Westfield: The first 10 years May 2011 saw the creation of Westfield Parish Council and now, ten years on, we look back at the first steps this local council took to meet the aspirations of its community.
2011 The first Westfield Warbler came out in December 2011 and ran as its headline the Winter Maintenance Scheme, welcoming five new volunteers for what was then a pilot of the Snow Warden Scheme. Since then, a number of Snow Wardens have given considerable time and energy working the gritting machines to keep some of the most well used pavements in the parish free of ice and snow for our most vulnerable residents. Sadly, we are down to two stalwart Snow Wardens who, between them, are keeping this initiative going. The Westfield Grant Scheme was introduced in 2011 and has grown from strength to strength. We have also been the recipient of grants from various sources to allow major works to take place without an impact on the precept. These have totalled a staggering £414,362 across the past 10 years, easing the burden on local tax payers. Waterford Park Allotment site was set up under the management of Westfield Allotment and Garden Society (WAGS). It was expanded with another site at Larch Court in 2019.
2012 The Fun Day started at Westhill Recreation Ground in June 2012 and has been a regular feature in the Parish calendar ever since. Over the years, attractions have included vintage car displays, inflatables, donkey rides, drumming workshops, Scruffs Dog Show, displays by majorettes, karate, zumba, tae kwon do and in 2014, the Beau Street Hoard was a highlight of the event, allowing local people to handle the Roman coins discovered by Archaeologists in Beau Street, Bath. The Time Capsule was buried in 2012, to be re-opened in 2062. Over the Time Capsule is a unique memorial stone, where wreaths are laid on Remembrance Day. 29th November 2012 saw the first Westfield Christmas Lights Switch On. A much smaller version of the now hugely popular event, the first Switch On saw a group of residents gathering around the Christmas Tree at
Norton Hill Play Area 2011 the top of Elm Tree Avenue to sing carols and have tea, coffee and mince pies courtesy of the Trinity Methodist Church, Westfield afterwards. In 2015 this event welcomed Father Christmas who brings free gifts for the young people of the parish and the event has grown from strength to strength. Opinion was divided in December 2012 when Sainsbury’s and CFH Total Document Management submitted a joint planning application to B&NES for the development of a food store on CFH’s site off Wells Road. After weeks of consultation, the application was turned down by the planning authority at B&NES.
2013 In May 2013 the Parish Council planted commemorative trees for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee at the local schools. June 2013 saw the first defibrillator installed courtesy of Waterside Carnival Club outside the Pharmacy on Elm Tree Avenue. This was followed in 2018 by one at Mardon’s Club, a third at the Fire Station on Wells Road and one outside the doctor's surgery on Waterford Park. In 2020 the Waterside Carnival Club came in and installed two more, one outside Whitstone's on Fosseway and one at Norton Hill Recreation Ground, bringing the total number to six public access defibrillators in the parish. The smiley face speed indicator device was installed in July 2013 with much support from the adjacent The Westfield Warbler - 5
