The Week in East Bristol & North East Somerset FREE Issue no 330 24th July 2014 Read by over 30,000 people every week In this week’s issue ...... page 3 man killed in Ukraine plane crash . . . Tributes paid to former Wellsway student page 9 Re-think on Market Walk name. . . Civic Centre decision called in page 17 Plans for solar farm at Hinton . . . 94-acre site proposed next to M4 in 2 The Week • Thursday 24th July 2014 Keynsham man killed inBen Pocock fromUkraine Keynsham was one of the passengers onplanefamily and friends. crash board the Malaysia Airlines flight which was shot down Wellsway Headteacher, Andrea Arlidge, said in tribute to her over Ukraine last week. former student: The former Wellsway pupil, who was an international business “Ben was a wonderful young man who made such a positive student at Loughborough University, was one of the 283 impact on our school and on us all. He was an excellent student passengers and 15 crew on Flight MH17. He was on his way to and an all-round decent human being. He had a very bright take up a placement in Perth, Australia. future ahead of him that has tragically been cut short. Our Loughborough University told The Week In: “We are incredibly thoughts and sincere condolences go out to his family.” saddened to hear that one of our students, Ben Pocock, was believed to be a passenger on flight MH17. Keynsham “Ben had just completed the second year of his International Business BSc degree and was flying out to begin a professional placement and to study abroad at the University of Western 9-year sentence Australia as part of his third year. Aafter 23-year-old man stabbing was jailed last week for a stabbing which “Ben was an excellent was described as just an inch away from being life student and on course to threatening. gain a First class degree. He was also a fine Ryan Robbins from Warwick Road was found guilty of athlete, who played on wounding with intent to cause bodily harm at Bristol Crown the University Athletic Court following an incident outside Keynsham Snooker Union’s Ultimate Frisbee Centre earlier this year. The victim, Darren Thyer was team and won their stabbed through the mouth and needed 20 stitches. ‘Player of the Year’ honour. “We are in contact with Ben’s family and are offering them all the Ben Pocock support we can. We also providing support for the University’s staff and students. “Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with Ben’s family and friends, and with all those who have lost family and friends in the crash.” The new Education Secretary Nicky Morgan whose constituency is Loughborough, said she was "very saddened to hear of death of Ben's death and that her thoughts were with his

in The Week • Thursday 24th July 2014 3 Keynsham Suspended jail Anger as B&NES pushes ahead with park toilet cuts sentence for groper Conservative councillors in Keynsham have expressed anger at A 21-year-old Kingswood man has been found guilty of the news that B&NES Council is to push ahead with plans to cut sexually assaulting two women on the Bristol and Bath capacity at the public toilets in Keynsham’s Memorial Park. Railway Path. Under plans drawn up by the council’s contractor Healthmatic, Luke Alder, from Crispin Way, had been accused of attacks on capacity at the public toilets in Keynsham’s Memorial Park will be a total of six female cyclists and runners last summer, either reduced to just one unisex cubicle and one disabled toilet. hitting or pinching their behinds, but last week he was convicted Currently, the park has two ladies’ cubicles plus one male cubicle of just two. and a urinal. The announcement that the council is to push ahead He was given a six-month suspended jail sentence, ordered to with the changes comes despite the fact a 675-signature petition pay costs and an £80 victim surcharge. He will be on the sex calling for the plans to be reconsidered was organised by local offenders' register for seven years. councillors and presented to B&NES last month. The six local councillors representing the town have said they feel "angered and betrayed" that B&NES has ignored their pleas, and have pointed to the fact the Council has agreed to amend its plans The Week in for other public toilets in Bath. Pucklechurch Horse rider badly hurt in fall A horse rider suffered what were described as “significant injuries” after a fall on Saturday, 12th July. The air ambulance was called and landed on the green near Oaktree Avenue but the patient, who was in her 20s, was in the event taken by land ambulance to the Major Trauma Centre at Southmead Hospital, assisted by the air ambulance’s critical care paramedic.

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 Stephen Rodgers [email protected] Editorial Becky Feather 07973 839936 Christine Rogers 07818 031328 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.

in 4 The Week • Thursday 24th July 2014 Downend Campaign for Cossham’s Primary school needs Cminorossham campaigners injuries are continuing to unit intensifies drum up support for a minor injuries unit at improvement, the Kingswood hospital by staging petition says Ofsted signing events in Staple Hill, Fishponds St Augustine’s of Canterbury Roman Catholic Primary and Emersons Green. School requires A question mark is hanging over the provision improvement, according to or otherwise of the promised unit and a protest the education watchdog meeting is taking place this Saturday, 26th Ofsted. July, at Warmley Community Centre from 2pm Inspectors who visited at the to 4pm. end of June said that teaching was not consistently Health chiefs recently revealed that they do good across the 283-pupil have the legal right overturn the decision to Campaigners collecting signatures in Staple Hill school in Boscombe provide an MIU at Cossham, even though it Crescent. was included in the business plan for the precinct in Staple Hill where almost 500 However, there was praise £19m refurbished hospital, which has now signatures were collected in a few hours. for the leadership and been open for more than 18 months. Last Friday and Saturday they gathered management of the school. signatures from shoppers at Sainsbury’s at The inspection team South Gloucestershire’s Clinical highlighted good teaching at Emersons Green and on Tuesday of this week Commissioning Group is consulting on the the Early Years Foundation best way to provide urgent care services and they were planning to set up their stall at Stage, in Key Stage 1 and will be taking a decision in the autumn on Morrisons in Fishponds. Year 6. The school’s work to whether that will still include an MIU. Meanwhile Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore keep pupils safe and secure was also rated as good. Campaigners say the CCG doesn’t have the has included a questionnaire about whether The report can be seen in full Cossham should have an MIU or not in his moral right to do a U-turn and have spent on the Ofsted website. The another busy week getting signatures for their latest campaign leaflet being delivered to reference number is 109268. petition. Last Tuesday they were at the 35,000 homes across the constituency.

in The Week • Thursday 24th July 2014 5 in 6 The Week • Thursday 24th July 2014 Warmley SBL to become part of Wellsway Bomb maker awaiting sentence Multi- Trust A 40-year-old man who admitted making a bomb that led to The troubled Sir Bernard Lovell 80 homes in Warmley being evacuated will be sentenced at School at Oldland Common is Bristol Crown Court on 5th August. to become part of the Michael Thomas, who used to live in Kennmoor Close, but now Keynsham-based Wellsway lives in Bridgwater, pleaded guilty to making an explosive School Multi-Academy Trust. substance. SBL was rated as inadequate by education watchdog Ofsted earlier this year, having previously been considered outstanding. Schools deemed to be failing must become sponsored academies and now the governors at SBL have voted in support of being sponsored by the Wellsway Multi-Academy Trust (MAT). The trust already consists of Wellsway School, the Aspire Academy (a special school in Bath, The Bath (creative and media) and the new Isambard Kingdom Brunel Studio School (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) due to open on the Wellsway campus next year. The bomb was found by his ex-wife as she was clearing out the SBL’s executive headteacher David Turrell and chair of garden shed last August. Alarmed, she called the police who in governors Diane Francombe said in a statement last Friday: turn called the bomb disposal squad. “We believe that working with the Wellsway Trust will prove to A 100m cordon was established and around 80 homes were be very positive for the school in the short term and in the future. evacuated. Wellsway School was recently judged to be good by Ofsted. One device was taken to Barrs Court Park and detonated and Governors believe that working with a local trust was the best other items were taken away for further examination. option for the school. The court heard that Thomas was inspired by the scientific “We will receive support from the trust, through sponsorship entertainment TV show Brainiac and had no intention of harming which starts in September, and will assist us in our process of anyone. returning to good under the Ofsted categories. “We will also collaborate over post-16 courses rather than through the Kingswood Partnership. We hope that, by the time we join the trust fully, we will have improved substantially. The provisional date to convert to an academy is 1st February.”

in The Week • Thursday 24th July 2014 7 St George Super Saturday Following the success of the Sunday Funday events, churches in the area have come together again to organise another large- scale event for the community. St George Super Saturday will take place on Saturday 9th August between 1pm and 5pm and will be held in the grounds of Speedwell Chapel on Speedwell Road, raising money for local community groups. As well as cream teas, face painting, bouncy castles and children’s games, there will be a rodeo ride and live music. The popular ‘St George Has Got Talent’ will return, with organisers holding auditions at Crofts End Church on Saturday 2nd August between 10am and midday. Those interested must apply online at www.croftsend.org/supersaturday.

TheNew new vicar of vicarWarmley, Bitton and Siston will be licensed at a special service on Sunday 27th July. The Rt Rev Lee Rayfield, Bishop of Swindon, will officiate at the ceremony at St Barnabas’ Church, Warmley, at 2.30pm when the Rev Jeremy Andrew will be welcomed. The congregations of St Barnabas Church, St Mary's at Bitton and St Anne's at Siston have been without a vicar since the retirement more than 18 months ago of the Rev Canon Paul Denyer.

in 8 The Week • Thursday 24th July 2014 Keynsham Fishponds Market Walk naming 'called in' The decision to name the streets in the Keynsham Civic Centre development 'Market Walk' has been called in for examination by Loyal customer B&NES Council's Planning & Transport Scrutiny Panel. At a meeting on Friday (25th July) they will decide whether or not to unveils opticians' ask the council cabinet member, Kate Hall, who took the original decision, to re-consider. The 'call-in' was instigated by local councillor new-look branch Brian Simmons and supported by fourteen other councillors. A loyal customer who has entrusted her eye care to the same The choice of Market Walk, like the Market Place name chosen for opticians for 50 years has officially unveiled the company's new the development is, according to Mr Simmons not based on historical name and look. fact, as Keynsham's market was actually located off the Bath Road. Florence Eddy, 82, from Eastville, has been a regular at the But in selecting Market Walk, the cabinet member is also accused of former Everybody’s Optician branch on Fishponds Road since failing to take note of the consultation process with local residents she moved to Bristol in the 1950s. The branch was recently and the town council that it set in motion. Mr Simmons also claims acquired by family-owned Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care, that in simply dismissing the chosen alternative names as which has three branches in Bristol. 'unacceptable' Ms Hall has failed to provide any reasons. The scrutiny panel can decide to refer the matter back to the cabinet member to re-consider or to have it debated in full council. In either case however, Ms Hall, the Bath based councillor responsible for community integration, can decide to ignore the recommendation and stick with her original choice. We will publish the outcome of the meeting on our website www.theweekin.co.uk and in next week's issue.

Clock tower design In contrast to the choice of street name, Keynsham residents continue to be encouraged to have input into the new clock tower. There will be three special roadshow events in August and September at which people can meet the artist. Sebastien Boyesen Florence (centre) with Hazel Arscott (l) and Sasha Dicken (r) from Scrivens was commissioned to design the clock tower after a public poll. As part of the commission he will be working with the community to Mrs Eddy received a bouquet of flowers and a £100 Scrivens gift finalise the design and at the roadshows, the dates of which are due voucher to recognise her loyalty. She said: “The staff at the to be announced shortly, people are invited to share what Keynsham branch have always been really helpful and friendly and they means to them by taking along photos, images and stories about the have served me well over the years. A bit like me, the branch town. The new clock tower should be installed in the civic centre area was in need of a facelift so I’m pleased to see the by next April. improvements.” CHEMISTS Sudoku WEEKEND OPENING 1-Easy 2 -Hard Sunday 27th July Boots, Gallagher Retail Park, 6 7 4 8 736 Longwell Green (10.30am-4pm) 89 631 54 9 Asda Store Longwell Green 4 7 (10am-4pm) 3 4 8 9 5 6 9 Boots, Emersons Green Retail Park (10.30am-4pm) 8 6 7 4 6 Sainsburys, Emersons Green 27 346 49 (11am-4pm) 3 8 5 6 4 2 3 8 5 Co-operative Pharmacy, Halls Road, 52 3 8 3 Kingswood (10am-4pm) 4 31 7 18 Stockwood Pharmacy 78 Hollway Road, BS14 8PG (9am-7pm)

in The Week • Thursday 24th July 2014 9 of the festival. That survey will tell us who successful, sell-out Christmas concert attends the festival, where they live, their which raised £820 for charity. age and ethnicity. We should also learn The concert will have a very traditional Letters about the economic impact of the festival finish with Land of Hope and Glory, on local businesses and how much extra Jerusalem, sea shanties etc. under the Music Festival thanks money comes into Keynsham during the talented direction of Martin Rogers who Dear Stephen, festival week. will be conducting the Bristol East and I hope through your excellent publication Thank you to the over thirty local Kingswood Brass Ensemble. So, together to thank all those people who helped make businesses that contributed by allowing us with balloons, flags, poppers and this year’s Keynsham Music Festival such to use their premises for an event or by streamers we would like to fire off a a success, some think the best ever. The advertising in our programme or by having confetti cannon at the conclusion. Does festival is essentially a community event, it a stall on Sunday or by giving me anyone in this area know of one or more would not be possible without the information about increased sales during which we might borrow or hire? We have that week. an excellent pianist and a marvellous Thank you to all the churches, community singer to be Britannia so we would like to groups and charities that were involved have a spectacular finish. with us in so many ways. The tickets cost £10 with wine and light Last but not least, thank you to the Town refreshments and a wonderful evening Council who give generously via a would be enhanced if a confetti cannon substantial grant and for allowing us room could be located to coincide with the and support in their office in Temple Street release of 200 balloons. so that we can prepare each year for the If you can help, please contact me on festival. Without their contribution, the 0117 932 2305 or email festival would not happen. After all, it was [email protected] them that started it all off back in 1994. Bruce P Matthews And I mustn’t forget B&NES who also give Longwell Green generously as well. Photo: John Aldridge As I have said the festival is a community Egg farm decision event, if you want to give us feedback on overwhelming cooperation of the people of Dear Editor, the 2014 festival or be involved in the 2015 Keynsham. 25 separate events in 9 days It was pleasing to read (10th July) that the festival, please come to our special “wash gives testament to the dedication of many planned egg farm has been kicked into up” meeting, 7.30pm at The Grange Hotel people who are prepared to contribute in a touch, and I am happy for those who felt on Tuesday 29th July. All are welcome. variety of ways. that it would have made their lives a Thank you to all the people who gave up Andrew Wait (Treasurer and Director misery. their time to collect donations at the Keynsham Music Festival) However, I was more than a little various gates in the park, on Sunday, not a saddened that nowhere was the plight of pleasant job but one that raised over Confetti cannon wanted the poor chickens mentioned? We are told £10,000 for festival costs. Dear Editor, that the eggs were to be supplied to John Thank you to our major sponsors, Wilmot I am part of a team organising a charity Bowlers Free Range eggs. Beware when Dixon, Waitrose and Ian McGill all of whom concert on Friday 5th September at the you next buy your eggs, they could have sponsored us for at least £1 000. Waitrose United Church in Longwell Green in aid of been jammed into a 'factory' with all the also provided food for the Green Room church funds and the Chernobyl Childline conditions which that implies. and a large number of volunteers who Action Group. The concert will be the 'Last Veronica-Mae Soar surveyed over 400 people on the Sunday Night of the Proms' and follows our very

in 10 The Week • Thursday 24th July 2014 community, or fully by a social landlord or head of governors several times over the HCA. Why this has not happened in years and they have never replied. This B&NES is quite literally the million-pound even included children climbing on to the Letters question. school roof during school time and The million-pound question Cllr Liz Richardson climbing out of classroom windows during Conservative Shadow Cabinet Member lessons onto the roof. Dear Editor, for Homes and Planning The poor people of North Street have to It was recently reported that North B&NES Council look out on litter and rubbish on a regular Somerset is paying £600,000 towards a basis. Why do the school not clear it up? 24-pitch traveller site in Weston-super- The old caretaker's house has overgrown Mare. This contrasts starkly with the £1.8m Sir Bernard Lovell brambles etc. obstructing the public which B&NES taxpayers’ are paying School saga footpaths. What is the campus manager towards the cost of a much smaller 13- Dear Stephen, doing. I ask? pitch traveller site in Bath. I have read many articles and listened to Terry Hayward, Oldland Common This means that B&NES is set to pay a radio debates relating to the 'Inadequate' See also page 7 whopping £138,500 of its own money for Ofsted rating of Sir Bernard Lovell School. each traveller pitch, whilst North Somerset It has been clear to me for many years that Council is paying just £25,000 per pitch. the school has been under weak Market Walk This is a huge discrepency. So how was it leadership. Dear Stephen, achieved? Well firstly, they clearly I have read and heard all the excuses Once again our rulers in B&NES Council managed to keep costs down at North under the sun, funding cuts, poor teachers have treated the people of Keynsham with Somerset and deliver the Weston-super- and temporary teaching staff not being up utter contempt in declaring that the names Mare far more cheaply per pitch. to the job. put forward after a consultation by the But secondly, North Somerset Council has Not once have I heard the executive head town council are "unacceptable" and struck a much better deal than the Lib David Turrell who is on a very nice salary, THEY have decided on a name that has Dems have in B&NES. North Somerset or the head of governors, hold their hands no relevance to the local area as the has managed to fund the vast majority of up and take full responsibility. market in Keynsham was situated by the the traveller site using money from the In the real world, the private sector, these police station. Homes and Communities Agency, as well personnel would have been removed from Just another in a long line of decisions as secure a further financial contribution the offset after all they are not doing what made against the wishes of the people of from the Social Landlord which will they are employed to do, yet in the public Keynsham. Could be wrong but cannot maintain the site. sector nothing seems to happen. think of any idea put forward locally that In contrast, B&NES has secured just What I find most alarming is that Mr Turrell has been adopted (Yes, I'm ready to crash £750,000 from the HCA, with no further says after the fall in results in 2013, they and burn). money coming from any other external are confident that results will improve this Another point is that the gold coloured source – making the total project cost summer and improve further in 2015. He covering to the buildings looks very tatty £2.55m. makes no mention about the poor children and I wonder what it will look like in years Once work is complete, B&NES will then that have been failed during this period to to come, not that the majority of B&NES hand over the traveller site to a social date, they have possibly had their future councillors care as they have no intention landlord, who will be able to keep all the prospects ruined for life as a direct result. of visiting the town they have destroyed. rent collected, meaning B&NES gets During my four years as an independent Graham Payne nothing. parish councillor I had complaints Nationally it is quite common for pitches to regarding this school on almost a daily be funded privately, by the travelling basis. I have written to Mr Turrell and the

in The Week • Thursday 24th July 2014 11 have been made with no consultation with once a month anyway! What do you think, local residents or the parish council, may be Keynsham? acceptable in the City of Bath, but is entirely S James, Keynsham Letters inappropriate in this location. Cllr Reg Williams At the tomb of the Blooming marvellous Saltford parish councillor Dear Sir, Unknown Soldier How delightful it is to see flowers around the Hello - are you still there man, lamp posts and beautiful big pots full of Honouring the fallen If so, are you aware lovely flowers in Fishponds. Dear Sir , that you are but a symbol? I have just read the excellent and moving I have always felt we get overlooked and Special Centenary Edition of WW1 by the now it is such a delight to see these flowers. No-one knows your name. Keynsham & Saltford Local History Society, Others places like Downend always have Like so many of your time - telling of the local men who fought in World them so this is a bonus. you did not know - War One. Whoever organised it, well done! young men like you. I have also just read Issue 329 of The Week Joy Smith, Fishponds In telling us that B&NES has decided to Friends and foe, pitched against each other, name our new civic centre Market Place and trained to hate, and so, be hated Health hazard the streets as Market Walk. They considered in the maelstrom of war insanity, Dear Stephen, Keynsham's suggestions as "unacceptable". and when you saw the bloody carnage As a Saltford resident, I am most concerned Many Keynsham men and boys fought and before you bravely fell, young man, at the plans by the Bath & North East died during the Great War. How appropriate Did you in your turn, Somerset bureaucrats to change the it would be if we could name at least some of ask the question why? adequate toilets in The Shallows to a single the new centre after them in this centennial multi-sex paid toilet. year, because they were 'our boys'. For In memory of two children killed by a bomb This toilet, is mostly used by for visitors, example, Thomas Newport, the three Baker not 100 yards away from our Anderson picnicking, fishing or rowing on the river, brothers and Arthur Rayson, who actually Shelter in Staple Hill during World War Two. often in quite large numbers. The sheer lived in Temple Street. That way we would volume and pay requirement will never forget them. David Britton undoubtedly lead to a health hazard, as These names would mean much more than Oldland Common many seek alternative arrangements. bland Market Walk - there is only a market This decision, on which there appears to

ACROSS Crossword 1 Chest of drawers in two parts (7) 5 Urge someone into action (5) 12345678 Term used in baseball (2-3) 9 Passenger carriage for a motorbike (7) 10 Government employees (5,8) 11 Puncture (6) 8 9 12 Extra costs (3-3) 15 Means of imparting information (13) 18 Traditional craftsman (7) 19 Senseless (5) 10 20 Senior member of a group or tribe (5) 21 Small flat pies (7)

11 12 13 DOWN 1 Loose fitting garment (5) 14 2 French port (2,5) 3 Large warship (6,7) 15 16 17 4 They always agree with their superiors (3-3) 5 Shows independence of thought (13) 6 Type of nut (5) 7 They play an ancient musical instrument (7) 18 19 11 Tool with a pointed head (7) 13 The art of paper folding (7) 14 Detain unlawfully (6)

20 21 16 Subdued (5) 17 Of necessity (5)

Across Down in 12 The Week • Thursday 24th July 2014 1 Chest of drawers in two parts (7) 1 Loose fitting garment (5) 5 Urge someone into action (5) 2 French port (2,5) 8 Term used in baseball (2-3) 3 Large warship (6,7) 9 Passenger carriage for a motorbike (7) 4 They always agree with their superiors (3- 3) 10 Government employees (5,8) 5 Shows independence of thought (13) 11 Puncture (6) 6 Type of nut (5) 12 Extra costs (3-3) 7 They play an ancient musical instrument 15 Means of imparting information (13) (7) 18 Traditional craftsman (7) 11 Tool with a pointed head (7) 19 Senseless (5) 13 The art of paper folding (7) 20 Senior member of a group or tribe (5) 14 Detain unlawfully (6) 21 Small flat pies (7) 16 Subdued (5) 17 Of necessity (5) Keynsham We've no plans for haul road say Taylor Wimpey The troubled saga of the K2 Meadows housing development took another twist last week when developer Taylor Wimpey claimed it was unaware of any plan to construct a temporary haul road for construction traffic along Parkhouse Lane. Responding to North East Somerset MP Jacob Rees-Mogg over claims made by local residents and members of KRAK2 (Keynsham Residents Against K2) of funding being set aside in 2012, Keith Simmons, Taylor Wimpey Managing Director Bristol, said he was 'not aware of any information which would substantiate those claims.' Parkhouse Lane adjoins Charlton Road in south west Keynsham but is then no more than a footpath until it reaches Park Road and Residents continue to be troubled by lorries the Meadows development. Since the government inspector allowed Taylor Wimpey's appeal over planning permission in knowledge of these claims, does offer his company's support to 2011, concerns have grown over the volume of heavy goods the idea should B&NES Council decide to undertake 'such vehicles using the residential streets in the vicinity of the site. improvements to the local road network.' Meetings took place between KRAK2 and the developer over a The Week In has seen copies of e-mail and exchanges between number of issues involving the construction work in 2012. At one KRAK2, local councillor Alan Hale and Taylor Wimpey which of those meetings KRAK2 members claim that Regional Director clearly indicate the matter was discussed during their meetings in Nigel Holland said Taylor Wimpey had £500,000 set aside to 2012. In April of that year, Alan Hale reported to KRAK2 members create a temporary road along Parkhouse Lane and were in of a subsequent meeting with Taylor Wimpey's Philip Court in negotiation with local landowners over which the track would run. which he had confirmed the company's willingness to fund a haul Since then, nothing has been heard and, as has been extensively road and that a route from Charlton Road had been identified. In reported in The Week In, problems have continued to be caused November, another report claims Taylor Wimpey were negotiating by lorries delivering to and leaving the Meadows site. In his letter with various landowners who were making excessive price to MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, Keith Simmons, while denying any demands.

in The Week • Thursday 24th July 2014 13 Kingswood Wick History group marks Transatlantic first anniversary The Wick & Abson History Group celebrated its 30th forSculptor Tanya local Josham will have thesculptor anniversary earlier this unusual honour of having works displayed month with a special wine on both sides of the Atlantic next week and and cheese evening. the inspiration for each was her son Daniel. The group meets regularly On Sunday 27th July, her piece 'Soul 11, Soul at the Wick Church of Experience' will be unveiled at Arnos Vale Rooms (on the main Cemetery as part of its 175th anniversary A420) and has just celebrations. The work is a sequel to 'Soul 1. returned from an outing to Soul of Youth' which, last year was selected to Birmingham's Canals and go on display at the Peace Arch Park in Gold Reserve. Blaine, on the US and Canada border. This The group is now enjoying was the first ever piece exhibited by a British its summer break until 2nd artist. Tanya Josham at work October when guest Tanya and Daniel live in Kingswood but both speaker Gail Boyle will are currently at the City of Tanya said: “Both pieces are based on how I give a talk called Local Construction Skills Centre in Oldfield Park. see my son at different stages of his life, they Family Mystery Tour. represent his growth. Daniel is studying carpentry while his mother Meetings are held on the works as a technician in the stonemasonry “I just make things that come into my head but first Thursday of each department. She got a job there after my son thinks I’m barking mad. I don’t think he month and start at completing a two year course to improve her wanted one sculpture, and now there are two 7.30pm. skills. She is also a volunteer at Arnos Vale. based on him.”

in 14 The Week • Thursday 24th July 2014 in The Week • Thursday 24th July 2014 15 New principal at Grange School A new principal has been appointed at dedication I’ve already seen at the The Grange School and Sports school. College in Warmley. “Over the coming year my priority will be Martina Veale, who joined this month, to continue the school’s journey of was formerly at Bristol Brunel Academy, steady improvement, in partnership with part of the Cabot Learning Federation. staff, students and governors. It is about Last year the Grange was put into securing the best possible outcomes for special measures after a critical report all students at The Grange. by Ofsted. The Cabot Learning “I’ll also be working closely with the Federation, which also runs the nearby governors and local authority as they King’s Oak Academy and John Cabot develop their future plans for the school.” Academy in Kingswood, was sent in run Earlier this year a bid to create a it and now Mrs Veale has been specialist Studio School on the Grange appointed to help drive forward site, with an emphasis on employability improvements during the coming and enterprise skills, was submitted to academic year. the Department for Education. Mrs Veale said: “I’m delighted to have The outcome of the bid is expected been offered this position and have been soon. impressed with the enthusiasm and Martina Veale

Situations Vacant Volunteer and raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care Marie Curie Cancer Care is recruiting for volunteers to join a If you are interested in joining the North Bristol fundraising group local fundraising group. please contact your local community fundraiser Natalie on 0117 The group launched in 2013 and covers Downend, Emersons 924 7275 or email [email protected] Green, Mangotsfield, Pucklechurch, and Fishponds, representing the charity locally and organising events and activities to boost the profile of the charity in the area and raising funds for Marie Curie Nurses living and working in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. As the local face of Marie Curie’s fundraising team, volunteers donate their time and effort to raise money to help the charity continue caring for people with terminal cancer and other illnesses.

in 16 The Week • Thursday 24th July 2014 Hinton Objections to plans for 94-acre solar panel park Objections have been lodged over plans to put solar panels on 94 acres of Green Belt land at Hinton. The proposals for Ring o’ Bells Farm at Pucklechurch Road have been submitted to South Gloucestershire Council by Cheshire- based Green Energy Commercial Ltd. The site is next to the M4 and the plans are for 16 megawatt solar photovoltaic panels which equates for enough electricity produced to power 4,000 homes and a reduction of almost 7,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. Ring o’ Bells Farm where a giant solar park is planned The solar farm would feed into the National Grid, not directly into the local community. and is urging suppliers to find brownfield and roof sites only. Green Energy Commercial UK says construction works would be They say access would be via narrow, winding roads and are carried out over eight to 12 weeks and trucks would enter the site concerned about pollution of the River Boyd from detergents used via Feltham Road. to clean the panels which would become dirty as they are so close A bridle path which runs through the centre of the site would have to the M4. to be re-routed, following the boundary of the panels and Safety of drivers using the motorway has also been flagged up. connecting with Washpool Lane. One objector said: “Motorists travelling west would emerge from The applicant says there are several mature trees on the site to the Tormarton interchange cutting and be suddenly confronted by ensure significant screening and that the farmer is committed to a vast area of black. It is well established that unexpected using the land for grazing, ensuring Ring o' Bells continues as an features close by fast roads distract drivers and cause accidents. operational active farm. The proposed solar array thus constitutes a safety hazard.” The panels would be in service for 25 years, after which they Concerned locals also highlight the fact that an historic would be decommissioned. environment setting assessment carried out by the applicant But objectors say the site is Green Belt, where development is completely ignores the impact on Grade I Dyrham House, the only allowed in very special circumstances, and that the National Trust property close by. Government no longer supports greenfield sites for solar panels The application reference is PK14/2339/F.

in The Week • Thursday 24th July 2014 17 Longwell Green M4 link road back Playgroup chalks up 25 years Busy Bee Playgroup marked its silver anniversary with a party for youngsters and parents. Kingswoodin the MP Chris spotlight Skidmore met Roads Minister Robert Goodwill last week when he pressed the case for an M4 link The pre-school for children aged three and four opened in 1989 road to the Avon Ring Road. and meets in the large upstairs hall of the United Church on Bath Road. The link, just metres apart by the Wick Wick roundabout in Emersons Green, would benefit the local economy and cut down the commuting journey time of constituents, said Mr Skidmore. “The case for an M4 link road to the Ring Road is overwhelming and just seems common sense - as I've argued in Parliament - with the huge growth that has taken place in the local economy with the opening of the Bristol & Bath Science Park and the National Composite Centre, people shouldn't have to travel all the way to the M32 to get onto the M4, which just causes more congestion and pollution." The youngsters enjoyed a special cake and all wore yellow deely-boppers to match their playgroup T-shirts. Some of the parents attended the pre-school themselves when they were little, including Laura Cornish, whose daughter Evelyn is now a Busy Bee, and Kimberley James, whose son Jonah is a pupil. Leader Lindsey McCarthy has been at the playgroup for 18 years and deputy Sue Downes has worked there for 17 years. Both their children also attended the group. Busy Bee Playgroup has some spaces for the new school year and will be holding a drop-in open day on 3rd September. Chris Skidmore with Roads Minister Robert Goodwill To find out more email [email protected]

in 18 The Week • Thursday 24th July 2014 in The Week • Thursday 24th July 2014 19 Whitchurch Slimming success for See behind the scenes Nicolette leads to a new career Mum-of-five Nicolette Buckman is taking over a Slimming at horse rescue centre World group in Warmley next week. HorseWorld, based at Whitchurch, are offering tours of their welfare department on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th August After her young autistic daughter had been bullied over her from 10am to 1pm. mum being fat, Nicolette, 37, decided she had to do something for the sake of her children. She joined the Although the popular visitor centre closed its doors earlier this Slimming World group in Hanham last October and year, the valuable work of the charity continues at its Keynes Farm immediately fell in love with Slimming World's food location. "It’s a ‘must-do’ experience for horse lovers,” says optimising programme and the whole family began enjoying Joanne Vaughan, manager of animal husbandry at HorseWorld. delicious home cooked meals. “All those who come along get the chance to see our specialist Now over seven stone lighter Nicolette is about to help facilities, meet the rescued horses and hear the stories behind others in the same way and her first groups take place at the their rescues, ask questions, and get an informed view of the scale Grange School on Thursday July 31st at 5.30pm and of our organisation. People can also take part in a tractor safari 7.30pm. tour on the 180-acre estate and a walking tour of the yard to see the facilities.” For further details contact Nicolette on 07909 009154. Tickets cost £10. Booking is essential and you can reserve a place by calling 01275 832425. Due to the nature of the rescue work, Meanwhile Slimming World Longwell Green consultant Sara this tour is not suitable for children under 12 years old. More Cumming is organising a special 'race for life' style event in information can be found at www.horseworld.org.uk/events. aid of Cancer Research on Friday 1st August, at the AEK Boco Football Club in Hanham. The plan is to walk around the football pitch (app 1/2 mile per lap) as many of as few times as you wish. The fun starts at 6pm and there will be entertainment for the children, raffles and refreshments available. You don't need to be attending a Slimming World course to have a go. The event is open to everyone and the course is wheelchair and push chair friendly.

in 20 The Week • Thursday 24th July 2014 Bridgeyate & Wick 30mph limit proposed for whole of lane People are being asked to have their say on plans to halve the speed limit on a stretch of narrow lane. The proposal would see a blanket 30mph limit from Chesley Hill at Bridgeyate through to the end of Holbrook Lane where it comes out at the top of Naishcombe Hill in Wick. A section either end already has a 30mph restriction but a stretch in the middle is currently 60mph. South Gloucestershire Council’s Kings Forest Area Forum plans to fund a scheme to cut the speed limit in the light of requests from local residents. The route is popular with It is proposed that the whole length of the lane will be 30mph pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders as an alternative to the heavily used A420 Riding Barn Hill. FREEPOST RTCT-JXLE-EET, Holbrook Lane and Chesley Hill, People are invited to have their say before the deadline of 5th Design & Operations, Civic Centre, High Street, Kingswood, August. Email [email protected] or write to: BS15 9TR.

Staple Hill Assault victim’s dad stumps up £2k reward for a conviction The father of a woman who was so badly beaten up on a night jeans. The victim’s father has posted signs around Staple Hill out that she needed an operation to rebuild her broken nose is offering a reward. offering a £2,000 reward for information leading to a conviction. He said: “She has spent five days in hospital as she had an Friends found the 28-year-old lying bloodied and unconscious operation to rebuild her shattered nose. in Victoria Street, near the vets, in the early hours of Saturday “This is a genuine reward offer from her father for information 5th July leading to a conviction.” Two men were seen running away. Both were white and one Anyone with information is asked to contact the police, who was said to have had dark hair and wearing a blue T-shirt and have said they believe this to be an isolated incident.

in The Week • Thursday 24th July 2014 21 Directory & What’s On

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in 22 The Week • Thursday 24th July 2014 Directory & What’s On

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in 24 The Week • Thursday 24th July 2014 Directory & What’s On

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in 26 The Week • Thursday 24th July 2014 Planning Applications

Black Sheep choir

Localseeks award-winning newchoir Black Sheep recruits Harmony are looking for new members to join their Barbershop choir. The choir which was formed two years ago has already been highly rated in area competitions and performs regularly at local community events and festivals. At present the choir has 40 members and is holding a ‘Learn to Sing’ recruitment drive. The all female ensemble is currently asking women to have a go and join in at one of their practice sessions which take place at Cadbury Heath Hall at 7.30pm on Thursdays. Potential members don’t need to worry about their singing prowess. As long as they have the ability to hold a tune they will be encouraged to join in the fun and welcomed into the singing fraternity. .HHSXSWRGDWHZLWK For more details about the group go to 7KH:HHN LQ www.blacksheepharmony.co.uk or ring Noey McElwee on 01454 7ZRWKLUGVRISHRSOHLQ.H\QVKDPVD\WKH\XVH 850199 or 07899 088180. 7KH:HHN LQWR¿QGRXWZKDW¶VKDSSHQLQJLQWKHWRZQ

in The Week • Thursday 24th July 2014 27 Brislington Bitton School still needs improving, says Ofsted Brislington Enterprise College has been promoting the importance of tolerance and Volunteers reinspected by Ofsted and is no longer community. considered to be inadequate, although it But Ofsted says students’ achievement still needed still needs improvement. requires improvement because the proportion Avon Valley Railway is Last year Ofsted found “serious weaknesses” of students making good progress in some looking for volunteers who at the school, which has more than 1,100 subjects, including science, remains too low. want to be a part of the pupils, with inspectors saying achievement of Teaching requires improvement because in popular local heritage students was inadequate and the quality of some subjects, including science, not enough attraction. teaching needed improvement, as did teaching is “engaging, exciting and Whatever your talent or leadership and management and the challenging”. Teachers also do not spend interest AVR can put it to behaviour and safety of pupils. enough time developing the reading, writing, good use, whether it’s A new report has been published following a communication and numeracy skills that driving the trains, looking two-day inspection in May. Ofsted says it is not students require. after the gardens, helping as yet a good school as there are areas still in While there have been improvements in with the buffet cart, ticket need of improvement. attendance, too many students have high inspection, clearing the But GCSE results in 2013 improved on the levels of absence. And leadership, other than track or maintenance of previous year and new leadership in some from the senior team, is underdeveloped and the engines. subject areas, such as English, is said to be the post-16 provision requires improvement having a positive effect in improving teaching because students do not make enough For more information and achievement. progress in some subjects. contact Volunteering The report says students are safe, polite and Principal John Matthews, who has been at the Kingswood on 0117 960 courteous and show respect for their teachers helm since 2002 and is retiring this summer, 0376 or email and each other, and there is a positive climate said the exam results due out in August were info@ in the college with good relationships between again expected to show an improvement. volunteeringkings staff and students. The school has reduced The school is set to convert to an academy wood.org.uk bullying, racism and prejudice by actively from November.

in 28 The Week • Thursday 24th July 2014 DoubleWay Ahead Care collected two honours awards at the recent Care & forgoes on day in,Way day out across theAhead region. Support West awards ceremony held at Bath Racecourse. Way Ahead Care is a family run business and has been Barbara Lowe, Way Ahead Care’s Care Manager, won Best providing care in the local community for over 20yrs. After Home Care Manager and Sue Rogers collected the Best Home securing contracts with Bath & North East Somerset Local Care Front Line Worker. Authority it opened offices in Bath in 2008 and now employs circa 80 members of staff from the surrounding areas.

Coach tour firm opens new ticket office Coach holiday firm Bakers Dolphin has returned to the High Street after more than a decade with a ticket shop and travel centre in Broadmead in Bristol. Part of the service will be booking people into London West End shows and enabling them to walk out with their tickets straight away. Sales and marketing director Amanda Harrington said: Barbara Lowe and Sue Rogers “Although we now take lots of bookings online there are still a Candidates are nominated by relatives, managers, colleagues, lot of people who want to talk to a travel adviser, discuss special requirements or have help deciding on what to book. clients and professionals. Winners are subsequently selected by a judging panel made up of representatives from local “Our London events are hugely popular and now people will authorities and the care industry. be able to have their show tickets in the hands before they leave Bristol." The move has created three new jobs with In a world of negative press, rising standards and an ageing travel advisers on hand to help people select holidays population, pressure on the care industry has never been concerts and shopping excursions. higher. It can be all too easy to overlook the brilliant work that

in The Week • Thursday 24th July 2014 29 COMMUNITY PUB OF THE YEAR 2014

TThehis is the fourth Queen’s year that we have invited nominationsHead for the isb eingnominated a place where again Kingswood Community Pub Award. Launched by Kingswood customers can relax, get a MP Chris Skidmore and The Week In, the award seeks to good pint and enjoy great celebrate the important role pubs play in communities. Last food – particularly a Sunday year the winner was the Cherry Tree at Oldland Common. This roast. week we look at our first nomination, the Queen’s Head in Several local groups use the Hanham, which won the award in 2012. pub as their meeting point. Kingswood Rotarians meet Patrick and Michelle Murphy are delighted to be in the here for lunch every Tuesday running again for the Kingswood Community Pub Award. and a local church reading The real ale pub, run by the couple for the last nine years, won group get together here the crown in 2012 and was also on the shortlist last year. regularly, as do local tennis The Wadworth pub, on Lower Hanham Road, is renowned for players who come and chill out after leaving the court. The pub also hosts fundraising events every year in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Comfort Fund, a Bristol-based charity close to the Murphys’ heart. Last New Year’s Eve a party at the pub raised £550 for the charity, which supports children and young adults with CF. The pub is popular for weddings, parties and other get- togethers as it has a big conservatory at the side of the pub that opens on to the lovely garden. Pat, who has also been the chef in recent months, is very proud of his Sunday roasts and has been told by customers that they are the best in the area. “The secret is that I use all fresh, quality ingredients,” he says. Meat comes from the award-winning Walter Rose & Son Traditional Butchers in Devizes and fish from Cornish merchant Wing of St Mawes. His omelettes currently on the specials menu are also proving very popular. Pat picked up his culinary skills from his mother. “She had five children and could make a meal out of anything,” he says. Food is served every lunchtime and evening except Sunday and Monday evenings. The pub is child-friendly and dogs are welcome in the garden, which is enclosed. We will be featuring more finalists in the coming weeks. Pat and Michelle

30 The Week in • Thursday 24th July 2014 Keynsham Football Sports centre to host Early tournament success for Keynsham national charity bike ride Keynsham town U11s began their season on the same day as Wellsway Sports Centre will be in the national spotlight next the World Cup final by wining a 9-a-side tournament hosted by month when it hosts the start of the annual Action 100 charity Ashton Boys. cycle ride to London. In blistering heat, the boys adapted quickly to the intricacies of Over the years, riders have raised thousands of pounds for the new format and their first experience of the offside rule. Action Medical Research to help sick and disabled children and Having won their group without conceding a goal, they found on Sunday 24th August, hundreds will set off on a 114 mile ride themselves in their own final against Brislington A and despite to London. the competing attraction on TV, a healthy crowd stayed on to Wellsway Sports Centre watch. Manager, Mark Collins completed last year’s event, which started in Bath, with a small team made up of staff and members. He told us: “We are proud to be supporting the Action100 series by hosting the event and offering support to all the riders taking part. "Having a central venue serving both Bristol and Bath, with good access and parking we were keen to help out. It’s Keynsham displayed great team ethos and, in a very close been great seeing so many of our members getting on their encounter, were awarded a penalty with five minutes remaining. bikes, or coming to the centre to improve their fitness, and Will Taylor showed no nerves to convert the spot kick and Keynsham held on to be acclaimed tournament winners. getting excited for the ride." For more information, or to sign up, visit www.action.org.uk and follow the links to the Action100. Players wanted Next season’s Longwell Green Sports U14’s are looking for boys to join their team which plays in the Avon Youth League. Bowls They are a friendly, Charter Standard Community Club and if Cup exit for Frys you are interested in joining a training session please call Alan Last week Frys travelled to runaway Division 1 leaders on 07771 603 965. Olveston in the 2nd round of the Lloyd Trophy. While the game was a close affair to begin, Olveston eventually won by 24 shots to advance to the next round. Two days later they were back in league action, securing 8 Crossword Solution points from a 62-42 victory over Page Park B to keep alive their aim of promotion. TALLBOY IMPEL U E A E N E Y NOH I T S I DECAR Sudoku Solutions I A T M I A I C I V I LSERVANTS R E N I T 1-Easy 2 -Hard P I ERCE ADDONS 632187945 281975364 859426317 354826917 I R K U R 147593628 967143528 COMMUN I CAT I ON 3 6 4 7 1 5 8 9 2 7 3 8 5 6 1 2 4 9 985264173 125489736 K U I D L G E 271938456 649732851 ART I SAN I NANE 7 1 3 8 5 9 2 6 4 4 1 2 3 9 7 6 8 5 X E E A S M D 526341789 896254173 498672531 573618492 ELDER PATT I ES

in The Week • Thursday 24th July 2014 31 in 32 The Week • Thursday 24th July 2014