Woman fined over fly-tipped rubbish

A WOMAN from Yate has been ordered to pay a total of £1,171.88 in fines and costs after South Gloucestershire Council prosecuted over waste dumped in Chipping Sodbury.

Sheena Corbin, aged 35, of Normead Drive, pleaded guilty to failing in her duty of care and non-compliance with a notice to attend rfor an interview when she appeared at Bristol Magistrates Court on May 19.

The court heard that in June last year fly-tipped cardboard and packaging was discovered on a path near St Johns Way in Chipping Sodbury and reported to the council.

The council cleared the rubbish and found documentation linking it to Corbin’s address.

She was then spoken to at her home and admitted that she recognised the waste, but claimed it had been taken away from her home by a removals man when she had moved in the previous month.

However the removal man denied touching it and investigators found documents in the rubbish dated from after the move.

A council spokesperson said that when Corbin was told this, she "claimed to be confused but maintained that the removals men had taken away the waste that was fly-tipped".

Robert Evely, Environmental Enforcement team leader at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “South Gloucestershire Council will pursue anyone who dumps their rubbish illegally through the courts and I hope this latest prosecution acts as a deterrent to anyone who considers fly-tipping in the area. Our award-winning environmental enforcement team has a 100 per cent record of securing successful prosecutions for this type of offence."

Residents who see illegal fly-tipping are encouraged to report it by contacting the council’s StreetCare helpdesk on 01454 868000, emailing streetcare@southglos.gov.uk or visiting www.southglos. gov.uk/flytipping.

BRITAIN'S best-selling classical singer is set to appear in South Gloucestershire at a charity's outdoor festival.

Russell Watson is the headliner for the tenth annual Music in the Meadows open air concert in Iron Acton on July 1.

The event, organised by local charity Acton Aid, attracts hundreds of people to Iron Acton Parish Meadows every year.

The bigger sister event on Friday June 30, Mash in the Meadows, will feature a mix of rock and pop music, led by Queen tribute band Flash.

Money raised will go to fund local good causes, and a bucket collection at both nights will raise money for St Peter’s Hospice.

Acton Aid spokesman Rob Taylor said: “To attract Russell Watson to our Music in the Meadows is a major coup for Acton Aid.

“He will be appearing on a large professional stage, backed by the Bristol Millennium Orchestra.

“We look forward to welcoming a large appreciative audience for a very special evening in Iron Acton Parish Meadows.

“They can bring their own picnics or enjoy local foods from various stalls.

The finale of the Saturday evening will include Last Night of the Proms music followed by a spectacular fireworks display.”

Acton Aid is a not-for