The Week In - Issue 798 - 13th September 2023

THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset Issue 798

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13th September 2023

Read by more than 40,000 people each week

Major commercial development planned at old nursery site A planning application to demolish the greenhouses at the

warehousing/offices at the site.

old nursery site at Brewery Hill in Upton Cheyney and

The current application is to clear the site and create 13,350sq

build 111 “workspace units” has been revealed.

m of commercial buildings (flexible Use Class E/B2/B8).

Parking provision for 357 vehicles and 222 cycles is included

Class E covers commercial, business and service; Class B2

in Upton Cheyney Land’s bid for outline planning permission

is general industrial use while Class B8 relates to storage and

for the 16-acre Green Belt site known as Springfield Lake

distribution.

Nursery.

Specifically the proposed 111 workspace units would have a

There has been no prior consultation with the community

floor area of 8,790sq m and be occupied by new and existing

about the plans for the vacant land which is close to the A431

small businesses with limited numbers of staff.

Bath Road on the outskirts of Bitton. Some years back

A transport report submitted with the application to South

planning consent was granted for a tomato factory with

Gloucestershire Council says the development would not

The plans include widening the section of Brewery Hill

harm either the capacity or safety of the local road network.

between the junction with the A431 and the site access to six

The old greenhouses would be demolished

metres, adding kerbing to define the extent of the bellmouth at the site access junction, and a two-metre-wide footway connection to Bath Road and local bus stops.

The units are forecast to attract 1,080 daily (between 7am and 7pm) two-way vehicular trips at an average of circa 88 movements per hour.

A travel plan would encourage employees to travel by sustainable modes of transport with an emphasis on car share.

Some trees would be lost but there are plans for a landscaping scheme. The site has been identified as having the invasive Japanese Knotweed which would need to be tackled.

The entrance to the site

Also in this week’s issue

‘Troubling rise’ in motorbike thefts and antisocial use . . . page 3

90-year-old badly hurt after Keynsham High Street trip . . . page 5

Continued on page 3

Brothers jailed for vicious assault at Whitchurch pub . . . page 10

£3.36m Lottery bid for Kingswood Park . . . page 11

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The Week in • Wednesday 13th September 2023

‘Troubling rise’ in motorcycle thefts and anti-social use Avon & Somerset Police say there is “a

from Westgate Buildings in Bath was

pillion passenger. When it

troubling rise” in motorcycle thefts and

recovered in Kingswood. Police had

was safe to do so, a stinger

associated anti-social use.

responded to a report of an altercation in

device was used to stop the

Three stolen bikes were recovered in

Regent Street at about 8pm where a member

vehicle on Clouds Hill Road

Hartcliffe in Bristol on Monday 4th

of the public challenged two people on a

in St George.

September, including a Triumph Tiger that

motorbike that was being ridden on the

One person was detained

had been stolen from Bath Road in

pavement. Officers searched the area and saw

following a search involving

Brislington.

a man pushing a motorbike along Grimsbury

a police dog handler. A 17-

Police attended following reports of six

Road. He fled on foot and despite a search by

year-old boy was arrested on

people on three motorbikes. They found them

officers on the ground, supported by the

suspicion

abandoned and following a short chase

National Police Air Service helicopter, he

driving, theft of a vehicle and

arrested a boy in his mid-teens on suspicion

was not found. The blue and white Honda

failing to stop for police. A

of theft of a vehicle and possession of a knife.

CRF was identified as the one stolen from

black

He was later released on bail, pending further

Bath.

PCX125 reported stolen from

enquiries.

Last Thursday evening police received

Laura Place in Bath was

In the early hours of the following day police

numerous calls from the public reporting a

recovered.

seized a Benelli BN motorbike in Keynsham.

group trying to steal motorbikes in Bath. The

In a separate incident, officers

It had been reported stolen in Twerton in

National Police Air Service helicopter was

responded to a call about the

Bath.

deployed to help officers on the ground track

theft of a Yamaha XSR 700

Also last Tuesday, a Honda motorcycle stolen

a suspected stolen motorbike with rider and

motorbike from Clifton on

of

Honda

dangerous

motorbike

The Honda PCX125 seized after a stinger was deployed

Thursday. The motorcycle

Major commercial development planned at old nursery site

was tracked to Fishponds and recovered.

immediately.”

The police said: “We've seen a troubling rise

If you have any other information ring 101,

in motorcycle theft and associated anti-social

or report it via https://www.avonand

motorbike use recently. If you see someone

somerset.police.uk/report/

Continued from page 1

will represent a minuscule (if any)

acting suspiciously around any sort of

Alternatively

The plans, which The Week In revealed on

proportion of journeys to and from the site.

motorbike or moped, please call 999

anonymously on 0800 555 111.

our website last Friday, have been met with

Keynsham railway station is too far away

outrage. Already the council has received

to have any practical use at all; cyclists

more than 20 objections which highlight

already stay away from the A431 despite

concerns including the impact of extra

the connection at Bitton to the Sustrans

traffic, the inadequate public transport and

Bristol-Bath cycleway because of the

the unsuitability of the site which is in

heavy and fast traffic on the road; and who

picturesque countryside.

exactly is going to walk to such a site and

One commented: “Given that Bitton village

from where?”

is already campaigning to reduce the speed

Another says: “This is a completely

limit in the village due to the number of

ridiculous application for the size of the

vehicles that speed through a residential

road it would be on. There is also a stables

area where pedestrians, cyclists and horse

opposite the entrance of this site and it

riders are frequently put at risk by careless

would be incredibly disruptive for the

drivers, I find it highly disappointing that

people who use that regularly with an

there is a proposal which will increase

increased amount of traffic - let alone very

the volume of traffic by over 1,000 cars a

unsafe.”

day.”

There was also one comment in support on

Another says: “The transport assessment

the council’s planning portal this week. The

does not reflect the reality of the location:

planning reference is P23/02551/O and the

public transport and foot/cycle journeys

deadline for comments is 5th October.

contact

Crimestoppers

New venue for auction The Upton Inn at Upton Cheyney is the usual venue for the Bitton and Oldland branch of the Royal British Legion to hold their annual harvest auction fundraiser but with the pub closed and up for sale, the organisers needed another venue.

The Hawking family kindly invited them to stage the event in the barn at Manor Farm in the village. The auction is on Monday (18th September) and Oldland Brass will as usual be performing. The bar opens at 7.30pm, there will be a harvest service at 8pm and the auction gets under way at 8.30pm.

The Week in • Wednesday 13th September 2023

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Young footballer wins prestigious award

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.

A young member of Saltford Football Club is this year’s recipient of the prestigious Jack Boulton Award.

After talented local sportsman Jack Boulton died in 2009 aged 17 from an undiagnosed cardiac condition, Keynsham and Saltford Sports Network decided to make an award each year to a young sportsman or woman who has displayed many of Jack’s exceptional sporting and personal qualities.

This year the award goes to Jack Warren, who has been recognised as an outstanding club member and has undergone significant health challenges.

This time last year Jack suddenly became unwell and was diagnosed with a rare infection in his heart which caused a blood infection. He underwent open heart surgery in mid-September and just as he was due to leave hospital, he needed a second operation to remove fluid on his heart.

Thankfully Jack returned to training in November and began playing matches in January. Paul Hodkinson, his coach, said: “He’s a lad that absolutely loves football and it’s a real pleasure seeing him out there playing again given all that he and his family have been through. He’s a pleasure to coach, always turning up with the right attitude to listen and learn.”

The presentation was also an opportunity to acknowledge the huge amount of fundraising that Dave Boulton and his wife June have done in their son’s memory for CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) over the last 14 years. Huge numbers of young people in the community have engaged in the cardiac screening programme funded by CRY. Jack Warren is pictured with his trophy and certificate with Dave and June Boulton.

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

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The Week in • Wednesday 13th September 2023

90-year-old’s horror injuries after High Street trip A 90-year-old woman suffered severe injuries after tripping and falling in Keynsham High Street.

The incident happened on the pavement outside Lloyds Pharmacy on Friday 1st September.

Shirley Hobbs, who contacted The Week In to share her story, smashed her face, broke her nose and bones under her eyes, and damaged her teeth and palate. She has severe bruising to her face and neck and broke her left wrist which is in plaster.

There have been numerous falls connected with the High Street cycle lane since it opened in March 2022 as part of a public realm improvement scheme which also included

Shirley fell outside Lloyds

The Week in • Wednesday 13th September 2023

pavement widening and resurfacing.

Bath & North East Somerset Council announced earlier this summer that remedial work would take place in June to repair broken paving slabs and replace cycle stands and bollards, and that a High Street road safety audit would follow along with a cycle lane design review.

Shirley, who lives in the town, believes that an uneven paving slab contributed to her fall. She says she was wearing sensible flat shoes at the time. She was taken by ambulance to the Royal United Hospital in Bath where she was kept in for two nights. She was due to go back this week for outpatient appointments, including to the oral and maxillofacial surgery department.

Shirley is very grateful to the people who came to her assistance and stayed with her and her husband Peter during the half-hour wait for the ambulance. She has been in contact with local councillors about her fall and Cllr Alex Beaumont has met with her. Last week we reported that they are asking people who have suffered falls in the High Street to complete a

Shirley Hobbs is recovering at home after her ordeal

questionnaire detailing where they tripped, their injuries and contact details.

Primarily the councillors have been contacted about falls connected with the kerbed cycle lane and they are due to present a motion calling for action at the council’s meeting on 21st September.

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The Week in • Wednesday 13th September 2023

Do you remember Keynsham & Somerdale Station?

The Week In will be producing a supplement in one of our editions this autumn on the history of Keynsham railway station and its association with chocolate production at Somerdale.

Today, while hundreds of people each day enjoy the pleasant walkway from the station to their office in the Chocolate Quarter, many are perhaps unaware that this was once a vital railway siding through which tonnes of Fry’s and Cadbury’s chocolate products were dispatched around the world.

First built in 1840, Keynsham Station today is a vital commuter link to Bristol and Bath for many people living in the town and used by 300,000 passengers a year. But between 1925 and 1974, it was renamed as Keynsham & Somerdale with the opening of the Fry’s chocolate factory. After a few years, the station was rebuilt with longer platforms to

accommodate the thousands of workers who travelled out from Bristol each day.

The railway siding which connected the factory to the mainline was used until the late 1970s and we are keen to hear from anyone who worked at the factory while it was operational. The Week In supplement is intended to provide a written testimony to a significant part of Keynsham’s history. We also plan to produce a short film report for YouTube and are in discussion over producing information boards for the station itself.

This supplement will follow a similar format to our previous publications on the 1968 floods and the anniversary of chocolate Easter egg production in Bristol. It will appear initially within the newspaper, and keepsake versions printed on high-grade paper will be available

The station as it was

the historical facts. Please contact Stephen Rodgers on 0117 986 0381 or email: admin@theweekin.co.uk.

after publication.

If you have any experience of working in the sidings or Fry’s dispatch, we would love to be able to include some personal memories along with

Keynsham Station 2023

A diesel in the siding

Free shuttle bus will help fill transport gap caused by M4 bridge closure A new free shuttle bus will be introduced from tomorrow

travel. The service will operate every 30 minutes from 7am to

(Thursday) to help fill the transport gap caused by the closure

7pm Monday to Friday and the trial will initially run until the

of the A432/M4 overbridge.

end of the year.

National Highways has agreed to fund the new service and has

A number of defects have been uncovered at the bridge. Cables

been working with South Gloucestershire Council to get it up

that should be surrounded by concrete have voids around them

and running.

and cracking caused by the deck flexing under the weight of

The council has appointed bus operator Transpora and agreed

traffic has caused concerns that concrete could be dislodged

for the route to go to Yate Park & Ride before travelling along

and fall on to the motorway. Loose concrete has now been

the A432 to the bridge closure. It is then a short walk over the

removed.

bridge, which remains open to pedestrians and cyclists, to

National Highways engineers hope to know by the end of the

access the m3 and m3x metrobus services. Residents can also

year whether they could potentially reopen the bridge, whether

use the shuttle to connect with the Y1/Y2 services for onward

it needs strengthening, or needs to be demolished and replaced.

The Week in • Wednesday 13th September 2023

The bridge remains closed

7

LETTERS Concerns over delayed Green Belt decision Dear Editor Regrettably, despite South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) receiving nearly 800 objections to the planning application for 149 homes at The Batch in Hanham, a scheduled Green Belt site, the application has not been determined.

It’s important to stress that this well-used undeveloped community space is not simply green fields but is one part of only 15 Scheduled Green Belt areas within England. Its location alongside the Avon Valley Woodlands currently enhances leisure space, wildlife and the natural feel of the whole area. Development in this location would be contrary to national, as well as SGC’s own planning policies. In addition the development would set a very dangerous precedent for the development of swathes of surrounding protected countryside.

The

determination

date

of

the

initial

application, which is widely resisted, was 14th

unsuccessful.

8am – 9am lottery is done away with. Of

lollipop model. There are some amazing

Further, can we be assured that SGC’s planning

course, there isn't a single computerised system

designs out there for these masts. I recently saw

department and our local councillors have the

to be used; surgeries can choose which

one that looked like a tree.

necessary resources to adequately scrutinise the

programme they want to use - another needless

Many thanks for listening.

additional information in such a short space of

complication.

Richard

time?

The Government needs to recognise that the

Parallel to this attempt to develop the local

majority of the over 70s probably do not have

Green Belt, is the shambles of the development

or want to have anything to do with

of the Kleeneze site, a ‘brownfield’ site, located

smartphones or computers and prefer to meet

close to all the amenities of Hanham and with

face to face with a receptionist or, failing that,

considerably better connectivity routes, etc.

a phone call arrangement. While this new

After what seems an eternity, the new access

system might be more efficient in the long

route appears eventually to be nearing

term, it reduces the possibility of people talking

completion.

with people and getting to know each other and

However, this site is moving at a snail’s pace

this is not good for society as a whole.

towards a more sustainable development,

I know that Hanham surgery is out of favour

whilst our Green Belt is under threat of housing

with many ‘clients’/patients and, if my

development, far from shops or bus routes!

experience on Monday is anything to go by,

Alan Jones

this reputation is likely to deteriorate even

Hanham District Green Belt Conservation

further.

Society

David Matthews

Update on Keynsham’s Retail Revolution Dear Becky Here are the latest happenings regarding the Keynsham Retail Revolution.

I assured my fellow residents that the blood transfusions were ready to revive the heartbeat of Keynsham’s Retail Revolution. I have gone from despair to excitement from December to now. How come? Well, The Week In have published my letters (of which this is my third) and Cllr Alex Beaumont and the town council have encouraged me every step of my mission.

We need you! Keynsham has something that Bath and Wells can never have and Bath and

Editor’s note: We have invited Hanham Health, which runs the Hanham surgery in

Wells have something that Keynsham can

local disdain, (and only a few positive

The struggle to get a GP appointment

comments) to 11th September.

Dear Editor

Now this date has been further extended by

Last Monday afternoon (4th September) I was

SGC to Friday 29th September in order to

in Hanham surgery for a relatively simple

allow the applicant’s team to respond to the

matter which was dealt with efficiently by the

Why phone masts are so necessary

high number of objections received.

receptionist.

Dear Editor

so that we can say “You must visit Keynsham

This extension has been granted by SGC’s

However, there were at least three other people

I often see articles and letters in your paper

because…”

planning department, despite Grassroots

in the queue who were wanting to book

about the fight against mobile phone/4G and

I have a plan, which I have submitted to Cllr

Planning (acting on behalf of Redrow Homes

appointments but were told that they needed to

5G masts being erected.

Beaumont. This time I’m not putting my head

and Ashfield Land) as yet not releasing any

use the new ‘Anima’ app on their smartphone

STOP! In 2025 the communications network

above the parapet but hand on the baton to you

further documentation. Our community,

or, presumably, PC and if that isn't possible, to

as we know it will be changing massively. BT

all. All the independent shops assure me they

including Hanham District Green Belt

phone as usual. They all complained that they

and other companies are doing away with their

are here, in Keynsham, to stay. Remember,

Conservation Society, Say No To Redrow, as

are not connected to the internet or don't have

copper networks which a lot of businesses and

every independent shop owner obviously is

well as other individual objectors, anticipate

a smartphone and had been trying throughout

residents rely on for telephone and broadband.

believing in Retail Revolution in Keynsham.

that we will be deluged with an avalanche of

last week to ‘get through’ to the surgery

As of yet we don't know how this will affect us

Do submit your ideas to your town councillor.

detailed paperwork, all to be considered in a

without success.

and what areas will be ready for it. Hopefully

Winifred Rickard

very limited timeframe.

Two of these people became very angry,

everything goes to plan but if it does not, some

Keynsham

In this unusual situation, it is vital that our

understandably, but were told that nothing

areas may only get good internet and phone

community once again take time to quickly

could be done.

services from one of these new masts.

Reasons for falls

assess this further information, once finally

I know that this new booking method has to be

Instead of complaining and objecting, speak to

Dear Editor

posted, and continue their resistance to these

set up in every surgery across the country so

the company and see if there is anything they

I see that the other week a lady fell NOT in

proposals to ensure these underhand tactics are

that, in the words of the Health Secretary, the

can offer rather than the bulk standard white

Keynsham High Street but at the light-

August; this was extended due to enormous

8

Whittucks Road and the one in Oldland Common, to respond.

never have. Unfortunately (for Keynsham) Bath and Wells have coachloads of visitors, mostly from America and Japan. Now, residents and schools, work out what Keynsham is missing and then, hardest of all, what can Keynsham do to make itself unique

The Week in • Wednesday 13th September 2023

LETTERS controlled crossing opposite Sainsbury`s which does question is it not just the road layout at fault in the High Street which yes does need modifying, but down to people’s concentration levels and maybe

Public Notice

Would a yellow line help curb falls?

and clear warning.

You never know, it might end up being a permanent solution, but, even if not, it

Dear Editor It struck me whilst walking in Keynsham

might help to immediately stem the

Licensing Act 2003 Notice of application for the GRANT of a PREMISES LICENCE

number of injuries. It would cost next to

a medical issue/balance, etc.

High Street that the problem with the

The footpaths along the full length of the

cycle lane is that there isn't enough

High Street have many trip hazards i.e.

contrast between the levels.

loose paving slabs where cars/vans park

Maybe a short-term solution, prior to

on them. Some alongside Iceland are an

destroying the cycle lane and starting

Bath & North East Somerset Council for

example.

again, might be to paint a yellow line (as

its view on this suggestion?

10 to 12mm is deemed a trip hazard by

in 'parking restriction' type bright yellow

John Blanning

one authority I dealt with years ago. Just

line material) on the surface of the edging

Editor’s note: We will John, and hope to

saying.

stone, with the paint touching the

bring you the council’s response next

R Earle, Keynsham

pavement edge. That would be a bright

week.

nothing and could be carried out in a matter of days.

Perhaps The Week In might like to ask

Firefighters forced to clear fly-tipped waste blocking narrow lane Firefighters responding to reports of a blaze found their route blocked by fly-tipped waste and had to get out and clear it by

Proposed licensable activities: SUPPLY ALCOHOL Name of applicant: SASINDU RATHNYAKE MUDIYANSELAGE, 3 SHORTWOOD ROAD, PUCKLECHURCH, BS16 9RA Date by which Other Persons and Responsible Authorities may make representations: 19/09/2023 A record of the application made to the Licensing Authority will be kept on a register at South Gloucestershire Council, Licensing Service, Engine Common Lane, Yate, South Gloucestershire, BS37 7PN, and the register may be inspected during normal office hours.

All representations regarding this application MUST BE IN WRITING and sent to: South Gloucestershire Council, Department for Environment and Community Services, Licensing Service, PO Box 1954, Bristol, BS37 0DD or e-mail licensing@southglos.gov.uk.

For further assistance, please telephone 01454 868001

hand.

They have released a photo of the building materials dumped across Highwall Lane near Queen Charlton and blasted those responsible.

On their Twitter account last Tuesday, Hicks Gate Fire Station said: “Last night we were mobilised to a fire; whilst en route we were confronted with this fly-tipping; it was impossible to turn the fire appliance around and a very long reverse, so we had no choice but to manually remove the reckless flytipping.”

An Avon Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson added: “At 5.07pm crews from Hicks Gate were called to reports of a

Lane. There was a report of building materials dumped there

grass fire off Queen Charlton Lane, Whitchurch. Upon arrival,

in March of last year.

there was no presence of fire; the crew proceeded to fully

It is illegal to fly-tip and anyone caught doing so is liable to

investigate the area to make sure it was safe.”

prosecution, with fines of up to £50,000 or five years'

It is not the first time waste has been dumped in Highwall

imprisonment.

Sudoku 1-Easy

SUNDAY CHEMISTS Sunday 17th September

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 13th September 2023

9

School steps in after bus services are axed Winterbourne Academy has stepped in to provide transport

Health/Frampton Cotterell. Those are continuing for another

To remain viable, sufficient numbers of parents will need to

for pupils left stranded after bus cuts.

year after the council matched the routes to Section 106 funding

commit so the service is being trialled initially until Christmas.

The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and South

agreed with developers for local improvements.

It is understood to be costing parents £300 a term per child.

Gloucestershire Council were unable to find the money to save

Schools aren’t responsible for transport provision but, concerned

The standard school hours are 8.30am to 2.40pm. The route

the 458 from Fishponds via Downend, which was previously a

about pupils getting to school safely, Winterbourne, which is part

following what was the 458 arrives in school at the same time

commercial route, and the 963 from Patchway, Bradley Stoke

of the Olympus Academy Trust, worked over the summer to find

as the 459 –7.35am - and staff are on hand to supervise students

and Little Stoke to the academy (previously supported by

a solution. It said: “Through some imaginative use of the

from 7.30am. The 427 leaves at 3.20pm and the school has

WECA).

Olympus Post 16 bus, which transports sixth form students

agreed to fund staffing until then.

The council worked with bus operator Stagecoach and the

between secondary school sites for lessons, we have been able

Headteacher Jenny Cartwright said it has been a “distressing

academy to save three other services - the 459 from Lyde Green,

to offer places on buses on what were the 963 and 458 routes to

situation for parents” and the academy will continue to raise

the 427 from Frenchay, and the 460 from Coalpit

help students in their journey to school.”

concerns with WECA and South Gloucestershire Council. She said providing the bus service places an additional administrative

Brothers jailed after assault in pub garden

and financial burden on the school at a time when budgets are

Two brothers have been jailed after

A council spokesperson said: “WECA is the local transport

admitting breaking a man’s jaw during an

authority and responsible for bus services in the region. We

assault in a Whitchurch pub garden.

became aware that support for a number of local bus services

Clinton Jackson, 28, of Eva Turner Close

was being withdrawn earlier this year and since then we

in Whitchurch, and Jamie Jackson, 21, of

have been working tirelessly to find alternative ways to fund

Pine Grove, Filton, both admitted causing

them, as they play an important role in taking local children to

grievous

school.

bodily

harm.

They

were

“extremely stretched”.

sentenced at Bristol Crown Court last

“Unfortunately, we do not have unlimited resources to fund all

Thursday to 22 months and 19 months

the services at risk and encourage partners to work with us,

respectively.

communities and bus operators to find a solution to the issues

Their 33-year-old victim was at The

facing many bus services across the West of England.”

Whitchurch pub in Oatlands Avenue with

WECA says it is the responsibility of local authorities to provide Clinton, left, & Jamie Jackson

free transport if the school is the nearest appropriate one, and

friends on 3rd December, 2021. They were in the pub garden at about 11pm and when his friends left to

teeth removed. He expects to need further dental treatment.

the distance between home and that school, measured by the

go back inside, he was attacked by the brothers. Clinton

In an impact statement, he said the assault had stopped him

nearest available walking route, is three miles or more for

punched the unsuspecting victim from one side before putting

from socialising and left him feeling he needed to escape the

children aged eight to 16.

him in a headlock and repeatedly punched his face. Jamie did

area he grew up in. He couldn’t work for four months and

Regional Mayor Dan Norris said this week: “Jenny and all the

the same before both ran off.

believes he will be unable to fully return to work in the

team at Winterbourne Academy deserve deep credit for working

The victim needed surgery to his broken jaw and had to have

building trade.

to find a solution for the 963 and 458. I continue to lobby Government for additional resources.”

Crossword ACROSS

DOWN

1. Embarrassed (8)

1. Rotate (4)

5. Burden (4)

2. Roof overhang (5)

9. Account, bill (7)

3. Gripping tool (6)

10. Banishment (5)

4. Pace (4)

11. Seize wrongfully (5)

6. Natural simplicity (7)

15. Morose, grumpy (5)

12. Food pulp (5)

7. Bony structure (8) 13. Part of garment (6) 8. Stomach (5)

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

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

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

10

The Week in • Wednesday 13th September 2023

Lottery funding bid to improve Kingswood Park Plans to restore and enhance Kingswood Park have moved a

Park and the wider community to understand

step closer after South Gloucestershire Council submitted a

what matters to local people. The aim is to

bid for £3.36m to the National Heritage Lottery Fund.

enhance the park’s features and improve its

The council has worked with the volunteer Friends of Kingswood

facilities so visitors can relax and meet other people in a safe, well-managed and welcoming setting and preserve the park’s heritage as a focal point for the community.

If the bid is successful, the money will be used to install accessible toilets and improve pathways, redesign the play area with better equipment, including for youngsters with disabilities, and introduce a mobile refreshment facility.

There will also be more wildlife-friendly tree planting, the creation of a wildflower meadow

Accessible toilets would replace the dated block

to boost biodiversity, and an upgrade of historic

There are plans to replace the current play equipment

features such as the railings and walls. The central amphitheatre will also be fully restored

Photography exhibition Members of The Hive Avon have been working with photographer Sebastian Bruno as part of Bristol Photography Festival to take pictures and make artwork, and there will be an exhibition of their work at the charity’s drop-in centre at Two Mile Hill Road in Kingswood on Saturday (16th September).

The charity works with adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults and their families.

The exhibition is open to everyone from 4pm to 6pm.

as a performance space. There will also be improved access to the neighbouring Holy Trinity Church yard.

Once the improvement works are carried out, a three-year programme of community events with a focus on health and wellbeing is planned.

The park restoration is part of the wider £25m Kingswood Masterplan, a regeneration vision for Kingswood town centre.

The decision on Lottery funding is expected towards the end of the year.

Charterhouse Care Home

The ampitheatre will be restored as part of the project

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Registered Charity 202151

The Week in • Wednesday 13th September 2023

11

The Community Page

Allow extra time Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council for your journey REQUEST FOR HELP! WOOL REQUIRED!

With work continuing on a major sewer flood alleviation scheme in Keynsham, road users are being reminded to

With the financial assistance of the Parish Council, the Knit & Natter Group, who meet every Monday in Downend Library, are urgently seeking double-knit wool (any colours) to knit jackets for children and other various things for numerous charities.

Currently Knit & Natter have made 780 teddy bear jumpers for sick children who are transported to hospital by ambulance, twiddle muffs for people with dementia, items to support the Scouts, jackets for the premature baby unit, and so much more.

PLEASE, if you have any spare double-knit wool, drop it in to Downend Library, who are open on Mondays,

consider extra time for their journey as the new school year gets under way.

Wessex Water says that the 12-week project to install a new gravity relief sewer along a 170-metre stretch of the B3116 Wellsway near Keynsham Cricket Club is progressing well towards its early October finishing date.

The £500,000 project, which started in July, is connecting two separate systems in a bid to reduce incidents of sewer flooding in nearby streets and homes. The work was timed to ensure most of it coincided with the school summer holidays, keeping

Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturday mornings.

Thank you for your support.

King George V and Badminton Road Playing Fields King George V and Badminton Road Playing Fields are managed and maintained by Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council. It is the venue every weekend for our local teams to play their football matches, or cricket during the summer months. Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council is proud to support these groups and has invested in some suitable storage facilities at the playing fields. A further container has now received planning permission and is due to be installed on site in the coming weeks. This will enable the current compound area behind the pavilion to be cleared in readiness for the new pavilion.

Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council has also paid for two ash tree trunks which had been felled to be carved into benches. The hedgehog one is a great favourite. Downend Round Table kindly paid for a new bench near the care home gate using funds from the bonfire and fireworks last year. It has been much appreciated by those who can only walk short distances and need a seat at that point to enable them to complete a circuit around the park.

The flowers at the bonfire patch have been beautiful this year with sunflowers, poppies, cosmos, etc. All the new trees planted by South Gloucestershire Council in the spring have benefitted from the large amount of rain we have had and are looking splendid.

disruption to local people to a minimum.

With traffic volumes now increasing as pupils return, the utility company says it has introduced extra measures to ensure people are aware that Wellsway remains shut to through traffic and that the diversion route in place remains clearly marked.

The diversion uses the B3116 (Wellsway and Burnett Hill), A39, and A4 Bath Road.

There have been a number of reports of HGVs breaching restrictions and using residential roads including Chandag Road and Hurn Lane.

Concert cancelled after violinist dies The concert by Stringfever that had been due to take place at The Space in Keynsham on 30th September has been cancelled after the tragic death of band leader Giles Broadbent.

Tickets will be refunded to purchasers.

Giles, who was Stringfever’s lead violinist and founder member, died suddenly on Wednesday 6th September.

He studied at the Royal Academy and formed the Stringfever quartet in 2003 alongside his brothers Ralph and Neal, and cousin Graham.

Not only did Giles perform worldwide with Stringfever, most recently touring Europe, the USA, China and Japan with huge success, he also led many orchestras, both classical and theatrical, in the West End.

12

The Week in • Wednesday 13th September 2023

After vandalism set-back, knitters return with a colourful display Regular readers will remember that earlier this summer we featured the story about the postbox topper in Whitchurch Village that was vandalised.

The Knit and Natter group, which meets at Whitchurch United Reformed Church, had worked hard to produce the knitted Coronation themed topper for the postbox at the crossroads by the Maes Knoll Toby pub on the Wells Road.

Members were dismayed at the theft and vandalism of the figures but pledged that they would not be deterred. We are now pleased to report that they have installed another topper – this time with the theme of Noah’s Ark. Mary Leader from the group tells us: “Whitchurch Village Council have commissioned us to produce something to go

on display in the Village Millennium Garden during the Remembrance Day weekend so watch this space.”

The group meets between 2.30pm and 4.30pm on the first and third Thursdays each month at the church.

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More fundraising events are planned in memory of 16-year-

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on 7th October.

youngsters to get off the streets and into boxing or music

Mikey’s World has a £10,000 target and over £2,600 has

studios. Mikey’s World is also raising awareness of methods

already been raised. There is a JustGiving page at

and kits to help save lives from knife injuries.

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The Week in • Wednesday 13th September 2023

0117 986 0381

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PART TIME CARETAKER VACANCY

Opening & closing the Centre, including maintenance of the building, cleaning and preparation of rooms.

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