Anger at Council Over Misery Caused by Keynsham Concrete Factory

THE WEEK IN

East Bristol & North East Somerset

FREE Issue 655 25th November 2020 Read by more than 40,000 people each week Anger at council over misery caused by Keynsham concrete factory There is anger and dismay at the way Keynsham firm One fence will be 3.5 metres high on a part of the yard 4Concrete has been allowed to turn a site next to the boundary and a 6m fence will surround a parking area town’s conservation area into heavy industrial use, opposite the entrance on the southern boundary. causing misery for nearby residents and an extra 500 There were 40 objections to the plans for the new fencing HGV movements a week along an already busy road. and to allow a 6.30am start and 6.30pm finish from 4Concrete, which took over a lease at Old Station Yard in Monday to Friday. Planning conditions attached to a Avon Mill Lane from Hanson in 2019, has just been granted historic permission have restricted weekday working hours permission by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s to 7.30am-5.30pm. Planning Committee to extend working hours on a one-year Nearby residents say they were denied the chance to trial basis once new acoustic barriers are installed to comment on 4Concrete’s original, retrospective planning reduce the noise being suffered by people living close by application for two silos last December. who are also worried about the effect of the dust on their health. Continued on page 3

Also in this Barclays to close More mobile COVID-19 Oldland school fence Keynsham tree felled Keynsham branch test sites damaged again despite reprieve attempt week’s issue . . . page 4 . . . page 5 . . . page 9 . . . page 11 2 The Week in • Wednesday 25th November 2020 Anger at council over misery caused by Keynsham concrete factory Continued from page 1 without planning permission; however, B&NES granted it At the time Keynsham Town Council supported the retrospectively against the whole background of the site application and there were just two objectors who raised which was light industrial. B&NES now classifies the site as concerns about the health risks from airborne cement dust B2 though no application has ever been received. No and noise, and the visual impact of the silos. B&NES certificate of lawful use has ever been applied for or issued. approved the application, with planning officers saying that There was no consultation with residents. Until 4Concrete’s the silos replaced two previous ones and would not create arrival, the only B2 use on site was a temporary one working airborne pollution. inside a building with the doors shut. 4Concrete only has The town council is now “frankly appalled” at what is 30% of the site yet now the whole site is classed as B2.” happening at the site, vice chair Clive Fricker told B&NES He added: “It’s time to stand back and ask the fundamental Council planning officer Christopher Griggs-Trevarthen told Planning Committee: “The current occupant of this central question as to whether 4Concrete or any other B2 business the meeting that the proposed condition restricting the extra Keynsham site operating as a cement depot is totally should use this site. No consideration was given to the two working hours a day to a year initially is a “belt and unsuitable. It is adjacent to a conservation area and a number increase in HGVs on the access road. This was an already braces approach” so that once the acoustic fencing is in place, of established residents. The access to the area for HGV very busy minor road and has a 7.5-ton weight limit on it. 4Concrete can prove it can achieve the lower noise levels it cement vehicles is again extremely unsuitable.” Now there are an extra 500 additional HGV vehicles per has said it will. He said the previous occupancy involved a mason’s yard and week. His colleague Sarah James told the committee that it is “a production activity had taken place within a building, “Noise starts very early even on Sunday mornings and goes complicated site with a long history”. She stressed that suppressing any noise: “The site has always been regarded on late into the evenings. I fear for the mental health of these councillors were not considering an application for a change as a B1 light industrial site or a warehousing site and we residents. Their lives have been blighted. We have a duty of of use but for an extension of hours and acoustic fences: “You regard any attempt to now call it a B2 (heavy industrial) site care.” are not actually considering today whether the use is a B1 or is totally inappropriate. Bill Heslop, speaking on behalf of residents, said 4Concrete’s a B2, you are considering the application before you. That “Excessive noise at all times, cement dust, blocked drains operations had sparked complaints about noise, dust, traffic said, it is clear that the applicant has been invited to put a and the impact of heavy goods vehicles containing cement and fumes. certificate of lawful existing use or development and they has really caused a complete reduction of wellbeing for He said: “During planning approval to erect the two silos haven’t. We can’t insist they do.” residents in the area. Residents have called upon B&NES which allowed the operation to commence, only one She said she could ask the council’s planning enforcement environmental staff and the police to enforce even current household was notified, meaning that many other local manager to bring a report to a future meeting to explore the restrictions on operations.” residents were denied the opportunity to present objections. use in greater detail. There is a 7.5-ton weight limit (apart from loading) on Avon 4Concrete violates the council-imposed restrictions to 4Concrete did not apply to change Saturday working hours Mill Lane and around 50 homes are close by and a nursing operating hours on an almost daily basis. Based on their track of 8am-1pm. No working on a Sunday is allowed under the home. Andy Wait, who represents Keynsham East, told last record there can be no expectation that the conditions offered historic permission but it is permitted on bank holidays; Wednesday’s planning meeting that there have been in this planning application would be followed.” however, the committee said that the amended hours should “countless” breaches of planning conditions. He pointed out that Avon Mill Lane is next to children’s parks not apply to bank holidays. “Two silos for the manufacture of concrete were erected and is the only access road for the site and homes in the area. The Week In has asked 4Concrete to comment on the He said the extra 90+ HGVS a day frequently and concerns raised and whether the fence is likely to be installed, dangerously block the road and mount the only available considering its agent’s comments. Serious collision pavement. Regarding the proposed acoustic barriers, residents have in Fishponds concerns that they won’t be effective. Mr Heslop said the noise impact carried out on behalf of 4Concrete was flawed, A pedestrian was left with a life-threatening injury after with some “highly noisy” activities not measured by the a collision with a car in Fishponds last Friday. initial assessment. Residents are also concerned that At about 5.15pm a dark grey estate vehicle was involved 4Concrete has violated its statutory environmental permit in a collision with a 53-year-old man, who was crossing and continues to do so. Forest Road, near the junction with Lodge Causeway. He added that no environmental impact assessment has ever The man was carrying a two-year-old boy at the time. been carried out to consider the effect on Keynsham of heavy The boy suffered minor injuries but the man was found industrial traffic and air pollution and the resulting noise, dust to have suffered a significant head injury, described by and air pollution on people living nearby. police as life-threatening. Daniel Millward, representing 4Concrete, argued that the The police issued an appeal for the driver to contact noise impact assessment showed that noise issues will be them as well as for witnesses to come forward. successfully mitigated by the fencing so there should be no Det Insp James Wasiak said the driver did initially stop need for making permission temporary and reviewing it after at the scene, but the extent of the injury to the man may a year: “The installation of the fence will cost in the region not have been apparent at the time. of £80,000 which is unlikely to be financed with such a Anyone with information can call 101 and give the call condition in place. In short the imposition of such a condition handler the reference number 5220262327. would almost certainly force the business to fail.”

The Week in • Wednesday 25th November 2020 3 Barclays announces closure of Keynsham branch

Barclays has announced to bank have increased by that it is closing its 11% since 2015. In the past Keynsham branch on 24th 12 months, 29% of the February. branch’s customers have The banking giant has told been using nearby branches. customers that it is never an Only 34 customers use the easy decision to close a branch exclusively for their branch. Although the banking. number of counter Barclays, which made the transactions at the bank in announcement on Friday, Keynsham High Street has advises that there are many gone up in the previous 24 other ways customers can months, 84% of customers still bank in the local at the branch also use community including nearby other ways to do their Barclays branches, cash banking, such as online and machines and Post Offices. Regent Street in Kingswood Bristol city centre to the by phone. Barclays says its nearest and alternatively advises Broadmead branch 5.6 miles Customers using other ways branch is 4.5 miles away in that customers can go into away. THE WEEK IN

Barrs Court, Bitton, Brislington, Cadbury Heath, Compton Dando, Corston, Downend, Emersons Green, Fishponds, Hanham, Hillfields, Keynsham, Kingswood, Longwell Green, Mangotsfield, Marksbury, North Common, Oldland Common, Pucklechurch, Saltford, Staple Hill, Stockwood, St George, Warmley, Whitchurch, Wick, Willsbridge. 16,000 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

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4 The Week in • Wednesday 25th November 2020 New COVID-19 testing facility in Mangotsfield New sites in South Gloucestershire where on a strictly appointment-only basis. COVID-19 testing can take place have Last Thursday an MTU was set up in the car been identified – including in park at Cleve Rugby Football Club on Mangotsfield - so that more local people Cossham Street in Mangotsfield; and on who need a test can get one closer to home. Friday one was established at The Ridings The council has identified a number of new car park in Wickwar Road, Chipping sites that are suitable to host Mobile Testing Sodbury. The council says it will continue to Units (MTUs) similar to those which have work with the DHSC to provide additional been operating at the University of the West local testing capacity at locations across the of England (UWE) campus in Frenchay. district as testing facilities are available and These have now been approved by the to meet changes in demand. Department of Health and Social Care As the number of COVID-19 cases continue (DHSC), which means that testing could be to give concern, testing is being stepped up available in more parts of the district. nationally. MTUs are allocated on a weekly basis by The next phase of the ‘lateral testing’ system, DHSC based on demand and availability. which aims to target 10 per cent of a local Having identified the new sites, South population each week, will be rolled out in Gloucestershire will be better able to adapt the Bristol area soon, and South as the situation continues to develop. MTUs Gloucestershire Council has indicated to the may be moved around to meet demand; Government that it would like to join this however, anyone who needs a test can access scheme as soon as possible. To do this, one via www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or further new suitable testing sites would need by calling 119 and the most convenient to be identified. same role and has broadly the same capacity period of at least three months. There is no location available on that day will be offered. From last Thursday the existing MTU site at for testing. drive-through element to the LTS, instead If a local appointment is not available, a UWE has been replaced by a Local Testing An LTS is a more permanent set-up, not students and members of the public who home testing kit can be sent to your home. Site (LTS). This is at a different location on subject to potential weekly relocations and have a booked appointment can continue to All testing facilities will continue to operate the UWE Frenchay campus, but fulfils the designed to stay in a single location for a walk up to be tested.

The Week in • Wednesday 25th November 2020 5 6 The Week in • Wednesday 25th November 2020 Plans to improve safety Dan Norris selected by Labour to stand on dangerous road for regional mayor South Gloucestershire Council is consulting people on The Labour Party have its plans to improve safety on Acacia Road in Staple chosen Dan Norris as their Hill where there have been a series of serious accidents. candidate in next year’s Between January 2014 and May 2019 six collisions election for West of resulting in injury were reported to the police. Four of England Regional Mayor. them involved “vulnerable” road users - three pedestrians He was MP for Wansdyke (the former name for the and one cyclist - which resulted in three serious casualties. North East Somerset The council says this is a high severity ratio. constituency) from 1997 to A 20mph speed limit is proposed on Acacia Road between 2010 and since then, has the junction with Staple Hill High Street and the been working as a media Dan Norris Bristol/South Gloucestershire boundary (35 metres north and communications of Marshfield Road). One speed table and five sets of consultant. Clients have included The Week for whom speed cushions are proposed within the proposed 20mph he worked as an associate editor in 2019, developing speed limit. community links and advising on the establishment of Local councillor Ian Boulton is encouraging people to take The Week In Community Benefit Society. Acacia Road part in the consultation. He said: “The reports of collisions Reacting to his selection, Mr Norris said: “I’m delighted and incidents of speeding vehicles on Acacia Road have https://tinyurl.com/yymeu7ug to have been selected as Labour’s candidate for West of been a longstanding, and often raised, concern for many If you do not have internet access and would like a paper England Metro Mayor and would like to thank all those local neighbours. copy of the information and questionnaire instead, call that voted for me. “At long last the council is consulting on a proposed speed 01454 864215. “I’m looking forward to speaking with people and businesses across the West of England and setting out reduction scheme.” The consultation opened this week and the closing date my positive vision for the area.” The online questionnaire is on the council’s website at for comments is 14th December.

The Week in • Wednesday 25th November 2020 7 LETTERS

Why is propagation being As for Keynsham High Street, I made four Bristol road, between North Stoke Lane and Improving our area frowned upon? journeys both ways in three days and saw only Swineford, which many people currently do, Dear Becky seven people walking in the street, and this you will most definitely be putting your health As a local councillor, I am committed to trying Dear Sir being only because they could, not of necessity and life at risk rather than improving it. to make our area free of litter, flytipping, Every year at the allotment, when pruning my as the pavement on their side of the road was The footpath along this stretch of road has in flyposting, graffiti, dog mess and all the other bushes or trees, I stick some of the cuttings into quite empty, though this may differ at other places completely disappeared through years unsightly issues. I am a regular walker of the the ground, to see if they will take. Like Carol times of the day. But I hope the councillors of neglect, especially on a very dangerous Bristol & Bath Railway Path, particularly in the Klein, from Gardeners’ World, I like to responsible for the pedestrianisation and cause bend. And where the footpath is visible, it is lockdown periods, and despair of the plastic propagate plants and pass them around to of more stationary traffic do not pat themselves extremely difficult if not impossible to use due bottles and other rubbish simply dropped along friends and family or use them as replacements. on the back and claim the trial was successful to the overhanging hedge and large stinging it and the surrounding bushes, etc. I have been doing this for years. and so decide to make the situation permanent. nettles always trying to ‘bite’ you. I have also noticed that the noticeboard relating However, this year, I pruned my apple tree, and C Bart There is a bus stop on this stretch of road and the history of Mangotsfield Railway Station as per usual, I stuck some of the cuttings in the it is ironic that some years ago, the kerb was has been defaced so much that it has become ground to see if they would take. I have now Warning bells raised to enable wheelchair/pushchair access to unable to read it. I will attempt to clean it, so if been informed by the chairperson of Bitton Dear Sir buses, and yet it is impossible to safely walk to anyone has any technical knowledge of the best Parish Council, that parish councillors I am writing to your paper in the hope that I this bus stop, let alone push someone to it. method, please can you let me know. conducted a site visit and noticed I had placed shall get a straight answer to a very simple This problem has been brought to the attention Cllr Michael Bell some apple tree prunings in the ground. They question which is ‘Why is it not compulsory of Bath & North East Somerset Council via Staple Hill & Mangotsfield Ward have asked that these apple tree cuttings be for bicycles to have bells and more importantly ‘Fix my Street’ on many occasions by myself Email: [email protected] removed. why is it not compulsory for the said bells to and others. On 16th October I again reported I ask myself, what is the issue? What is wrong be rung when danger threatens?’ this on FixMyStreet and had a reply on 19th with taking propagation cuttings? Carol Klein One good deed deserves I ask this because recently I was walking down October stating this has been programmed to does it all the time and has written a whole Long Wood in Saltford when, if I had taken a be included in upcoming works. And told: another book on it. Yet Bitton Parish Council do not very small step to my right at that precise “Report closed.” Dear Becky allow it on their allotments. How petty are moment, I would have collided with a cyclist I When signage was put up on the A431 in this I was in the Tesco Express in Longwell Green these parish councillors? You’d think they had no idea was there. We could have both area recently announcing the road’s overnight to get my newspaper last week. When I got to would have more important issues to deal with, been knocked to the ground resulting in some closure from the 9th -14th November, I the counter I realised I had forgotten my like COVID. serious injuries. Do these people not know that assumed it was for this work to be carried out money. The young woman behind me insisted I had to laugh though because it appears that they could potentially kill themselves and their making this section of footpath safe to walk on paying. I said I would return with the money none of the cuttings had taken anyway. innocent victims because they were just too again. No, that was foolish of me! and leave it behind the counter for her to collect Name & address supplied (cannot think of a printable word!) to ring a The overnight road closure was for South but she said there was no need. bell. Gloucestershire Council to resurface the road I hope she is reading this. I want her to know No need for schoolchildren Julia Chandler passing through Swineford, which has been that I put the pound into a collection tin for to walk in single file PS. I hope you have all noticed that the choir much needed for a long time. Children in Need. boy is back on his habitual lamp post at the Surely, with the A431 closed, as it has been, it When we read about scams and people being Dear Editor bottom of Charlton Road in Keynsham so at was an ideal time for B&NES to carry out the conned in their homes, I thought it would be Why is Hazel Powe upset with schoolchildren; least, something is ‘normal’. necessary work on this dangerous stretch of nice to share this story of kindness. they have obviously been together at school so roadside pavement, making it safely usable A very grateful pensioner why not walk to or from school together? You again. do not need to ask them to walk behind each Unsafe footpath on fast Thousands of pounds spent on making Bath At your service other, as if you walk close to the wall on the stretch of road city streets ‘pedestrian friendly’ with Dear Becky inside of the pavement, they will walk outside Dear Editor infuriating bollards slowing traffic to a crawl, I wish to congratulate The Week In on your of you without any bother without trying to We are always being encouraged to exercise for and no interest in improving pedestrian safety Service Directory. I have spoken to several walk through you, though for safety I would our physical and mental health, especially in on a dangerous stretch of a very fast country readers and they too have praise for this choose to walk outside if the traffic was driving these difficult times, which I fully support and road! section. A big thank you to those who advertise towards me on my side of the road. If Hazel is have always practised. Come on B&NES - get this sorted before there their services. It is good to know that reliable with somebody else, would she generally not However, should you wish to walk along the is a fatality. help or assistance is only a phone call away. walk two abreast? busy and very fast stretch of the A431 Bath to Chris Payne A most satisfied reader, Saltford

8 The Week in • Wednesday 25th November 2020 More vandalism at playing field

Following our front page story last week about vandals public since 2nd November. breaking the fence around the playing field shared by Access to the field was gained on the night of 7th November Redfield Edge Primary School and Sir Bernard Lovell after the fence was broken and school staff found dog mess Academy in Oldland Common, the fence has been and fireworks on the field the next day. targeted again. This followed signs being defaced and padlocks It was erected in the summer to allow for the approved superglued. diversion of the public footpath that used to cross it but access Now there has been a report of more vandalism of the fence was still allowed out of school hours. As a ban on dogs on last Thursday night which meant that Redfield Edge pupils the field was being flouted, the gates have been closed to the could not use the field last Friday.

Have your say on the future development of the West of England People living and working in the West of England are 6.30pm, followed by one on Tuesday 1st December from being asked for their views to help shape a plan to make 1pm to 2pm and another on Wednesday 2nd December sure homes, employment spaces and vital transport links from 9.30am to 10.30am. are planned in the right places over the next 20 years. The survey closes on 14th December. Responses to it are The new Spatial Development Strategy, being co- the first step in developing a draft of the strategy alongside ordinated by the West of England Combined Authority technical evidence and studies. Once the draft is completed (WECA), comes in the wake of the region’s failed Joint and published next year, it will be subject to a full statutory Spatial Plan (JSP) which was withdrawn in April. consultation. Find out more at https://www.westofengland- WECA says that as the region’s population grows and as ca.gov.uk/future-of-the-region/ people live longer, the amount and type of housing needed Paper copies of the survey are available on request is changing. COVID-19 has also altered the way many by calling 0117 4286210 or by email at people are working, travelling and spending their leisure [email protected] time. The strategy offers an opportunity to plan for a • When independent planning inspectors rejected the Joint cleaner, greener recovery, ensuring new development is Spatial Plan last year, their key concern was that the resilient, contributes towards reducing carbon emissions, selection process for the dozen Strategic Development and brings improvements for nature and sustainability. Locations had not been sufficiently robust. WECA and its constituent authorities of South The sites earmarked in the JSP in B&NES were in North Gloucestershire, B&NES and Bristol are working together Keynsham and Whitchurch Village while in Bristol it was on the blueprint which will be supported by the Local land at Bath Road in Brislington. The sites in South Glos Plans being developed by each council. were at Buckover, Charfield, Coalpit Heath, Thornbury Webinars are taking place for people to find out more. The and Yate while the four sites in North Somerset were in next one is on Monday 30th November from 5.30pm to Backwell, Banwell, Churchill and Nailsea.

Sudoku SUNDAY CHEMISTS Sunday 29th November Boots, Gallagher Retail Park, Longwell Green 1-Easy 2 -Hard (10.30am-4pm) Asda, Longwell Green (10am-4pm) Boots, Emersons Green Retail Park (10.30am-4.30pm) Sainsbury’s, Emersons Green Retail Park (9.30am-4.30pm) Stockwood Pharmacy, 78 Hollway Road, BS14 8PG (9am-7pm) Keynsham Pharmacy, 15 Station Road, BS31 2BH (10am-4pm) Tesco, Callington Road, Brislington (10am to 4pm) Morrisons, 688-718 Fishponds Road, Fishponds (10am-4pm) Boots, Avonmeads Retail Park, St Philips Causeway (11am-5pm)

The Week in • Wednesday 25th November 2020 9 Proposed solution for parking Fines for not paying problems near supermarket COVID fixed penalty Parking and access issues stemming from the development of the new notices top £100k Sainsbury’s Local store at Courts have issued fines of more than Operational Support, said: “The courts have Thistle Close in Lyde Green £100,000 to people who have failed to pay taken a robust response to those who have have led to proposed waiting a fixed penalty notice (FPN) for breaches wilfully refused to pay the fixed penalty restrictions. of COVID-19 legislation in the Avon and notices given out by officers for blatant South Gloucestershire Somerset Police area. breaches of the COVID-19 legislation. Council says that double So far, a total of 61 people who received “Our approach throughout the pandemic has yellow lines in the area notices up until the end of June have been always been to engage with the public, around Thistle Close will convicted at local courts after failing to pay, explain the legislation and encourage remove “obstructive and following a decision by the force to compliance, but in a small number of cases inappropriate parking” on there is an online questionnaire at prosecute. Among the fines issued by the we have had to move to enforcement to junctions and narrow sections; improving www.southglos.gov.uk/consultation courts include one £2,000 fine and 35 fines protect public safety. access to the supermarket, as well as local If you do not have internet access call of £1,760. The FPNs were given for breaches “Officers do not want to be issuing fines and homes and making it safer for residents 01454 863958. of COVID-19 legislation in place to stop the it’s clear the vast majority of people are and traffic in general. Depending on the result of the spread of the virus, which has to date following the restrictions in place and The consultation is open until 2nd consultation, the council hopes the claimed the lives of more than 50,000 people understand the clear risks of engaging in December. To respond to the consultation proposed scheme will be introduced during across the UK. activities which could increase the spread of and have your views taken into account, the next financial year. Three cases are currently scheduled to go to COVID-19 to their family, friends and those trial in December and January. around them – and we thank them for the Chief Supt Claire Armes, Head of daily sacrifices they’re making.” Help light up Pucklechurch A Christmas lights competition is being events in the village. Parents charged with baby’s murder organised in Pucklechurch. To take part email Police have charged two people with the Helen Jeremy, 26, of Russell Avenue in Residents are encouraged to decorate their [email protected] by 13th murder of a five-week-old boy. Kingswood, have also been charged with homes and there will be a prize for the December. The charges relate to the death of Sean Clark, causing or allowing the death of a child. best-dressed house, says the Revel The winner will be decided by a Facebook who died at an address at Neads Drive in Neither entered a plea to the charges during committee who organise festivals and poll and announced on 20th December. Warmley on 14th January 2018. a court hearing last week and and both were James Dean Clark, 31, of Neads Drive and remanded in custody. Crossword

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10 The Week in • Wednesday 25th November 2020 Fight to save tree is lost A bid to get a preservation order put on a A senior tree officer from the council tree in Park Road in Keynsham that was assessed it last week but was unable to facing the chop has failed. recommend a Tree Preservation Order. The mature sycamore, which had electricity She said that although it was a “significant” wires running close to some branches, was tree, it had undergone at least three phases of duly chopped down at the weekend crown reductions, including pollarding, to After hearing about the plans to fell the tree contain the size in view of overhead wires. outside the BUPA Dental Care practice, The tree was also confined within a raised some local residents contacted B&NES planting bed and root growth was already Council to try to save it. affecting a retaining wall.

The Week in • Wednesday 25th November 2020 11 Reinforced wall planned at church after storm damage St Anne’s Church in Oldland Common has submitted a volunteers from the church, the site was quickly planning application to rebuild the 11-metre stretch of made safe. A fairly wide team of individuals and wall which collapsed when an ancient tree was brought organisations have been working during the down by Storm Brendan at the start of the year. COVID-19 period to conduct surveys, produce The parochial church council says: “We were all quite specifications and make sure the rebuilding of the shocked in January when one of the yew trees that had been wall meets all Health & Safety, heritage and standing at the top of the slope for more than 500 years regulatory requirements, ensuring due respect is crashed down the hill, blocking the road that is used by made to the church, the churchyard and the graves hundreds of people in our community on a regular basis. held within, some of which will need to be moved “Since then we have been working towards putting things temporarily. right. Working with specialist contractors and some “This planning phase is very nearly complete, with tenders being sought from The temporary fencing and blocks will be removed contractors. All is looking good for rebuilding work to commence early in 2021.” The parochial church council says that the loss of such an Once the wall is repaired, the current fencing and old tree is sad but has had the benefit of making St Anne’s concrete blocks will be removed. much more visible. This aspect was used at Easter when the As the church is a Grade II listed building, church was floodlit, and the floodlights were also used on Historic England says that the retaining wall is the NHS Thursday clap evenings. also considered to be a listed structure. The plan Although a number of exhumations and removal of is for the new section to be reinforced concrete memorials will have to take place, the number of graves The tree came down in a storm with reclaimed pennant stone facing. involved has been significantly reduced from early fears.

12 The Week in • Wednesday 25th November 2020 Artist donates painting to raise funds for new slide When you look in Bristol Autocare’s shop window on Summerhill Road in St George, you don’t really expect to find an oil painting. But thanks to shop owner Vince Cambridge, the painting by local landscape and documen- tary artist Oliver Sidaway will be on display during opening hours Monday to Friday until 4th December. The subject of the painting is the much- loved red slide that until last November used to be on Troopers Hill Field, just across the road from Vince’s shop. we apply for a grant to make up the rest of Hundreds of children had used the slide the money, we would like to see more than during its more than 40-year life and Oliver 100 donations to prove to funders how much donated the painting to Friends of Troopers local people want a new slide. So, perhaps if Hill to help raise money for a new slide. you feel you don’t need that slice of cake Susan Acton-Campbell, of Friends of today, please donate the price of it to the Troopers Hill, said: “We are really grateful slide.” to Oliver and Vince. We are asking for bids Find out more by visiting over £300 to be sent to us by Friday 4th www.tinyurl.com/THslide or ring Susan on December. If there is an equal highest bid, 0117 94 5037. Send your bids for the we will draw the winning bid from a hat.” painting to [email protected] Friends of Troopers Hill are also welcoming Cheques should be made payable to ‘Friends smaller donations. Susan said: “Thanks to of Troopers Hill’ or bids can be sent to more than 30 generous people we have Friends of Troopers Hill, c/o 3 Corkers Hill, already raised over £1,000. Ideally, before St George, Bristol, BS5 8DT. Council fines contractor £500 over road closure A contractor who carried out cable-laying This week a spokesperson for South work in Upton Cheyney without Gloucestershire Council told us: “We are authorisation to close the road has been aware of an unauthorised road closure at fined £500 by South Gloucestershire Marshfield Lane which took place on Council. 17th November for a period of two hours. Marshfield Lane was closed last Tuesday “We have been in contact with the but the council's StreetCare department contractor who was laying cables on had no record it. According to posts on behalf of a mobile communications social media there have been other ad hoc company and have issued them with a closures in the area in recent weeks. fixed penalty notice.”

The Week in • Wednesday 25th November 2020 13 Sudoku Solutions Crossword Solution 1-Easy 2-Hard

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14 The Week in • Wednesday 25th November 2020 Service Directory

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The Week in • Wednesday 25th November 2020 15 16 The Week in • Wednesday 25th November 2020