Keynsham News Autumn 21

AUTUMN 2021 - Issue 37

Produced for Keynsham Town Council

Inside – Community Eco Festival and Town Centre Update.

Keynsham Music Festival – 2021 information inside.

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KEYNSHAM NEWS S

ummer is beginning to wane. I hope that you managed to get away and found time to relax in good weather with something cool and refreshing in your hand. If you haven’t, it’s not too late.

Since our last edition, we have received the resignation of our Town Clerk, Cheryl Scott. I would like to thank her for the work she did for the town, particularly during the height of the pandemic where her doctorate in microbiology came in very useful. Currently, Dawn Drury is Acting Town Clerk, she and the rest of the team are very busy covering for this staffing reduction.

We have also co-opted a new councillor to replace the late Tony Crouch. He is Alex Ross and will represent Keynsham North until the next election in May 2023.

Alex is an Independent Councillor.

September has the promise of two exciting community events:The first starting on 2nd September is a much reduced Music Festival Programme, more of this within. It’s an attempt by the very hard working trustees to put something exciting together. It’s over two years since our last festival and we need one!

The second is the climate celebration event on the 17th and 18th September. This is a first event of this type and has been organised by Churches Together, again there is more about this in the pages that follow.

In the last few months, I have thrown a baseball together with Cllr Charlotte Buxton at the National Female Baseball League meeting in the Chocolate Quarter. This is the home of the Bristol Bobcats who compete in the English National League of six teams.

Some members of KeynshamNow and I also welcomed a group of young people walking from Land’s End

C O N T E N T S

WELCOME TO

Public realM improvements

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Keynsham in bloom

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COMMUNITY AT 67

8

Tree planting

11

community eco festival

12

talking newspaper

15

Good citizen award

20

Keynsham music FESTIVAL ktcrfm

22 15 23

winter festival

24

grounds maintenance team

27

community fridge

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YOUR TOWN COUNCILLORS

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to Glasgow for the COP 2021 Climate Change Meeting of World Leaders in November. Here’s hoping progress can be made for our future generations.

Cllr. Andy Wait, Chairman Keynsham News is produced by Ignyte Media Ltd, Bathway Farm, Bathway, Chewton Mendip, Somerset, BA3 4LN Tel 01761 410141.

While every care has been taken to ensure the data contained in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party for loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. Ignyte or Keynsham Town Council does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in any retrieval system in any form without the prior permission of the publisher.

The next issue of Keynsham News will be distributed in November. To feature in the next issue, please get in touch by 15th October 2021.

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KEYNSHAM NEWS

Keynsham High Street Public Realm Improvements T

wo significant public realm improvements programmes are being undertaken in Keynsham Town Centre:  Keynsham Public Realm Improvements Phase 1 K eynsham High Street Heritage Action Zone (HS HAZ) Programme The Phase 1 scheme focuses on the one-way system between Charlton Way and Bath Hill. In contrast, the HS HAZ programme has a wider remit and considers opportunities for improvement throughout the length of the High Street.

Both projects respond to needs, challenges and opportunities of the High Street. These have been established through stakeholder engagement and public consultation. Together, in collaboration with project partners, the projects will deliver ongoing improvements which will help to revitalise the High Street and create a distinct, thriving town centre for both residents and visitors to enjoy.

Keynsham Phase 1 works get underway with a visit from West of England Mayor Dan Norris, B&NES Leader Councillor Kevin Guy and Keynsham Town Council Chair Andy Wait.

Keynsham Public Realm Improvements Phase 1 Updates We were pleased to finally begin public realm works on the High Street in earnest on 1 June.

Since that time, the Council’s contractor has been making great progress paving the west side of the street in new high-quality materials along with re-arranging the Charlton Road junction and installing new street lighting.

Over the summer and into the autumn, the focus will turn to paving and widening the east side of the street as well as constructing the contra-flow cycle lane and bus stop layby.

The council has been working closely with traders to minimise disruption and ensure access during trading hours, as well as keeping the highway open unless a restriction is required by the construction programme.

The permanent improvements to the public realm between Charlton Road and Bath Hill seeks to rejuvenate the town centre and bring people back to the High Street. The enhancements include footpath widening and resurfacing, better signage, cycling and bus stop facilities, and new street furniture, streetlights, landscaping and trees.

The council was awarded £1.5 million towards the cost of implementing the first phase, it is funded by the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership through the Local Growth and Getting Building funds, administered by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and funded

by WECA through its Love our High Streets programme.

Construction updates are regularly posted on the project webpage at www.bathnes.gov.uk/ keynsham. Thank you for your continued patience

KEYNSHAM NEWS

while we undertake these works as we make Keynsham High Street an even more attractive and welcoming place.

Keynsham High Street Heritage Action Zone Programme Updates

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Masterplan Engagement Sessions.

The Masterplan has now been completed providing a framework to help guide future development and public realm projects within Keynsham’s HS HAZ area. The Masterplan has been produced by external consultants McGregor Coxall in collaboration with the Programme Board and Working Group. The Programme Board and sub Working Groups are made up of representatives from each partner organisation.

The Masterplan has been created using existing data, consultation, and further observations.

A summary version of the Masterplan will be available to read in Hi Keynsham! - The Start of a Conversation with links to the Masterplan for further reading.

High Street Exploration Cards. Image courtesy of Ellie Shipman and Katy Hawkins.

Keynsham’s High Street Heritage Action Zone (HS HAZ) Programme has been progressing well since the last newsletter.

Community Engagement:  HiKeynsham.co.uk will be launching soon - a new website about Keynsham’s HS HAZ Programme.

Once launched, you will be able to get the latest programme updates and find out about how you can get involved with different project aspects.  We’re in the process of publishing a launch booklet called, Hi Keynsham! - The Start of a Conversation. This will provide information about Keynsham’s HS HAZ Programme and a summary of Keynsham’s High Street Masterplan.

Once available, details of how to get your copy will be shared on the website.

Public Realm Improvements:  Masterplan In early summer 2021, we held key stakeholder sessions about Keynsham’s High Street Masterplan. Keynsham’s HS HAZ Programme Board identified these key stakeholder groups, who were invited to Keynsham High Street

 Temple Street Public Realm Improvement Project Keynsham’s HS HAZ Public Realm works will focus on the Temple Street area. Through investment in the public realm, this project will seek to make Temple Street a more attractive, engaging, and vibrant place for people to live, work and enjoy leisure time.

Consultants MacGregor Smith have been appointed by Keynsham HS HAZ Programme Board.

Working with the Programme Board, MacGregor Smith have begun to develop concept design ideas for the area. Over the coming months programme partners will be working closely to engage with key stakeholders and wider public to explore design ideas.

Shop Front Improvements:  Shopfront Design Guide and Grant Scheme A condition survey and audit was carried out in 2017 of Keynsham High Street heritage frontages.

Over the coming months, we’ll be updating this and creating a user-friendly design guide.

Working with local businesses and landowners to test and launch this document alongside a Shop Front Improvement Project Grant Scheme

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KEYNSHAM NEWS

(Autumn 2021). This will enable people to submit expressions of interest to access funding to improve their shop frontages.

Cultural Programme:  Local Cultural Programme Keynsham’s Cultural Consortium is made up of many local organisations and has been set up by Keynsham Town Council, in partnership with B&NES Council. We are delighted to share the news that Keynsham’s Cultural Consortium has received £80,000 from Historic England for Keynsham’s Local Cultural Programme.

In addition, B&NES has secured £24,000 for Keynsham from the Welcome Back Fund as match funding for the financial year 2021-22.

This complementary Cultural Programme will act as a way for people to engage with the HS HAZ programme celebrating Keynsham’s local heritage and character. Through a series of events and mini projects, the Cultural Programme will help to activate the High Street as a key place to experience and participate in Keynsham’s culture.

Do you have an idea for an event, festival, market type, temporary artwork installation in Keynsham? We’d love to hear from you! Details of how you can share your ideas will be available on the new website.

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 National Cultural Programme – Historic England’s Twin Town Programme Artists Ellie Shipman and Katy Hawkins have been busy working on their community project in Keynsham and Bedford. They have created High Street Observation Cards and worked with a small number of local community groups to highlight what is important to them in Keynsham. Katy Hawkins will be leading artist walks in the late summer / early autumn. To find out more about the project and follow updates see Katie and Ellie’s project blog: eleanorshipman.com/portfolio/high-streetexplorations You’ll be able to find out how to get a copy of the playing cards, share your responses and key points that are important to you about Keynsham High Street at HiKeynsham.co.uk Find out further information about Keynsham’s HS HAZ Programme by: • currently visiting bathnes.gov.uk/keynsham • l ooking out for the launch of Keynsham’s HS HAZ programme’s new site HiKeynsham.co.uk. Here you will be able to sign up to our mailing list to get sent the latest programme updates straight to your inbox.

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

KEYNSHAM NEWS

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Keynsham IN BLOOM I

t’s been an incredibly busy few months for Keynsham In Bloom, volunteers have been out and about around the town for the judging that took place on Friday 23rd July 2021. Several of our KIB projects have already been judged by In Your Neighbourhood on the 6th July and received a very positive response. Very Heartening.

Even though the High Street is in somewhat of a disarray, the tubs have been filled with summer plants, and the hanging baskets are looking lovely.

Our new three tier planter outside the library in memory of Dee James, a previous KIB chairman, is a riot of colour.

The Pocket Park at the top of Avon Road is a proud owner of a wonderful mural and the alpine tubs are in flower. The wellington boots are planted as part of the In Bloom Recycle Trail and we thank the dear people from Mencap for all their hard work on this part of the project. The railway station flowerbeds and troughs on the platform are so pretty and do justice to our town and hard-working volunteers.

Planters at Queens Road, Holmoak and Chandag Road shops are full of flowers and a delight to perceive. Again, a big thank you to all our volunteers.

The Recycle Trail this year stretches from Titus Way on Somerdale, Avon Road, Temple Street, St Keyna Road, St Ladoc Road, Charlton Road,

Charlton Park, St George’s Road, Lockingwell Road to Lays Drive. Maps are available from the Temple Street Canteen and the launderette at Queens Road.

The South West In Bloom judges were escorted by our Chair, Jim Bernard and Dawn Drury, Secretary of Keynsham In Bloom, via Dial-ARide on a tour of the In Bloom and community projects around the town. This included Keynsham Cemetery, Keynsham Railway Station, Somerdale Shed, Temple Court Businesses & Market Walk, Keynsham Pocket Park, Keynsham Allotments, Abbeyfield House Retirement Home, and the Scout Hut. The tour was followed by the presentation and a yummy lunch.

We now just have to wait until 7th October for the results.

Keep gardening, Keynsham.

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KEYNSHAM NEWS

KEYNSHAM COMMUNITY at 67 A

fter a long period of closure due to lockdown, Community at 67 is looking forward to welcoming groups back to the centre based in Queens Road in Keynsham. We are here for our local community and can offer you a space to meet. So, if you have an idea about a group you would like to see in our area, please get in touch. This might be a support group, a book group, or just a meeting with other people who share the same interests. We want to help groups get started so are offering free use of the centre for the first few meetings to support you.

We are also looking for volunteers to help us run the centre, the specific skills we are looking for

include running our social media, cooking and being able to work with other people. We are also seeking trustees for the charity that runs the centre.

Keeping the centre clean is essential and we are seeking a paid cleaner, the hours are flexible and the pay is £10.00 per hour.

After such a long period when we couldn’t meet each other, we want to help our community rebuild itself so please get in touch.

Phone 07737 742300 or email us enquiries@ community-67.org

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KEYNSHAM NEWS

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sing along with CHOIRJAM G

ive the Meercats a break!

For the last few months, Avon Valley Country Park in Keynsham has kindly played host to ChoirJam, and these wonderful creatures have enjoyed a summer of serenading! But now it’s time to give our funny furry friends their home back.

It has been a while since choirs have been able to get together in person, and after 18 long months, Bristol pop choir ‘ChoirJam’ is at last able to bring their ‘Muddy’ Tiger Feet back indoors. And singing has never felt so good!

The choir is expanding and for the first time in a long time, ChoirJam has space for new members, and is encouraging anyone who has thought about singing with other people, to come along and find out about this friendly local community choir.

The choir is a fun, social group and sings everything pop from 1960’s classics to the latest hits. It does not take itself too seriously, with the aim to have a great time singing and make friends.

Members enjoys lots of socials such as going out after weekly rehearsals and great end of term parties, as well as the annual ‘Jammers’ Weekend Away at a spa hotel with singing workshops and a karaoke dinner dance party. Community is also close to the hearts of the Jammers and choir members regularly take part in gigs to raise money for local causes like Help Bristol’s Homeless and Jessie May. Emma Hutchinson, ChoirJam Director, says: “Throughout the pandemic the choir met on Zoom every week, to sing and catch up, and it helped us all cope with the uncertain times. Our fancy dress Pirate and Gangsters & Molls parties were a lot of fun and made us all laugh! Since then, we’ve been rehearsing outdoors at Avon Valley Country Park and loved entertaining the wildlife. The peacock in particular was very keen to join in with our on-theme song ‘Tiger Feet’!

ChoirJam is based in Bristol and Bath with groups in Keynsham, Longwell Green and Marksbury: • Monday Group: 7.30-9.30pm United Church, Longwell Green NEW LARGER VENUE! • Tuesday Group: 7.30-9.30pm Marksbury Village Hall, Marksbury NEW LARGER VENUE! • Wednesday Group: 11.00 – 12.30pm Fear Hall, Keynsham NEW LARGER VENUE! Groups meet during school term times. Everyone is welcome, there are no auditions, and you will never be asked to sing on your own. Being in ChoirJam is basically like singing along to your favourite songs on the radio with a bunch of friends. You do not have to be an amazing singer to join. You also don’t need to be able to read music, you just need to LOVE music!

Find out how much fun ChoirJam is! FREE TASTER SESSIONS will be running from 6-15 September 2021 and singers of ALL abilities are invited. To book your session go to: www.choirjam.co.uk or email choirjambookings@gmail.com.

Spaces will fill up quickly, so don’t leave it too long!

Looking after the choir has always been a main priority of ChoirJam, and a range of Covid precautions will remain in place to ensure rehearsals are as safe as possible for everyone.

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From that first dip with you until they’re ready to jump in alone, our Swimbies learning programme prepares your little ones for a lifetime of fun in the water. With classes for babies aged 3 months to 3 years, our Swimbies teachers follow your child’s cues to guide them naturally through the course, building their water confidence step by step.

Pre-school swimming lessons are also available for 3-5 year olds and focus on developing water confidence, introducing the essential swimming skills to enable your child to become safe and confident independent swimmers, ready for their first Foundation class.

Find out more or book online at better.org.uk/keynsham

Better is a registered trademark and trading name of GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), a charitable social enterprise and registered society under the Co-operative & Community Benefit & Societies Act 2014 registration no. 27793R. Registered office: Middlegate House, The Royal Arsenal, London, SE18 6SX. Inland Revenue Charity no: XR43398

KEYNSHAM NEWS

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Tree planting in KEYNSHAM

K

eynsham Town Council has been awarded two packs of 405 hedgerow trees by the Woodland Trust. The Woodland Trust is a charitable organisation that works with schools and local communities to combat climate change and create a haven for wildlife. We are looking forward to planting these trees around Keynsham!

Who knew there were so many benefits to hedgerows? They can provide food and shelter for wildlife and increase the diversity of the wildlife in the area, remove air pollution and reduce noise pollution as well as making the area look better for the residents of Keynsham to enjoy. We will be using the hedgerow trees in two areas in Keynsham: around part of the fencing within the Teviot Road play area, and to replace hedging recently removed near the Pavilion in Manor Road. Town Councillors will be consulting

with residents living close to the proposed two planting locations, leading up to the time when we intend to plant the trees.

The packs will be delivered in November and we are hoping that some volunteers from the Keynsham Lions Club will help us to plant them.

When we planted some trees and flowers at the Kelston Road play area, we had quite a few primary schools helping out too, so it would be good if we could get some young people involved in this project as well.

Keynsham Town Council is committed to planting more trees to mitigate the climate emergency and we hope to continue this positive step by planting more trees in the future.

Cllr C. Buxton on behalf to the Town Council Environment and Sustainability Committee

AVON WILDLIFE TRUST

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n late July, members from Keynsham Group, Avon Wildlife Trust, explored Keynsham Cemetery in a follow up to the initial “green” investigation earlier in the year. Over this period the grass has been left to grow in places and, in others, not cut as frequently allowing wild flowers an environment to flourish and other creatures to take advantage of this improved habitat.

The full morning’s bioblitz revealed a good amount of species, flora, birds and invertebrates, with a short late night moth trap session also attracting many different species of not just moths, but other creatures drawn to the bright lights. In addition, bat sound analysis was carried out over a couple of nights. Although at the time of print,

the data has still to be collated, the cemetery is proving to be a good space for wildlife of all varieties.

Keynsham Group’s new programme of talks commences in October. To find out more, visit our website www.keynshamawt.org or e-mail keynshamawt@gmail.com

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENT Let us know what activities are going on for the winter edition Contact Zoe: 01761 409832

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KEYNSHAM NEWS

community ECO FESTIVAL

S

ometime before the pandemic hit our world, the then Chair of Churches Together in Keynsham and Saltford, Clarice Corfield, expressed at a meeting her concerns about the future of our planet. She spoke of the kind of world that her children and grandchildren were growing up in, of her concerns for those people who are losing their homes and Iand due to rising ocean levels and their inability to grow crops to feed their families, all of it resulting from climate change. Contact was made with other people locally both inside and outside of Churches, a committee was formed and the idea of holding an Eco Community Festival was born, although the name was conceived at subsequent meetings.

The Festival will be held on Friday and Saturday 17th and 18th of September, and on the Friday evening, there will be a meeting, in The Space, where four experts will give their views on how, individually and collectively, we can help to tackle climate change. Food, energy, money and the services provided by the natural world are the cornerstones of a fully functioning society. We all eat, heat our homes and use our income to spend money and interact with nature. This gives us huge power to affect the outcome of the climate crisis through our individual choices, by influencing business and exercising our democratic rights to ensure that our government supports us to make the right choices. Our speakers will be: on Food, Jo Lewis, Head of Food and Farming at the Soil Association, on Nature, lan Barrett, the CEO of the Avon Wildlife Trust, on Money, Richard O’Brien, a Fund Manager at Triodos Bank and on Energy, Peter Capener, the CEO of Bath and West Community Energy. After hearing from the speakers, there will be a panel debate with questions taken from the audience.

The evening will be chaired by Rev. Mike Burke and tickets are priced at £5.00 and can be booked

online at https://keynshamtickets.cloudvenue. co.uk/ Moving on to the Saturday, where events will focus on Market Walk in the centre of Keynsham, there will be a number of stallholders representing local traders, community groups, charities, campaigning groups, plus schools and young people. Examples are, Community Fridge, Eco Church, Fair Trade, Serenity Gardens, Christian Climate Alliance, Extinction Rebellion and Plastic Reaction to quote a few. There will be some exciting local businesses working in the green, environmental and sustainable space in food, transport and services such as Conscience Foods and Aroma Foods.

Children are considered to be a very important part of the Saturday events. There will be activities in Keynsham Memorial Park at the Community Plot beside the café (art and craft-making, a display of pledges for the planet, rock decorating and planting a micro crop in a decorated recycled container), a carbon footprint quiz for all the family at Market Walk, bug hunt and making bug hotels at St Francis Church in Warwick Road. At Victoria Methodist Church in the High Street, where drinks will be available, there will be an Eco exhibition by the Girls’ Brigade and prayer tables providing an opportunity for quiet reflection and meditation. At the Baptist Church there will be an exhibition of photographs and artwork inspired by nature.

This event arranged by Churches Together in partnership with Keynsham Town Council is for all ages and whilst it will be a fun day, its aim is to make us all aware of the seriousness of the problem that our planet is facing brought about by climate change, something we can all commit ourselves to combatting. To find out more about this exciting event or to book a stall email: environment.ctks@gmail.com

Keynsham & Saltford

COMMUNITY ECO FESTIVAL

17-18th September 2021 Market Walk & The Space Keynsham

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KEYNSHAM NEWS

331 new homes FOR KEYNSHAM

B

ath and North East Somerset Council is planning to remove safeguarded status from land located along the A4 in Keynsham as part of their updates on future housing developments. This along with another three sites are being reviewed as part of the Local Plan, meaning that another 331 homes could be built in Keynsham.

Among the sites up for discussion is Withies Green next to Crest Nicholson’s Hygge Park. An earlier planning application for that site was refused by B&NES, but updates to the Local Plan will bring the land forward for development. The

conditions under which this land will be permitted for development include references to better cycling and pedestrian links to the town centre, as well as from the opposite side of the A4 to the Bristol and Bath Railway path via Worlds End Lane. Improved frequency of bus services are also mentioned.

Under the review, 70 new homes can be built at Breaches Gate, to the south of the Hygge Park development and 21 flats have been touted for the Old Fire Station site at Hicks Gate, which has a speculative planning application in place for a hotel, retail and accommodation.

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Inside – Town Council Annual Report 2020-2021 and Town Centre update

Produced for Keynsham Town Council

KEYNSHAM HIGH STREET HERITAGE ACTION ZONE – PAGE 18

Have your say on the High Street - Residents survey inside.

Have your say on Bus Transport in Keynsham - See pages 6 & 7

COVID-19 Community Support Special Edition

Please call Zoe: 01761 409832

KEYNSHAM NEWS

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keynsham talking newspaper

D

id you enjoy reading but now experience difficulty due to poor eyesight or blindness?

The KTN service is free to people who are unable to read newsprint.

Enjoy our local news and our magazine section with wide choice of topics from historic places, local personalities to recipes and information on changes in national benefits and entitlements.

Local news and listeners come from Keynsham, Bristol & Bath and surrounding villages and the service is open to anyone based anywhere in the UK. KTN Chairman, Mike Crane, said: “We are pleased to say we have been able to continue our weekly service throughout Covid, albeit with many tweaks and changes behind the scenes.

“We would like to thank our listeners for their lovely messages of support, we are so glad that our mix of local news and magazine items continues to be of interest.

“The story most commented on recently is the piece from one of our volunteers, Peter Cleave, who wrote a short history of Bristol Zoo, with highlights such as Rosie the elephant, a star of the 1950s; Alfred the gorilla; and Johnny Morris, a keeper at Bristol Zoo and star of the TV programme ‘Animal Magic’.

“Our volunteers have adapted to many changes to accommodate lockdown and social distancing and we are very grateful to their ongoing enthusiasm and commitment.”

Started in 1983, the KTN service is a free weekly audio magazine on memory stick, sent through the post weekly via yellow wallets using the Royal Mail’s Articles for the Blind scheme which gives free 1st class delivery to items for blind or visually impaired people. It goes to around 100 listeners.

If you, or someone you know, is unable to read newsprint, we would be delighted to supply them with the KTN service. If they do not have the means to play memory sticks, we can supply an easy-to-use box to play them on. New listeners are welcomed.

Contact: 0117 299 3021.

Website: www.ktn.org.uk (new website coming soon!)

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KEYNSHAM NEWS

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KEYNSHAM NEWS

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no audition required for Good afternoon cHOIRS

A

s the Government lifts Lockdown, the relaxation on indoor groups gives a green light to singing and choirs across the UK. Recognised as one of the leaders in choral singing, Bath-based, Grenville Jones will be restarting and launching a number of new choirs across the West of England in the weeks ahead.

He said: “We certainly have not been idle during these last few months and plans are in place.

My popular Good Afternoon Choirs in Devizes, Wells, Keynsham and Bath, as well as South Gloucestershire, Frome, Yeovil, Bristol, Thornbury, North Somerset and Yate and Chipping Sodbury were all forced to stop. They will all restart with the addition of nine new Good Afternoon Choirs for folks in Cheltenham, Swindon, Cirencester and Stroud, Salisbury, Taunton, Cheddar Valley, Truro and Falmouth.”

In addition, Grenville’s two evening choirs, the celebrated Bath Male Choir and his Bath Welcome Chorus mixed-voice choir of over 100 voices will begin rehearsals again in early September.

“It’s been such a hard time for the members of our choirs who have desperately missed the singing and social friendships, but at last, we can look forward to being together again, singing, smiling and planning concerts which will support many local organisations and charities,” adds Grenville.

“We introduced Zoom rehearsals, as well as popular YouTube sofa singing during 2020/2021, but it’s just wonderful to be back ‘live’ again.”

There are no auditions required to join Grenville’s Good Afternoon Choirs. The accent is clearly on enjoyment through music together and making new friends. Over 800 people sang in the choir’s that were forced to close last March.

The Good Afternoon Choir…Keynsham Good Afternoon Choir will start back on Wednesday, 18th August with Grenville at the new venue of St John’s / Keynsham Parish Church with Sandie Middleton as accompanist. Find out more: www.goodafternoonchoir.org

TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS

T

he Town Council meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm.

Upcoming meetings of the town council are as follows:

Agendas and confirmation of meetings, including any Zoom links are available on the Town Council’s website.

Town Council Meeting – 21st September Town Council Meeting – 19th October Town Council Meeting – 23rd November Further details can be found on the Council’s website, keynsham-tc.gov.uk

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KEYNSHAM NEWS

KEYNSHAM TOWN COUNCIL GRANT AWARDS 2020/2021

O

n 16th June, Keynsham Town Council Grants Committee considered grant applications from thirty-eight different charities and local organisations. £20,000 was allocated for general grants and £10,000 was allocated to environmental grants for this financial year. A list of the lucky recipients is available to view on the Town Council website, or for a hard copy telephone 0117 9868683.

recipients by presenting a certificate to these organisations and charities that work in such a tireless and dedicated way for the community.

If your organisation would like to apply for a grant from the Town Council in 2022, please see the Town Council website grants page where application forms and information will be available in April 2022.

A Grants’ Celebration evening is planned for Thursday 30th September 2021 (COVID permitting), when we will be able to say an extra special thank you to the successful grant

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KEYNSHAM NEWS

19

New state of the art recycling centre for Keynsham

B

ath and North East Somerset Council is proposing to build a new, modern recycling hub at the Pixash Lane site that will be fit for the future and help reduce carbon emissions. Planning permission for the purpose built centre was submitted in January with a decision due soon.

The plans state that it would offer wide benefits to the community including a shop for reuse items, an MPT and servicing centre for Council vehicles that would also be open to the public and a facility for small traders to recycle and dispose of waste safely.

The site would also enable the council to store more salt for winter gritting across the district and will provide modernised facilities for officers and operational staff.

The proposed Keynsham Recycling Hub will have solar installations on roofs and canopies, energy efficient buildings and tree planting. Rainwater will be collected and reused for vehicle washing and plant watering. Also included in the plans are future replacement of refuse and recycling vehicles to electric powered vehicles.

Councillor David Wood, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services in B&NES, said: “Our current recycling facility at Pixash Lane is already at the limit of the tonnage it can cope with. We need a reuse and recycling hub that is fit for our growing population and helps us meet our climate and nature priorities.”

KEYNSHAM TABLE TENNIS CLUB

K

eynsham Table Tennis Club opened up again on the 20th May 2021 having not played since 13th March 2020!

We had to pivot and change our venue, membership model and open with limited numbers to keep people safe. This pandemic has been hard on everyone and people’s activity level’s have dropped in many cases and we’ve been missing the social interaction with other people.

Now a couple of months on we have four local Keynsham sponsors and been awarded a grant from Keynsham Town Council as we have had to replace all of our tables. Our first clothing range is out and we are now at maximum capacity every week with a waiting list. We have introduced table

tennis to 12 new players already this summer and had 22 returning players. Table tennis is a very inclusive sport that anyone can play, with a smile on their face, and we run a purely social session every Thursday night and you can find our details on social media @keynshamttc

20

KEYNSHAM NEWS

GOOD CITIZEN AWARD 2020 for Colin Stephen McSherry

A

t Keynsham Town Council’s meeting on 28th July 2021, Councillors selected Colin Stephen McSherry to receive a Keynsham Good Citizen Award of the Year Award (over 25).

His nominators described him as an absolute superstar throughout the COVID pandemic and an outstanding member of the Keynsham community, for volunteering to aid numerous community organisations and undertaking his own special tasks to support people in our town.

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Do you know anyone who makes a real difference in Keynsham?

Every year, Keynsham Town Council gives the ‘Keynsham Good Citizen Award’ to residents of Keynsham who provide support, services and activities that benefit the town.

In 2021 there are three categories:

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Lifetime Achievement Award For outstanding long term service of the community

You can find out all the details and nominate now by visiting: The Town Council Website: www.keynsham-tc.gov.uk Emailing: admin@keynsham-tc.gov.uk or Telephoning: 07904 161097 The deadline for nominations is 31/12/2021

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22

KEYNSHAM NEWS

A NEW MINI VERSION FOR Keynsham Music Festival

W

e are very pleased to be able to announce that we have been able to organise a mini version of the Festival! Without the support of the Town Council this would not have been possible.

The Festival, operating strictly within any given guidelines, will take place between Thursday 2nd and Saturday 11th September.

Throughout this time there will be a series of musical events taking place in conjunction with a number of local venues. Some events will include food options.

In addition, we are excited to be staging a couple of very special events within Temple Court.

Over the weekend of the 4th and 5th in the Memorial Park there will be comic, circus performances of Bert – a specially developed show for family audiences. There will also be the opportunity to take part in a series of practical workshops. Fancy learning how to juggle? Now’s your chance!

The final performance of the Festival will be at the Bandstand and promises to be a fantastic finale.

We will also be staging an “Art Battle” where you will be the judges of the winner!

Although this is a muchreduced festival, all the events and performances will be the usual very high standard. Unfortunately, however, we will have to restrict numbers at each performance.

Each of these will be ticketed (whether free or at a cost) so that we can ensure the appropriate audience size, and make sure everyone feels and remains safe.

More details and confirmation of specific events and performances will be made over the next few weeks. Please keep an eye on social media and leaflets for further announcements.

We are looking forward with real optimism, and have already started to plan the Festival for 2022 which will be our 25th Anniversary!

We hope to see many of you and your families at an event during the Festival in September.

Fingers crossed!

Mike May Chair, Keynsham Music Festival

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KEYNSHAM NEWS

23

KTCRFM to be on DAB Soon!

T

he Bristol area local DAB multiplex received its go ahead from Ofcom in May. KTCRfm will therefore be available on digital radio (DAB) later this year, and KTCRfm’s transmission site will play a key role in this new digital broadcasting for the area. All those without FM radios will soon be able tune in with DAB and hear a perfect sound!

Meanwhile KTCR’s listening audience continues to grow as evidenced by social media interaction and internet listening figures, and the station holds a unique position in transmitting local news and updates – particularly popular have been the ongoing monitoring of works progress with the Keynsham High Street refurbishment.

A particularly successful programme on KTCRfm is Clive Fricker’s Back Tracks – the KTCR version of Desert Island Discs featuring local personalities from the political, business and community sector, with their life stories and favourite music tracks – a great opportunity for local discussion and advertising of services from the people who make the KTCR area tick.

Also a popular broadcast was the “real time” reporting of the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685 which reached its climax in Keynsham on July

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25th and came to a sorry end on Sedgemoor on July 6th. The Good Morning programme carried reports of the daily progress of the rebellion from June 11th to the end – and the dreadful aftermath which including the hanging of at least nine Keynsham men for their involvement in the action.

An overlooked aspect of our local history.

Meanwhile KTCRfm broadcasts 24 hours a day, every day, with, hopefully, something and music for everyone and stacks of local interest.

Coming next? Home grown radio drama? Probably by the time you read this!

KTCRfm exists for the local area – it is for the local area to make use of as a notice board and for advertising. More and more people are listening and more and more people are looking to be involved.

All enquiries for inclusion, volunteering and training should be made by email to ktcrfm@gmail.com.

24

KEYNSHAM NEWS

KEYNSHAM Winter Festival

Save the date – Plans are currently underway for a scaled back Keynsham Winter Festival on Friday 26th November 2021.

A

s you will appreciate, with COVID case numbers rising rapidly, together with an increase in numbers having to isolate within our authority, the Town Council’s EATH (Events, Arts, Tourism and Heritage) Committee members are continually having to review and adjust our plans to a ensure a safe event for our community members, staff and volunteers.

Further information will be available shortly, in The Voice, The Week In and on the Town Council website - events page.

If you have any queries in respect of this event, please email admin@keynsham-tc.gov.uk or telephone 07904 161097.

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KEYNSHAM NEWS

25

Crimestoppers – 0800 555111 100% anonymous

D

id you know that 10 arrests are made across the UK daily because of reports to Crimestoppers?

Know something about a crime or a criminal, but don’t want to go directly to the police? We know that it can sometimes be difficult to come forward with information. You might have seen or heard something about a crime but don’t know what to do or are scared to come forward. It’s easy to think there is nothing you can do, but we offer you a safe way to do this.

Crimestoppers is a charity and our service is unique and designed to protect your identity, whether you call us on 0800 555 111 or submit through https://crimestoppers-uk.org/giveinformation/give-information-online/ We will listen to you about any crime that you have information about.

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We don’t record any personal details about you.

We pass information to the relevant authority without revealing your identity.

All of our call agents are trained to support you through the process.

In the 33 years that we have been running, no one has ever been identified after giving information. It is vital that we guarantee your anonymity because if your identity became known, our reputation would be seriously damaged.

Crimestoppers is not an emergency service and if you see a crime taking place you should ring 999 to report it immediately.

Please follow us locally www.facebook.com/ CrimestoppersintheWestCountry or www.twitter. com/WestCountry_CS

let's support local businesses

Cars in this area are being broken into.

Don't leave valuables in the car.

Don't leave anything of value on show leave glove boxes open.

Lock doors and use windscreen covering if possible.

Encourage others in your community to do the same.

If you have information about who is responsible for car crime, contact Crimestoppers online or call 0800 555111.

You can speak up and remain 100% anonymous. Always.

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KEYNSHAM NEWS

27

Grounds Maintenance Team welcomes new members

K

eynsham Town Council would like to welcome two new members to our team.

On 2nd August 2021, Mr Robert Bonfield and Mr Kevin Summers joined and completed our Grounds Maintenance Team.

• Maintenance and care of the bandstand in Keynsham Memorial Park.

This additional staffing will assist our team in the many varied duties that they have to undertake daily which include: -

• Maintenance and cleaning of bus stops, not those in the centre of town, but those on our local housing estates together with the litter bins at these stops.

• Caring for eight play areas including the litter and dog waste bins within these play areas.

• Maintenance and upkeep of Manor Road playing fields and sports pavilion including the litter and dog waste bins in this location.

• The Keynsham Cemetery – maintenance of the grounds, undertaking burial and associated services.

• Vegetation clearance of footpaths that lead to the outer edges of town together with some woodland walks.

• Maintenance of the Town Council benches and other assets.

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28

KEYNSHAM NEWS

KEYNSHAM COMMUNITY FRIDGE

K

eynsham Community Fridge is a local response to the global problem of surplus food and food waste. A community fridge provides the means to make perfectly good surplus and unsold food, that would otherwise be placed in landfill or else incinerated, available in a public place to anyone who wants it. The fridge is located in Temple Street Canteen at 20 Temple Street and is accessible whenever the café is open.

Since the fridge launched in March 2020, the Community Fridge has had to close and re-open several times as a result of lockdown restrictions, but now is up and running full time once again.

The organisers take food from local supermarkets and businesses, as well as from local allotments.

All the food is safe to eat and is within its ‘use by’ dates and it is free for anyone who wants it. It is a great way to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions caused by the disposal of surplus food. Disposing of food produces methane gas, which is 25 times more harmful than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas. In the Community Fridge’s first month, they saved nearly a tonne of food from waste disposal, equivalent of 1700 kg of greenhouse gas or 157 days of electrical consumption from one house.

With your support, the Community Fridge will continue to make a local impact upon a huge global problem whilst helping to feed people in Keynsham.

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KEYNSHAM NEWS

29

Southmead Hospital bus route to continue

T

he 17 bus service from Southmead Hospital to Keynsham has been saved thanks to local campaigners. The service was looking likely to be scrapped in August, but it has been confirmed that it will continue.

The 17 serves communities including Fishponds, Staple Hill, Kingswood, Hanham and Longwell Green as well as stopping at Cossham Hospital and linking Keynsham with Southmead Hospital.

There were plans to split the route in two from September with passengers having to change in Kingswood sparking concern from hospital patients and NHS staff who use the service.

The route is operated by First Bus on a partly commercial basis with a subsidy from the West of England Combined Authority.

All journeys from Southmead Hospital will now run the full route, along with morning journeys from Keynsham. All remaining journeys through

the day from Keynsham will require a change in Kingswood where there will be a 10 minute connection time.

Speaking about the route, Mayor of the West of England, Dan Norris, said: “North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire people have shown that they really want and value the no .17 that links Keynsham, Kingswood and other communities as it heads to Southmead Hospital. This is an essential route for many patients and hospital staff alike and I’m pleased to be able to help fund it and will look to do so in the future too.”

He continued: “I know there remain concerns about wait times for a bus connection on the 17 route as it heads towards Southmead Hospital.

As more funding hopefully becomes available, I will be looking to do this and I will be using the no.17 bus service as an example of why the West of England needs and deserves more money from Central Government.”

FIND Things to do with Bath and Wiltshire Parent

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f you’re looking for family activities and events to enjoy across the Bath region, visit www.thebathandwiltshireparent.co.uk for news, reviews, features and so many events to choose from.

In addition, for more Bristol-focused events, try bristolparent.co.uk. These great local websites are updated daily and they’re always keen to hear from you too with any new events and activities for families to enjoy.

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30

KEYNSHAM NEWS

YOUR TOWN COUNCILLORS Keynsham Town Councillors are elected to help you.

If you have any problems or want action taken on a local issue which concerns you contact one of your local Councillors below.

Andy Wait Dave Biddleston Liberal Democrat East Labour South Tel: 01179 867389 Tel: 0117 9870081 Email: andy.wait @keynsham-tc.gov.uk

Email: dave.biddleston @keynsham-tc.gov.uk

Deb Cooper Independent North Tel: 01179 864203 07564 155944

Clive Fricker Independent East Tel: 01179 869250

Hal MacFie Liberal Democrat East Tel: 01179 863590 07786 436656

Alex Ross Independent North Tel: 07739826480

Email: deb.cooper @keynsham-tc.gov.uk

Email: hal.macfie @keynsham-tc.gov.uk

Email: clive.fricker @keynsham-tc.gov.uk

Email: alex.ross @keynsham-tc.gov.uk

David Brassington Liberal Democrat North Tel: 0117 9867876 Email: david..brassington @keynsham-tc.gov.uk

Caitlin Brennan Liberal Democrat East Tel: 01179 863905 07557 223037 Email: caitlin..brennan @keynsham-tc.gov.uk

Charlotte Buxton Keynsham South Tel: 07886 739906

Email: chartlotte.buxton@ keynsham-tc.gov.uk

Andy McGuinness Alan Greenfield Andy Halliday Liberal Democrat East Liberal Democrat East Labour North Tel: 07815 163036 Tel: 07757 673492 Tel: 01179 865735 Email: alan.greenfield @keynsham-tc.gov.uk

Email: andy.halliday @keynsham-tc.gov.uk

Email: andy.mcguinness @keynsham-tc.gov.uk

Brian Simmons Independent Tel: 01179 096596 07855 631844

Allan Sinclair Independent South Tel: 01179 865658

Jonathan Wallcroft Labour South Tel: 07464 798073

Email: brian.simmons @keynsham-tc.gov.uk

Email: allan.sinclair @keynsham-tc.gov.uk

Email: Jonathan.wallcroft @keynsham-tc.gov.uk

Keynsham Town Council, 15-17 Temple Street, Keynsham, Bristol BS31 1HF, Tel: 07904 161097 (temp) Email: townclerk@keynsham-tc.gov.uk | www.keynsham-tc.gov.uk

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