Keynsham Voice October 2023

EVERY MONTH IN KEYNSHAM & SALTFORD

Bid to make cycle lane safer withdrawn

A MOTION calling for Keynsham’s “optical illusion” cycle lane to be made safer has been withdrawn.

A cross-party proposal to commit Bath and North East Somerset Council to investigate the costs of fixing the lane had been due to go to vote at a council meeting on September 21.

But the Keynsham councillors behind the plan have withdrawn and postponed it, amid fears it would be “torpedoed” by the council administration.

As of August, 76 people had reported falls in the cycle lane since it was opened in March 2022, although the unreported figure is believed to be even higher.

Local councillors say that the injuries people have suffered include fractures, lost teeth and significant bruising.

Alan Hale, Conservative councillor for Keynsham South, said: “It very soon became clear that there was a real issue with the varying non-standard kerb heights. It was also obvious that there was an optical illusion that disguised the changes in levels.”

The cycle lane was painted red in August in a bid to fix the issue, but falls have continued.

After “fruitless” attempts to get

A local church became a TV film set for McDonald & Dodds stars Jason Watkins and Tala Gouveia - Full story on Page 4

INSIDE

More patrols

Police are looking to increase foot patrols in Keynsham to tackle antisocial behaviour.

PAGES 2

Six convicted

Six people, including two from Keynsham, have been sentenced after a county lines drug network was dismantled.

PAGE 5

Festival preview

Keynsham Winter Festival kicks off the festive season next month with a flurry of fun the whole family can enjoy.

PAGE 6

A4 objections

Proposals to transform travel on the A4 Keynsham bypass to boost bus, cycling and walking options have come under fire from Saltford Parish Council.

PAGE 7

Player honoured

A young member of Saltford Football Club has received a prestigious award.

Discover a range of Carpets • Vinyls Laminates • Karndean Commercial solutions Open: Mon-Fri 9 - 5.30pm | Sat 9 - 5pm | Sun 10 - 4pm The Old Coachworks, Bath Road, Longwell Green, Bristol BS30 6DLTel: 0117 947 7721 | www.thecarpetbarn.co.uk A WORLD OF Quality A WORLD OF Choice A WORLD OF Value 30 YEARS IN BUSINESS 1992-2022

Keynsham Voice contacts

Emma Cooper Publisher

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

Erica Benson

Advertising sales

0117 908 2121 sales@keynshamvoice.co.uk

n NEWS

Police consider more patrols to tackle ASB

News 0117 908 2121 news@keynshamvoice.co.uk

Find us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter @keynshamvoice

November deadline

Our November edition will go to print on October 30. To ensure your news or letter is included, please contact us by Wednesday, October 25. Advertisers are asked to contact us by the same date.

Your views

Letters for publication can be sent to the above email addresses or by post to Letters, Keynsham Voice, 16 Ashmead Business Centre, Ashmead Road, Keynsham, BS31 1SX. The editor reserves the right to edit your letter.

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

Complaints

Fire www.avonfire.gov.uk

Inquiries: 0117 926 2061

Emergency: 999

NHS

Urgent: 111/ Emergency: 999

Anti-social behaviour team asb@bathnes.gov.uk

01225 842462

Well Aware Health and social care information

www.wellaware.org.uk

(Freephone) 0808 808 5252

Despite our best efforts, we sometimes get things wrong. We always try to resolve issues informally at first but we also have a formal complaints procedure. If you have a complaint about anything in Keynshamvoice, contact the publisher using the details below. We aspire to follow the Code of Conduct of the NUJ (National Union of Journalists), which holds journalists to a high standard of behaviour.

Further details of the complaints process can be found on the Voice website, or can be obtained by contacting the Publisher.

A member of the

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Keynshamvoice 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. Keynshamvoice is distributed each month to residents. If for some reason you do not get a copy, please collect one from local pick-up points. Feedback is always welcomed, contact Emma Cooper on 0117 908 2121 or emma@keynshamvoice.co.uk. This month 10,750 copies will be distributed in Keynsham, Saltford and the local area.

POLICE are looking to increase foot patrols in Keynsham to tackle antisocial behaviour in the town.

They have met with Bath & North East Somerset Council’s inclusive communities manager to discuss concerns in the community about trouble caused by youths.

There have been numerous reports on social media from residents worried about the theft of cycles and motorbikes, teenager bullying and physical assaults.

Some have complained that young trouble-makers are “running amok”, although others have said it is just a small minority who cause these problems and that Keynsham is still a good place to live.

Sergeant Richard Higbey, of Keynsham Police, said: “We have

agreed to increase our public presence by means of Come and Talk to Us events, which will be held at the library and other local facilities.

“Further, we have now identified some of our main offenders and they are being dealt with by means of ASB (antisocial behaviour) warning letters and prosecution, if applicable.

“I am also keen to develop our presence on the ground and will be looking to ensure more regular foot patrols are implemented across the town.”

Residents can report antisocial behaviour to the police by calling 101 or online through the police website at www. avonandsomerset.police.uk

If a crime is happening or someone is at risk of harm, people should call 999.

Another High St shop shuts

DISCOUNT shop CM3 has shut in Keynsham High Street.

The chain closed all its stores at 12.30pm on Wednesday September 20. It announced on its Facebook page: “It is with regret we have gone into liquidation. Staff would like to thank each and every one of our customers for their support over the years.”

The company also had shops in Kingwood and Redfield in Bristol, as well as in Calne and Melksham in Wiltshire. They sold items such as partyware, gifts, cards and DIY products.

Many customers took to social media to express their sadness, with one saying: “Keynsham branch was absolutely lovely.”

To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 9082121 or 07715770448 Email Emma@keynshamvoice.co.uk

Bid to make cycle lane safer withdrawn

the Liberal Democratic administration to act, Keynsham’s B&NES councillors set aside party lines to band together and force something to be done.

Liberal Democrat councillor for Keynsham East, Hal MacFie, drew up a motion, supported by the other councillors in the town, to commit the council to investigating the costs of fixing the confusing kerbs. But the motion was later withdrawn before the meeting.

A statement from the Keynsham councillors said that an amendment to their motion been tabled by the administration which they believed would “crush” their motion.

Under the council’s constitutional “six-month rule,” this could prevent it being discussed again until at least March 2024.

But a source close to the Liberal Democrat administration said that it was standard practice for the council administration to file an amendment to all motions.

Councillor MacFie said he would work on the motion and bring it back to a future meeting, possibly as soon as November.

A spokesperson for the Liberal Democrat group said: “We understand the Keynsham councillors decided to withdraw their motion whilst we await the Stage 4 safety audit.

“We’re taking reports of all falls seriously. The majority of incidents happened within the first six months of the scheme

going in, and the number of incidents is decreasing as people get used to the changes and in light of the amendments we have already made.

“We are listening and the Stage 4 road safety audit we commissioned will guide us. An example of an improvement we’ve already made is to introduce the red cycle lane finish last August.”

A B&NES Council spokesperson told the Voice that it expected to receive the results of the safety audit in “late autumn”.

People who are injured while falling in the High Street can report the incident via the FixMyStreet page of the B&NES Council website.

The Keynsham group of councillors – which also includes Labour’s Dave Biddleston, and Lib Dems Alex Beaumont, Andy Wait and George Leach - have been conducting their own survey of falls, whose locations stretch from the former Buss’s greengrocers to the Coventry Building Society.

Councillor Hale said: “It beggars belief that we as a council and the Lib Dems as an administration have to all intents and purposes sat on our hands,

monitoring the continued level of ongoing injuries.”

Meanwhile, Councillor Biddleston say “much great pressure from the community must be brought” to resolve the issue. He is urging residents to sign a petition called ‘Remove Keynsham High Street Cycle Kerb’ which can be found on the change.org website.

As a town councillor, he also wants Keynsham Town Council to play its part in pushing B&NES Council to make the cycle lane safer for pedestrians.

In a Labour statement to a recent town council meeting,

Councillor Biddleston said: “I think there is a significant danger here of our constituents losing every confidence in B&NES Council and its ability to protect them from harm.

“As a town council, and a separate body, we must ensure that everything that can be done ‘is done’ to protect our residents from further harm.”

The statement added: “The considered response from B&NES officers and the administration has been that the road has been built to safety standards and according to law, but this seems to be ludicrously at odds with the injuries sustained.”

After discussion, it was agreed that the town council would write to B&NES, once a letter had been drafted and approved.

John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporting Service, with additional reporting by Keynsham Voice

Churchyard clue to what’s next in hit TV crime show

VILLAGERS in Compton Dando got a sneak preview of the fourth series of popular ITV crime show McDonald & Dodds when filming took place in their local church and churchyard.

Churchwarden Clive Howarth said: “It started when a location scout asked to look at St Mary’s vestry. She liked it and sent a few people to do a look-see.

“They realised that the church and churchyard had more to offer so one day’s filming turned into four, plus two days of set-up and takedown.”

“The crew numbered between 60 and 70 every day, and together with actors and extras (now called supporting actors, SA) the onsite caterers fed lunch to 145 people on one day alone.

“The unit took over the parish hall both for dressing, make-up, and hair as well as a set for a registry office. They also used two local houses for dressing and make-up.

“The pub hosted some of the crew

after filming each day, and the village has been full of cars, lorries and vans. Behind the church in Kelly’s yard was also an 18-ton generator vehicle supplying power for all the lights.

“The two principle actors, Jason and Tala, were very approachable and friendly, and the crew said they loved working here in Compton because we have all been so helpful. They, too, were great to work with, friendly and helpful.”

The new series will be shown in March 2024, with Tala Gouveia and Jason Watkins as the lead characters. Also returning to the cast this series are Claire Skinner (Outnumbered) as Chief Superintendent Ormond, and Charlie Chambers (EastEnders) as DC Goldie. Bhavik C. Pankhania (World On Fire) joins the line-up as DC Lee. Guests stars include singer/ songwriter Pixie Lott, Toby Stephens, Daniel Lapaine, Ace Bhatti, Lydia Leonard, Dipo Ola and John Gordon Sinclair.

n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC

Partnership could help save lives

AN important partnership between Avon and Somerset Police and defibrillator provider HeartSafe could help save lives.

Together, they have funded over 130 ‘bleed kits’, which will be installed alongside existing defibrillator cabinets across our county.

Emergency bleed kits are specifically designed to handle ‘catastrophic bleeding’.

They include items like dressings and a tourniquet, allowing bystanders and/or the injured person to provide immediate aid whilst waiting for the ambulance service to arrive at the scene.

Extra minutes can save lives. To find out where your nearest bleed kit is, please visit the HeartSafe website, www.heartsafe.org.uk.

September 9 marked Emergency Services Day, also known as 999 Day. This is a national day of recognition to promote the

work of the emergency services, and emphasises the importance of responsible public use of them.

I want to say a big thank you to all the staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to keep us safe, and the difference they are making in our communities.

To mark the occasion, I attended a flag raising at City Hall in Bristol, hosted by the Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Paula O’Rourke.

On September 5, I hosted the first of our autumn councillor forums for the Bath & North East Somerset (BANES) area. The session gave councillors an opportunity to gain an overview of my Police and Crime Plan and what my office and local police have been doing since the last forums.

The Police and Crime Plan outlines my priorities and specific areas of focus for improvement, by the Chief Constable, and police officers and staff.

My four police and crime priorities are:

Preventing and fighting crime

Engaging, supporting and working with communities, victims and partner organisations

Leading the police to be efficient and effective

Increasing the legitimacy of, and public confidence in, the police and criminal justice system

Councillors regularly speak to local residents and hear first-hand their thoughts about policing and crime in their area.

Since becoming your PCC, it has been of utmost importance to work with councillors to ensure we are delivering effective and efficient policing across all local communities.

I will be hosting a forum for South Gloucestershire councillors in October and Bristol councillors in November. If you would like your local councillor to raise any of your concerns, please get in touch with

With Police and

Commissioner Mark Shelford

them directly.

Crime

September 18 marked the start of National Rural Crime Week. The impact of rural crime on its victims can be devastating.

Through the Rural Crime Forum, I meet with the public to discuss issues around crime in rural communities and find solutions that meet the whole community’s needs.

Jason Watkins and Tala Gouveia with church warden Clive Howarth (centre) in the garden at Compton Dando churchyard

Six convicted over county lines drugs

SIX people, including two from Keynsham, have been sentenced after a county lines drug network was dismantled following a complex investigation.

During County Lines Intensification Week in October last year, five simultaneous warrants were carried out at properties in Keynsham and Bath. Officers made arrests and seized heroin and crack cocaine with an estimated street value in excess of £38,000, as well as large knives and an estimated £15,000 in cash.

The investigation has now resulted in six people being sentenced, with the last defendant being jailed at a hearing on September 19.

Courtney Tanner-Mulholland, aged 18, of Keynsham, was sentenced to five years after admitting being concerned in supplying heroin and crack cocaine, two counts of possessing criminal property, and one count of dangerous driving.

Five others have also been

sentenced in recent months, after admitting being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine.

Jamaal Newman, 19, of Hercules Way, Keynsham, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in a young offenders’ detention centre.

Lubabalo Hale, 20, of no fixed address, was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.

Oliver Lynes, 20, of Beckford

Gardens, Bathwick, was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years. He was also given a curfew, ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work and to complete a 30-day rehabilitation activity order.

Sylvia Bearman, 38, of Shaws Way, Twerton, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for 18 months. She was also given a nine-month rehabilitation order requirement.

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced to a two-year detention order in a young offenders’ detention centre.

Newman, Hale and Lynes had also admitted an offence of possessing criminal property, while the 17-year-old admitted two counts of the same offence.

Investigating officer PC James Abbott, from the County Lines team, said: “These are predominantly young people with their lives ahead of them, who’ve been influenced by the false and harmful ‘kudos’ of dealing class A drugs for cash.

“Drugs have a devastating impact on our communities, and negatively impact people in many ways, including addiction, and as victims of crimes linked to this illicit trade.

“We’ll continue working hard to gather and act on intelligence, so we can work with the public to make our neighbourhoods a hostile place for these networks to operate in.”

Clockwise (from top left), Sylvia Bearman, Jamaal Newman, Courtney Tanner-Mulholland, Oliver Lynes and Lubabalo Hale

Winter Festival to bring flurry of family fun

KEYNSHAM Winter Festival kicks off the festive season next month with a flurry of fun the whole family can enjoy.

The event, on Friday November 24 from 6pm to 9pm, starts with a procession from the Memorial Park gates and along the High Street to the main stage adjacent to St John’s Church.

People can enjoy late-night Christmas shopping at local businesses and market stalls along the High Street, Temple Street, Market Walk, Keynsham Leisure Centre and in Fear Hall.

Street entertainers will be in the High Street, and there will be a pop-up stage outside the library for community groups and local choirs.

The Space above the library will host local schools, singers and dancers, while there will be a Punch and Judy show downstairs.

The fun fair will return to Temple Street with a ferris wheel, helter-skelter, thrill ride and other amusements.

This year’s festival will feature a proper Santa’s grotto, thanks to support from South West UK Lions Club and Keynsham Town Council’s sponsorship partner MG Estate.

Festival goers can also meet Frozen princesses Elsa and Anna lookalikes next to the Christmas tree outside St John’s Church. The tree has been sponsored this year by IJ McGill.

The festival is expanding this year into the leisure centre, with market stalls, free face-painters

and soft play available. The MakeSpace venue opposite the centre will host a snowball fun area.

As part of the festival procession, lanterns will guide Father Christmas and light the way for the switch-on of the High Street Christmas lights.

Children who want to be involved in making the lanterns and walk in the procession can attend two-hour lantern workshops on Saturday November 18, at 10am, 12.30pm

and 3pm. The booking link will become available on Keynsham Town Council’s Facebook and Instagram (@keynsham_town_ council) pages on Monday October 16 on a first-come, firstserve basis.

The community Christmas tree was planted in the Memorial Park at last year’s festival as part of the Queen’s Canopy for the Platinum Jubilee. This year, it will become a ‘Tree of Remembrance’ so people can acknowledge family and friends that are no longer with us.

Residents can collect one of 50 memorial baubles from Keynsham Town Council at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday October 14 or its Temple Street offices from Monday October 9 to be hung on the community tree during the festive period.

For more information about the festival, call deputy town clerk Katherine Sears on 0117 9868683 or email deputytownclerk@keynsham-tc. gov.uk

St Keyna Primary School

Festive sights and sounds in the High Street last year Photo: Mike May

A4 plans ‘won’t benefit our residents’

PROPOSALS to transform travel on the A4 Keynsham bypass to boost bus, cycling and walking options have come under fire from Saltford Parish Council.

It says it “strongly objects” to the scheme and that the proposals “provide no transport benefit to Saltford residents.”

The parish council has submitted its views to the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) consultation, which was due to close on October 1.

Under the proposals, bus lanes would be installed along the length of the bypass in each direction, leaving just one lane on each side of the road for all other traffic. The speed limit would also be dropped from 70mph to 50mph.

Along the Bristol-bound side of the bypass, separated from the road by shrubbery and landscaping, a walking and cycling route would be installed.

A “mobility hub” would also be set up on the bypass at the edge of Keynsham Memorial Park - a bus stop with shelters, screens showing live bus times, bike storage, mobile phone charging, toilets, and wi-fi.

WECA says that by making bus travel, walking and cycling easier, the proposals could cut traffic jams and air pollution.

But Saltford Parish Council said they would actually make air quality worse, adversely impact ‘active travel’ incentives, and come at “huge expense to residents of Saltford and its businesses.”

It added: “Saltford Parish Council specifically opposes the proposal for two bus lanes the length of the Keynsham bypass

due to the negative impact on Saltford for a theoretical minimal gain in speed for some buses.”

The council says restricting non-bus traffic to just one lane each way would increase congestion, substantially slowing the flow of traffic on the A4 through Saltford.

“Both buses and cars will experience this congestion, and any time ‘gained’ for buses from using bus lanes on the bypass would be more than lost in traffic jams at either end of the approach to the bypass. Therefore there will be no net benefit to bus users and substantial disadvantage to all other motor traffic.”

It said the resulting congestion would also mean higher vehicle emissions and therefore air pollution for those living, cycling and walking along

the A4 in Saltford, including children going to school.

The council believes the proposals would encourage the use of Norman Road, High Street and The Shallows as a ‘rat run’.

“This will be a safety concern for pedestrians as many of the narrow historic sections of highway do not have pavements. Similarly, it will hinder cyclists’ use to/from the Bristol to Bath Railway path due to the increased volume of motor traffic. Accidents are likely to occur.”

The council says it would support a single cycle lane (allowing travel in both directions) on the bypass on its southern side.

The council said that a better way to encourage bus use would be “the continued provision of a regular, reliable X39 bus

service at affordable prices”. It also favours greater use of rail services.

“Reopening Saltford Station must be an integral part of any consultation and package to address road congestion and pollution on the A4 Bath to Bristol Corridor.”

It added: “Saltford Parish Council recognises the value of measures to reduce the volume of vehicles on the A4 and to support the use of public transport. However, the proposals as put forward in the consultation would both fail to significantly contribute to these aims and would measurably disadvantage Saltford residents as well as commuters from Bristol, Bath, Keynsham, etc.”

The parish council also reiterated its strong objection to more double yellow lines on the High Street.

One proposal the council does support is a new pedestrian crossing by the Esso garage. It said this would be a welcome safety measure as a number of children use the garage shop on their way to and from Wellsway School.

Meanwhile, Keynsham Town Council resolved at its meeting on September 19 that each councillor would submit their responses individually.

The council decided it would consider a fuller response once it had seen more detailed plans and would liaise closely with WECA and B&NES throughout this process.

Full details of the WECA proposals can be seen at https:// b2b.haveyoursaywest.co.uk/ l Letters: Page 35

How the A4 through Saltford could look under the plans Image: West of England Combined Authority

BMX ace Senshu crowned UK champion

TALENTED Keynsham

BMX rider Senshu Flukes is celebrating after being crowned UK champion.

Senshu, aged 12, triumphed in his age group at the national BMX championships in Derby, where his brother Kaishu also picked up a trophy for finishing seventh in the 15-16 Cruiser category.

Senshu came second at the same track in Derby at the 2017 championships before winning the title the following year in Blackpool. Kaishu, now aged 15, was UK champion in his age group two years ago.

The brothers, who both go to Wellsway School, also recently competed in the world championships in Glasgow, where Senshu finished ninth.

Their proud mum Yoshiko said: “As he just missed the world top eight in Glasgow, he was pleased that he’s got the British title.”

She said the boys are supportive of each other and offer encouragement.

“They are good rivals, but always joking to each other about whose trophies are better!”

Yoshiko said her sons hope to continue striving for BMX success while also focusing on their education and other interests.

Senshu, for example, is also a keen footballer, playing for South Gloucester RTC football club.

Yoshiko said: “I believe he will continue racing, hoping to grab the European championships title, which he hasn’t won yet.”

She added: “Kaishu is going to be in Year 11 at school, so he

will need to balance his study and racing until his GCSEs finish.

“But after he had great time helping Bristol Cycling Centre as a part of his school work experience curriculum, he is aiming to have coaching certificates for cycling.

“Both will continue racing competing nationally and internationally next season to get

more titles, but most of all they enjoy their life on their bikes.”

Yoshiko said the brothers get their love on BMX riding from their dad Jamie.

“He was the first one who started racing, and then we all started BMX racing togetherthat includes me!”

“Their dad doesn’t race any more, and was never as good as the boys, but he is active, doing

Pooch Play Time

surfing, skateboarding and biking.”

The family used to live in Hanham but moved to Keynsham to gain more bike storage space.

Both boys honed their cycling skills on the pump track in Longwell Green and they still practise there, as well as at the track in Stockwood.

l Pump track bid: Page 28

• Are you finding your pooch has lots of energy to burn?

• Would you love to let your pooch be free in a safe, secure environment?

• Learn, play & make new friends?

Senshu, left, and Kaishu Flukes with the trophies they won at the UK BMX championships. Below, Senshu celebrates his victory on the podium at Derby

Senshu Flukes in action at the UK championships

Jack battles back - and scoops award

SALTFORD Football Club member Jack Warren has been presented with the prestigious Jack Boulton Award.

The ceremony took place at the club in the presence of Jack Boulton’s parents, June and Dave, along with the recipient’s close family and a large group of club members.

After Jack Boulton died in August 2009, the Keynsham and Saltford Sports Network decided to make an award each year to a young sportsman or woman in the community who displayed many of Jack’s exceptional sporting and personal qualities.

This year’s recipient, Jack Warren, has been recognised as an outstanding club member and has undergone significant health challenges over the past year.

It was this time last year that Jack was diagnosed with a rare infection in his heart, which caused a blood infection.

Jack underwent five hours of open-heart surgery in mid-September and just as he was due to leave hospital, he needed a second operation to remove fluid on his heart.

Jack’s recovery enabled him to return to training in November, and he began playing matches in January.

Paul Hodkinson, Jack’s coach, said: “He’s a lad that absolutely loves football and it’s a real pleasure seeing him out there playing again, given all that he and his family have been through. He’s a pleasure to coach, always turning up with the right attitude to listen and learn.”

June and Dave Boulton have dedicated themselves to raising money for CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) over the 14 years since their son Jack passed away.

Many young people have benefited from the cardiac screening programme funded by CRY, which helps protect them against undiagnosed heart conditions.

Another screening programme was due to take place at Wellsway School this month.

Jack Warren with, from left, his dad, his coach Paul Hodkinson, his mum, and Dave Boulton

Big quiz night

THE annual Saltford Big Quiz takes place at Saltford Hall on Friday October 27, starting at 7.30pm.

Tickets are available for teams of four, five or six, at a cost of £8 per person, to include a meat or veggie supper.

They can be bought from www.tickettailor.com/events/ scaevents or the Saltford post office and library hub. The quiz is expected to sell out, so book without delay.

Coffee and chat

SALTFORD Community Coffee Club welcomes retired residents to Saltford Hall on Tuesday October 17 at 2pm for tea, coffee and cake, as well as plenty of chat, in a warm environment.

To reserve your place, let organisers know your dietary requirements, and if you need help with transport, call 01225 632216 and leave a message for Coffee Club or email Fiona. bell@saltfordcommunity.org by October 12. The event is free but donations are welcome.

ON THE BEAT Tackling the motorbike thieves

I HAVE regularly mentioned the thefts of mopeds and motorbikes, all across our force area, with, of course, my focus being on offences on our local patch.

Avon and Somerset Police has responded by creating a dedicated operation called Op Hemlock to target these offences. This operation has access to officers who are specially trained in vehicle pursuits, as well as other tactics we have developed to deal with these offences.

As the Neighbourhood Policing Team, we are supporting this operation. If you have any information that you think could help our inquiries, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, quoting Op Hemlock, where you can provide information anonymously.

n Now that the schools have reopened, we have been using our connections to identify some of the youths who have been involved in antisocial behaviour in and around Keynsham High Street over the school holidays.

Care in your own home

Email: featherbed@featherbedhomecare.co.uk www.featherbedhomecare.co.uk

with PC James Evans

This has allowed us to attend home addresses and speak to the young people involved people, as well as their parents or guardians, about the activities. This allows us to look at restorative options for this poor behaviour, with a view to preventing it in the future.

n We have been monitoring the effects of the road closure on the Wellsway, whose time scales have not been ideal, with the school now returning. We are conscious that we will be there when needed, but often in these situations our presence can cause more of an issue than a benefit to the traffic flow.

n This month has seen bleed control kits being added to the some of the defibrillators in the Avon and Somerset force area. Keynsham was chosen for the first one to be fitted, in Temple Street.

These kits, funded by Avon and Somerset Police and NHS England South West, can be used to help anyone who has suffered a traumatic injury.

They are designed are to be used under advice during a 999 call, to keep the casualty alive before medical professionals arrive.

They can be used to help anyone suffering from a catastrophic bleed resulting from a traffic accident, fall, or other traumatic injury. The Keynsham kit will be monitored and its supplies replenished by our local policing team as part of our daily duties.

The idea for the kits arose from one of our knife crime initiatives headed up by Avon & Somerset Police’s knife crime lead, Chief Inspector Mike Vass.

l For more details about the kits initiative, see Page 17

FIREFIGHTERS from Hicks Gate found their way blocked by flytipped waste when they were called to reports of a grass fire.

The crews had to get out and clear the obstruction by hand in Highwall Lane.

Hicks Gate Fire Station posted these photos of the incident on its Facebook page and said: “Whilst travelling through a lane up in Queen Charlton, we were confronted with this fly tipping.

“It was impossible to turn the fire appliance around, and a very long reverse, so we had no choice but to manually remove the reckless rubble-dumping so that we could proceed.

“Thankfully no lives were lost and no major damage done.”

Avon Fire and Rescue Service said when crews arrived at Queen Charlton Lane in Whitchurch, there was no presence of fire. They then investigated the area to make sure it was safe.

Fire crews blocked by fly-tipped waste

Repair cafe can help you fix it

THE next Saltford Share & Repair Cafe will be held on Saturday October 21.

People can have their items repaired at Saltford Hall between 11am and 1.30pm.

The event is being run in conjunction with Share & Repair, a charity in Bath and North East Somerset that helps people save money and the planet through reduce, repair and reuse.

SNIPPETS

Scenes from Keynsham life

PLEASANTLY tired, at the end of a working week, I was on my way to the corner shop, slowed by the balmy evening. Turning a corner, I was surprised by a huge balloon almost touching the houses, and in the distance more balloons, no bigger than coins. Sunset red… cornflower blue… following their trail led to more balloons, swinging low. It was Bristol Fiesta time.

Children everywhere called up ‘Hello!’; the ballooners waving back.

A smiley ninja’s face, complete with tassel at the back, almost collided with another balloon. Nifty airplay ensued. The ninja soared, its playfellow ducking.

A car with flashing lights. A telescopic camera. Everywhere people taking pictures.

Isaac Glynn

Follow the trail into our industrial past

“MADE in Keynsham”. Two hundred years ago, this label could have been applied to many products made in the brass mills along the valleys of the River Chew and the River Avon.

There were numerous mills and other sites in the area, and the sites of these can still be found today, although sometimes there is little remaining. But how do you find them?

Brass Tracks is a new book of trails, recently published by the Keynsham & Saltford Local History Society, to allow people to do just that.

It contains maps and full directions for five walks and one family-friendly cycle route. The walks vary in length from 1.5 to 6 miles and include Keynsham, Saltford, the Chew valley and Conham, where the local

industry was first established.

The cycle trail runs from Locksbrook in Bath, along the Railway Path to Warmley, where William Champion built his factory.

As well as the directions, maps and photographs, the book includes a short history of the local brass and copper industry, plus information on the mill owners and the skilled workers who made the bowls and pans.

When the industry started, many men were recruited from continental Europe. They moved here with their families and settled; the local surnames of Ollis and Fray come from these immigrants.

To help those pursuing family history, the book includes details of all the brass workers that the society could find records of.

The book is dedicated to the late Joan Day, who spent much of her life researching the Bristol brass industry and who led the campaign to save the Saltford Brass Mill. Joan was a prominent

member of the local history society and remembered it in her will.

All the work of researching the walks and compiling the history was done by a small group of society members, with a major contribution from Tony Coverdale, chair of the Saltford Brass Mill Project.

Society chairman Richard Dyson said: “Our aim was to help local people to discover this important part of our past and I think in Brass Tracks we have succeeded. I am grateful to all those who have helped to put it together.”

Brass Tracks is available at £10 per copy from the society at books@keysalthist.org.uk or telephone 0117 9864453.

l The history society’s regular monthly column is on Page 23

Cool celebration at new primary school

A CELEBRATION picnic marked the launch of Futura Learning Partnership’s newest school –Chandag Primary in Keynsham.

The former Chandag infant and junior schools have merged to form a large primary on the Wellsway campus for children aged two to 11.

The school has bright new signage, with a rainbow logo, and

a new set of school values have been developed by pupils and staff. These are:

l Strive for excellence

l Respect everyone

l Celebrate our uniqueness

Headteacher Davina Lucas welcomed pupils, siblings, families, governors, staff and the wider community at the celebration event in glorious

sunshine on September 8. Entertainment was provided by students from Wellsway School and everyone enjoyed cold drinks, ice creams, cakes and snacks.

Andrea Arlidge, chief executive of Futura Learning Partnership, said: “We have received strong support from our school community for this

GO SOLAR?

merger, which we firmly believe is in everyone’s best long-term interests.

“Chandag Primary School is at the heart of the community on our Keynsham campus. It shares a site with the 3-2-4 playgroup, Wellsway School and IKB Academy, meaning we can offer continuity of education for children from two to 19.”

Children enjoy ice creams and drinks at the Chandag Primary celebration picnic

Director of school improvement

Claire Graham, deputy CEO Gary Schlick, headteacher Davina Lucas, Wellsway principal Rob Pearsall, and CEO Andrea Arlidge

n KEYNSHAM WALKERS ARE WELCOME

Roundhill rewards with a view

Winter walks

(Donations towards minibus costs appreciated)

Sunday October 22: Meet at Fox & Hounds car park 10am to catch Dial-a-Ride minibus to Limpley Stoke for 5-mile circular walk along the Kennet & Avon Canal.

Friday November 10: Social night quiz, details nearer time.

Sunday November 19: Meet at Fox & Hounds car park 10am to catch Dial-a-Ride minibus to Greenway, Bath, for 4-mile Two Tunnels walk to Midford.

THE gods were looking favourable on us, as we gathered for walk on Sunday September 3. This was to be our longest and most difficult outing of the year, a circular walk to Kelston Roundhill.

Because of this, there were two options available to walkers: meet at the Lock Keeper car park and walk the full 10 miles, coming back to Keynsham, or meet at the Fox & Hounds car park to catch the Dial-a-Ride minibus to Swineford, and meet the rest of the walkers there. Then continue the ascent to the top and come back to Saltford, where the minibus would pick us up after a refreshment stop.

By the far the most popular option was the first, with almost 20 assembled under clear blue skies,

to listen to Derek Butler, our leader on this walk, to give his pre-walk assessment.

Half an hour later, the five remaining walkers met at the Fox & Hounds car park to catch the minibus to Swineford.

The conditions underfoot were ideal, as we climbed the 2.5 miles to the top, the first section of which was fairly steep.

After passing through North Stoke, the high hedgerows, which had given us shade, disappeared, and we were able for the first time to sample the views, the best of which awaited us at the summit. Several stops were made on the climb, not only to let the slower walkers catch up but also to take photographs of the vista.

After leaving Keynsham at 9.30am, we reached the summit at about 11.45am, resting for 20 minutes before starting our descent to Kelston, then on to the Bird in Hand at Saltford.

The seasoned walkers then continued the walk back to Keynsham, while the rest hopped on the minibus for the journey home, some saying it was a bit too warm for such an arduous walk.

Once again, it was good to welcome some new walkers to our group, with everyone commenting favourably on the walk, saying it was well worth the effort.

Our thanks go to Derek and his wife Vanessa for the time they put in recceing the walk, and making the day such a success.

Sunday December 10: Meet at Keynsham Memorial Park gates 10am for annual 2-mile wreath-making ramble, collecting flora on the way, followed by instructions on the art of wreath-making (venue to be decided). Mulled wine and mince pies provided. Nominal charge for materials.

Sunday January 21: Meet at Memorial Park gates 10am for 5-mile circular walk to Bitton Station via Londonderry Wharf, return to Keynsham via cycle path.

Sunday February 18: Meet at Fox & Hounds car park 10am to catch the Dial-a-Ride minibus to Crews Hole for 6-mile level walk, then back to Keynsham alongside River Avon.

Sunday March 17: Meet at Fox & Hounds car park 10am to catch Dial-a- Ride minibus to Timsbury for circular 4-mile walk along old Somerset Coal Canal to Withywood.

Sunday April 21: Catch train from Keynsham station to Bradford on Avon for 3.5-mile circular walk to Avoncliffe. There will be time after the walk to explore its streets and eateries/ hostelries. Details, times and costs nearer the time.

with Keynsham & Saltford Local History Society

THIS view looking down Bath Hill East was taken about 1955. In the 1960s, changes came, first from the building of the bypass and then from the 1968 flood.

When photographed, the road on the right was Avon Mill Lane, and the “private road” sign was probably a relic from when

the Avon Brass Mill was a going concern. The terrace above the retaining wall survives and the curved top of the wall shows roughly how the main road sloped before the improvements of the 1820s.

The map of 1880 shows Bath Hill labelled as Dragon’s Hill, believed to have been

named after the Green Dragon public house, which occupied the furthest of the terraced properties. At the bottom of the hill, the Fox & Hounds public house is set back on the right. The row of shops beyond was badly damaged in the flood and demolished to make way for the new bridge over the Chew.

Music milestone for dementia charity

A CHARITY has celebrated its 100th Music for the Mind session for people living with dementia and their carers.

Keynsham and Saltford Dementia Action Alliance started the sessions in May 2017, and they continue to run twice a month.

Trustee Tim Blowers said: “They have remained popular, even with a challenging period where we were unable to run sessions.

“Over the last year, our attendance numbers have continued to grow, and we are

looking for additional volunteers to assist us as we continue to develop.”

The sessions are run by a qualified instructor, Lindy. Activities include singing songs, music, and time to chat. Tea and coffee are available. There is no admission charge, although donations are welcome.

Sessions are held every second and fourth Thursday of the month at St Dunstan’s Church Hall, 20 Bristol Road, Keynsham, BS31 2BQ. If there is a fifth Thursday in the

month, a different session, such as boccia (a ball sport related to petanque) is held.

As well as seeking more volunteers for its sessions, the alliance is also keen to build on its links to businesses in Keynsham and Saltford and to encourage them to continue to work on being dementia friendly.

For more information, email ksdaa22@ gmail.com or call 07392 442 966. Or visit the Keynsham and Saltford Dementia Action Alliance website or Facebook page.

Bleed control kit could be a life-saver

A POTENTIALLY life-saving bleed control kit has been installed outside Keynsham Civic Centre.

The kit, which is designed to control bleeding after someone suffers a traumatic injury, is one of 144 being installed on the side of existing HeartSafe defibrillators across Avon and Somerset.

The kits include trauma dressings and tourniquets to help manage bleeds as well as nitrile gloves, scissors, and a colourcoded instruction guide on what to use depending on where the injury is.

They are being installed in partnership with Avon and Somerset Police, NHS England South West and HeartSafe.

People should always call 999 and ask for an ambulance in an emergency, but these kits are designed to help in the moments immediately after a medical emergency until an ambulance or first responder arrives on scene.

Avon and Somerset force lead for knife crime, Chief Inspector Mike Vass, said: “We know we cannot police our way out of serious violence; it has to be a partnership approach, not just between us and our partners in health and social care, but also with members of our communities who can play a key part in helping us.

“We employ a number of different tactics to deal with knife

crime and prevent it at the source, but in the unfortunate event that a person is seriously injured, we hope that these kits will go some way to preventing the tragic loss of life we’ve been seeing in our communities.”

Members of Avon and Somerset Police, HeartSafe, local councillors, and partners from the local Violence Reduction Partnership gathered to see the new kit installed and raise local awareness among residents of Keynsham.

Councillor Tim Ball, Bath & North East Somerset Council cabinet member for neighbourhood services, added: “We are happy to support this police initiative, However, we hope that no one ever has reason to use any of the kits.”

The installation complements work being carried out by the police to tackle knife crime, with weapon surrender bins installed across the region to encourage young people to safely discard of knives or weapons, as well as a number of educational workshops in secondary schools on the dangers of carrying a knife.

If you are concerned about someone you know carrying a knife, you can report it to Avon and Somerset Police by calling 101 or via their online form. Or you can also give information anonymously via Crimestoppers, either online or by calling 0800 555 111.

This bleed control kit has been installed on the side of HeartSafe defibrillators outside Keynsham Civic Centre. Right, Avon and Somerset knife crime lead, Mike Vass, pictured with local police officers

KEYNSHAM SCOUTS

Ethan scoops gold award

NOT all Scouts achieve the Gold Award - it is the highest award given in the Scout section - so it was with great pleasure that Jon, leader of Axe troop, made the award to Ethan.

The award was earned over a four-year period of undertaking challenges in nine award categories - creative, skills, team work, team leader, expedition, world, outdoors, adventure and personal - in addition to earning six other activity badges.

Ethan was commended for his determination and commitment in achieving this award. He is now moving on to Keynsham Explorer Scout unit, where the experience and skills learned completing the award will be put to further use.

Congratulations Ethan!

n Our Beaver scouts have risen to the challenge and completed their first autumn camping weekend in September.

They pitched their tents and enjoyed an activity camp

undertaking archery, survival skills, nerf gun range and, of course, a camp fire. Thank you to all the leaders and the volunteers who make this type of experience priceless for our young people.

We continue to seek adult volunteers to help bring this type of activity to all of our young people. To find out more, contact scouts@1stkeynshamscouts.org.uk Perhaps it’s climbing, caving, hiking or kayaking - it is not just camping. n Could you find a small amount

of time to help Wansdyke District scouts with their accounts? This is not a time-consuming role but one that Nigel, our district chair, is seeking someone to fill.

You may be retired and want to give something back to the community. You may just be starting out in finance and wish to learn more, or you might simply wish to make a difference. Nigel would love to hear from youcontact him on nigel.wright@ wansdykescouts.org.uk

n BACK TO NATURE

A time of arrivals and departures

IT can be difficult to place October in any particular season. Autumn, certainly, but “Indian summers” can often extend into October, as well as the first frosts of winter. Either way, there are many reasons why it is still a great time to get out and about in the countryside.

October is a pivotal month: the last swallows and martins have departed for Africa, to be replaced by the first Northern migrants: redwings, fieldfares, wildfowl and waders.

It is an exciting time for “twitchers”birdwatchers whose purpose in life is to see rare birds. From the Shetlands to the Scilly Isles, October is the month when most “accidentals” turn up in the UK from all corners of the planet, often migrant birds blown many miles off course by strong winds.

On sunny afternoons, plenty of insects can still be seen. Red admiral, peacock and Comma butterflies feast on windfall fruit, all three species overwintering as adults and feeding up before entering “diapause” - a period of slowed metabolism analogous to hibernation in mammals, amphibians and reptiles.

Handsome shieldbugs and colourful harlequin beetles (adults and pupae) can often be found in hedgerows and on tree trunks. The latter are non-native, introduced from Asia in 2003 to control aphids and other pests, but they have caused some problems (as introduced exotic species often do!) because they also prey on the larvae of other native species, including the two-spot ladybird, which has declined in areas where the harlequin has increased. It is hoped that numbers will stabilise and the harlequin will find its niche as it becomes naturalised in the UK.

As well as the butterflies, many bee and other insect species can still be seen gorging on the abundant ivy blossom which emerges at this time, making it a vitally important food plant over winter. The common darter is usually the last dragonfly still on the wing in October, the brick-red males and yellow females easy to distinguish, the latter laying their final eggs in ponds before succumbing to the winter cold.

Of course, October is a fantastic time to see the changing colours of the countryside, the greens of summer replaced by the reds,

The brightly coloured Fly Agaric toadstool

Right, a male red deer during the rut at Ashton Court

Photos: Martin Farrell

OUR autumn program of talks starts this month with Taking Action Today for Curlews Tomorrow by Ellen Bradley, communications officer for charity Curlew Action.

Curlews face many dangers and are disappearing due to changing agricultural practices, climate change, increased predation and more. The aim of this charity is to create a secure future for curlews, and the wildlife that lives alongside, in a natural world rich in

russets, sepias, chestnuts, yellows and ochres of autumn, as deciduous trees pump excretory wastes into their leaves ready for removal when the leaves fall. It is no coincidence that places like Westonbirt and Tortworth arboretums in Gloucestershire are tourist hot spots at this time of year, thousands of people flocking to witness the magnificent autumn palettes.

However, closer to home, places like Ashton Court woods, Lords Wood and even Keynsham’s Manor Road Community Woodland are equally well worth a visit before November gales remove the last of the colourful leaves.

Ashton Court in October is also a great place to witness the fallow and red deer rut:

Brighten upyourday withanewcolour

biodiversity where people are informed about, and engaged with, nature.

The talk will be held on Friday October 13 at Keynsham Baptist Church Hall, BS31 1DS, starting at 7.30pm. Entrance costs £3.50 for Avon Wildlife Trust members and £4.50 for non-members, to include refreshments served at 7.15pm. All are welcome and no booking is required. For more details can be found on our website at www.keynshamawt.org

males noisily competing for females and the opportunity to pass on their genes to the next generation, their urgent belching groans breaking the quiet of the largely birdsong-free woodland.

It is also a good place to find mushrooms and toadstools. Brightly coloured waxcaps, shaggy ink caps and the fly agaric are easiest to spot, the latter the archetypal fungus of children’s storybooks. There are plenty of other species to be found, some edible, but a few are very poisonous, so fungi should never be picked and eaten unless you are with a mycologist - a specialist in identifying fungi.

Dave Sage

Bello Capelli

with Lisa, Beth, Olivia & Tom Eyebrow

CHANGING FOR THE BETTER with Transition Keynsham

Let’s look after our soil n NEWS

IT’S well known that trees can help reduce our carbon emissions, by storing carbon. But another just as important carbon storage system is the soil beneath our feet.

Scientists recently calculated that if farmers made just small changes to the way they grow food on half the world’s agricultural soil, to store 1% more carbon, it would be enough to absorb about 31 gigatonnes of CO2 a year. That’s roughly the gap between current planned emissions reductions globally per year and the amount of carbon that must be cut by 2030 to stay within 1.5C.

These techniques include moving away from intensive agriculture and use of artificial fertiliser towards ways of farming that favour healthy soil and improve long-term fertility and yields.

Healthy soil is earth that hasn’t been stripped of all its nutrients, doused in fertiliser and repeatedly run over and ploughed by tractors. Many farmers are moving towards regenerative agriculture, which includes things like direct drilling, precision fertiliser and pesticide dosing, keeping soil covered during winter and generally trying to disturb the soil less.

‘Improving fairness’ on council tax support

This gives soil a chance to recover from the intensive techniques of the farm, to allow the build-up of decayed plant residue, organic matter and minerals. It also encourages the millions of tiny soil animals that live in the soil to thrive.

The largest of these are earthworms, but the smallest can’t be seen by the naked eye. Together, they add soil organic matter by eating plant residues, mineralise nutrients, control pathogens, improve and maintain soil structure and mix organic matter through the soil.

So what can we do to support those soil animals? Crucially, we can buy at least some of our food from farmers that have embraced regenerative practices. That doesn’t necessarily mean organic, but it does include organic.

In our own gardens, we can try to disturb the soil as little as possible. Home composting attracts lots of worms and can be spread on the garden instead of adding chemical fertilisers. Avoiding bare soil in winter also protects soil. There’s no clearer indication of healthy soil than seeing a clew of worms in your compost heap!

Liz Barling

THOUSANDS of people claiming Universal Credit in Bath and North East Somerset could see major changes to how much council tax they pay next year.

People who receive the housing and childcare elements of Universal Credit could pay less council tax under the potential options currently being considered.

One potential change could also see the very poorest people in the area — with a weekly income of £85.09 or less for a single person — spared from having to pay any council tax at all. This could reduce the council tax bills of an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 households. But this could be funded by changing the levels of council tax support offered to other Universal Credit claimants — meaning that over a thousand other households receiving the council tax reduction could see their bills go up.

Mark Elliott, the council’s cabinet member for resources, said: “None of the proposed options would save the council money. It is not a cost-cutting exercise. We are trying to improve fairness.”

He said that Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Local Council Tax Support scheme, which was last revised in 2017, currently recognised the housing and childcare elements of Universal Credit as income. But he argued that it was unfair to recognise these as income because they were designed to meet specific costs.

The proposals are currently being considered by Mr Elliott. His decision will go through a consultation and a vote at full council in November before coming into effect on council tax bills in March 2024.

KEYNSHAM AND SALTFORD LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY

A public servant whose name lives on

George Ashton, who was clerk to Keynsham Urban District Council, gave his name to Ashton Way

HAVE you ever wondered why Ashton Way is so called? The answer is probably “no”, but there is some recent history behind the name.

The road was opened in 1975, together with part of the large permanent car park that we have today. It was named after George Reginald Ashton, who was clerk to Keynsham Urban District Council from its formation in 1938 until his retirement in 1969.

It is unusual for a public servant to be recognised in this way, and the honour is a measure of the esteem in which George Ashton was held. His position was what today would be described as chief executive and he was a man of considerable energy and ability.

Keynsham was not a town that was large or particularly noteworthy but throughout the post-war period it was modernised in various respects. Whilst 60 years later the widespread demolition of old properties is often viewed as a mistake, at the time it was seen as essential to progress.

Under George Ashton’s guidance, the council removed many houses that were in poor condition and unfit for habitation, it built the Memorial Park, the original town hall and adjacent shops, and the leisure centre.

After starting his career as an office junior in a Lancashire council office on 10 shillings (50p) a week, he progressed to deputy clerk at Whitefield Urban Council in Lancashire before being selected from 70 applicants for the post of clerk at Keynsham at the age of 34.

As well as his professional work, George Ashton was prominent locally and in the trade union world. In 1955 he was president of Keynsham Rotary Club and he was an active

Keynsham’s town hall taking shape in 1964, under George Ashton’s direction Photo from the R Leitch collection

member of the National and Local Government Officers’ Association, known as NALGO.

In 1940 he founded the North Somerset branch of the association and joined the South Western district committee in 1941, becoming a member of the national executive in 1947.

He later spent four years chairing the committee that negotiated staff salaries nationally and became president of the association in 1962.

This was a time when the public sector was expanding in both size and importance, and NALGO was one of the major white-collar unions, with membership approaching 300,000.

Mr Ashton said that he had two ambitions during his term of office. They were to win for all members “the salaries they merit” and to see the association’s membership reach 300,000.

The latter was quickly achieved when the British Gas Staff Association was absorbed into NALGO, taking the total to over 310,000.

His retirement was announced in 1968, during the week of the floods, but he stayed on for a time to manage the recovery from the disaster.

George Ashton was awarded the MBE in 1950 for his work as local fuel overseer through the period of rationing and the OBE in 1969 for co-ordinating the flood relief efforts the previous year.

Local History Walk

On Sunday October 15, I will be leading a walk around the centre of Keynsham, looking at the sites of the former brass mills as featured in the society’s new book. Meet at the main gates of the Memorial Park on Bath Hill for a 2.30pm start. The distance will be about two miles and it should not no more than 1.5 hours. There is no charge and no advance booking required.

Richard Dyson

Airport pilgrims in expansion protest

LOCAL people opposed to airport expansion have carried out a protest pilgrimage to Bristol Airport on one of the hottest days of the year.

Activists said that about 40 people from Christian Climate Action - including five from Keynsham - walked from Bristol Cathedral and across the North Somerset countryside to Bristol Airport on Saturday September 9, receiving support from local churches along the way.

The airport plans to extend its terminal and build a new multi-storey car park to expand its capacity from 10 million to 12 million passengers per year.

University of Bristol research assistant Ben Buse was among the pilgrims.

He said: “As we experienced this summer in Europe and around the world, the terrible impacts of current level of warming with the heatwaves, wildfires, floods and hurricanes, things are only going to get worse until we stop emissions.

Scientists are clear there can be no airport expansion.”

The pilgrims were blessed by Bristol Cathedral Canon Minister and Extinction Rebellion member Reverend Jonnie Parkin before they set off, and received shelter and refreshments at All Saints Church in Long Ashton and St Katherine’s Church in

Felton on their pilgrimage.

Mr Buse said that most pilgrims were prevented from entering the airport at the end of the pilgrimage by staff but that he, together with Keynsham resident and retired speech and language therapist Morwenna White-Thomson, and teacher Patrick Laban, were able to get into the terminal with their signs and read a lament.

The pilgrimage was part of a UK-wide day of protest by Christian Climate Action.

Ms White-Thomson said: “We walked together in solidarity with each other and the Earth, in order to highlight the danger of pumping more CO2 into the atmosphere via airport expansion.”

A spokesperson for Bristol Airport said: “We have listened to local views and we take the challenge of climate change seriously and have made significant changes to our business, including investment into solar power and other

renewable energy projects. We achieved carbon neutrality status in 2021 and commit to net zero airport operations by 2030.”

But Ms White-Thomson said: “It is madness to be even considering airport expansion when the evidence of climate breakdown is all around us. It is also at complete odds with recommendations from all climate scientists.”

The Climate Change Committee, the independent government body which advises on tackling climate change, said in their report to parliament in June: “There has been continued airport expansion in recent years, counter to our assessment that there should be no net airport expansion across the UK.

“No airport expansions should proceed until a UK-wide capacity management framework is in place to assess annually and, if required, control sector CO2 emissions and non-CO2 effects.” John

Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Patrick Laban and Morwenna White-Thomson in the departure terminal at Bristol Airport

Task force is launched to prevent knife crime

A NEW task group will look at how to prevent knife crime in Bath and North East Somerset. There have been three fatal stabbings in the area since summer last year. The task group will look at the current position with knife crime in Bath, with a particular focus on young people, and how prevention measures can be improved.

Visitors enjoying tea and cakes on August Bank Holiday Monday

See you for tea next summer!

ONCE again the opening of Compton Dando’s village church for afternoon teas during the summer has done well, this year raising just under £2,500 St Mary’s Church funds. This is well up on last year’s figure of £2,342.

One of the organisers, Mrs Jenny Davis, said: “In spite of a wet summer, we have enjoyed lots of visitors to St Mary’s for our summer Sunday teas. Our funds have been

boosted by sales of home-made jam, marmalade and chutney made by one of the villagers.

“So many kind people volunteered to make and serve teas for the church and we are so grateful to them.

“We will all miss the cakes and chat on Sunday afternoons, but we shall look forward to seeing you all again next year, with teas starting again in May 2024.”

Councillors on Bath and North East Somerset Council’s scrutiny panel on children, adults, health and wellbeing voted unanimously to establish the group at their meeting on September 18. It had been proposed by the panel’s chair — and current Mayor of Bath — Dine Romero.

Council officer Ceri Williams said that the task group format would allow the investigation to be “more flexible, dynamic, and allow us to capture more detail.”

Meetings of the task group will not be open to the public,

which Mr Williams said would allow them to deal with information “sensitively.”

Membership of the task group is planned to consist of about five members, with all backbench councillors on Bath and North East Somerset Council with an interest in the area invited to participate. The group will report back after six months, with recommendations going to the council executive.

First proposing the group at a previous meeting of the panel on July 10, Ms Romero said she wanted to “actually find out if there’s anything more that we as a council or any other agency could be doing.”

She added: “What we have seen over the last year is three fatalities, so we want to see if there is any more that we could be doing collectively to prevent more deaths.”

John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporting Service

First Steps (Bath) putting people before profit

First Steps (Bath) a family of 3 nurseries with a focus on the child and their families and giving the very best start in life.

What is in it for you? Apply Now

A strong support network, with mentoring and access to online training

Flexible working contract choices

50% discount on childcare fees

Generous annual leave entitlement. With a bonus leave for long service (3 full years) rising to an additional 6 days per year.

4 weeks paid sick leave per annum (pro-rata for part-time staff).

Up to 5 days paid carers leave per annum for emergency care

Many other benefits that take care of you, including access to a well being app, three in service training days and team celebrations events.

www.firststepsbath.org.uk/ who-we-are/work-for-us

Our friendly team are ready to hear from you and happy to answer any questions

Closing Date:

12pm on 22nd September 2023

01225 830972

Bath Opportunity Pre-school, Broadlands Academy, St Francis Road, Keynsham BS31 2DY

www.firststepsbath.org.uk

the elements in Dartmoor adventure

AN RAF cadet from Saltford has climbed 120 tors in a “genuine rollercoaster” of an adventure to raise money for an armed forces charity.

Callum Arnott, aged 17, was joined by his dad Myles on an epic hike on Dartmoor as they were assailed by severe weather - and a swarm of flying ants.

They completed the feat in eight days, getting up at around 5am and walking until about 8pm, then pitching their tent for the night along the way.

Callum said: “On day one we woke up to driving winds and heavy rain that got into the tent (yellow weather warning). Great start!

“We walked down to the first river and realised that the heavy rain had made it uncrossable. We walked an hour upstream to try to find a crossing but the water was too high and fast flowing.

“We walked back up the hill. After four hours we were back where we started, soaked and tired. I won’t lie, we very nearly quit.”

A two-hour diversion got them around the river before they pressed on.

“Four hours later we hit our second impassable river and the diversion would take us into private land that we couldn’t camp in. We found somewhere to camp, cooked and went to bed half a day behind schedule.”

The next two days were similar, with low visibility (50m) and driving rain.

A spot of sunshine allowed them to get their tent and bedding dried out before camp. But then Callum had to get up at 3am to stabilise

the collapsing tent after pegs became loose and two guy ropes snapped.

“I checked the forecast and saw that we were in the middle of an amber weather warning, with 60mph winds forecast for the day. We took the decision to stay put that day - it was too dangerous to go out on the moors. We were now 1.5 days behind!

“The following day the weather broke and we finally had a day where we could see further than 50m. We did a huge day, walking 1.5 days of our planned route. We finally felt like we were winning.

“The final days swung from nice clear days where we were able to smash out big distances, and 50m visibility and driving rain that were a real grind. That’s Dartmoor for you!”

There was more drama when they found themselves covered in flying ants “pouring off the tors.”

Callum said: “I swear I must have had a queen land on my bag, cos we were chased by them for miles (that or that fact that I needed a shower!)”

Callum summed up the challenge by saying: “Our replanning worked out really well and ultimately we got it done. It was an amazing thing to do.”

Callum – who set his sights on being a pilot as a career and has family and friends in the military – has raised almost £3,000 for SSAFA (Soldiers’, Sailors’ & Airmen’s Families Association). Anyone wishing to add to the total Callum raised can visit his JustGiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/ page/all-tors-challenge

SALTFORD SCOUTS

Amazing adventures

A GROUP of 35 Tigers and Wolves from Saltford Scouts spent a weekend camping at Woodhouse Activity Centre as part of their Cubs activity event, in which 500 Cubs from around the country took part.

They experienced lots of amazing challenges including climbing, abseiling, crate-stacking, go-karts, sumo wrestling, giant chess, water slide, zorbs, assault and a ropes course.

The day finished with a traditional campfire, where

they participated in songs with actions before hot chocolate and snuggling into their sleeping bags for the night.

Leaders tested their skills at some of these challenges, too, so it’s not just the young people who have all the fun. Plus, they get to see all those happy faces having such a great time.

This autumn we will be making major improvements to our Scout HQ in line with green energy schemes - insulating our roof,

fitting replacement LED lights, solar panels and heater fans. We would really appreciate some help with wiring in the fans.

We are always happy to

welcome new volunteers to help out with many things both big and small, so please get in touch. Email saltfordscoutgroup@gmail.com or or call Tina on 07720 353701.

Sixth Form Open Evening Key Stage 4 Students

Thursday 5th October, between 6.00pm - 8.00pm

Sixth Form Open Morning External Applicants

Wednesday 18th October, between 9.05am - 10.45am

At our Open Evening, students will be able to see the enhanced range of subjects and enrichment opportunities on offer at Wellsway School and learn how we work as a collaborative Sixth Form ‘Futura Sixth’to be a truly comprehensive sixth form. Students will have the opportunity to speak with staff; attend a presentation from school leaders; speak with sixth form students and discover more about our wide range of courses and experience that support students throughout Post-16 and to their next step

Chandag Road, Keynsham, BS31 1PH

“

Developing confident, respectful and successful young people ”

Mum and dad see son Shrek on stage

SHREK star Antony Lawrence had a showbiz reunion with his Keynsham parents when his hit show came to Bristol Hippodrome.

Antony is pictured with Steve and Jackie Pearson, who went to see him perform in Shrek the Musical, which is touring the UK.

As reported in last month’s Voice, landing the role has been a dream come true for Antony, who has been active in musical theatre since childhood, when the family lived in Plymouth.

Dad Steve said: “We are always proud to see Antony on the stage, from his earliest shows in Plymkids, junior musical theatre, through to West End and international stages. But there was something really special about seeing him in Shrek in what we now class as our home, Bristol.”

Antony’s sister Kim, who also lives in Keynsham, took her daughters to see the show.

She said: “It was amazing seeing Antony in Bristol. The girls were super excited to see their uncle on stage again. He even gave them a special wave at the end!

“We were very lucky to go back-stage and see some of the props. We met some of the cast members, who are all incredible and were so lovely, especially to the girls. We can’t wait to watch Shrek again soon when they perform in Cardiff.”

The musical will be staged at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff from November 20 to 25. It is touring the country until April next year.

Dead Set on Greta

From the second we met, I was dead set on Greta, and felt I could get her to stay, so, I wrote a long letter, suggesting that Greta reject all her fretting and come out to play. She replied to my letter, but told me I’d better accept that what she had to say, was not a vendetta, but knitting a sweater meant (very regrettably), she couldn’t stay.

Now, I’m not one to fret, and no wish to upset her, and get what she’s trying to say, but… if a sweater beset her, it’s best I forget her, and let her be Greta –starting today.

I’m indebted to Greta for writing her letter, and reckon I’m doing ok, and I feel so much better for learning that Greta was knitting her sweater for me, anyway.

Vyv Nugent

Keynsham Creative Writers welcome new members – call George Liddell on 0117 914 8654.

A Bad Hair Day POETRY CORNER

I can’t do a thing with my hair

Even though it’s been given much care. I trimmed it, but ruined it, and then sadly sighed ‘Oh dear, there is nowhere to hide.’

But worse still, I found a grey hair!

Should I colour it?

Yes, I would dare...

But now, tragic news, my hair has gone YELLOW!

Not the colour I’d planned, but surely will mellow? It’s dry and it’s brittle and sticking up more, It’s beginning to be a bit of a bore!

So... I’ve decided to stick to my natural shade, I don’t even care if my locks start to fade. Never, never again, will I mess with my hair, And an expert will fix me a style I can wear!

Sylvia Kirby

Stolen motorbike found

A MOTORBIKE stolen in Bath has been recovered by police in Keynsham. The Benelli BN was taken from Twerton overnight September 2 to Sunday September 3. Police found it in the early hours of Tuesday September 5 after a caller reported suspicious behaviour at the location in Keynsham.

Call for pump track in the park

A CAMPAIGN has been launched to establish a pump track in Keynsham.

A pump track is a looped, undulating course with banked corners which can be used by mountain bike, BMX and scooter riders, as well as skateboarders.

It is designed to be used by riders ‘pumping’, generating momentum by up and down body movements, instead of pedalling or pushing.

Although the campaign group, called Pump Track for Keynsham, would support any “accessible and inclusive” location, it favours an area next to the skate park in Keynsham Memorial Park.

Chris Williams, a member of the group, said: “It’s a central location and the area sees very little footfall compared to the rest of the park area, so a pump track here would not impact the general leisure space available whilst still being close to related amenities. It could be tucked away to the north of the skate park so as not to take up space used for festival activities on site.”

The campaign group is made up of local residents, including mountain bikers, BMX riders, cycle commuters, and parents of “energetic little fun-seekers, who would love to increase the opportunities for active recreation in our community.”

Chris said that a recent public consultation on the future of the Memorial Park showed a need for better facilities for older children, while children’s play facilities in general were top of the priority list.

“The pump track proposals respond to both these demands due to its multi-age nature. It was also highlighted that the current skate park is too small, showing demand for this type of facility in the park.”

Among supporters of the campaign is Keynsham resident Yoshiko Flukes, whose sons Kaishu and Senshu have won national BMX championships and who use the pump track at Stockwood.

She said of the campaign for a Keynsham track: “We do hope this happens. It will be beneficial for some serious riders as well as anyone of any age who wants to start the sport. We have seen many pump tracks built in the UK in recent years and they have very positive impacts to communities.”

As well as the pump track at Stockwood, other local tracks that have inspired the Keynsham campaigners include ones at Hartcliffe and Brunel Way in Bristol, and at Temple Cloud off the A37.

Costs vary depending on the track’s size and complexity. The small track recently built at Temple Cloud is understood to have cost £60,000 plus VAT.

Chris said: “Possible sources of funding include the local councils, local sponsorship, and crowdfunding. However, we will explore sources of funding further once a better understanding of the current park plans has been gathered.”

More information about Pump Track for Keynsham (PTFK) can be found on the group’s Facebook page.

This area next to the skate park in Keynsham Memorial Park is the location favoured by the group behind a bid for a pump track

The pump track at Stockwood

KEYNSHAM WI

Ready for Remembrance ADVERTISING FEATURE

Shop local for your food

THE ladies at Keynsham WI have had some very interesting speakers this year.

We started the year with Peaches Golding OBE, the Lord Lieutenant of Bristol, who gave us an insight into her life as the King’s representative in the City and County of Bristol.

Local author and journalist Bel Mooney visited in March to tell us about her life in the publishing world.

Former Wellsway student Dr Simon Clarke gave us some great information about the way our weather works and climate change.

In the meantime, the craft group has been busy making two banners for display at the Royal British Legion in Charlton Road for Remembrance week.

We were pleased to present

the banners and a cheque for £208, raised on our cake stall at the Keynsham Spring Fayre, to the legion. Our photo shows Bonny Price presenting the cheque to Geri from the Royal British Legion.

THIS year it’s been hard to get away from news of rising food prices, and the supermarkets have been quick to paint themselves as the heroes: “You need cheap food, and we can provide it for you.”

The reality is that everything we eat comes from the same Earth and if food looks cheap, the price must have come at a cost to the natural world or workers instead.

Polluted waterways, damaged habitats, more greenhouse gases (Sustainable Food Trust, 2019) and 25% of farmers forced below the poverty line (Sustain, 2022) are the real cost of cheap food.

The good news is that we can do something about it. Every £1 we choose to spend with retailers who prioritise local producers and support their communities can generate £3.70 of social and environmental value (New Economics Foundation, 2021). This is so much better than the £1 of damage for every £1 spent in supermarkets (Sustainable Food Trust, 2019).

With more people being pulled back to the supermarkets in search of cheap food, many of the 40-plus local food producers we work with across the South West have struggled to stay afloat. And so have retailers like us.

If you can, shop local. It’s a tired phrase on a tired planet, but organisations like ours and the communities of people, and wildlife that we support, need you more than ever.

l The Community Farm is an organic farm that grows, sources and delivers climate-friendly food across the local area. We are communityowned and not-for-profit. Find out more at thecommunityfarm.co.uk

KEYNSHAM IN BLOOM

Can you help restore garden?

KEYNSHAM In Bloom has been approached by The Hawthorns care home for help in restoring its garden. Raised beds were built some years ago and the garden was beautiful, but the residents who used to tend the garden have become frail and need help.

If you can give a little of your time, please contact Terri.Underhill@curo-group.co.uk, who would be delighted to hear from you.

l Work continues on the triangle flowerbed in the High Street and we are beating the thugs of the plant world. October will be the time for mulching and renewing plants, so watch this space.

If you would like to become a Keynsham In Bloom volunteer, please contact either me at catherinemarywoodman@gmail.com, Dawn Drury at keynshaminbloom@icloud.com or pop into the Keynsham Town Council offices in Temple Street. We would love to see you if you can spare a little time to help.

l The volunteers from the railway station were treated to a lunch at the Steam Museum in Swindon in thanks for all their hard work and so they could interact with like-minded helpers from other stations. We learn so much from just sitting and having a conversation.

l I visited the Pocket Park this afternoon and was very pleased to see a family - mum, two children and a dog. The hopscotch was being used by the children, which was brilliant, and mum was sending a video to dad. Good to know our little park is used.

l Our High Street containers will soon be planted up with winter colour. The alpines in the containers in

Queens Road, Holmoak, Chandag Road and at the fire station have been very successful and need little tending at present.

l The Keynsham In Bloom colouring competition has now been judged. It was a difficult decision as the standard was so high, but here are photos of winners Lydia and Tom. Keep safe, well and gardening.

Mary Woodman

Jobs fair date

ANYONE looking for work or considering a change is invited to Saltford Jobs Fair on Saturday October 14.

Prospective employers will be on hand at Saltford Hall, from 11.30am to 1.30pm, and lots of support will be available to help people find a job.

There will also be a free community café at the event, which is being organised by Saltford Community Association in conjunction with Saltford Business Network.

Textiles focus

WORLD Textile Day returns to Saltford Hall on Saturday October 7 from 10 am to 4 pm.

This year’s theme is “Threads For Life” to highlight the ways textile traditions are continued, developed and passed down through generations of textile makers, designers and wearers. Entry is free, with a small charge for those who want to attend the talks at 11am and 2pm.

There will be lots of textiles on sale and the café will be open.

n NEWS FROM THE METRO MAYOR

Making the weather, together

GOOD politicians are ones who can “make the weather” - so goes the old adage.

It speaks to how good politics and politicians can take the decisions necessary to grip the big issues of the day, and improve society.

Sadly, this metaphor has acquired a literal sense in recent years, as the impact of the climate emergency we all face becomes clearer by the day.

Our weather is changing. Think of last year’s ‘False Autumn’, which spelt disaster for our trees, and animals who rely on them, or our recent washout summer.

And it’s just the start. Experts say wetter winters, more intense cold spells and heatwaves will become more frequent due to climate change. ‘Unusual’ weather will become the norm.

One of the things that concerns me is the impact that will have on our West of England economy, and the million-plus people I represent as Metro Mayor.

It’s why I’m afraid I wasn’t surprised at this month’s GDP statistics, with this summer’s rainy weather apparently causing a big slump in the economy, particularly in retail and construction.

The truth is we must get on top of this

urgent problem and build a climate-resilient economy, here in the West and nationwide. Otherwise we are sleepwalking into climate chaos, and economic chaos.

My Mayoral Combined Authority is getting on with the serious business of investing in climate resilience, in the absence of leadership from government.

I’m working with the Met Office on a brand new, region-wide climate adaptation plan after ministers’ one lacked the regional ambition necessary to take the tough choices we need to make to create a climate-resilient West of England economy.

That means planting even more trees like our new Great Avon Wood, the biggest new woodland in our region, funded by the Combined Authority, plus keeping streets cooler, measures to reduce flooding and retrofitting shops to keep them cosy.

This is stuff we’re already doing though my £60 million Green Recovery Fund, and other green programmes I’ve launched over the last two years.

Of course it’s also about transport, which is why we need to encourage more people out of cars, especially for those shorter everyday

journeys.

So if it’s your birthday coming up, please do apply for your free Birthday Bus pass at www. birthdaybus.co.uk - it’ll give you the chance to try out our buses for free for a whole month, and if you like them, I hope it might persuade you to make a switch longer-term.

These are steps everyone in our region can get behind, wherever they live, from our most rural communities to our beautiful market towns and great cities of Bristol and Bath.

Words are easy, but it is action that is required. So let’s brace for further storms ahead, and keep the West’s economy thriving.

We really can make the weather - together.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris writes for the Voice

NEWS

A friend for Christmas

ALONE this Christmas?

Marmalade Trust is accepting referrals for those experiencing loneliness and who will be alone on Christmas Day.

The trust organises lunches in local pubs and restaurants for those who can self-mobilise, as well as Christmas Day doorstep visits from friendly volunteers.

For eligibility details, how to refer, or how to get involved as a member, or to help out on Christmas Day as a volunteer, please visit https://www. marmaladetrust.org/christmas or call 07566 244788.

Cinema time

THE next Saltford Community Cinema event will be Where the Crawdads Sing on Friday October 20.

The film starts at Saltford Hall at 7.30pm, doors open at 6.45pm for a bar and ice creams. Tickets at £6 from www.tickettailor.com/events/ scaevents or pay on the door.

WElive in a strange world; we all know that.

Some of us may choose other words like crazy, dangerous, frightening, unjust or corrupt … agreeing that the world is certainly not as we feel it should be.

We live in a world where vast quantities of grain are destroyed while millions suffer famine ... where in places half of the population is treated as slaves by the other half ... where laws are passed to make desperate people into criminals, or make it illegal to hold any meaningful meetings of protest.

We live in a world where increasing numbers fall into poverty, can’t afford the basics, while supermarkets and energy firms make record profits.

We live in a world where many are homeless or struggling to keep their homes, while some spend huge sums refurbishing theirs.

We live in a world where law-breakers are locked in a cell for 23 hours a day with no provision or encouragement to help them be better people.

We live in a world where many businesses are run into enormous debts by borrowing, while their managers and shareholders receive huge bonuses.

We could go on with this miserable, crazy litany of injustice and corruption that we see in the world around us. We can all see that there’s something wrong with it. It’s not as it should be.

And this is my point. I want to ask how it is that we know that these things are not as they should be. How do we know that things are wrong and that there must be a better way?

I would like to suggest an answer to the question and it applies to all of us. It’s based on my faith as a Christian, but I believe that it applies to everybody. It’s part of being human to have within our psyche the spirit and values of God. That’s what that phrase, ‘made in the image of God’, means. We are free to respond to it and be guided by it, or not. Experience tells us that not all of us do respond positively to those inner promptings, hence the many problems we face.

This is what ‘sin’ really is, actually choosing not to do what we know to be right and doing otherwise.

God is patient and forgiving, willing for all to come to a knowledge of what is right. Hence the prayer: “… your kingdom come, on earth...”

This is what ‘sin’ really is, actually choosing not to do what we know to be right and doing otherwise.

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

Chris Williams, Location Pastor,

Church Keynsham

I’M a parent of an ADULT – get me out of here!

My first-born daughter has just turned 18; it is a season of change and transition and not just for her.

We find ourselves grappling with thoughts like ‘How did it go so fast?’ and yet there were also times during those 18 years when it felt like it was never going to end. If you are the parent of a toddler, you know how that can feel!

The reality is we all go through seasons of life, change, growth, and transition.

Autumn serves as a profound mirror, reflecting the seasons of life. Just as the leaves change and fall, we too experience cycles of growth, change, and letting go. It is a reminder that in life, we must accept the inevitability of transitions, finding beauty and wisdom in each season.

Just as autumn’s vibrant colours emerge amidst its falling leaves, we can discover new depths of character and purpose within life’s challenges. And

when winter arrives, with its quiet stillness, we are prompted to reflect, rejuvenate, and prepare for the next season, just as faith and introspection sustain us through life’s trials. Like the return of spring after winter’s dormancy, faith, and hope in the grand tapestry of life lead us to believe in the possibility of new beginnings, even when all seems lost.

I am reminded again that in these seasons of life, God never changes. He is constant in His love toward us and in his promise to be with us if we put our faith in Him.

I am reminded that God created the seasons, and that creation gives our lives meaning and purpose. Can I pray for you that you will experience God’s love, peace, and wisdom in your season?

Scan this QR code to send me your prayer request and to find out about our next Alpha course.

Alpha is a space to meet others, eat food and discuss questions about life, faith, and meaning. We would love to meet you.

Choirs’ charity concert

MORE than 100 voices from two popular local community choirs - Keynsham and South Gloucestershire Good Afternoon Choirs - will combine for a concert on Saturday October 21.

The event at Holy Trinity Church, Kingswood, will start at 7.30pm, with doors open from 7pm.

The Good Afternoon Choirs were started by Bath-based Music Man Grenville Jones 14 years ago and there are now 24 across the South West, with more than 900 members ‘Singing in the Afternoon’.

Keynsham Good Afternoon

Choir meets every Wednesday from 2pm-4pm at Keynsham Methodist Church (Victoria

Centre) and is led by Grenville Jones.

The South Gloucestershire Good Afternoon Choir meets every Wednesday from 2pm-4pm at Kingswood Community Centre (Great Hall). The leader is Matt Finch.

There are no auditions to join a Good Afternoon Choir, and everyone is welcome for a taster session free of chargeprevious singing experience is not required.

Tickets for the Kingswood concert are £8 from gac.ticketlight.co.uk and will also be available on the door.

The event will support two local charities: Dementia UK and Bath Mind.

One

‘ The reality is we all go through seasons of life, change, growth, and transition.

n WHAT'S ON

Friday October 13

n ‘Taking Action Today for Curlews Tomorrow’ - talk with Ellen Bradley, Keynsham Baptist Church Hall, BS31 1DS, 7.30pm. Avon Wildlife Trust members £3.50, non-members £4.50, to include refreshments served at 7.15pm. All welcome, no booking required.

Sunday October 15

n Local history walk. Richard Dyson will be leading a walk around the centre of Keynsham, including the sites of the former brass mills. Meet at the main gates of the Memorial Park on Bath Hill for a 2.30pm start. The distance will be about 2 miles and it should take no more than 1.5 hours. There is no charge and no advance booking required.

Saturday October 21

n Farmborough Craft & Gift Fayre, Memorial Hall, BA2 0AH, 10.30am4pm. Entry £1, children free. Wide range of gifts to suit all pockets, refreshments available throughout the day.

Saturday November 4

n Keynsham Craft Fair at Keynsham Baptist Church. Come enjoy our ever popular annual event on Saturday November 4, 10am - 4pm. Free entry. Family friendly. (Stall-holder bookings now full)

REGULAR EVENTS

Mondays

n Tai Chi Shibashi 11am12 noon. Gentle flowing movements for physical health and emotional wellbeing. Easy to learn and a joy to do. All ages and abilities. Saltford Hall BS31 1DS. Contact Ruth on ruth. hartley6@icloud.com or 07912 077458.

n ASP Poetry Circle, free entry, every third Monday of each month, 2pm-3pm, Keynsham Library, upstairs balcony, diagonally across from table in corner, by the window. Bring two or three poems, own or another poet’s, to share. https://asppoetrycircle.wordpress. com/

n Keynsham Bridge Club can now welcome new experienced players to our Monday evening sessions. Contact Pat 01275 835583 or Diane 0117 9861267.

n The Royal British Legion

Women’s Section Keynsham Branch meets on the first Monday of each month upstairs at the RBL Club, Charlton Road, Keynsham, BS31 2JA, 7.30pm. Occasional speakers, social events and outings.

n Key Voices Community Choir meets Mondays at 7.30pm at St. Dunstan’s Church Hall, BS31 2BQ (or third Monday of month at Royal British Legion). We sing a wide range of music, with occasional performances and social events. We are a friendly non-auditioned choir, all are welcome. First session free to newcomers.

n Saltford Whist Club, Saltford Hall, Mondays (except last two weeks in August), 1.30pm-4pm. Contact Malcolm 01225 872555.

n CPK Badminton Club is a friendly but competitive club playing at Keynsham Leisure Centre, Mondays 7.30-9.30pm. Match night Fridays. Ideal for existing and potential league players, or those looking to improve their badminton. Email info@cpkbadminton.club

Mondays/Thursdays

n Yoga For Men Monday 7-8pm, mixed ability Keynsham Baptist Church, BS31 1DS.

Thursday 7-8pm, mixed ability Saltford Hall, Wansdyke Room, BS31 3BY. Free first class, £8 thereafter.Book online at www. yogadad.co.uk

Mondays/Fridays

n Butterflies Haven, charity for families of children with autism, sessions Mondays 7pm-8pm for

ages 11-18 and Fridays 5.45pm6.45pm or 7pm-8pm for ages 4-11, at St Francis Church, Warwick Road, Keynsham, BS31 2PW. A safe place for children to be themselves, supported by volunteers. Sessions must be booked in advance. For more information, email info@butterflies-haven.com.

Mondays/Fridays/Sundays

n Indoor rowing exercise classes, Mon 7pm, Fri 5pm and Sun 10.15am, Saltford Rowing Centre, Bath Road, BS31 3JS. Go Row Indoor caters for people of all ages and levels of fitness. Classes last 45 minutes using rowing machines. First class is free, then £5 (or £18pm). Email gorowindoor@ avoncountyrowingclub.org.uk to book. More details at http:// avoncountyrowingclub.org.uk/.

Tuesdays

n Badminton - friendly, beginners and improvers, mixed, adult (18 - 80!) group play every Tuesday 10am-12 noon at Keynsham Leisure Centre. Ring Clive 0117 9866793 or just turn up.

n St Keyna Townswomen’s Guild meets at the Fear Hall, Keynsham, from 10am to 12pm on the second Tuesday of each month.

n Keynsham Sequence Dance Club, 7.30pm-10pm, Fear Hall, Keynsham, every Tuesday. Contact Brian and Jo, Keynsham Sequence Dance Club, on 0117 9868540, or just turn up. Everyone welcome.

n Seated Pilates class

Tuesdays at 11-11.40am Saltford Hall - Avon Room, Wedmore Road, Saltford. This class is aimed at anyone who would benefit from an adapted pilates class with a chartered physiotherapist. This includes anyone with a long-term health condition (e.g arthritis), loss of confidence or those wanting to get fitter but have difficulty attending a floorbased session. You are welcome to do a trial class first to see if it suits your needs. Cost is £10. Booking is essential. Please book your place by contacting Kate 07518 522292 www.corerehab-physio.co.uk

Wednesdays

n Oldland Ukulele Club is a mixedability group who meet every

Wednesday at 1.30pm at Oldland Common United Reformed Church (the blue church), High Street, Oldland Common, BS30 9QN. All abilities welcomed to this friendly club. Places are £4 each. Call/text ‘Ukulele’ Ben on 07910 668258.

Wednesdays/Thursdays

n Walking Tennis coached sessions at Saltford Tennis Club. Wednesday 10am for 45 minutes for the active and Thursday 10.45am for People with Parkinson’s. Cost £5 per session. Racquets and balls provided and stay on for a cuppa and chat afterwards. if you are interested do come along to a session.

Thursdays

n Longwell Green Orchestra meet each Thursday at Longwell Green Community Centre, 7.30pm to 9.40pm. We have players of all abilities. Email Contact@ longwellgreenorchestra.org.uk or 07972 844073 beforehand to tell us what instrument and what level.

n Keynsham & Saltford Dementia Action Alliance runs Music for the Mind sessions for people living with dementia and their carers. St Dunstan’s Church Hall, Keynsham, 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month, 10.30am-12.15pm. Singing and gentle exercises from 11am. No charge. www.keynshamdaa. co.uk, ksdaa22@gmail.com or 07392442966.

n Mat Pilates Classes

Taught by Physiotherapist Kate Thurs 7-7.55pm (intermediate) Thurs 8-8.55pm (beginners) St Francis Church, Warwick Rd, Keynsham. 6 week block of classes £54. You are welcome to do a trial class first £10. 1:1 sessions also available at my studio in Saltford. Book online or by contacting Kate - 07518 522292, www.corerehab-physio.co.uk

Saturdays

n Volunteers at Keynsham Repair Cafe – a free monthly repair event, with a café, at Keynsham Baptist Church on the High Street – help to fix your everyday household things like toasters and lamps, sew a button onto a jacket, glue a handle back onto a mug, as well as more unusual items. Every second Saturday (same as Keynsham

We would love to publicise

n WHAT'S ON n LETTERS

Farmers Market), 10am– 12pm. Upcoming dates: April 8 (Easter Saturday), May 13, June 10, July 8, August 12, September 9, October 14, November 11, December 9. Website keynshamrepaircafe. wixsite.com/home

n Keynsham Sequence Dance Club Monthly Dance, 7.30pm to 10.30pm, Fear Hall, Keynsham, third Saturday of the month. Contact Brian and Jo, Keynsham Sequence Dance Club, on 01179868540 or just turn up. Refreshments (coffee/tea and biscuits), £5 each.

Sundays

n Keynsham Kings Flag American Football. Do you fancy trying out a new sport? Do you love the NFL? Flag American football is taking the UK by storm as a fastpaced, non-contact version of American football. Training: Sundays 10.30am-1pm, Manor Road Playing Fields. Mixed sport - anyone 16 yearsplus welcome. No previous experience needed. Contact us for more info on the Keynsham Kings Facebook or Instagram pages.

Arts trail set to draw crowds

THIS November sees the Cam Valley Arts Trail celebrate another year of arts in the community.

The trail will take visitors to the villages of Clutton, Hallatrow, High Littleton, Paulton, Camerton, Timsbury and Tunley. There are 12 venues, eight of which are artist’s studios, providing an opportunity to see where the artwork is created.

Karen George, chair of the group, said: “We have 34 wonderful artists taking part. We would love you to come along.”

There will be a huge variety on show: paintings, ceramics, felt, wirework, sculpture, weaving, glass, mosaics, enamel, jewellery, print and photography. And many artists will be demonstrating their processes.

The arts trail takes place on Saturday November 4 and Sunday November 5, from 11am to 4pm daily. More information can be found at www. camvalleyartstrail.co.uk.

Letters for publication can be sent to news@keynshamvoice.co.uk or by post to Letters, Keynshamvoice, 16 Ashmead Business Centre, Ashmead Road, Keynsham, BS31 1SX. The editor reserves the right to edit your letter.

A4 survey hinders expression of views

YOUR headline “Have your say on big shake-up of A4 travel” (September issue front page) thankfully alerted me to the online survey.

The proposals on the WECA website are quite difficult to understand. Furthermore, filling in the survey responses is a very complicated process.

What is more concerning is that one cannot actually “have your say”. There are fixed responses which limit the consultation response.

There are some admirable aims, such as providing a bus stop along the Keynsham bypass and some additional cycle links. This could be achieved at a low relative cost with some thought. It does not require millions of pounds of our money to be spent on what is claimed to “cut the jams and reduce pollution” with loads of bus lanes etc.

Any sensible person will spot that restricting traffic only increases pollution. Currently

FOLLOWING the successful recent Heritage Open Days, when almost 400 people visited historic Albert Mill in Keynsham during the two days it was open, the residents there are hoping to collect any memorabilia, photographs or memories that people would be willing to share to add to its historic story. If you can help, please contact Jill Coles at jcoles321@yahoo.com.

All parties are doing their bit for town

LIKE many others in the town, I received my copy of the Liberal Democrats FOCUS, August edition for Keynsham North.

anyway and not for any political intervention.

Rest assured that both Conservative and Labour continue to play a major part in the efforts to resolve the cycle lane, as indeed we would do for any other major issues affecting the town.

when I travel by bus, by and large it proceeds quite freely most of the time.

We all wish for better air quality. The claim that these measures will result in any improvement is questionable when there is greater congestion caused by the proposals. There is clear evidence that increased congestion increases nasty emissions.

We are told that nothing has been decided, but the consultation process seems to be designed to hinder people having their say in a free and open manner. I do wish that the monies would be spent elsewhere in a more useful manner. A sum of £500 million pounds would go a long way to improving our bus services!

Note that one can submit comments by emailing BathToBristol@WestofEngland-ca. gov.uk by October 1.

Stephen Peliza, Keynsham

It seems that if you write something and publish it, it must be fact. The new bridge, in the park, has been delivered successfully and, it is claimed, led by the Lib Dems. It seems to airbrush the work done by Alderman Brian Simmons, latterly the councillor for North Ward. Both he and I were at the same meetings as Andy Wait and Hal MacFie when pressing officers for actions. In fact at one meeting, I suggested that the officers made contact with the REME regiment based in Keynsham to ask whether they might erect a Bailey bridge to temporarily provide the cross-river route until a new bridge could be delivered. Unfortunately, when approached, REME said they could not help.

The newsletter also suggests in the way it is written that, since the May election, certain roads have been resurfaced that would perhaps not otherwise have been resurfaced. One in question was Charlton Park, where I have sought to have it resurfaced in the past but was told it was not yet on the programme.

Enquiries of officers reveal that “our formulation of the programme is weighted towards condition data and maintenance history, and we do our best to stick with this as it is good asset management.”

In other words, the roads had reached their time in the programme for renewal

Councillor Alan Hale

Distressing accident in the High Street

I AM moved to write this having recently witnessed two distressing accidents - a man tripping, but happily not falling, in Keynsham High Street, and another fall outside Boots.

Thus far the remedial work has not been successful in stopping these accidents.

The following options might be considered:

1. Level the road surface with the kerbs on either side of the road.

2. Return the street to its pedestrian-safe condition prior to the alterations.

3. Provide balustrades to either side of the road with openings at designated crossing places, and erect a balustrade to bound the garden and dangerous steps adjacent to the Keynsham Fish Bar.

I’ve been advised that the parklets in Temple Street have received “full technical approval from highways, and road safety audits have also been undertaken through the design and implementation phases.”

This is puzzling as people seated there are exposed to traffic fumes, and the parklets are prone to accidental vehicle collision, as happened to the house adjacent to Iceland’s service yard.

Tony Kirby

(photo of Albert Mill by Mike May)

KEYNSHAM

£990,000

Parts of Spring Cottage are believed to date back to the 1600s. It was originally converted from two adjoining cottages and subsequently extended in a sympathetic manner to provide substantial accommodation of character with a good degree of versatility and ideal for a growing family. Located in an enviable setting within the green-belt conservation area of Steel Mills overlooking the countryside and river, yet within walking distance of Keynsham.

EPC: D

TENURE: FREEHOLD COUNCIL TAX: F

STORAGE

STORAGE / SELF STORE

Should you need to store items, Wild & Lye

Removals are able to offer you a variety of Secure & Confidential storage facilities to suit your household or commercial storage requirements, from single boxes to entire households or office contents. Whilst your goods are in storage, they are placed in our secure and alarmed warehouse .

We offer this service at great prices, Our friendly, trustworthy and professional staff will surely be able to cater to your every need.

Wild and Lye comprises of a team of fully trained moving staff who are at hand to make sure that your move goes without a hitch. We have many years experience in the removal business and pride ourselves in offering a fantastic service to every client. Our professional removals team will take care of your every requirement from securely packing your goods, transporting your items to the required destination and then delicately unpacking all your valuables at your desired location.

Please call to discuss your requirements and competitive rates

Packing materials available for purchase prices available on request

SALTFORD TENNIS CLUB

Creating hope in Russell’s memory

SADLY, ten years ago in March 2013, Saltford

Lawn Tennis Club lost Russell Simmons to suicide.

He was a great player, coach, friend and valued member of the club. On Sunday September 10, on World Suicide Prevention Day, the club held the “Creating Hope Through Action Tournament” in memory of Russell, to raise awareness and to raise funds for Suicide Prevention-UK.

Eighteen participants - consisting of players Russ had coached, his friends and Saltford LTC league players - took to the courts for a men’s doubles round robin competition.

The top two teams went on to play a closely fought and entertaining final. James Meredith and Elliot Jones were victorious

against Joe Mason and Tom Griffith. The players were cheered on by a crowd of Russell’s parents, family, friends, ex-coaches and tennis club members, creating a great atmosphere.

A vast range of baked goods had been donated by club members to help raise funds. These included some amazing Romanian pastries donated by one of the club’s new members, Marina (@patisserie.marina.2023).

After raising a toast of Lucozade to Russell, (his favourite drink), prizes donated by Saltford LTC were awarded, and Russ’s father David presented the trophy to the winners.

Many of the spectators and competitors had travelled from London, Worcester, Wales, Gloucester and even New Zealand, so no excuse was needed after the event for a visit to the

KEYNSHAM BOWLING CLUB

Saltford Sports Club bar next door to renew acquaintances.

A huge thank-you goes to Russell’s inspiring and caring parents, Jan and David, for giving their blessing for the event. So far, over £700 has been raised.

One statistic highlighted at the event was that suicide is a leading cause of death in the UK for those aged 10 to 19 year.

This has to change. We need to support suicide prevention charities and create a safe and caring environment of hope, so people can realise it is OK to be not OK.

If you are suffering from suicidal thoughts, please talk to someone or call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK on 0800 689 5652. It is open from 6pm to 3.30am every day.

Sally and Sam among the victors at finals weekend

AT the time you are reading this, the green at Keynsham Bowling Club in the Memorial Park will be going into its winter mode.

Whilst maintenance continues, under the watchful eye of Derek Packer, the green’s manager, this will be geared to preparing the green for the 2024 season, hopefully to the same high standard we enjoyed this season.

The end of the season means we can look back on how our teams performed.

Our men field three teams in each of the Thursday evening Bristol and District League and the Saturday Somerset County League.

Last season, our A team won promotion to Division 1 of the Bristol & District but found the competition tough this season and were relegated back to Division 2. Our B Team finished seventh in Division 3 and our C Team eighth in Division 4.

We performed much better in

celebrate their success

the Somerset League, where in the East 1 section our A Team finished fifth, while our B and C Teams were fourth and ninth in the East 2 section.

Our most successful men’s side was the Friday Triples squad, which

finished third out of 12 teams and also got to the semi-final of the Triples Cup.

On a Friday evening, we have a team in the Somerset Mixed Triples League.

Whilst we finished bottom of the league of eight, we were not disheartened as we always field a side of established and novice bowlers, which provides good training and experience for those starting out in the game.

One of the highlights of the season is our finals weekend, when those members who have successfully battled through earlier rounds face one another in an attempt to pick up a trophy.

Our ladies champion this year was Sally Difazio, who also won the ladies’ handicap. Joan Harvey won the ladies’ two wood and then paired up with Jane Cols to win the ladies pairs.

Jane then won another cup, being a member of the ladies

triples team with Lindsey Allen and Lyn Dorey. Sam Walker was men’s champion, becoming the oldest member to win that trophy, taking that record from Dave Bendall.

The men’s handicap was won by one of our most recent new bowlers, Paul Matthews, who teamed up with Bernard Crabbe to win the men’s pairs and finally with Maureen Cavill to win the Australian pairs.

The men’s plate winner was Roger Price, with Martin Barrett winning the men’s two wood. Martin won a second trophy when he teamed up with Graham Cavill and Bob Payne to win the men’s triples.

The over-70s winner was Ken Gaull, the mixed pairs victors were Pam and Bob Edge, and the novices’ winner was Robert Cole.

The trophies will be presented at the annual lunch in November at Saltford Golf Club.

Mike Barrow

Women’s champion Sally Difazio and men’s champion Sam Walker

David Simmons presents the trophy to winners James Meredith and Elliott Jones

The players who took part in the tournament in memory to Russell Simmons, right

FRY’S TENNIS CLUB

Grand finale provides a feast of action

FRY’S Tennis Club staged the final of its annual tournament on September 16.

Running for two months over the summer, the tournament attracted a large number of entrants, with many great matches being played.

We were very pleased to see so many juniors competing this year, who all did themselves proud. A particular ‘well done’ to juniors Ted Conway and Adam Leeper, who made the quarter-finals in the singles, and Isabella Eke, who made the semi-final in the doubles.

The singles final saw defending champion Mark Long take on number-two seed Kerry Grace in a high-quality match.

A quick start from Mark saw him win the first four games, as some strong backhands helped him take control from the back of court early on before closing out the set with a decisive service game.

The second set was a much closer affair as Kerry found his range, hitting some consistently tricky serves and his trademark powerful ground strokes. An

early break of serve for Kerry was quickly pulled back by Mark, who then edged several tight games to eventually complete a 6-2 6-4 win.

The doubles final featured Kerry Grace and Ann Smith against Julian Hellyer and Sue Box. Kerry showed he still had enough energy after the singles final as he and Ann started in fine form.

The two lefties combined well, as they had all tournament, and

KEYNSHAM HOCKEY CLUB

stormed through the first set 6-1. The second set was close all the way through as Julian and Sue’s steady ground strokes and superb net play brought them back into the contest. A vital break at 4-4 just gave Kerry and Ann the edge and they were then able to impressively serve out for a 6-1 6-4 win.

A great day of tennis! Many congratulations to our winners and a big thank-you to all participants

and those who supported on the day.

Anyone interested in junior membership or coaching should contact Rich Conway at richardconway6@icloud.com or 07909988115. Anyone interested in adult membership should contact Tony Dicker at ard@tonydicker.co.uk - anyone looking to play league/ club nights would be particularly welcome.

KEYNSHAM Hockey Club recently hosted its annual memorial hockey tournament, raising £774.90 in support of Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation.

The event - on a scorching hot day at Wellsway Sports Centrebrought together local players from Keynsham Hockey Club and Bristol and West Hockey Club for an exciting seven-a-side mixed tournament. There was strong competition on the field, and Bristol and West were ultimately crowned the winners.

Keynsham club chairwoman Katherine Sears said: “The British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research are two charities which

Charities are the winners at memorial tournament

are very close to the club’s heart.

“James Clifford was one of the founders of our men’s section; he passed away very suddenly and is sorely missed. But I’m sure the recent promotion of both our men’s teams would be something he would be extremely proud of.

“We continue to support Cancer Research in their mission to fight cancer. The club lost its former chair, Jo Bush, to the disease, as well as its 1st XI keeper, Kim Baptiste.

“Both made huge impacts to the development of the club. Kim was renowned for pushing the younger members of the club to excel in the high teams. It was lovely to see the families of James and Kim at the event.

“The fantastic work Cancer Research does is even more poignant, as club member Dan Money recently underwent liver surgery. The whole club joins me in wishing Dan a speedy recovery. We will continue to support him in his

fight and we are extremely proud of him and his bravery.”

The tournament’s success would not have been possible without support from the local community and the dedication of Keynsham Hockey Club members. A special thank-you goes to those who provided raffle prizes.

One local business, Keynsham Coffee Co, played a significant role by ensuring all participants were well-refreshed and prepared to give their best on the field!

Finally, the success of this event owes much to the hard work of Lou Bessel, who took the lead in organising this memorable tournament.

Doubles finalists (left to right) Julian Hellyer, Sue Box, Ann Smith and Kerry Grace

Kerry Grace, left, and Mark Long in action in the singles final, where Mark retained his title

WHITCHURCH CRICKET CLUB

Proud day as promotion is clinched at last

WHITCHURCH Cricket Club is celebrating winning promotion to the Senior Division of the Bristol and District League for the first time in its 101-year history.

It clinched the first division title by beating Hampset in Bath and closest rivals Cleeve, which meant they won 11 of the 13 matches played.

Captain Ben Jefferies led from the front, finishing as top run scorer in the league with 537 runs at an average of 53.70. James England was best bowler in the division with 25 wickets at a strike rate of 18.80 and an average of 14.44.

Wicket-keeper Nick Beedell took the most victims in the league with five stumpings and 13 catches. His two sons Charlie and Will are also in the young first team, with 14-year-old

leg spinner Hayden Williams also picking up 23 wickets with a strike rate of 17.26 in his first full season at this level.

Jefferies said: “It’s a great achievement for the club, after finally making it out of Division 1, a league where everyone really beats everyone and, as proven by us, it’s easy to get stuck in.

“I’m proud as first-team skipper to be able to

SALTFORD GOLF CLUB Captain Karl’s cash dash

KARL Davies, Saltford Golf Club’s Senior Captain, has completed a speed-round challenge in aid of the Great Western Air Ambulance charity.

Karl shot a gross score of 96 and jogged round in just 70 minutes and 40 seconds, giving a speed-golf score of 166:40.

The event on September 8 raised £730.

Karl, who covered 7.96 kilometres on his round, would like to thank everyone who supported him and provided a prediction, and especially Ian Richardson and Andy Davis, for acting as his support crew on a very hot day.

Congratulations go to Jonathan Bassindale, who predicted the closest score.

move the club forwards on the pitch with all the hard work that’s gone on, off of it.

“This year we really focused on training better, working hard for each other and improving our skills. With a young squad, to be able to show hard work pays off is a great personal success, and something I aim to continue pushing towards for next year.”

Triples final showdown

Friday Triples Final: The final of the Triples League Cup saw Fry’s take on league winners St Anne’s Park at Severn Vale. St Anne’s Park took an early lead and controlled the game from there.

Fry’s were able to hold the deficit at around the 11-shot mark, but St Anne’s pulled further away in the second half, eventually taking a well-deserved 60-39 win.

Scores: Fry’s 39-60 St Anne’s Park: Rink 1, 12-19; Rink 2, 9-31; Rink 3, 18-10.

Friday Triples League:

A tough home game in the Triples League against leaders St Anne’s Park saw only two points for Fry’s. With two rinks struggling, St Anne’s always looked like taking the win. The third Fry’s rink could not do enough to overcome the deficit, with St Anne’s taking a comfortable 63-47 victory.

A rearranged game at Imperial saw a tight game decided by a single shot. Imperial took two rinks, but the third rink was comfortable for Fry’s, which was enough to overcome Imperial by a single shot.

A trip to Severn Vale was the penultimate match of the Triples League season. The game followed the pattern of the previous week, with Fry’s giving up two rinks, but with Severn Vale only narrowly taking the rinks, Fry’s had enough of a lead on the third rink to take the match 51-46.

The final game of the Triples League season saw Page Park visit

Somerdale. It was a disappointing finish for the home side. Despite two Fry’s rinks winning, Page Park took the third rink, giving them a three-shot win. That brought an end to a successful first league campaign for Fry’s, who won 11 games with 142 points and finished fifth in the table.

August 25: Fry’s 47-63 St Anne’s Park: Rink 1, 15-24; Rink 2, 14-26; Rink 3, 18-13 (2-10).

August 29: Fry’s 44-43 Imperial: Rink 1, 14-16; Rink 2, 23-8; Rink 3, 7-19 (8-4).

September 1: Fry’s 51-46 Severn Vale: Rink 1, 14-15, Rink 2, 13-18; Rink 3, 24-13 (8-4).

September 8: Fry’s 45-48 Page Park: Rink 1, 16-11; Rink 2, 11-26; Rink 3, 18-11 (4-8).

Bristol and District League: The final game in the Bristol and District League season saw Fry’s host Victoria Park, with Fry’s trailing by nine points in the table and Victoria Park in fourth place.

The game saw a tight start with neither side taking an advantage, but it opened up after the halfway point, with rink 3 starting to pull away.

Rink 2 also edged ahead, helping Fry’s to a 51-39 win. Rink 1 went to Victoria Park, which gave two points, which was enough to see them take fourth place by a single point from Fry’s.

August 24: Fry’s 51-39 Victoria Park: Rink 1, 13-17; Rink 2, 17-12; Rink 3, 21-10 (8-2).

BRISTOL BASEBALL CLUB

Cardinals crush battling Badgers’ play-off hopes

BRISTOL Badgers’ BBF AAA play-off hopes were ended with two defeats by the Herts Cardinals.

Needing to win both games of the double header, the Badgers went down 10-5 and 11-7 at the Basing Hill Ballpark in London.

In the first game, the Badgers – based at Somerdale Pavilion in Keynsham - went behind early and found themselves 9-3 down at the bottom of the fourth innings as their pitchers struggled to contain the Cardinals’ offense.

In response, Mattia Papini and Josh Boulton both hit doubles but the Badgers struggled against some tight Herts pitching despite Papini,

Charlie Turner and Seyi Awofadeju each stealing a base.

The second match followed a similar pattern with the Cardinals marching into an 11-2 lead at the end of the third inning, despite the Badgers out-hitting the Herts team.

Papini maintained his good form at the plate with two hits, three runs and two runs driven in.

He was well supported by outfielders George Braeger and Awofadeju, who both had multi-hit games and drove in four runs between them.

Despite the excellent hitting, the Badgers couldn’t get the runners home and eventually

went down in their last match of the season despite pushing to the end.

“It was a disappointing end to the season but the Cardinals were the better team on the day,” said Badgers’ player/manager Rhodri Theaker.

“Despite the result, we have found three or four players who have stepped up a level and who have proved they can compete at AAA in 2024.”

Players from the Buccaneers and the Brunels, the club’s SWWBL A teams, took part in the annual All Star match between the Wessex and Severn Divisions, which Wessex won 10-1.

BUILDING SERVICES

CLEANING SERVICES

YOUR LOCAL & PROFESSIONAL

YOUR LOCAL & PROFESSIONAL OVEN & CARPET CLEANER

We are a family run business providing an outstanding and professional oven & carpet cleaning service throughout the local area.

We are a family run business providing an outstanding and professional oven & carpet cleaning service throughout the local area.

We specialise in cleaning : Ovens, Hobs, Extractors, Ranges, Agas, Barbecues, Carpets, Upholstery, Rugs & Spot Cleaning

We specialise in cleaning : Ovens, Hobs, Extractors, Ranges, Agas, Barbecues, Carpets, Upholstery, Rugs & Spot Cleaning

FULLYTRAINED &INSURED CERTIFICATES ISSUEDFOR INSURANCE� LOGBURNERS &OPENFIRE SERVICING

FULLYTRAINED &INSURED CERTIFICATES ISSUEDFOR INSURANCE� LOGBURNERS &OPENFIRE SERVICING

FULLY TRAINED & INSURED CERTIFICATES ISSUED FOR INSURANCE LOG BURNERS & OPEN FIRE SERVICING

FULLYTRAINED &INSURED CERTIFICATES ISSUEDFOR INSURANCE� LOGBURNERS &OPENFIRE SERVICING

TEL: 07535500922

FULLYTRAINED &INSURED CERTIFICATES ISSUEDFOR INSURANCE� LOGBURNERS &OPENFIRE SERVICING

Agas, Barbecues, Carpets, Upholstery, Rugs & Spot Cleaning

Contact us today for a free quote! Call: 01225 769191

Contact us today for a free quote! Call: 01225 769191

Contact us today for a free quote! Call: 01225 769191

ROOFING

TREE