Limpley Stoke News April 2021

Limpley Stoke Issue No 36 April 2021 news

iltshire Council has expressed its Wserious concerns about the impact on local communities of the Bath Clean Air Zone (CAZ), which came into effect on March 15. Original proposals were modified following consultation, but increasing numbers of HGVs have already been clocked diverting through Limpley Stoke and Winsley on the B3108, due to a weight restriction on Cleveland Bridge in Bath. An HGV travelling down the B3108 collided with two vehicles opposite the Local Wiltshire Councillor, Limpley Stoke village entrance (Photo: Wayne Griffiths) Johnny Kidney, says there can be little doubt that the CAZ To help mitigate against Changes to No 94 bus will exacerbate the situation, any impact on the county, The 94 bus when all but the newest HGVs, Wiltshire asked BANES to service is trucks and vans will be banned extend its monitoring of the operating a from entering the zone and will area to provide a better larger than need to find new routes to the understanding of wider HGV usual vehicle M4, thereby aggravating diversions, but this request from March existing congestion and air was rejected due to the until the end of quality issues. significant costs involved. May, apparently Wiltshire Council supports Wiltshire Council has since while awaiting the concept of Clean Air called on BANES to delivery of a new CAZ-compliant bus Zones and recognises implement appropriate to serve the route into Bath. BANES' efforts mitigation and will continue This bus is too large to negotiate to improve air quality in to work with BANES and Church Lane and Crowe Lane so the Bath, but says this must not Defra to ensure this nearest stops are at Freshford School, come at a cost to the air monitoring takes place to A36 Midford Lane and A36 Rose & quality in west Wiltshire protect the air quality in Crown. The D1 First Bus service towns, particularly Bradford Wiltshire's towns and continues to stop at Winsley Hill on Avon and Westbury. villages. railway bridge. Local elections iltshire Police have appealed to dog owners to be responsible Wwhen out enjoying the countryside and to keep all dogs on a Local elections are due to take lead when near livestock, place on Thursday, May 6 for even if your dog is normally town and parish councils, well-behaved. Wiltshire unitary divisions As lockdown begins to (including that of our local ease and people start to go councillor Johnny Kidney), out and about again, there is and also for the police and an increasing danger that crime commissioner. dogs off the lead will worry Given the uncertainty of sheep and other livestock. Covid restrictions, many of you This is especially worrying may be reluctant to visit your as lambing season is now in local polling station on election full swing. Photo: Penny Jones day, even though Wiltshire During the first lockdown last spring, there were several upsetting Council has given assurances incidents in this area of lambs killed as a result of attacks by one or that it will be Covid-secure. more dogs let off the lead in the early hours of the morning. For this reason, Wiltshire Livestock worrying – which is a criminal offence – is traditionally Council is urging as many thought of as a dog biting or attacking livestock, but also means people as possible to register for chasing livestock in such a way as may be reasonably expected to a postal vote. Apply at cause injury or suffering, or not having a dog on a lead when close to, https://www.gov.uk/government or in a field or enclosure with, livestock. If you see anything /publications/apply-for-a-postal- suspicious, call 101, or 999 if you witness a crime in progress. vote or call Wiltshire Council on 0300 456 0112. Deadline for registering to vote by post: 5pm on April 20.

The Galleries Management Group is to carry out a community-wide consultation about expanding the footprint of the shop and café, in response to some of the issues faced during the Covid crisis. White line repainting along the virtual pavements on Crowe The advantage of a larger floor area would allow ongoing social Hill, Church Lane and Midford distancing; answer an increase in demand from the community; Lane (up to Old Track) has been improve the sustainability of the business; and respond to the scheduled for April 7 and 8. climate emergency by increasing the range of non-packaged The work had to be postponed products. twice from the original planned The temporary, outdoor covered area would be replaced with an January date due to adverse attractive and architecturally-designed solution. A business plan weather conditions. will need to be drawn up and the necessary finance sought in order Reflective studs and ‘walking to fund the project. person’ logos will be added as At all stages, the Galleries Management Group will be seeking extra warning to motorists of feedback from staff, volunteers and members of the community. the presence of pedestrians. The Galleries is your shop and café and your support is needed to Protective bollards and sign ensure this vital community resource is future-proofed for the many rearrangement in Lower Stoke challenges which lie ahead. (by the former railway station) Email [email protected] if you have any questions or will be installed by the end of ideas. this month. impley Stoke resident, Steve Best, writes: “Articles on how to make your Lgarden more wildlife-friendly invariably say that introducing a pond is one of the best things you can do. You will be amazed at how quickly it is colonised by insects and even amphibians. When we made one, the newts moved in so quickly that I can’t remember the pond being without them. “A pond is wonderful for wildlife and the great thing is that they are not difficult to make. We dug a hole, used liner with fleece above and below (to protect the liner) and held the rim in place with rocks found in the garden. If you want a fun afternoon with the kids, make a small one with something as simple as a bowl or pot. “Consider boggy patches and ditches too: these encourage wildlife and make a great surround for at least one side of your pond. Above all else, have fun building it and enjoy all the wildlife that arrives. “You can find videos and instructions online. One I particularly like, because it covers large and small ponds, together with those ditches and boggy patches, is the RSPB’s web page: https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and- Three years later Photos: Steve Best wildlife/advice/gardening-for-wildlife/water-for-wildlife/making-a-pond/. A helpful leaflet can be found at: https://www.wildaboutgardens.org.uk/sites/default/files/2019- 08/Wild%20About%20Gardens%20Big%20or%20Small%20Ponds%20for%20all%20booklet.pdf.”

Local resident Alan Dun has created a giant hedgehog from reclaimed wood in the King On a bright, sunny Sunday, parish George V Park, as part of the Nature Chain councillor Chimene Roberts planted native project launch. (Photo: Nick Catcheside) hedging in the park. (Photo: Nicky Boulton) Middle Stoke goes wild Household waste laine Curtin writes: “As a parish councillor, I Monday, April 5 Ebecame aware of the Nature Chain initiative and Monday, April 19 could see the amazing work being done by Limpley Stoke and Freshford residents. We noticed a space Blue-lidded bin behind Limpley Stoke Village Hall that lent itself to Black box the concept of being cleared and reclaimed for Green waste wildflowers. (chargeable) Wednesday, April 7 Wednesday, April 21

Useful contacts Transport Link 07714 16 92 16 Power supply emergency 105 Police (non-emergency) 101 Bradford on Avon Police: PCSO Laura Wallace [email protected]

“With a little thought and care, the area could be much improved. It Wiltshire Unitary Councillor: Johnny Kidney 07805 236 480 felt like a community project in the making. The hall committee [email protected] agreed and kindly offered support. We then used our Middle Stoke WhatsApp group to request some volunteers and, within a couple of Editor: Limpley Stoke News hours, over 20 households expressed their interest. Sheena Broadhead 01225 723404 “On Sunday, March 7 we ran a COVID-secure rota where we [email protected] pulled weeds and set the scene for sowing seed by our local children LSPC Clerk: Bryony Kohn over the coming weeks. We had plenty of cake and coffee brought to 01225 723749 us also! The lovely people at [wildflower experts] ‘Meadow in My [email protected] Garden’ met us to recommend seeds, and advised on how best to MyWilts app: potholes, road clear and prepare the space.” issues, blocked drains, grit bins Contact Elaine at ([email protected]) www.wiltshire.gov.uk/ mywilts-online-reporting or phone 0300 456 0105 Walking in Wiltshire Tired of the same old walks? The Walking in Wiltshire website www.walkinginengland.co.uk/wiltshire has hundreds of walks free to download and print for when restrictions allow us to travel a bit further away from home. Mobile library visits suspended due to lockdown With walks from half a mile to much longer treks, everyone can Editor: Limpley Stoke News Sheena Broadhead find a walk to enjoy. You can also find details of books on walks, as 01225 723404 well as contact details for all the walking groups in the county. Website:[email protected] www.limpleystoke.com

LimpleyLSPC Clerk: Stoke Bryony Community Kohn Limpley Stoke News is an independent publication, produced and edited by Sheena Broadhead, 01225 723749@LimpleyFolk who reserves all editorial rights. To submit an article, email [email protected]. [email protected]