Keynsham News Spring 2022

SPRING 2022 - Issue 39

Produced for Keynsham Town Council

Keynsham Music Festival celebrating 25 years (see page 33).

C O N T E N T S

WELCOME TO

KEYNSHAM NEWS

Chairman’s Welcome

4

Keynsham in bloom

5

Future Learning Partnership

7

BUDGET & PRECEPT

10

GOLDIES SING-ALONG GROUP

13

Tree & Hedgerow planting

14

Annual Grant awards

16

2022 is shaping up to be an exciting year for Keynsham.

The In Bloom team are looking forward to making the town look spectacular for the upcoming Jubilee and you can get involved too, read on to find out how!

KEYNSHAM FOODbank

17

Public spaces improvements

19

If you want to feature in the next issue of Keynsham News, make sure to get in touch with the Town Council before 8th April, you can find out how to contact them in this issue.

Community Fridge

23

KTCRFM UPDATE

24

New COUNCILLOR ALEX BEAUMONT

26

MEET THE TEAM

29

In bloom entry form

30

COMMUNITY at 67

32

Keynsham Music Festival

33

YOUR TOWN COUNCILLORS

35

H

ello and welcome to the first issue of the new year!

We hope you have a lovely Easter and we’ll see you in the summer.

WANT TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT EDITION OF KEYNSHAM NEWS? SUMMER 2021 - Issue 36

AUTUMN Produced for Keynsham Town Council

SPRING 2020

2020 - Issue

33

- Issue 32

il

am Town Counc

Keynsh Produced for

Produced for Keynsh

am Town Counc

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

Have your

say on Bus

Transpor

t in Keynsham

- See pages

6&7

COVID-19

Communi

ty Support

Please call Julia:

01761 458200

Special Editi

on

il

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 April. To feature in the next issue, please get in touch by 8th April 2022.

4

KEYNSHAM NEWS

Chairman’s Welcome

W

ho doesn’t like spring? I’m sure there are a few but for me, the lighter evenings, the warmer weather, the signs of rebirth in the hedgerows and gardens gives me an uplift that I rarely feel at any other time of year. The thought of the summer ahead and, hopefully, special times with friends, family and loved ones.

This spring there is the promise of better times ahead, we have the likelihood of more freedom of movement and greater leisure opportunities. Spring is a time of change for the better.

In Keynsham, we have experienced a lot of change in recent years and not always for the better. As a community, we have challenged speculative planning applications and some of poor behaviour

by the young and not so young and have emerged stronger. Hopefully, when you read this, phase one of the High Street will be complete or very nearly and looking good. There will be trees in the High Street and plans for the next phase in Temple Street will have been consulted on.

I hope that the joy the change in season brings to me will be with you throughout 2022 as we climb out of a very dark time. Keynsham is a community of generous volunteers. Is this the time for you to consider taking on a new role in the town? In my view, you normally get more out of a new challenge than you give. Is this the time?

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KEYNSHAM NEWS

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KEYNSHAM IN BLOOM A VERY IMPORTANT YEAR

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his year’s In Bloom Garden theme is ‘CROWNING GLORY ‘and we are asking you to plant your gardens in beautiful jewel colours or, if you have a vegetable plot, please grow some glorious veggies and fruit. Entry forms for this year’s competition can be found on page 30-31 of this issue or on request from keynshaminbloom@ icloud.com or pick up a hard copy from the Town Council office from April onwards.

For this year’s trail, we are asking residents of Keynsham to decorate their houses and gardens ‘FIT FOR A QUEEN’, so let your imaginations go wild and enter the town’s trail in 2022.

Entry forms will be available on request from keynshaminbloom@icloud.com or from the Town Council office from the beginning of April.

Children, please keep an eye out at school for this year’s In Bloom colouring competition which will be launched in time for the Easter school holidays.

Our volunteers, led by Mr Jim Bernard, Chairman, have another busy gardening year ahead and have already started the tidying of the High Street planters. It was noticed that spring bulbs are pushing through the soil and if the weather keeps warm, we will have an early spring.

It is with sadness that KIB must announce that Jim is retiring from his many volunteering commitments this Spring and we sincerely thank him for all his hard work over the years. We would therefore ask Keynsham Town if there is another person out there to take on the mantle of Chair at Keynsham In Bloom please contact Dawn Drury at keynshaminbloom@icloud.com. We are a cheerful group and would welcome you.

Keynsham in Bloom has been awarded Gold (an excellent standard) in the South West In Bloom competition for several years now and once again

we will be trying our best to bring back Gold to the town. We are always happy to accept new volunteers and if you can spare the occasional hour, please email Dawn at keynshaminbloom@ icloud.com or catherinemarywoodman@gmail. com As we know this year is the Platinum Jubilee from 2nd to 5th June and our knitting group, Knitting for her Majesty, are working very hard to produce bunting and flowers to decorate our businesses, trees and railings. If you would like to join our little group, please contact one of the email addresses above or drop into Club 22 on Tuesdays 1.00pm to 3.00pm. You would be made most welcome.

The work goes ahead on the Pocket Park, the new wildflower meadow at Keynsham Cemetery, the various planters throughout Keynsham and the flowerbeds at the Station so if you see us in our bright yellow vests, please give us a wave.

Keep well, warm and gardening.

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KEYNSHAM NEWS

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KEYNSHAM NEWS

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Futura Learning Partnership SPACES FOR HIRE

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utura Learning Partnership is a collection of 13 schools and 2 sport centres, all of which have facilities to hire for personal or business use.

In the Keynsham area alone, they have Wellsway School, IKB Academy, St John’s C of E Primary School, Chandag Infant & Junior School and Two Rivers School, as well as Wellsway Sports Centre.

Rooms to hire include meeting rooms/halls from 4 to 250 people, a lecture theatre with auditorium seating, dance/drama studios, classrooms, IT suites and a theatre hall with stage and lighting. Rooms have IT/Full AV provision, with SMART board technology.

Then there is all the outside space that’s available.

All the primary schools have fun playgrounds and playing fields and at Wellsway School, you can hire everything from a pitch, right up to the whole school grounds. Perfect for a large outdoor event or competition.

Their space suits all budgets and needs, they offer block booking discounts and special rates for whole week/weekend bookings. You can hire a room for training in the morning and outside space for the afternoon, the possibilities are endless. You can hire a primary school hall and playground for a fun children’s party like no other.

Why not add in an inflatable, they have the space!

Then there is Wellsway Sports Centre facilities that are available. From a single court as a Pay As You Go customer to the Astro Pitch, Sports Hall or Fitness Studio and grounds. Are you a local club or association looking to run a fun active night or weekend event or tournament?

For full information please call 0117 916 1035 or 0117 916 1034 or email jdeason@futuralearning. co.uk www.futuralearning.co.uk/facilities-for-hire/ or follow them on Facebook for offers or ideas @ futuraschoollets

8

KEYNSHAM NEWS

INTRODUCING THE Anne Robson Helpline I

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Calls are free and confidential – Call us on 0808 801 0688

Being able to access support whilst a loved one is dying is really important for a number of reasons.

Gaining knowledge of what may happen towards the end and having a sense of ‘preparedness’ helps both the person dying and their family gain as much control as possible.

Please visit www.annerobsontrust.org.uk/helpline-service to find out more.

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WANT TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT EDITION OF KEYNSHAM NEWS? Please call Julia: 01761 458200

COMMUNITY GRANTS 2022-2023 OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS FROM 1ST APRIL CLOSING DATE: FRIDAY 13TH MAY 2022

F INANCIAL S UPPORT FOR ORGANISAT IONS WORKING F OR THE BENEFIT OF KEYNSHAM RESIDEN TS. £22,000 of General Grant Funding & £15,000 of Environmental Funding available.

Applic at io n form s a v a i l a b l e f rom 1 s t - 3 0 t h April 202 2 .

Forms a v a i l a b l e from K ey n s h a m T own Council 15 - 17 Temple Street, Keynsham o r Em ail: admi n@k e y nsh a m -tc .gov.u k or download from www.keynsham-tc.gov.uk (grants page) www . k e y nsh am- tc . gov . uk

10

KEYNSHAM NEWS

KEYNSHAM TOWN COUNCIL BUDGET & PRECEPT FOR 2022/2023

T

he Town Council is budgeting as follows for 2022/2023:

Expenditure

£1,024,440

To be financed by: • Income (less CIL/s106**): £77,405 - £36,132 • Drawn down from Earmarked Reserves

£41,273

Shortfall

£753,067

£230,100

The shortfall is required to be found from the precept, which is the amount paid by households as part of their Council Tax, and, if required, it is supplemented by an amount from General Reserves. **Note: CIL/s106 is restricted income and cannot be used to finance revenue expenditure so is automatically transferred into an Earmarked Reserve and drawn down each year specifically for identified infrastructure projects.

When deciding the amount of precept, the Town Council needs to weigh up several factors as follows: (a) the need to balance the budget i.e., find £753,067. (b) t he desire to keep Council Tax increases low for residents – especially so because of the impact of COVID on low family income. (c) the strategic need to ensure adequate financial resource planning to: (i) support the Council’s Development Strategy including addressing climate change and capital project requirements (ii) sustain future activities/services as detailed in the 4-year plan and

(iii) respond to increased devolution of services from B&NES. (d) the statutory obligation to ensure an adequate level of General Reserves are maintained as part of the accountability and audit risk management requirements. This level is revised annually and is currently set at £467,398. (e) the need to ensure long term financial provision for recurrent annual revenue costs, including staffing without relying on General Reserves – which once used are no longer available to support future recurrent expenditure.

At the January meeting, the Town Council have approved a precept demand of £664,032. This represents a 2% increase in the proportion of Council Tax paid by residents to B&NES.

The case for a 2% increase in amount per household Keynsham is at a crucial moment in the development of the Town. The High Street continues to see tenants closing down. The population continues to increase and will likely continue to do so with further projects in North and East Keynsham. The impact of climate change looms large over all our lives.

Keynsham Town Council is actively responding to these challenges. We have co-funded the rejuvenation of the High Street and are contributing towards Cultural Heritage events and activities including a steady programme of markets and cultural events to increase footfall to our rejuvenated High Street, building an even larger sense of community through the HSHAZ Cultural Consortium. The Town Council’s Environmental and Sustainability Committee encourage both the

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Council and the local community to take positive steps to counter climate change, pollution and damage to our local environment and have recently undertaken their first tree planting project in the town. We have also increased our environmental grant award fund to £15,000 to enable environmental projects in our town. Funds have been set aside to complete heritage asset projects such as refurbishing and re-siting the Historic Keynsham Mosaics and manufacturing and installing the Timeline panels.

We have also taken on the responsibilities of Holmoak Play Area and will continue to campaign for the renewal of equipment in every section of the Town. We are planning to revise and increase our Youth Services in the coming year.

All this comes at a price. We are currently on a recruitment drive to increase the staffing levels for the coming year to support all this activity. We are taking £230K from our Earmarked Reserves to fund a series of capital projects and have increased the amount of grants from £22,000 to be awarded to community and groups this coming year. This is in addition to grants totalling approx. £33,600 awarded to Keynsham Music Festival, Keynsham and District Dial-A-Ride, Keynsham in Bloom and KeynshamNow Youth Council.

To balance the books (i.e., the £753,067 shortfall) we would have had to increase the amount we get from each household by 18.50 pence per week, which the Town Council was not happy to do. So instead, we decided to reduce that increase from each Band D equivalent household to 3.65 pence per week and commit £53,903 from General Cash Reserves. This represents a 2% increase on the amount each household pays and is in line with inflation.

The Town Council is currently preparing the 2022/2023 Council Tax leaflet for approval at its next meeting. This shows the proportion of Council Tax spent on all the different services and activities funded by the Town Council and will be published in the next edition of Keynsham News.

For more information or to book your place, call Michaela Crumpton on 07881440079 or email Yate at bristolnorth@razzamataz.co.uk or Keynsham at bristolsouth@razzamataz.co.uk

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KEYNSHAM NEWS

13

JOIN YOUR GOLDIES SING-ALONG SOCIAL GROUP

A

re you looking for a fun daytime social group? Why not join the Goldies Sing&Smile session in Keynsham at The Key Centre on Charlton Road?

Goldies takes place on the last Friday of every month from 2.003.00pm led by Sue & John. Why not try out the next session on Friday 25th March?

At Goldies, we chat and laugh with friends whilst singing-along to the hits of the 50s onwards, with artists such as Cliff Richard, Tom Jones, Elvis, Dusty Springfield, Petula Clark and many more. Goldies is not a choir, you don’t have to be able to sing to join, just love music and socialising.

The Charity, more fondly referred to as ‘Goldies’, was founded by Bath-based musician Grenville Jones in 2007; “Goldies Sing&Smile is something to look forward to, a chance to get out, make new friends and singalong to those popular hits of the past.”

From small beginnings, and with Sir Cliff Richard as Patron, the work of the Charity has grown across England and Wales (Goldies Cymru) and, prior to Lockdown, there were over 200 daytime fun singalong Goldies sessions taking place in Libraries, community rooms and Church halls.

Goldies Sing&Smile sessions are open to everyone, but particularly aim to reduce isolation with older adults. We ask for a £2 donation to attend.

Academic studies have endorsed the benefits that the Golden-Oldies Charity brings to isolated people. It has also worked with Primary Schools in recent years with support from the Lottery Heritage Fund and in 2018 received the accolade

of winning the Education Category of the National Lottery Awards – a project based on the music of the First World War. When forced by Covid to close all sessions, Goldies looked to the internet, Facebook and YouTube to bring its fun sessions to people in their homes. Popular Wales-based leaders Rachel Parry and Cheryl Davies lead the twice-weekly sessions under the www.goldieslive.com banner, with people joining from their homes across the United Kingdom. These are continuing in 2022 so why not join Rachel and Cheryl online completely free of charge, our pre-recorded sessions are released every Tuesday and Thursday at 11.00am.

The Keynsham Goldies Charity Shop on Keynsham High Street is beautifully stocked and open Monday to Saturday, please pop in next time you’re in town.

The Charity is always looking to recruit new session leaders and volunteers, currently with vacancies in B&NES and Bristol, and to hear from organisations who work with older isolated people. Visit the website www.golden-oldies. org.uk, call the office on 01761 470006 or email events@golden-oldies.org.uk for more information.

14

KEYNSHAM NEWS

Tree & HEDGEROW planting

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new hedgerow has been planted by Keynsham Town Council (KTC) and volunteers at the Manor Road playing fields.

Saturday 29th January saw Councillors, KTC staff and over 20 volunteers plant a variety of ‘wild harvest hedge tree and bushes’, totalling over 200 in all. The plants were donated by the Woodlands Trust. Councillor Hal Mac Fie who led the planting said: “This was a hugely successful event, not only to improve our environment and helping our wildlife, but also bringing together resident volunteers with the Town Council. Thank you to everyone who took part including Keynsham in Bloom and the Keynsham & Saltford Rotary Groups.”

This initiative is part of Keynsham Town Council’s action on addressing the Climate & Environmental Emergency. The next planting session is planned for Saturday 26th February between 9.30 am and mid-day at the Teviot Road play area. Volunteers to help with the planting are most welcome to attend.

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KEYNSHAM BANDSTAND 2022 SUMMER PROGRAMME

MARSHFIELD BAND Sunday 17th April 2022 3:00pm – 5:00pm

CHOIRJAM Saturday 14th May 2022 2:00pm - 4:00pm MALMESBURY CONCERT BAND Sunday 29th May 2022 2:00pm - 4:00pm FILTON COMMUNITY BRASS BAND Saturday 25th June 2022 2:30pm - 4:30pm KEY VOICES COMMUNITY CHOIR Saturday 9th July 2022 2.30pm - 3.30pm

REDLAND WIND BAND Sunday 24th July 2022 3:00pm - 5:00pm

WESTON BRASS Sunday 14th August 2022 2:00pm - 4:00pm

THE WOODS BAND Sunday 1st May 2022 2.00pm - 4.15 pm

PHOENIX KEYNSHAM YOUTH THEATRE Sunday 15th May 2022 2.00pm - 3.30 pm

BRISTOL EAST & KINGSWOOD BAND Sunday 12th June 2022 3:00pm - 4:30pm

CHURCHES TOGETHER 30TH ANNIVERSAY EVENT Sunday 26th June 2022 Times to be confirmed

PAULTON CONCERT BAND Sunday 10th July 2022 2.00pm - 4.00pm BJ BIG BAND Saturday 30th July 2022 2:30pm - 4:30pm JELLI RECORDS - PRESENTING MAAIKE SIEGERIST & HARRI MASON Saturday 20th August 2022 3:00pm - 5:00pm

FASCINATING RHYTHMS Saturday 7th May 2022 11:00am - 12 noon

DODINGTON PARISH BAND Sunday 8th May 2022 3.00pm - 5:00pm

WINTERBOURNE WINDS Saturday 21st May 2022 2:30pm - 3:30pm

ORCHARD BRASS Sunday 22nd May 2022 3:00pm - 5:00pm

MUSIC MAN PROJECT KEYNSHAM Saturday 18th June 2022 2:00pm - 3:00pm

KEYNSHAM MUSIC FESTIVAL Saturday 2nd July 2022 All Day

OLDLAND BRASS Saturday 16th July 2022 2:00pm - 4:00pm

AVON FIRE & RESCUE BAND Sunday 31st July 2022 2:00pm - 4:00pm WOTTON SILVER BAND Sunday 4th September 2022 2:00pm - 3.45pm

MSN & RADSTOCK SILVER BAND Sunday 18th September 2022 3:00pm - 5:00pm

The programme of Summer Bandstand concerts is brought to you by Keynsham Town Council

CITY OF BATH BRASS BAND Sunday 19th June 2022 2:00pm - 4:00pm

KEYNSHAM MUSIC FESTIVAL Sunday 3rd July 2022 All Day

PHOENIX WIND BAND Sunday 17th July 2022 2:00pm - 4:00pm

CITY OF BRISTOL BRASS BAND Sunday 7th August 2022 2:00pm - 2400pm

KEYNSHAM LIGHT OPERA GROUP Sunday 11th September 2022 2:00pm - 3:30pm

KEYNSHAM BRASS BAND Sunday 25th September 2022 3:00pm - 5:00pm

16

KEYNSHAM NEWS

Annual Grant Awards 2022/23

T

he Town Council is prepared to consider applications for financial assistance from properly constituted:

qualify provided the local group is required to function substantially as an independent financial unit.

(a) Clubs and societies;

The primary intention of the Town Council’s grant scheme is to support new events/projects/items in the town and the maximum grant payable to any one organisation will be £1,100.

(b) Voluntary bodies and associations; (c) Non-profit making organisations; (d) Charitable bodies In order to qualify for assistance, applications must demonstrate a direct benefit to the Keynsham Town area, or any part of it, or all or some of its residents. In addition, the direct benefit accruing must be commensurate with the expenditure to be incurred. Local groups that are affiliated to regional or national organisations will

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• Friday 13th May 2022 Closing date for applications.

• Wednesday 15th June 2022 Applications considered by Grants Committee.

• Thursday 16th June 2022 Applicants are notified of the Town Council’s decisions.

• Wednesday 20th July 2022 COVID regulations permitting - Grants Presentation Evening (7.00 p.m. for 7.15 p.m. start) in The Space (above the library), Keynsham. It is anticipated that the successful applicants or their representatives will attend.

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KEYNSHAM NEWS

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KEYNSHAM FOODBANK

L

ike foodbanks up and down the country, the Keynsham charity and CIO is very busy helping clients in urgent need of food. They’re now looking to expand their trustee team and are taking time to search for some special people with the relevant skills and experience to join them.

Could you be who they’re searching for?

“Keynsham Foodbank is entirely run by volunteers,” explained Gwen Edwards, Chair of Trustees at Keynsham Foodbank. “Our Operations Team, led by our Project Manager Garry Wheadon, organise themselves into teams. We work with local supermarkets, such as Waitrose, Co-Op and Tesco, and other independent shops and post offices, who kindly host food donation and collection points for us. Members of the public kindly, and generously donate “store cupboard” food, like tins and rice, plus household and personal cleaning items. Our drivers use the charity’s van to collect these donations and keep our supply chain moving smoothly. Our warehouse team check, sort and store all the donations in our warehouse, then replenish orders and distribute them to our three distribution centres according to their stock requirements. The distribution centres manage the stock in their cupboards; they talk with clients about the items they need, and then tailor the food bags as much as possible. As well as the physical side of what we do, our volunteers also provide a friendly face to chat with and can signpost other organisations who can help.”

“In 2021, we distributed about 19 tonnes of items through our warehouse and helped over 1,400 people directly. This number is increasing, and we’re expecting a jump in the spring as fuel prices, cost of living and National Insurance contributions increase. We also re-distribute excess and short-dated stock to other local groups and charities who do similar work to us, and whose goals are aligned with ours, to help people in

our communities in urgent need of food. We are generously supported by the local community, and although we can neither control supply nor demand, we have always been able to ensure we can meet the needs of those we help.”

Keynsham Foodbank Trustees are responsible for all the legal compliance, strategy, policies, risks, assets, contracts and partnerships, finances, safeguarding and communication strategy of the charity.

“Being a trustee of the food bank brings with it all the responsibilities of running a registered charity plus those of running a limited company (we are a CIO) and working with a team of volunteers. We need a variety of skills, knowledge and experience in the trustee team – we are particularly seeking people with safeguarding, warehouse or food distribution skills to help steer the ship,” explained Gwen. “Being a trustee brings all sorts of opportunities to learn I could never have imagined before. It requires care, thoughtfulness, and curiosity, as well as leadership and teamwork, as we strive together to deliver the aims of the charity.”

“Many local groups and charities are seeking new trustees and management committee members.

Giving back to the local community is very rewarding, actively making a difference and playing a part in helping others, gives a sense of purpose and connection. If you think you might have the skills and experience, we’re searching for to join the trustee team, please get in touch. The food bank trustee team are happy to chat if you want to learn more.”

How to get help from Keynsham Foodbank? > Step 1. Details of how to receive an eVoucher from one of the many referral agencies we work with, are on the Keynsham Foodbank website and Facebook page.

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KEYNSHAM NEWS

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Keynsham High Street - Public Spaces Improvements

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wo significant public spaces 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.

Keynsham Public Realm Improvements Phase 1 Updates As this goes to print we expect to be making the finishing touches to the Public Realm works on the High Street in preparation for re-opening the road.

These permanent improvements between Charlton Road and Bath Hill have included resurfacing and widening the footpaths, improving cycling and bus stop facilities, as well as installing new street furniture, streetlights, landscaping and trees.

While there have been challenges during the construction of this major scheme we have appreciated the town’s patience while we undertook these works. Now at last we can all begin to enjoy the benefits of a revitalised and future proofed High Street making it easier for residents and visitors to shop local and support the fantastic range of local shops and services in Keynsham.

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.

Keynsham High Street Heritage Action Zone Programme Updates

Festive entertainment on the High Street.

Photography: Justin Towell.

Keynsham High Street Heritage Action Zone (HS HAZ) was awarded £1.1million as part of Historic England’s High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HS HAZ) Programme with additional match funding provided by Keynsham Town Council and Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NES). The four-year partnership programme, part of B&NES Council’s Renewal Teams Programme, is due to be completed in March 2024.

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KEYNSHAM NEWS

HS HAZ is a heritage led renewal programme, making Keynsham High Street a place where people want to live, work and play. More information can be found online at HiKeynsham. co.uk

been published highlighting the wide range of views, comments and opinions received. All suggestions and comments are being carefully considered by the design team and will be used to inform and revise the proposals as far as possible.

Public Realm Strand – Phase 2: Temple Street Improvements Update:

The design team are working with IMA Transport consultants to gather further data in some areas to inform the next stage of detailed designs. The next step will be to issue an updated detailed design that will be shared in late spring. More information about this project strand, the proposed concept design pack and consultation report can be found here: https://www. hikeynsham.co.uk/event/temple-street-publicrealm-improvement-project/

Initial proposals were created by Landscape Architects Macgregor Smith, working with a group of representatives from the Town Council, local community, B&NES Council and Historic England.

Feedback was sought on the proposed concept designs, to assist the project team in finalising designs later this year.

A Public consultation took place between 11 October – 22 November 2021. Thank you to those of you who took time to share your thoughts through this process. A Consultation Report has

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Shopfront Improvement Strand – Update: Within Keynsham’s High Street Heritage Action Zone (HS HAZ) Programme there is up to £223,000 funding to deliver a Shopfront Improvement Project Strand. This work leads on from the Conservation Area Appraisal (2016) and Shopfront Façade Study (2017) and will include:  A Shopfront Improvement Design Guide for Keynsham  Deliver a minimum of 8 shopfront improvements A draft Shopfront Design Guide for Keynsham has been published online and is being tested by local businesses and landowners. The grant programme was launched in November 2021 and a healthy number of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) were received from land and business owners with a shopfront on Keynsham’s High Street or Temple Street.

Donald Insalls and YOU&ME Architects have been appointed to work with four businesses and landowners whose shopfronts have been selected for the pilot project. Further EOIs are being assessed and feedback will be received in the summer. This is part of a rolling programme so it’s not too late for businesses and landowners to still submit an EOI. More information about the Shopfront Improvement Project strand can be found here: https://www.hikeynsham.co.uk/ home/keynshams-shopfront-improvementprogramme/ Keynsham’s Local Cultural Programme – Update: The launch of Keynsham’s Local Cultural Programme, Making Space for Our Future, took place over February half term. It was a five-day family festival inspired by the history of science, technology, and robotics in Keynsham. It celebrated Keynsham’s innovators in the past and present, and invited visitors to play, create, explore, and ‘make space for our future’.

Keynsham’s £80,000 3 year Local Cultural Programme is part of Historic England’s national Cultural Programme funded by; the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s Heritage High Street Fund, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Future High Streets Fund and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Making Space for Our Future was also match funded by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s allocation of the European Union’s Welcome Back Fund 2021–22.

Over the coming months look out for Keynsham’s new High Street Heritage Trail. This is being created in partnership with Keynsham and Saltford Local History Society. We’ll soon be launching a new Expression of Interest calling out for ideas, workshops and installations to be held across the next year.

More information about the Local Cultural Programme can be found at HiKeynsham.co.uk

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KEYNSHAM NEWS

Bereavement Support Group

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Facebook conversation has prompted a Keynsham District Councillor to set up a Bereavement Support group for the town.

Alan Hale, the Councillor for Keynsham South, saw that a couple of people were bemoaning the lack of bereavement care and support in the town, while scrolling through Facebook. As a Bereavement Counsellor in the past, Alan Hale promised to follow up the concerns.

Alan told us: “Bereavement is a very lonely place for lots of people following the loss of a loved one. Sadly, friends or colleagues often feel shy talking to the person about the loved one that has passed away, when that bereaved person

would want to talk about them. My aim is to establish somewhere that bereaved people will feel comfortable coming for an hour or two, or less if they wish, and over coffee or tea, chat with volunteers or indeed, other bereaved people, and share their pain or problems.”

The initial funding of £250 was provided by the Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Councillor Empowerment Fund, thus enabling the initial hire of the church hall at Keynsham Baptist Church.

However, the project is not directly linked to the Church and is open to those of any, or no, faith and all genders, sexual orientation, or races, as bereavement knows no bounds.

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KEYNSHAM NEWS

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KEYNSHAM Community Fridge

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he idea of setting up a Community Fridge initially arose when members of Keynsham Eco-Church became concerned about the issue of food waste. Around 10 million tonnes of food waste is produced in the UK every year, of this, an estimated 60% could be avoided. Food waste is by far the single largest material sent to landfill and when it decomposes, it produces methane, which is 25 times more powerful than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas. Reducing food waste is therefore key to reducing the impact of climate change.

A ‘Community Fridge’ is a storage facility located in a public space where surplus food is made available by local shops, businesses and private individuals is collected and then made available to anyone who wants it. Community fridges are a local response to the global problems of environmental destruction and climate change resulting from the disposal of unwanted food.

They are also a great way of helping people who might be facing food poverty. There are now over 200 such fridges in various locations across the country.

The Keynsham Community Fridge began operating in March 2020, just two weeks before the Covid lockdown. During the lockdown, the fridge was closed, but was still able to use the working arrangements it had developed with Fareshare to help produce food parcels for people isolating at home. Since the lifting of Covid restrictions, the fridge has been operating between Monday – Saturday at Temple Street Canteen from 8.304.00pm. Every day, a group of 20 volunteers pick up surplus food from local supermarkets and businesses. All the food is perfectly good to eat and is sometimes made available because it is beyond its ‘Best Before’ date, but not beyond its ‘Use by’ date. Bakery products and fresh fruit and vegetables are particularly popular. The fridge

is supplied by local supermarkets, independent traders, and the generosity of members of the public. This has also been supplemented by allotment owners in Keynsham and Saltford who have made surplus produce available, along with local farmers who have donated sweetcorn and pumpkins.

Food placed in the fridge is photographed and described on the Fridge’s Facebook page (https:// www.facebook.com/KeynshamCommunityFridge) so that people can see what is available each day.

So far, the fridge has been able to save over 8 ½ tonnes of food and drink from landfill since May last year.

Keynsham Community Fridge is grateful to Keynsham Town Council, Temple Street Canteen and to the Rotary Club of Keynsham for all their support and we continue to be grateful to our amazing team of volunteers who work so hard to supply the food that is donated and to manage the fridge. If you would like to volunteer, you can contact the Fridge via its Facebook page.

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KEYNSHAM NEWS

KTCRFM Two years old and growing

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btaining a public service FM broadcasting license is a bit like mining for gold. But once you have it there’s no let-up – broadcasting is what you have to do 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

KTCRfm is now celebrating its second birthday.

The transmitter hasn’t stopped working, or been turned off, since 24th January 2020 – thanks not least to Burnett Business Park, and Concrete Solutions, and a superb broadcasting site.

But KTCRfm has another cause to celebrate too, the rapid rise of co-founder, Seb Bailey to the BBC and Radio 1 status. Congratulations to him – a chance move four years ago with KTCR and now a career in the BBC! KTCRfm is also set to add digital (DAB) broadcasting to it operations and might have already when you read this – the date is all down to Ofcom.

So how does local radio for an area from the M4 down to Bishop Sutton, and from Clifton to most of Bath, work?

Over 30 people make the programmes, most which have reached their own second birthdays

in February and March. They range in age from 80+ to 14 and engineer a set of home-produced programmes that have hardly missed a week in two years - an extraordinary achievement during long periods of lockdown. Many local radios have switched totally to automatic, something KTCRfm has never done. Whilst a good few of the volunteer team have suffered their own Covid infections like everybody else, we have no evidence to suggest that anyone contracted the

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KEYNSHAM NEWS

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infection through their radio work. We say that the KTCRfm studios have been the safest place in town!

But it was Covid that put a stamp on the broadcasting from the outset. The Good Morning programmes began at short notice as a local information and news broadcast directly related to the first pandemic lockdown. That content was echoed by the KTCR Show (formerly the Keynsham Hour), and the Believe Together show with its coverage of the Church communities in the area, while Backtracks offers a shop window to local businesses, organisations and personalities.

The value of genuine local radio for those many who cannot or will not engage with computers and social media has been recognised by the support given to KTCRfm by the main local authorities, by the local press and many other agencies and organisations. Direct feedback to the station has been more than encouraging and grows every day. But it’s not just local former residents of the broadcast area that follow the local news by listening to KTCRfm’s internet service available world-wide, and there are more than a few.

What a joy it is for volunteers to hear of people joining the activities of local groups and organisations because they “heard about it on the radio”!

KTCRfm is committed to supporting the richness of the locality whether it be in fundraising for good causes, activities for specialist groups,

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writers and musicians. Two local town councillors make programmes and others are regular contributors. Local businesses have supported in many ways and advertising is increasing. But KTCRfm remains and will always remain a free noticeboard for all local people, groups and organisations. Just ask.

Follow local news and KTCRfm on Facebook (Ktcradio) and at www.ktcrfm.com Email any requests to ktcrfm@gmail.com There is always room for new volunteers, and you don’t always have to speak on the radio!

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KEYNSHAM NEWS

NEW Councillor Alex Beaumont

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am a strong believer in local democracy and putting the voices forward for local communities. I just want to introduce myself, I have lived in Keynsham all my life and have always tried to work my hardest for my community. I am a member of various local groups including the Fox & Hounds nature reserve group and KeynshamNow, where I am the Chair of the Group.

Authority we have saved the 178 bus to Bristol from being removed. This is an important bus for us into Bristol bus station.

During the election campaign I met many local people within the ward and heard different ideas and issues that our community faces. My main priorities for Keynsham were to re- open the toilets on Ashton Way, get a pre-Covid bus timetable returned for both Bath and Bristol and to advocate for the planned Riverside Cafe and retail unit at the Chocolate Quarter in Somerdale.

I wish everyone a Happy New Year for 2022.

In Keynsham we are lucky to have some great hard-working Councillors on all sides of the political lines. We have already had the success of the Ashton Way toilets being re-opened with work starting from April this year. This is a major triumph and one of my priorities for Keynsham and I would like to thank everyone who helped bring these toilets into fruition. I am glad that working with the West of England Combined

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Keynsham Town Council wants to know your views

Annual Town Meeting Thursday 21st April | 7.30pm | in The Space.

A chance for Keynsham residents to have their say about the work of the Town Council and the issues affecting Keynsham.

Guest Speakers : To be Announced Agendas will be available as downloadable copies from www.keynsham-tc.gov.uk or write to townclerk@keynsham-tc.gov.uk All Keynsham residents welcome

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KEYNSHAM NEWS

NEW Keynsham Abbey website

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n October 2021, BHAS (Keynsham Abbey Working Group) received funding from Love Your Park Community Fund (a new fund launched in July 2021 by Your Park Bristol and Bath). Part of this funding was for the development and launch of a website featuring Keynsham Abbey, its history, archaeology and current events at the Abbey remains located in Keynsham Memorial Park.

We are pleased to announce that a website has now been created and launched. The site can be found at: www.keynshamabbey.co.uk

can explore specific aspects of the Abbey’s history and archaeology or showcase recent events.

The remainder of the funding from Love Your Park Community Fund is for the creation of a new sign located at the Abbey remains and for additional medieval planting.

We expect to be able to give further information on the rest of the project within the next few months.

HAS, Keynsham Abbey Working Group

Please do explore the site. You will see that there is room to add information in the form of future events listings and also in the form of blogs which

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Town COUNCIL’s Seed give awaY

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eynsham Town Council (KTC) are giving away packets of wildflower seeds to local residents to help improve our environment and its wildlife. Bees especially have sadly been in decline in recent years, and this initiative – part of KTC’s Climate & Environment Emergency actions will help them.

“We are making up 500 packets to give out, which will make a very positive improvement and impact across Keynsham. Don’t worry if you do not

have a garden, you can plant these seeds in a pot and then place them outside. The Town Council would also love to see the results, so we want to encourage people to send photos of the flowers in bloom to the Town Council”, said Councillor Alan Greenfield.

Residents can pick up a packet of seeds at the 12th March Keynsham Farmers Market (held in front of the Library) between 9.30am and midday.

MEET THE TEAM: BETH CULTURAL PROJECT COORDINATOR Q. What does your job at the Council involve?

Over the next two years, I’ll be organising exciting new cultural events and activities in Keynsham, using funding from Historic England.

There are plans in the works for a heritage festival, walking trails, markets, art installations, and lots more. We have grants available for local groups who want to organise their own events, too!

Q. What are the most enjoyable aspects of working for the Council?

I lead a group called the Cultural Consortium, which is made up of people from a range of different organisations and businesses in Keynsham. It’s a genuine pleasure to work with such talented individuals, who generously give so much of their free time to make their community a better place.

Q. What has been your most memorable experience “on the job” to date?

Visiting Bristol Robotics Laboratory to plan our ‘Making Space for the Future’ event. We had a tour round the lab and saw all the research people are working on – it was really cool!

Q. Away from work what are your hobbies/ interests?

When I’m not at work, I’m usually under canvas – I love hiking, camping, woodcrafting and foraging.

Q. What do you think are the best things about Keynsham?

A good diverse high street with plenty of variety allowing me to shop local – it’s very important for me to support the local economy.

Decorate your Garden & Home ,so it is ' Fit for a Queen'2022 is a special Platinum Jubilee year.

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Keynsham In Bloom Competition Entry Form - 2022 Theme - Crowning Glory Email

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Category 2 Schools

Category 3 Floral Display by a Community Group

Category 4 Front Garden

Category 5 Containers/Hanging Baskets

Category 6 Back Garden

Category 7 Best Allotment

Category 8 Business Premises

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marked on floral and environmental areas and cleanliness

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Other awards include Best New Entry, Most Inspiring Garden, Wildlife/Conservation Garden Award, Most Artistic and Overall Entry Winner

Entry forms to reach us by 27th May 2022.

Please email/send your completed form to: keynshaminbloom@icloud.com or Dawn Drury, Secretary, Keynsham in Bloom, c/o 15-17 Temple Street, Keynsham, BS31 1HF Judging will take place on 23rd & 24th June 2022 Schools judging date will be on Friday 17th June 2022 Entrants to the ‘Children’s Grow a flower for the Queen Competition’ must send a photo of their plant /flowers with their Name and contact details to the above address by Friday 1st July 2022 Winners will be notified by post invited to a prize giving in September.

If you need any further information you can contact Dawn Drury on 0117 9868683 KEYNSHAM

in bloom

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KEYNSHAM NEWS

Community at 67

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ommunity at 67, the community centre based at 67 Queens Road, continues to thrive during this difficult period with activities for all ages. We are often asked if the ‘at 67’ means the centre is only for people who are aged 67 – the answer is NO! – we are open for all ages, the name comes from our address!

For children, we have code and maths clubs, for adults, we have a scrabble and lunch club (based at The Charlton Pub). We also host a group for mums and for teenagers, we run a monthly music night, Da Beats. Our IT Group, run by a friendly and very patient group of volunteers, is there to support anyone with IT, this might include any of the following:

• Using Google Earth to look at where you used to live • Discover how to use Zoom • Setting up an email address and emailing friends on your laptop or phone • Comparing prices for items you might want to buy • Joining the library and reading the magazines they have on offer • Watching clips from your favourite films (or cats doing silly things!)

• Researching a topic you’ve always wanted to know more about • Saving all your photos, so if your phone dies, you won’t lose them all • Learning the basics of Microsoft Word and Excel For details of these activities, or if you want to hire the venue for a group to meet, have a look at our website www.community-67.org or phone us 07737 742300.

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KEYNSHAM MUSIC FESTVAL 25th ANNIVERSARY June 27th – 3rd July 2022

F

rom humble beginnings back in 1997, the festival has grown to become the largest free festival of its kind in the southwest. During that time, we have become a limited company and then a registered charity and now welcome 20,000+ visitors each year. Statistics show that 90% of all visitors come from Keynsham and nearby villages which means that the festival is truly a community event.

It is a huge testament to the volunteer trustees, the many other volunteers, the support of the Town Council and local businesses and the quality of the hundreds of performers that have made all this possible.

Anniversaries are something to celebrate so, after a couple of difficult years for the community, we are planning to make this the biggest and best festival ever for everyone!

At the heart of the festival will, of course, be music – there will be music events to suit most tastes all around the town and in the Memorial Park. We have had some amazing applications from performers eager to take part this year and, as a result, we have had some very difficult decisions to make. It’s all shaping up to be a great weekend on every one of the stages.

Alongside the music during the weekend in the Memorial Park we will be introducing several new attractions: Family Festival – we launched this at 2019’s festival and, following very positive feedback, we plan to make it a permanent feature. Celebrating all the best in local contemporary performance art, it will include entertainment that the whole family can enjoy together, workshops, walkabout and street entertainers, puppetry and a community stage.

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KEYNSHAM NEWS

Art Zone – this will be a dedicated area where the public can take part in the production of a unique Keynsham art piece – the results of which will be displayed at the railway station for everyone to see. It will also be a chance to see the work of our many talented local artists and, in partnership with Bath Spa University Faculty of Art, it will provide the opportunity to see and interact with new and innovative artists and their artwork.

Keynsham art piece – the results of which will be displayed at the railway station for everyone to see. It will also be a chance to see the work of our many talented local artists and, in partnership with Bath Spa University Faculty of Art, it will provide the opportunity to see and interact with new and innovative artists and their artwork.

Wellbeing Village – we are bringing together more than 20 local practitioners to showcase and provide a chance to try out many ways to a

healthier life – whether through mindfulness, diet or exercise.

Memory Café – outside of our normal opening time, we will be organising a dedicated area and opportunity for those suffering the effects of dementia - together with their families or support carers. It will be a safe space to relax and meet other people in the same situation. It will be a space where memories of music, colour and smell will play such an important role.

Tug o’ War – It has been at least 50 years since the last competition in the town and unbelievably, we have found the rope that was used! Assuming it passes health and safety checks(!), the rope will be used for the competition - which will be open to all groups and all ages from within the community.

Whilst there will be a few ticketed events during the week that we must charge for, the rest of the festival will, as always, be free to enter. We want to ensure that, for whatever reason, no-one needs to miss out on the biggest community event of the year.

We do ask though, if you are able to, please give a generous donation.

Keeping the festival free puts a great financial burden on the trustees and your donations play a very important part in our ability to manage it.

Each year we start with a zero budget, then we try really hard to put on an amazing event and hope the festival breaks even.

Your financial support is absolutely vital to ensure we can put on the best possible festival – and then do it all again next year!

We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to celebrate our 25th Anniversary.

Mike May Chair, KMFA

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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 Alex Beaumont Liberal Democrat East Liberal Democrat North Tel: 01179 867389 Tel: 07761 906216 Email: andy.wait @keynsham-tc.gov.uk

Email: Alex.beaumont @keynsham-tc.gov.uk

Charlotte Buxton Deb Cooper Liberal Democrat South Independent North Tel: 07886 739906 Tel: 01179 864203 Email: chartlotte.buxton 07564 155944

Dave Biddleston Labour South Tel: 0117 9870081

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

Clive Fricker Independent East Tel: 01179 869250

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

@keynsham-tc.gov.uk

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

Andy McGuinness Labour North Tel: 07815 163036

Hal MacFie Brian Simmons Liberal Democrat East Independent North Tel: 01179 863590 Tel: 01179 096596 07786 436656 07855 631844

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

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

Email: brian.simmons @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

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

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

Allan Sinclair Independent South Tel: 01179 865658

Jonathan Wallcroft Labour South Tel: 07464 798073

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: 0117 9868683 07904 161097 (temp) | Email: townclerk@keynsham-tc.gov.uk | www.keynsham-tc.gov.uk

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