Issue 428

The Week
in /out
East Bristol & North East Somerset
Issue no 428
FREE
23rd June 2016
Read by over 30,000 people every week
In this week’s issue ......
Change of heart over Civic Centre? . . . pages 4 & 5
But council jobs will still move from Kingswood
75 jobs to go at Warmley factory . . . page 20
Cigarette package printer blames health legislation
Blue plaque for Sir Bernard Lovell . . . page 13
Astronomer’s Oldland home to be commemorated
2
The Week in • Thursday 23rd June 2016
Comment
Two big decisions that will shape our future
We hope you enjoyed our slightly modified masthead on
this week's cover. It marks a momentous day in Britain's
history and brings the curtain down on probably the
longest and most divisive of political campaigns of recent
times.
We had decided not to print any Letters to the Editor or accept
adverts from protagonists until the campaign began officially.
We also felt that with the issue being given wall-to-wall
coverage by the national media that our main focus should
remain on matters closer to home. That said, when the debate
did take off in The Week In, the contributors were by and large
far more worthy than those we were forced to watch and listen
to on our TV, radio and other printed media.
If you are reading this after Friday morning, you will know what
we didn't when writing - the result. Whatever Britain's future
holds as of today, things are certainly going to be different and
a lot of political careers have either received a boost or been
shunted into the sidings.
everything works fine
as it is so why change
it. The simple fact is
that the current system
DOESN'T work as it
could or should, and
the region's problems
with transport and housing ably demonstrate this.
Devolution is an opportunity, using EU debate parlance, to
shape our children's futures in a way that is unlikely to be
rivalled in the current economic climate. Unlike the EU
Referendum however, the decision will not be made by us or
our children but by a group of people who you either voted for
(or statistically, more likely did not) as your local councillor.
On 29th June, around 250 local councillors will be taking a
decision on your behalf, the consequences of which may be
even more significant.
Back to local issues and next week it is the turn of B&NES,
Bristol and South Gloucestershire councillors to vote on a future
for our region. Like the EU Referendum, some wildly
inaccurate and sadly short-sighted opinions have been
expressed publicly about the devolution of powers from central
government, in some cases by intelligent people who ought to
know better.
Scaremongering in this debate has been via the 'old Avon'
analogy. Nothing could be further from the truth but it's a useful
ploy if you are trying to kill this particular bill. Ironically, some of
the people who spoke passionately in the EU debate about
taking back control and resisting rules imposed from far away
are actually against our four local councils inheriting decisionmaking powers from Westminster.
Two weeks ago, councillors in North Somerset rejected the
devolution plans (that they helped take to the Government in
the first place). During the debate, some of the region's most
successful business leaders put forward powerful arguments
for seizing the opportunity of more funding and more autonomy
for the region but the vote went along political party lines with
the majority falling behind their leader's contention that
The Week in • Thursday 23rd June 2016
3
Kingswood
Now council plans
Kingswood Civic Centre may not be sold off after all.
The threat of closure has been hanging over the building since
last summer when the ruling Conservatives revealed plans to
consolidate accommodation at South Gloucestershire Council's
Badminton Road offices near Yate to save money.
But now, in the wake of public consultation, a proposal has been
drawn up which would see the council chamber, committee
rooms and training facilities kept and Kingswood Library move
into the Civic Centre, where the One Stop Shop and police
would remain. Other parts of the Civic Centre would be leased
and a potential tenant - an as yet un-named public organisation
- is lined up.
The Week in
Back office staff would move from Kingswood to Badminton
Road to make use of empty spaces there. There are currently
around 230 full-time equivalent members of staff based at the
Civic Centre. Council leader Matthew Riddle said this week: “We
recognise that the Civic Centre is a source of great local pride
for the people of Kingswood. However, we also strongly believe
we shouldn't be wasting public money on surplus office space
whilst having to make savings elsewhere.
“With some innovative thinking, I am pleased to say that we
have found a way to save over £400,000 a year, without
affecting frontline services. The money we save with this
creative proposal will now help us maintain our frontline services
in a challenging financial environment.”
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.
15,000 copies are distributed through retail outlets, libraries, pubs,
community centres each week. Verified pick-up rate of 97%.
Publisher
Keynsham & Saltford Times Ltd, 8 Temple Court, Keynsham. BS31 1HA
0117 986 0381
www.theweekin.co.uk
ISSN: 2052-9767
Managing Editor
Editorial
Stephen Rodgers
[email protected]
Becky Feather 07973 839936
Christine Rogers
Advertising
Jodie Deason and Tracy Broderick
0117 986 0381
[email protected]
@theweekineditor
No material in this publication, nor its associated website
(www.theweekin.co.uk) may be reproduced without the written permission
of Keynsham & Saltford Times Ltd. All rights reserved.
4
The Week in • Thursday 23rd June 2016
to keep part of Civic Centre
Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore said: "I'm delighted at the news
not to sell the Civic Centre building, and that £400,000 of
savings will now in fact be found by renting out back offices, at
the same time as keeping the council chamber, the One Stop
Shop and the police at the Civic Centre, which is exactly what I
had called for. I am also pleased that the Civic Centre will retain
its democratic function as a council chamber, ensuring that
local residents will be able to engage with their councillors and
hold them to account locally.”
But Labour councillors, who collected a 1,600 signature petition
against the closure, said the Civic Centre's total closure was
still a “live option” and if a lease was not finalised by the end of
October, the council would move to market the building for
lease or sale on the open market.
Labour's Lead on the council's Resources Committee, Adam
Monk, said: “Labour councillors have consistently opposed the
proposed closure of Kingswood Civic Centre and have outlined
clear reasons why we think this would be a terrible decision.
The consultation report has recognised some of our stated
concerns, such as the effect that closure would have on trade
in the town centre and the ability of local residents to attend
decision-making meetings. We also pointed out that
withdrawing from this flagship presence would signify a
downgrading of the town's status.
“The option of disposing of the Civic Centre on the open market
The Week in • Thursday 23rd June 2016
should not be on the table. Local residents remain shocked that
the council is even considering disposing of the building when
it spent £6m refurbishing it as recently as 2013.”
And the leader of the Labour group, Kingswood Pat Rooney,
said the new proposal still failed to address Labour's concern
about the loss of jobs: “The revised proposal would still see
hundreds of council jobs shipped out of Kingswood. This will
increase commuting, congestion and traffic pollution, with staff
forced to travel further to work. I am disappointed that the ruling
Conservatives are still pursuing a plan that will lead to the
removal of council jobs from Kingswood and urge them even at
this late stage to abandon that policy.”
The new proposal will be put to the Resources Sub-Committee
on Monday (27th June).
5
Kingswood
Pizza parlour can stay open
until midnight at weekends
A pizza takeaway shop has been given permission to trade until
midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Pizza GoGo in Westons Way had applied to change its licence
so it could open until 1am instead of 11pm.
In a letter, local councillors raised concerns that an extension to
opening hours would lead to extra noise at night in the
residential area.
South Gloucestershire Council's Licensing Sub-Committee
agreed to a one-hour extension until midnight, including the sale
of alcohol off the premises by delivery with orders of hot food.
Two years ago Pizza GoGo applied for permission to stay open
until 1am Sundays to Thursdays and to 2am on Fridays and
Saturdays but the application was turned down as it was
considered that the extended opening hours would cause
significant noise and disturbance.
6
The Week in • Thursday 23rd June 2016
Open day attracts keen
interest in Abbeyfield
People had the chance last week to find out more the
newly-refurbished Abbeyfield home which is opening later
this summer at Westbourne Avenue in Keynsham.
Abbeyfield Bristol and Keynsham Society, which offers
supported housing for older people, held an open day at The
Space, above the library, and many people went along to hear
about living at Abbeyfield, as well as about job opportunities
with the society, which also has houses in Memorial Road in
Hanham and in Redland, Henleaze and Easter Compton.
Abbeyfield offers supported housing for older people who no
longer wish to have the responsibility and worry of maintaining
their own home, or who are struggling to cope on their own, but
do not require nursing care. Residents can maintain an
independent lifestyle with the reassurance that a supportive
network of people is close by.
The refurbished home in Keynsham, which is within walking
distance of the town centre, will offer 14 flats, 24-hour support
from caring and trained staff, a spacious and open-plan living
room and garden room and a private landscaped garden. There
will also be a hairdressing salon and chiropody suite and a
calendar of social activities on offer.
All meals are included in the fees - residents enjoy lunch and
The Week in • Thursday 23rd June 2016
Abbeyfield trustees Roger Spooner & Jill Oakhill with chief
executive of the Abbeyfield Bristol and Keynsham Society
Frances Stretton, centre
supper together and can choose whatever they wish for
breakfast, so they can prepare it themselves at a time that suits.
Studio flats cost £380 a week and one-bed flats £420 a week.
To find out more about the Keynsham house, and current
vacancies at other Abbeyfield properties, call 0117 9736997 or
visit www.abbeyfield-bristol.co.uk
7
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Discover more about Kingswood
Leisure Centre
Kingswood Leisure Centre is managed by Circadian Trust, a
Charitable Trust dedicated to improving fitness and healthy
lifestyles. At the Kingswood Centre, you will find a 25 metre
pool with high dive boards and a smaller learner pool. The pools
are home to a selection of activities including swim sessions for
varying ages and abilities, and water based exercise classes.
For many years, our professional swim school has successfully
taught local children to swim safely and develop a skill for life.
Some have gone on to join our regular Swimming Club,
Soundwell, for competitive swimming.
Our sports hall can be used for a variety of activities including:
roller skating, netball or 5-a-side football. This divides into four
courts which can be used for badminton, table tennis or
trampolining for example. We also have two very popular
squash courts. Our class timetable includes: yoga, pilates,
Zumba, body conditioning, kettlebells, studio cycling and much
more. Members have the choice of taught sessions by talented
instructors or virtual classes in our air conditioned dance studio.
Meanwhile our fitness suite has a range of the most popular
cardio vascular and resistance equipment from Technogym and
suits beginners to advanced gym users. Our fitness staff will
make you feel welcome with a personalised programme to help
8
you achieve your fitness goals. Your progress can be monitored
on your own Wellness Cloud account.
And for the kids, we have a lovely softplay area and a range of
exciting birthday party offerings. During school holidays, we
have daily active camps to keep them amused and hold fun
inflatable sessions in the pool which is great for the older kids.
So we'd love you to join us for our family fun day on 2nd July,
to take a tour of our facilities, find out about our swim and
fitness timetable and chat to our staff about what's on offer.
The Week in • Thursday 23rd June 2016
Keynsham
Safety alterations approved
on Brunel's bridges
Permission has been granted for two of Isambard Kingdom
Brunel's bridges in Keynsham to be altered as part of
Network Rail's Bristol to London rail electrification
programme.
Bath & North East Somerset Council last week approved work
to the parapets of the Grade II listed Clay Bridge at Worlds End
Lane, which carries a farm track and public footpath, and also
Pixash Lane Bridge, which carries the road of the same name,
and is close to Ashmead Industrial Estate and Avon Valley
Adventure & Wildlife Park
In both cases the alterations are to meet safety standards for
the electrification of the Great Western Mainline and include the
addition of railings above the coping stones.
The bridges are considered so important as they date from the
pioneering phase of railway construction in Britain, and
therefore the world.
It is considered that the impact on the historic bridges will be
minimal and the fact that Brunel's original design will still be
apparent below the added railings means that the harm to their
significance will be less than substantial and outweighed by the
public benefits of an updated rail infrastructure.
Vintage tractors
at Siston fete
St Anne's Church at Siston is holding its summer fete this
Saturday (25th June) from 1pm to 4pm and this year there
will be a new attraction - a display of vintage tractors in the
field next to the resident alpacas.
Entrance to the fete is £2 per car and includes parking,
lucky programme entry and children's treasure trail entry.
Parking is the field at the end of Gibbs Lane and there will
be stalls along the lane and in the church car park and on
the churchyard green.
There will be a Pimm's and beer bar, hot dogs, pizza and
ice cream stalls, plus cream teas and cakes in the church
hall.
Pixash Lane bridge
Sudoku
1-Easy
3
2 -Hard
8
4
6
7 8
1 6
3 5
2 7
1 2 9
6
7 5
9
5 3
9 4
2
3
8
5
9
7 2
The Week in • Thursday 23rd June 2016
2
5
7
9
6 5
9
3
Boots, Gallagher Retail Park,
Asda Store Longwell Green
(10am-4pm)
8 1
Boots, Emersons Green Retail Park
(10.30am-4pm)
7
1
5
Sunday 26th June
Longwell Green (10.30am-4pm)
2 8
8
CHEMISTS
WEEKEND
OPENING
9 2 1 6
6
5
Sainsburys, Emersons Green
9
(9.30am-4.30pm)
Stockwood Pharmacy
78 Hollway Road, BS14 8PG
(9am-7pm)
9
Letters
Let the band play on!
Dear Stephen,
I was very disappointed to learn that our
wonderful Keynsham Brass Band had failed
to secure its usual slot to perform at what is
perhaps one of the most highly prestigious
venues for a brass band in the whole of
England - the Parade Gardens in Bath.
On inquiry I found that this seems to have
resulted from the introduction of new
administrative arrangements which are
really based on an administrative scramble
(first come, first served) convenient to park
administrators and which does not take
Parade Gardens which sits in their gift.
planning application for the road they'd
Anyone here locally in any doubt about the
already
quality of our band I invite you to please
disregarded the Stop Notice and carried on
click this link to see and hear them in action
doubling the width of their unauthorised
last year in the aforesaid Parade Gardens:
road to two lane. In the process they
http://tinyurl.com/zcttext
destroyed yards of valuable hedgerow
Or simply go to YouTube and search
complete with nesting birds, installed a large
Keynsham Brass Band and you will be
steel
taken to Alan Cooney's lovely video of the
Broadmead Brook, and in the process
band in full play. I truly recommend you see
disturbed the known colony of native
and hear why this great Keynsham band
crayfish, the natural habitats of protected
should be used for the international
Horseshoe Bats, an otter holt and skylarks.
promotion of Bath and Keynsham and not
Not content with this they then proceeded to
be merely cut out of the venue for
dig out footings for a large car park.
administrative convenience.
The enforcement officers were alerted,
Cllr Siri Edwards
urgently stepped in and issued a further
Keynsham town councillor
Stop Notice, expiring on the 6th July.
constructed,
bridge
across
completely
the
sensitive
A human consequence of the Bendalls'
account of the realities of administering a
The law of the land
unauthorised activities has been the
volunteer band, while cutting the already
Dear Stephen,
effective removal of the electrical service,
very marginal financial support for the
The ongoing unauthorised construction
fresh water supplies and toilet facilities to
bands.
activities on the Broadmead Peninsula by
some 27 floating families.
I was dismayed to learn that our volunteer
the Duchy farming family the Bendalls of
Like the rest of us, the applicants must be
band was cut out because it took eight days
Corston
forced to abide by the planning laws of this
(yes, a whole eight days) to respond to a
incomprehensible.
land, and if their retrospective planning
request for applications from Bath Parks'
They applied for and were refused planning
application is refused, we must all insist they
administrators. Not only does this seem an
permission in 2005 for a road from Stidham
return a once beautiful green field to its
unreasonable way to treat one of B&NES'
Lane cutting through Green Belt, and top
previous natural environment. Else what is
own bands, but it ended giving priority
quality agricultural land to the bank of the
the point in having a planning system?
mainly to bands from outside B&NES who
River Avon.
Dave Laming
are, of course, very desirous to access such
Then, against vehement local opposition,
Chairman of the River Regeneration
a prestigious venue, no matter what.
they attempted, but thankfully failed to
Trust, Member of the Strategic River
Who knows if these outside bands are
obtain permission to construct a 326 berth
Group of B&NES Council
funded from other sources; however,
marina in the most dangerous flood risk
Keynsham Brass Band is self-funded and
area of the River Avon, accessed through a
did not apply for the minor grant available
hazardous, blind, single lane, narrow tunnel
from Keynsham Town Council this year for
which takes over 600 vehicles daily,
Promising new Keynsham
Leisure Centre plans
the sake of others.
including dozens of skip lorries. This refusal
Dear Sir,
Apparently there were more than 30 bands
they have decided to appeal, despite yet
After
applying from all over the UK, our own band
again massive Keynsham opposition.
numerous individuals, Keynsham has been
being ruled out on the scramble basis. I am
To really rub salt in sore wounds, they
presented with amended proposals for a
grateful to Cllr Martin Veal, of BANES, for
ignored the council and the law, and
leisure centre.
agreeing
decided to build the road without permission
It was a pleasant surprise to discover that
invitations for next year, and very much
anyway!
B&NES had listened to the many hundreds
hope that the parks' administration will take
In stepped B&NES enforcement officers and
of people that had complained about the
on board the need to support our own bands
issued a Stop Notice. The Bendalls then
original plans.
when dishing out their amazing venue at
presented the council with a retrospective
Unlike the initial consultations, the one that I
10
to
review
the
structure
of
is
to
say
the
least
much
protesting
and
work
by
The Week in • Thursday 23rd June 2016
Letters
Epilepsy Society, who has supported my
family so much over years.
We met Princess Anne and her husband
Tim and the Queen was waving to everyone
attended was run by individuals who had
there. Layla wrote a message in one of her
been well prepared to discuss proposals
books (Epilepsy Book for Kids) to give to the
with those attending.
Queen, thanking her for the letter she sent
If planning for either of the two proposals is
her a few years ago.
approved, then Keynsham should get the
We also met a man who has done so much
leisure centre that it deserves and that
for the Epilepsy Society and he has invited
caters for multiple sports for many years to
Layla to America, where he does his annual
come.
conference, which was amazing.
cuts in the growing season, (the next one
Special thanks should be given to those
Thanks for your kind sponsorship of Layla's
not due until September, unless this is
local town councillors who have been vocal
book and thanks to everyone who has done
changed) whereas grass lower down in the
in their support for the provision of these
so as there are now 40 books in schools
same road is classed as amenity grass and
sports facilities.
around Bristol, raising epilepsy awareness
therefore gets regular cuts.
Planning has not yet been approved and I
and money for charity.
As
look forward to seeing the finer detail but
If anyone wants to sponsor a copy please
previously arranged several meetings with
what we have been shown is a very positive
contact Pomegranate Books.
officers and residents in an attempt to
step forward.
Sarah Reid
change this situation, without any success,
Rodway
ward
councillor
I
have
the reason being that due to the austerity
Nick Norris
Cuts to cuts
cuts, the council has insufficient funding.
Dear Stephen,
Whilst this remains unresolved, local
The residents of Valley Road, Mangotsfield,
children can no longer safely play in front of
A thank you letter
are once again extremely unhappy over the
their homes, due to the possibility of dog
Dear all at The Week In,
height of the uncut grass outside their
mess and litter hidden in the grass, and
Thanks so much for sharing me and Layla's
homes, as you can see from the attached
there is also a hedge alongside the road,
story of the Patron's Lunch. It was an
photograph.
which also needs pruning back as it restricts
amazing experience meeting so many
One of their concerns is that this grass is still
the vision of motorists.
people who have done amazing things for
classified by South Gloucestershire Council
Cllr Michael Bell
charity and meeting Nicola, from the
as highways grass and only gets two core
Keynsham
The Week in • Thursday 23rd June 2016
11
Hanham, Warmley & Oldland Common
Allotment
vacancies
C in the Park
Churches from Downend and Bromley Heath, Mangotsfield,
Emersons Green and Staple Hill are once more coming together to
provide an open-air service and free family fun day.
'C in the Park' is in its fifth year and will be taking place on Sunday
3rd July at the King George V playing fields in Downend.
If you're interested in cultivating an allotment plot, there are
currently vacancies on three local sites.
For Hollyguest Road, Hanham and Warmley Golf Course,
contact Victoria Hicks, clerk to Oldland Parish Council, on
0117 961 5021.
For North Street, Oldland Common, contact Sarah Jones,
from Bitton Parish Council, on 07757 796155.
The event is a gift to the local community and funded by the
churches taking part, with support from the local councils.
The day will begin at 11am with an open-air service led by
Pendennis Church and Music Group, together with children from
Mangotsfield C of E Primary School singing.
Guest speaker Neil Todman will be talking about peace, which is the
theme this year.
Open evening for
single professionals
The Bath group of SPA (Single Professionals' Association) is
holding an open evening for potential members next week.
SPA is a well-established association with six groups meeting in
locations across the South West.
Bath group members participate in events including weekly social
evenings, walks, theatre and music events, dances, visits to historic
places, short break holidays and more.
If you are single, widowed or divorced, you are welcome to go along
to their open evening at The Westgate pub in Westgate Street,
Bath, on Tuesday 28th June at 8.30pm. For more information call
Martyn on 07775 897487.
Crossword
1
2
3
4
7
5
6
8
9
11
ACROSS
10
12
13
14
15
16
17
DOWN
18
19
20
23
12
21
24
7 Large marine mammal (6)
8 A group of nations ruled by one sovereign (6)
9 Idiom to express surprise or annoyance (4)
10 Type of missile (3-2-3)
11 __ __ in Alex. 1950's film starring John Mills (3-4)
13 Small road or path (5)
15 A keep-fit exercise (3,2)
17 One of two words with same spelling but
different meaning (7)
20 Legendary central African city (8)
21 Pain (4)
23 Hunting expedition (6)
24 Improvised comments (2-4)
22
1 Anger (4)
2 Anti-depressant drug (6)
3 Often (7)
4 Fruit of a tree or bush (5)
5 Eerie (6)
6 Common (8)
12 Guilty of a crime (8)
14 Humorous (7)
16 Positive, optimistic (6)
18 An authority divining the future (6)
19 V-shaped formation of flying geese or swans (5)
22 American word for tramp (4)
The Week in • Thursday 23rd June 2016
Busy summer at Willsbridge Mill
The group working to restore Willsbridge Mill have been
awarded a grant of £34,444 from Cory Environmental to
repair the roof of the long barn.
However, Willsbridge Mill Community Refresh must find 10%
towards the cost so have launched a sponsored tile appeal. For
£15, sponsors will be recognised on a dedicated wall in the
barn, which is used as a café and community venue, and be
invited to a 'raise the roof'' celebration.
WMCR are also hoping to raise a further £6,000 to pay for new
windows in the roof. It is hoped the work, which includes
insulation, will begin in September so the barn will be dry and
warm in time for the winter.
Meanwhile there have been talks with the Heritage Lottery
Fund about securing grants for further restoration work at the
Grade II listed Mill buildings.
Having formerly been used by Avon Wildlife Trust (AWT), the
buildings were taken on by WMCR in autumn 2014. They are
tenants at will at the Mill, which is owned by South
Gloucestershire Council. AWT still maintains Willsbridge Valley
as a wildlife reserve.
The Mill café will be opening on Mondays from noon to 4pm for
the summer holidays from 25th July, in addition to the normal
opening hours, which are 10.30am to 4pm on Tuesdays,
Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The café is
closed on Thursdays.
The group will shortly be announcing dates for the 'Go Wild at
Willsbridge' summer forest school and in the meantime a family
den building day is being held this Saturday (25th June). There
will be two sessions - 10am to noon and 2pm to 4pm. The cost
is £3 per child, who must be supervised at all times by an adult.
Appropriate shoes, long trousers and layers are essential.
For more information about the roof appeal or any activities at
the Mill email [email protected] or pop into the café.
Blue plaque to honour
Sir Bernard Lovell
Bitton Parish Council is commissioning a blue plaque for
the house in Oldland Common where Sir Bernard Lovell
grew up, and is hoping to find local relatives to attend the
unveiling in the autumn.
The pioneering astronomer and physicist, who died in 2012
at the age of 98, and after whom the local secondary school
is named, was born and brought up in a cottage on the
corner of West Street and Court Road, where his father
Gilbert was in business with a brother as hairdresser/
barber and cycle repair shop.
Bernard Lovell attended Kingswood Grammar School, now
King's Oak Academy, and went on to study physics at the
University of Bristol.
In 1961 he was knighted for his important contributions to
the development of radio astronomy. In 2009, he spoke of
a claimed assassination attempt during the Cold War where
the Soviets allegedly tried to kill him with a lethal radiation
dose. At the time, he was head of the Jodrell Bank space
telescope (which he founded) that was also being used as
part of an early warning system for Soviet nuclear attacks.
Local schools have agreed to produce an exhibition
depicting the various aspects of Sir Bernard's work and life,
and the council plans to have this on show over a weekend
and then eventually house it at the Sir Bernard Lovell
Academy.
Pictured with Susan Smith, second from left, are Mill visitors
Fiona White, left, & Samantha Fear with daughter Georgina
The Week in • Thursday 23rd June 2016
If you are a relative of Sir Bernard, or have any
information, email Cllr Virginia McNab at
[email protected], or call 0117 9325264.
13
HOMES & PROPERTY
Sharp fall in the
buy-to-let market
Kirstie on location
in Keynsham
Lending to buy-to-let investors fell by 86% in the wake of the Stamp
Duty change on 1st April, according to figures released last week.
Property guru Kirstie Allsopp was filming in Keynsham last
week for her popular Channel 4 programme Location,
Location, Location.
The majority of buy-to-let purchases now attract an additional 3%
levy, intended to stop investors crowding out first-time buyers from
the housing market.
The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said that loans worth
£600m were handed out in April to people buying additional
property, compared with £4.3bn the previous month.
Buy-to-let lending was not the only area affected as loans to
homeowners also fell by 40% month-on-month. But remortgaging
climbed both on a month-by-month and year-on-year in April, with
the highest volume of loans for remortgage in a month since July
2009, and the highest lending value for remortgage since January
of that year. Paul Smee, director general of the CML, said: 'There is
a sense of calm after the storm this month, as lending eased back,
following the significant rises in activity in March as borrowers
looked to beat the second property stamp duty deadline.
'We expect the market to take several months to return to its
previous levels after the lending surge.”
Although first-time buyers now have a better chance of getting onto
the housing ladder, the sharp fall in buy-to-let lending may not be
such good news for tenants as there is already a shortage of homes
for rent.
14
Kirstie and her film crew were at Treetops, Whitecroft
Developments' nine-home scheme on Bristol Road that's due for
completion this autumn.
Kirstie was searching with a young couple, one who works in Bristol
and one in Bath, who agreed that Keynsham had a lot to offer. The
episode is due to air in the next few weeks.
Kirstie tweeted a pic of herself from the site and is pictured here, on
the left, with Whitecroft director Rebecca Hales.
Whitecroft, a local family business established in 2010, has built a
reputation for constructing and developing properties to a high
standard.
The company was behind the redevelopment of Bath Hill and
Temple Infant schools in Keynsham and a development in Allison
Road, Brislington, is set for completion this year.
Another current project is the conversion of the listed buildings at
the former HorseWorld Visitor Centre in Whitchurch into new
homes.
The Week in • Thursday 23rd June 2016
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Residents invite community
to their summer fete
The Gables residential care home in Hanham opens its
grounds on Sunday 3rd July for the traditional summer
fete.
Residents at the home in Sydenham Way will welcome family,
friends and the local community along to join in the fun, and
entry is free.
The fete will be held in the home's beautiful, well-tended and
easily accessible private gardens.
Manager Ann Aubrey says residents are very much looking
forward to the fete, which will be held from 2pm to 5pm. As well
as more than 20 stalls, including jewellery, plants, homewares,
pampering, gifts, jams and chutneys, there will be tricks from
magician Mike Clarke. Paula and Rich, from Spangles
Entertainment, will also be performing.
recently voted one of the top 20 care homes in the South West,
based on reviews and recommendations from residents'
families. It was the only care home in Bristol and Bath to receive
the award.
Ann says the fete is also a chance for families thinking about a
home for loved ones to come along and get a feel for the place.
Other attractions include parrots from the James Macaw
Sanctuary in Chipping Sodbury, Tarot readings, a bouncy castle
and face painting. Cream teas and ice creams will be for sale
and there will be a grand summer raffle.
The event, which has taken place most years since the year
2000, usually raises around £800 which goes towards
entertainment for the residents of The Gables, which was
The Week in • Thursday 23rd June 2016
15
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0117 986 0381. Deadline for Situations
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FRIDAY preceding publication.
16
The Week in • Thursday 23rd June 2016
Oldland Common
student takes over
the reins of college
A student from Oldland Common with a thirst for business
stepped up to take on the job of Bath College principal for
the day.
Staff at the college have been handing over their roles to
students during the first-ever Student Takeover Week,
organised by the Students' Union.
Teenager Oliver Watkins successfully applied for the top role on
offer and spent a day with Bath College principal Matt Atkinson.
The Level 3 business student attended a senior leadership
meeting and was asked to investigate the issue of smoking in
the college.
Oliver, 19, had to decide if the college should continue to have
a dedicated smoking area, or should become smoke-free. After
doing some research and interviewing students, he presented
his ideas to Mr Atkinson and Carole Stott, chair of the board of
governors.
Oliver said: “I decided by 2020 the college should become
smoke-free. Being principal is a big job, it's easy coming up with
ideas but the hardest thing is choosing the best idea and making
sure you have the best decision. That's when you really have to
weigh it up.
Bath College Principal Matt Atkinson said: “It was great to hand
over the reins to Oliver for the day. I was really impressed with
his skills and contributions, and was delighted to work with him
for the day.”
The Week in • Thursday 23rd June 2016
17
18
The Week in • Thursday 23rd June 2016
Downend
Council's pest control team help
remove bee swarm
South Gloucestershire pest control officers came to the
rescue after a swarm of bees covered the front door of a
house in Downend.
Catherine Young, who works in the council's private sector
housing team, got a call from her neighbour telling her that
thousands of bees or wasps were covering part of Catherine's
front door.
Unsure what to do next, Catherine contacted the environmental
protection department for advice and spoke to the pest control
team who arranged a visit.
The pest control team worked with a local beekeeper, firstly to
identify and then remove the swarm of honey bees which are
now settling in to a new hive in Cromhall.
Catherine said: “I wouldn't have known what to do or who to call
if I didn't work for the council. The pest control team provided a
great service, responded really quickly and were very friendly
and helpful. “
Environmental health manager Gerard Madden said: “We've
received several calls in the last few weeks as bees are
swarming at the moment. Beekeepers are only interested in
taking away honey bees, so residents often require a
professional to help them confirm the specific type of bee.
“As well as dealing with bees, wasps are starting to cause
The Week in • Thursday 23rd June 2016
problems for local people at this time of year and we are seeing
requests for treating them go up year on year with 350 requests
in 2013, 483 in 2014 and 560 in 2015.
“We offer full pest control services to any South Gloucestershire
residents. Officers can advise and carry out treatments on a
variety of pests, including rats, mice, squirrels, wasps, fleas and
bedbugs other insects such as flies, ants, cockroaches, moths
and carpet beetles, so if you are experiencing problems, get in
touch.”
There is a clear pricing structure, with some concessions for
those in receipt of certain benefits. For more information visit
www.southglos.gov.uk/pestcontrol or call 01454 868001.
19
Keynsham
Warmley
Chinese takeaway
gets zero rating
75 jobs under threat as
Amcor announces
plans to close factory
The Chinese takeaway Golden City in Holmoak Road has been
given a 0 hygiene rating by the Food Standards Agency.
This is the lowest rating, meaning urgent improvement is
necessary. The highest score an establishment can get is 5.
The inspection took place last month and the food safety officer
found that major improvements were necessary for food handling,
which includes preparation, cooking and storage.
Major improvements were also deemed necessary for food safety
management.
The business was also told to improve the cleanliness of the
facilities and building.
20
Amcor is planning to close its tobacco packaging factory with
the loss of 75 full-time jobs.
The multi-national company said the plain packaging legislation
introduced in May had affected production
and the plant was operating well below
capacity. It would not comment on a claim
from an employee that production was
being moved from the site at Tower Road
North to Poland.
Jerzy Czubak, president of Amcor
Tobacco Packaging, said: “The prospect of
job losses is always deeply regrettable
and we are committed to doing all we can
to retain and support our employees. We
are facing significant and sustained
changes in Western Europe, therefore
need to consider how we optimise and adapt our operations to
best meet our customer needs in this challenging operating
environment.” Supporters of plain packs say they will save lives by
making smoking less attractive. Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore
rebelled against the Government position and voted against plain
packaging due to concern about Amcor jobs.
The Week in • Thursday 23rd June 2016
St George
Improvement work under
way in park
The first of three projects is under way in
Dundridge Park.
Good report
for Woodland
Court
Woodland Court, the
sheltered housing complex in Partridge Drive,
has been rated as 'Good'
by the Care Quality
Commission.
There is now a new path from the chicane
gate to the proposed new play area, funded by
Tesco's Bags of Help scheme.
Next will be a wildlife path from the football
clubhouse down to the steps leading to
Conham Vale. New interpretation boards and
sleeper benches will be installed as part of the
work.
Funding of over £33,000 has been secured for
this project, thanks to Cory Environmental
Trust, and the work should take place
July/August.
Partnership and Section 106 money
(community cash from developers) for match
funding, again from the NP.
The third project, funded by an award of more
than £47,000 from Sita Trust, is to upgrade
and extend the existing play area. This is
expected to take place at the end of the
summer.
As well as these projects at Dundridge work
will also start later this year on St George
Neighbourhood
Partnership
supported
projects for new play facilities at Troopers Hill
Field and Meadow Vale.
The grants were secured through the Friends
of Dundridge Park working with a fundraiser
paid for by the St George Neighbourhood
There has also been recent work to improve
entrances to green spaces at Plummers Hill,
Rodney Road and Meadow Vale.
The Week in • Thursday 23rd June 2016
Downend
Woodland Court provides
personal care and support
for people within their own
flats and at the time of the
inspection
by
the
watchdog last month, 17
people were receiving
care and support.
The inspector found that
the service, which is run
by Brunelcare, was Good
in terms of being safe,
effective, caring, responsive and well-led.
21
Whitchurch
Abson
Roses help raise
funds for church
A fundraising event will be held at St James the Great
Church in Abson on Sunday 3rd July from 2pm to 5pm.
People are invited to come and see the collection of 'David
Austin' roses in the churchyard and enjoy afternoon tea.
Keep in touch, let us know what
you think, send us your news
www.facebook.com/theweekin
HorseWorld Open Day
Several horses rescued from horrific backgrounds and now
living happy, healthy lives thanks to HorseWorld, will be on show
when the charity holds its next open day this Saturday (25th
June). These include Twiglet, an emaciated pony rescued from
Avonmouth last summer and Joey who was rescued from a
ditch by Avon Fire & Rescue earlier this year. The fire service
will be giving demonstrations of their rescue procedures while
representatives from B&W Vets will be talking about the
measures required to nurse rescued horses and ponies back to
health. There will also be the chance to visit many of the stables
and enjoy a tractor tour of HorseWorld's extensive estate where
many of the animals live.
The Open Day runs from 10.30am till 4.00pm at Keynes Farm,
Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, BS14 0QL. Entrance is free but
donations towards the charity's ongoing work are welcomed.
22
The Week in • Thursday 23rd June 2016
Staple Hill
£20,000 People's
Postcode Lottery
grant for Page Park
The Friends of Page Park say they are “absolutely delighted” to
have been awarded £20,000 by the People's Postcode Lottery.
The money is being used for planting and is the latest in a series
of grants awarded for the regeneration of the park, which was
given to the people of Staple Hill by Alderman Arthur William
Page in 1910.
At the turn of this year the Friends' bid for funding from Parks for
People - a joint initiative between the Big Lottery Fund and the
Heritage Lottery Fund - was successful and they scooped more
than £1.6m.
The regeneration work includes repairing and restoring the
boundary walls, restoring the clock tower shelter and stone gate
pillars, restoring all the park gates, the granite drinking fountain,
and the park railings that were cut down during the Second
World War.
The project also includes the new toddlers' play area, and a new
café, toilets and community building are in the pipeline.
Other funding has come from South Gloucestershire Council,
Cory Environmental Fund and SITA.
Bitton & Swineford
Villagers invited to have
their say on flood defences
The Environment Agency and South Gloucestershire
Council are jointly hosting a drop-in event next week for
residents in Bitton and Swineford who have been affected by
flooding in recent years.
Following a Government
initiative, a number of
properties in Swineford
installed flood prevention
measures. The council
and Environment Agency
want to hear if they have
been successful, along
with residents' flooding experiences and their views on any
other prevention measures the two authorities could
consider.
The session is from 3pm to 8pm on Thursday 30th June at
St Mary's Church Hall in Church Lane.
Display maps and drainage records will be available and
officers will be on hand to record information and provide
advice and guidance on flooding issues. There will also be
general information about flood protection products, flood
warnings and community flood plains.
For more information call 01454 868009.
The £20,000 grant is already being spent in the Park's
Sensory Garden
The Week in • Thursday 23rd June 2016
23
Hanham
Pupils teach drivers about
road safety
Children at Christ Church CE Primary teamed up with their
local neighbourhood police team last week to help make
the road outside their school safer.
PCSO Catherine Boyce worked with pupils and staff to plan a
week of action to highlight road safety issues on Memorial
Road.
She said: “The school takes the safety of their children very
seriously and we want to do everything we can to help them
make the roads around the school as safe as possible.”
She and teacher Dave Jackway helped the children to design a
road safety leaflet and pupils volunteered their time before
school to join PCSO Boyce and other members of the
neighbourhood team in handing out the leaflets.
PCSO Boyce said: “We wanted to make sure drivers are aware
of the dangers that poor parking can create for schoolchildren,
not to mention the inconvenience for local residents.
“We spoke to parents and residents to make sure they know
about these issues. Drivers need to remember that parking on
the yellow school zig-zag markings could at worst lead to an
accident and at best result in a fixed penalty fine. Please park
safely and with consideration near schools.”
24
The Week in • Thursday 23rd June 2016
Summer barbecue tips from fire service
Now that the warm, light evenings are with us, barbecues are
beginning to sizzle across the area and Avon Fire & Rescue
Service is asking residents to take extra care when cooking
outside.
• Make sure your barbecue is well away from sheds, fences, trees,
shrubs and garden waste.
In the first weekend of June alone the service attended four fires
across the area involving barbecues.
• After cooking, make sure the barbecue is cool before moving it.
The advice is:
• Never leave a lit barbecue unattended.
• Follow the safety instructions provided with disposable
barbecues.
• Never use a barbecue indoors.
The Week in • Thursday 23rd June 2016
• Keep children, pets and garden games away from the cooking
area.
• Use enough charcoal to cover the base of the barbecue, but not
more.
• Empty ashes onto bare garden soil, not into dustbins or wheelie
bins. If they're hot, they can melt the plastic and cause a fire.
• Don't drink too much alcohol if you are in charge of the barbecue.
• Always keep a bucket of water, sand or a garden hose nearby for
emergencies.
25
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Call for bus lanes to be opened to
community transport provider
Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore has written to the chief
executives of South Gloucestershire, Bath and North East
Somerset and Bristol City councils in a bid to open bus
lanes to the charity Kingswood Community Transport.
KCT provides accessible vehicles for people who cannot easily
use public transport or who are transport disadvantaged. This
includes return trips to hospitals as well as doctors' and dental
surgeries.
Mr Skidmore has previously worked with the charity to secure
blue badges for their vehicles, allowing KCT vehicles to park
closer to a destination to help their elderly and disabled
customers, as well as gaining drop off permission for local
hospitals.
He said: “I am so thankful to the great work that Kingswood
30
Community Transport
do. Their transport is
vital to allow people to
attend doctors' appointments,
it
enables
people to visit friends
and family and continue
to lead an active social life as well as supporting local groups
by offering minivan services.
“With all of the good work that they do, it makes sense that
Kingswood Community Transport should be able to use local
bus lanes in the same way that taxis are able to. It would reduce
their transfer times, increase their productivity and allow the
charity to offer a more efficient service to their users.”
The Week in • Thursday 23rd June 2016
Cadbury Heath
Keynsham man
prosecuted over
fly-tipping offence
Pupils welcome
'Queen' to their party
A Keynsham man who was offering an unregistered
waste collection and disposal service has been
prosecuted in connection with a fly-tipping offence
following a Bath & North East Somerset Council
investigation into rubbish dumped near Camerton.
At Bath Magistrates' Court on 8th June, Mark Spicer, 25, of St
Johns Court, pleaded guilty to a waste duty of care offence
under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
He was ordered to pay a £500 fine, £350 in costs and a £50
victim surcharge.
Council investigations found he was running an unregulated
waste collection and disposal business and, having been paid
to collect and dispose of the waste, he sold the van with the
waste inside it. It was found fly-tipped on 12th March 2015 on
Paulton Lane and included a pink bath, small pool table,
pushchair and general waste. Mr Spicer was prosecuted for
failing to keep control of his waste.
Martin Veal, the council's Cabinet Member for Community
Services, said: “Fly-tipping is illegal and we will do everything
we can to investigate this crime and prosecute those
responsible. It causes a blot on the landscape of our beautiful
surroundings and those who do not dispose of their waste
responsibly ruin the quality of life for every other law-abiding
citizen. In addition, it costs the council thousands of pounds
per year to clear up - money which could be better spent on
providing essential frontline services elsewhere. We hope that
our recent addition of warning signs and CCTV in fly-tipping
hotspots will act as a deterrent, and we will continue to seek
to prosecute anyone who does break the law.”
Pupils at Parkwall Primary School enjoyed a lunch party to
celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday last week.
Joining them were members of Guys & Dolls, a group set up in
2009 to encourage isolated older people from in and around
Cadbury Heath to meet on a regular basis and make new
friends. The school has developed close links with the group.
Children wore red, white and blue to the party in the school hall,
and to add to the fun of the occasion, Guys & Dolls member
Joan Whitcombe dressed up as the Queen, complete with hat
and gloves.
Guys & Dolls meet on Wednesdays from 11am to 3pm at One
Church in Cadbury Heath. They are offered a hot meal for a
small fee, and activities including crafts, bingo, exercise and
healthy cooking.
On Fridays an event called Cup Cakes takes place at Cadbury
Heath Hall, where the group enjoy tea, coffee and cakes, as
well as armchair exercise.
To find out more call coordinator Sam Fisher on 07952 133764.
Please also call her if you can help with funding.
In April the council installed warning signs and CCTV in
hotspot areas to ensure the public are informed that fly-tipping
is a crime and they are being monitored.
The exact number and positioning of the signs takes into
account how the public access the area. In accordance with
data protection, footage will be encrypted and only accessed
by the council for prosecution purposes where an offence is
believed to have been committed.
Sudoku Solutions
2 -Hard
1-Easy
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The Week in • Thursday 23rd June 2016
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Crossword Solution
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The Week in • Thursday 23rd June 2016