Keynshamvoice December 2012 edition by Emma Cooper

FREE EVERY MONTH for people and businesses in Keynsham & Saltford December, 2012 Issue 9

www.keynshamvoice.co.uk

Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all our readers

Cooking a warming winter soup, P33 | Seasonal shopping on the High Street, P34

End of the road?

Photo: Simon Page

Annual race too costly for organisers P5 Saying thanks

Awards for those making a difference P10

Event full of festive spirit Victorian evening - P24

Inside

Jobs announced as regeneration begins P2 U-turn on fees sparks call for free parking P6 More than 600 object to plan for drilling P8 Winter gig in aid of summer festival P20

Plus... Letters... p16 Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On.. p26 Puzzles... p30 Business of

the month.. p36 Property... p37 Sport... p42 Classifieds p45

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December, 2012

News Keynsham Voice contacts Emma Cooper Publisher

Joni Mann Editor

0117 908 2121/ 07715 770448 emma@keynshamvoice.co.uk

07887 561567 news@keynshamvoice.co.uk

January deadline

Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ Keynshamvoice

Our January edition will be going to print on December 23. To ensure your news or letter is included, please contact us by December 20. Advertisers are also asked to contact us by the same date.

Local information Council Connect 01225 39 40 41 Keynsham Town Council 15-17 Temple Street, Keynsham 0117 986 8683 www.keynsham-tc.gov.uk Keynsham Citizens Advice Bureau 0844 848 7919 Police www.avonandsomersetpolice.uk General inquiries: 101

Emergency: 999 Fire www.avonfire.gov.uk Inquiries: 0117 926 2061 Emergency: 999 Anti-social behaviour team asb@bathnes.gov.uk 01225 842462 NHS Direct 0845 46 47 Keynsham Youth Theatre 0117 9864128

Regeneration to create jobs In less than a few weeks, a large part of Keynsham’s town centre has been reduced to rubble as developers moved in to begin demolition. The process began on November 14 when town council chairman Gill Hellier was the first to operate the machine that would be tearing down the 1960s buildings on the Centre. Cllr Hellier said: “I’m just pleased this day has come. It is brilliant news for Keynsham to see it moving forward.” The £34m project, which will include new offices, retail space, library and one-stop shop for services, is scheduled for completion in 2014. Developer Willmott Dixon has also revealed that it will be creating nearly 50 jobs and training opportunities on the project for local people over the next two years.

Bath and North East Somerset Council leader Paul Crossley and Cabinet member for sustainable development Cherry Beath were also in Keynsham to see the regeneration process begin. Cllr Beath said the council wanted to see the creation of more apprenticeship schemes, adding: “It makes complete sense to draw from local resources and skills for this exciting project.” The opportunities to be created will include six work placements for young people, nine opportunities for graduate and apprentices, seven new jobs on site, and 25 training and qualification opportunities for local subcontractors. To find out more about the opportunities contact emma. bull@willmottdixon.co.uk or call 0292 0221002.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Keynsham Voice is independent. We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation. We cannot vouch for any services offered. Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor. Keynsham Voice is distributed each month to Keynsham residents. If for some reason you do not get a copy, please collect one from local pick-up points (Tesco, Co-op, coffee shops, etc). Feedback is always welcomed, contact Emma Cooper on 0117 908 2121 or emma@keynshamvoice.co.uk. This month 10,000 copies will be distributed around Keynsham, Saltford, Burnett, Chewton Keynsham, Compton Dando and Queen Charlton.

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December, 2012

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News

Photo: Mark Willcox

Dry weather a relief after days of floods The drier weather will be a relief to many Keynsham and Saltford residents, following the downpours of November, which brought extensive flooding to the area. Roads and railways were disrupted, while a number of residents and traders faced flooding to their properties. Our pictures show the effects of the flooding in Keynsham Memorial Park, where the rising level of the River Avon was clear, and at Keynsham Rugby Club, where a lone swan decided to have a swim on the temporary lake that formed on the pitch. Keynsham hit the national news when one motorist was pulled to safety in Broadmead Lane by passing driver David Dunn as his car was engulfed by the flood water on November 25. In Saltford, a round-the-clock clean-up saw the Jolly Sailor pub reopened for business in just two days after water flooded the bar. Owner Carl Say was stranded in the building while he waited for the water, which was too deep to drive through, to recede. He said: “With riverside pubs, in the summer there is no better place to be but in winter it can be different. We have experienced flooding before so we know how to get everything out of the water’s way, and we get flood alerts.

We were up and running again really quickly.” During the heavy rain, concerns were also raised over the flood risk to new homes being built as part of the K2 development, as the downpours caused nearby Park Road, Park House Lane and St Clements Road, which lead to the site, to disappear under water. Keynsham South councillor Alan Hale has raised concerns with Bath and North East Somerset Council about flood mitigation measures at the site. He said: “I have urged the council to quickly review whether action can be taken to prevent this level of flooding on these roads in the future, and they have agreed to do this. “The council has said that the cutbacks which have been made to its drain and gully clearing budget would be unlikely to have had an impact during such exceptional weather, but nevertheless it does seem an area where the council should be looking again at whether it is appropriate to make cuts.”

Photo: Dennis Payter

Above, rising river levels in Keynsham Memorial Park; left, a swan swimming on the pitch at Keynsham Rugby Club

Besides local news, you can also find the local weather forecast on our website www.keynsham voice.co.uk

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December, 2012

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News

End of road for 10k race Escalating costs mean Keynsham’s Scouts have been forced to pull out as organisers of the town’s annual 10k race. The event this year celebrated its 25th anniversary and has earned a high profile, attracting both local and national runners to take on the course, starting and ending at Somerdale. However, 1st Keynsham Scout Group said the cost of hosting the race meant it was no longer viable as a fundraising event. A spokesperson said: “Unfortunately, the cost of putting on the event has escalated to a point where the effort needed to organise it has exceeded the benefit that can be gained.” The departure of Cadbury from Somerdale had cast doubt over the availability of the site in future and clashes with other events held there also meant it

Costa decision expected ‘shortly’ A decision on the bid to open a Costa coffee shop in Keynsham’s High Street is expected soon. The application for a change of use at the former Clinton Cards shop, by South West Coffee, was received by Bath and North East Somerset Council in August. Comments on the application were received until November 8, but the decision on whether to

reject or approve the bid has yet to be made. A council spokesman said: “The decision for this application has been delayed as we needed to ensure that the proposal was advertised as a departure from the local development plan. “We would anticipate that a decision will be issued on the application very shortly.”

was difficult to ensure the runners’ safety when leaving the grounds, he said. He added: “This is a great disappointment for the Scout group who rely on fundraising events to keep active Scouting going.” Keynsham Hearing Centre stepped in to sponsor this year’s race but the organisers said even that would be insufficient to keep the event going in 2013. Proceeds from the race have benefited 23 charities over the years, with the Jessie May Trust receiving £500 from this May’s event.

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Restaurant goes for gold at awards Keynsham’s Farrells restaurant is celebrating winning a prestigious award for the second year running. The eatery has been presented with a gold award in the Italian Restaurant of the Year category at the Pizza, Pasta and Italian Food (Papa) Awards 2012. The restaurant was secretly visited by judges to put their food to the test. Owner Arlene Moore said: “We always

use top quality ingredients that are as local as possible, and with the Irish influence, I think this would have made us stand out.” Farrells chef Aldo Biscotti also won through to the South West heats in the fiercely contested Pizza Chef of the Year competition. Following the restaurant’s success in Keynsham, a second branch of Farrells has now opened in Portishead at the town’s Marina.

Residents asked for views on buses Some Keynsham bus services supported by B&NES Council are on a list of routes that could see their funding cut. The authority, which spends £1m a year on supported bus services, has identified routes that are not well-used, are poor value for money or which are served by alternative means of transport, such as the train.

The routes include the 665 service in Saltford and Keynsham, the 507 service to Southmead; the 533 service to Mangotsfield and late services on the 338 from Bath to Keynsham. The council is asking for residents' views on these services before December 12. Visit www. bathnes.gov.uk/supportedbus consultation for more details.

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December, 2012

Car park fee plan dropped A proposal to introduce parking charges at the district’s car parks has been scrapped – sparking further calls for free parking in Keynsham. Bath and North East Somerset Council had considered bringing in charges at a number of sites that are currently free as part of its budget for 2013/2014. But Councillor Roger Symonds (Lib Dem, Combe Down), Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “We are a listening council and the messages that the Cabinet heard about abolishing free parking in many car parks were very clear. “Proposals for charging in Batheaston, Chew Magna, Midsomer Norton, Paulton, Peasedown St John, Radstock, Saltford, Timsbury, and Wellow will not form part of the Cabinet’s budget recommendation to council in February 2013.”

The decision, while welcomed by many across the district, could create a £300,000 gap in the authority’s budget, according to Conservative councillors. Keynsham councillor Kate Simmons said: “The council has found £300,000 to keep parking free elsewhere in the authority. It should now find the funds to deliver it for Keynsham.” The council is inviting residents to help it set the budget by answering the following questions: What should we do less of? What are your ideas for improving services at lower cost? What services/communities should we make a priority? You can answer at www. bathnes.gov.uk/budgetview or write to the council at Resources Team, 3rd Floor, Guildhall, Bath, BA1 5AW.  See Letters on Pages 16-18

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December, 2012

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News

Trainee helps serve up festive feast Public will be consulted on station Members of the Keynsham Older People’s Social Group tucked into a turkey dinner with all the trimmings at Community@67 on Tuesday, December 4. The meal was prepared and served by town

councillor Roy Staddon with the help of a young trainee from the Timeout youth drop-in service, who has gained qualifications in food hygiene and safety through the organisation.

£800k to help primary grow A proposal to invest £800,000 to create new classrooms and extra capacity at Castle Primary School has been welcomed by Keynsham councillors. It is planned that spaces at the school will eventually rise to 420, with 30 new places in 2013 and refurbishment of the IT suite and two new classrooms and 60 extra places by 2014. Funding from the K2 development will also allow the creation of 90 extra spaces in the future. Councillor Kate Simmons (Cons, Keynsham South) said: “We’re really pleased that the

Residents will be consulted on proposals to reopen Saltford station, following calls from local councillors and a campaign group. B&NES Council leader Paul Crossley said, in a written response to a question by members of the Saltford Station Campaign at the Cabinet meeting of November 14, a consultation would be held once the demand for and

cost of station parking had been investigated. The authority is currently funding a £100,000 study by consultants into the viability of reopening the station. A public meeting in October revealed strong views both for and against the proposal, with some residents raising concerns that surrounding streets might be used for parking by station users.

council has proposed that Castle Primary School should receive this funding for new facilities and classrooms. Although the need to increase the size of the school is partly due to the K2 housing development, all pupils will benefit from the improvements.” The project is to be funded through the Government’s Capital Maintenance and Basic Need grants. The proposal, part of Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Children’s Services Capital Programme, was due to be discussed by the cabinet this week on December 5.

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Take extra care at Christmas Christmas is an exciting time of year but did you know that many of the familiar items found around the household at Christmas time could be hazardous to your pet? One of the most common issues we see during the festive period is digestive upsets. Most dogs and cats will get a bit of the Christmas dinner leftovers but this food is often too rich and fatty causing vomiting/ diarrhoea and sometimes a serious condition called pancreatitis. Keep your pet away from turkey bones (any bones, in fact): they can cause choking, constipation or puncture the intestinal tract. We all like to eat a bit of extra chocolate at Christmas, but don’t be tempted to give it to your dog as a treat and also be wary of hanging tempting chocolate decorations from your tree! Chocolate contains a powerful stimulant called theobromine which is highly toxic. Signs of poisoning include vomiting, diarrhoea, high temperature and an abnormal heart rhythm. Raisins in mince pies and Christmas cake can cause acute kidney failure if eaten, even in small amounts. Young and mischievous pets may show great interest in the Christmas tree and decorations. Make sure your tree is well anchored so it can’t be pulled over and try to use unbreakable decorations and nothing too small that can be ingested. Avoid tinsel and ribbons on lower levels of the tree. Make sure fairy lights and electric wires are chew-proof to prevent burns and electrocu-

tion from inquisitive puppies, kittens and house rabbits. Unplug the lights if you are not home to supervise your pets. Fallen tree needles are very sharp and can get stuck in your pet’s paws or throat so sweep up under the tree regularly. Poinsettia plants, holly and mistletoe, all seasonal staples, are also poisonous to pets and must be kept well out of reach. Another common danger is anti-freeze; extremely palatable to cats and will cause irreversible kidney failure. As little as one teaspoonful can be deadly. Clean up any spills. Remember loud noises may panic your pet - crackers, poppers, balloons and popping corks. Fireworks are also about again! Call us for advice about dog/cat appeasing pheromone devices to reduce stress levels within the home and advice about firework fears. Keynsham Veterinary Centre wishes you and your pets a very happy and safe Christmas! Call us if you suspect a problem – opening hours for Christmas will be advertised at www.highcroftvet.co.uk and our emergency service is available 24 hours on 01275 832410.

December, 2012

News

600+ object to drill plans Consultation has been extended for the second time on proposals for test-drilling for coalbed methane at Hicks Gate. Comments from the public on the application by UK Methane Ltd will now be accepted until December 20. More than 600 objections to the plans had already been submitted to Bath and North East Somerset Council by the beginning of December. If approved, the company will carry out exploratory work by drilling a single hole at the site to test the viability of extracting coalbed methane. The company would submit a second application to continue the work. Following its November 12 meeting, Keynsham Town Council has objected to the plan on a number of grounds, including health concerns for neighbour-

ing residents and have called for an archaeological survey and assessment of the risks to the environment. A spokesperson for the Transition Keynsham group, which organised a public meeting on the proposals in October, said: “We’re extremely encouraged by the number of objections and Keynsham Town Council’s unanimous rejection of the proposal. “We hope that B&NES development control committe take into consideration all 636 objections and reject UK Methane’s planning application.” UK Methane Ltd director Gerwyn Williams has previously told the BBC the processes used in coalbed methane extraction are strictly governed and safe. View the company’s proposal at www.bathnes.gov.uk, application reference 12/04304/FUL.

Rebecca Gibb BVM&S MRCVS

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December, 2012

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News

Scouts hold first monthly craft fair

Festive feel to last market of 2012 It’s been a year of change for Keynsham Farmers’ Market, with its move to Ashton Way from the Civic Centre. But organisers say this has given them plenty to celebrate, with more space, new stallholders and a successful Food Festival in September, and are planning to make the last market of 2012 a real occasion. A spokesperson said: “We’ll be rounding off the year in festive style on Saturday, December 8, from 9am-1pm when Keynsham Brass Band join us again to play a medley of Christmas carols

Keynsham Scouts are launching a new venture just in time to help residents find some original, locally made gifts. The group will be opening the doors on their first craft market on Saturday, December 8, from 9am-1pm, at Scout HQ in Ashton Way. As the town’s Farmers’ Market has relocated to the neighbouring car park,

the plan is to run a monthly fair to complement the market, with non-food stalls only. It follows discussions with the Farmers’ Market, Keynsham Town Council and the Chamber of Commerce. Proceeds will go towards the 1st Keynsham Scout group and their activities. To help organise or take part in future fairs, call 07714 237525.

as they proved to be so popular last year. Hot refreshments will be available on the day at our specially created Great Cake Café and the market producers will be pulling out all the stops to bring the best of festive foods and gifts and mulled cider.” Shoppers will be able to preorder their Christmas poultry, buy Christmas cakes and gifts, as well as stock up at their usual favourites. The market will return next year on January 12. Visit www.somersetfarmersmarkets. co.uk or follow on Twitter .

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News ADVERTISING FEATURE

‘New to you’ range launched Shoppers looking for something special to wear for an occasion or evening out can now choose from a new selection at Mickey’s. The Temple Street shop has launched its New To You range, a collection of nearly-new items of clothing. The pieces include evening wear and wedding outfits, offering customers the chance to find the perfect outfit for a good price. A spokesperson for the shop said: “The clothes, some of which are labelled items, are in excellent condition, come in a range of sizes, and our customers have been pleased to see there is now even more choice.” To browse the range, or to discuss selling your nearly-new items, drop into Mickey’s at 32 Temple Street, Keynsham, or call the shop on 0117 986 7332.

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December, 2012

Honours for making Keynsham volunteers were among those picking up awards at a ceremony celebrating the people making a big difference to their communities. Trisha Williams was presented with the Volunteer Leader of the Year Award at Bath & North East Somerset Council Chairman’s Community & Business Awards for her work to support families living with autism. Described as a “pioneer”, Trisha founded Butterflies-Haven in 2009 to provide services now relied upon by many families across the district, including a range of activities for youngsters, and advice, support and social groups for parents and siblings. Trisha said: “I was stunned to receive the award. It was lovely to have the opportunity to raise awareness of the work we are doing. We are rather unique and we have a waiting list growing daily for places. To have our work put out there a little bit more is really important, as we

want to let the community know what we provide. The people who decided to give us the award obviously recognise the need for our service.” Former Bath & North East Somerset councillor Adrian Inker was presented with a Lifetime Achievement award for the many years he served Keynsham. He said: “To be acknowledged in this way by the community that I was privileged to serve is something that I will always be proud of. I would like to thank

the residents of Keynsham South for putting their trust in me for so many years, particularly to the members of the community that have worked with me on so many projects over the years. Their efforts also need to be acknowledged.” He said 20 years as a councillor had brought many highlights, including the setting up of Somer Housing Trust, now Curo, the town’s health park and the building of the new St Keyna School. He added: “But for me, I take

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December, 2012

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News

a difference great pride in the setting up of the Keynsham South Forum which brought into being Community@67, Keynsham Older People’s Social Group (KOPS) and the Abbotts Wood Group. All these groups are now working to improve the quality of life for local people.” Among the others honoured were the Wansdyke Scouts Adult Leader Team, who won a Special Quest award. Dave Cable, a volunteer at Community@67, was highly commended in the Volunteer of the Year category, while Clare Hudson, Community@67’s chair, was highly commended in the Volunteer Leader of the Year category. The awards were presented by B&NES chairman Rob Appleyard. They were organised in partnership with the Volunteer Centre Bath & North East Somerset, Curo (formerly Somer Community Housing Trust), the Student Community Partnership and the Quest project.

Soap screens dramatic explosion Millions of viewers watched as Keynsham took its turn in the spotlight, providing the setting for a dramatic EastEnders storyline. Three of the soap’s characters escaped an explosion after two of them crashed a car into a shop – a vacant property in Temple Street. The episodes were shown on November 23 and 26 after the filming took place in September.

Cllr Rob Appleyard presents awards to, left, Wansdyke Scouts Adult Leader Team, Adrian Inker, top, and Trisha Williams

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December, 2012

Youth and education ADVERTISING FEATURE

Jump up and join fun fitness classes Jumping Jacks is a new circuit training class for children starting in January. Run by Megan Jackson, a qualified physiotherapist, Jumping Jacks offers children aged 8-11 a fun, modern exercise class designed to improve their fitness, strength and balance. The classes are specifically designed for growing bodies and include games and exercises to music chosen by the children. Jumping Jacks is aimed at children of all abilities from those who might not enjoy competitive sport to those who love sport but want to improve their fitness and burn off a bit of excess energy! Jumping Jacks will run on Tuesdays at Saltford Hall from 4.45-5.40pm from January 8. Classes can be booked individually or as a block. Pre-booking is advised as numbers are limited to 20 children. Jumping Jacks is aiming to extend to venues in Keynsham later in the year. Visit www.jumping-jacks.org.uk.

Members of Castle Primary School’s gardening club with teacher and Good Grub Club co-ordinator Nicky Wake and caretaker Sean Leando

Digging in to mark ‘Roast Dinner Day’ Pupils at Castle Primary School tucked into a roast dinner with all the trimmings to celebrate great British food. Roast Dinner Day, organised by the Food For Life Partnership, saw schools across the country serving up the traditional meal to pupils and guests, including parents, carers and members of the community. Castle pupils were among more than 5,000 children across B&NES who sat down to a roast on November 14. The aim of the day, and the Food for Life Partnership’s work with councils and schools, was to highlight quality food and promote healthy eating from an early age. Castle School already has a number of initiatives to teach youngsters more about their food. The Good Grub Club sees youngsters taking a hands-on approach to producing and preparing food, with allotments in the school grounds tended by the gardening club and overseen by caretaker Sean Leando. There is also a popular Let’s Get Cooking after-school club, where pupils get to put the food grown at the allotments to good use.

The school is working towards its bronze Food For Life Partnership Award and has plans for more food-related activities in future. The Good Grub Club is funded through a £9,950 grant from Local Food, a £57.5 million funding programme supported by the Big Lottery Fund which will be supporting food-related community projects right across the country. Councillor Dine Romero (Lib-Dem, Southdown), Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children and Youth, said: “Bath & North East Somerset Council is committed to helping schools develop and extend their role in the local community, and by highlighting the benefits of the fabulous food on offer to pupils every day we hope it will encourage everybody to enjoy a healthy lifestyle.”

Yournews Tell us what your school, group or organisation has been up to. We want to hear your news, so email us at news@keynshamvoice. co.uk or call 07887 561567.

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December, 2012

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Youth and education

Scouts head underground Scouts from 1st Keynsham faced the “Superman Squeeze” on an outdoor adventure to earn another badge. The girls and boys, aged from 10 to 14, went caving at Burrington Combe, on the Mendips, where they had to negotiate the Superman Squeeze to get to the Goatchurch Cavern. To qualify for their Caver badge, the youngsters had to visit two different cave systems, led

by a qualified instructor. During their visits they also had to show they understood cave conservation codes and the environmental issues around caving. Ella, 13, said: “It’s challenging and funny to see people trying to squeeze through holes. The leaders tell stories to try to scare us, but they fail miserably.” Eleven year-old Ollie said: “It is fun climbing through really small holes. I had a great time.”

And the winner is... The children’s BAFTAs were celebrated last week at a star-studded event in London, acknowledging the wealth of creative talent in children’s programming. Complete Control, based in Corston, works closely with BAFTA producing the allyear-round BAFTA Kids’ Vote website, in which children can play games, watch clips and learn about making films, TV and interactive content. The website also plays a vital role for children to vote for their favourite Film, TV show, website and game as a run-up to the awards. “This year’s website was the most successful ever in terms of number of votes cast – with the website generating over 593,000 votes in just four weeks,” said Glynn Hayward, Complete Control’s creative director. Children voted for the The Smurfs, as their favourite film, Good Luck Charlie as their favourite TV show, Temple Run as the best game and Bin Weevils as the most popular website. The BAFTA Kids’ Vote awards

were presented to the winners by X-factor contestants Jade Ellis and Kye Sones and Tom and Dougie from McFly. Now that the BAFTA celebrations are over for another year, we are keeping up the fun and have just launched on the BAFTA Kids’ Vote website a competition offering children the chance to win some awesome prizes through a fun, interactive treasure hunt. The BAFTA Kids’ Vote posse have scattered posters of their favourite films across some of the top kids’ websites and children have to hunt the posters down, and enter the special codes on the BAFTA Kids’ Vote website, for a chance to win a library of David Walliams’ hilarious books and an Aardman Animations Animate-It kit. Visit www.baftakidsvote.org/ treasure-hunt. Merry Christmas from all at Complete Control.

First step to dancing like the stars Youngsters are being urged to follow in the footsteps of TV dance stars, from shows like Britain’s Got Talent, and join a new class. Jessica Hayball is hosting Street Dance at SBL Sports Centre, Oldland Common, on

Mondays from 5-5.45pm for ages four to 11 and 6-7pm for ages 12 to 16. Classes are £4.50 per week and the first session is free. For more information, and to find out about a Christmas deal, call 01454 86 81 58.

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December, 2012

Youth and education Lions support Scouting adventures Ken Hawker, President of Keynsham Lions, and other Lions members have presented a cheque to Keynsham Scouts to support their outdoor adventures. The money will enable the Scout group to train more leaders and young people to gain leadership permits for activities such as caving, canoeing, archery and climbing. Mr Hawker told the

group that the Lions had had no idea as to the high cost of ensuring the permits were in place to take young people on these activities and they were delighted to support the Scout community so that more young people could experience exciting adventures. ď Ź Could you be a leader? Visit www.1stkeynshamscoutgroup. org.uk for more information and contact numbers.

Shoebox gifts are on their way Pupils from Broadlands School have given their first Christmas gifts of the year, responding to an appeal to ensure children in developing countries receive a present on Christmas Day. As part of Operation Christmas Child, staff and students at the school collected items that were then packed into shoeboxes

and wrapped up. Together, they filled around 50 shoeboxes with small gifts and on November 14 pupils helped to load them into a van driven by a volunteer from the charity. The boxes were then taken to a warehouse before being sent to youngsters to enjoy this Christmas.

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Advertising feature

Sizes for all at Perfect Fit Of the many specialist independents trading in Keynsham town centre, one of the best known is Perfect Fit. Owner Lyn Young explains what makes her business stand out among the rest. “Perfect Fit – the clue is in the title. We have always prided ourselves on fitting underwear perfectly. Ladies who have been uncomfortable wearing their bras come to Perfect Fit and leave feeling totally different, better posture, no soreness under the bust, no more big dips in their shoulders, slipping straps or back and neck pain. “For 22 years now we’ve been trading in Temple Street, Keynsham and business has got bigger and bigger. Some people think we’re top of the range in prices – wrong! We have a wide range of products at affordable prices. Don’t forget, every item is fitted and checked to make sure our customer is happy and comfy. So why not pay us a visit?

“We have eight fully trained fitters and wonderful customer service advisers. One-to-one customer service seems to have been lost in many stores, which is a shame. We pride ourselves on our service. “Our store caters for all ages. Age eight right up to 108. For the mature lady we have a full range of bras with no wires, vest, pants, petticoats, corselets, girdles, nighties, swimwear and hosiery. First bras for young girls and everyone in between. “We also have a wonderful selection of mastectomy, maternity, bridal and strapless support wear. Fabulous swimwear all the year round, hosiery and nightwear, socks, vests for the modern and mature lady. Come and try us! We’re not expensive, we’re very friendly and we’re local. No appointment is necessary. “Keep it local; keep it Keynsham. Use it or lose it – keep our high street alive and kicking.”

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December, 2012

Letters

Council to set next budget Public services are a priority Keeping council tax as low as possible, protecting essential frontline public services as much as we can, and investing in economic growth – these are the three priorities which are guiding the preparation of Bath & North East Somerset Council’s budget for the next three years. This preparation is made exceptionally tough by the Government’s response to the global economic crisis. With this approach certain to continue, it leaves town halls with difficult decisions. Most councils have made swingeing cuts to frontline services. But our council has made back office efficiencies of more than £25 million over recent years, delivered balanced budgets, and built up a strong level of financial reserves mean-

ing we can avoid cuts of a similar scale in this budget round. For example, there will be no changes to weekly bin collections – subject to confirmation from the Government of financial support for this – and no closures for our library branches, recycling centres, children’s centres, or leisure centres. Furthermore, street cleaning budgets are protected, most car park charges are frozen for a third consecutive year, and investment in the improvement of road surfaces will continue. Services that local people believe are the most important are protected, including those for vulnerable adults and young people. We have identified further back office efficiencies to ensure that frontline service reductions are limited over the next three years to around 1.3 per cent of our total budget. The council is also able to make investments in the future to help create new jobs and homes for local people. We are keeping our commitments to the improvement of Bath’s transport system, the regeneration of

Keynsham and Radstock town centres, and provision of affordable housing in locations like Bath Riverside. These projects will need to be provided with the support of our local and national partners – both public and private, local businesses and, above all, local people. We want people to have their say about the budget and its priorities. You can do so today by contacting us at www.bathnes. gov.uk/budgetview or writing to Resources Team, 3rd Floor, Guildhall, Bath, BA1 5AW. Councillor Paul Crossley Leader, Bath & North East Somerset Council

This approach makes no sense As the Government works to tackle Britain’s unprecedented national debt problem and reduce public spending, it is only right that local councils take their share of the budget cuts. This process will inevitably mean that the council has to look very hard at all its expenditure to see what is affordable, as well as work even harder to make its organisation more efficient. But the slash and burn approach B&NES is taking to cutting local services makes no sense whatsoever, and is not a path followed by many other authorities who are doing more to make their council more efficient. As part of last year’s council budget, the Lib Dems cut the level of spending on drain and gulley clearing, verge trimming and road resurfacing, and tried to axe the mobile library, which is valued by residents throughout

the area. The council was warned at the time that these were shortsighted cuts, and this has been proven correct, with the council having to reinstate some of the funding it had planned to cut. This year B&NES is cutting even deeper, with over half the area’s public toilets to be closed, food safety and trading standards services cut back to a minimum, while new charges were proposed at all car parks throughout the area. Despite councillors voting last year to save the mobile library service, the council is this year proposing to cut it by half. Introducing parking charges at local car parks near small, independent shops would obviously have a hugely damaging impact upon local trade as well as increase parking problems on nearby residential roads, so I am pleased that this idea has been dropped so quickly. The problem in B&NES is that the council is now playing catch-up with its budget reductions, after the Lib Dems put off a number of difficult decisions last year. The council failed last year to produce a full three-year financial strategy, which would have enabled it to plan ahead and mitigate against some of the deeper cuts it is now implementing. The positive is that the budget process is in its very early stages, so it is to be hoped many of these concerns can be addressed before the final budget is agreed, with the Lib Dems agreeing to think again about some of their more damaging cuts to services. Cllr Charles Gerrish, Conservative Shadow Cabinet Member for Community Resources

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December, 2012

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Letters Regenerating Keynsham Council must invest in town

Supporting local traders Great service on High Street

What can we say about B&NES Council and their treatment of Keynsham? Lucky they aren’t the doctor and we are the patient! Where is our free parking, with a two-hour time limit? They would still make their money with wardens fining those over-staying the time limit, and those with no tax or who park on yellow lines. As for the new building in the centre, it looks like a load of concrete and glass, a bit like what is already there. Why don’t they use stone and render in keeping with Temple Street’s Old School etc? B&NES, make builders build in keeping with Keynsham properties like stone-built houses such as on the old Connick’s Garage site. One of the producers from EastEnders recently filming in Keynsham summed it up: “because of the Olympics they pulled down a lot of rundown places in London, so we picked Keynsham to film as it looked like some of the rundown parts of the East End”, so let’s hope B&NES spends some of the BBC fee on Keynsham. C Thomas Keynsham PS. Great to see Franks Window Cleaning in Keynshamvoice – a local person, working locally, working for locals and employing local people. Wish there were more people to go and try to start a business full- or part-time.

In response to last month’s letter on the former hardware store, The Handyman, perhaps the writer is not aware that in Keynsham we do have a hardware shop - Keynsham Bathrooms and Hardware. It offers an absolutely brilliant service – if you can’t see what you are looking for, they will order it in and they are so obliging and helpful. The prices are competitive, as I found when shopping for a pair of shears, which were £9.99 compared to the £20 I had seen elsewhere. I have also found it convenient – rather than going into town to get paint and bringing it all the way back, I can get it locally. This shop and its staff live up to the name “handyman”. We should support this venture and our local traders. Keynsham resident

Support for Rotary Club Shoppers give kindly to cause Through your columns I would like to take the opportunity of expressing thanks on behalf of The Rotary Club of Keynsham to the general public and, particularly,

shoppers at the Co-operative Food Store in Broadmead Lane for their generosity in these difficult times in enabling us to raise just a few pounds short of £800 on November 30 and December 1. Our thanks, too, are due to the management and staff of the Co-operative Foodstore for their help and support. The proceeds of the collection will be donated partly to our local St Peter’s Hospice and partly to The Rotary Foundation towards the final sum needed to complete the final eradication of polio around the world. India has at last been declared polio-free and there are just a few small pockets left in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria where this pernicious disease still remains. With your help then we are almost there! John Wetherill Foundation Committee Chair

Shoeboxes on way to Belarus Great response to gift appeal Earlier in the year I appealed for people to help us pack Christmas shoeboxes for children in Belarus and also for unwanted wool. We had a great response and as a result we sent 124 boxes, which is 20 more than last year. We also had lots of wool ,which has enabled our knitters to start knitting for next year’s boxes. Thank you to everybody who packed a box or donated money or wool and thanks to all our

knitters. We are always grateful for any unwanted wool so if you can help, please phone Heather Mealing on 0117 986 9422. Heather Mealing Keynsham

Homegrown snooker star Let’s celebrate Judd’s success Isn’t it time we celebrated the

success of Bristol-born and Keynsham-based Judd Trump? He is currently the Number One snooker player in the world at the age of 23, having just won his first ranking tournament, The China Open. In a magnificent year of sport, Judd’s achievement appears to have been overlooked. It is good to praise the achievements of a young man from here who is now recognised throughout the world. Andy Wait By email

Yourviews Send your letters to Keynsham Voice, 16 Chandag Road, Keynsham, BS31 1NR. Alternatively, email news@keynsham voice.co.uk, find us on Facebook or Twitter @ keynshamvoice or go to our website www. keynshamvoice.co.uk

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December, 2012

Letters Deliver town’s free parking ‘Cost’ claim has lost credibility If the Liberal Democrat claim that it is not possible to create free parking in Keynsham due to the “cost” ever had any credibility, it certainly does not now. In one of the fastest U-turns in B&NES history, the Lib Dems announced that they are ditching plans to introduce parking charges at all the council’s free car parks. This sudden about-turn leaves a black hole of up to £300,000 in the council’s budget plans – far more than the cost of creating free parking in Keynsham. Back in the summer, Conservative councillors successfully moved a council motion which called on the Lib Dem Cabinet to introduce free short-stay parking at Ashton Way in Keynsham. We believe this could be paid

for through the creation of more charged long-stay spaces. However, this was roundly rebuffed by the Lib Dems, whose Cabinet Member said there would be a cost attached and the council could not afford it, though gave no figures to back up his claim. The fact that the council can suddenly find £300,000 from nowhere, during apparently tight financial times, surely puts to bed once and for all the Lib Dem claims of lack of funds. Since the Lib Dems rejected pleas by Keynsham businesses and councillors for free parking, the demolition work on the town centre has begun in earnest. The message from traders is that they are very concerned that the loss of parking spaces and disruption caused by the work is already harming their businesses. B&NES needs to urgently review its previous refusal to implement free parking in Keynsham. The council should be doing all it can to help local traders during the inevitably difficult construction period of the town

centre, and free parking would be a quick and easy way to do this. The council has found £300,000 to keep parking free elsewhere in the authority. It should now find the funds to deliver it for Keynsham. Cllr Kate Simmons Cons, Keynsham South

New councillor takes up role Village is home, not just address As the newly elected councillor for Saltford Parish Council, I would like to give my heartfelt thanks to everyone who voted for me. I look forward to working positively with all of Saltford’s local councillors, both on the parish council and B&NES Council. Since I have a young family of my own, commute to work, and am lucky enough to have my elderly, retired parents living in Saltford; I am certain I view

life here with a broad enough perspective to take on board and represent most people’s point of view. Saltford is my home and not simply an address where I happen to live. This is a small place, anything that happens here impacts on all of us. We each need to take ownership of our responsibilities to Saltford in its entirety, and not just worry about our half of the the street in which we live. I feel it is vital that whatever decisions we make now are firmly based on the future needs of our community, ensuring we leave a legacy we can all be proud of. As such, it is my intention to do all that I possibly can to prevent detrimental influences on our environment and to promote new initiatives that will improve the quality of all our lives here as a whole. Cllr Robert Taylor Send your letters to Keynshamvoice, 16 Chandag Road, Keynsham, BS31 1NR or news@ keynshamvoice.co.uk

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December, 2012

News Centre is open for winter waste Residents are encouraged to make full use of the area’s recycling centres over the festive period, when the amount of rubbish produced increases. Winter opening times at Keynsham Recycling Centre, until the end of March, are: Monday to Friday, 8am-4.15pm; Saturday 9am-3.45pm; Sunday 9am-1pm. Over the Christmas holiday period the centre will be closed on: Tuesday, December 25; Wednesday, December 26; Tuesday, January 1, 2013. Residents can recycle over 35 different materials at the council’s recycling centres, including garden waste, fridges, all electrical items, cooking oil, tyres and furniture. Visit www.bathnes. gov.uk/wasteservices.

Santa Specials The winner of a free trip on a

Santa Special at Avon Valley Railway was Mrs D Martin, of Caernarvon Road, Keynsham.

Gig in aid of festival A local singer and songwriter who has shared the spotlight with the likes of Jarvis Cocker, Ricky Gervais and Malcolm Middleton will be performing in Keynsham this month. Gavin Osborn will appear at The Talbot, on Bath Road, when he plays a gig in aid of Keynsham Music Festival. Gavin appeared at this summer’s event in the Memorial Park, where he caught the eye of organisers, who approached him to perform at a winter fundraiser.

Music festival chairman Richard Davison said: “Gavin is clearly a very talented musician. When he performed at the festival last summer, holding and delighting a large crowd on the top stage, I thought that this was a real local talent that had to have more exposure in town. “His songs have that wonderful blend of humour and selfdeprecating pathos that works brilliantly – a great commentary on our times. People who get to see him in the more intimate

atmosphere of The Talbot will be truly entertained and have many thoughts provoked!” Gavin has written for and performed on BBC Radio 4, toured the UK and Australia, done gigs with poet-songwritercomedian John Hegley, and put on a series of shows at Edinburgh Fringe. The Keynsham show will be held on Friday, December 14, at 8.30pm, at The Talbot, and is free to enter, with a collection in aid of Keynsham Music Festival.

Schools celebrate new equipment Pupils from Castle and St John’s primaries joined MP Jacob Rees-Mogg at Keynsham’s Tesco to celebrate the new school equipment they will receive through the store’s voucher scheme. Bev Bull, customer service manager at Keynsham, said: “Tesco for Schools and Clubs

is a scheme which our team are proud to be part of. Thousands of customers have been collecting vouchers to help their local schools and clubs get new equipment showing what can happen when a whole community gets involved.”  See MP Jacob Rees-Mogg’s column on Page 23

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December, 2012

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News in brief

Talk of the Town

Ventures offer aTwoplace to relax new businesses have moved

with Councillor Gill Hellier, chairman of Keynsham Town Council

into Temple Court with the aim of helping Keynsham residents relax. Mother and daughter team Nicky and Ami Marshall run Holistic Insights and Ami Marshall Beauty respectively and said they were very pleased to be in Keynsham with its community feel. The businesses are open from TuesdaySaturday, 10am-4pm, and prebooking is essential. Visit www. holisticinsights.co.uk.

Businesses join network launch Representatives from many of the businesses operating in Saltford attended the first meeting of the Saltford Business Network (SBN) on November 15. Guest

speakers were Nigel Hutchings, Chambers of Commerce director from Business West, and John Wilkinson, economic, enterprise and business development manager for Bath and North East Somerset Council. The next event is a social evening at The Crown, Saltford, on January 31 at 7pm. Visit www.saltfordbusiness network.org.uk for details.

Mehak among top ‘newcomers’ A Keynsham curry house which opened earlier this year took its place among the South West’s top Indian restaurants in the running for a prestigious award. Mehak, at the Grange Hotel, was nominated for best newcomer in the South West at the British Curry Awards 2012. The results were announced last month, and the team behind the restaurant said they were “thrilled” to have made the shortlist. Visit the restaurant’s website at www.mehak-bristol. co.uk.

We hope you all enjoyed the Victorian evening and the switching on of the lights. We were so lucky to have a cold dry night; all that was missing was the snow. The children’s willow trees made a spectacular contribution to the parade and it was a wonderful atmosphere in the High Street with all the various stalls, the smell of chestnuts and the sound of carols. November saw the start of the regeneration of the town centre and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of

using the crane to deliver the first blows in the demolition of the shops. I really believe that this is the first step toward the creation of new jobs and businesses, confirming our important role in the future of the whole area. We would like to thank all the community groups for their tireless efforts in making Keynsham a very special place to live and we wish you all a very happy Christmas and a peaceful new year from all the town councillors and staff.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of using the crane to deliver the first blows in the demolition of the shops”

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December, 2012

News Plan to brighten up street begins Members of Keynsham Town Team have begun to put their plan to improve the look and atmosphere of the High Street into action. Group secretary Zoe Wilkins, of Truly Bespoke Furniture, Lynn Young of Perfect Fit and Chris Bollom of Simply Carpets have installed two benches and planters outside their premises. The traders also called on pupils from Wellsway School to create eye-catching window displays for Keynsham Victorian Evening. Another idea from the group will see students from the school getting involved again, with plans for them to work with a street artist to create a mural inspired by Mary Fairclough’s 1940s maps of the town. Zoe Wilkins said: “The plan is to brighten up a couple of areas, and there is a lot of support for this.” Find out more about Keynsham Town Team on Facebook.

On the Beat with PC Lisa Hawtin Brrrr, the icy weather is here. I am just about thawed out enough to type this passage, having just returned from the Keynsham Victorian Evening. It was a first for me and I’m really pleased to say that as far as policing goes it was uneventful, no crimes reported, no anti-social behaviour, just good, honest fun. Well done Keynsham and thank you to those who had a part in bringing it all together. I have previously written to you in the Keynshamvoice about rogue traders and the safety measures that you need to consider when answering your door. Well, while on my annual leave last month I was briefly confined to the

hotel to allow Hurricane Sandy to sweep by and decided to check the force website, www. avonandsomerset.police.uk, to see what was happening back on “my patch”. I was really pleased to read that one of our more senior residents had experienced such a scenario but was quick-thinking enough to shut the door and call the police, which allowed my colleagues to get there and make an arrest. Fantastic! That’s the result I want to read about, let’s have more of the same, please – together we can beat the baddies! If you are not sure, don’t answer the door. With the Christmas season now upon us Avon and Somerset Police are once again run-

ning a drink-drive campaign. This year we have introduced a modern way of getting in touch with us. We are encouraging people to shop a drink/drugs driver by calling 999 or texting the word “drunk” to 81819 on their mobile phone, along with any information which might help us respond. This might include the vehicle registration number and its location and, if you can, the driver’s name. These texts are treated in the same way we treat 999 calls. That’s all from me for now. However, in the mean time when you see me or any of the team on patrol, do stop us for a chat. Keep safe, keep warm and enjoy a peaceful and happy Christmas.

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December, 2012

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News

Speaking paper gets an update A news service for blind and partially sighted people is using up-to-date technology to keep people up to date with local events. Month in Bath Talking Newspaper has been running for 28 years, providing recordings of news items from the local press on cassette tapes to people in Bath and the surrounding area. As the tapes and players had begun to age, the group has now invested in USB sticks and players for its listeners with the aid of funding from the B&NES Small Grant Fund, from Waitrose, Specsavers and donations from members. Anyone with a friend or releative who they feel might benefit from this service, which includes news, sport, events, and guest speakers, can contact Jackie Hilton on 01225 330861 or by email at monthinbath@gmail. com.

Jacob Rees-Mogg MP The House of Commons has been debating the Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill. This bill will oversee the Groceries Code and will give the Adjudicator the power to arbitrate between large retailers and their suppliers, investigate and advise upon the Code and potentially fine supermarkets which breach the Code. It is a bill which fits in with the fashion of seeing supermarkets as an unduly powerful and slightly malevolent force. However, this seems an unfair picture. Last month I went to the Keynsham Tesco where Bev Bull, the customer service manager, was handing out equipment to local schools. Nationally, Tesco has spent

£9.2 million on this scheme. It has now run for 21 years and is supported by customers, who collect vouchers to help their communities. Some time before that I went to the Midsomer Norton Sainsbury’s where Paul Broad was supporting FairShare, which distributes food collected in the store to the needy. These charitable activities are a reminder that the supermarkets make an effort beyond their profit and loss account to be corporate citizens. Naturally this is done in part to enhance their reputations but nonetheless it does good. Adam Smith said: “It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, brewer or baker

that we expect our dinner but from their regard to their own interest.” This is inevitably true of the major food retailers. However, their regard for their self-interest has done more to raise living standards in this country than any recent politician with the arguable exception of Margaret Thatcher. Their sophisticated distribution systems and international buying power has lessened the cost while improving the quality of supplies. This leaves people with more money to spend on non-essential items. If the Adjudicator undermines this a tokenistic bill will be cashiered. www.jacobreesmogg.com

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December, 2012

Keynsham Victorian Evening Countdown to Christmas begins

Photos: Simon Page

The festive season has officially begun in Keynsham, with the town’s annual Victorian Evening bringing plenty of Christmas cheer on November 30. The dry, cold weather brought families flocking with a parade of stiltwalkers, cadets’ marching band, Santa and donkeys starting proceedings. Schoolchildren joined the procession with their Christmas tree artwork, while Lucy Sheppard, the winner of Keynsham Town Council’s colouring competition, pictured on the next page, had the honour of switching on the Christmas lights. Stalls lined the High Street, with more inside St John’s Church and the Fear Hall, while local performers took to the main stage and the Salvation Army Band played Christmas carols. Many traders also opened their shops late for the occasion, with the Mind charity shop winning best window display.

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December, 2012

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Keynsham Victorian Evening

25 5

Photo: Keynsham Town Council

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December, 2012

What’s On December December 7-9 St John’s Christmas Tree Festival. Various events during the festival, including tours of the bell tower and a range of musical events. Entry free but donations will be invited.

December 14 Avon Wildlife Trust, Keyn-

sham Local Group. Members’ Evening, five 15-minute talks by Keynsham members, 7.30pm at the Baptist Church Hall, High Street. Adults £2.50, children £1. Christmas refreshments and a bring-and-buy book stall.

Have you got an event you would like to publicise? Or do you run a club or society in the Keynsham area? Send details to emma@keynshamvoice.co.uk or call us on 07715 770448 and we will make sure thousands of people in Keynsham know about it.

December 17 Keynsham & Saltford Local History Society. Illustrated talk by John Bartlett on “The Old

Snuff Mills – Stapleton”. At The Key Centre, Victoria Methodist Church, Charlton Road, Keynsham, 7.30pm. Visitors welcome, £2.50.

December 22 and 23 Carol singing with The Bath Bach Junior Choir at Newton Farm Shop. They will be singing for 30 minutes starting at 10.30am.

What’s on in Keynsham on a regular basis Passionate about local libraries, communities and history? Why

not join the Friends of Saltford Library? The group organises author visits, coffee mornings, poetry evenings, writing workshops and visits to nearby places of historical interest. Call 01225 394041 or email june_wentland @bathnes.gov.uk.

Monday ChoirJam, Keynsham’s fun pop choir, meets on Mondays and Tuesdays, 7.30-9pm and Wednesdays, 11.30am-1pm during term-time at Wellsway School, Keynsham. We sing everything from the Temptations to Take That and perform with a live band! Adults of all ages are welcome to join; there’s no audition and no experience necessary – just enthusiasm and

Goods go under the hammer to help Scouts Bids poured on for goods going under the hammer at 1st Keynsham Scout Group’s auction on November 17. Items on sale ranged from toys to furniture, and were donated to the group by members of the public following an appeal. The events, held at Scout HQ in Ashton Way, was a success, raising more than £4,000 for the group. On behalf of the group, John Aldridge said: “The

Scouts would like to thank the people from Keynsham and further afield for their generosity in supporting their recent auction. “The number and quality of items that are donated always amazes the organisers and public support is tremendous. £4,300 was raised to support Scouting.” Visit www.1stkeynsham scouts.org.uk for more information on the group and its activities.

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What’s On a love of singing! To book a taster session call Emma Hutchinson on 07793 983040 or visit the website www.choirjam. co.uk. The Women’s Section of the Royal British Legion, Keynsham, would be delighted to welcome new members. They meet upstairs at the RBL Club on the first Monday of each month, 7.30pm. Occasional speakers, social events and outings, why not come along and meet new friends? Key Voices, Keynsham’s friendly community singing group is looking for new members. Monday between 7.15pm and 9.30pm during term-times at Castle School in Newlands Road. Cost £4 per session, £3 concessions. Call Roy on 0117 949 8587. Keynsham Writing Group meets in the library on the second and fourth Monday of the month, from 2.30-4pm. We are a small,

friendly group and welcome new members of all abilities. For details, call Pat on 0117 986 4722. Learn to play short mat bowls with a really friendly mixed group at Fear Hall, High Street, Keynsham on Mondays 1.30-4pm and/or Fridays 7.30-9.30pm until mid-May. Everyone welcome, newcomers free. Ring Clive on 0117 986 6793 or just turn up.

484510 or Phyllis on 0117 986 8623. Residents’ Fellowship Association, based at Hawthorn Meeting Room in Carpenters Lane, 2-4pm. We do different activities, eg. luncheon, quiz, games, including darts, and a committee meeting. On a Thursday afternoon, we do crafts and we also have a community garden. Call Jim Lingard on 0117 986 1551.

Tuesday Wellsway Ladies Badminton Club, 7.30pm to 9.30 pm at Keynsham Leisure Centre. For more details, contact Jenny on 0117 986 8331. KOPS = Keynsham Older People’s Social group. This friendly group of local, older people meet on the first Tuesday of the month at Community@67 (the old post office), Queens Road, Keynsham, at 2pm. The group is free to join but members usually bring along a small item for the raffle table. New members welcome, call Paula on 01225

St Keyna Townswomen’s Guild. A friendly, outgoing group of various ages who meet on the second Tuesday of each month at the Fear Hall, High Street, Keynsham, 9.45-11.45am. With interesting speakers and coffee/ tea and biscuits. We have many sub-groups, including theatre and local interest trips, an art group, book club, Scrabble, cards, walkers, singers, bowls and more!.

Wednesday Keynsham Photographic Society, Fear Hall, 7.30pm, to enjoy all aspects of photography. Visiting

speakers; competitions; sessions to share and discuss your own photographs with opportunities to view the best amateur work from the South West. www. keynshamphotographicsociety. co.uk. Come along to share.

Friday If you’re interested in crafts and meeting like-minded adults, head to the Labbott Community Room in Keynsham between 11am and 1pm every Friday. Join a very friendly mixed group who meet up every Friday to play badminton during “Adult Recreation”, 10am to noon at Keynsham Leisure Centre. All welcome regardless of ability. Just turn up or ring Clive on 0117 986 6793. Avon Wildlife Trust, Keynsham Local Group. Winter Talks, second Friday of each month until April, 7.30pm at the Baptist Church Hall, High Street, Keynsham. Adults £2.50, children £1. Refreshments, bring-and-buy book stall.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

ChoirJam starts day session ChoirJam, Keynsham’s fastgrowing pop choir, is now booking places for its brand new daytime session which starts in January on Wednesday mornings from 11.30am-1pm at Fear Hall in the High Street. The choir, which celebrates its second anniversary in January, already has over 90 “Jammers” aged 20 to 70-something who meet on Monday and Tuesday nights at Wellsway School. “Not everyone is available in the evenings, especially if they work shifts, have young children or are seniors who prefer to be home at that time. This new daytime session is for them,” said choir director Emma Hutchinson. Performing classic pop songs from the Sixties to the Noughties, as well as current hits by Adele and Olly Murs, the choir performs with a live band and is open to anyone over 18 who would like to do more singing in a fun, relaxed environment and meet new people. “Being in ChoirJam is a

bit like singing along to your favourite songs on the radio with a bunch of friends,” adds Emma, “and you don’t have to be an amazing singer to join – if you

can hold a tune, that’s fine!” If you’d like to book your free Wednesday morning taster session (subject to availability – normal cost £8) between January

9 and 23, fill in the form online at www.choirjam.co.uk, contact Emma on 07793 983040 or get in touch via Facebook, quoting reference KV1212.

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Library news Adult fiction – highly recommended  The Little Stranger byy Sarah Waters Hundreds Hall, a once-grand Georgian house, now in decline in the post-war years, is home to the Ayres family (a mother, and her son and daughter). Dr Faraday is called to the house one summer to attend to a young member of the staff and is soon drawn in to the sinister and disturbing events affecting the household. The ending is superb and will keep you pondering for days, if not longer. This supernatural tale is both gripping and scary (and, as a fan of the genre, I am not easily spooked). I cannot recommend this book highly enough; it’s the perfect read as the nights draw in – just remember to keep a lamp on!

Books of the month with staff from Keynsham Library

Spoken Word  A Week in December by Sebastian Faulks, narrated by Colin Mace As the title suggests, this book takes place over the course of a single week (the week before Christmas in 2007). We meet seven different characters who all seem to be solitary, trying to make sense of the world they inhabit. By the end of the novel we have learnt how they are all inter-connected and the insights they have had. The Times reviewed it as “eminently readable, cleverly plotted”. We also stock the printed copy of this novel.

December, 2012

For Young Adults

Non-fiction

 After the Snow by SD Crockett Willo lives in the “barren landscape off a new ice age”. One day he returns from hare-trapping to find that his family have inexplicably vanished. nished When he realises they are not coming back, he has no choice but to load up his sledge and embark on a journey of survival. This is a thrilling story, set in an unusual, harsh landscape.

 Delia’s Happy Christmas by Delia Smith For anyone who is faced with (and fazed by) the prospect of Christmas cooking, this beautifully illustrated book is for you. As well as recipes, there are sections on armchair shopping and suppliers, planning, cooking ahead and for the freezer and what to do with the leftovers. Reviews by Sarah Wookey

Children’s Picture Book  Santa is Coming to Bristol! by Steve Smallman, illustrated by Robert Dunn Follow Santa and his reindeer as they visit Bristol on Christmas Eve. Full of place names and illustrations of local landmarks, this is a fun book for all children with a Bristol connection.

The Library’s Christmas opening hours are as follows:  Christmas Eve: 9am-1pm  Christmas Day: CLOSED  Boxing Day: CLOSED  December 27: 9am-6pm  December 28: 9am-5pm  December 29: 9am-4.30pm  December 30: CLOSED  December 31: 9am-5pm  January 1: CLOSED  January 2: CLOSED A happy Christmas to all our customers!

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December, 2012

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Down on the farm with the Upton Cheyney Chilli Company So our chilli farming year is drawing to an end, and although at time of writing we still have numerous unripe pods to harvest, the recent frosts will claim a good number of these. Fortunately, in the end, we did harvest significant quantities and our freezers are bursting at the seams with quality UK-farmed chillies. The frozen pods will now be used over the course of next year to make sauce, chocolate, oil and Hot Pig chilli sausages. Our smoking season has also now ended, with the smoke houses being packed away for another year. It’s always exciting to start smoking chillies again, but after three months of loading and unloading the smokers, the novelty has started to wear thin. Being told I smell of smoke every day has also become a little tiresome!

Without doubt, by the end of this month, the polytunnels will have suffered enough frost to have killed all of the plants. Over the next few weeks, therefore, we start clearing the tunnels of all plants, while adding well-rotted organic manure to the soil in preparation for next year’s growing season.

As with most people at this time of year we have also started planning for 2013, and are really excited to be offering farm tours and tasting experiences as of July. The idea is to encourage more people to the farm, taking part in organised tours that encompass all aspects of chillies,

including growing, smoking, tasting and cooking. The tours cost £25 for individuals and £40 for a couple. Lasting up to two hours, the tours are designed to be informative and interesting as well as extremely good fun, with lots of hands-on experience, including the chance to harvest your own pods. Vouchers are available now from our website and make the ideal Christmas gift, not only for spice lovers but also those with a horticultural interest – www. uptonchilli.co.uk As of January, our chilli farming year starts again, and we look forward to sharing our germination experiences with you then.

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December, 2012

Thought for the month with Reverend Michael Standbridge, Keynsham Baptist Church It is a delight to be able to offer the Thought for the Month for December because I just love Christmas with all its trappings (except, of course, for the shopping queues). However, there are those occasions when the trappings of Christmas distract from what, for the Christian Church, is the central celebration – the birth of Jesus, God’s only Son, in Bethlehem all those years ago. It is a bit like the occasion I was out for lunch one day and I saw the sign for the “Vegetarian Special” – Gammon and Pineapple. Oops! It is great that

there was a special for vegetarians – but the option was really quite inappropriate! The person who had written the specials board was mortified when they discovered their mistake and very quickly the sign disappeared! (I promised that I would not let on who, where and when I saw the sign).

They say that Christmas is for children! Well I must be a big child as I find the whole wonder of God becoming a little baby in the form of Jesus amazing. The joy of sharing the love of God - the giving and receiving of gifts and all that goes with it. But it is so easy to be sidetracked and forget the baby at the heart of the celebration; we miss the point – like the person who wrote the “Vegetarian Special”. The busyness of the day and concerns about all sorts of things make the mind veer from the point.

So as I offer you every blessing at this significant season, I urge us all to find time to be still and to know that God’s Son Jesus was given to you and to the world in unconditional love. He is an amazing gift; given so that we, through faith, may have everlasting life and have it in all its fullness. The gospel of John chapter 3 verse 16 puts it well: “Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life.” Peace be with you.

Craft fair enjoys a record year The organisers of Wellsway School’s annual craft fair are celebrating a record year after a successful event on Sunday, November 11. Wih 94 stalls, it was the biggest fair yet with record numbers of visitors and it raised £4,300 for the Friends of Wellsway School PTA, to help provide essential equipment for the school.

A spokesperson said: “Thanks go to all the volunteer friends, parents and staff who helped make this such a great event. Feedback from stall holders was good and several have already booked for 2013.” Booking forms for the 2013 Craft and Gift Fair are available from the PTA’s page on the Wellsway School website, www. wellswayschool.com.

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December, 2012

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News

Keynsham Crafts

Two exhibitions of local artists’ work are the latest events organised by Keynsham Creative Enterprise Hub. Street artist Lee Kirby of Flipt Murals, whose work has previously adorned a house front in Keynsham, is now showing his art at the Pomegranate Cafe until the end of December. The Hub has also enlisted the help of High Street venue the Wine Bar to show work by Poppy James this month. A spokesperson said: “The Hub is presently working tirelessly on expanding their portfolio of venues for events and exhibitions with the firm intention of securing a more permanent base to benefit the Keynsham community. “From the level of interest being generated by these events, it is anticipated that more venues

I have been making sock monkeys for about a year or so. I have always enjoyed crafts and making things, which I think comes from my dad. When I was growing up he was always making me toys like the huge dolls’ house he made me one Christmas (although Santa brought it!). I got into making sock monkeys after sharing a table at the Wellsway School Craft Fair with a friend. She was making sock monkeys and they sold really well because they appealed to people of all ages. This year I too had a stall at Wellsway School Craft Fair and completely sold out of stock, which was amazing – I just wish I’d made more. I have had several people contact me since and I now make sock monkeys to order. My “craft mentor”, my dad, had one as a birthday present. He proudly has it on display with his books by his armchair. If you would like a sock monkey created just for you, please let me have a pair of ladies’ short

Hub is behind artists’ shows

around Keynsham will help creativity and enterprise to flourish in the town during 2013.” The Hub’s website (www. creative-enterprise-hub.org) was relaunched at the Keynsham Victorian Evening, and the group’s activities can be followed on Twitter @keynshamcreate or on Facebook. To get involved with the Hub or if you are interested in using your premises for exhibitions or activities, contact them online.

Profile: Suzannah Hynam

socks and I will make a wee beastie just for you. Kits can also be bought, which make brilliant gift ideas and are very light to post. Monkeys are £6, kits are £4.50. Contact Suzannah at suzannah@virgin media.blackberry.com or on 07982 307654.

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December, 2012

Advertising feature

A festive feast without fuss Festive turkey dinner with all the trimmings and not a saucepan in sight. What more could you want for Christmas? Christmas is a time for relaxing, so leave mealtimes to Wiltshire Farm Foods. They have created a range of classic Christmas meals and desserts to celebrate the festive season that will really excite your tastebuds. The Hearty Roast Turkey meal with all the trimmings, followed by a classic Christmas pudding and custard, packed with fruit and served with lashings of custard, is the perfect choice for a winter meal.

If you fancy something lighter this Christmas, they offer a Roast Chicken in Red Wine and Mushroom sauce, perhaps combined with a sherry trifle. You’ll be spoilt for choice! A Perfect Christmas Menu Using ingredients selected from carefullyapproved suppliers and then prepared by a team of nutritionists and award-winning chefs in their kitchens, Wiltshire Farm Foods creates and delivers a delicious range of frozen meals that can be cooked in minutes. This Christmas they have brought back lots of seasonal favourites and introduced some delicious new choices. They are especially proud of the Gammon in Cranberry and Orange Sauce, pictured above, which would make an excellent alternative to roast turkey. To start you off, you might like to order the Christmas Selection Pack, with six festive meals and four desserts, all for just £29.95. It’s a great way to try a variety of favourite meals and includes a free 12 Days of Christmas Tea Towel, pictured. Your Local Service Convenience is a key part of the Wiltshire Farm Foods offering. All meals can be ordered over the phone or online. They’re then delivered by a friendly, local driver, who is always happy to put meals away in the freezer, if preferred. With the freezer stocked up, a hot meal is only ever a few minutes away so you can relax this Christmas and let Wiltshire Farm Foods do all the hard work! Established over 20 years ago, the local Wiltshire Farm Foods team based in Portbury delivers approximately 15,000 meals or desserts each week to satisfied customers throughout Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. Adam Michallat-Cox said: “Whatever you choose, our delicious meals and puddings offer great value as well as great taste. “Our Christmas menu also caters for diabetic and gluten-free dietary needs too, so customers can enjoy festive meals with confidence.” For a free copy of the Wiltshire Farm Foods Christmas menu or to order the Christmas Selection Pack, phone 0800 773 773 or visit www.wiltshirefarmfoods. com.

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December, 2012

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Keynsham Kitchen

with Sirona’s Healthy Lifestyles Service Team. Tel: 01225 831852

Warming Winter Spiced Carrot and Parsnip Soup This is a delicious winter warmer, making the most of some of the season’s traditional vegetables.

amount of unsaturated (e.g. sunflower) oil for a healthier choice.

Ingredients 1 tablespoon sunflower oil 1 onion, chopped 3 celery sticks, chopped 1 garlic clove, peeled and finely chopped 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger or (ground ginger) ½ tablespoon curry powder 500g parsnips, chopped 250g carrots, chopped 1 low-salt vegetable stock cube, made up to 1 litre with boiling water

 Get active rather than slump on the sofa – take a brisk walk, play an indoor game or maybe just crank up the music and dance away those calories!

Method 1. Heat the oil in a pan over a medium heat. Add the chopped onion, celery sticks, garlic and grated fresh ginger (or ground ginger) and cook for about five minutes. 2. Stir in the curry powder and cook for a further five minutes. 3. Add the chopped parsnips and

carrots and pour in the vegetable stock. Cover and simmer until the vegetables are tender, this will take about 30 minutes. 4. Purée the soup (using either a blender or stick-blender). If too thick add more stock until you get the right consistency. 5. Serve with a slice of wholemeal bread. Cook’s tip: For an extra special

finish, serve your soup with toasted pumpkin seeds for an added crunch. To toast pumpkin seeds, place in a pan over a medium heat and dry fry until the seeds begin to pop. Sirona’s tips for a happy and healthy Christmas dinner  Cut potatoes for roasting into larger chunks – they’ll absorb less fat. Roast them in a small

 Christmas dinner provides the perfect opportunity to indulge your body with a feast of healthy goodies and hit your five a day. Pile your plate full of colourful veggies as they’re packed full of important vitamins and nutrients.  For healthy snacks during the festive season, go for unsalted nuts, dried fruit or satsumas. Interesting fact! 15,000 tonnes of sprouts will be bought in the UK during the Christmas period, and during the festive season each person will eat an average of 15 sprouts.

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December, 2012

Keynsham Shopping

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December, 2012

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In the Garden with our Homegrown Gardener Hellebores give us a gentle reminder, in the new year, of colours in the garden, which calls to mind preventative action to be taken in December. Cut back all leaves from the plant and bin them or burn them, do not compost them. Cutting back the leaves helps prevent the black spot fungus from developing, and also combats a virus known as the Black Death. Also, I read, removal of the leaves dissuades mice from sheltering and attacking the new shoots. In spring it is recommended to mulch the plants with bark, to prevent rain from splashing from the ground and transmitting the damaging spores. Amazing what I keep learning! Autumn, and leaves begin to fall. As I have mentioned

previously we have apple, plum and pear trees in the garden and they have all shed their leaves. Pear leaves are a problem because they seem to stay wet and lie flat on the ground. Apple leaves are dry and crinkled, plum leaves are small and no problem. I clear the leaves on a regular basis. I have a big plastic rake which makes short work of then into piles. I dump them in a shallow trench and about once a month I turn the pile and add moisture to keep them damp. This time next year I will have a small amount of a fine black residue, about four large buckets full. This is quite nutritious and I mix it with spent compost and add it to tubs etc. Many people use black bags for leaves but I

do not find this successful. As long I get something for nothing a little effort is worth it. Leaves are trembling on the bough Waiting for the autumn fall Having spent their natural life now Apple, pear and hawthorn, small Soon the carpet masks the grasses Covering the blades of green Nature knows the time that passes Removing all that we have seen Then letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s look for signs of life and Searching branches far and near Realise what is to hand

The start of another gardening year. Do you make compost? Something very necessary for the garden. I find great pleasure in creating good compost, useful for improving the soil, and adding to spent commercial compost. The fact that it comes free, just by using all the waste foliage, grass and kitchen vegetable remains gives it a value. It takes two years for it to become friable and moist.After the first year I turn it into a second bay and cover it, and then start again in the first bay. The pleasure of digging it out (apart from the backache) and working it into the soil in the beds and borders is immense.

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December, 2012

Keynsham business of the month

For December, we speak to Sal Wadhwani, owner of Wellfield Laser & Beauty Wellfield Laser and Beauty was established in 2007 by owner and manager Sal Wadhwani, having trained and worked in London. She has over 10 years’ experience in the laser and beauty industries. Sal lives in Keynsham and combines running this business with raising her family while enjoying the whole experience Keynsham has to offer. Tell us about your company In spa settings surrounded by private gardens, just minutes away from the High Street and with free parking, Wellfield Laser and Beauty gives a tranquil but professional feel to your desired treatment. Since 2007, it has built up its clientele through “word of mouth” and is very proud of its high reputation. Each treatment is individual and is customised to the client’s needs. You are guaranteed a friendly professional service that will make you feel welcome and stress-free. What service do you provide to the people of Keynsham? Using the Lynton Laser Lumina system, supported by the UKbased, award-winning company Lynton Lasers, we are able to offer the highest standard of laser hair removal, red thread vein removal e.g. facial and body thread veins and rosecea, active acne and rejuvenating laser facials, which are available to both men and women. Because of our off-high-street location we are able to offer this uncompromising standard at

surprisingly affordable prices. Beauty treatments are both amazing and relaxing, leaving you feeling like a million dollars, at a fraction of the expensive spa prices. What is the best part of running your business and working in Keynsham? The people of Keynsham are so friendly, warm and welcoming that we have become friends with so many of our clients. Accordingly, we feel a strong connection to the local community and hope that this unique service contributes, in some way, to the success of the town. What makes your service different from other companies? The motivation for this business came when, some years ago, Sal underwent laser hair removal

herself to remedy her own facial hair problem. The result gave such a boost to her confidence that she decided to dedicate her time to help others achieve the same results but at more affordable prices. So many of our clients have now experienced the same amazing results and tell us that it was one of the best decisions they ever made. We offer free consultations for anyone who is considering laser treatment to answer any questions and concerns they may have. Contact: Wellfield Laser and Beauty, Wellfield House, Parkhouse Lane, Keynsham, Bristol, BS31 2SG. Tel: 0117 986 8085. Online: www.wellfieldlaser.co.uk or see our Facebook page for special offers – Wellfield Laser.

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Keynsham property of the month The Old School â&#x20AC;&#x201C; now available This unique terraced, two-bedroom house benefits from traditional architecture and design as well as a magnificent full-height feature window. Elevations are natural stone to match the existing school building and include Bath stone surrounds, lintels, mullions and transoms. This plot has windows on the north, west and south elevations. The entrance is via communal gardens and then a small section of garden belonging to this property. It offers two bedrooms, wooden double-glazed windows, courtyard garden, double-height living space, parking space and integrated appliances. Book a viewing by calling Andrews Keynsham branch on 0117 986 9000.

The Old School, Albert Road

ÂŁ219,000

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December, 2012

News in brief Boutique marks fiA bridal rst accessories anniversary boutique is celebrating its first year on the High Street, and owner Amanda Davis-Harrison has plenty of plans for the future. Bridezillas opened last November, stocking gifts, shabbychic items and accessories,

Photo: Barbara Evripidou

including Amanda’s own range, Abigail Grace, featuring vintage tiaras. Amanda is planning to expand the range the shop offers, including wedding favours and wedding brolly hire. She said: “With a great posi-

tion on the bustling Keynsham High Street opposite St John’s Church where I was married , we are perfectly placed to serve the brides of Bristol and Bath and have had customers from Taunton, Cheltenham, London and South Wales.”

New skills to benefi t town Young people from Keynsham

will be learning woodwork skills – and putting them to good use creating benches for the community. Norton Radstock College is working with @One - St John’s Youth and Community Centre in Keynsham to offer practical woodwork courses for 16- to 21-year-olds. The project will be part of the High Street regeneration. The Community Education Team, usually based at Broadlands School, offer a range of courses for all ages – for more information or to request to be included in the bench project contact Anne on 01761 433161.

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December, 2012

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News

Tell us a tale to celebrate festival Writers are urged to grab their pens and produce a short story for next year’s Saltford Festival. Whether it’s fact or fiction, and whatever the theme, as long as it is 1,500 words or less your tale could claim the £50 first prize or £20 second prize. Cultural Olympiad “writer on the road” Marcus Moore and author Tricia Wastvedt will judge the entries. Organisers hope that Saltford itself will be the inspiration for some of the stories, adding: “The aim of the competition is to encourage talent and for the fes-

tival public to read and enjoy the stories. We would particularly welcome stories about historical or present Saltford.” Entry is £5 per story, with multiple entries permitted, and the stories will be included in a booklet. For more information on the competition and how to present your story, email m_dscotty@ hotmail.com. Deadline for entries is March 25, 2013, and they should be delivered to Saltford Short Story Competition, c/o Saltford Library, 478a Bath Road, Saltford, Bristol BS31 3DJ.

Barber shop will be branching out A Keynsham barber shop is moving to new premises and is branching out into male grooming. Blades Barbers is relocating to the former Johnson’s Dry Cleaning shop where a range of services will be offered on two floors.

The barber shop will be on the ground floor, while upstairs two treatment rooms will offer waxing, massage – including deep tissue, hot stones and sports massages – facials, manicures and pedicures, a standup tanning machine, hopi ear candles and more.

Tapathon raises tidy sum for cause A total of 30 tap dancers took part in a “tapathon” to raise money for Children in Need on November 18. The event was held at the Fry Club at the same time as other dancers held their own tapathons in venues across the UK, all performing the same six-minute routine, which they

had been learning over the past few months. The Keyford Dancing School was pleased to take part and sent £350 from its event. Adult tap is proving popular and a new beginners’ class will be starting on Wednesday, January 9, in the Lodge at the Fry Club.

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Sport

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December, 2012

Above, Saltford Short Mat Bowls Club’s four finalists; below, chairman David Sawyer, Cllr Duncan Hounsell, and club secretary Joan Hamblin

Colts secure their place in finals Fry Club Colts came another step nearer to winning the under 12s Avon Youth League Plate on Sunday, November 11. They defeated Whitchurch Sports JFC by 12 goals to nil

in the semi-final at Somerdale, Keynsham. Frys played some outstanding football to make certain they reached the final due to take place on March 31, 2013. Well done, boys!

Sports centre team pick up award Olympians and Paralympians were among those watching as SBL Sports was named a winner at the South Gloucestershire 2012 Sport Awards. The sports centre, based at Sir Bernard Lovell School, won the James Clifford Memorial Award, which is presented to sports industry professionals who have

shown innovation or creativity or provided top customer service. General manager Laura Butler collected the award on behalf of the team and said: “Our plans for development are always evolving and with the support of the school and local community, we really can ‘inspire a generation’.”

Game decided by final shot

A team from Saltford Short Mat Bowls Club reached the finals of the Avon SMBA fours competition, playing a game which wasn’t decided until the very last shot. Robert and Pauline Brookes (Saltford) and Karen and Terry Goodhind (Whitchurch) competed against a team from Winterbourne. With both teams on equal shots going into the last end, the game was so close it was impossible to predict a winner. Then in the last bowl of the game Winterbourne picked up three shots for a win. The game was full of friendly banter between the two skips. Saltford Short Mat Bowls Club is continuing with its monthly open sessions, and the next one will be on Sunday, December 9, at Saltford Hall, from 10am-1pm. All equipment supplied and tuition given and all ages are welcome. The club welcomed the chair

of Saltford Parish Council, Councillor Duncan Hounsell, to the open session on November 18. Cllr Hounsell said: “There is a lovely, friendly atmosphere at the club. The game suits all ages and family groups. I thoroughly recommend that people give short mat bowls a try.” The club has over 70 members and is looking to expand. Bowling sessions are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 1.45-4.30pm; Friday evenings 7-10pm. For more information, contact club secretary Joan Hamblin on 01225 872389.

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December, 2012

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Sport

Young players claim victories A good weekend for young play-

Shaping up with Steve Beere from StudioFit December is here and Christmas is around the corner! This month is full of exciting (yet stressful!) events. You may be starting to plan your Christmas; buying presents or preparing for the big day. Plus we all have Christmas meals and parties to attend. Don’t let this affect your training – if you’re finding yourself short of time why not try this quick and easy workout: Peripheral Heart Action (PHA) is an aerobic and resistance-based workout. The concept is to perform a set of exercises continuously in order to increase muscle tone and endurance, along with aerobic fitness. This workout

should include three compound resistance-based exercises, for example an upper body push (press up); a leg compound (squat) and an upper body pull (pull up). This is all followed by an aerobic exercise (for example, the treadmill). The suggested repetition range for the resistance component is 12-15, and for the aerobic section it’s best to keep a high intensity for three-five minutes (depending on ability). We need to perform these exercises continuously in rounds, with minimal recovery in between exercises, looking to perform two-five rounds. This workout can take anything from just 10-40 minutes depending on how many

rounds and how many minutes aerobic exercise we do, making it a time-saving, energising workout! Here at StudioFit we have just started offering our new Master Classes. Our Master Classes consist of six hours of training with various methods of exercise. They are a great way to challenge yourself or simply to sample the classes that we offer. To see what we are up to follow us on our StudioFit Facebook page. Dont leave it till the new year to start your new fitness regime. Why not pop down to the studio, join a class and get ahead of the game. Have a great Christmas!

ers at Keynsham with Jamie Hawkins winning the Sunday open snooker event for the first time in his young career when defeating Mitchell Hooper 3-2 in the final on Sunday, December 2. In earlier matches to reach the final Jamie Hawkins also scored wins over Nigel Turk, Vadim, Ross Summers, Kurtis Weaver and in the semi-final Mike Lloyd. Mitchell Hooper pulled off a cracking double on Saturday, December 1, when winning Keynsham’s junior snooker and pool events on the same day. In the snooker final Mitchell Hooper defeated Jamie Hawkins and in the pool final scored a great comeback victory to beat Connor Mitchell after being 4-0 down.  Judd Trump, World No 1, last month won the inaugural International Championship in Chengdu, China. He was knocked out of the UK Championship on December 2, however.

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December, 2012

Sport Good form continues for both senior tennis teams

Siobhan in top 10

The winter league season is now well under way and both Fry’s senior teams continue to compete well in strong divisions. Continuing their good form from the last month, the first team started November with an impressive 10-0 win over David Lloyd Westbury. Unfortunately, they were unable to match this performance in their next match, slipping to a disap-

Swimmer Siobhan-Marie O’Connor is one of 10 young sports stars in the running for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year 2012 award. Siobhan, who started her career with Keynsham Swimming Club, was the youngest swimmer competing for Team GB at the London Olympics. The winner will be announced live on December 16 at ExCel in London.

pointing 10-0 defeat away to Kings. But with 20 points from their opening three matches Fry’s I still remain in a decent position in Division 2B. Fry’s II had a very good month, first recording a very comfortable 10-0 win against Henleaze. Then they came up against table-topping Lansdown II. Despite missing key players through injury, a great perform-

ance meant they won two of the four matches and thanks to winning more sets secured the bonus point that led to a 6-4 win. With four matches played, Fry’s II are in third place in Division 4D and remain in contention only a few points behind the leaders. For further information about Fry Tennis Club or if you would like to join us, please contact Ann Smith on 0117 986 2845.

Keynsham raise their game Keynsham Rugby Club’s season is improving. Although there are only two weekends of rugby to report, plus a vets’ tour to Manchester, the mood is much brighter at the Crown Field – at least it was, prior to the flooding! November 3 There was a wonderful game of rugby between two contrasting sides when the local club welcomed Barton Hill. The opening 20 minutes were played at a frenetic pace and seldom dropped to pedantic thereafter. In essence it was a battle between a side with a totally dominant pack, at least in the set pieces (Barton Hill) and one with a lively and innovative backline. Following a break from winger James Hurrell-Smith, no 8 New Newman scored a try, converted by Ben Bolster, and Keynsham took a seven-point lead. Barton Hill then edged ahead through a try and a penalty, but another penalty from Bolster put the home side ahead again. Barts led again at half time from a try, 15-10. It was all Barton Hill’s pack in the second half but K defended magnificently and led after 25 minutes in the second half through a super try from HurrellSmith, converted by Bolster. Barton Hill responded immediately with another forwards’ try, converted, to lead 22-17. The last 12 minutes (including nine minutes of over-time) saw Keynsham doing everything but score what would have been an equalising try. They had to be satisfied with a losing bonus point, but turned in a great team performance. The seconds notched a great win away at Gordano, triumph-

Photo: Bob Baber

Second row/wing forward Lewis Bush fending off a would-be tackler ing 20-8, with all the points coming from winger Rob Breckon with a try and five penalties. This week the team cut out the silly mistakes that have been rife, and played with great heart and discipline. The thirds won at home against Weston 3rds in a thriller, 37-36. K’s try scorers were Russ Tanner (four) and Scott Leach; John Piece adding four conversions. Paul Greatbanks was man of the match. The club also put out a fourth team + six subs, in a friendly against Bristol Barbarians, which given the number of injured players who are unavailable, is indicative of the enjoyment people are getting from playing at KRFC. The fact that they lost heavily is irrelevant.

November 18 The firsts came away from a rare win in the Forest of Dean when they trounced the home team by 49 points to eight. This was a superb performance from the whole squad and at last the potential they have been showing came to a climax. They were strong in all facets of play, from the front row through to the full back. Paul Edson, at stand-off, coming back from injury, gave a fine display of tactical kicking and capped it off with a try. K’s main points scorer was Ben Bolster with 29, two tries, five conversions and three penalties; Mark Harwood had two touchdowns and Joe Blann with one, completed the scoring. The seconds won against Taunton 2nds at the Crown Field with another excellent display

46-27. There were tries for Russ Tanner (two), Sam Challenger (two), Luke Coles, Sam Williams and Matt Fairlass. The latter added 11 points from his boot. The 3rds went down heavily against a strong Oldfield 2nd XV 37-5. Keynsham’s points came from a try by Nick Hatcliffe. Despite only being able to field 14 players, the 4ths beat Mid Norton 4ths 11-5. The try scorer was Kieran Harvey and Dave Scott added a conversion and a penalty. Vets’ Tour In between these weekends a touring party of 19 players and 28 supporters had a great trip to Tyldesley, near Manchester, only losing one of the party who safely returned to Keynsham under his own steam! They put in a tremendous performance against a squad of 28 opponents who were able to keep up a supply of fresh, if not young, legs. It took a while for the Keynsham players to shake off the effects of the travel, and alcohol, and by then the home side had gone into a 12-0 lead. Thereafter it was a different story and Keynsham had the better of the remainder of the game. Despite tries from arch “poacher” Bismark du Pllessis, fed yet again by Mike Marsh and two magnificent scores from Kenny Seager, they failed to turn the key on a victory and were edged out in a really enjoyable game 22-17. Danny Slade scooped the man of the match award away from Nick Elliot in a closely-run ballot. If the tide ever recedes, next home fixtures are: December 8, 2nds v Nailsea/Backwell. December 15, 1sts v Yatton. January 5, 2nds v Minehead.

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December, 2012

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Puzzle solutions

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December, 2012

GARDENING

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LOGS FOR SALE

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December, 2012

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TRADE SERVICES

LOGS FOR SALE

PLASTERING

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