructing this popular ancient right of way by growing very tall maize over it for the last 10 years, and this is

the first time that I have seen the path reinstated during the growing season.

“It's a very popular path with the locals, as it provides quick, direct access to the beautiful Hencliff Wood, part of the Avon Valley Woodlands nature reserve.

“The ancient pathway not only offers a scenic route for walkers but also plays a crucial role in connecting the community with nature and fostering a sense of well-being. The restoration of this right of way demonstrates the importance of public vigilance and the significance of local conservation societies in safeguarding cherished green spaces.”

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26 flats planned at boarded-up business centre Plans to turn a boarded-up office block in Kingswood into 26 flats have been submitted to South Gloucestershire Council for consideration.

Theft from garage Someone entered a garage on Chandag Road in Keynsham during the night of Sunday 30th July. The door had been left slightly open and the offender stole some tools and food.

If you have any information about this incident, especially CCTV images, call 101, giving reference number 5223184798. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Steadfast Investments Ltd is giving prior notification of its intention to change the use of the two-storey White House Business Centre from commercial to residential.

The building is by the junction with Douglas Road. To the side and rear is a car park. The site is surrounded on all sides by homes.

The proposed mix is 25 one-bed units and one two-bed flat.

The main access would be from the rear, using the existing staircase and central corridor. The ground floor flats at the front would also have direct access to private outdoor

spaces.

A total of 26 parking spaces are proposed within the existing car park along with storage for 26 bikes.

The applicant says the site is in an accessible location and residents would be within easy walking and cycling distance of facilities and transport links.

Overspill parking onto surrounding roads would be prevented by parking restrictions on double yellow lines.

The planning application is P23/02249/PNMD and the deadline for comments is 21st August.

Toy appeal Donations of sensory toys in good condition would be welcomed by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s libraries for their sensory spaces.

Keynsham, Midsomer Norton and Bath libraries all have a sensory space for children and young adults with sensory needs.

Donations can be dropped off at the libraries.

To find out more about booking a slot at any of them visit https://tinyurl.com/4skyz469 Use of the spaces is free.

6

The Week in • Wednesday 9th August 2023

M4 closes for inspection of bridge at risk of collapse National Highways has closed the M4 at night this week to carry out more exploratory work on the A432 Badminton Road overbridge which was shut to traffic last month amid fears that it could collapse.

The motorway is closed between junctions 18 and 19 overnight (8pm to 6am) from 7th to 14th August.

Speaking at a briefing last Wednesday, Mark King, who is in charge of roads for South Gloucestershire Council, said that the local authority had received just two days’ notice that the bridge, which is next to the A4174 Ring Road near Emersons Green, would close.

He said: “It is a National Highways’ asset – it is their bridge on their infrastructure; however, it is on our network. They’re concerned the bridge will collapse if we continue to overload it and they are concerned there is material falling off that bridge on to a live carriageway. That is why they took the immediate option to close it.”

He continued: “We have been told that National Highways are going to close the motorway between the M32 and the Bath junction for a week at nights while they do some more exploratory investigations to have a better understanding of how it’s failing.”

The minimum length of closure of the

overbridge is until December when National Highways will have the outcome of its investigations. In the worst case scenario the bridge would have to be rebuilt, which would mean two years’ closure, said Mr King.

The council’s priority is to minimise disruption and establish a “new norm” and it has been monitoring traffic and trying to learn where the pinch points and danger points are, he continued.

Temporary four-way traffic lights have been installed at the Henfield Road/Westerleigh Road crossroads. In the three lanes that have been closed off to prevent rat-running – Coalsack Lane, Ruffet Road and Cooks Lane – motorists have been moving the barriers so the council is reinforcing them.

The council is also reinstating temporary traffic lights at the junction of the B4465 Westerleigh Road at Codrington as it did to manage traffic during the closure of the Bromley Heath Viaduct.

Mr King said that traffic is currently fairly light as it is the school holidays but the council is braced for a busy time between September and December.

The recommended signposted diversion is the safest way for motorists to go around the bridge. Local traffic heading northbound is being diverted via the B4465 Westerleigh Road up to the A46 and into Yate via the A432 (and southbound in reverse).

Scaffolding has gone up under the bridge

National Highways is also encouraging all traffic to use the A420 and A46 for Yate from the Hicks Gate direction on the A4174 Ring

Road, and for motorway users to use the M4 Junction 18 for Yate, rather than the M32 and A4174.

Work on new path is halted Work on the new shared use path linking

Pucklechurch

and

Shortwood has been halted because of a land acquisition issue.

It

is

understood

that

South

Gloucestershire Council solicitors hope to have full control of the land in question within the next month or so which will enable work to begin again in early autumn, once the bird nesting season has finished.

The new path being created next to

The new pathway is not yet complete

the B4465 Shortwood Road will link Pucklechurch to the existing

as it was in the way of the new path. At the

cycle track on Shortwood Hill and make it

time the council said that wherever

safe for people to walk, cycle and ride

possible, the existing hedging and trees

horses in and out of the village. It is being

were being retained and that there would

created along the southern side on land

be replacement planting including a more

including a verge, a field boundary, a horse

varied mix of trees.

grazing field, and land used for arable

A section of public footpath which crosses

farming.

an adjoining field between the B4465 and

In April we reported that a tree believed to

Siston Lane is being diverted along the

be 300 years old was being chopped down

new shared route.

The Week in • Wednesday 9th August 2023

7

LETTERS Beware of Tesco car park cameras Dear Editor I recently received a parking fine from Horizon

A copy of this letter is being sent to First Bus.

Rebellion organised a mass rally in Keynsham

recipients and their families and shared stories

Mrs Lea

Park and then went on a march through the town

and experiences.

Kingswood

centre. A good-natured, even entertaining event

Beyond the sporting achievement, it was a

which lasted a couple of hours but totally ruined

celebration of life for those who are still here, and a celebration of remembrance for the donors who

for exceeding my stay in Tesco Keynsham car

Britain is lagging behind

the weekend for so many people who just

park.

Dear Editor

happened to be driving their car on some activity

enabled it.

The parking charge said that I had entered at 11.52

In response to the letter in last week’s issue

or other at the same time.

Congratulations

and exited at 16.43. In fact I had entered at 11.52

headlined ‘No need for this level of interference’,

How inconsiderate these protesters are. Much

Birmingham Children's Hospital, who won the

as stated but then left the car park at

the UK’s figure of 1.03% in terms of carbon

better that we just listen to our politicians who

trophies for best liver unit and best children's

approximately 12.30. I was away all afternoon

dioxide, in comparison to China’s 29%, is often

will be nowhere to be seen when a major climate

team! Training for Nottingham 2024 starts now!

and returned to Tesco just before 16.40 to

cited as a reason not to push for more green

catastrophe does hit.

Organ donation saves lives. Please consider

withdraw some cash. I then left at 16.43 as stated.

technology or to stop fossil fuel use in the UK.

Just what will it take for people to wake up and

registering!

Obviously the Horizon system did not register my

However, China has reached its wind and solar

realise we ALL have a problem? It’s not enough

James Wonnacott

intermediate leaving and arrival times. I have

target five years ahead of time unlike us British

to say we are doing our bit and it’s all the others

Warmley

naturally appealed this fine and in fact can prove

(now lagging 10 years behind our targets). In the

who are the problem. If more of us actually took

Editor’s note: You can find out more at

my movements by sending them my Google

first quarter of the year, China’s utility-scale solar

notice and took action, perhaps there would be

https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/

Maps timeline.

capacity reached 228GW, more than all the rest

less need to protest. It was a previous world

Next month we will feature National Organ

If you have a smartphone this can prove to be a

of the world combined.

catastrophe that wiped out the dinosaurs. Perhaps

Donation Week which runs from 18th to 24th

very useful tool if a similar problem should

Yes, China has more work to do, but it is striding

the next one will do the same.

September

happen to any of your readers. I am awaiting a

ahead in green technologies. Most of our solar

Name and address supplied

response and apology from Horizon.

panels and mobile phones for example are made

P Poole

in China. Maybe next time we buy something we

Dear Editor How I agree with John Sibley (Letter 791) about the No 42 bus.

Last Tuesday I had a hospital appointment. After nearly a 10-minute walk on a stick, I saw the stop

Jake's

teammates

at

Charity shops Have you considered organ donation?

Dear Editor

If the manufacturing carbon footprint of the many

Dear Editor

I agree with. Charity shops do provide a service,

products ‘made in China’ we buy were taken into

At the weekend our five-year-old son Jake, and

but does Cllr Alan Hale really expect residents to

account, I suspect we would no longer be in 17th

his 63-year-old donated liver returned from the

talk up Keynsham because of them?

position but closer to the top!

British Transplant Games with three golds and

B Chris

K Gadsden

one silver medal.

Warmley

Just 12 months ago he was recovering from a liver

Not enough parking

should have a look to see where it has come from.

Poor bus service

to

Well done John Howlett (Letters, Issue 792), who

transplant, having suffered a sudden liver failure

Dear Editor

following a viral infection.

Re last week’s story about the new Keynsham

Grimsbury Road. It was too late for me to walk

Climate change is everyone’s problem

The games was an incredible experience, marking

recycling hub, I cannot believe that Bath & North

there, hence I had to call for a taxi.

Dear Editor

a milestone in his recovery. As well as having the

East Somerset Council have only provided 50

If this wasn’t bad enough, coming home I got a

Here we go again. If the world is not burning, it

opportunity to compete, we met other transplant

parking spaces for 200 staff working there - what

bus going to Kingswood. Thinking I was nearly

is suffering typhoons and devastating flooding.

planet are the planners living on to only provide

home I waited half an hour (43s came one after

But here, it is protesters trying to make us think

parking for one in four staff?

the other). When I got on, I asked if it was

about climate change who are the main story.

On using the site recently, entry was easy with

stopping in Grimsbury Road and the driver didn’t

Mike Barrow’s ‘it’s nothing for us Brits to worry

great directions from the man on the entrance, but

know (not English). It ended up going along the

about’ letter last week is not unusual.

the exit was very difficult with cars parking on

Ring Road and didn’t stop until we got to Craven

Just like our Prime Minister who also

double lines both sides - and the site is not yet

Way. I had the choice of walking up Wraxall Road

acknowledges that climate change is a real issue,

fully staffed.

(a hill) or going through an underpass. My nerve

but not anything that should stop us from

B&NES needs more parking spaces for staff

went and I got another taxi.

plundering fossil fuels. No, a much more serious

based at the recycling plant or the staff will have

Then they wonder why people won’t use buses.

concern is these protesters who deem to interrupt

to park on roads around the site.

They have left us in Cock Road with no bus

our enjoyment of televised events.

shelter and no seat.

I remember just over a year ago when Extinction

had been suspended due to roadworks in Hanham Road and the bus was now going along

8

David Whalley Jake

Keynsham

The Week in • Wednesday 9th August 2023

LETTERS Time for a change in the law Dear Editor Vladimir Putin and his subordinates have committed the international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes during the unlawful war in the Ukraine. But if they visited England, they could not be prosecuted because the International Criminal Court Act 2001 (ICCA) does not give English domestic courts jurisdiction over these crimes when committed outside the UK by a person who is not a UK national, UK resident or a person subject to UK service jurisdiction.

This is a serious gap in the law which is

Plea to Co-op members

more Co-op members to choose us as their cause

intolerable. The ICCA needs to be amended

Dear Editor

to help us deliver our project in Bristol. We’re

retrospectively to give English domestic courts

Bristol Dementia Action Alliance is currently

raising funds to raise awareness of dementia as

universal jurisdiction over these crimes, such as

being supported by the Co-op’s Local Community

well as support people living with dementia and

the jurisdiction over the crime of torture given to

Fund. The fund helps thousands of local causes

their families, friends and co-workers. Co-op

the courts by the Criminal Justice Act 1988.

across the UK, and we’re really pleased to have

members can select us as their local cause by

A person who commits torture anywhere in the

been chosen to benefit, especially given the

visiting https://tinyurl.com/mr3493be

world since 29th September 1988 can be

current challenges all charities and small

We really hope that people will visit the Co-op

prosecuted in England and Wales. There is no UK

community groups are experiencing at this time.

website or download the Co-op app and select us

nationality requirement, thus a visitor can be

Co-op members can make a difference simply by

as their cause so we can continue making a

prosecuted.

Readers should write to their

shopping at the Co-op. Every time they buy

difference.

Member of Parliament requesting that that they

selected Co-op branded products and services,

Tony Hall

use their influence to get the law changed.

members earn rewards for themselves and their

Chair, Bristol Dementia

Simon Parsons, Keynsham

community when they select a cause. We’d love

Action Alliance

Birthday Buses scheme launches From the start of August, residents in the West of England are getting a special birthday gift - a month’s fully free bus travel – which is part of a scheme designed to radically grow passenger numbers.

'Birthday Buses' is the brainchild of directly elected Regional Mayor Dan Norris. All one million-plus residents in the region can travel on buses across the 350-plus square mile network in the month of their birthday for free.

Passengers can make unlimited journeys at any time of the day.

The West of England Mayor wants to help residents in the

managed. The scheme has been budgeted at £8m from the

cost-of-living crisis and get more people using buses to

Bus Service Improvement Plan.

help take polluting diesel and petrol cars off our streets.

All the main bus companies, including First and

Fewer than one in 10 regional commutes are currently

Stagecoach, have signed up to the first of its kind initiative,

made on public transport and the economic impact of

and the region’s WESTlink bookable minibuses will also

congestion costs the West of England £300m a year.

offer free travel.

Worked up in partnership with bus companies, the phased

The scheme will run for 12 months and if successful, the

nature of Birthday Buses, with a twelfth of the population

Mayor hopes Birthday Buses could be rolled out

eligible at a time, will mean increased demand can be

nationwide.

Sudoku 1-Easy

SUNDAY CHEMISTS Sunday 13th August

2 -Hard

Boots, Gallagher Retail Park, Longwell Green (10.30am-4pm) Asda, Longwell Green (10am-4pm) 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 9th August 2023

9

Tennis festival is Dan’s next fundraiser The next event to support the fundraising efforts of a young Keynsham man diagnosed with incurable bowel cancer will be a tennis festival.

With the help of family and friends, 24-year-old Dr Daniel Money is supporting Cancer Research UK. So far more than £32,000 has been raised.

Dan’s Festival of Tennis will take place at Bath Tennis Club in Park Lane, Bath, on Sunday 10th September. The event is being organised by one of his former teachers, Lou Riddoch.

She said: “I had the pleasure of teaching Dan when he was a pupil at Wellsway School. Dan was an absolute delight to teach. I also enjoyed being a fellow member at Bath Tennis Club where Dan was an exceptionally good junior player.”

Rubbish fire Crews from Hicks Gate fire station were called to reports of a blaze at Chaffinch Avenue in Keynsham in the early hours of Tuesday 25th July.

They found a fire involving rubbish and extinguished it with a bucket of water.

The cause is thought to be deliberate.

Free community lunches The One Community Kitchen will be serving twocourse lunches in St John’s Church Hall in Keynsham on Saturday (12th August) from noon to 2pm for anyone finding life hard.

Takeaway meals will also be available to help the elderly and people with mobility or mental health issues.

Book by email at octkitchen@outlook.com

Crossword

On his fundraising page Dan, who trained to be a doctor in Birmingham, tells how he was diagnosed with bowel cancer last November after having symptoms for just two weeks, and how the diagnosis and prognosis have been a complete shock to him, his family and friends.

He has chosen Cancer Research UK as the charity he wants to raise money for because the research they fund is crucial in the search for new treatment options, early diagnosis and hopefully cures for all cancers.

Everyone is welcome to go along to Dan’s Festival of Tennis which will run from 2pm to 6pm and ‘have a go’ at tennis or just socialise. The event will include a barbecue, bar, cakes, music and a raffle. Find out more and make a donation at https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/dans-festival-oftennis

Dan Money

Consultation on job losses at Truespeed The Week In understands that internet service provider Truespeed, which was based in Keynsham before relocating in 2020, is looking to shed up to 150 jobs.

The company began in 2014 in Newton St Loe and moved its headquarters to Rock Road in Keynsham in 2018 before relocating to Lower Bristol Road in Bath. Truespeed has maintained its links with Keynsham and was one of the main sponsors of the town’s recent music festival.

We asked Truespeed about the rumoured number of job losses and this week the company issued a statement. “In the last few years, Truespeed has grown rapidly to offer full-fibre connectivity to over 91,000 premises that are fully ready for service and has connected over 17,000 customers in the South West.

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Savage (8)

1. Prickly seed case (4)

5. Planet (4)

2. Scope (5)

9. Plunder (7)

3. Slow (mus.) (6)

10. Concur (5)

4. Very black (4)

11. Lukewarm (5)

6. Put on trial (7)

13. Two-piece swimsuit (6)

7. Sample (8)

19. Self-importance (3)

14. Pennant (8)

“We are now calibrating our business plan to match the pace of infrastructure funding and the higher cost of capital in the economy. As a result of this exercise, Truespeed will reorganise to focus on further improving sales and customer penetration in its existing network, whilst continuing to build at a more steady rate. To this end, we have started a consultation process with our staff and are focused on aligning our teams and roles to the revised ambition. Our focus is to go through this process and support affected colleagues, so we will not be releasing any further details at this time.

“Truespeed maintains its ambition to connect and serve as many customers as possible with its ultrafast full fibre network in the South West.”

8. Foundation (5) 15. Spoken exams (5) 12. Sediment (5) 17. Prong (4) 13. Light-haired (5)

20. Poker stake (4) 21. Torment (5) 23. Rejoices (6) 24. Profundity (5) 28. Imbecile (5) 29. Enmity (3-4)

16. In the past (3) 18. Atomic particle (7) 21. Make amends (5) 22. Sulphur colour (6) 25. Very short time (5) 26. Coffin support (4) 27. Surfeit (4)

30. Ancient character (4) 31. Intimidate, bully (8)

10

The Week in • Wednesday 9th August 2023

Retrospective planning bid for gym divides opinion More than 120 people have so far had their say on the retrospective planning application for a gym at Unity Business Park on the A431 in Bitton, with one local resident complaining that at times the area sounds like a “town centre night club”.

Overspill parking is another issue highlighted on South Gloucestershire Council’s planning portal by objectors.

Dozens of people in favour of the planning application speak of the benefits to members’ health and wellbeing, but some local residents say it is impacting theirs negatively.

When Unity Tyres left the Bath Road site, the council granted permission for alterations to the warehouse buildings from storage and distribution to a mixed use of business, general industrial and storage and distribution. However, that does not cover use as a gym.

The retrospective planning application has recently been submitted by JNPT Health and Fitness to change the use of Unit 1 and Unit 2 to indoor sport, recreation or fitness.

The applicant says it is a members-only gym and health and fitness suite. Change of use began in May 2022 and the building’s owner had “suggested that the intended use was not an issue”.

The planning application says there is on-site parking for 16 cars and that gym opening times are 6am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 7am to 1pm on Saturdays and 8am to noon on Sundays and bank holidays.

Objectors say this is not enough parking

provision as there are six full-time staff members and classes are advertised for of 35+ members so they end up parking on Bath Road and on the A4175 Cherry Garden Road which are both busy and used by buses and HGVs. Comments include: “Customers have been seen to park half on the pavement on the south side of the Bath Road, obstructing prams/pushchairs, indeed occasionally forcing them into the road, and also on the grass verges in the side road of Cherry Gardens.”

The same objector continued: “It seems that some classes feature heavily rhythmic music played at considerable volume to aid the tempo of the exercise, necessitating the use of a microphone and amplification in order to convey instructions. This becomes a little wearing when every syllable can be heard clearly in my house and the whole area sounds like a town centre night club.

“I appreciate that some consideration now appears to have been given to keeping the windows closed but the soundproofing of the property is clearly virtually non-existent.”

Another resident said that an environmental health complaint was opened a year ago and the gym has been asked by the council to keep windows and doors closed until 7am, “but this is not consistent”.

A nearby resident said that the daily noise has had a huge impact on their mental health and stress levels: “On some occasions the noise can still be heard when we are inside with the windows and doors closed.”

In addition to the many comments of praise on the planning portal from members, supporters also point out that the gym is on a busy main road and parking is a regular occurrence outside the nearby football club and Avon Valley Railway on steam train days.

One said: “I strongly advise the committee to consider how this gym impacts positively on people’s lives. I’m sure the only people objecting will be the immediate locals.”

The deadline for comments is Friday (11th August). The planning reference is P23/01643/F.

Warning over nitrous oxide With the summer holidays in full swing, parents are being urged to be aware of the dangers of nitrous oxide.

South Gloucestershire Council says that recently lots of empty cannisters have been found in parks and open spaces in the

district.

“We want to make sure people are aware of the health risks of using nitrous oxide, otherwise known as laughing gas.”

For information and advice visit https://tinyurl.com/yckbnn8h

Pre-school retains Good rating Courtney Ladybirds Pre-School in Kingswood has kept its Good Ofsted rating following a recent inspection.

Children are said to thoroughly enjoy their time in the pre-school and are well

behaved. Parents are very happy with the care and education the staff provide.

There are 48 youngsters on the roll at the pre-school which is based at Courtney Primary School.

The Week in • Wednesday 9th August 2023

11

Campaign to save woodland for the community A crowdfunding campaign to buy and protect five acres of mature woodland that is for sale in Crews Hole in Bristol has been launched.

Protect Earth, an environment charity with strong roots in the Bristol area, is planning to save Blackswarth Road Wood, which comes up for auction on 13th September with a guide price of £50,000, by buying and restoring it “for the longterm benefit of the community, wildlife and the climate”.

Donations are pouring in and so far more than £20,000 of a £40,000 target has been reached.

Auctioneers Hollis Morgan say that the woodland, close to the River Avon, offers “amenity/development” use. Planning permission was granted in 1995, and has since lapsed, for a scheme comprising 10 homes forming a community care facility. A subsequent application for 10 for residential units was refused in 2001.

Protect Earth says that Blackswarth Road Wood is half the size of the Troopers Hill and Crews Hole woodlands nearby, but as part of a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI) it is a crucial wildlife habitat for deer, badgers, buzzards, red kite, nuthatch, tawny owls, sparrow hawks, swifts, cuckoos

Troopers Hill

and bats. It also helps with carbon sequestration and reducing particulate matter in the air along the busy Crews Hole Road. It’s also part of an important wildlife corridor along the Avon Valley, bringing wildlife into the centre of the city.

The charity also highlights the site’s rich social and industrial past. The eastern part was a formal terraced garden leading up to a grotto-like bathhouse (now Grade II listed).

The garden was laid out in the mid-18th century and some of the retaining walls still exist and the lines of the paths can still be seen. The garden belonged to a house attached to a glass bottle manufactory and furnace which was at the southeast corner of the wood.

Later, this site was used by Bristol Fireclay Company whose mines extended under Avon View Cemetery on the northern boundary of the wood. In the 20th century, the garden terraces were used as allotments and some corrugated iron edging to the beds, water butts and rotting sheds remain from this time. The bathhouse itself is in separate ownership and is not part of the sale, but the purchase would allow for continued access and potential collaboration, says Protect Earth.

Since the 1990s, the whole of Blackswarth Road Wood has been left to naturally regenerate into a diverse woodland, with open glades, young and old growth, and full of veteran oaks and enormous hazel. There has been no public access, so wildlife has been largely undisturbed, but this also means that the

Family Announcement

A huge clean-up will be required

12

The woodland coming up for auction

wood has not been managed and has lost some of its diversity.

Native bluebells, an ancient woodland indicator, are found on the site.

The land has also been used as a rubbish dump.

The charity says: “Huge clean-up parties will be required to get this woodland back on track, but working with volunteers and contractors we can remove decades of rubbish and return this space to nature. Together we can rescue the wildlife from having to live amongst this mess and make sure the only changes happening to the woodland are positive.”

Susan Acton-Campbell, chair of the Friends of Troopers Hill, said they particularly value Blackswarth Wood as it forms part of a wildlife corridor through the Avon Valley conservation area that includes Troopers Hill.

“We don't think there is any realistic prospect of a new owner getting permission to build on the site but we are concerned that someone might cause damage in trying to prove that building is feasible. We really hope that the charity Protect Earth will be able to purchase the site to ensure that it is managed for wildlife and to enhance its biodiversity."

There is also concern that whilst the land does have conservation status (SNCI), this is not necessarily enough to protect it from damage under a new owner.

Bristol Tree Forum said: “The decision to build on Brislington Meadows shows that SNCI status gives no protection. Reserved Open Space land can be sold if it is no longer needed for its open space function.”

As well as the backing of the Friends of Troopers Hill and Bristol Tree Forum for this community woodland acquisition, Protect Earth also has the support of Forest of Avon Trust, St George Community Association, Barton Hill History Group and the Friends of Western Slopes.

Discussions are ongoing with other environmental, historical, and architectural groups and charities to explore potential collaboration.

The link to the appeal is https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-blackswarth-roadwood-crews-hole Meanwhile Protect Earth is currently restoring a 64-acre ancient, replanted woodland in Cornwall to its former glory as a temperate rainforest, creating a 70-acre woodland on marginal grazing land in Powys, and another 27 acres of woodland is being created in Flintshire.

The Week in • Wednesday 9th August 2023

Leadership of adult and community learning service needs improvement South Gloucestershire Council’s Community Learning and Skills Service (CLaSS) has been rated as Good by Ofsted following a recent inspection.

The team of four inspectors did however highlight that leadership and management requires improvement.

The largest provision is for people wanting to develop confidence and personal skills and those preparing for employment. Other courses are in English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), English and maths.

In 2021/22, 795 adults attended courses provided by CLaSS. Most took place in the 37 community venues across South Gloucestershire, with a small number taught online.

Since 2020, CLaSS has received funding from the West of England Combined Authority to provide courses for adults with few qualifications. Before that, it provided courses for many years as a sub-contractor.

Inspectors carried out a monitoring visit in January 2021 to assess progress of this new provider. At the time CLaSS was deemed to be making reasonable progress Following a full inspection earlier this summer, the Ofsted report says that learners enjoy their courses because they use the skills and knowledge they acquire to quickly

improve their lives.

Tutors help learners become less isolated by supporting them to build networks with community groups and other learners they meet. Leaders use their excellent knowledge of their communities, along with information about their local population, to successfully provide courses for the most disadvantaged groups.

But they are not so good at using the information they collect about their courses to monitor or make further improvements.

The report found that leaders’ attention is focused well on the education they provide and the experience that learners have on their courses, but they have not paid the same attention to making sure the systems they introduce work effectively.

Members of the advisory board have a good range of skills but very few actions arise from board meetings, which are often poorly attended.

The inspectors found that the board has not held senior leaders sufficiently to account for slow progress on involving employers in developing a pre-employment course or helping learners progress into employment.

As a result, the number of learners progressing to a job falls short of the council’s own target.

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Fire under investigation Crews from Kingswood, Hicks Gate and Yate fires stations were called to reports of a blaze in Castle Road, Pucklechurch, just after 2pm on Friday 28th July.

The fire involved a barn, caravans and farm

machinery.

Firefighters extinguished the flames using two high pressure hose reels and thermal imaging cameras. The cause was being investigated.

Free family fun in August Kings Chase Shopping Centre in Kingswood has free arts and crafts activities and face painting for children every Friday throughout August from 11am to 1pm.

Keep in touch, let us know what you think, send us your news www.facebook.com/theweekin The Week in • Wednesday 9th August 2023

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