The Week In - Issue 810 - 6th December 2023

THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset Issue 810

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6th December 2023

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Council scraps pedestrianisation plan for Kingswood town centre An aerial view of Regent Street

Hopes of pedestrianising part of Regent Street in Kingswood town centre have been dashed after it emerged it would have made life “unbearable” for people living along the route of the diverted traffic.

Keeping traffic away from Regent Street between Moravian Road and Park Road has been a key aim of the Kingswood Masterplan, a £25m project to regenerate the town centre and surrounding areas, with South Gloucestershire Council saying the benefits would include more people shopping locally and staying longer, and a more attractive, accessible area with better air quality.

But after talking to local businesses and residents and gathering data about traffic volumes and air quality, the council has now ditched the idea of pedestrianisation.

Speaking at an online public meeting last week, Alison Finn,

Also in this week’s issue

who is South Gloucestershire Council’s dedicated community engagement officer for the regeneration of Kingswood, said: “It’s not viable in lots of ways. It won’t improve air quality.”

She added: “It would just have been unbearable for the people living in Kimberley Road and Gilbert Road and Park Road so it’s just not feasible at all.”

The council took the potential for pedestrianisation out to public consultation in May 2020 and feedback showed that 69% of those who responded were supportive of the idea in principle. The council went on to investigate options further and in 2021 shared proposals for two potential diversions - a southern route and a northern one.

The preferred option for local people was the southern route, opening up the existing westbound route along Cecil Road to eastbound traffic too. The proposed northern route

Dismay as work on Kingswood housing estate stalls . . . page 3

Good Ofsted for Keynsham school after switch to academy . . . page 5

involved Downend Road, Kimberley Road, Gilbert Road and Park Road.

The council conducted further exploratory technical work on the two options, assessing road and junction capacity and gathering information on traffic counts and air quality, as well as carrying out traffic modelling exercises.

“Unfortunately, this work has identified that the preferred southern route is not technically feasible. The main issue is with junction capacity – simply put, key junctions would need to be remodelled to accommodate the predicted traffic levels and there is insufficient space to build the necessary infrastructure.

“This technical work has also identified potential issues with the alternative northern route. It is technically complex to deliver, requiring significant traffic interventions, and we are concerned about the impacts - in terms of noise, air quality and accessibility - for people living in residential properties on this route.

Continued on page 3

66 homes planned on Staple Hill factory site . . . page 7

South Glos schools England’s worst funded . . . page 12

2

The Week in • Wednesday 6th December 2023

Santas dash in the rain The rain did not deter hundreds of runners who took to the streets of Saltford on Sunday for the village’s annual Santa Dash.

In addition to the traditional five-mile route there was a new 5km route. There was also a mini dash for under-12s which involved two laps of Saltford sports ground.

The Saltford Santa Dash was established in 2013 to provide a community fun run to raise funds in support of locally connected charities working with young people. The event has grown and become a firm favourite in the run-up to Christmas, raising more than £100,000.

This year the charities benefitting are Time is Precious and Butterflies Haven.

Anguish for residents on estate where work has stalled

Council scraps pedestrianisation plan for Kingswood town centre Continued from page 1 “Additionally, for either potential diversion route, because of limited alternative access points to Regent Street, it would be difficult for shops and businesses to receive deliveries or have their rubbish collected. Furthermore, modelling shows that both options for pedestrianisation would largely shift air quality issues from Regent Street to other areas.”

The council is now asking people to share their views on several individual projects which have potential to “kick-start transformational change for the town”, adding: “Kingswood high street is home to a range of shops, community facilities and businesses. It also has a long and proud history of hosting events which brought the community together. But today, like many towns, it also has its issues with empty shops, graffiti and anti-social behaviour.”

Among the ideas are moving lorries away from Regent Street, making it greener, shutting the street occasionally for markets, creating space for outdoor cafés, improving parking for disabled people and revamping shopfronts.

Alison Finn stressed that the opinions of people who live, work, own businesses and visit Kingswood are needed - those “living and breathing Kingswood on a daily/weekly basis”.

The council is also asking people to share their views on plans to make it easier and safer to get around the town on foot and by bike with improvements to existing walking and cycling routes such as connecting to Bristol’s Wesley Way cycle route and adding new pedestrian crossing points at busy junctions.

Other ongoing enhancements include the restoration of the Grade I listed Whitfield Tabernacle and plans to improve Kingswood Park for which a decision on a National Lottery bid for £3.36m is expected this month.

Find out more and have your say at https://kingswoodregeneration.commonplace .is/ • In property news, the PDSA charity shop has relocated from one side of Regent Street to the old Shaw’s shop opposite. Meanwhile a furniture shop is set to move into the vacant Store 21 unit.

See also page 5

The anguish facing residents who have moved into homes on the new Douglas Road estate in Kingswood has been highlighted at a public meeting.

Kingswood councillor Sean Rhodes told

the

local

Community

Engagement Forum last Wednesday that there had been two companies running the redevelopment of the old Douglas factory site.

He understood that one of them had gone into administration: “As a result of that, there was a subsequent contest between them as to who actually had

coming in to buy the site and finish off the

ownership of the site. That’s why the whole

development. “Hopefully there will be a

thing just ground to a shuddering halt which

happy resolution to that in the not too distant

has left a lot of the residents living in that part

future,” he said, adding that South

of the development that has already been

Gloucestershire Council is keeping a very

completed in a strange hinterland where they

close eye on the situation.

weren’t quite sure whether or not they fully

“It really is a terrible problem for the

owned the properties they were living in

residents who are living on that site at the

because the site hadn’t been signed off.

moment,” he said.

“If they decided to wanted to sell the

It is unclear how many residents are affected.

property, they weren’t sure whether or not

Companies House records show that winding

they had full and complete ownership. Big

up proceedings for Douglas Homes (Bristol)

swathes (of the site) haven’t been fully

Ltd began in March. Liquidators were

signed off.”

appointed last week. It is understood that the

Cllr Rhodes said that negotiations are taking

other party involved is property developer

place with regard to a new organisation

and landlord Alan Dykes.

The Week in • Wednesday 6th December 2023

3

Café loses retrospective bid for covered outdoor area

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 Staple Hill café has lost its retrospective bid to keep the glazed seating area at the front of its premises.

Dream Café at 11 Broad Street applied to South Gloucestershire Council to keep the structure that has been in place since May, but it has now been refused.

The café owners had argued that the development is on privately owned land and has increased the “vitality and viability” of the café, providing protection and shelter from the rain.

“The area to the front of the café has historically been used for outdoor seating with an awning over the top; the new canopy and glazing sits atop an existing brick wall and is considered to be an attractive feature which adds to the character and vitality of the town centre.”

They added that nearby properties benefit from similar covered outdoor seating areas to the front,

including The Forge and Fern, and that a number of other cafés and restaurants in the district have front seating areas with built form, including Zest on Hanham High Street and Mokka in Downend.

There had been seven supportive comments highlighting that it is a good place to eat and drink and looks smart. But the council said the appearance of the glazed structure outside Dream Café is “unbalanced” and looks out of place in the street.

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4

The Week in • Wednesday 6th December 2023

Council ‘still assessing pros and cons of relocating leisure centre’ South Gloucestershire Council says it is still weighing up the “pros and cons” of relocating Kingswood Leisure Centre.

As part of its masterplan for the regeneration

of Kingswood town centre, South Gloucestershire Council said in 2021 that a new leisure centre on part of the Kings Chase Shopping Centre car park would help make

School rated ‘Good’ in first inspection Castle Primary School in Keynsham has been rated as Good in its first Ofsted since joining The Partnership Trust The school in Newlands Road converted to an academy in 2019 in the wake of being told by Ofsted that it needed to make improvements.

In their report published last month, inspectors said Castle Primary is Good, with pupils’ behaviour and attitudes said to be Outstanding.

They said pupils “flourish” at the inclusive and welcoming school and the motto of “value learning, value others and value ourselves” is at the heart of everything the school does.

“There is a culture of high expectations for

all. Pupils set exceptional examples to others. They are polite to adults and their peers. Pupils behave impeccably at social times and in lessons. Older pupils provide strong role models for others. Pupils follow the school rules consistently.

Consequently, pupils’ attitudes are exemplary. They are a credit to the school.

This is a happy and safe place for pupils to learn.”

The report highlighted the school’s ambitious curriculum and said that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive the right support.

The multi academy trust runs several other schools in North East Somerset and Somerset.

The Week in • Wednesday 6th December 2023

the town centre a “destination hub”. The idea was to close the ageing leisure centre a mile away in Soundwell, which is one of five operated across South Gloucestershire by the not-for-profit organisation Circadian Trust.

The trust has made considerable investment at Soundwell since taking it over from the council in 2005. However, at more than 60 years old, the centre is seen as coming towards the end of its life.

Despite speculation at an online community engagement forum meeting last week that the plan had been dropped, a council spokesperson clarified afterwards: “Regent Street is one of a number of projects set out in the Kingswood Masterplan with funding to deliver public realm improvements. The proposals for Regent Street do not include the potential relocation of the leisure centre. The

council will continue with work to assess the existing leisure centre and the pros and cons of relocating it to Kings Chase separately.”

In February we reported on an unofficial poll which revealed not a lot of support for the relocation. Started by a Kingswood trader on Facebook, the poll drew 600 voters, with 80% in support of investment being made in the current leisure centre, while 14% supported a move to Kings Chase and 6% said they didn’t care.

5

Festivities at Christmas on the Hill The annual Christmas on the Hill festivities took place in Staple Hill on Saturday.

Fountain Square was the focus for stalls and entertainment, including from local school choirs, and the Christmas trees lights were turned on at dusk.

The Friends of Page Park selling calendars on their stall in Fountain Square

The Salvation Army band

There were activities in locals shops and the library, the Salvation Army band played throughout the day and there was a Santa's Grotto in the Methodist Church.

Artists bring festive cheer to shop windows This is the third year that traders in Hanham High Street have commissioned local artists to paint shop windows for the Christmas season.

Tozer Signs, Cobra Signs and Paper Wall Signs have decorated windows with giant holly and berries as well as Christmas characters, such as Golding’s hardware store’s pet dog Kara in a hat and Father Christmas riding a bike on John Wood’s Cycle Repair Centre.

On Sunday and Monday Nicola Bartlett from Eclectic Gift Shop organised a Christmas trail for children to explore the High Street searching for the Christmas characters on the shopfronts.

Every child completing the trail received a certificate and prize.

6

Have a greener Christmas A pop-up event is taking place at MakeSpace in Keynsham (opposite the leisure centre) on Saturday (9th December) from 11am to 3pm.

There will be free wreath-making and children's crafts at the drop-in event where you can learn tips and tricks on how to have a sustainable festive season.

Christmas tree festival St John’s Church in Keynsham is holding its Christmas Tree Festival from Friday (8th December) until Sunday (10th December).

As well as many decorated trees, there will be musical entertainment, refreshments and crafts. The opening times are 3pm to 8pm on Friday, 10am to 6pm on Saturday and noon to 5pm on Sunday. Admission is free.

The Week in • Wednesday 6th December 2023

66 homes planned on razed factory site in Staple Hill Developers have been given the green light to demolish some of the old Bristol Uniforms factory buildings in Wathen Street in Staple Hill in advance of plans to build four blocks of flats.

Woodstock Homes asked South Gloucestershire Council if

The Week in • Wednesday 6th December 2023

prior approval was needed for the demolition - and planning officers have now said that is not required, despite local concerns about loss of heritage and local employment.

An illustration of how the Wathen The majority of the 1.34-acre Street site would look. site will be demolished, with Credit: Thrive Architects the exception of the old gatehouse as the proposals keep that as a focal point for the Bristol Uniforms’ predecessor, clothing manufacturer Wathen new development. There are plans to refurbish it and re-use Gardiner & Co, had been based at Wathen Street since the turn of the 20th century. Bristol Uniforms, a specialist in it to provide over 1,300sq ft of studio office space.

Under the proposals, the rest of the site will be given over to protective clothing, particularly for firefighters, was bought 42 two-bedroom apartments and 14 one-bedroom apartments; by a US firm in 2021 and the new owner has moved 58 parking spaces are proposed - 56 for apartments and two operations to Yate. The company is now known as MSA Bristol. visitor spaces for the converted gatehouse.

Vehicle access to the development would be from Victoria The Wathen Street factory was locally listed by South Street along Wathen Street to the southern end of the site and Gloucestershire Council but the developers said there was a lack of innovative architecture and unattractive later 20thalong a shared lane into the northern part of the site.

The application says that given the buses, cycle routes, and century extensions, alterations and updating. local amenities within easy walking distance, this parking The planning reference is P23/02908/F. The council expects to make a decision by 25th January. provision is considered appropriate.

7

LETTERS Industrialising our countryside Dear Editor I wonder how many people drive past Burnett and fully appreciate what a unique architectural gem this as yet unspoilt village is with its medieval manor house, quaint church and stone houses.

Most I guess may notice the open countryside but few will realise there is already a large solar panel complex hidden away behind the village, completely obscured by thick impenetrable hedges. There are many other solar installations which are equally uncontentious because they too

I’m not against alternate energy but sites such as

their support, there is still no evidence of

However, with inheritance tax currently at 40%

brownfields should be used first, and if there is

discussion or willingness to progress a change. So

on estates over £325,000, or over £1m for couples

really no other option, there are plenty of

I remain frustrated and question how does a

leaving a family home, it’s likely that a large part

locations where they can be completely hidden. I

reasonable proposal get the airing it warrants.

of my hard-earned financial resources will go into

am saddened how humans have damaged Planet

WECA are supposedly held accountable to the

Government coffers.

Earth but it breaks my heart when they damage it

electorate who in turn are represented by elected

Unfortunately I don’t belong to the privileged few

more in futile attempts to undo their harm - and it

councillors and all of them are accountable

who are wealthy enough to afford expensive

is particularly ironic that the solar panels come

for making best use of taxpayers’ money.

schemes that help them to manipulate the system

from China.

Meanwhile the situation for many residents

to avoid paying the tax. For them it becomes a

I can’t help feeling the words of Joni Mitchell

continues with no easy access to a reliable bus

‘voluntary tax’.

song ‘They paved paradise, put up a parking lot’

service with some staying at home or going out

For decades the Conservatives have been

need to be rewritten to ‘They glazed paradise, put

less frequently.

promising to reduce or abolish the iniquitous tax.

up a lot of ****’

The worst of the winter is yet to come so the

If they really wanted to get rid of inheritance tax,

Richard Arthur

immediate prospect for many elderly residents is

they’ve had 13 years to do it; last month’s

grim. If, like me, you are concerned about this,

disappointing Autumn Statement was a clear

please make your voice heard. Remember that age

indication that they will continue to back pedal

creeps up on everyone so your personal

over this issue. That’s one reason why they won’t

circumstances may change and one day you might

be getting my vote at the next General Election.

be glad to have a reliable bus service.

Philip Gannaway

are hidden from view. However, much of the countryside is about to be trashed by swathes of because climate change is a special case

Frustration over efforts to get 522 rerouted

overruling normal planning constraints, trumping

Dear Becky

all other considerations.

Further to my last letter (Issue 803) regarding

Drive past Burnett now and you will see the

rerouting the 522 bus I have not received any

beginnings of the industrialisation of our rural

response from the West of England Combined

idyll. OK, this may seem reactionary and alarmist

Authority (WECA) to my reply and comments.

but many new sites in our area already have planning permission (despite being in full view).

glass and metal, but in full view, and done purely

Cynthia Withyman

Wrong postcode Dear Editor

It seems that WECA are stuck with a strategy that

Drop this legal form of thieving

cannot be challenged or deviated from, even if it’s

Dear Editor

the new recycling shop at Keynsham, we decided

Unbelievably in addition to the ugly solar array

not working properly. At the time of their initial

In the Autumn Statement last month, Chancellor

to pay it a visit (in need of some new

being built right next to the road in the grounds

reply, WECA focused on WESTlink as the

Jeremy Hunt missed a golden opportunity to

bookshelves) but were very disappointed to be

of Burnett Manor, there is new proposal for a

alternative to traditional buses. It is widely known

abolish one of the most inequitable taxes ever

turned away as were not in the Keynsham

huge scheme on a truly industrial scale to the east;

that since introduction, WESTlink has not

imposed on the general public – inheritance tax.

postcode district.

this will cover most fields from Middle Piece

delivered as expected due to numerous reasons;

Introduced in 1949, estate duties was contrived as

I can understand that we’re not allowed to deposit

right up the ridge line all along Gypsy Lane. At a

WECA’ s main defence being driver shortage and

a succession duty payable by very wealthy estate

our rubbish there, but surely maybe making a

recent consultation the farmer and developers

as reported, WECA are withholding funding

landowners and multi-millionaires – not as a

purchase from the said shop only aids their efforts

agreed that even after 10 to 15 years of growth,

which is understandable, but where does that

means to extract huge amounts of cash from the

in recycling people’s unwanted effects. The man

screening will at best be only partially effective

leave residents seeking a bus ride? Stranded!

middle and working classes.

in the gatehouse seemed unsure of who was

and also rows and rows of panels right along the

The simple fact is that WESTlink does not meet

With property prices having increased in the

allowed in.

highest ground will remain in full view! When

the needs of many residents and in its current

subsequent decades, millions of ordinary

So I would like to ask through your paper if this

asked why it would not be possible to move

format, never will. Why the funding is being

homeowners are now drawn into a tax band which

is the centre’s policy and whether it will remain

mature hedgerows as an instant screen and/or

After seeing all the advertising, hooha, etc. about

extended is questionable. If WECA want to know

was never intended to include them. ‘Death tax’

so in the future?

create masking earth banks, this was ruled out as

what’s wrong with WESTlink, I am more than

is regarded as many as Britain’s most hated tax.

H A Johnston

too costly and obtrusive!

happy to enlighten them. Perhaps WECA believe

It’s a legal form of thieving – taxing already taxed

Kingswood

Bath & North East Somerset Council rightly

that ignoring the issue means it will eventually go

income a second time! Surely there must be other

Cllr Tim Ball, cabinet member for neighbourhood

turned down the Burnett Manor solar panels as

way. Perhaps some are more interested in

means of taxing the truly wealthy without this

services at Bath & North East Somerset Council,

inappropriate and detrimental to the setting of the

satisfying their personal egos rather than the

baneful tax involving ordinary people.

told us: “In order to provide a service that is safe

church and manor and would affect the adjacent

needs of those they represent. Remember First

I have been paying income tax since I left school

to use and fair to everyone, the council’s three

house, but the inspector allowed it on appeal - so

Bus and local councillors are supportive, but

at 15. Now in my 80s, I still pay income tax and

recycling centres provide services for Bath &

I am afraid there will be no stopping the relentless

WECA are not.

tax on savings I have accrued over many years.

North East Somerset residents only. Due to the

march of solar and we can look forward to a

I remain committed to this and I have been in

With a nod to the Grim Reaper, it would be

location of the reuse shop within the Keynsham

‘partly saved planet’ but with an industrialised

contact with local councillors in Keynsham, Bath

gratifying to assume that following my demise,

Recycling Centre site, it is currently only

countryside.

& North East Somerset and Bristol but despite

the bulk of my estate will pass to family members.

available to B&NES residents.”

8

The Week in • Wednesday 6th December 2023

Campaigners regroup to protect green spaces With consultation on plans for mass development of green spaces on the eastern fringe of Bristol due to open today (Wednesday) a community group has reformed to fight the proposals.

Save Our Green Spaces South Gloucestershire (SOGS), was originally set up in 2008 and helped prevent 8,000 new homes being built between Warmley and Webbs Heath, extending across to Shortwood. The group then campaigned in 2018 against a further call for sites which put Goose Green and Bridgeyate commons at risk.

Last month South Gloucestershire Council approved the draft Local Plan for public consultation but without much detail or maps. More details are being unveiled in the consultation which opens today and runs until 7th February. It identifies the need to build 20,490 new homes and create an additional 25,000 jobs by 2040; 11,230 of these new homes have already been planned for within existing commitments but the majority of the remaining 9,260 along with most of the new employment will be developed in the east fringe of Bristol, on green space and Green Belt stretching from Warmley to Wick, Bridgeyate, Siston and Pucklechurch merging into the expanding Lyde Green and Emersons Green.

SOGS, which has a Facebook page, says: “The Local Plan is a huge document exceeding 250 pages, even before the detail is inserted, and makes reference to further supporting

Wombles in action The Keynsham Wombles, who were busy picking up litter during the town’s Winter Festival last month, will be litter picking again on Saturday 20th January from 10am to noon, meeting at Keynsham Station’s overflow car par, and concentrating on the river area.

documents. It is going to be a challenge for the community to fully engage with the consultancy and hold a proper community discussion during the six weeks over the Christmas period.

“This group understands the world moves on and some development is inevitable, but this is huge. It is important we raise awareness of the Local Plan and help build a community response that cannot be ignored.”

• We’ll have more on the Local Plan proposals next week.

Scouts selling trees The 194th Kingswood Scout Group will be selling Christmas trees this Saturday (9th December) from 9am at Kingswood Congregational Church.

Sudoku 1-Easy

SUNDAY CHEMISTS Sunday 10th December

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 6th December 2023

9

Impact of M4 overbridge closure raised at public meeting Traffic problems caused by the ongoing closure of the M4 overbridge at Badminton Road, next to the A4174 Ring Road, were raised at a public meeting.

Local councillor Marilyn Palmer told the Boyd Valley Community Engagement Forum last Wednesday that there was a lot of extra traffic going through Pucklechurch, Wick and Westerleigh, some of the vehicles speeding.

She said that lorries are ignoring the weight restriction is a big problem and the police have asked local residents to supply registration details of offending vehicles via her.

Cllr Palmer said: “The police are trying to be persuasive, rather than prosecute. They are initially going to the businesses direct and talking to them or the drivers and pointing out the error of their ways and hoping that will help.

“It did seem to help in Pucklechurch where people were going to the trading estate and DX were one of big offenders.

They have now put tracking equipment on their lorries so

they know which lorries are taking which route so they can deal with it in that way after being approached by the police.”

Defects were discovered on the overbridge in July and it was closed at short notice.

National Highways engineers hope to know this month whether they could potentially reopen the bridge, whether it needs strengthening, or has to be demolished and replaced.

Access is being maintained for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders and to homes and business premises. South Gloucestershire Council has been encouraging more people to use the trial shuttle bus service, which started in September to fill the transport gap, so that it can continue in the new year.

Motorists are being advised to divert northbound via the

B4465 Westerleigh Road up to A46 and into Yate via A432 (southbound in reverse). National Highways is also encouraging all traffic to use the A420 and A46 for Yate from the Hicks Gate direction on the A4174, and motorway users to use the M4 junction 18 for Yate, rather than the M32 and A4174.

Christmas drink and drug-drive crackdown begins As the festive season gets under way, Avon & Somerset’s roads policing team will be out in force conducting roadside checks and talking to motorists about the dangers of drink and drug-driving.

The operation, which will run throughout December, will also utilise community intelligence to target drivers potentially under the influence of drink or drugs.

The public are urged to contact the police if they suspect someone may be driving while intoxicated. Information received will be used in conjunction with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and CCTV data to alert

Crossword

officers, enabling them to take swift action.

Drink and drug-driving was a factor in a third of road traffic collisions (RTCs) in 2021, which involved the deaths of 12 people.

Inspector Rob Barker, roads policing lead at Avon & Somerset Police said: “My message to the public this Christmas is this: if you know someone that regularly drinks or takes drugs and gets behind the wheel, then your action - or inaction - could make a real difference to the wellbeing of other road users.”

Data from Crimestoppers UK suggests that the public are

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Gleams (8)

2. Come to earth (4)

6. Location (4)

3. Coin money (6)

8. Haunch (3)

4. Mass flight (6)

9. Cover for a letter (8)

5. Son of Noah (4)

10. Hire (4)

7. Ball game (6)

12. Nasal cavity (5)

11. Wild rose (5)

14. Caper (5)

12. Exclusive report (5)

17. Competition (4)

13. Slumber (5)

18. Torpid (8)

14. Mature (3)

20. Perfume spray (8)

15. Periods (5)

24. Fasten securely (4)

16. Calcium carbonate (5)

25. More mature (5) 26. Low-cut shoes (5) 29. Statutes (4) 30. Glandular disease (8)

becoming more inclined to report drink and drug-drivers.

The national charity, which allows people to report crime anonymously, received more than 34,000 reports between January and September this year about people who regularly drive under the influence of drink and drugs – a 25% increase on the previous year. In several cases, this information has directly led to an arrest.

Report drink and drug-driving by calling 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. If someone is currently driving under the influence of drink or drugs, call 999.

6. Leap (6)

19. Coniferous tree (3) 21. Violent outburst (6) 22. Paltry (6) 23. Flexible rhythm (mus.) (6) 24. Orb (6)

31. Caustic solution (3)

27. ---- of March (4)

32. Gainsay (4)

28. Abominable snowman (4)

33. EU country (8)

10

The Week in • Wednesday 6th December 2023

The Week in • Wednesday 6th December 2023

11

South Glos schools are England’s worst funded Schools in South Gloucestershire are the poorest funded in England, ranking 151st in terms of mainstream funding from the Government.

School leaders and the council are collectively calling for a significant improvement in schools funding for the district, which was not included in announcements made in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement. South Gloucestershire Council co-leader and cabinet member with responsibility for schools, Cllr Ian Boulton, said: “If South Gloucestershire was funded at the average for similar council areas, we would get an extra £12.3m a year, and if we were funded at the England average that would be an extra £16.9m.

“We are not asking for a share of some other areas’ schools funding; we are asking for our kids and our schools in South Gloucestershire to be given the money to do the job.”

School leaders, including the chair and vice-chair of the South Gloucestershire Schools Forum, have described some of the drastic cuts that are common in both councilmaintained and academy schools across the district.

They include: • Recruiting apprentices as they are cheaper than fully qualified staff as teaching assistants; • Reducing the time and temperature schools’ heating is turned on, so that teachers and children are left cold in the classroom; • Sharing teaching staff across groups or schools, which is disruptive for pupils’ learning and for staff morale; • Breaching class size targets to bring in extra money, but that dilutes the time teachers can spend with individual pupils; • Huge pressures on teaching assistants, who provide extra help to children with additional needs, but who can often earn more money outside the profession, including working as

Situations Vacant

delivery drivers; • Cutting school trips and clubs.

Pippa Osborne, who chairs the South Gloucestershire Schools Forum, and is headteacher of the council-maintained Christchurch C of E Junior School, said: “Schools are doing incredibly well to appear on the surface to be OK, but too many of my colleagues tell me that they are hanging on by a thread.

“The things we are having to do to balance budgets will shock and certainly disappoint some parents, but they are all too familiar in our schools. In simple terms, the funding pressures we are all experiencing means we can’t focus on providing the best possible education for our pupils, or provide good working conditions for staff, because we are constantly worried about money.”

Dave Baker, vice-chair of the forum, and chief executive of Olympus Academy Trust that includes schools in South Gloucestershire, said: “The picture across South Gloucestershire is the same, whether schools are funded via the council or directly from Government as academies are.

There simply isn’t enough money for us to do our jobs properly.”

Cllr Boulton added: “Right now, all children in school in South Gloucestershire are at a disadvantage, because this Government refuses to fund what education costs. We are seeing a significant increase in schools at financial risk because despite everything they are doing to balance the books, they are still struggling to keep their heads above water. This is not a question of the competence of school leaders, they are doing the very best that they can, and we are supporting them in that, but they are being asked to do the impossible.”

European medal joy for Warmley-based gymnasts Warmley-based Majestic Gymnastics have just secured their first ever European silver medal.

The club, the only TeamGym specific club within the South West, have undergone significant change this year, relocating from Longwell Green and settling into a new home at the old Grange School site.

Club director Candice Littleton said: “In a triumph for perseverance and dedication, the senior women's gymnastics team etched their names in history by clinching the silver medal at the Mid-European TeamGym Championships in Italy.

“This remarkable achievement follows their victory at the TeamGym British Championships on 23rd July where they proudly claimed the title of British champions.

“The team, a testament to loyalty and longevity, is comprised of gymnasts who have been integral to the club for over a decade. Weathering through three premises moves, these athletes ascended the ranks via the club's development programme, embodying the essence of commitment and passion.”

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Candice added: “The competition, featuring formidable teams from the Netherlands, Italy, and France, tested the mettle of the Majestic Gymnastics team.

“Undeterred, the girls held their ground through a gruelling contest, ultimately seizing the silver medal. Portsmouth's team clinched the gold, placing Majestic Gymnastics in the prestigious second spot.

“The entire Majestic Gymnastics community stands united in pride, commending the girls for their indomitable spirit and applauding coach Stacey Godden for her instrumental role in shaping these athletes into champions. The silver medal shines not only as an accolade but as a symbol of dedication, teamwork, and the enduring spirit of Majestic Gymnastics.”

The Week in • Wednesday 6th December 2023

Nursery given Ofsted’s lowest rating twice is now Good The Stockwood day nursery and pre-school given Ofsted’s lowest rating twice this year has now been rated as Good.

In a report published in May, Curious Hedgehogs in Stockwood Lane was said to be Inadequate after inspectors highlighted a string of failures; they said “significant breaches” meant children's safety, learning and development were compromised.

A second Ofsted inspection over the summer again resulted in the same rating, with the management team told they had not addressed the actions raised during the last inspection sufficiently, indicating a lack of effective leadership.

But the latest report published last week says: “The dedicated management team has worked tirelessly to address the weaknesses raised at

the previous inspection.”

The inspectors praise the ambitious curriculum, the strong focus on children's physical development and communication and say children show they feel happy and secure.

Partnerships with parents are a strength and arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

There are 147 children on the roll. The nursery is part of the Just Childcare group.

Downend Folk & Roots Downend Folk & Roots stage concerts monthly at Christ Church in Downend and they are well worth attending; a tranquil era of music by accomplished musicians who give it their all for us locals looking for a story of content.

I recently attended for a second time to hear out the story of disparagement and rebellion by a young lady, Maddie Morris, who has braved the challenges and given us something to reflect on with our own lives.

Ward Knutur Townes, who amazingly established themselves during lockdown, gave us more than their all; they sang and played and sang and bantered until quite late, showing no signs of tiredness, nor wanting to draw things to an end. Their intertwined fixation on jovial awareness of life in the Rockies and Iceland gave us a good interpretation of what was to come in their messaging and it was a delight to be part of this amazing experience.

Tickets for events can be purchased at Melanie’s Kitchen in Downend as well as online.

I looking forward to the Christmas agenda of events.

Find out more at https://downendfolkandroots.com/index.php Honor Bane, Downend resident

Pair charged in connection with eight burglaries Two men have been charged in connection with a series of burglaries at eight South Gloucestershire businesses.

Robert Prosser, 45, of no fixed address, and 37-year-old Martin White, of Radnor Road, Bishopston, were both charged with eight counts of burglary and one count of aggravated vehicle taking.

Prosser was additionally charged with two counts of possessing class A drugs and failing to stop for police. White was also charged with common assault.

The charges relate to burglaries at eight businesses over a three-day period between 22nd and 24th October.

They appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Wednesday 22nd November where they entered not guilty pleas. The trial will take place next year.

The Week in • Wednesday 6th December 2023

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